WO2002035419A1

WO2002035419A1 - A computer based system for handling information

Info

Publication number: WO2002035419A1
Application number: PCT/SE2001/002324
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald Hynell
Original assignee: Harald Hynell
Priority date: 2000-10-24
Filing date: 2001-10-24
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU2002211143A1

Abstract

This invention relates to system for handling information that is related to an object, which system comprises a computer based system (1) comprising hardware and software unit/s respectively, wherein said hardware unit/s comprise/s memory device (1A) and processor device having high capacity and communication device, said soft ware unit/s comprising program/s for the communication with external communication devices/units (2) of a plurality of different kinds, and program/s for (highly efficient) interaction between said memory device/s (1A) and communication unit/device/s (2), said plurality of external communication devices/units (2) being related to numerous objects (3) by means of which each object (3) can communicate with said system (1) through a wireless and/or through a fixed network (4), wherein said memory device (1A) contains information about each respective object c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a first object (3A) through said object related communication device/unit (2A) provides actual and/or desired information (i3A) to said system (1), in real time and that a second object (3B) that is registered in said memory device (1A) via said system (1) in real time can obtain information concerning said first object (3A) and/or another object (3N) that is connected to the system, depending on the information that is stored in said memory device (1A).

Description

A COMPUTER BASED SYSTEM FOR HANDLING INFORMATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a system for handling information that is related to an object, which system comprises a computer based system comprising hardware and software unit/s respectively, wherein said hardware unit/s comprise/s memory device and processor device having high capacity and communication device, said soft ware unit/s comprising program/s for the communication with external communication devices of a plurality of different kinds, and program/s for (highly efficient) interaction between said memory device/s and communication device/s, a plurality of external communication units which are related to numerous objects by means of which each object can communicate with said system central through a wireless and/or through a fixed network, wherein said memory device contains information about each respective object.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART AND PROBLEMS

Efficient communication has become more and more important for individuals and organizations. With the use of existing systems it is difficult and cumbersome to achieve efficient and correct communication. The systems of today rely on local administration of contact data, e.g. telephone numbers, e-mail-addresses, etc. Each organization has to rely on their ability and possibility of storing and maintaining correct information. The same applies for individuals who need to handle their own address information in address books, mobile phones, PC's, etc. Due to speed of changes, e.g. traveling by individuals, change of workplace, change of employment, etc, it is a difficult task to maintain and uphold correct contact data. Accordingly it is an expensive task within each organization to manage contact and address information. Furthermore, today's system does not provide individuals with an easy means to get in control of his/her contact interface to the surrounding world. Hitherto there have not been presented any new system that can eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages, either due to deficiencies in the technical structure of the system and/or deficiencies in the economical structure of the system.

SHORT DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to eliminate or at least minimize the above mentioned drawbacks, which is achieved by said system wherein a first object through said object related communication unit provides actual and/or desired information to said system, in real time and that a second object that is registered in said memory device via said system in real time can obtain information concerning said first object and/or another object that is connected to the system, depending on the information that is stored in said memory device.

Thanks to the solution according to the invention contact data will always be correct. Instead of providing the same generic information to everyone on a business card or on an e-mail an individual can now provide the contact data on-line, where it can be accessed by other people. People keep their own personal contact information up to date and can customize it when and if needed. Accordingly internal communication within organizations will improve as well as communication between individuals from different organizations. The system will also provide for the possibility of improving communication between people in general. Organizations will not any longer have to maintain their own internal structure for managing addresses of customers and employees, but the customers and the employees will do it themselves. Accordingly the system will also lead to considerable cost savings.

According to further aspects of the invention:

- said information that is stored in said memory device contains information related to authorities related to the interaction between said first and second object, - said memory device inter alia stores address information concerning at least a major part of said objects,

- said system comprises system management facilities that can be operated by an object for an object, e.g. to make it feasible to control different levels of authorities, chose different levels of availability, obtain possibility to make commercial offers, to obtain possibility to receive directly delivered pre-selected information,

- there are less objects that can specify management facilities than the total number of objects,

- there are less objects that can manage information stored within the system than the total number of objects, - said soft ware provides for the possibility of automatic interaction with an object that is equipped with communication device which is suited for real time communication,

- said information contained in said memory device comprises a unique identity for each object and that a part of said objects are persons, wherein preferably the major part of said objects are persons, - at least a part of said objects are computer programs and/or a physical device, - said system comprises soft ware which in real time automatically can link desired information to an interface, when this is desired by the object, for example to provide for the possibility to receive automatic registration when registering on a web site,

