WO2004021309A1 - A method of providing information to a user and a system therefor - Google Patents

A method of providing information to a user and a system therefor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004021309A1
WO2004021309A1 PCT/IB2003/003559 IB0303559W WO2004021309A1 WO 2004021309 A1 WO2004021309 A1 WO 2004021309A1 IB 0303559 W IB0303559 W IB 0303559W WO 2004021309 A1 WO2004021309 A1 WO 2004021309A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
information
request
communications network
identification
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2003/003559
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Beryl Sandra Porter
Original Assignee
Beryl Sandra Porter
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Beryl Sandra Porter filed Critical Beryl Sandra Porter
Priority to AU2003253157A priority Critical patent/AU2003253157A1/en
Publication of WO2004021309A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004021309A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/06—Receivers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/953—Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
    • G06F16/9537—Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F25/00—Audible advertising

Definitions

  • THIS invention relates to a method of providing information to a user and a system therefor.
  • Examples of such systems for museums typically include the person visiting the museum being provided with headphones and a receiver.
  • the receiver receives a signal which differs depending on where in the museum the person is located. Depending on this location, an audio recording is played to the person which is relevant to their location.
  • Another system in use is often found on buses touring cities whereby a passenger on the bus plugs in a pair of headphones into a jack on the bus and a tape recording is played to the passengers which is stopped and started depending on the location of the bus so that the audio recording played to the passenger is relevant to the location of the passenger.
  • the present invention seeks to address this. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • a method of providing information to a user comprising the steps of:
  • the identification numbers are preferably displayed at or near the objects or in a booklet or pamphlet.
  • the identification numbers may be a plurality of unique telephone numbers.
  • the identification numbers are a telephone number which is common to at least some of the objects together with a unique number which identifies each object, wherein the request is received by a user dialing the telephone number and being prompted by an interactive voice response server (IVR) to enter the unique number.
  • IVR interactive voice response server
  • the communications network is a mobile communications network, wherein the request is received from the user and the information transmitted to the user via the mobile communications network.
  • the request received from the user is a request which was initiated by the user dialing the telephone number on their mobile station.
  • the information may be transmitted to the user in audible format during a communication session.
  • the information may be transmitted to the user in short message service (SMS) format.
  • SMS short message service
  • the present invention extends to a system for providing information to a user, the system comprising:
  • each identification bearing member being associated with an object by being situated on or near the object, each identification bearing member bearing an identification number which uniquely identifies the object with which it is associated;
  • a server adapted to receive a request for information from a user via a communications network, wherein the request for information includes an identification of an object about which information is being requested, the server being further adapted to transmit the requested information to the user via the communications network.
  • the server is an interactive voice response server (IVR) which receives the request in the form of a telephone call via the mobile telephone communications network and which transmits the requested information to the user by playing an audio recording to the user over the mobile communications network.
  • IVR interactive voice response server
  • a plurality of identification bearing members 10 are associated with an object by being situated on or near the object.
  • the objects are different buildings 12 and a statue 14.
  • the illustrated embodiment has been described with reference to a self guided tour around a city. It will be appreciated that the present invention could also be used in other scenarios, such as in a museum. In the museum example, the objects may be artwork or museum exhibits.
  • one of the identification bearing members 10A has been placed directly on a building 12
  • a second member 10B has been placed on a statue 14
  • a third member 10C has been placed near another building 12 by being inserted into the ground next to the building on a stick.
  • identification members can be situated in their chosen positions in a large variety of ways without departing from the essence of the invention.
  • the identification numbers could also be displayed in a booklet or pamphlet which the user carries with them on the self guided tour.
  • the accompanying drawing also includes an enlarged view of one of the identification bearing members.
  • the member includes a telephone number 16 thereon and in one embodiment also includes a second, unique number 18 thereon.
  • Either the telephone number 16 itself serves as an identification number of the object with which it is associated, in which case each of the telephone numbers will be unique.
  • the telephone number could be common to at least some of the objects in which case the unique number 18 is used as the identification number of the object.
  • a user 20 who is walking around the city, touring and sightseeing and who wishes to obtain information regarding a building or a statue, finds the identification bearing member associated with that building or statue and dials the telephone number thereon.
  • the user may use the short message service (SMS) protocol, use their mobile telephone to access an Internet site or use any other protocol to initiate the communication and to obtain information.
  • SMS short message service
  • the user Because the user is walking, the user will typically use a mobile station 22 in the form of a mobile telephone to dial the telephone number.
  • the telephone number could equally be dialed from a fixed landline such as a public telephone located near the building.
  • the telephone call is transmitted via a communications network 24 in the form of the mobile telecommunications network to a server 26.
  • the server 26 receives the telephone call and identifies it as a request for information regarding one of the objects.
  • each object has a unique telephone number, the mere routing of the telephone call to this telephone number allows the server 26 to identify for which object information is being requested.
  • the server will require the identification number 18 from the user 20.
  • the server 26 is typically an interactive voice response (IVR) server which prompts the user 20 for information and plays audio recordings to the user via the mobile telecommunications network 24.
  • IVR interactive voice response
  • the first step in the communications session will be that the IVR requests the user to enter the unique number 18 using the keypad on the mobile station 22.
  • the server transmits the requested information to the user, typically by playing an audio recording to the user via the mobile telecommunications network.
  • SMS short message service
  • the present invention can be implemented to cater for a number of languages where the first step in the procedure once the IVR has received the call is that the IVR will prompt the user to select a language of preference. This assists in countries like South African with many official languages, but could also assist in providing information to tourist in their home language.
  • system of the present invention is relatively easy to install and users are given a lot of freedom to roam about while having the information easily accessible.
  • Users can be provided with booklets or pamphlets which set out self guiding routes where the user will be directed from one object to another and at each object they will be able to phone the relevant telephone number to obtain information about the object. No guide is required and the user can do a self guiding tour at his or her own pace.
  • identification number of each object will be included in the booklets or pamphlets so that the user will be able to use the system of the present invention to obtain information about a particular object without being physically present at the object.
  • the user will be billed via their telephone account, and a portion of the billed call will be allocated to the service provider.
  • a user therefore does not have to purchase a ticket or in any other way obtain permission to do a self guiding tour. Permission is obtained simply by dialing the relevant number.

