AU2007100958A4 - An improved method, system and apparatus for the sponsored delivery of premium commercial services to subscribers - Google Patents

Description

5 AN IMPROVED METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR THE 0 O SPONSORED DELIVERY OF PREMIUM COMMERCIAL SERVICES TO

_SUBSCRIBERS

C)

00 Introduction The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a premium 00 commercial service (PCS) to an end user of a mobile communication device (Mobile) 0 including via short messaging service (SMS) and other wireless communications. The O invention is particularly concerned with a system and method for: 1 5 enabling a third party sponsor (Sponsor) to pay for the cost of a PCS; tailoring delivery of a PCS to the interests and needs of the end user (Sponsored Subscriber); and subscribing or activating a subscription to a PCS by swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism and by other means.

However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not restricted this particular field of use.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE This document is subject to copyright. The reproduction of this document in Patent Office records and communications is permitted; however, all other copyright rights are reserved.

Problems of the Prior Art The cycle of communication that presently exists for Premium Commercial Services typically involves a Mobile Originating (MO) Short Messaging Service (SMS) message, which originates with the end user and which is sent indirectly to the Premium Service Provider (PSP). This MO SMS message is a request for and a subscription to a Premium Commercial Service (PCS), providing that all subscription criteria are met.

A Mobile Terminating (MT) SMS message is sent from the PSP indirectly back to the same end user (Paying Subscriber). This MT SMS message delivers the S 5 subscribed service or PCS in response to the user's MO message. The MO and the MT SMS messages are sent indirectly since each MO and MT message travels via a Stelecommunications provider and also often through an SMS Host or SMS Centre O which is typically used for transmitting Premium Service Communications (PSCs).

00 The relationship of the Paying Subscriber's MO message to the PSP's MT 00 message in response is typically a single request-response relationship. This also \applies to ongoing communications between the Paying Subscriber and the PSP, where each and every MT message from the PSP is preceded by an MO message from the Paying Subscriber in a one-to-one ratio.

Each MO message sent by the Paying Subscriber and each MT message sent by the PSP travels to the other party via a TP (or TPs). The TP charges a fee for each MO and/or MT message as a "Premium Service" and pays the PSP part of this collected fee.

A disadvantage with the present cycle of communication is the typical one-toone relationship of the MO message to the MT message. This is limiting both for the PSP and for the Paying Subscriber, since every message is charged for on a one-toone basis without providing the sender or the recipient with any service options, including but not limited to, the quality or quantity of messages, the ability to send or receive messages without being locked in to the one-MO-to-one-MT message cycle or the ability to give or receive any service or product discounts (for example, bulk services or products) as part of the subscribed service. This one-to-one ratio of MO to MT message is a limiting factor and a problem to be overcome.

An additional disadvantage is that the only means for an end user to subscribe to a PCS is for the end user to send an MO message to the PSP via a TP. This can be problematic and limiting because it restricts access to the PCS and requires end users to know or find out about the service and to incur costs in asking the PSP to provide the PCS. Another disadvantage is that the MO and the MT messages are the billing mechanisms used by the TP. This is limiting since a third party, who is not the registered Mobile account holder, is unable to pay for PCS sent to the Mobile end user.

S 5 The invention herein described seeks to overcome the problems as described above.

,1 0 Summary of the Invention 00 The inventive method and system provides Premium Commercial Services 00 10 (PCSs) to end users of mobile communication devices (Mobiles) via various forms of communication including but not limited to short messaging service (SMS) communications. The end user is enabled to become a subscriber (a Sponsored Subscriber) of a Premium Service Provider (PSP) without sending a Mobile Originating (MO) message or any other communication to the PSP. Rather, the details of the requested PCS are contained in an Instruction from a Sponsor, who pays all the costs associated with the PCS.

Both the Sponsor and the Sponsored Subscriber are able to specify delivery conditions such as a location, a date, an event or any combination of these conditions.

Delivery conditions are additional to the information contained within an Instruction from a Sponsor to a PSP. A Mobile end user is able to activate a subscription paid for by a Sponsor by swiping his or her Mobile against a subscribing mechanism.

Alternatively, or, if the end user had previously provided consent (explicitly or implicitly), Mobile recording information picked up by a Mobile relay station can activate a subscription.

Subscription to a PCS by Instruction from a third party Sponsor Mobile users are able to become Sponsored Subscribers to a PSP by providing their Mobile and/or other relevant details to a third party in a context where: the third party (the Sponsor) has instructed the PSP that it wishes to sponsor a particular person or group of persons to receive a specified PCS or PCSs; and there is consent (explicit or implied) from such a person(s) to receive the PCSs.

Collectively, this information from the PSP is referred to as an Instruction.

S 5 Upon receiving an Instruction from the Sponsor, the PSP sends the specified PCS(s) to the Sponsored Subscribers on behalf of the Sponsor. The costs of Sponsored Subscriber(s) receiving a PCS are met by the Sponsor.

0 00 The term "Subscriber" is defined to mean both Paying Subscribers and Sponsored Subscribers, unless otherwise specified. A Mobile user is a Paying Subscriber when that user requests a PCS by sending an MO or by otherwise I communicating that request to a PSP. A Paying Subscriber pays all the costs Sassociated with receiving the PCS via an MO request.

A Subscriber can be both a Paying Subscriber and a Sponsored Subscriber at r, the same time, resulting in the delivery of "value-added" PCSs that are enhanced in quality and/or quantity. For example, Paying Subscribers who have purchased a PCS such as sporting results might become Sponsored Subscribers by attending a specific football match at which all match attendees who purchased their match tickets on-line are sponsored to receive an offer to purchase discounted season tickets). These Subscribers would receive the PCS that they had paid for the sporting results) and the sponsored PCS discounted season tickets) as well as additional PCSs that other Sponsored Subscribers would not receive unless they were also Paying Subscribers "live" action replays sent to their mobile communication devices, sporting statistics, player and team profiles, football-style or related games to play on their mobile communication devices, and so on). Paying Subscribers who had subscribed to PCS that delivered sporting results would not receive the additional or "value-added" PCSs unless they also met the criteria for becoming Sponsored Subscribers attending the relevant football match).

Under different arrangements of the present invention, end users of Mobiles can receive PCSs by subscribing to a PCS, being sponsored to receive a PCS, a combination of paying personally and being sponsored by a third party with a commercial interest in the end user receiving the PCS. Subscribers can therefore simultaneously be Paying and Sponsored Subscribers. A preferred embodiment provides Subscribers with a means for subscribing to a PCS by swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism, in addition to existing methods. Another embodiment enables Sponsored Subscribers to activate a subscription paid by a Sponsor by swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism, being near a Mobile relay station that detects activation information from the Sponsored Subscriber's Mobile.

o PSP communications with Subscribers 00 Under different arrangements of the present invention, the PSP can communicate with Subscribers by sending an MT message containing a PCS 00 S 10 message in response to an MO message from a Paying Subscriber, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) in response to a single MO message from a Paying Subscriber, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) to a Sponsored r, Subscriber in response to a single Instruction from a Sponsor, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) to multiple Sponsored Subscribers in response to a single Instruction from a Sponsor, or by sending multiple MT messages of an enhanced quality and/or quantity (and which may also consist of multiple PCS or content types) to Subscribers who are both Paying and Sponsored Subscribers at the same time.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing a Premium Commercial Service (PCS) including: a) a subscription means for said PCS; and b) a payment means wherein the cost of a subscription to said PCS is paid by a Sponsor.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing a PCS including the steps of: a) a Sponsor providing an Instruction to a Premium Service Provider

(PSP);

b) delivery of said PCS to a Subscriber in accordance with said Instruction; and c) payment by said Sponsor for said PCS.

