Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q30/00—Commerce
  • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
  • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
  • G06Q20/322—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to telecommunication systems, and amongst other things to commercial transactions and devices for carrying out commercial transactions utilizing telecommunication systems.
• WAP wireless access protocol
• PDA personal digital assistant
• WAP recognizes that the consumer not only values the power and usefulness of the Web but also wishes to have it available while away from home or work.
• the concept is very simple: someone with a cell phone, pager, or PDA should be able to do limited Web surfing, for example, to check stock quotes, get restaurant information, or access bank accounts.
• the goal of WAP is to extend the Web to handheld wireless devices by addressing and solving these difficulties.
• WAP is designed to work with most wireless networks such as CDPD,
• WAP consists of wireless equivalents of HTTP and HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) .
• the HTTP-like component defines the communication protocol between the handheld device through a service provider and a server or gateway through a service provider. This component addresses characteristics that are unique to wireless devices, such as data rate and round-trip response time. For example, a cell phone may have a maximum achievable data rate of 9.6 kbps as compared to 33 kbps in the home or 1 .5 Mbps in the workplace.
• the HTML-like component defines new markup and scripting languages for displaying information to and interacting with the user. This component is highly focused on the limited display size and limited input devices available on small, handheld devices. For example, a typical cell phone may have only a 4x1 0-character display with 1 6-grey levels and only a numeric keypad plus up/down volume keys.
• the basic model for WAP is that of the Web, namely a user makes a request for information using a URL.
• the URL may be presented to the user in the form of a hyperlink.
• the information is retrieved and presented to the user.
• the user employs a WAP-compatible client device to make requests and to view the content.
• Two scenarios are presently envisioned for getting the content to the user.
• the client device is in direct communication with a "WAP Server".
• the client device requests content from that server, the server retrieves the content (either locally or remotely), and the content is returned to the device.
• the client device is in communication with a "WAP Gateway".
• the client device requests the content from the gateway, the gateway retrieves the content, reformats it, and then the content is returned to the device.
• the WAP Server "speaks" WAP whereas the WAP Gateway translates WAP messages into another protocol, such as HTTP.
• WAP provides three broad categories of functionality for content providers: content, scripting, and telephony. Since a WAP client device is expected to have a limited display size, the basic display unit of WAP content is a "card" . A card can be thought of as one screen of information or one part of a fill-in form. In actuality, though, a card can span several client-device-screens since the client device can have a single-line display.
• a card can display text, images, hyperlinks, and input fields. Input fields can be fill-in-the-blank type, multiple-choice selections, or buttons.
• the client device must decide how to render these input fields, how the user navigates between the fields, and how the user enters data into or selects these fields.
• WAP has properly left all these things to the client device manufacturers and their human factors experts. As discussed, the basic display unit of WAP content is the "card" . Since several cards may be required for a single application or service, WAP defines a content file as a group of cards, called a "deck". A deck has one or more cards and each card can be labeled just like name references within HTML files. When a deck is retrieved, the first card is automatically displayed unless otherwise specified in a reference field of the URL.
• WAP also defines a scripting language, WML Script, which is similar in concept and purpose to JavaScript for HTML.
• WML Script is created by a content provider and is stored in its own file, separate from the WML that uses it. With WML Script, a card can execute functions that verify input fields or that convey limited state information between cards in a deck or even between decks.
• WML Scripts are just like functions within other high-level languages. WML Script functions are invoked by name, can accept parameters, and can return values. They can execute other WML Script functions, either in the same file or in another file, and they can execute system library functions to display input fields or to static text. WML Scripts are accessed using a URL, just like WML content itself.
• WAP Since it is expected that WAP will be implemented within a cell phone or other communication device, WAP has provisions for controlling the telephony aspects of these client devices. For example, a user may wish to find a local restaurant. Using a WAP cell phone, the user consults a "yellow pages" directory and finds an approoriate diner. To make a reservation, the user just "clicks" a button displayed by the WML card and the phone dials the restaurant. Obviously this is much easie r than writing down the phone number, ending the WAP session, and dialing th s number manually.
• the WAP architecture follows the OSI layering model and consists of three major layers.