Abstract

A plurality of identification bearing members are associated with an object by being situated on or near the object. The objects may be different buildings, statues or artwork. The members include a telephone number and a unique identification number of the object with which it is associated. A user who is walking around a city or museum and who wishes to obtain information regarding a building, statue or artwork, finds the identification bearing member associated with that building or statue and dials the telephone number thereon using a mobile station. A server receives the telephone call and identifies it as a request for information regarding one of the objects. The server prompts the user for information and plays audio recordings to the user via the mobile telecommunications including information about the object in question.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
THIS invention relates to a method of providing information to a user and a system therefor.
There are a variety of systems presently available which are aimed at providing a person touring a city, museum, or the like with information without needing a guide to provide the information.
Examples of such systems for museums typically include the person visiting the museum being provided with headphones and a receiver. The receiver receives a signal which differs depending on where in the museum the person is located. Depending on this location, an audio recording is played to the person which is relevant to their location.
Another system in use is often found on buses touring cities whereby a passenger on the bus plugs in a pair of headphones into a jack on the bus and a tape recording is played to the passengers which is stopped and started depending on the location of the bus so that the audio recording played to the passenger is relevant to the location of the passenger.
All of the above systems are designed to overcome the need for having a personal guide on the bus or in the museum. However, these systems are typically expensive to implement and are more difficult to implement on a wider scale where a vehicle is not being used, such as in a walking tour of a city.
The present invention seeks to address this. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of providing information to a user, the method comprising the steps of:
associating identification numbers with a plurality of objects;
receiving a request from a user via a communications network for information regarding one of the objects, the request including an identification of the object; and
transmitting the requested information regarding the object to the user.
The identification numbers are preferably displayed at or near the objects or in a booklet or pamphlet.
The identification numbers may be a plurality of unique telephone numbers.
Alternatively, the identification numbers are a telephone number which is common to at least some of the objects together with a unique number which identifies each object, wherein the request is received by a user dialing the telephone number and being prompted by an interactive voice response server (IVR) to enter the unique number.
Preferably, the communications network is a mobile communications network, wherein the request is received from the user and the information transmitted to the user via the mobile communications network.
Preferably, the request received from the user is a request which was initiated by the user dialing the telephone number on their mobile station. The information may be transmitted to the user in audible format during a communication session.
Alternatively, the information may be transmitted to the user in short message service (SMS) format.
The present invention extends to a system for providing information to a user, the system comprising:
a plurality of identification bearing members each being associated with an object by being situated on or near the object, each identification bearing member bearing an identification number which uniquely identifies the object with which it is associated; and
a server adapted to receive a request for information from a user via a communications network, wherein the request for information includes an identification of an object about which information is being requested, the server being further adapted to transmit the requested information to the user via the communications network.
Preferably, the server is an interactive voice response server (IVR) which receives the request in the form of a telephone call via the mobile telephone communications network and which transmits the requested information to the user by playing an audio recording to the user over the mobile communications network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying Figure is a schematic drawing illustrating the system of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the accompanying diagram, a plurality of identification bearing members 10 are associated with an object by being situated on or near the object.
In the illustrated embodiment, the objects are different buildings 12 and a statue 14. For illustration purposes only, the illustrated embodiment has been described with reference to a self guided tour around a city. It will be appreciated that the present invention could also be used in other scenarios, such as in a museum. In the museum example, the objects may be artwork or museum exhibits.
In the accompanying drawing, one of the identification bearing members 10A has been placed directly on a building 12, a second member 10B has been placed on a statue 14 while a third member 10C has been placed near another building 12 by being inserted into the ground next to the building on a stick.
It will be appreciated that the identification members can be situated in their chosen positions in a large variety of ways without departing from the essence of the invention.
The identification numbers could also be displayed in a booklet or pamphlet which the user carries with them on the self guided tour. The accompanying drawing also includes an enlarged view of one of the identification bearing members.
The member includes a telephone number 16 thereon and in one embodiment also includes a second, unique number 18 thereon.
Either the telephone number 16 itself serves as an identification number of the object with which it is associated, in which case each of the telephone numbers will be unique.
Alternatively, the telephone number could be common to at least some of the objects in which case the unique number 18 is used as the identification number of the object.