0 0 According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for o providing a PCS including the occurrence of: 00 a) a Subscriber swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism to subscribe to said PCS; or 00 b) a Sponsored Subscriber activating a subscription to said PCS by:

O

0i. swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism; ii. carrying a Mobile from which a Mobile relay station detects information to activate said subscription; or iii. a combination of i and ii above.

Object of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art for providing real-time Premium Commercial Services (PCSs) to users of mobile communication devices, or to provide a useful alternative.

The present invention with its wide array of practical embodiments and applications will be better understood with reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates in a schematic diagram the existing cycle of communications between a Paying Subscriber and a premium service provider (PSP).

5 Figure 2 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the PSP sending multiple MT messages and unlimited "Trigger" messages in response to a single MO message from a Paying Subscriber.

O

00 Figure 3 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages, consisting of different 00 service or content types, in response to a single MO message from a Paying

V)

\Subscriber.

Figure 4 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the S 15 present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages, consisting of different service or content types, in response to the receipt of a Sponsored Subscriber's Mobile number and/or other relevant details.

Figure 5 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages consisting of different service or content types in response to the receipt of a single initiating message or Instruction from the Sponsor to the PSP to multiple Sponsored Subscribers.

Detailed description Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It may be evident, however, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the invention.

Definitions Table 1 is a dictionary of terms defined according to the invention. The terms defined in Table 1 are denoted with the use of capitalisation throughout the document. If a term is not capitalised then its plain meaning is to be construed, unless otherwise specified.

Table 1: Dictionary of defined terms Term Description Mobile Any mobile communication device including but not limited to a mobile phone, a land line telephone which has functionality such as SMS, VoIP and/or instant messaging, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pocket personal computers (pocket PCs), personal organisers, smart phones, mobile computers and other like devices Mobile A message sent by an end user (Subscriber) to a Premium Service Originating Provider (PSP). An MO message is a request for and a subscription (MO) to a Premium Commercial Service (PCS), providing that all message subscription criteria are met. In the present invention, an MO message can be sent: indirectly from the Subscriber to the PSP as an SMS message sent via a telecommunications provider and also often through an SMS Host and/or SMS Centre); or directly from the Subscriber to the PSP without involving a TP over the internet).

Mobile A Mobile Terminating (MT) message sent from a PSP to a Terminating Subscriber. This MT message delivers a requested service or PCS (MT) SMS to the Subscriber's Mobile. In the present invention, an MT message message can be sent: indirectly from the PSP to the Subscriber as an SMS message sent via a telecommunications provider and also often through an SMS Host and/or SMS Centre); or directly from the PSP to the Subscriber without involving a TP over the internet).

Paying The user of a Mobile who requests a PCS by sending an MO Subscriber message containing details of the requested PCS to the PSP and who pays all the costs associated with receiving the PCS.

Premium A premium commercial service (PCS) has been adapted from the Commercial term "mobile premium service" as defined in the Communications 0 Service Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007- namely, a S(PCS) commercial content service where: 0 a charge for the supply of the commercial content service is 00 0expected to be included in a bill sent by or on behalf of a mobile carriage service provider to the relevant customer; or 00 00 a charge for the supply of the commercial content service is payable: in advance; or (ii) in any other manner, by the relevant customer to a mobile carriage service provider or a person acting on behalf of a mobile carriage service provider.

Where: A commercial content service means a content service: operated for profit or as part of a profit-making enterprise; and (ii) provided to the public but only on payment of a fee (whether periodical or otherwise; and A mobile carriage service provider means: a carriage service provider who supplies a public mobile telecommunications service; or (ii) a carriage service intermediary who arranges for the supply by a carriage service provider of a public mobile telecommunications service A PCS must involve at least one MO or at least one MT communication for the delivery of the PCS.

Examples of PCSs include without limitation a service that provides ring tones, wallpaper, games, sporting results, dating services, adult content services, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) related 0 O messages that enable access to the internet from a mobile phone or PDA, chat services, teaching services, financial information, stock O reports and advice, news reports, horoscopes, gambling and gaming 00 services, the business of offering and selling goods or services and information in general, including transactions in which goods 00 and/or services are ordered or purchased (by phone, Mobile, O computer or other means), and other information or services in O bulk.

oPremium Commercial Service is a term used by those skilled in the art that may have evolved from the term "Premium Service" found in legislative instruments such as the Telecommunications Service Provider (Premium Services) Determination 2004 (No. 1) which defines Premium Service as follows: premium service means: a 190 premium service; or a carriage service used to supply: a content service; or (ii) another service by way of a voice call (including a call that involves a recorded or synthetic voice); using a number that includes an international access code.

Premium A party that provides one or more PCSs to the public.

Service Provider

(PSP)

Profile A "profile" is a short biographical account of a person (real, such a sporting star, or fictional, such as a "fantasy" person of the day) for which certain information, of particular interest to the target audience, is provided. For example with a sporting star it may be information such as the number of goals kicked, games played or average goals per game With a "fantasy" profile, it may be information relating to interests, a description of the fantasy person and availability for a conversation.

SMS

message Sponsor A communication or message sent by a Short Messaging Service (SMS). In the present invention an "SMS message" includes: all forms of communication via Mobile, not just messages via SMSs. Other examples include instant messaging services, broadcast messages or email; and SMS messages or communications between a variety of Mobile devices including mobile-to-mobile, mobile to computer, computer-to-mobile, computer-to-computer and mobile-SMS to premium SMS Host (or Technology Provider) text messaging.

A party that sponsors one or more persons (Sponsored Subscribers) to receive a specified PCS or PCSs. The Sponsored Subscriber receives the PCS after the Sponsor has instructed the PSP that it wishes to sponsor a specified person or group(s) of persons to receive specified PCSs and has obtained the Mobile users' consent (explicit or implied) and contact details. In the present invention, it is envisaged that Sponsors are parties with a commercial interest in the Sponsored Subscriber receiving the relevant PCS.

A Mobile user who, after consenting, receives a PCS from a PSP at the request of a Sponsor. Consent may be explicit or implied. All the Sponsored Subscriber's costs in receiving the PCS are paid by the Sponsor.

The user of a Mobile who receives a PCS. A Subscriber may be: a Paying Subscriber; or a Sponsored Subscriber.

Sponsored Subscriber Subscriber i Technology Provider

(TP)

A carrier of services between a PSP and a Subscriber, including but not limited to telecommunications providers and associated intermediary technology providers such as SMS Centres and/or SMS Hosts. In this document, the term "Technology Provider" is used to refer to telecommunications providers and associated intermediary technology providers collectively.

