EP2036011A2

EP2036011A2 - Compact contact details coordination unit and method

Info

Publication number: EP2036011A2
Application number: EP20070766847
Authority: EP
Inventors: Didi Avraham Mecilati; Hemy Tzubary
Original assignee: One Smart Star Ltd
Current assignee: One Smart Star Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-02
Filing date: 2007-07-02
Publication date: 2009-03-18
Also published as: AR056088A1; EP2036011A4; WO2008004217A2; IL176663A; WO2008004217A3; IL176663A0

Abstract

A compact contact details coordination unit includes an account nickname database associating each of a multiplicity of businesses with its bank account nickname and a determining unit to determine if the account nickname is available for a business.

Description

COMPACT CONTACT DETAILS COORDINATION UNIT AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to communications methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The modern age may best be characterized by the overwhelming amount of information transmitted between individuals for personal and business purposes alike. An increasing number of individuals and entities communicate increasingly frequently, exchange increasingly more data, by an increasing number of means.

[0003] It is typically important to both the business providing a service to a customer, and to the customer receiving a service from a business that a dependable and convenient communication link exist between them. Customers place a high value on receiving the products and services they have purchased from a business at the price and under the terms to which they have agreed, and businesses depend on satisfied customers to ensure their viability in a competitive market. To achieve these ends, communication between customers and businesses is paramount. Customers and business representatives must talk or correspond in writing to provide and receive information about products and services, provide and receive price quotes, negotiate and sign service agreements and resolve problems which may arise.

[0004] The typical contemporary business has kept pace with the technological advances in the field of communications which have increased and diversified the methods by which customers and businesses may communicate. This is demonstrated in Fig. 1, reference to which is now made, which shows an exemplary contemporary business card 10 for Busy Business Inc., an exemplary contemporary business. As shown in Fig. 1, the contact details 12 on business card 10 include a mailing address 14 for postal deliveries, a telephone number 16 for telephone calls, a fax number 18 for fax transmissions, an SMS number 20 for receiving text messages, an email address 22 for email transmissions, and a website address 24 for Internet access.

[0005] Both businesses and customers can benefit from the convenience afforded by the quantity and variety of communications options. For example, a customer having a busy day may find that he has missed the opportunity to call his service provider during regular business hours, but the options of contacting the business outside of office hours by fax or email remain available to him.

[0006] Ironically, as evidenced by the quantity of details shown on business card 10, it is the very increase and diversification of communication options which has itself created a communications impediment. The contemporary individual is typically overwhelmed with contact details, the majority of which he cannot hope to remember. He must be equipped at the very least with an address book, or preferably, with an electronic organizer. Keeping up with ever-increasing contact details, due to the advances of communications technology, and ever-changing contact details, due to physical relocations, area-code changes, communications service provider switches, etc. has graduated from a minor inconvenience to a more bothersome aggravation. The contemporary experience of writing a quick business email in the middle of a meeting or in middle of the night which will be at its destination at the start of the next business day is a welcome one and a modem convenience. However, both unwelcome and inconvenient to a similar degree, are the "b as in boy", "d as in dog" recitations required to provide an email address over the phone accurately. [0007] Businesses in particular cannot afford to lose touch with their customers, and historically, in recognizing that it has been in their best interest to make it easier for customers to reach them, businesses have invested considerable efforts in minimizing the cost in both time and money for customers to reach them. These efforts have included business reply mail, which saves customers the cost of a stamp when communicating with the business, and toll free numbers, which save customers the cost of a telephone call when calling the business. Businesses have also used toll free numbers with the name of the business spelling out the phone number using the alphanumeric keypad to help customers easily retain and retrieve their contact information. Telephone numbers have been set to jingles and seared into our memories by constant repetition on the public airwaves. However, in the modem context, these solutions are only partial due to the increased number of the means of communication and of contact details. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] There is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compact contact details coordination unit which includes an account nickname database and a determining unit. The account nickname database associates each of a multiplicity of businesses with its bank account nickname and the determining unit determines if the account nickname is available for a business.

[0009] Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coordination unit includes an updater to update account databases of at least one of: banks, bank branches and bank clearinghouses.

[0010] Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each account database associates at least some of the multiplicity of businesses with their bank account as issued by their bank.