A user 20 who is walking around the city, touring and sightseeing and who wishes to obtain information regarding a building or a statue, finds the identification bearing member associated with that building or statue and dials the telephone number thereon. Alternatively, the user may use the short message service (SMS) protocol, use their mobile telephone to access an Internet site or use any other protocol to initiate the communication and to obtain information.
Because the user is walking, the user will typically use a mobile station 22 in the form of a mobile telephone to dial the telephone number. However, the telephone number could equally be dialed from a fixed landline such as a public telephone located near the building.
The telephone call is transmitted via a communications network 24 in the form of the mobile telecommunications network to a server 26. The server 26 receives the telephone call and identifies it as a request for information regarding one of the objects.
If each object has a unique telephone number, the mere routing of the telephone call to this telephone number allows the server 26 to identify for which object information is being requested.
Alternatively, the server will require the identification number 18 from the user 20.
The server 26 is typically an interactive voice response (IVR) server which prompts the user 20 for information and plays audio recordings to the user via the mobile telecommunications network 24.
Thus, where the telephone number 16 is common to a plurality of objects, the first step in the communications session will be that the IVR requests the user to enter the unique number 18 using the keypad on the mobile station 22.
Once the server has received the identification of the object, the server transmits the requested information to the user, typically by playing an audio recording to the user via the mobile telecommunications network.
Alternatively, information is transmitted to the user over the mobile telecommunications network 24 in another way, for example using the short message service (SMS) protocol or any other protocol for the transmission of information over the network.
The present invention can be implemented to cater for a number of languages where the first step in the procedure once the IVR has received the call is that the IVR will prompt the user to select a language of preference. This assists in countries like South African with many official languages, but could also assist in providing information to tourist in their home language.
It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is relatively easy to install and users are given a lot of freedom to roam about while having the information easily accessible.
Users can be provided with booklets or pamphlets which set out self guiding routes where the user will be directed from one object to another and at each object they will be able to phone the relevant telephone number to obtain information about the object. No guide is required and the user can do a self guiding tour at his or her own pace.
It is envisaged that the identification number of each object will be included in the booklets or pamphlets so that the user will be able to use the system of the present invention to obtain information about a particular object without being physically present at the object.
Furthermore, the user will be billed via their telephone account, and a portion of the billed call will be allocated to the service provider. A user therefore does not have to purchase a ticket or in any other way obtain permission to do a self guiding tour. Permission is obtained simply by dialing the relevant number.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A method of providing information to a user, the method comprising the steps of:
associating identification numbers with a plurality of objects;
receiving a request from a user via a communications network for information regarding one of the objects, the request including an identification of the object; and
transmitting the requested information regarding the object to the user via the communications network.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the identification numbers are displayed at or near the objects.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the identification numbers are displayed in a booklet or pamphlets.
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the identification numbers are a plurality of unique telephone numbers.
5. A method according to any of claims 1 or claim 3 wherein the identification numbers are a telephone number which is common to at least some of the objects together with a unique number which identifies each object, wherein the request is received by a user dialing the telephone number and being prompted by an interactive voice response server (IVR) to enter the unique number.
6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the communications network is a mobile communications network and wherein the request is received from the user and the information transmitted to the user via the mobile communications network.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the request received from the user is a request which was initiated by the user dialing the telephone number on their mobile station.
8. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the information is transmitted to the user in audible format during a communication session.
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the information is transmitted to the user in short message service (SMS) format.
10. A system for providing information to a user, the system comprising:
a plurality of identification bearing members each being associated with an object by being situated on or near the object, each identification bearing member bearing an identification number which uniquely identifies the object with which it is associated; and
a server adapted to receive a request for information from a user via a communications network, wherein the request for information includes an identification of an object about which information is being requested, the server being further adapted to transmit the requested information to the user via the communications network.
11. A system for providing information according to claim 10 wherein the server is an interactive voice response server (IVR) which receives the request in the form of a telephone call via the mobile telephone communications network and which transmits the requested information to the user by playing an audio recording to the user over the mobile communications network.
12. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/IB2003/003559 2002-08-28 2003-08-28 A method of providing information to a user and a system therefor WO2004021309A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003253157A AU2003253157A1 (en) 2002-08-28 2003-08-28 A method of providing information to a user and a system therefor