STrigger Messages sent by PSPs to Paying Subscribers to induce Paying .,messages Subscribers to continue past conversations or purchase additional 0 PCSs, based on the PCS purchase history of the individual Paying 00 Subscriber.

00 An improved method and system for the delivery of Premium Commercial Services to Subscribers Previously known systems for providing real-time commercial services to users of mobile communication devices (Mobiles) suffer a number of disadvantages as set out in the section entitled "The Problem to be Overcome".

The inventive method and system provides real-time Premium Commercial Services (PCSs) to users of Mobiles via various forms of communication including but not limited to short messaging service (SMS) communications. The recipients of the PCSs are referred to as "subscribers". The term "Subscriber" is defined to mean both Paying Subscribers and Sponsored Subscribers, unless otherwise specified.

What is a Premium Commercial Service For the sake of clarity, we hereby distinguish a Premium Commercial Service (PCS) from a download from the internet such as an iTunes product. A PCS must involve a telephone number a mobile phone number) through which at least one MO or one MT communication is delivered to set up the subscription or sponsorship for the delivery of the PCS. This differentiates other communications such as the communication, sale and/or delivery of an "iTunes" product, which is not a PCS because it does not involve require mobile telephone communication such as an MO and or an MT communication. Delivery of an iTunes product ONLY requires an Internet connection (IP address) not a telephone number. Delivery of an iTunes product must be via the internet. This is the only requirement for an iTunes product.

Therefore, the distinguishing feature between an iTunes product and a PCS is as follows: r- 5 iTunes requires, as the only mandatory delivery means, an intemrnet connection (IP 0 address); whereas a PCS requires a phone that can send messages, such as an SMS, incorporating an O MO or an MT as a mandatory requirement.

00 Further, there is no requirement for: 00 10 a PCS to have a connection via or to the intemrnet; and n iTunes does not require an MO or an MT.

A PCS is delivered as a mobile telephony service/product SThis invention incorporates is the use of a mobile telephony service and not an intemrnet delivered service using an IP Address because the following problems exist: An IP Address is: Slocation specific (including wireless services, which are restricted to a 30 km radius) and, to be a publically routable IP Address, it is dependent on the allocation of the IP Address from the IP address allocator (APNIC for the Asia Pacific Region) and/or the Internet Service Provider; and mobility is restricted with IP Address enabled communications: moving from one IP address hot spot to another:(i) a mobile device cannot connect via the same IP Address; and(ii) there is no handover of IP addresses, which limits mobile communication that solely communicates via an IP Address.

Consequently, this invention is not directly comparable to delivery of products and services by Intemrnet access.

A PCS uses established telephony network(s) A PCS must go through an established telephony network(s) and is governed by the infrastructure and legislation that regulates such network(s). In contrast, products and services delivered over the internet use the following: 1. a primary protocol using TCP/IP protocol); or 2. a secondary protocol sitting on a telephony network, such as GPRS.

5 These are not PCS delivered services and are not controlled by the same legislation and/or policies.

o GPRS is a hybrid service O 00 GPRS enabled services have a data carrying functionality using a packet switched network. This allows internet communications to be enabled using TCP/IP 00 t 10 encapsulated packets in the GPRS network. This is a hybrid of radio based networks, which functions to carry internet protocols as a secondary network. Therefore, there are still two distinct networks that are enabled by GPRS: Sa) a radio based network; b) internet access, carried by the radio based network, with the TCP/IP packets carried in an encapsulated form.

For GPRS to operate with internet access it requires either a router to perform encapsulation of the packets or specific end user devices which have intelligence built in to use the internet enabled TCP/IP protocol. Thus, GPRS is internet enabled through encapsulation of the TCP/IP communication. This hybrid form of communication is different to the invention, because the invention does not require any internet enabled TCP/IP communication.

Additionally, GPRS is a more expensive option that is added to piggy back on the GSM infrastructure. It is commonly called the 3G network for mobiles and currently only consists of a small part of the mobile telephone community.

A PCS uses mobile phone radio communication networks such as GSM The majority of mobile telephony services are delivered by using the GSM network. This network is a radio network made up of a number of cells each served by a fixed transmitter, known as a base station. Its ubiquity makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world. This network is used by over 2 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories. The key advantage of GSM systems to consumers has been higher digital voice quality and low cost alternatives to making r> 5 calls, such as the short message service (SMS, also called "text messaging") which 0 incorporate an MO and an MT, but not intemrnet services.

o The invention, in using mobile phone radio communication networks, does not 00 require: an internet enabled protocol such as TCP/IP (the intemrnet protocol suite which is the 10 mandatory suite for access to the intemrnet); nor is it

OO

n a packet switching protocol that may have a TCP/IP protocol encapsulated within it Sor piggy backing on it, such as used in a GPRS network.

Protocols such as TCP/IP are not relevant to a PCS The OSI model is often cited with regard to the TCP/IP network. The OSI model is not relevant to the invention since the invention uses the following: a mobile telephone communication (with an MO or MT) via a telecommunications provider which is based on a radio network; as opposed to an internet communication which goes via an internet service provider and uses TCP/IP as the protocol.

Subscription Services Subscription services are provided where the Subscriber is informed and agrees to pay for and receive PCSs over a particular period of time or to receive a particular volume of services. For example, a Subscriber can subscribe to a daily chat service for a month, a dozen profiles of persons of interest and a speed dating service for a month.

The subscription can include a membership fee plus a monthly fee until the service is requested to stop. Further, the subscribed service can be paid for upfront, on a recurring basis, on receipt of particular services or a combination of these payment means.

It is also envisaged by the inventor that the subscribed service can be provided for without a charge relating to the service provision, but that a fee will be charged by the PSP for sending the MT message stating that the subscription has been received and providing a link to the subscription service in the MT message.

5 Central to the concept of a Premium Commercial Service is that at least part of the 0 Opremium service (subscription) communications with any given Subscriber must pass through the premium service debiting gateway. The gateway is usually (but not O always) managed by the TP. The communications are usually (but not always) debited 00 to a party other than the PSP the Subscriber). On collecting the debit, the TP (or other intermediary) distributes revenue at least in part back to the PSP.

00 The PCSs conveyed by MT messages to Subscribers include but are not limited to ring tones, wallpaper, games, sporting results, dating services, adult content services, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) related messages that enable access to the internet from a mobile phone or PDA, chat services, teaching services, financial information, stock reports and advice, news reports, horoscopes, gambling and gaming services, the business of offering and selling goods or services and information in general, including transactions in which goods and/or services are ordered or purchased (by phone, Mobile Device, computer or other means), and other information or services in bulk.

A "profile" is a short biographical account of a person (real, such a sporting star, or fictional, such as a fantasy person of the day) for which certain information, of particular interest to the target audience, is provided. For example with a sporting star it maybe the number of goals kicked, games played, average goals per game etcetera.

A fantasy profile maybe interests, description of fantasy person and availability for a conversation.

