System and method for providing mobile device services using SMS communications

• US 8,238,951 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2010
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Inventors: McGary, Faith
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Melody
• Application Number:
  US12/979,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20120003998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/466, 4554561-4566, 4554142-4143, 455/404.2, 455/556.2, 455/433, 455/432.2, 455/435.1, 455/403, 455/465, 455/422.1, 455/463, 379/114.15, 379/88.17, 379/88.14, 379/88.16, 379/221.09, 379/221.1, 379/221.08, 370/219, 370/522, 370/400, 370/401, 370/490, 709/219, 709/216, 709/217
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8221 Message based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8228 Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8278 Event based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/28 SMS billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7826 Message based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7833 Session based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/788 Event based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

An enhanced services platform said platform includes an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. A response module parses the communication and retries the desired data. The platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user. A user identifier database module stores information about the users in a user profile that including at least a preferences field and a preference value field identifying relative values of user preferences stored in the preference field, wherein when a preference having a higher ranking in the preference value field is non available, a second preference having a lower ranking in the preference value field is utilized.

Claims

1. An enhanced services platform said platform comprising:

an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data;

a response module for parsing said communication and retrieving said desired data, said enhanced services platform configured to arrange said desired data into a response message that is sent to said user; and

a user identifier database module configured to store information about said users in a user profile, said user profile including u1 least a preferences field and a corresponding preference value field identifying relative values for each of a plurality of user preferences stored in said preference field, wherein when a first preference having a higher ranking in said preference value field is not available, said enhanced services platform applies at least one second preference having a lower ranking in said preference value field.

2. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said preferences include any one of the group consisting of language choice, operator preference and response message delivery format.

3. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user profile further includes a user identification field and a history field.

4. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein said preferences are set in said preferences field based on prior use by said user as stored in said history field.

5. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said preferences are set in said preferences field are configured to be set manually via direct user contact with said enhanced services platform.

6. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enhanced services platform is configured to receive text communication from said user in accordance with any one of the group consisting, of SMS (Short Message Service), IM (Instant Message), and e-mail.

7. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication platform is further configured to generate a transaction record including a transaction ID field for storing a unique ID code for tracking said user'"'"'s request.

8. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a user request field wherein said user request field includes a copy of said text communication from a user requesting a desired data.

9. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a response message field wherein said response message field includes a copy of said response message that was sent to said user.

10. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein said response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing said user to re-contact said enhanced services platform.

11. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein said embedded link in said response message includes data identifying said transaction record.

12. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein when said enhanced services platform receives a re-contact request from said user via said embedded link in said response message, said enhanced services platform recognizing said transaction ID, displays said user request and said response message to an operator at said operator assistance module.

13. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein said embedded link, when activated, directs a mobile device of said user to place a telephone call to said enhanced services platform.

14. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein said embedded link corresponds to a hot button command on a mobile device of said user.

15. The enhanced services platform as claimed in claim 10, wherein said embedded link corresponds to a voice command on a mobile device of said user.