Mobile originated interactive menus via short messaging services method

• US 7,933,615 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Hronek, Daniel, Pike, Orville, Wallace, Erik, Geil, Phillip, McCormick, Tom, Titus, Mark, Weichselbaumer, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Cumming; William D
• Application Number:
  US12/385,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20090191904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/408, 455/412, 379/114.2
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

A method interactive menus and sub-menus to a mobile device via SMS messaging in order to provide WAP like services at a fraction of the cost of CSD. Mobile Originated Interactive Menus are implemented as a feature of a Short Message Service Center (SMSC), thus leaving traffic channels available for voice calls. Interactive SMS menus allow service providers to offer targeted subscribers personalized messaging menus with multiple options for quick and easy access to Web-based content. Users may define the content and frequency they want, whether it is a scheduled delivery or on-demand for checking, e.g., stock quotes, local weather, and/or other Web-based news and information. Replacement of messages in TDMA and GSM mobile devices allow for heavy usage without filling up the user'"'"'s phone buffer, i.e., prior messages may be overwritten, to assure that only the latest information is all that is being displayed and read.

Claims

1. An interactive short messaging system menu selection method, comprising:

transmitting, to a mobile device, a first Short Messaging Service (SMS) message comprising a main menu, said main menu comprising at least two submenus;

receiving a second SMS message from said mobile device comprising an identification of a submenu selected by at least one character identified in said first SMS message; and

transmitting, to said mobile device, a third SMS message including said selected submenu.

2. The interactive short messaging system menu selection method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting to said mobile device information pertaining to said selected submenu.

3. The interactive short messaging system menu selection method of claim 1 further comprising:

configuring, with a provider, said main menu and said submenu.

4. The interactive short messaging system menu selection method of claim 1 further comprising:

dynamically forming said main menu in response to a selection by said mobile device.