Paying Subscriber Users of Mobiles are enabled to become subscribers (Paying Subscribers) of a Premium Service Provider (PSP) by sending a Mobile Originating (MO) message to the PSP. The MO message contains details of the requested PCS and initiates the communication between the Paying Subscriber and the PSP. The PCS is conveyed via an MT message from the PSP to the Paying Subscriber. The Paying Subscriber pays all the costs associated with receiving the PCS.

t- 5 Paying Subscribers are enabled to take a subscription for delivery only upon 0 the meeting of a specified delivery condition. Examples of delivery conditions that a SPaying Subscriber may stipulate include one or a combination of:

O

00 a) a calendar date the Subscriber's birthday, New Year or other specified date); 00 S 10 b) a location the Subscriber may subscribe to a PCS that will notify Shim or her of specials at the local supermarket when the Subscriber's Mobile is in or near a specified shopping mall, but the PCS will only r, be delivered when the Subscriber is in that location and not at any other time); and/or c) the occurrence of a specified event the purchase of tickets to a particular sporting event).

Sponsored Subscriber Users of Mobiles are also enabled to become subscribers (Sponsored Subscribers) to a PSP by providing their Mobile number and/or other relevant details, such as the mobile account holder's name, or other information such as an account holder's unique identifier to initiate specific communication protocols, to a third party in a context where the third party (the Sponsor) has instructed the PSP that it wishes to sponsor a particular group of persons to receive a specified PCS or PCSs, and there is consent (explicit or implied) from such a person to receive the PCSs (collectively, the Instruction). The Sponsor pays any costs of providing the PCSs to these Sponsored Subscribers and the PSP sends the specified PCSs to the Sponsored Subscribers on behalf of the Sponsor. The PCS is only sent to Sponsored Subscribers covered by a relevant Instruction.

Sponsors are also enabled to specify one or more delivery conditions that must be met before a PCS will be delivered to a Sponsored Subscriber. Examples of delivery conditions include one or a combination of: r- 5 a) a specified demographic characteristic of a Sponsored Subscriber (e.g.

age range, residential address, salary bracket, profession or vocation); c,.

b) the location of the Mobile to which said PCS is to be delivered a 00 nominated shopping mall or sporting ground); c) a calendar date the Sponsored Subscriber's birthday, New Year or 00 10 other specified date); and/or d) the occurrence of a specified event the on-line purchase of tickets for a specified sporting event).

The Sponsored Subscriber does not need to send an MO message to the PSP to receive an MT message containing the PCS. The Instruction is provided by the Sponsor, in advising the PSP which person or group of persons the Sponsor wishes to receive the PCS. The communication between PSP and Sponsored Subscriber is then initiated by the PSP receiving the Instruction and the Instruction being "activated" by the Sponsored Subscriber. In this way a single initiating message or Instruction from the Sponsor can apply to multiple Sponsored Subscribers, resulting in multiple MT messages (of different service or content types) being sent by the PSP to multiple Sponsored Subscribers. The MT messages from the PSP to the Sponsored Subscriber do not need to be preceded by MO messages.

An Instruction is "activated" when an individual Sponsored Subscriber consents to receive the PCS. Consent may be implied. For example, shoppers at a supermarket may consent to receiving information about supermarket specials by providing their mobile phone details or other contact details to the supermarket. The PSP can then act on this consent to carry out the Sponsor's Instruction and send multiple MT messages to the Sponsored Subscriber about weekly specials or about "spot specials" while the Sponsored Subscriber is shopping) without the Sponsored Subscriber needing to send any MO messages. The Sponsored Subscriber can receive these messages at a nominated time, such as before lunch, or at a nominated location, such as when the Sponsored Subscriber enters a nominated shop.

r> 5 Under different arrangements of the present invention, end users of Mobiles can receive PCSs by subscribing to a PCS, being sponsored to receive a PCS, S(3) a combination of paying personally and being sponsored by a third party with a O commercial interest in the end user receiving the PCS. Subscribers can therefore 00 simultaneously be Paying and Sponsored Subscribers. A preferred embodiment provides Subscribers with a means for subscribing to a PCS by swiping a Mobile 00 against a subscription mechanism, in addition to existing methods. Another \embodiment enables Sponsored Subscribers to activate a subscription paid by a Sponsor by swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism, being near a Mobile relay station that detects activation information from the Sponsored Subscriber's Mobile.

Under different embodiments of the present invention, the PSP can communicate with Subscribers by sending an MT message containing a PCS in response to an MO message from a Paying Subscriber, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) in response to a single MO message from a Paying Subscriber, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) to a Sponsored Subscriber in response to a single Instruction from a Sponsor, by sending multiple MT messages (which may consist of multiple PCS or content types) to multiple Sponsored Subscribers in response to a single Instruction from a Sponsor, or by sending multiple MT messages of an enhanced quality and/or quantity (and which may also consist of multiple PCS or content types) to Subscribers who are both Paying and Sponsored Subscribers at the same time.

A Subscriber can be both a Paying Subscriber and a Sponsored Subscriber at the same time, resulting in the delivery of "value-added" PCSs that are enhanced in quality and/or quantity. For example, Paying Subscribers who have purchased a PCS such as sporting results might become Sponsored Subscribers by attending a specific football match at which all match attendees who purchased their match tickets on-line are sponsored to receive an offer to purchase discounted season tickets). These Subscribers would receive the PCS that they had paid for the sporting results) and the sponsored PCS discounted season tickets) as well as additional PCSs that other Sponsored Subscribers would not receive unless they were also Paying Subscribers "live" action replays sent to their mobile communication devices, sporting statistics, player and team profiles, football-style or related games to play on Stheir mobile communication devices, and so on). Paying Subscribers who had O subscribed to PCS that delivered sporting results would not receive the additional or 00 "value-added" PCSs unless they also met the criteria for becoming Sponsored Subscribers attending the relevant football match). The cost of the enhanced PCS 00 is covered by the PSP and/or the Sponsor, by arrangement between the PCS and the Vt') C Sponsor.

Previously known systems SFigure 1 is a schematic diagram the existing cycle of communications between a Paying Subscriber and a premium service provider (PSP) according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 shows the user of a Mobile is connected to service providers, other mobiles, computers and/or other communications network via a technology provider (TP)(110). The Mobile user (Paying Subscriber)(105) sends a communication to the PSP (115) in the form of an MO message (100). The MO message (100) travels to the PSP (115) via the TP (110). Upon receipt of the MO message (100) from the Paying Subscriber (105), the PSP (115) is enabled to send an MT message (120) in response. Again, the communication (120) must travel via the TP (110). The ratio of one MO message to one MT message is fixed. The PSP (115) is prevented from sending any premium content or service messages to Paying Subscribers (105) without first receiving an MO message (100).

Once a Mobile user has subscribed to a PSP (115) by sending an MO message (100) to indicate the PCS being sought, the PSP (115) can communicate back to the user's Mobile, by sending: 1. one MT message (120), which delivers the subscribed premium commercial service (PCS) to the Paying Subscriber (105). The Paying Subscriber (105) pays a fee for each MO-MT message cycle. The fee may be attached to the sending of the MO message (100), the receipt of the MT message (120), or both, depending on the terms of the subscription and the billing protocol of the relevant TP; or r- 5 2. a limited number of periodic Trigger messages (130). While more than one 0 Trigger can be sent after a single MO message has been received, the number of Trigger messages is currently limited to a small number three) for any O given period of time per month).

