FR2845552A1 - Information search system for mobile phones includes request server with database linking to search engines holding predefined request files - Google Patents

Abstract

A request server (10) is associated with a database (12) connected to an information network (14). The request server (10) makes available predefined request files, these files each comprising at least one key word so that the system can provide information which is pertinent to the request. The system includes a request server (10) associated with a database (12) connected to an information network (14) such as the Internet. The database stores key words associated with search servers or engines (16,18). The procedure provides management of information requests which are intended to be remotely loaded by a request transmission terminal (32). The request server (10) makes available predefined request files, these files each comprising at least one key word constituting a request and a search server/engine identifier (16,18). This provides to an information requesting terminal (32) information which is pertinent in response to the request. The operating process includes the stages of selection of predefined request file by a user from the request server (10), and transmission of the file contents by the request server to the transmission terminal.

Description

-1 The present invention relates to a request management method

  information intended to be downloaded by a request sending terminal. It relates to

  also a system and a request server for implementing this method.

  Some known information request management methods include providing files on a server comprising an identifier of a search server. Thus, a user wishing to issue a request from any terminal, in particular a mobile telecommunications terminal, can download this file in the form of an SMS message and, before sending it back to the search server defined in the SMS message. , he can add in it one or more keywords 10 defining his request.

  Such a method then makes it possible to facilitate the transmission of requests for information from the terminal which has downloaded them. On the other hand, the keywords of the request must be defined by the user. However, the user often has the choice between several search servers, each of which is suitable for certain types of specific searches. 15 Thus, a user does not necessarily transmit his request to the search server

  the most able to process his request.

  The invention aims to remedy this drawback by providing a method for managing information requests allowing the user to issue requests while ensuring

  to transmit these to the most suitable search server.

  To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing information requests

  intended to be downloaded by a request transmission terminal, characterized in that it includes the provision, by a request server, of predefined request files, these files each comprising at least one keyword constituting a request and an identifier of a search server suitable for supplying the terminal for transmitting 25 requests with relevant information in response to this request.

  Thus, such a method allows the generation of requests entirely predefined and made available to the user by a request server. With one or more keywords of a request, the request server associates in the same file an identifier of the search server most suitable for carrying out this request, so that the user 30 is content to download to his terminal, this file containing the keywords which interest him with the identifier of the associated search engine. The user only has to retransmit this request to the search server defined in it to obtain

response from relevant documents.

  A method according to the invention can also include one or more of the following characteristics: - it includes the following steps: -2 * selection by a user from an access terminal of a predefined request file made available on the request server; * transmission by the request server to the request sending terminal of a message containing this file; the method comprises a step of sending by the request sending terminal the request to the search server identified therein; - the identifier is the search server call number from the request issuing terminal; - upon receipt of the request, the search server also receives location information from the request issuing terminal, and it searches for relevant information taking into account the keyword of the request and location information that he received; - the request files are transmitted to the request sending terminal in the form of short messages of SMS type;

  - the request transmission terminal is a mobile telephone.

  The invention also relates to a request server for the implementation of a method as described above, characterized in that it includes means for making available predefined request files, these files each comprising at least a keyword constituting a request and an identifier of a search server 20 suitable for transmitting to the request issuing terminal relevant information

in response to this request.

  Finally, the subject of the invention is also a system for managing information requests for implementing a method as described above, characterized in that it comprises a request server comprising means for setting up provision of predefined request files, these files each comprising at least one keyword constituting a request and an identifier of a search server suitable for transmitting relevant information in response to this request, and a request issuing terminal for downloading such a file and transmitting the

  query corresponding to the search server defined in it.

  An information request management system according to the invention can also include the characteristic that it includes a location server for the transmission of location information from the request emission terminal to the information search server and the addition of this information to the request sent to the

search server.

  The invention will be better understood using the description which follows, given

  only by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -3 - Figure 1 schematically shows the general structure of an information request management system according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows the successive stages of a process implemented by such a system; - Figure 3 shows a predefined request file;

  - Figures 4 and 5 show response files to a request.