• Wireless Application Environment (WAE) and Wireless Telephony Application (WTA) are the top-most layers in the WAP architecture. They are the main interfaces to the client devices and specify a markup language, a scripting language, and a telephony interface. WAE and WTA impose a few, simple and basic requirements on the client device. For example, the client device must maintain a "history list" of recently visited decks, so that the user may navigate "backwards" .
• WAE consists of WML and WML Script plus the WML Script virtual machine.
• WTA is a separate, standalone function.
• WML is the markup language for WAP-WAE. It is the WAP equivalent of HTML. WML formalizes the concept of cards and decks.
• WML uses "tags", such as " “ and " ", to identify the purpose and function of blocks of text so that the client device can properly display, or render, them to the user.
• WML is based on HTML and is also heavily influenced by HDML, used in the Unwired Planet product.
• WML is XML compliant and is specified using a full Document Type Definition (DTD).
• the DTD allows a WML text file to be intelligently parsed and verified for correctness.
• WML is quite verbose.
• WML defines simple compression techniques such as representing all defined tags using tokens.
• WML Script is the scripting language for WAP-WAE. It is the WAP equivalent of JavaScript.
• WML Script is a high level language that allows a content provider to implement arbitrary functions that may be required by individual WML decks, for example, to verify form input prior to submitting it to a server.
• WML Script is quite verbose- and a compression / compilation scheme is defined to make transmiss on much more efficient.
• Compiled WML Script consists of machine-indepe ndent byte codes, much like Java's compiled class files. WML Script obviously requires an operating environment where the byte codes are executed in an interpreted mode. This "virtual machine" is similar to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
• WAE specifies a set of library and system functions that all client devices must implement and provide by default. This provides a basis upon which content providers may build their applications regardless of the exact client device.
• WTA provides a set of functions that allow control over the client device assuming it is a telephone device. Calls may be placed or answered. This part of WAP is still in the early stages of the specification process, so further information will not be provided at this time
• WSP Wireless Session Protocol
• WTLS Wireless Transport Layer Security
• They provide connection- based services to the application layer - WAE and WTA. Basically, a session is started, content is exchanged, and the session is later closed. Additionally, the session can be suspended and resumed.
• WSP Wireless Session Protocol
• WTLS Wireless Transport Layer Security
• WSP is the WAP equivalent of HTTP and is based on HTTP/1 .1 .
• the header is metadata - data about the data - and consists of name-value pairs that specify information about the particular request or response.
• the body is the payload for the WAE/WTA layer and typically consists of tokenized WML, compiled WML Script, or images, but can also contain raw WML text.
• WSP like HTTP/1 .1 , can convey multipart data consisting of several header-data pairs. For example, when a specific deck is requested, the server may respond with the deck, its images, and its WML Script in a multipart response. This eliminates the need for subsequent requests from the client, which delay the rendering of the deck due to the round-trip delay that would have been imposed by additional request-response exchanges.
• WSP also defines a server "push" transaction where the server sends unrequested content to a client device. This may be used for broadcast messages or for services, such as news headlines or stock quotes, that may be tailored to each client device.
• WSP specifies compression techniques to provide efficient transmission of the request and response. This compression consists of one-byte tokens for "well-known" header fields plus efficient transmission of numerical data where possible, such as for date values. WSP also allows for negotiation of capabilities between the client and server, for example to determine if server "push" is supported.
• WTLS is the WAP equivalent of the HTTP SSL or TLS. Security is provided using encryption of all session data using a cryptographic technique that is negotiated when the connection is established. WTLS which implements options for authentication and encryption and is optimized for use in the mobile environment
• Wireless Transport Protocol and bearer services are the protocol layer in the WAP architecture. They provide reliable transmission of WSP data packets between the client and server over a wireless link.
• WTP is the WAP equivalent of TCP or UDP. Although WTP should provide reliable communication to WSP, the current specification allows for reliable (TCP-like) or unreliable (UDP-like) communication. When the connection is unreliable, WSP (undoubtedly) is responsible for retransmission to make the connection reliable.
• WTP is responsible for packet segmentation and reassembly and for acknowledgement of packets and retransmission of lost, unacknowledged, or corrupted packets.
• WTP numbers packets so that an at-most-once policy is effected. This ensures that a retransmitted packet is not mistaken for a new packet, which would cause duplication.