00 Trigger messages (130) differ from MT messages (120) because they do not 00 consist of any premium commercial service content. Rather, Trigger messages (130) \contain information about premium service promotions or offerings, or notifications "XYZ service is available now"). Trigger messages (130) are sent periodically by the PSP (115) to a Paying Subscriber (105), and are used to initiate dialogue with S 15 the Paying Subscriber (105) by inducing the Paying Subscriber to send an MO message (100), to which the PSP (115) can then respond by sending an MT message (120). The PSP (115) cannot charge Paying Subscribers (105) for receiving Trigger messages (130) and must bear the costs charged by TPs for the sending of Trigger messages. The Paying Subscriber is able to send an MO message in reply to the PSP's Trigger or MT message.

Mobile terminating (MT) messages in the present invention Figure 2 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the PSP sending multiple MT messages and unlimited "Trigger" messages in response to a single MO message from a Paying Subscriber according to the invention. Referring to the drawing Figure 2, the inventive system involves the PSPs (115) using multiple MT messages (120) or Trigger messages (130) to establish and/or maintain a dialogue with the users of Mobiles. In the present invention, an unlimited number of Trigger (130) and/or MT (120) messages can be sent by a PSP (115) to PCS Paying Subscriber (105) in response to a Paying Subscriber's single MO message (100). This differs from previously known systems, which only permit one MT message in response to a single MO message and a limited number of Trigger messages to previous Paying Subscribers in a given time period three Triggers to a known Paying Subscriber per month).

MT messages (120) sent by a PSP (115) contain premium service content (e.g.

"Football Games of the Day"). The content conveyed by the MT messages (120) will S 5 vary, depending on the nature of the PCS requested by the Paying Subscriber. For example, the MT messages may be sounds in the form of ring tones, voice and music; Spictures and/or animation(s) in the form of Multimedia Message Service (MMS); text- O based information conveyed in the form of SMS messages or text alternatives such as 00 e-mail with attachments; or location enabled services involving PDA browser geolocators, Global Positioning Services (GPS) or mobile cell locators, or a combination 00 of these, for the delivery of location-sensitive services or content.

In previously known systems, each PCS requested by a Paying Subscriber requires the Paying Subscriber to send a separate MO message (via a TP) before the S 15 PSP is enabled to send one MT message (also via a TP) conveying the specified premium service or content back to the Paying Subscriber. The Paying Subscriber is charged for every MO and/or MT message sent, depending on the payment protocol of the TP. In the present invention, the Paying Subscriber (105) enabled to pay by a larger variety of means including paying a subscription fee per specified period of time daily, weekly or monthly) rather than a fee per message.

Figure 3 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages, consisting of different service or content types, in response to a single MO message from a Paying Subscriber according to the invention. Referring to the drawing Figure 3, a Paying Subscriber (105) in the present invention can send one MO message (100) requesting a number of PCSs from a PSP (115). The PSP is then enabled to respond by sending multiple MT messages (120) to the Paying Subscriber. The MT messages sent in response to the Paying Subscriber's single MO message can convey a number of PCSs of the same type or of differing content types. For example, the MO can request three share reports (121) on unique shares, which is one type of PCS, and a profile of a renowned economist, such as Alan Greenspan, which is another type of PCS (122).

In previously known systems, a Paying Subscriber wanting to receive, for example, stock reports on a given day would need to send an MO message to a PSP requesting that specific PCS stock reports for the specified day). In the present invention, a Paying Subscriber can in a single MO message subscribe to daily and weekly stock reports as well as, say, sporting results and race tips.

5 Figure 4 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages, consisting of different Sservice or content types, in response to the receipt of a Sponsored Subscriber's Mobile O number and/or other relevant details according to the invention. Referring to the 00 drawing Figure 4, the inventive system involves the payment of PCS subscription costs by third party Sponsor (140) either instead of or in addition to payment by 00 paying Subscribers. The PSP (115) sends the MT messages (120) in response to the \receipt of a Sponsored Subscriber's (106) Mobile number (150) and/or other relevant details. The Sponsored Subscriber's consent (explicit or implied) to receive the PCS is given to the Sponsor (140). The Sponsored Subscriber (106) does not need to send an S 15 MO message to the PSP (115) to receive the PCS. The communication between PSP (115) and Sponsored Subscriber (106) is initiated by an instruction (160) from the Sponsor (Instruction). The PSP can send multiple MT messages (120) to the Sponsored Subscriber upon receipt of an Instruction (160) from the Sponsor. The MT (120) message from the PSP to the Sponsored Subscriber does not need to be preceded by, or involve, an MO message from the Sponsored Subscriber (106).

Figure 5 illustrates in a schematic diagram a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the PSP sending multiple MT messages consisting of different service or content types in response to the receipt of a single initiating message or Instruction from the Sponsor to the PSP to multiple Sponsored Subscribers. Referring to Figure 5, the present invention involves the sending by the PSP of multiple MT messages (120) consisting of different service or content types in response to the receipt of a Sponsored Subscriber's (106) Mobile and/or other relevant details. The single initiating message or Instruction (160) from the Sponsor (140) to the PSP (115) can apply to multiple Sponsored Subscribers (206) such that a single Instruction (160) from the Sponsor results in multiple MT messages (120) being sent by the PSP (115) to multiple Sponsored Subscribers (206). The MT messages (120) from the PSP to Sponsored Subscribers do not need to be preceded by, or involve, MO messages.

An example of a PSP sending multiple MT messages consisting of different service or content types in response to the receipt of a single initiating message or Instruction from the Sponsor is where the Subscriber receives the following: 1. a profile of the day of a fantasy person; r> 5 2. a generic personalized message such as "Hi Hun, How are you? How was your day?"; and S3. a picture of the fantasy person.

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00 This example of multiple MT messages of different forms and content types in response to one MO message to enter the subscription service is not known by the 00 inventors Trigger messages in the present invention S 15 Referring to Figure 1, Trigger messages (130) are messages sent by PSPs (115) to Paying Subscribers (105) and are used to induce Paying Subscribers to continue past conversations or purchase additional services, based on the PCSs the individual Paying Subscriber (105) had previously requested. More specifically, the individual Paying Subscriber (105) may have a specific interest in one category of the PCS, which for example, may present the statistics of goals kicked by a specific football player. This is referred to as a profile of the specific player. As more games are played by this player, then the statistics of goals kicked will change. The Trigger message (130) will provide information about a change in the specific player's profile without revealing what that profile change is. Similarly, a profile could be a specific person delivering a chat service, for which a Paying Subscriber (105) can be notified that the specific person is now available to continue a past conversation. Trigger messages (130) do not carry any PCSs but convey information about premium service promotions or offerings, or notifications about PCSs, or in order to initiate dialogue with the Paying Subscribers.

In previously known systems, PSPs are only enabled to send a limited number of Trigger messages to known Paying Subscribers. Referring to FIGURES 2 to 6, one feature of the present invention is that PSPs (115) are enabled to send an unlimited number of Trigger messages (130) to: a) Paying Subscribers (105); and b) Mobile users who are not known Paying Subscribers but who meet the criteria specified by third party Sponsors to receive a sponsored PCS.

