PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL CONTENT TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20090233585A1
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Cohen
• Original Assignee: Robert Cohen
• Inventors: Cohen, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,849,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0227 Frequent usage incentive value reconciliation between diverse systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A system and method for the insertion of additional content to messages sent between mobile communications devices. The system provides for a point system which allows users of the system to accumulate points for additional content sent with text messages. The points may be used for various functions such as purchasing premium services or may be applied towards the user'"'"'s service charges.

Claims

1. A method for use in providing additional content to a mobile communication device, comprising:

receiving a text message, the text message having been generated by a user of a first mobile communication device inputting text information into a first mobile communications device;

selecting an item of additional content out of a plurality of items of additional content;

appending the selected item of additional content to the text message; and

transmitting the text message and the appended selected item of additional content to a second mobile communication device for display on the second mobile communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first mobile communications device receives the text message, and the first mobile communications device performs selection of the item of additional content out of the plurality of items of additional content.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of items of additional content are stored on the first mobile communications device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a service provider performs selection of the item of additional content out of the plurality of items of additional content, and further comprising downloading, by the first mobile communications device, of the selected item of additional content.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein a message service router of a service provider receives the text message, and the service provider performs selection of the item of additional content out of the plurality of items of additional content.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the text message and appended selected item of additional content are transmitted to the second mobile communications device by way of a cellular communication system.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating a point value with the user of the first mobile communication device based on transmission of the text message and the appended selected item of additional content to the second mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least some of the different items of the plurality items of additional content have different associated point values.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the point value has a monetary value.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the point value is redeemable for goods or services.

11. A system for transmitting textual information including additional content, comprising:

a keypad for entering text information;

a processor configured to store information the text information, configured to append additional content including at least additional text to the text information, and configured to command transmission of the text information and additional content to a second mobile communication device; and

communication circuitry to transmit the text information and additional content to the second mobile communication device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein transmission of the text information and additional content to the second mobile communication device is by way of a cellular network.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to allow selection of the additional content from a plurality of items of additional content.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the additional content comprises advertising content.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the processor is further configured to command display of a point value associated with the additional content.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the processor is further configured to command transmission of a request to download further items of additional content.

17. A system for transmitting textual information including additional content, comprising:

a message service router for routing text information in a cellular communications network; and

an additional content server data coupled to the message service router, the additional content server configured to receive at least an indication of a sender of a text message and configured to provide the message service router at least an item of additional content based on at least the indication of a sender of the text message.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the additional content server is further configured to select the item of additional content from a plurality of items of additional content.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the additional content server is further configured to associate a point value with the sender of the text message based on the additional content.