[0011] Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each account nickname is unique to the business.

[0012] There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method including associating an account nickname with a business for payments from customers.

[0013] Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes routing payments for the business using the account nickname to an account associated with the account nickname.

[0014] There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unit including an account database at a bank entity and an updater. The account database associates bank account nicknames with bank account numbers as issued by the bank entity to businesses having the bank account nicknames as their address nicknames. The updater updates the account database upon instruction from a nickname coordination unit.

[0015] There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method including providing rerouting information to a bank entity for use associating an account nickname with a business for payments.

[0016] Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bank entity is a bank, a bank branch or a bank clearinghouse. [0017] Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the account nickname is unique to the business.

[0018] There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compact contact details coordination unit including a communications nickname database, a determining unit and an updater. The communications nickname database associates each of a multiplicity of businesses with its communications nickname, which may be short and begins with an indicator. The determining unit determines if a communications nickname is available for a business for at least the following communications providers: post office mail and telephony. The updater updates router databases of the communications providers when the communications nickname database is changed.

[0019] Finally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indicator may be a *, a #, **, or a signaling digit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Fig. 1 is an exemplary representation of a contemporary business card;

[0022] Fig. 2 is an exemplary representation of the business card shown in Fig. 1, the contact details provided on which have been compacted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 3 is an illustration of an innovative contact details management system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] Figs. 4A and 4B are schematic illustrations of the contact details management system of Fig. 3 operative for different types of bank account operations.

[0025] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0027] Applicant has realized that the inconvenience caused by an overabundance of contact details may be overcome by taking advantage of the means by which modem communications may be routed from one communications access number to another through central routing equipment and forwarding services.

[0028] Fig. 2, reference to which is now made, depicts a business card 30, which includes compact contact details 32 which may, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, replace the full-length contact details 12 provided on prior art business card 10, while not detracting from the full range of communication versatility provided by full- length contact details 12. Compact contact details 32 may all contain as their single or chief component a "communications nickname" uniquely associated with one business. For example, the communications nickname for Busy Business Inc. may be "*2879". It will be appreciated that *2879 is exemplary only. The communications nickname may begin with any appropriate indicator, such as *, #, ** or other indicator, and may be 3, 4 or 5 digits long. An exemplary other indicator may be a signaling digit, such as the digit "1". [0029] As shown in Fig. 2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one simple, short and generally easily remembered number, such as "*2879", may be substituted for nearly all of the disparate and lengthy contact details of a business. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the single contact detail "*2879" replaces the mailing address 14, phone number 16, fax number 18, text message number 20 and website address 24 of Busy Business, Inc. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, some contact details, such as email address 36 shown in Fig. 2, may have a prefix or suffix appended to the communications nickname. In the case of compact contact details having prefixes or suffixes appended to the communications nickname, it will be appreciated that the communications nickname remains a unifying element between all of the compact contact details for a single business.

[0030] Compact contact details 32 for a business may comprise fewer communication access numbers (CANs) 34 than full-length contact details 12. For example, it is shown in a comparison between Figs. 1 and 2, that there may be a reduction from six CANs (indicated by reference numerals 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24) in full-length contact details 12 to two CANs in compact contact details 32.

[0031] Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which illustrates a compact contact details coordination unit (CCDCU) 40, operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in conjunction with currently available types of communications service providers (CSPs) 42. CCDCU 40 may be employed to coordinate assignments of unique communications nicknames 60 to businesses 44. CCDCU 40 may comprise a database 46 in which an association between each business 44 and its assigned communications nickname 60 may be recorded

[0032] Each communication service provider 42 may provide one type of communication service to businesses 44 and may, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, maintain and operate a database 52 and a router 54 for routing each unique communications nickname to its proper address. As shown in Fig. 3, exemplary CSPs 42 providing communications services to business 44 may include a post office 42a, one or more telephone service providers 42b, one or more cellular phone service providers 42c and one or more internet service provider 42d.