• the "bottom end” of WTP consists of adaptation elements that match WTP functionality to the underlying bearer service, such as SMS or CDPD. In a sense, these adaptation elements "take up the slack" between what WTP needs and what the bearer service provides.
• Each client device will probably have only one adaptation element since each client device will probably have only one wireless link. It is possible, however, that a client device may have a single wireless link that it can use in different manners.
• GSM may provide different types of data services and each would require a different adaptation element (not to mention a mechanism for the user to specify which one to use).
• the bearer service is the wireless data link between the client and a server Many different bearer services are possible. CDPD in the analog cellular system, SMS and GPRS in the GSM cellular system, and one-way (traditional) and two-way paging. Each one of these has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of maximum / typical throughput rates, round-trip delay times, and cost.
• Each client device must obviously have at least one bearer service and some client devices may have several, as with GSM phones.
• WAP is leveraging the industry's cumulative experiences with the Web (HTML and HTTP) by eliminating the difficulties and improving the strong points of existing technologies. Additionally, since WAP is targeted at handheld, wireless devices, a realm that is underserved by the existing Web world, it can start with a clean slate and has thrown out many of the old notions about Web services. The attention to transmission times and other considerations that are critical and unique to handheld devices is properly and justifiably focused. Savings in transmitted bytes should translate to savings in round-trip delay between a client's request and receipt of the response.
• the present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus that allows for devices that are capable of wireless communication while also allowing for transactions that require a minimum amount of data input on the part of the consumer
• the present invention is directed toward a method of generating transactions ove r a wireless communication link.
• the method comprises transmitting a m 3ssage indicative of an option to purchase an item, receiving a signal indicative o a purchase request to purchase the item, identifying the subscriber device based upon information transmitted from the subscriber device identifying the subscriber device, obtaining information from the transaction database data identifying a subscriber associated with the identified subscriber device, transmitting a request for authorization to transmit the purchase request to a merchant, receiving a signal indicative of the authorization to the purchase request to the merchant; and transmitting to the merchant a request to place the purchase and to provide the subject matter of the request to make the purchase to the subscriber.
• the present invention is directed toward an apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving signals over a wireless link comprising a receiver, a transmitter, an input interface that includes a single input key allowing the user to make a purchase, and a microcontroller in electrical communication with the receiver, transmitter, and input interface, the microcontroller receiving a signal corresponding to activation of the single input key and instructing the transmitter to transmit a message corresponding to a request to purchase the item.
• the present invention is directed toward a computer readable storage medium on which is stored instructions recognizable by a processor for generating transactions utilizing wireless communication, by determining whether a received signal is indicative of a purchase request to purchase the item and if the received signal is indicative of a purchase request, then identifying the subscriber device based upon information transmitted from the subscriber device identifying the subscriber device, obtaining information from the transaction database data identifying a subscriber associated with the identified subscriber device; and transmitting to the subscriber device data corresponding to a request for authorization to tr ansmit the purchase request to a merchant. It is an advantage of an aspect of the present invention to allow devices that allow for minimum input purchasing decisions on the part of a purchaser.
• FIG. 1 A is a block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the communication sequence for performing transactions utilizing a wireless telephone according to the present invention
• FIG. 1 B is a block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the communication sequence for performing transactions utilizing a wireless access protocol enabled device according to the present invention
• FIG. 1 C is a block diagram of a presently preferred embodiment of the communication sequence for performing transactions utilizing a wireless access protocol device without one command technology according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operation of the purchasing system utilizing a wireless telecommunication device and a cable television system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the presently preferred embodiment of the application flow of the transaction system according the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the presently preferred embodiment of an account setup procedure for the transaction system according the present invention.
• FIG . 5 is a block diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a network utilizing the transaction system according to the present invention.
• FIG . 6 is a diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a wireless telephone according the present invention
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a remote control device according the present invention
• FIG. 8 is a diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a personal digital assistant according the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the presently preferred embodiment of a transaction system enabled device according the present invention.
• a WAP enabled device 10 transmits a request to begin a transaction.
• the request to begin a transaction is preferably in one of two forms, either a request to make a purchase of a product or service offered or a registration of the WAP enabled device.
• the request is transmitted to the service provider 1 5 for the WAP enabled device 1 0 which then routes the request to purchasing server 20.