- objects of the system are segmented into different groups, - objects belonging to different segments will be charged in different manners, and

- said computer based system is handled in a distributed manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be described below more in detail in connection with the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an example of how individuals may interact within the new system, Fig. 2 shows how individuals do interact according to prior art,

Fig. 3 shows how the new system can assist in providing desired information in a time- saving manner, when an individual wants to register as a member on a website, Fig. 4 shows the process according to Fig. 3 from an individuals point of view, Fig. 5 shows a preferred business structure for the new system, by the use of segmentation of different users of the system, Fig. 6 A and 6B schematically show principles for different interaction and ways of charging between the different segments according to Fig. 5, Fir. 7 shows an example of different preselcted "contact interfaces" for an individual within a first segment, e.g. "softbusinesscard", Fig. 8 shows contact possibilities for a first group of individuals ("a first contact interface)", within the network of the individual defined in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 shows contact possibilities for a second group of individuals ("a second contact interface") within the network of the individual described in Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 and 11 shows different "contact interface" opportunities for an individual within a second segment, e.g. boogie card, Fig. 12 shows a further example of how the new system can improve interaction between different objects, and Fig. 13 shows that the address management system according to the invention may be applied as a sub system in a number of different existing systems in a number of different industries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In Fig. 1 there is shown an example of how the new system may function. There is shown a computer based system 1 comprising hardware and software units respectively, wherein said hardware unit comprise some kind of memory device 1 A and processor device as well as communication device. IT should be understood that the system could be of a distributed kind, i.e. having a number of different organizations/servers handling different parts of the computer based system in a compatible manner, such that necessary information may be exchanged there between. The software unit/s does comprise program s for the communication with a large number of external communication devices/units 2A, 2B, e.g. a mobile telephone 2A and a PC 2B respectively. A first person 3 A is in possession of the mobile telephone 2 A and a second person 3B is in possession of the PC 2B. The mobile telephone 2A communicates via a wireless network 4 to get in contact with the system 1, whereas the PC 2B communicates via a fixed network 4 to get in contact with the system 1. The first person 3 A can anytime communicate his communication data to the system 1 so as to be stored in the memory unit 1 A in real time. In the same way the second person 3 B by the use of the PC 2B can communicate his communication data to the system 1 to be stored in the memory unit 1A. Accordingly, any of these two persons, being members of the system 1, will in real time provide the correct communication data to the system. For instance, if the first person 3 A has just changed his mobile account, with a different phone number, any other person 3B being a member of the system 1 will immediately have the correct information, which will eliminate unnecessary and sometimes very costly and time-consuming searching for correct contact data and also eliminate delay of providing information.

Furthermore, if the first person 3 A is in a situation where he has difficulties in reading e-mail he can in real time alert a second person 3B who is need to get in direct contact with him that this may only be achieved by using the mobile phone, which accordingly has been stored in the memory device 1 A of the system 1 by the person 3 A himself, so that anyone connected to the system 1 will immediately have access to that, possibly, crucial piece of information. In the same manner another person 3B may communicate to the system 1 that he can merely be contacted by e-mail, e.g. due to failure of the mobile phone, and accordingly everybody connected to the system 1 will immediately be aware that e-mail is the only possible way to get in instant contact with him. Thanks to the direct communication between each person and the system 1 there will be no time lag between the act for communicating the change of communication data and the possibility for others to access the new communication data.

In Fig. 2 there is shown the prior art system of communicating. Normally individuals 3 A, 3B would then distribute contact information using paper business card, e-mail, directories (Yellow Pages) and via call centers. Once the contact information is distributed it is in the hands of the receiver to be stored and updated, e.g. in the memory 1 A' of a mobile phone 2A, in the memory 1A' ' of a PC 2B. Paper business cards often become obsolete shortly after they are handed out. Hence, there will be a need for everybody in the system to actively search for correct communication data and to store and update it. As a result there is a lot of time that is spent by individuals and organizations to try to keep the communication data as correct as possible. Still, there will always be some time lag, which may result in lost opportunities, misunderstandings, mistakes, etc due to not having been provided with the correct pieces of information at a given time.

In contrast, the new system will provide for accurate contact information being available at all times, by moving the responsibility of updating contact data to the person being contacted. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the system provides for the possibility to receive contact information that is customized in real time, i.e. information on how to reach a person at a given point in time, in real time.