[0033] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each CSP 42 may operate and maintain a database 52 and a router 54. The data in each database 52 of each CSP 42 may include the names of the businesses served by the CSP, the full-length contact details assigned to each business by the CSP, and the compact contact details assigned to each business by the CSP. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, compact contact details coordination unit (CCDCU) 40 may coordinate the availability of communications nicknames for assignment to businesses 44 with CSPs 42. A unique communications nickname may be assigned to a business 44 when it is determined by CCDCU 40, through examination of all databases 52, that the nickname has not been assigned to any other business. [0034] When a communication is initiated by a customer using a compact CAN, the CSP

42 handling the communication may employ its router 54 to route the communication to its correct destination according to the data stored in its database 52.

[0035] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, innovative CAN "*2879" may be associated with prior art address 14 of business 44 in post office database 54a, so that post office 42a may forward deliveries addressed to "*2879" to the Glass Building offices of business 44. Such a forwarding may be through a mechanism similar to the mail forwarding mechanism currently available from post offices. Alternatively, post office 42a may have a more sophisticated method for collecting mail addressed to a communications nickname.

[0036] Telephone company 42b may route voice calls placed to "*2879" to telephone number 16. For facsimiles sent to CAN *2879, when telephone company 42b detects the sounds of a facsimile machine, it routes the phone call to fax number 18 for the business associated with *2879.

[0037] Cellular phone call carriers may similarly maintain databases to route calls received to innovative CANs. The routing of telephone calls of any kind may be according to existing call forwarding mechanisms. Alternatively, many telephony service providers include the ability to route *xxxx type phone numbers and thus, may utilize this option. Other mechanisms for routing CAN *2879 may also be available and are included in the present invention.

[0038] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, customers may also use the communications nickname "*2879" to contact business 44 by text message

(SMS). The service provider for the text messages (e.g. a cellular telephone operator 42c, internet service provider 42d) may route text messages addressed to compact contact access numbers to an account on an internet server, such as one provided by Cellact of Raanana,

Israel, where the text messages may be retrieved by business 44, or they may be forwarded to an account accessed on a computer located at business 44.

[0039] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, customers may also type the communications nickname "*2879" into a web browser and may be routed to the website of business 44. An exemplary routing mechanism may be available through the combined operation of two applications, Netex of Israel and bweb.co.il of Israel. Netex may translate communications nicknames to the bweb.co.il website and the bweb.co.il website, through its associated database 52, may translate input phone numbers, such as the communications nickname, to regular URLs, such as the actual website address of the company.

[0040] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, customers may also send emails to business 44 at an address containing Ae communications nickname of business 44. As shown in Fig. 2, an email address for business 44 may include a domain name (i.e. "csp.com") in addition to its communications nickname. Emails addressed to

"*2879.csp.com" may be forwarded by the server receiving these emails to a different email address designated by business 44. In a database 52 associated with the email server, each business 44 may be associated with its communications nickname and with the forwarding email address for business 44.

[0041] Reference is now made to Figs. 4A and 4B, which illustrate two alternative embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the communications nickname or another nickname may be utilized as a bank account nickname as well. This may be useful when customers of a business, such as business 44 of the previous embodiment, may make direct payments to the bank account of the business.

[0042] In the prior art, in order for a customer to make a payment to business 44, business

44 had to provide its bank account details to the customer. Such details often included the name of the business as registered at the bank, the bank name and number, the branch name, number and address, and the account number at the branch. Most of the details may be required for direct deposits and/or wire transfers while the business name may be required for checks.

[0043] Applicants have realized that the communications nickname may be also used to identify the bank account associated with business 44, thus removing the need for a customer to correctly provide such a large number of details. Moreover, business 44 may easily change its bank account, without having to inform all of its many customers.

[0044] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and as shown in Fig. 4A, compact contact details coordination unit (CCDCU) 40 may be in contact with a plurality of banks and/or bank branches 100, each of which may include an account database

102. Fig. 4A shows branches 1 and N of a set of bank branches 100, labeled IOOA and 10ON, respectively. [0045] Account database 102 may store a plurality of bank account nicknames 62, one for each of the businesses 40 served by bank branch 100 which has a nickname. For each nickname 62, account database 102 may also store its associated bank account details 104 and, if desired, the name of the associated business.

[0046] For example, CCDCU 40 may associate *2879 as the communications nickname

60 for Busy Business Inc. and the account database 102 of bank branch IOOA may store the association of *2879 with account number 123456-7. It may also store the name of the account owner, i.e. Busy Business, Inc.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the various addresses for Busy Business, Inc. (i.e. mail, telephone, fax, email, SMS, etc.) all include communications nickname 60, at least in part.

