Software for a navigation control unit for use with a wireless computer resource access device and associated system

• US 20030080996A1
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seco Mobile, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seco Mobile, Inc.
• Inventors: Cousins, Robert, Wendt, Henriette, Rini, Willliam, Lavin, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/269,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20030080996A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/30 Managing network names, e.g. use of aliases or nicknames name-to-address mapping H04L61/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access

Abstract

A method automatically configures a wireless network access device, such as a wireless access protocol (“WAP”) enabled mobile phone. The method, which may be embodied in a separate attachment that may be removably secured to a wireless access device, automatically configures the wireless access device to facilitate the access or retrieval of resources on the computer network. In one embodiment, a WAP enabled cell phone is coupled to a navigation control unit that automatically configures the phone to access a predetermined web page or site on the Internet. User controls, such as buttons, on the navigation control unit allow a user to quickly access predefined resources on the Internet (such as predetermined web pages or web sites), by pushing a single button, rather than requiring the user to enter a complicated series of key presses on the phone. While a cell phone is described, various other embodiments are also described under the invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device, the method comprising:

receiving an input from a user of a navigation control unit, wherein the navigation control unit is coupled to the wireless web access device and wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the navigation control unit by the user;

generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;

transmitting the user command to the wireless web access device using a communications link;

transmitting the user command to a navigation server;

receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a web page on the Internet; and

accessing the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device and retrieving for display the web page.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the communications link between the navigation control unit and the wireless web access device is a cord.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the communications link between the navigation control unit and the wireless web access device is a wireless link.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the user command includes a URL and information identifying the navigation control unit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the redirection command includes a redirection URL.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user command includes a URL, wherein further URL includes an address for a navigation server, a serial number for the navigation control unit, and information about the user control actuated by the user.

7. A method for controlling navigation over a computer network by a user on a wireless network access device, comprising:

receiving all input from a user to a network navigation control unit wherein the user input is based on the actuation of a user control on the network navigation control unit by the user;

generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user; and

transmitting the user command from the network navigation control unit to the wireless network access device using a communications link.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the computer network is the Internet, and wherein the user command includes a URL, wherein further the URL includes an address for a navigation server, a serial number for the navigation control unit, and information about the user control actuated by the user.

9. A method for controlling navigation of a computer network by a user on a wireless web access device, comprising:

receiving a user command from a navigation control unit via a communications link, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;

transmitting the user command to a navigation server;

receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a resource available from the computer network; and

accessing the resource from the computer network based on the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the user command further includes a URL and information identifying the navigation control unit, wherein per the URL is an address for the navigation server.

11. A computer-readable medium containing a data structure for use by a navigation server, the data structure comprising:

at least one URL, wherein each URL comprises;

a URL address for the navigation server;

information identifying a navigation control unit associated with the URL; and

information identifying at least one user control on the navigation control unit actuated by a user.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the computer-readable medium is a logical node in a computer network receiving the contents.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the computer-readable medium is a computer-readable disk.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the computer-readable medium is a data transmission medium transmitting a generated data signal containing the contents.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of a computer system.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 further comprising information identifying a payment mechanism for providing payment by the user.

17. A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device with integral navigation control unit functionality, the method comprising:

receiving an input firm a user of a wireless web access device, wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the wireless web access device by the user;

generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user;

transmitting the user command to a navigation server;

receiving a redirection command from the navigation server, wherein the redirection command includes an address of a web page on the Internet; and

accessing the address specified in the redirection command using a browser located on the wireless web access device and retrieving for display the web page.

18. A method for reprogramming a wireless network access device with a navigation control unit, comprising:

generating a configuration command, wherein the configuration command is based on the wireless network access device; and

transmitting the configuration command from the network navigation control unit to the wireless network access device using a communications link.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the configuration command is automatically generated and transmitted.

20. The method of claim 18 flyer comprising receiving information identifying the wireless network access device.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the configuration command includes a series of keypresses, wherein the series of keypresses replicates the keypresses a user of the wireless network access device would have to enter to reprogram the wireless network access device.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the configuration command includes information to perform at least one of the following functions:

setting the screen display, configuring a home page, configuring a ringing tone for the wireless network access device, configuring a gateway portal and configuring bookmarks stored on the wireless network access device.

23. A method for controlling navigation within the Internet by a user on a wireless web access device, the method comprising:

receiving an input from a user of a navigation control unit, wherein the navigation control unit is coupled to the wireless web access devise and wherein the user input is based on actuation of a user control on the navigation control unit by the user, and wherein the user command includes information identifying the navigation control unit and an address for a navigation server, and wherein the computer network is the Internet;

generating a user command, wherein the user command includes information about the user control actuated by the user; and

transmitting the user command to the wireless web access device using a communications link.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the user command further includes information identifying a product or service to be purchased by the user and information identifying user payment information.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the user command further includes information providing authentication or security for user information.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the user command further includes location information for the navigation control unit.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the user command further includes electronic coupon information.