  The system represented in FIG. 1 comprises a request server 10 associated with

  a database 12 and connected to an information transmission network 14, such as the Internet for example. The database 12 stores keywords 10 with which identifiers of search servers 16, 18 are associated.

  Indeed, the search servers 16, 18 can be specialized and are not necessarily configured to perform searches in the same databases. The server 16 is for example configured to perform searches in databases 20 and 22 while the search server 18 is configured to perform searches in databases 24, 26 and 28. The search servers 16 and 18 are for example directly linked to databases for

  which they are configured, or indirectly via the Internet 14.

  In particular, the search server 16 can be specialized in finding restaurants. In this case, the request server 10 associates the keyword "restaurant" with the identifier of the search server 16 and stores this set in the form of a file in the database 12. This file constitutes a request predefined setting

  provision of users on the request server 10.

  Any user can access the predefined requests made available on the request server 10 using an access terminal 30 also connected to the Internet 14. He can then request the downloading of requests

  selected to a request transmission terminal 32.

  The user can also access the request server 10 directly from

  of the request transmission terminal 32.

  The request transmission terminal 32 is arbitrary. It can in particular be of the same nature as the access terminal 30, but in our example, it is a mobile telephone. To this end, conventionally, the Internet network 14 is connected by means of a gateway 36 to a wireless telecommunications network 34 to which the mobile telephone 32 is connected. These network interconnection means are conventional and are

  managed by a telecommunications operator.

  The exchange of data between the mobile telephone 32 and the request server 10 or the search servers 16 and 18 also requires the presence of a transcription server 38 connected to the Internet network 14 and to the wireless telecommunications network. 34, to ensure the supply to the mobile telephone 32 of messages in the correct format. For example, the wireless telecommunications network 34 is a GSM type network and the format of the messages exchanged between the transcription server and the mobile telephone 32 is of the SMS type. Finally, the system comprises a server 40 for detecting the presence of mobile telephones in communication on the wireless telecommunications network 34. This detection server 40 is connected to the Internet 14 and is adapted to provide the search servers 16 and 18 with location information of the mobile telephone 32, 10 when the latter transmits a request to them. Of course, the presence detection server 40 does not have the possibility of transmitting the location coordinates of the telephone.

  mobile 32 only if the latter has given permission.

  The localization technology used is conventional: it can implement a method of cell identification, triangulation, time differential calculation, or

  1 5 satellite positioning (GPS).

  The process for generating requests and searching for information implemented

  by this system is shown in Figure 2.

  During a first step 50, the user connects to the presentation site of the request server 10, from the access terminal 30. During this step, the terminal 30 transmits a request to the request server 10 so that the latter performs a

  search for keywords stored in the database 12.

  During the following step 52, the request server 10 transmits to the access terminal

  a list of keywords which is then presented on its screen.

  Then, during a step 54, the user selects one or more keywords from this list, then validates this choice which is transmitted to the request server 10. For example

  the user selects the keyword "restaurant".

  During the following step 56, the request server 10 transmits the file

  corresponding to this keyword. This file includes the keyword "restaurant" and an identifier of the search server most suitable for performing a restaurant search. This search server is for example the server 16.

  The file is transmitted to the transcription server 38 which performs an encapsulation

  to transform this file into an SMS type message, during a step 58.

  The SMS type message received by the mobile telephone 32 is presented under the

  shape shown in figure 3.

  In this figure, the SMS message 70 comprises a first part 72 in which is registered the commercial name of the service of the request provider, a second part -5 74 recalling the keyword selected by the user on the request server 10, and a third part 76 indicating the identifier of the search server 16 suitable for carrying out this search. The identifier is for example the five-digit call number of this

search server 16.

  The following steps relate to the actual issuance of a request by the

  mobile phone 32 and receiving documents in response thereto.

  Thus, during a step 60, the user sends the message 70 from his mobile phone. This SMS message is automatically sent to the number indicated in section 76. This message is received and then transcribed by the transcription server 38. Then, during a step 62, the transcription server 38 returns the message 70

  to the corresponding search server 16, in a format understood by the latter.