S 5 This class of subscribers is referred to in the present invention as "Sponsored Subscribers" (discussed in detail in the section "Mobile terminating (MT) messages in Sthe present invention above). PSPs can send unlimited periodic Trigger messages to O Sponsored Subscribers who have had no previous dealings with the PSP, as well as to 00 previously known Paying Subscribers (collectively, Subscribers).

00 An additional feature of the present invention is the ability of a PSP (115) to \send Trigger messages (130) that are unlimited in profile type that is, Trigger messages that contain inducements to subscribe to PCSs that are different from those previously received by a Subscriber. For example, the profile of play for which a S 15 Subscriber (105) previously received PCS may now receive Trigger messages for both this specific player as well as new Trigger messages for the specific player's team performance and/or players that are overtaking the specific player's profile ranking. In known systems, Trigger messages (130) are restricted to presenting Paying Subscribers with inducements to subscribe only to the same PCSs as they have requested previously.

A Trigger message use includes Trigger message inducements sent at particular times and at particular locations. For example, at a football match between the Blues and the Reds, a Trigger message can be sent offering match spectators to place a bet on who will be the next player or team to score a goal. A wager by a spectator can be sent via an MO the amount wagered on which team or player and even in what time period. This MO is sent to the PSP. The PSP can also send a Trigger message to Sponsored and Paying Subscribers the odds made on which team will win. An offer of alternate odds can also be made in a Trigger Message with an expiry on the offer of, for example, one minute. The odds sent in a Trigger message on which team will win may have Blue bet $24,000 and Reds bet $40,000 which the odds changing with the weight of the wager. This Trigger message can also be envisaged as a game passion meter. Sponsored and Paying Subscribers who receive the Trigger message do not have to reside at the match unless specified. TV viewers can be offered to join the odds by, for example, texting an advertised or published code to the PSP which will enter these subscribers into the betting groupings under the published specified terms.

S 5 Location-sensitive PCSs Figure 5 also illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention with o the PSP enabled to send location-dependent or location-sensitive MT messages or 00 Trigger Messages. Referring to Figure 5, one feature of the present invention is that the PSP (115) is enabled to send location-dependent or location-sensitive MT messages (120) or Trigger Messages (130). These are communications that are only I sent by the PSP (115) when the recipient physically enters a given location such as a Sshopping centre, sporting event or entertainment venue such as a bar, restaurant or cinema. The location of the recipient (Sponsored Subscriber) is one of the criteria specified by a Sponsor that must be met in order for a Mobile user to receive the sponsored PCS.

The location of the Sponsored Subscriber is identified using geo-locators such as proximity to a mobile relay cell, internet "hotspot" or other location-based service targeting means including radiolocation, triangulation, Global Positioning System (GPS) (GPS chips are often located in smart phones) and other communication protocols that allow geolocation to be monitored such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) which has GSM localisation.

Using geolocators, the PSP (115) and Sponsor (140) can specify that all Mobiles in a particular location or connected to a particular mobile relay cell for a particular period of time more than 5 minutes but less than 1 hour). These Mobiles will receive a given Trigger message supermarket "specials" or discounted tickets to a given sporting event) and/or sponsored PCS MT (120) a "take a further 10% off the purchase price" e-voucher or a free movie pass). The time period specifications are to provide offers to people that are entering the specific location for specific purposes. For example, a time period of greater than five minutes will distinguish motor traffic passing a specific location. Likewise, a time period of less than one hour, for example, will distinguish shoppers from residents and workers on eight hour shift in the specific location.

Additional criteria for the receipt of communications can be specified by the Sponsor (160) and the PSP (115) the same PCS MT (120) and/or Trigger message (130) must not be sent more than once to any given Mobile number). This is r- 5 to help prevent the PCS and/or Trigger message from being sent to people passing 0 o near or through the location or to people residing (or working) in the location.

This assembly can also be enabled to access auxiliary information from 0 location detail or other databases to create more specifically detailed profiles for the subscriber based on earlier subscribing habits or the use of data matching techniques S 10 from other databases to most fully meet the requirements of the subscriber. This can auxiliary information can be used in conjunction with data mining techniques to oharvest data to specifically provide information concerning spending habits, customer relationship detail along with other detail to maximise the subscriber's experience.

N The addition detail harvested for the auxiliary databases can include the Subscriber movement patterns past multiple Subscriber hotspots where they become eligible to receive Trigger messages containing inducements. This information can be used to extrapolate where the Subscriber is now and where they are likely to be in the subsequent time periods. This enables the PSP to send predictive Trigger inducements and predictive profiles such as the directions for a discounted food offer if the time period is within the lunching period. Trigger inducements can be sent as a link, for which the information underlying the link changes as the currency of the offer changes. For example, if the time period is no longer the lunch period but it is now the drinking period, then the directions contained within the link will lead to a pub or bar, not an eating venue. Therefore, the Trigger offer link can be time, location and subject sensitive.

Subject sensitive information is information that is conveyed in relation to a service or a good. For example, the subject of a PCS includes but is not limited to eating, drinking, dating and/or gambling.

Push and pull technology use A Trigger message, such as described above, is a form of "push" technology, and involves sending data to Subscribers often in the form of a broadcast communication. In contrast, an MT message, which conveys a PCS, is a form of "pull" technology in the sense that in previously known systems it has involved a r- 5 Paying Subscriber requesting PCS from, for example, a PSP after viewing an 0 o advertisement.

The present invention utilises both of the above push and pull technologies but 0 also employs a second type of "push" technology, in the form of sponsored MT messages, sent to Sponsored Subscribers when they are located at certain specified locations. This improved combination of "push" and "pull" technologies increases the reach of the premium service offering(s) and provides Mobile users with more oefficient and cost-effective access to PCSs (eliminating the need to pay a fee to request a service before being able to be provided with the service).

C, One MO message to many MT messages In the present invention, communications between the PSP (115) and the Mobile user (105) are not constrained to a one-to-one ratio of one MO message (100) to one MT (120) message. The Paying Subscriber (105) is enabled to receive an unlimited number of MT responses (120) from the PSP (115) as shown in Figure 2, where 4 MT responses (120) are sent in response to a single MO message (100) from a Paying Subscriber).

Alternatively, depending on the premium service option requested by the Paying Subscriber (105), the Paying Subscriber (105) is enabled to receive a mix of limited PCS MT messages of one type and unlimited PCS MT messages of a different type, as shown in Figure 3. For example, the Paying Subscriber (105) may request a PCS such as a ring tone. The Paying Subscriber (105) will only be enabled to receive one (or another limited number) of MT messages containing ring tones (122) in response to a single MO message (100). In other services, such as a dating service, the Paying Subscriber (105) will be enabled to receive an unlimited number MT messages containing "date" profiles (121) in response to a single MO message (100).