• the purchasing server 20 performs the function of determining the identity of the WAP enabled device 1 0, the subscriber associated with the WAP enabled device 10 and the payment information for the subscriber.
• the purchasing server also determines the item(s) to be purchased, subscriber payment information and the merchant(s) 25 to which the item corresponds.
• the identification of the WAP enabled device 1 0 is preferably performed by utilizing a predetermined identity code that can be input at the time of manufacture either as a hardware electronic serial number (ESN), a subscriber identity module (SIM) serial number, other device specific identity, format tags transmitted from the device, communications handshaking, operating system BIOS polling, service provider application code to extract the information from the service provider, or previously submitted user registration information.
• a predetermined identity code that can be input at the time of manufacture either as a hardware electronic serial number (ESN), a subscriber identity module (SIM) serial number, other device specific identity, format tags transmitted from the device, communications handshaking, operating system BIOS polling, service provider application code to extract the information from the service provider, or previously submitted user registration information.
• ESN hardware electronic serial number
• SIM subscriber identity module
• a WAP enabled device 30 transmits a request to begin a transaction.
• the request to begin a transaction is preferably in one of two forms, either a request to make a purchase of a product or service offered, or a registration of the WAP enabled device.
• the request is transmitted to the service provider 35 that performs the function of determining the identity of the WAP enabled device 30, the identity of the subscriber associated with the WAP enabled device 30 and subscriber payment information.
• This information is forwarded to the purchasing server 40 which determines the item(s) to be purchased and the merchant(s) 45 to which the item corresponds.
• the purchase request and payment information is then forwarded to the appropriate merchant(s) 45 along with transmission or shipping information.
• the merchant(s) 45 place the purchase orders and transmit confirmation information to the WAP enabled device 30.
• the identification of the WAP enabled device 1 0 is preferably performed by utilizing a predetermined identity code that can either be input at the time of manufacture either as a hardware electronic serial number (ESN), a subscriber identity module (SIM) serial number other device specific identity, format tags transmitted from the device, communications handshaking, operating system BIOS polling, service provider application code to extract the information from the service provider, or previously submitted user registration information. It is also possible to add the predetermined identity code at a later time by an information exchange when the subscriber logs onto a server of the service provider 25, or by insertion of a smart card at a later time having an additional identifier. The predetermined identity code is transmitted to the service provider, with the purchase request or at later or earlier time to allow processing of the transaction.
• a WAP enabled device 50 transmits a request to begin a transaction.
• the request to begin a transaction is preferably in one of two forms, either a request to make a purchase of a product or service offered or a registration of the WAP enabled device 50.
• the request is transmitted to the service provider 55 for the WAP enabled device 50 which then routes the request to purchasing server 60.
• the purchasing server 60 performs the function of determining the identity of the WAP enabled device 50 and the subscriber associated with the WAP enabled device 1 0.
• the purchasing server also determines the item(s) to be purchased, subscriber payment information and the merchant(s) 65 to which the item corresponds.
• the purchase request and subscriber payment infc rmation is then forwarded to the appropriate merchant(s) 65 along with t ransmission or shipping information.
• the merchant(s) 65 place the pi rchase orders and transmit confirmation information to the WAP enabled device 50,
• the identification of the WAP enabled device 1 0 is preferably performed by utilizing a predetermined identity code that can either be input at the time of manufacture either as a hardware electronic serial number (ESN), a subscriber identity module4 (SIM) serial number other device specific identity, format tags transmitted from the device, communications handshaking, operating system BIOS polling, service provider application code to extract the information from the service provider, or previously submitted user registration information.
• ESN hardware electronic serial number
• SIM subscriber identity module4
• predetermined identity code is added at a later time, either by an information exchange when the subscriber logs onto purchasing server 60, or by insertion of a smart card at a later time having an additional identifier.
• the predetermined identity code is transmitted to the service provider, with the purchase request or at later or earlier time.
• a user is viewing or wants to begin viewing a television, interactive television, or other entertainment program on a display 100, it is also possible that the user be utilizing a device that provides only audio information, a combination of video and audio information or only video information.
• the user then inputs a channel, program identifier, uniform resource locator, or content identification information, by utilizing a WAP enabled device 1 1 0.
