BOOKING METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20150235146A1
• Filed: 01/30/2015
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Smartcom Labs OY
• Original Assignee: Bookit Oy Ajanvarauspalvelu
• Inventors: SALONEN, Jukka Kalevi
• Application Number:
  US14/610,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20150235146A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3221 Access to banking information through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/14 Travel agencies
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/207 with respect to certain areas, e.g. forbidden or allowed areas with possible alerting when inside or outside boundaries
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/37 E-mail addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• 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: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 : Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 : Subscriber identity
• 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 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for booking reservations in a booking system and synchronizing bookings among several booking systems. The system comprises at least one booking system; at least one service provider; a mediator service; a client, and at least one client terminal device that can be a mobile device and that includes a dialogue. The client uses the dialogue to enter information into the system and the mediator receives inquiries and answers from the at least one booking system, the at least one service provider, and the at least one client. The mediator transfers and adapts information between them. The method and system are particularly suited for use with mobile phone users by Small Message Service messages.

Claims

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28. A network server that controls communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the network server comprising:

means for preparing an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer;

means for specifying a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message;

means for sending the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network; and

means for receiving a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message; and

means for associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received, wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.

29. The network server of claim 28, wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider.

30. The network server of claim 28, wherein the means for associating the reply message determines which inquiry text message to which the reply message corresponds based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received.

31. The network server of claim 28, wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service.

32. The network server of claim 28, wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device.

33. The network server of claim 28, wherein the means for associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message.

34. The network server of claim 33, wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message.

35. The network server of claim 28, wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet.

36. The network server of claim 28, wherein the network server communicates with the customer'"'"'s mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet.

37. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation.

38. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction.

39. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

40. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer.

41. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer.

42. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer.

43. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer.

44. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer.

45. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

46. The network server of claim 28, wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider.

47. The network server of claim 28, wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message.

48. The network server of claim 28, wherein the reply message uses as a foam of communication at least one of the following:

SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card.

49. The network server of claim 28, wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address.

50. The network server of claim 28, wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber'"'"'s number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address.

51. The network server of claim 28, wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer.

52. A method of controlling, using at least one network server, communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the method comprising:

preparing, by the at least one network server, an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer;

specifying, by the at least one network server, a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message;

sending, by the at least one network server, the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network coupled to the at least one network server; and

receiving, by the at least one network server, a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message; and

associating, by the at least one network server, the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received, wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the associating of the reply message determines which inquiry text message to which the reply message corresponds based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein the associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message.

58. The method of claim 52, wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message.

59. The method of claim 52, wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet.

60. The method of claim 52, wherein the network server communicates with the customer'"'"'s mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet.

61. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation.

62. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction.

63. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

64. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer.

65. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer.

66. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer.

67. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer.

68. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer.

69. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

70. The method of claim 52, wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider.

71. The method of claim 52, wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message.

72. The method of claim 52, wherein the reply message uses as a form of communication at least one of the following:

SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card.

73. The method of claim 52, wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address.

74. The method of claim 52, wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber'"'"'s number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address.

75. The method of claim 52, wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer.

76. A system for controlling communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the system comprising:

at least one server that prepares an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer, specifies a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message and sends the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network,

wherein in response to receipt of a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message, the at least one server associates the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received,

wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the association of the reply message with the inquiry text message is based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received.

79. The system of claim 76, wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service.

80. The system of claim 76, wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the association of the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer'"'"'s mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message.

82. The system of claim 76, wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message.

83. The system of claim 76, wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet.

84. The system of claim 76, wherein the at least one server communicates with the customer'"'"'s mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet.

85. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation.

86. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction.

87. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

88. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer.

89. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer.

90. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer.

91. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer.

92. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer.

93. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket.

94. The system of claim 76, wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider.

95. The system of claim 76, wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message.

96. The system of claim 76, wherein the reply message uses as a form of communication at least one of the following:

SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card.

97. The system of claim 76, wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address.

98. The system of claim 76, wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber'"'"'s number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address.

99. The system of claim 76, wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer.