Systems and methods for providing mobile advertising and directory assistance services

• US 7,873,708 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Durand, Terry, Cenciarelli, Fulvio
• Primary Examiner(s): DENNISON, JERRY B
• Application Number:
  US11/118,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20050245241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/206, 709/207, 709/219, 709/226, 709/229, 707/3, 707/4, 707/6, 715/201, 715/202
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

Rich multimedia content is provided to a wireless device, particularly in response to a request for directory assistance generated by a client application. The multimedia content is provided as a multimedia message including bundled multimedia elements such as images, sound, text, and video files. The multimedia elements are compiled into a single multimedia presentation or deck that includes multiple screens that are automatically advanced for the convenience of the wireless device user. The user can interact with elements of the multimedia presentation, for example by placing orders, providing payment information, controlling playback, and forwarding or saving the deck to the wireless device. Multiple decks may be retrieved by a single request, and the decks are presented in an order determined by a bidding system or according to user preferences. Elements can be presented visually and/or audibly, and the user can interact using voice commands, manual entries, or stored entries.

Claims

1. A method for operating a content server to wirelessly provide bundled entity-related multimedia content to a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a content server, a content search query from the wireless device, the content search query comprising a query parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of an entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius;

mapping, at the content server, the content search query to multimedia content records stored in a publishing system by comparing the query parameter to the multimedia content records to determine a match that identifies which of the multimedia content records includes multimedia content associated with the query parameter, wherein each multimedia content record comprises a bundle of multimedia content associated with at least one entity, the multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation by the publishing system;

retrieving, at the content server, the interactive multimedia presentation identified by the match;

transmitting, at the content server, the interactive multimedia presentation to a multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) that is configured to receive the interactive multimedia presentation and to deliver the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message; and

performing, at the content server, an update process to send an update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device, the update process comprising one of;

automatically transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available; and

in response to a request received by the content server, transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the content server, the content search query further comprises receiving the content search query, forwarded from a transport system, the content search query further comprising a server destination code that identifies the content server, and instructs the transport system to forward the content search query to the content server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, at the content server, the content search query comprises receiving the content search query via a text transport system.

4. A content server for wirelessly providing bundled entity-related multimedia content to a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the content server comprising:

a network interface;

a processor; and

a memory, in communication with the processor and the network interface, the memory being configured to store instructions that, when executed, perform the steps of;

receiving, via the network interface, a content search query for content from the wireless device, the content search query comprising a query parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of an entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius;

mapping the content search query to multimedia content records stored in a publishing system by comparing the query parameter to the multimedia content records to determine a match that identifies which of the multimedia content records includes multimedia content associated with the query parameter, wherein each multimedia content record comprises a bundle of multimedia content associated with at least one entity, the multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation by the publishing system;

retrieving the interactive multimedia presentation identified by the match;

transmitting the interactive multimedia presentation to a multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) that is configured to receive the interactive multimedia presentation and to deliver the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message; and

performing an update process to send an update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device, the update process comprising one of;

automatically transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available; and

in response to a request received by the content server, transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available.

5. A device for accessing bundled entity-related multimedia content in a wireless telecommunications network, the device comprising:

a processor;

an interface configured to receive a user input that defines a parameter of a search query for content, and to relay the user input to the processor;

a memory configured to store a content delivery application, the content delivery application comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the steps of;

generating the search query based upon the user, the search query comprising the parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of the entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius;

transmitting the search query to a content server;

receiving, as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, at least one bundle of multimedia content related to the parameter identified in the search query, the multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation;

presenting the interactive multimedia presentation to a user of the wireless device; and

performing at least one action of;

storing the interactive multimedia presentation in the memory;

forwarding the interactive multimedia presentation to another device as a multimedia message;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been presented;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been stored in the memory;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been forwarded; and

receiving an update to the interactive multimedia presentation from the content server.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the memory is further configured to store a preferences module, the preferences module comprising default values for the parameter.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising an output device for presenting the interactive multimedia presentation to the user as any combination of audio, text, images, pictures, video, and printed material, and for soliciting additional user input.

8. A method for wirelessly providing bundled entity-related multimedia content to a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a content server, a search query for content from the wireless device, the search query comprising a set of search parameters;

identifying, at the content server, at least two bundles of multimedia content that correspond at least in part to the search parameters;

transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to a multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and to deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content, the order being determined at least in part by at least one of;

a relative popularity of the bundles;

a preference expressed by the user of the wireless device;

a relative priority of an entity that is associated with each of the bundles;

a relative geographic location of the entity that is associated with each of the bundles; and

a relative degree to which the characteristics of each bundle correspond to the search parameters; and

performing, at the content server, an update process to send an update for the presentation to the wireless device, the update process comprising one of;

automatically transmitting the update for the presentation to the wireless device if the update is available; and

in response to a request received by the content server, transmitting the update for the presentation to the wireless device if the update is available.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to the MMSC that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one MMS message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content, the order being determined at least in part by the relative popularity by comparing a variable including at least one of:

a relative frequency of previous transmissions of each of the bundles to the wireless device;

a relative frequency of previous transmissions of each of the bundles to other wireless devices;

a relative frequency of previous downloads of each of the bundles to the wireless device;

a relative frequency of previous downloads of each of the bundles to other wireless devices;

a relative frequency of instances where each of the bundles has been saved to the wireless device; and

a relative frequency of instances where each of the bundles has been saved to other wireless devices.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to the MMSC that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one MMS message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content, the order being determined at least in part by the relative priority of the entity that is associated with each of the bundles according to a method for keyword bidding, comprising:

selling a keyword to an entity;

ascribing the keyword as a characteristic of a favored bundle, the favored bundle being a bundle associated with the entity, the characteristic belonging to the set of search parameters; and

determining whether the search parameters in the request for content include the keyword.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

if the search parameters in the request for content include the keyword, then transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to the MMSC that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one MMS message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content such that the favored bundle is presented before the other bundles.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to the MMSC that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one MMS message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content such that the favored bundle is presented before the other bundles, the order being determined at least in part by the relative priority of the entity that is associated with each of the bundles according to a method for keyword bidding, comprising:

allocating a plurality of unique relational rankings to a keyword;

selling to a first entity a first ranking associated with the keyword;

selling to a second entity a second ranking associated with the keyword, the second ranking having lower positional priority;

ascribing the keyword as a characteristic of at least one bundle associated with the first entity and of at least one bundle associated with the second entity, the characteristic belonging to the set of search parameters; and

determining whether the search parameters in the request for content include the keyword;

wherein if the search parameters in the search query include the keyword, then transmitting, at the content server, the bundles of multimedia content to the MMSC that is configured to receive the bundles of multimedia content and deliver the bundles of multimedia content to the wireless device as at least one MMS message with instructions for ordering the presentation of the bundles of multimedia content such that the bundle associated with the first entity is presented before the bundle associated with the second entity.

13. A method for placing an order via a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

generating, at the wireless device, a search query for content, the search query comprising a search parameter;

transmitting, at the wireless device, the search query to a content server via the wireless telecommunications network;

receiving, as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message at the wireless device, at least one bundle of multimedia content related to an entity identified by the search parameter, the bundle of multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation;

presenting, at the wireless device, the interactive multimedia presentation to a user of the wireless device, the interactive multimedia presentation comprising a menu comprising at least one item associated with the entity;

receiving, at the wireless device, an update for the interactive multimedia presentation;

receiving, at the wireless device, an input from the user, the input comprising a selection of one of the items presented in the interactive multimedia presentation; and

transmitting, at the wireless device, an order to the entity, the order comprising the item selection.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating, at the wireless device, the search query comprising the search parameter comprises generating the search query, the search query comprising the search parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of the entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting, at the wireless device, the order to the entity comprises transmitting the order to the entity, the order comprising order details including at least one of a user identification information, a payment method, a billing address, a delivery address, an email address, a telephone number, a fulfillment method, a quantity, a color, and a size.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting, at the wireless device, the order to the entity comprises transmitting the order to the entity, the order comprising at least the fulfillment method, wherein the fulfillment method is one of pickup, delivery, and download.

17. A method for redeeming a coupon via a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

generating, at the wireless device, a search query, the search query comprising a search parameter;

transmitting, at the wireless device, the search query to a content server via the telecommunications network;

receiving, at the wireless device as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, at least one bundle of multimedia content related to an entity identified by the search parameter, the bundle of multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation comprising a coupon for an item, the coupon comprising a redemption code;

receiving, at the wireless device, an update for the interactive multimedia presentation from the content server; and

transmitting, at the wireless device, the redemption code to the entity.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving, at the wireless device, an interaction from a user of the wireless device, the interaction comprising selecting the item presented in the interactive multimedia presentation; and

,

wherein transmitting, at the wireless device, the redemption code comprises transmitting a request for the item to the entity, the request comprising the redemption code.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting, at the wireless device, the redemption code comprises the wireless device placing a voice call to the entity.

20. A method for receiving payment information from a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

transmitting, at a content server, an interactive multimedia presentation to a multimedia messaging service center (MMSC) that is configured to receive the interactive multimedia presentation and deliver the interactive multimedia presentation as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) to a wireless device;

performing, at the content server, an update process to send an update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device, the update process comprising one of;

automatically transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available; and

in response to a request received by the content server, transmitting the update for the interactive multimedia presentation to the wireless device if the update is available;

receiving, at the content server, a request for an item presented in the interactive multimedia presentation, the item request comprising a user identifier;

the content server querying a secure database, the secure database comprising a plurality of records, each record comprising payment information to facilitate electronic transactions;

the content server retrieving from the secure database a record associated with the user identifier in response to the query; and

the content server utilizing the payment information to fulfill the item request.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the content server retrieving from the secure database the record associated with the user identifier in response to the query comprises the content server retrieving from the secure database the record associated with the user identifier in response to the query, wherein the user identifier comprises a digital certificate.

22. A method for receiving entity-related directory assistance data using a wireless device in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:

generating, at the wireless device, a text message comprising a request for content, the request comprising a parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of the entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius;

transmitting, at the wireless device, the request to a content server;

receiving, at the wireless device, at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message comprising multimedia content related to an entity identified by the request, the multimedia content being formatted as an interactive multimedia presentation comprising at least one of contact information, directions, coupon codes, and advertisements; and

receiving, at the wireless device, an update to the interactive multimedia presentation from the content server.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein generating, at the wireless device, the text message comprises generating, at the wireless device, the text message in response to a user dialing a feature code using the wireless device.

24. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium of a device comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of the device, cause the processor to perform steps of a method, comprising:

generating the search query based upon the user, the search query comprising the parameter including at least one of a location of the wireless device, a geographic target location, a location of the entity, an entity type, an entity name, a product type, an entity characteristic, and a search radius;

transmitting the search query to a content server;

receiving, as at least one multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, at least one bundle of multimedia content related to the parameter identified in the search query, the multimedia content being compiled into an interactive multimedia presentation;

presenting the interactive multimedia presentation to a user of the wireless device; and

performing at least one action of;

storing the interactive multimedia presentation in the memory;

forwarding the interactive multimedia presentation to another device as a multimedia message;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been presented;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been stored in the memory;

transmitting a status to the content server indicating that the interactive multimedia presentation has been forwarded; and

receiving an update to the interactive multimedia presentation from the content server.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising instructions for storing a preferences module comprising default values for the parameter.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising instructions for presenting the interactive multimedia presentation to the user as any combination of audio, text, images, pictures, video, and printed material, and for soliciting additional user input.