GB2444361A

GB2444361A - Remote access system to unique item-specific parameters and method of transfer of data

Info

Publication number: GB2444361A
Application number: GB0721454A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Lonergan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-06-04
Also published as: GB0721454D0; IE20070798A1

Abstract

The invention provides a remote access system for facilitating access to a database (20) of item-specific information. It comprises at least one database for retaining updatable item-specific information, together with a gateway server for connecting each database to the Internet or a similar communications network and interfacing the database with a telecommunications network, such as a mobile (cellular) telephone network, and includes means for accepting remote interrogations of a database via the telecommunications network from a mobile telephone handset or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The method may include generating a SMS text message including an item identifier on a mobile phone or PDA, transmitting the item identifier to an indicated SMS target number to make an information request validating the item specified and generating item-specific information which is transmitted back to the mobile phone or PDA, thereby providing rapid access to additional item-specific information.

Description

REMOTE ACCESS SYSTEM TO UNIQUE ITEM-SPECIFIC

PARAMETERS AND METHOD OF TRANSFER OF DATA

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a remote access system to unique item-specific parameters and to a method of transfer of data from a database to a remote device.

The invention relates particularly to a system for remotely requesting data relating to a specific identified item, which has a set of readily appreciated parameters or values, and the transmission of the relevant parameter values to the request source. * S *SSS

:4 10 By way of example only, the description which follows relates to the application of the system and method of transfer of data to the requesting from and * . subsequent provision of information relating to domestic and commercial property (real estate) via a mobile telephone (celiphone). Initial parameter or value data : may include purchase price, number of bedrooms, total floor area, number of reception room, furnishing and sale details. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the invention may adapted for use with any item (from electronic gadgets to vehicles) where a potential purchaser wishes to obtain further item-specific information, including performance and user ratings, for example

Background to the Invention

The patent literature is replete with prior art relating to the online (Internet) access of data held on a database and it is acknowledged that there is a certain amount of technical information relating to accessing information from an online database using the mobile telephony Short Message System (SMS) and facilitating _,, -interaction between the mobile telephone system and the Internet.

Presently, there is a perceived problem in accessing relevant information about certain items when a user does not have present or immediate access to Internet access, whether directly in person or via a personal computer (PC) or a web-enabled mobile phone. This problem has been identified as of particular relevance when potential house buyers are seeking to purchase a property and insufficient information is available to them to commence a decision making process.

There are a number of highly relevant factors to making high value decisions and, while relevant to other areas of commerce. this is particularly so of purchasing or investing in property. Many key factors, such as price, number of bedrooms or whether there is a potential "chain", all reflect on the desirability of a property.

Similar factors or parameters will be relevant for other high value items including, for example, vehicles. I.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide improved access to item-specific data via remote access devices :4 including mobile telephones and web-or WAP-enabled devices.

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:. : It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a method of requesting *. .: relevant item-specific data from a remote access device such as a mobile * telephone and receiving to that device such data and subsequently, if requested, detailed information, including schematic or pictorial images.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a remote access system for facilitating access to a database of item-specific information, the system comprising: at least one database for retaining updatable item-specific information; means for connecting the or each database to a widely available communication infrastructure; means for accepting remote interrogations of said at least one database via the communications infrastructure.

Conveniently, the means for accepting remote interrogation comprises a mobile telephony system/cellular phone network.

Advantageously, the means for connecting the or each database to a widely available communication infrastructure comprises at least one computer server providing a means for connecting the or each database to a TCP/IP network.

Preferably, said means for accepting remote interrogations includes an interface between a mobile telephony system/cellular phone network and a TCP/IP network to which the or each database is connected.

Conveniently, Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) enabled devices are used to interrogate remotely the or each database.

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In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of * accessing and transferring item specific information, the method comprising: *.** *. * S

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* 15 generating a Short Message Service (SMS) text message including an item *. identifier on a remote device, * *5 * *55 transmitting the item identifier to an indicated SMS target number to make an information request validating the item specified; and * generating item-specific information which is transmitted back to the remote device thereby providing rapid access to additional item-specific information.

Preferably, the method includes validating the item specified includes generating a SMS message returned to the requesting device for manual confirmation of further item-specific information.

In one arrangement, item-specific information is transmitted to the remote device -4..

in a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) format.

a second preferred arrangement, the item-specific information transmitted to the remote device comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), thereby allowing access to additional searchable infonriation with a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)enabled remote device.

in an exemplifying arrangement, a user of a WAP enabled mobile telephone (celiphone) seeks information of a specific item on which there is marked an identifying code and a SMS number and sends a SMS text message comprising the code to the SMS number, a mobile network service provider (SP) having validated the SMS number communicates with a database server which generates a WAP push message to the requesting mobile telephone via the SP.

Conveniently, the WAP push message includes a multimedia presentation of tiern-specific infonnation.

