Commercially subsidized mobile communication devices and services
First Claim
1. A method of connecting a user of a mobile communication device with at least one provider of a service solicited by the user, the mobile communication device having a processor and access to a provider database and coupled with a service cost, the method comprising:
- executing on the processor instructions that cause the mobile communication device to;
responsive to a user query of at least one solicited service;
identify in the provider database at least one provider offering the solicited service, andpresent to the user the at least one provider;
responsive to a user selection of a provider, initiate a communication session between the user and the provider; and
charge to the at least one provider at least a portion of the service cost.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, may be capable of recommending to a user various providers of one or more solicited services, e.g., by identifying a user location and identifying providers near the user location that provide the services, and by initiating a call between the user and a selected provider. However, the equipment and service costs of such devices may be prohibitive, particularly for mid-range mobile communication devices that may appeal to cost-conscious users. The prohibitive costs may be diminished by redirecting part or all of the cost of providing the recommendation service from the providers, e.g., by charging the provider a service cost upon initiating a call from the user to the provider, or upon representing the provider in a provider database. In one such embodiment, all service costs may be borne by providers, providing to the user a free recommendation service via the mobile communication device.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of connecting a user of a mobile communication device with at least one provider of a service solicited by the user, the mobile communication device having a processor and access to a provider database and coupled with a service cost, the method comprising:
executing on the processor instructions that cause the mobile communication device to; responsive to a user query of at least one solicited service; identify in the provider database at least one provider offering the solicited service, and present to the user the at least one provider; responsive to a user selection of a provider, initiate a communication session between the user and the provider; and charge to the at least one provider at least a portion of the service cost. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device having access to a provider database and coupled with a service cost that connects a user with at least one provider of a service solicited by the user, the device comprising:
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a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed on the process, cause the device to provide a system comprising; a provider presenter that, responsive to detecting a user query of at least one solicited service; identifies in the provider database at least one provider offering the solicited service, and presents to the user the at least one provider; a communication session initiator that, responsive to a user selection of a provider, initiates a communication session between the user and the provider; and a provider charger that charges to the at least one provider at least a portion of the service cost of the communication session. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A server that connects a user of a mobile communication device with at least one provider of a service solicited by the user, the server having access to a provider database and comprising:
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a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the server to; responsive to detecting a user query of at least one solicited service; identify in the provider database at least one provider offering the solicited service, and transmit the at least one provider to the mobile communication device for presentation to the user; responsive to a user selection of a provider, initiate a communication session between the user and the provider; and charge to the at least one provider at least a portion of the service cost of the communication session.
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Specification