In the present invention, the ability to receive unlimited MT messages (e.g.

date profiles (121)) depends on the Paying Subscriber paying a pre-selected fee on a volume-discounted per-MT message basis (capped at a nominated number or cost) or on a subscription period (time) basis. The PSP is enabled to send multiple follow up communications (in the form of MT messages) in response to one MO message until r- 5 the nominated number of communications is reached, insufficient funds are in 0 the Paying Subscriber's account, the predetermined subscription period has expired, or the Paying Subscriber instructs the PSP to stop the subscription to the O

PCS.

oO 00 Subscribing to a PCS 00 S 10 A Mobile user subscribes (105) to a PCS offered by a PSP (115) by selecting a payment option. The payment options are specified in an advertisement or in a Trigger message (130). An advertisement will display the contact details for subscribing to the PCS. When subscribing, the Mobile user will send an MO message r, (100) to the PSP (115) requesting the desired PCS(s). The PSP (115) responds to the MO message (100) by forwarding one or more MT messages (120) to the Subscriber (105), depending on the PCS requested. The Subscriber (105) is charged a fee for sending the MO (100) request and/or receiving the MT (120) messages in accordance with the advertised PCS charges and the payment protocol of the TP (110) where required. A distinct feature of the present invention is the ability of the PSP (115) to provide multiple MT messages (120) in response to a single MO message (100) from a Paying Subscriber, depending on the choices made by the Subscriber (105).

The mobile user can also subscribe to PCS by swiping their mobile against a mobile subscribing mechanism or a mobile relay station can pick up the mobile recording information as a subscription. The PSP can pick up Subscribers using a variety of technologies including MO messages, infrared, Bluetooth, internet and other communication means.

The mobile users can become a Subscriber of particular PCS by purchasing an item in a shop, which via explicit registration means or implied acceptance, for example, by using a credit card, will subscribe to a specific type of PCS, such as receiving that shops seasonal sale promotions, such as the winter sale offering off listed prices.

t- 5 Paying for a subscription Subscribers are given a number of options by which to pay for their PCS MTs o (120), including prepaying, paying after receiving the PCS, making one-off payments O 00 or re-occurring or regular payments.

A PSP can send a Trigger message or MT message offering a number of PCSs 00 t 10 to a Mobile user. The recipient of the offer then selects the desired PCS option(s), payment option(s) and method of payment credit card, debit against a Mobile telecommunications and/or technology providers account, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), credit holding devices including prepaid SIM cards, Oyster Card (form of r, electronic ticketing designed for use in England Rail System) and like devices, or stored-value account payments).

The Mobile user's chosen options are transmitted to the PSP within the MO message requesting a given PCS. For example, the Paying Subscriber can make a selection about a PCS and a payment option by entering a code after dialing the PSP's contact number. Alternatively, the PSP can set up a specific subscription phone number for use by Paying Subscribers to minimise the risk of confusion with a selection for the preferred choice. For example, specific PSP subscription numbers can be offered to readers of an advertisement for a given PCS such as daily stock reports to your Mobile.

Such advertisements specifically target communities or individuals with an interest in the given PCS. Likewise, specific Trigger messages can be sent to potential consumers in specific locations, for example, within a given university campus, nightclubbing district or central business district, on the basis that the consumer has given consent (implied or explicit) to receive such Trigger messages.

The Paying Subscriber's details are contained within the MO message (100) sent to the PSP (115). The PSP (115) processes these details and allocates a service allocation code or flag against the MO message's originating address and replies to the MO message(100) by sending an MT message (120) or multiple MT messages (120), depending on the PCS(s) selected by the Paying Subscriber. For example, if the Paying Subscriber (105) has selected to prepay for his or her subscription service on a 5 fee per volume basis or on a time basis, the PSP (115) is enabled to send an unlimited

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number of MT messages (120) in response to a single MO message (100). In addition to a choice of payment options pre-pay 5 MT messages (sent as SMS messages) O for $20 or 1 MT message for the PSP can also offer the Paying Subscriber 00 choices about the quality of the service text with pictures/sounds).

Another feature of the present invention is the ability of a third party to pay the n subscription fee for a PCS on behalf of a sponsored recipient. The third party Sponsor Smay be, for example, the owner of a bar, shopping arcade or regional centre. Such Sponsors pay the PSP the necessary fees for providing PCSs to people who provide their Mobile contact details mobile phone number or email address) and consent to receiving the PCS.

An added feature of the present invention is the ability to use any allocated number or communication address, such as a home telephone number or voice-over- IP number, as the account to which the PCS should be billed by the TP. This overcomes the problem with previously known systems in which a prepay cap on a mobile telephone account can limit the expenditure on a PCS subscription. It also provides a convenient means for the Mobile user to port the PSC to another communication address or account the home telephone number) to overcome the problem of paying for the PCS at mobile telephone rates. Digital fixed telephones are increasingly available and permit the sending and receiving of MT messages such as SMS messages. Other means of engaging in ongoing communication between a PSP and Subscriber include voice mail, email, ring tones and other forms of PCS.

Multiple item billing options Other assemblies of PSP billing options include one or more of the following items or combinations of items: 1) Service type or combinations of service type billing. For example, billing for pictures is different to billing for text messages. Billing for the combination of pictures and text messages is different yet again to billing for pictures plus the cost of billing for text messages. By way of example, a PCS in the form of providing pictures may cost $10 per 3 pictures and in the form of text messages may cost $10 per 10 text r- 5 messages; however, the combination of text and pictures in each MT message may 0 cost $10 per 5 text and picture combinations. A further example is where a PCS is received by a Paying Subscriber in the form of a picture. The picture can be opened O by, for example, double clicking on the picture, which opens a second PCS in the 00 form of text. The original picture may be sent by the PSP free of charge to the Subscriber; however, on activating the second PCS by performing an activation task 00 such as clicking the picture surface costs the Subscriber a nominated fee.

A user is also enabled to become a Subscriber to receive PCS from the PSP where _the PSP may provide the PCS in a form of a link for the PCS to be downloaded. This link can be in the form of a network link, hyperlink, telephone number or some other 15 referral means to provide the any type of PCS to be downloaded to a Mobile. A further assembly of this preferred embodiment is illustrated where an SMS communication (or other communication), is sent from the PSP with a link contained in the message as a referral number, attachment or some other means, to a Subscriber as a part of a PSP's service.

This SMS communication (or other communication) is enabled to be sent from the PSP as a free service to the subscriber; however, an earlier, later or different communication sent to the Subscriber from the PSP may be the communication that charges the Subscriber for that PCS or the combination of all PCS supplied to that Subscriber or Mobile. This enables the PSP to send, for example, a ring-tone or profile as a PCS at no immediate cost to the Subscriber other than possible mobile and download charges (such as GPRS) not associated with the PSP; however, it is another communication from the PSP to the Subscriber that enables the PSP to receive payment for the PCS delivered or to be delivered.

This overcomes the problem encountered by the PSP concerning the payment ratio for PCS, for which possibly only a low number of PCS are paid for by Subscribers.