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Preferably, the WAP push message comprises a URL directing the user to an internet based website * * * *.*** * in a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system * incorporating a database and software enabling the implementation of the * invention, including means for accepting and vahdating remote information requests and means for generating item-specific information for transmittal to a remote device identified in an information request.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example only, one embodiment of a remote access system in accordance with the invention, in the drawing: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the remote access request and subsequent transmittal of item-specific data from a database

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The present invention which will be described more particularly below seeks to provide a unifying system providing rapid delivering of item-specific details and images to mobile phone users to aid in the advertising marketing and sales of identified items. It also provides a stmcture for communication between sales representatives and the potential purchaser on a 24-hour basis. This arrangement is of particular relevance to the promotion and sale of property, most particularly, domestic property where a potential purchaser may see a property "For Sale" sign but will have no immediate access to the property or an Estate Agent and, as a 1 0 consequence, a viewing or sales opportunity will be missed.

In the following description the example used relates to a domestic property, however, it should be noted that no such limitation of application of the incentive ought to be taken. * S *

Referring to Figure 1, a user requiring information generates a SMS text on a mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or other Wireless. Application Protocol (WAP) or web-enabled device M. The message 10, including a ShortCode identifying the sender, a Trigger comprising a keyword for routing and : a Property ID as an item-specific identifier, is transmitted to the Mobile Telephone Networks 12 where it is picked up by the relevant Mobile Service Provider (SP) 14 attached to the SP infrastructure 14 is an Application Progra.n-urnng interface (API) 16 where the originatmg SMS message 10 is and validated. The API 16 generates a first message, normally comprising a SMS format message which is transmitted back through the Operators Network 1 2 to the mobile phone or other remote device 10. This message may contain basic item-specific information, including asking price, number of bedrooms, floor area etc and a confirmation request for further detailed information, together with a connection tariff. When the user confirms, the API 16 transmits the detailed informatio4l request to a database gateway servr which logs the request and generated a WAP "push" message which may comprise a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) format message, including photos, schematics and further detailed information on the selected property or may comprise a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) which may be used by a WAP or web-enabled mobile phone, PDA or similar remote device to browse a property-specific (item-specific) web page and optionally provide access to further properties available in the same location or on offer by the same Estate Agents.

The method of use will now be described by way of specific example.

The mobile phone user sends a code to a ShortCode number using a Short Messaging System (SMS) text message. An example of this could be send the code "homeOOlOOI" to 53544, where "home" is a trigger keyword for routing through the server gateway to the database 001001 is an identifier for the property; and 53544 is a messaging number provided by the SP.

After a number of seconds, the user will receive a premium SMS text message informing them of the cost of the information or MMS brochure request.

: .. After another small wait, the user will receive either a MMS transmission

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S...'. including relevant information and images of the property of a WAP push message, which contains the WAP URL of the property they wish to view in the *:" form of a hyperlink. When this link is clicked on, a browser will open on the user's mobile phone or PDA and automatically navigate to the page of the * . property they are interested in. S..

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When a user sends a property brochure request to the ShortCode number, the Service Provider SP sends the details to a page on the gateway 20 via a standard HTTP header with a POST structure.

The information received by the server from this operation is as follows:

URL POST Variable Description

Reference Unique reference assigned by SP.

Trigger Keyword for routing. e.g. "home".

ShortCode From where the message was received MSISDN The phone number of the sender.

Content Full content of message.

Channel Network the message was received on.

DataType Format of data.

DateReceived Time stamp when SP received _______________________________________ message.

CampaignlD Assigned by SP.

_________________________________ S.,.

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* The data received by the server 20 from SP is validated and if it passed, a message of "success" is sent back to SP, otherwise a message of "fail" is sent. If either of these is not received, the SP attempts to resend the message details to the server.

Validated data is saved to the database to enable reprocessing of the request.

-should there be any subsequent connection or delivery problems.

A premium rate confirmation SMS message is constructed and sent to the SP using a HTTP POST format message for the Applicatjon Processing Interface (API) 16 to relay back to the user.

An immediate response from SP is sent to alert the server of any errors in format or authorisatjon.

The details of the original SMS text message, together with SMS the SP response are saved to the database, to await confinnation of delivery of the confirmation SMS to the user by the SP. If the server receives a negative response back from SP, this is also logged and a scheduled server side script will attempt to deal with the original request when it is run again.

When the confirmation SMS has been delivered to the user's mobile phone, the SP sends the delivery details to a page on the server via a standard HTTP header with a POST structure.

The information received by the gateway server from this operation is as follows:

URL POST Variable Description

Reference Unique reference assigned by the SP Status Status of the confirmation SMS delivery.

DateDelivered When the message was received.

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*.SS II * * The data the server receives back from the SP is validated and if it passed, a * message of "success" is sent back to the SP. otherwise a message of "fail" is sent. * .

: If no message is received the SP attempts to resend the message receipt details to the gateway server 20. In any event, a status report is generated.

If the status of the SMS message from the SP comes back as "FAILED", this is marked in the database and the scheduled script attempts to resend the confirmation SMS at a later time. If the status comes back as "DELIVERED", details of the premium rate confirmation SMS are deleted from the database and a WAP push message is then generated within the server and sent via the Mobile Networks Operator Network to the remote device 10.