• the WAP enabled device 1 10 can be device that is not in direct communication with the network or communication system on which the user is viewing the television, interactive television, or other entertainment program, but can be any WAP enabled device 1 10 or a device in communication with a WAP enabled de"ice, e.g.
• the WAP enabled device 1 10 then transmits a feed code to a service provider 1 30 that provides the services to the WAP enabled device 1 1 0
• the service provider 1 30 transmits the message including the feed code to a purchasing server 1 40.
• the purchasing server 1 40 utilizes the feed code to determine the television, interactive television, music, or other entertainment program to which the feed code corresponds.
• the purchasing server 140 then identifies the WAP enabled device 1 1 0 and determines whether there is a purchasing account associated with the identified WAP enabled device. If it is determined that there is a purchasing account associated with the identified WAP enabled device 1 1 0, then the purchasing server 1 40 connects with a merchant server 1 50 associated with the television, interactive television, or other entertainment program.
• the purchasing account needs to include payment information for the user associated with the WAP enabled device 1 10, e g. electronic wallet information, credit card information or the like
• the user of the WAP enabled device 1 1 0 is viewing the display 1 00 or listening to music in the case of a device which is currently providing audio only information, they are prompted in any portion or the whole of the display 1 00 with an advertisement, marketing message, purchase menu or the like which contains information allowing the user to purchase one or more products or services from the merchant. It is also possible that the user is allowed to purchase one or more products, from one or more merchants. Further, instead of prompting the user on the display 1 00, the user can prompted with the advertisement, marketing message, purchase menu or the like on the WAP enabled device 1 1 0 The user can the use a WAP enabled device 1 0, e g.
• buttons or other input devices to select which of the products or services to purchase by utilizing buttons or other input devices. It is presently preferred that once the user selects the products or services that they desire to purchase, they need only press one predetermined button or input a single command into the WAP enabled device 1 1 0 to transmit a request to purchase the product(s) or serv ⁇ ce(s)
• the request to purchase is then transmitted to a service provider 1 30 that provides the some or all of the telecommunication and/or information services to the WAP enabled device 1 1 0.
• the service provider 1 30 then transmits appropriate information over a wide area network 1 35, virtual private network, or the like, to he purchasing server 1 40 which then sends the necessary information regarding the user of the WAP enabled device 1 1 0, e.g.
• the service provider 1 30 may transmit the request to purchase directly to the merchant(s) 1 50 which then communicates with the purchasing server 1 40 to obtain the necessary information regarding the user of the WAP enabled device 1 10 in order to complete the purchase
• the determination of the merchant server 1 50 associated with the television, interactive television, or other entertainment program is dependent on predetermined relationship between the provider of the television, interactive television, music or other entertainment program and the merchant. For example, if the provider of the television, interactive television, music, or other entertainment program is MTV® then the merchant can be one or more that provide compact discs, live performance tickets, magazines, digital video discs or the like that are related to the music video or program that is currently being provided on the television or visual display 1 00.
• a user is prompted while viewing a television program, interactive program, or other display information or while listening to audio information with a reminder about using the transaction system, step 200.
• the user can then decide to purchase one of the one or more products or services offered, step 21 0.
• the user then inputs a command to provide an advertising, marketing message or the like to the user, step 220.
• the command is provided to a purchasing server that determines the specific television program, interactive program, other display information or audio information that the user is interacting with, step 230. Then the purchasing server determines whether the user has an account on the purchasing server, step 240.
• the purchasing server determines the merchant(s) associated with the specific television program, interactive program, other display information or audio information that the user is interacting with, step 250, and provides the appropriate advertisement, marketing message or the like associated with the specific television program, interactive program, other display information or audio information, step 255.
• the advertisement, marketing message or the like can either provided as part or whole of the display, and allows the user the opportunity to purchase one or more products or services offered by the merchant(s).
• the user then can purchase the product(s) or service(s) offered by the merchant(s), step 260.
• the identity of the product(s) or service(s) and their associated merchant(s) are determined, step 270.
• the purchasing server transmits the purchase order to the merchant, which places the order, step 280.
• the merchant(s) transmit confirmation of the placement of the purchase order(s) to the user, step 290.
• the user of who wants to register their device or to become a registered user of the purchasing service will log onto a third party server, their telecommunication service provider, or other designated server, step 300.
