Easy call for content

• US 8,315,608 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2008
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Cha
• Original Assignee: Steve Cha
• Inventors: Cha, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM LU, NGAN T
• Application Number:
  US12/336,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20090156183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/410, 455/411
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/02 Arrangements for relaying broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/38 Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/91 Mobile communication networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A method and apparatus for quickly and easily requesting content over a mobile device via a telephone network without requiring user entry of a number of pieces of information or having to forward through to certain request screens and/or browse for content. The method includes verifying a mobile device based on an incoming telephone call to a particular destination telephone number; retrieving by a content server the specific content associated with the particular destination telephone number in which contact has been initiated by the mobile device; and providing the specific content to the mobile device requesting the content. Specific content includes but is not limited to broadcast data, satellite transmitted data, and cable network data provided during a telephone call, so that a mobile device can receive everything from television shows to news broadcasts and educational shows, etc. so long it is within range of a telephone network.

Claims

1. A method for providing easily retrieved content, comprising:

(a) voluntarily initiating a call, via a mobile device, to a particular destination associated with a specific content to be transmitted over one or more of broadcast, satellite, wired cable, WPAN/WLAN and Internet protocols, the call including a voice command indicating desired time when the specific content is to be delivered;

(b) retrieving, by a content server, the specific content including video and/or audio content associated with the particular destination in which contact has been initiated by the mobile device; and

(c) providing the specific content to the mobile device initiating the call in (a) at the desired time,

wherein a table of potentially requested material is maintained and updated to avoid typing on the mobile device all pre-programmed content numbers.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising verifying the mobile device by comparing a caller identification number against a list of authorized numbers.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the verification comprises receiving a password and comparing the password with an associated caller identification numbers.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the verification comprises comparing a user id and password against a list of authorized users.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of numbers are associated with a plurality of respective contents for selection by the mobile device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the content server prompts the mobile device for content selection.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the voice command contains predetermined identifiable keywords used by the content server to determine the requested specific content.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the content server includes an Internet accessible directory containing programmed sample text messages associated with requesting specific content for copying and by the mobile device, and wherein said programmed sample text messages forming a template for requesting content via text message, and wherein the mobile apparatus receives a return telephone call with the specific content after the content server receives the text message.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific content comprises one of broadcast data, satellite transmitted data, and cable network data provided to the mobile device during a telephone call.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific content comprises a podcast of a broadcast television program.

11. The method according to claim 10, where the podcast comprises a streamed version of a broadcast television program in one of Atom or Rich Site Summary (RSS) format.

12. The method according to claim 10, where the podcast comprises a file version of a broadcast television program in one of Atom or Rich Site Summary (RSS) format.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific content is provided to the mobile device by the content server via a return call.

14. A content server for providing content to a mobile device, comprising:

a transceiver for receiving the content over one or more broadcast, satellite, wired cable, WPAN/WLAN and Internet protocols and for communicating with one or more mobile devices;

means for receiving a voluntary call from the mobile device to a particular destination requesting a specific content to be transmitted over the one or more of the broadcast, satellite, wired cable, WPAN/WLAN and Internet protocols, the call including a voice command indicating desired time when the specific content is to be delivered;

means for retrieving the specific content identified via the call; and

means for providing the specific content including video and/or audio content associated with the particular destination in which contact has been initiated by the mobile device at the desired time,

wherein a table of potentially requested material is maintained and updated to avoid typing on the mobile device all pre-programmed content numbers.

15. The content server according to claim 14, where the means for initiating the call include caller id detection and means for comparing the caller id with a list of authorized users.

16. The content server according to claim 14, wherein the content server includes means for prompting selection of the specific content for retrieval.

17. The content server according to claim 14, wherein the specific content is provided to the mobile device by a service server via a return call.

18. A system for content retrieval by a mobile device, comprising

a content server for retrieving a specific content in response to a voluntary call, which includes a voice command indicating desired time when the specific content is to be delivered;

one or more transceivers for receiving the specific content including video and/or audio content associated with the call sent over one or more of broadcast, satellite, wired cable, WPAN/WLAN and Internet protocols, and

means for converting broadcast data into a form suitable for transmission over a telephone network,

wherein a table of potentially requested material is maintained and updated so avoid typing on the mobile device all pre-programmed content numbers.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the specific content received over one or more of the broadcast, satellite, wired cable, WPAN/WLAN, and Internet protocols is recorded and stored in at least storage medium accessible by the content server for subsequent retrieval and transmission over a telephone network.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein providing the specific content is provided to the mobile device by the content server via a return call.