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA200206893 2002-08-28
ZA2002/6893 2002-08-28

Publications (1)

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WO2004021309A1 true WO2004021309A1 (en) 2004-03-11

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PCT/IB2003/003559 WO2004021309A1 (en) 2002-08-28 2003-08-28 A method of providing information to a user and a system therefor

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WO (1) WO2004021309A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999017230A1 (en) * 1997-09-26 1999-04-08 Johan Schlasberg A message information system
WO2000057385A1 (en) * 1999-03-24 2000-09-28 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Communications system
US20020029226A1 (en) * 2000-09-05 2002-03-07 Gang Li Method for combining data with maps
US20020115449A1 (en) * 2000-12-06 2002-08-22 Gregory Allen Electronic information delivery system and process including supplying of information about locations visited by users of portable identification cards

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999017230A1 (en) * 1997-09-26 1999-04-08 Johan Schlasberg A message information system
WO2000057385A1 (en) * 1999-03-24 2000-09-28 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Communications system
US20020029226A1 (en) * 2000-09-05 2002-03-07 Gang Li Method for combining data with maps
US20020115449A1 (en) * 2000-12-06 2002-08-22 Gregory Allen Electronic information delivery system and process including supplying of information about locations visited by users of portable identification cards

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003253157A1 (en) 2004-03-19

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