• the user then enters the necessary registration information, e.g. login ID and password, creates an electronic wallet, completes the appropriate information, regarding the identity of their WAP enabled device, establishes a target homepage, and provides appropriate demographic information, step 31 0.
• a personal URL which contains information that allows the user to set up their personal interests and related information for providing them with the advertisements, marketing messages and the like that are tailored to their interests, is transmitted, preferably via email to the user, step 320.
• ⁇ number of subscribers 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, and 41 0 are all subscribers of one or more cable or interactive television service providers 420.
• Subscribers 41 2, 41 4 and 41 6 are subscribers of one or more other service providers 43C.
• Subscribers 41 2, 414 and 41 6 can be subscribers of wireless telecommunication, cable television, interactive television or other service providers that allow communication utilizing of the wireless access protocol.
• Each of the service providers 420 and 430 has as part of their communication network an application server 440 that allows the service providers 420 and 430 to communicate over one or more wide area networks with third parties, such as purchasing servers 440, merchants 450, credit card issuers 460 or other financial organizations, and the like.
• the purchasing servers 440 allow for the types of the transactions that are depicted in FIGS. 1 -3 above, in any combination depending on the arrangement between the manufacturers of the WAP enabled devices of subscribers 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 41 2, 41 4 and 41 6, the service providers 420 and 430 and the purchasing database 440 owners. This allows for the greatest amount of flexibility for all parties.
• a wireless telephone 500 which can a cellular phone, GSM phone, CDMA phone, dual mode phone, wireless communication device with or without additional capabilities, includes a purchasing input key, button, touch screen location or the like 51 0 which enables the user to utilize the WAP enabled wireless telephone 500 to connect to purchase server or to make purchases.
• the user can as described with respect to FIG. 2, while or prior to interacting with a television, interactive television, other entertainment program, or musical broadcast, inputs a request for advertisement by inputting a channel or URL information and pressing the purchasing input key, button, touch screen location or the like 51 0.
• purchasir g input key, button, touch screen location or the like 51 0 can be either a separate one function key that provides the sole function of making purchase order(s) and/or initiating the receipt of advertisements, marketing messages or the like, or can be a function key that provides this function along with many others, e.g. the number one key in the depicted embodiment.
• a remote control device 520 which can control audio, video, or combination devices can be used by the user to make purchases.
• the remote control device 520 need not be a WAP enabled device, but needs to be in communication with a WAP enabled device, such a cable set top box, television, stereo or personal computer.
• the user of the remote control device make purchase orders and request advertisements, marketing messages or the like utilizing a purchasing input key, button or the like 530, as described with respect to FIGS. 1 -3. It should be noted that in this case the user will receive confirmation information on a display or speaker associated with the cable set top box, television, stereo or personal computer or the like that is controlled by the remote control 520.
• purchasing input key, button, touch screen location or the like 530 can be either a separate one function key that provides the sole function of making purchase order(s) and/or initiating the receipt of advertisements, marketing messages or the like, or can be a function key that provides this function along with many others, e.g. the number one key in the depicted embodiment.
• a personal digital assistant 540 includes the purchasing input key, button, touch screen location or the like 550, which is utilized in the same manner as described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7.
• the personal digital assistant 540 are preferred to be in communication with a WAP enabled device, e.g. a modem or other communication device.
• WAP enabled device e.g. a modem or other communication device.
• other devices that are WAP enabled such as laptop computers, digital cameras or the like can be provided with a purchasing input as described with respect to FIGS. 6-8.
• a wireless communication device includes a microcontroller 600 which communicates with a receiver 61 0 and transmitter 620, which can also be combined into a transceiver, to transmit signals to and from the wireless communication device.
• the wireless communication device also includes an input device 630 that allows the user of the wireless communication device to provide input.
• the input device 630 can be a key pad, series of buttons, touch screen, a combination of any of the previous three or the like.
• the input device 630 includes means for utilizing a single command to make a purchase of an item as described with respect to FIGS. 6-8.
• the microcontroller 600 which performs the functions of running the wireless communication device, responds by instructing the transmitted 620 to transmit a purchase request if the single command to make the purchase request is provided on the input device 630.
• the wireless communication device is a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant or the like it can include a display for use by the user, including to receive advertising, marketing messages or the like to the user by which they can respond with the single command to maker the purchase of the item.

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