This can be commercially crippling for many PSPs. The problematic payment ratio is where, for example, 100 profiles of the day are delivered to Subscribers; however, only about 10-15% of these PCS are paid for by Subscribers. A higher payment ratio can also be enabled to be contingent on the request for the PCS and not the Subscriber downloading the PCS; S 5 2) Time interval billing, where rates can vary depending on whether a subscription is for a day, a week, a month or other time period. One Paying Subscriber can subscribe to various PCSs with different billing cycles; o 3) Volume-discounted billing, where the rate payable per MT message or PCS 00 depends on the volume of business from any individual Paying Subscriber in any given period of time, i.e. the subscription fee payable per single MT message or PCS 00 00 falls when a Paying Subscriber requests more than 10 MT messages per day, and is lower yet again if the Paying Subscriber requests more than 20 MT messages per day, or more than 50 MT messages per week. The present invention enables the MT messages to be of differing content type. Therefore, a Paying Subscriber who requests 15 a number of PCSs daily stock reports, weekly sporting results, daily business news headlines and fortnightly specialist trade publication articles) will receive a volume discount for the cumulative PCSs requested, making the cost of each individual subscription cheaper, so long as the PCSs all come from the same PSP; 4) Pre-paid credit billing, where the rate payable by a Paying Subscriber falls when the Subscriber pre-pays more than a specified minimum quantity of services or combination of services. For example, if the Subscriber prepays more than $50 of PCSs, the Subscriber will receive a 10% discount on the cost of services provided, or if the Subscriber pre-pays more than $500 for services; the Subscriber will receive a discount on the cost of services provided; 5) Bonus or award billing, where the Paying Subscriber is given bonus or "award" PCSs if the Paying Subscriber meets the bonus award criteria. For example, if the Paying Subscriber sends 10 MO messages in one day, then the Paying Subscriber will receive a bonus text and picture combination in the form of an MT message from the PSP; 6) Referral bonuses, where both a referrer Subscriber and referee Subscriber can be granted discounts or additional services. For example, if a Paying Subscriber refers a new Paying Subscriber to a PSP's services, then as an incentive, either or both Paying Subscribers are granted a discount or an additional PCS such as a PCS service that the referrer did not previously subscribe to. This is not limited to Paying Subscribers but also includes Sponsored Subscribers and combinations of Paying and Sponsored Subscribers. For example, the PSP can remunerate an Instructor and/or a r- 5 Sponsor such as a shopping center owner for providing the PSP with new Sponsored 0 Subscribers. Likewise, the PSP is enabled to remunerate any party that brings the PSP a Subscriber in any way. This remuneration may be enabled by passing a percentage O of the revenue received, by the PSP from a new Subscriber, to the referring party; 00 7) Location-sensitive services, where a Mobile user is given access to additional PCSs when he or she is in a specific location such as a shopping mall, sporting venue, 00 00 movie or bar. For example, a corporate sponsor of a given sporting event can sponsor all of its guests to receive player and team statistics on their Mobiles. When guests enter, say the corporate box, then their Mobile communication addresses their mobile phone number) are provided to the PSP. The PSP is then enabled to send the N 15 sponsored PCS to the guest on behalf of the Sponsor. All of the costs involved with receiving the PCS are covered by the Sponsor and, in receiving the PCS, the guest at the sporting event becomes a Sponsored Subscriber of the PSP. The Sponsored Subscriber can cancel its subscription at any time. Mobile communication addresses mobile phone numbers) are only provided to the PSP with the Sponsored Subscriber's consent. For example, guests may be required to manually dial a particular phone number allocated by the PSP for the purpose of signing up to receive the sponsored PCS, or guests may be required to pass their Mobiles in front of a device that can scan or otherwise read the unique communication address associated with a given Mobile. Sponsored Subscribers who are also Paying Subscribers at the same are enabled to receive additional or "bonus" services. Examples include discounted rates for using similar or related PCSs sporting bets) or the provision of other PCSs that are specific to the location but not sponsored by the corporate Sponsor a voucher for a free bottle of wine to be redeemed at a nearby pub); 8) Upgrade facility, where the Subscriber upgrades his or her account to receive a higher level quantity) or quality from text-only messages to text, sound and picture messages) of PCSs or a greater combination of services. In this scenario, the rate charged is lower than the combined cost of individual PCSs that have the relevant feature(s). For example, if a Subscriber upgrades the level of service from a text-only PCS to a combined text and picture PCS, the combined services are provided at a rate lower than the combined cost of a text-based service and a picturebased PCS service.: S 5 9) Sub-optimal billing, where the Subscriber has subscribed to a service but has Onot enough credit or means readily accessible to pay for the subscription fee. In this circumstance the PSP can charge a sub-optimal price for the subscription service to O obtain some return on the service(s) provided. This is envisaged as a subscription fee 00 of $100 per month may settle at $50 initial payment and subsequent payment of in the following month(s). This is an example of sub-optimal billing with a follow up 00 to obtain the outstanding amount. In contrast, there is also suboptimal billing where a Vt') N part of the bill is paid and the PSP does not follow up to recover the outstanding Oamount.

All of the above multiple item services can be combined in any manner.

Billing cycles for such services are not limited to the descriptions provided above and may include other options such as follow-up services and multiple delivery locations (a collection of PCS recipients).

These arrangements provide the possibility for the PSP to provide multiple MT messages in the period after an MO message has been sent by the Mobile user or a permission has been granted by the Mobile user to receive MT messages by some other means for sponsored PCSs).

The PSP is able to generate a specified number of PCS messages, in the form of MT messages, which are delivered back to the Mobile communication address contained in the original MO message requesting the PCS. The specified number of MT messages depends on the quantity and/or quality of PCSs requested by the Paying Subscriber.

As will be further appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, the present inventive method and system affords distinct business advantages not previously available to vendors relating to the delivery of Premium Commercial Services to subscribers. In this aspect, the present invention provides novel methods of conducting an array of business functions for the purpose of exploiting the business of S 5 the inventive subject matter.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary O and specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that 00 the invention will be may be embodied in many other forms without departing from the scope of the invention.

00 \Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used herein the detailed description or the claims, as such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising", "having", and its grammatical variations, in the inclusive S 15 sense and not as "consisting only of' when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Dated this Thursday, 3 October 2007 Applicants' names: Michael John Turner By 1 Place Patent Attorneys Solicitors Patent Attorneys for the Applicants

Claims (4)

1. A system for providing a Premium Commercial Service (PCS) including: 0 a) a subscription means for said PCS; and 00 b) a payment means wherein the cost of a subscription to said PCS is paid 00 10 by a Sponsor.

2. The system for providing a PCS according to Claim 1 wherein said subscription means includes: Sa) swiping a Mobile against a subscribing mechanism; b) a Mobile relay station detecting information from the Mobile of a Sponsored Subscriber; or c) a combination of a) and b) above.

3. The system for providing a PCS according to Claim 1 or 2 including means for specifying a delivery condition including: a) a location of the Mobile to which said PCS is to be delivered; b) a calendar date; c) a time; d) an event; or e) any combination of a) to d) above.

4. A method for providing a PCS including the steps of: oa) a Sponsor providing an Instruction to a Premium Service Provider 00 (PSP); b) delivery of said PCS to a Subscriber in accordance with said n 10 Instruction; and c) payment by said Sponsor for said PCS. A method for providing a PCS including the occurrence of: a) a Subscriber swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism to subscribe to said PCS; or b) a Sponsored Subscriber activating a subscription to said PCS by: i. swiping a Mobile against a subscription mechanism; ii. carrying a Mobile from which a Mobile relay station detects information to activate said subscription; or iii. a combination of i and ii above.