The details of the original request / premium SMS are retrieved from the database to enable the WAP push inessage to be sent to the same user.

The content of the original request is used to generate the URL of the link that will be pushed to the user. if the content contains only "home" and no item-specific identifier is provided, the URL generated will be to a main search page.

allowing the user to search through the property database. Otherwise, the specific property the user is interested in will be determined by the identifying numbers following the "home" part of the original SMS text message and the L1RL of this property will be transmitted back to the user.

The format of the content sent in the original ShortCode request may be assigned as follows: homeXXXYYY where XXX is a number to identify the Estate Agent of Auctioneer who has the property on their books (for example 001 up to 999) and where YYY is used to identify the specific property (for 001 up to 999). *

All outgoing XML is formatted using WAP Push SI and PAP, an example of a.....

* 15 which isbelow:

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* . <?xmt version=1 0"> * <DOCTYPE pap PUBUC -/MIAPFORUM//DTD PAP I 0//EN' http I/www wapforum orq/DTDlpap 1 0 dtd'> * . . * <pap> <push-niessage push-id=AZ_BB_1 1 95529559034_2006051 9115001> <address addreSS-VaIUe=WAPPUSH=<MOBILENUMBER>TYPEPLMNJr,Pg nokia comi> <quality-of-service dellvery-rnethod=unconfirmed' network='GSM' bearer='SMS/> </push-message> </pap> <"xml version1 0> <DOCTYPE si PUBLIC -/PiNAPFORUM//DTD SI 1 0//EN' http //www wapforum org/DID/si dtd'> <SI> <indcahon actiori='signai-hgh si-id=AZ_BB_1 1 95529559034_200605 19115001 href'<PROPERTY URL>'>HomeTxl</indjcation> </s I> The WAP Push message is sent to the SP using a similar method as the premium rate confirmation SMS text message and again, a response is immediately received, detailing any errors in format or authorisation where any errors arise.

The details of the WAP push message transmitted1 together wit the details of the SP response are saved to the database, to await conformation of delivery of the messages to the user by the SP If the server 20 receives a negative response back from the SP, this is also logged in the database and the scheduled server side script will attempt to deal with the original request when it is run.

When a receipt is received for the WAP Push, this signals the last stage in the process as it means the user has requested information through the ShortCode, received the premium SMS and subsequently received the MMS message or WAP push message with the URL to their requested property or the search page The reference sent by the SP with the receipt is used to identi' the original request in the database and this information is copied to a log held with the database and the record of the original request is deleted. Details of the WAP push message are also deleted from the database.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. * S S. * * IS * *S *.S

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A remote access system for facilitating access to a database

of item-specific information, the system comprising: at least one database for retaining updatable item-specific information; means for connecting the or each database to a widely available communication infrastructure; means for accepting remote interrogations of said at least one database via the communications infrastructure.
2. A remote access system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the means for accepting remote interrogation comprises a mobile telephony systenilcellular phone network.
3. A remote access system as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, in which the * means for connecting the or each database to a widely available communication ***S * * * infrastructure comprises at least one computer server providing a means for ***** * S connecting the or each database to a TCP/IP network ** S * I I * S.
4. A remote access system as claimed in any one of Claims I to 3, In which said means for accepting remote interrogations includes an interface between a mobile telephony system/cellular phone network and a TCP/IP network to which the or each database is connected.
5. A remote access system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) enabled devices are used to interrogate remotely the or each database.
6. A method of accessing and transferring item specific information, the method comprising: generating a Short Message Service (SMS) text message including an item identifier on a remote device; transmitting the item identifier to an indicated SMS target number to make an information request validating the item specified; and generating item-specific information which is transmitted back to the remote device thereby providing rapid access to additional item-specific information.
7. A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in Claim 6, in which validating the item specified includes generating a SMS message returned to the requesting device for manual confirmation of further item-specific : ..* information.

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8. A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in Claim 6 or 1 5 Claim 7, in which item-specific information transmitted to the remote device is in * * * . a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) format. * * * . * *

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9. A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the item-specific information transmitted to the remote device comprises a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), thereby allowing access to additional searchable information with a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) enabled remote device.
10. A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, in which a user of a WAP enabled mobile telephone (celiphone) seeks information of a specific item on which there is marked an identifying code and a SMS number and sends a SMS text message comprising the code to the SMS number, a mobile network service provider (SP) having validated the SMS number communicates with a database server which generates a WAP push message to the requesting mobile telephone via the SP.
11. A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, in which the WAP push message includes a multimedia presentation of item-specific information.
2 A method of transferring item-specific data as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 1 0, in which the WAP push message comprises a URL directing the user to an internet based website.
13. A computer system incorporating a database and software enabling the implementation of the invention, including means for accepting and validating remote information requests and means for generating item-specific information for transmittal to a remote device identified in an information request.
14. A remote access system for facilitating access to a database substantially as herein described and with reference to and as shown in the accompanyiri drawings. * * * *** *** * *
15. A method of transferring item-specific data arranged and adapted to *,.. . 15 operate, substantially as herein described and with reference to and shown in the * a accompanying drawings. * S

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