In Fig. 3 there is shown further advantages feature of the new system. There is shown an object in the form of web site 3B being equipped with an interface 5, comprising a communication unit 2B, for communication 4 via the web. Accordingly, this web site 3B may communicate with the memory device 1A of the system 1. Moreover, there is shown a person 3 A which is a member of the system 1, i.e. having his contact data stored in the memory device 1 A. This person 3 A may have the desire to register as a member on the web site 3B, here called CDNow. Normally when a person 3A wants register on web site 3B he will have to enter all contact data, e.g. name, address, phone number, e-mail, etc, which is a time consuming and error prone procedure. By the use of the system 1 this may be achieved automatically by having direct connection between the web site 3B and the system 1.

In Fig. 4 it is shown that the user in fig 3. by means of the system 1 in 3 simple steps may register as a member on the web site, i.e. a very quick procedure. First the person 3 A connects by the use of his PC 2 A to the web site CDNow. In the second step he clicks the "OnoCard" (the brand name for the new system) button for registration, which will initiate hard/soft-ware related to the web site 3B to connect with the system 1 to retrieve correct contact data stored within the memory device 1 A. The person 3A is authenticated by the system 1 through either a combination of username and password, digital key, IMSI (phone number) and password or equivalent. In the next step the person 3A merely has to verify the contact data and thereafter simply fill in his choice for membership at CDNow. Accordingly, this process may only take a couple of seconds compared to minutes according to the existing system and furthermore it eliminates the risk of typing errors to occur and which may cause severe problems.

In Fig. 5 it is shown that the users of the system may preferably be segmented into different groups. A first group, OnoCard, which relates to an on-line address management ASP (Application Service Provider), i.e. a provider of an application as service in place of a program. A second group, Sø tBusinessCard, related to internal communication and communication between business people. A third group, BoggieCard, which relates to communication between people. Each object that is registered in said memory device 1 A comprises a unique identity. By providing this unique identity for each object registered to the system 1 it is feasible to securely handle all different objects that are connected to the system 1. All information contained in the memory device 1 A of the system 1 is connected to at least one unique identity.

In Fig. 6 A there is shown a kind of a diagram including the above described three different segmented groups/products, i.e. OnoCard, So tBusinessCard and BoggieCard. The diagram shows that different segments will apply different contact interfaces. The segments use the same core technology but could in fact be operated by separate companies with different technical solutions. The different solutions can interact in a distributed manner with defined interfaces, APIs, and unique and universal ids.

In the preferred embodiment according to the system, the different segments, product categories, will be charged in different manners, e.g. as indicated in fig. 6B. It is shown that the BoogieCard segment uses advertising as the main source for revenues, a flat fee is used as the main revenue for the OnoCard segment and that transaction fees and/or flat fees may be the main revenue source for the S /tBusinessCard segment. In general it is intended that the OnoCard address management system will be a low cost service and will therefore easily attract many members by attracting organizations that will make easy cost savings and increase the efficiency. The other segmented groups, iS tBusinessCard and BoggieCard, will provide for the profit for running and mamtaining the system. However, thanks to the address managements structure of the system, also the holders of the Sq tBusinessCard and BoggieCard will be provided with a very cost efficient service. Accordingly all users of the system will benefit from the synergetic and efficient way of maintaining the system, so that the services will be provided for at very reasonable costs. The OnoCard group is a kind of corporate outsourcing service, offered to any organization that wants to outsource address management and focus on their core business. The OnoCard services include mamtaining and storing the address portion of a member or customer data base in the memory device 1A of the system in order to relieve the organization from the expensive and time consuming work of maintaining and updating old member's address data. Preferably this segment, OnoCard, is a narrowly focused vertical service that only deals with address management. The service provides all necessary tools, API's (Application Programmers Interface, i.e. the interface that a programmer works with to define syntax, variables, etc) and functionality that is required in this domain to handle address information in an efficient way, fully leveraging the INTERNET. The OnoCard address management service are accessed by applications and devices via the INTERNET (see fig. 13). Hosted address registers are integrated through a secure API and data is transferred to the local application in real time or in batch mode. All users and members in an address register can update and access their data through easy-to-use management applications in a WAP-phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, e.g. PALM or iPAC ) and browser. Accordingly, OnoCard provides the first product segment for corporations that want to focus on their core business and outsource address management.

So/tBusinessCard is a product for the business users. Business users use a

ScyΫBusinessCard to communicate with their contact network more effectively. A So tBusinessCard contains a reference, to an individual's contact details. The contact details can be seamlessly accessed via any network device, such as the PDA; WAP- phone or browser. The So/tBusinessCard also contains information about the corporation such as the web address.