Thus, account database 102 need not include the address for Busy Business, Inc., since the address and the bank account nickname may be the same.

[0048] In the embodiment where business 44 may utilize a different nickname for its bank account nickname 62, then account database 102 may also include ihe addresses of business

44.

[0049] When a bank branch 100, such as bank branch 100A, receives a check 70 listing account nickname 62 (e.g. paid to the order of *2879) or a wire transfer 72 listing account nickname 62 as the account address (e.g. *2879), bank branch 100 may consult account database 102 to determine the associated account number (e.g. account number 123456-7), after which it may deposit the check 70 or the transferred monies into the associated account, here labeled 74.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, shown in Fig. 4B, CCDCU 40 may be in communication with a bank clearinghouse 80 rather than with one of bank branches 100.

Clearinghouse 80 may typically be a central banking body which may provide accounting between banks and may also be active for wire transfers.

[0051] As in the previous embodiment, clearinghouse 80 may include an account database, here labeled 112, which may store a plurality of bank account nicknames 62, one for each of the businesses 44 which has a nickname. For each nickname 62, account database

112 may also store its associated bank account details, here labeled 114, and, if desired, the name of the associated business. In this embodiment, account details 114 may also include the bank name and number and the branch name, address and number, in addition to the account number.

[0052] For example, a wire transfer 82 may come to clearinghouse 80 for business 44. As in the previous embodiment, clearinghouse 80 may consult its account database 112 to determine the associated bank, branch and account number for the business 44. Thus, for the example shown in Fig. 4B, wire transfer 82 to *2879 may be rerouted, as wire transfer 84, to bank branch 100A, account number 123456-7.

[0053] It will be appreciated that CCDCU 40 may maintain communications nicknames 60 for businesses 44 and/or other account nicknames, if businesses choose to have different nicknames for their bank accounts. It is also possible that a business may choose only to have an account nickname.

[0054] In either embodiment, CCDCU 40 may determine which nicknames may be available to a business and may assign a business to a nickname when an available nickname may be found. CCDCU 40 may update account databases 102 and/or 112 periodically or whenever a new nickname may be assigned or according to some other appropriate timing. [0055] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS[0056] What is claimed is:

1. A compact contact details coordination unit comprising: an account nickname database associating each of a multiplicity of businesses with its bank account nickname; a determining unit to determine if said account nickname is available for a business; and an updater to update nickname databases of at least one bank entity when said account name database is changed.

2. The unit according to claim 1 and wherein said at least one bank entity is at least one of: banks, bank branches and bank clearinghouses.

3. The unit according to claim 2 and wherein each said account database associates at least some of said multiplicity of businesses with their bank account as issued by their bank.

4. The unit according to claim 1 and wherein said account nickname is unique to said business.

5. A method comprising: associating an account nickname with a business for payments from customers.

6. The method according to claim 5 and comprising: routing payments for said business using said account nickname to an account associated with said account nickname.

7. A unit comprising: an account database at a bank entity, said database to associate bank account nicknames with bank account numbers as issued by said bank entity to businesses having said bank account nicknames as their address nicknames; and an updater to update said account database upon instruction from a nickname coordination unit.

8. The unit according to claim 7 and wherein said bank entity is one of: banks, bank branches and bank clearinghouses.

9. The unit according to claim 7 and wherein said account nickname is unique to said business.

10. A method comprising: providing rerouting information to a bank entity for use associating an account nickname with a business for payments.

11. The method according to claim 10 and wherein said bank entity is one of: banks, bank branches and bank clearinghouses.

12. The method according to claim 10 and wherein said account nickname is unique to said business.

13. A compact contact details coordination unit comprising: a communications nickname database associating each of a multiplicity of businesses with its communications nickname, said communications nickname being short and beginning with an indicator, a determining unit to determine if a communications nickname is available for a business for at least the following communications providers: post office . mail and telephony; and an updater to update router databases of said communications providers when said communications nickname database is changed.

14. The unit according to claim 13 and wherein said indicator is one of the following: *, #, **, and a signaling digit.