  Upon receipt of the message 70, the search server 16 makes a request to

  using the keyword "restaurant" in the databases to which it has access, that is, databases 20 and 22.

  Optionally, the search server 16 can interrogate the presence detection server 40 via the Internet 14 to know the location of the mobile phone 32. This operation is only possible if the user has authorized the

  mobile phone detection 32.

  In this case, location information of the mobile phone 32 is added to the keyword of the request and allows the search engine to provide a response that takes

  takes into account this location information.

  For example, in the case of a restaurant search, the search engine

  16 provides, thanks to this location information, coordinates of restaurants whose relevance is classified as a function of their proximity to the mobile telephone 25 32.

  Then, during a step 64, the search server 16 returns the response to the request to the transcription server 38 which transcribes this response in the form of a

  SMS type message and sends the latter to the mobile telephone 32 during a step 66.

  The response to the request provided by the search server 16 and transmitted in the form of an SMS type message to the mobile telephone 32 can be

  different ways. Two particular cases are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

  In FIG. 4, the SMS message received by the user on his mobile phone 32

  recalls the commercial name of the supplier's service, the keyword used to perform the search, and presents in a zone 78 the universal URL address of the site on which the user must connect to obtain the list of responses.

  -6 In Figure 5, the SMS message recalls the commercial name of the service provider and the keyword used to perform the search, and then provides in a field 80 directly the list of responses, that is to say for example the three

  most relevant restaurants in response to the query.

  The response to the request provided by the search server can also be transmitted to a consultation terminal (not shown) different from the request transmission terminal 32, if this consultation terminal includes more sophisticated display means.

  It clearly appears that a request management method according to the invention then allows simple and efficient transmission of requests from any terminal.

  Indeed, it is easier to send a request from a fully predefined file, especially when it is sent from a mobile phone 32. In addition, it is preferable that this predefined file is generated by the request server itself, rather than by the user. Indeed, the service provider is better placed than the user to know the search engine (s) best suited to deal with a

predetermined request.

-7

Claims (10)

  1. Method for managing information requests intended to be downloaded by a request transmission terminal (32), characterized in that it includes the provision, by a request server (10), of files predefined requests (70), these files each comprising at least one keyword (74) constituting a request and an identifier (76) of a search server (16, 18) adapted to supply the terminal   issuing requests (32) for relevant information in response to this request.   2. A method of managing information requests according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - selection (54) by a user from an access terminal (30) of a predefined request file made available on the request server (10); transmission by the request server (10) to the transmission terminal of   requests (32) for a message containing this file.   3. Method for managing information requests according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a step of transmitting by the transmission terminal of   requests (32) from the request to the search server (16, 18) identified therein.   4. Method for managing information requests according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the identifier (76) is the call number of the search server (16, 18) from the request transmission terminal (32).   5. Method for managing information requests according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the request is received, the search server (16, 18) also receives location information from the request sending terminal (32), and in that it searches for relevant information taking into account the keyword of the request and the location information which it has received.   6. Method for managing information requests according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the request files are transmitted to the   request transmission terminal (32) in the form of short messages of SMS type.   7. Method for managing information requests according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the request transmission terminal (32) is a mobile phone.   8. Request server (10) for implementing a method according to one   any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means (10) for providing files (70) of predefined requests, these files each comprising 35 at least one keyword (74) constituting a request and an identifier (76) of a - '"2845552   -8 search server (16, 18) adapted to transmit to the request sending terminal   (32) relevant information in response to this request.   9. Information request management system for implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it   comprises a request server (10) comprising means for providing predefined request files (70), these files each comprising at least one keyword (74) constituting a request and an identifier (70) of a server search (16, 18) adapted to transmit relevant information in response to this request, and a request issuing terminal (32) for downloading such a file and transmitting the corresponding request to the search server ( 16, 18) defined therein. 10. Information request management system according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a location server (40) for the transmission of location information from the request emission terminal (32) to the server of searching for information (16, 18) and adding this information to the request sent to the search server (16, 18).