An individual belonging to this segment, So tBusinessCard, is provided with the possibility to use different contact interfaces in relation to different objects 3. Accordingly, the contact interface may be adapted to whom it is offered to, as well as when it is offered. Depending on what level of accessibility a person wants to provide at a given point in time, the most efficient communication interface can be provided at that time. An individual within this segment can also present different contact interfaces to different people or groups of people. For example his most important contacts can have additional ways of contacting him compared to less important contacts. A person can also allow a limited number of people ability to contact him during a meeting. In Fig. 7, 8 and 9 there is shown an example how this could be managed in the new system for a holder of a So tBusinessCard. Preferably the holder would also be in possession of a unique plastic card with magnic strip, bar code, digital key on smart card or eqv. to help identify the card holder to legacy systems like frequent fliers mile programs with airlines, etc. In Fig. 7 it is shown that the S tBusinessCard holder Bill communicates to the system 1 that he is in a meeting. In the memory device 1 A Bill has already stored what kind of contact interface he shall have during a meeting, e.g. who may call him during a meeting and who may not. Accordingly the system 1 provides necessary modifications of the existing communication channels to Bill, so that a predefined group of people may merely reach him by means of a voice call whereas others may reach him by means of paging. The desired communication interface status information in the system can automatically be made available to other systems, e.g. a local mobile phone network, so that these systems could modify it's service accordingly. Alternatively the desired communication interface status may be sent to the actual supplier of the service, e.g. a local mobile phone network, whereby the desired settings are achieved/activated and at the same time having said status information communicated to the system 1, which can obtained by having the service provider communicating with the system 1 and/or the user/object 3 by means of the related communication unit 2.

In Fig. 8 it is shown that the manager of Bill belongs to the group that may reach Bill with a voice call despite the fact that Bill is in a meeting. However, Bill's manager will be able to see that Bill is in a meeting, such that he may possibly wait if the information he wants to pass to Bill is of minor importance. However, if Bill's manager wants to provide Bill with new information that can be crucial for the result of the meeting he will be able to use that possibility.

In Fig. 9 it is shown that if a friend of Bill wants to contact him during the meeting, he will also be informed that Bill is in a meeting, but he will not be provided with the possibility to make a voice call (but he could page Bill) Accordingly the system will eliminate the risk that Bill would be interrupted during the meeting by irrelevant information, but at the same time it will provide Bill with the possibility of receiving late information that could be crucial for the result of the meeting. A specific solution could be operated by a corporation that could configure the solution in such a way that some information could not be made available to external individuals. So/tBusinessCard will integrate with existing communications and contact management tools, such as Microsoft Outlook, PDA:s, Cell phones and Internet based contact services.

The primary benefits of using a So tBusinessCard are

- improved communications through excess to accurate contact data,

- improved communications hit rate by using customized contact information in real time, - decreased administration of contact data.

Accordingly the user of the So zBusinessCard will be able to have a number of different interfaces, e.g. an interface that allows a limited number of people to contact him in a meeting, e.g. a limited number of people that can reach him during vacation, etc. The rest of his contacts will for example only get access to his voice-mail or his secretary during meetings and vacations. The user of the So/tBusinessCard can easily reset his communication status to be available for everyone after a meeting. All interfaces will be updated in real time by the user, using simple pre defined settings via a WAP phone, PDA or Internet browser. A change in communication status could be triggered by an external system like a phone network. When a user turns on his phone the network could alert the system 1 and it's could change the communication status for the corresponding individual accordingly.

The third segmented product relates to communication between people, and especially for individuals with an active social life and high networking needs. Moreover services related to consumer product offering may a part of the services in this segment. BoggieCard is providing people with an efficient means to keep in touch with the community. The BoggieCard is an efficient way for people to distribute their contact information. In a preferred embodiment the BoggieCard comprises the following: - a "Buddy-lists", that ensures that your best friends can always get hold of you.

- An information facility that allows the holder to distribute which chat group he is in right now,

- A facility to enables the holder to join common interest groups such as bikers, skaters, techno freaks, etc. The BoggieCard can easily be extended to provide location base dating and other common interest services. The BoggieCard product uses the system 1, i.e. OnoCard, to create the community.

In Figs. 10 and 11 it is shown an example of how Bob, who is the holder of a BoggieCard, can use the system 1 to manage his social life. Since he is somewhat disappointed with one of his female friends, Sue, who is also connected to the system 1, he changes the contact interface in relation to Sue. Accordingly Sue may only reach him by paging or instant messaging. On the other hand his best friend Bob, (see Fig 11) may reach him by a voice call. Accordingly the BoggieCard allows Bob to have personalized contacts, to enable different contact interfaces to different people.

In Fig. 12 there is shown as a way of example, that also objects not being an individual may be handled by the system l,e.g. a house 3B. On the house 3B there is a communication unit 2B which can use for instance a fixed net work 4 to communicate with the system 1. A person 3 A, e.g. the owner of the house 3B, has registered the house 3 B as an object in the memory unit 1 A of the system 1. By means of the system 1 the owner 3 A of the house 3B may in real time be able to change the access possibilities to the house. For instance if the house 3B is equipped with a code lock the owner could change the password for the code lock by the use of the mobile telephone 2A from anywhere, anytime and have it effected immediately. Accordingly this would imply that merely those individuals who have received the latest information of the change of password would be allowed to enter the house. This information is distributed by the system 1, at the same time as the owner activates the change. The new information would merely be accessed by those persons who have been selected by the owner 3 A to have access to the house. This could be achieved by having a pre selected group/s stored in the memory unit 1 A of the system 1. As is evident, this kind of principle for allowing an owner to provide different kind of access to an object 3 in real time would also be feasible for any other object that is equipped with a communication unit 2B, e.g. a car, a conference room, a bus, etc.

In fig. 13 there is shown that the address management system according to the invention may be applied as a sub system in a number of different existing systems in a number of different industries. For example within the transportation industry OnoCard could be used for handling the address management of the frequent flyer Cards of an air line. Within the retail industry OnoCard could be used for handling the address management of a bonus program of a super market, etc.

The invention is not restricted to the above description but can be varied within the scope of the following patent claims. It is perceived for example that the expression "object" 3 should be construed in a broad manner to include anything that has a unique identity and that can interact within the system 1, e.g. to include; individuals as a person, individuals as a legal entity, a door with access restrictions, a vehicle with access restrictions, a smart card, a soft ware programs with access restrictions, an MP3- file with access restrictions etc. Also the expression "information" should be construed in a broad manner to include any- information that is related to an object and that is accessible by means of the system , e.g. address information of a person, telephone numbers of a legal entity, authority profile information for a door (i.e. access rights), authority profile information for a database (i.e. access rights), authority profile information for a soft ware program (i.e. access rights), etc. Moreover the expression " system management facilities" should be construed in a broad manner to include any means that enables an object to manage information stored within the system

Claims

1. System for handling information that is related to an object, which system comprises a computer based system (1) comprising hardware and software unit/s respectively, wherein said hardware unit/s comprise/s memory device (1 A) and processor device having high capacity and communication device, said soft ware unit/s comprising program/s for the communication with external communication devices/units (2) of a plurality of different kinds, and program/s for (highly efficient) interaction between said memory device/s (1A) and communication unit/device/s (2), said plurality of external communication devices/units (2) being related to numerous objects (3) by means of which each object (3) can communicate with said system (1) through a wireless and/or through a fixed network (4), wherein said memory device (1 A) contains information about each respective object characterized in that a first object (3A) through said object related communication device/unit (2 A) provides actual and/or desired information to said system (1), in real time and that a second object (3B) that is registered in said memory device^'(l A) via said system (1) in real time can obtain information concerning said first object (3A) and/or another object that is connected to the system, depending on the information that is stored in said memory device (1 A).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said information that is stored in said memory device (1 A) contains information related to authorities related to the interaction between said first (3A) and second object (3B).

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said memory device (1A) inter alia stores address information concerning at least a major part of said objects (3).

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said system (1) comprises system management facilities that can be operated by an object (3) for an object (3), e.g. to make it feasible to control different levels of authorities, chose different levels of availability, obtain possibility to make commercial offers, to obtain possibility to receive directly delivered pre-selected information.

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that there are less objects (3) that can specify management facilities than the total number of objects.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that there are less objects (3) that can manage information stored within the system (1) than the total number of objects.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said soft ware provides for the possibility of automatic interaction with an object (3) that is equipped with communication device (2) which is suited for real time communication.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said information contained in said memory device (1 A) comprises a unique identity for each object (3) and that a part of said objects (3) are persons, wherein preferably the major part of said objects are persons.

9. System according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that at least a part of said objects (3) are computer programs and/or a physical device.

10. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said system (1) comprises soft ware which in real time automatically can link desired information to an interface (5), when this is desired by the object, for example to provide for the possibility to receive automatic registration when registering on a web site (3B).

11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that objects (3) of the system (1) are segmented into different groups.

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that objects (3) belonging to different segments will be charged in different manners.

13. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said computer based system (1) is handled in a distributed manner.