WO2009017682A1 - Appareil et procédé pour un traitement d'informations sans fil sur la base d'un contexte - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour un traitement d'informations sans fil sur la base d'un contexte Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009017682A1
WO2009017682A1 PCT/US2008/009068 US2008009068W WO2009017682A1 WO 2009017682 A1 WO2009017682 A1 WO 2009017682A1 US 2008009068 W US2008009068 W US 2008009068W WO 2009017682 A1 WO2009017682 A1 WO 2009017682A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
mobile communication
communication device
product
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/009068
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Einar Rosenberg
Original Assignee
Narian Technologies Corp.
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 Narian Technologies Corp. filed Critical Narian Technologies Corp.
Publication of WO2009017682A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009017682A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the invention relate generally to improved methods and an apparatus for wireless communications, and more specifically at using contextual information to assist in a communication process.
  • Identification medium i.e., labels, such as UPC, RPID, and other types of physical/electronic labels, are used to provide information about the item that the label is attached to and to identify goods both for tracking physical shipments and for transactions.
  • labels on foods generally UPC labels
  • the labels are generally cross referenced in a database, or "look up tables,” to provide additional information about the product.
  • FIG. Ia is a diagram showing a context-based product/service/information request system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2(a) is an overhead map illustrating zones of the context-based product/service/information request system
  • FIG. 2(b) is table of color region locations to be used in the context-based product/service/information request system
  • FIG. 2(c) shows a matrix bar code
  • FIGs. 3(a) and 3(b) depict lookup tables of information to be used in the context- based product/service/information request system
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting context-based product/service/information request system in accordance with an another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed depiction of the context-based product/service/information request system of FIG. 4;
  • FIGs. 6(a)-(e) show the use of a mobile communication device to perform paging according to an exemplary embodiment;
  • FIG. 7 shows the use of a mobile communication device to receive information according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 8 shows the use of a mobile communication device to be directed to an
  • FIGs. 9(a) and 9(b) show the use of a mobile communication device in viritually linking two electronic devices by bridging them virtually with a mobile communication device that reads identification information.
  • a product's or service's reduced identifying information in a store is collected and a context of the product or service, e.g., the store, is collected and forwarded to a computer system.
  • the computer system determines the product or service requested and contacts the store's computer system to order the product or service. Because the context of the request is determined to be a particular store, the number of available products or services available at that particular store is smaller than the number of products or services generally available in the marketplace. The smaller the number of available products the smaller number of product identification numbers required to uniquely identify them.
  • a reduced product identification medium having reduced product identifying information can be used on products of a store, where the reduced product identifying information contains less information than a standard product identification medium having standard product identifying information.
  • a user shops in a supermarket and takes a mobile communication device ("MCD") into the supermarket with him.
  • MCD mobile communication device
  • standard UPC identification mediums uniquely correspond to millions of products which therefore requires standard UPC identification mediums having millions of unique serial numbers
  • a supermarket carries a limited number of those products.
  • a UPC identification medium with reduced information e.g., less information than the standard UPC identification mediums commensurate with the context (e.g., the supermarket) can uniquely identify the products that supermarket carries. For example, if a supermarket only carries ten thousand products, then a UPC identification medium for the supermarket requires fewer than the standard serial numbers.
  • particular supermarkets carry only certain brands and types of products.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a system 99 having: a product 114 in a store 102, a mobile communication device 100, a cellular communication system 103, a store computer system 1 1 1, a product warehouse 125, a product delivery system 130, and a user's home 140.
  • the product 1 14 has at least one product identification medium 1 15a, 1 15b, or 1 15c, collectively referred to as identifying information 1 15, having reduced product identifying information.
  • Product identification medium 1 15a is an RFID tag that contains electronic data as is commonly known.
  • the reduced product identifying information is stored electronically in the RFID tag and can be read as commonly known with a device being equivalent to an RFID reader.
  • Product identification medium 115b is a printed tag, e.g., paper or adhesive label, having ink or some similar marking mechanism, which physically displays a reduced product identifying information.
  • Product identification medium 115c is a matrix bar code.
  • a matrix bar code applies to 2-D codes that code the data based on the position of black elements within the matrix. Each black element is the same dimension and it is the position of the element that codes the data.
  • the more widely used bar codes are referred to as ID bar codes, or "vertically redundant" bar codes, where information is stored in the bar code in a horizontal fashion, as is commonly known, and the height of the bars are not limiting. To reduce reading and comprehension error, typically information represented by the bar codes are redundantly encoded.
  • a two-dimensional code stores information along the height as well as the length of the symbol.
  • all human alphabets are two-dimensional codes. Since both dimensions contain information, at least some of the vertical redundancy is gone. Other techniques must be used to prevent misreads and to produce an acceptable read rate. Misread prevention is relatively easy. Most two- dimensional codes use check words to insure accurate reading. Acceptable read rate is a different problem, and no research has been done to date to assess first read rates.
  • FIG. 2 (c) depicts a matrix bar code , which is also referred to as a "2D" or "2 Dimensional" bar code.
  • the bar code 401 is one of many types of multi-dimensional bar codes and not intended to be limited to the type of bar code 401 depicted in FIG. 2(c).
  • the methods and device combinations provided can be applied to a variety of applications where information is sought in a data transfer.
  • the system also includes a mobile communication device 100 which is capable of reading and processing RFID tags, if used with products bearing product identification medium 1 15a, requiring the mobile communication device 100 to be configured to perform Near Field communications ("NFC") and process that NFC information.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is capable of inputting and processing data from a physical product identification medium 1 15b if used with products having product identification medium 1 15b.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is capable of having a user key-in, input or read conventional bar codes and process that information.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is capable of inputting and processing data from a physical product identification medium 1 15c if used with products having product identification medium 1 15c.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is capable of reading matrix bar codes and processing that information, if desired.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is wirelessly coupled to the cellular communication system 103 which includes wireless/cellular towers 101 and a cellular computer server 105.
  • the cellular computer server 105 is preferably the cellular network provider associated with the mobile communication device 100.
  • the store computer system 1 11 includes a plurality of computers, including a computer system 1 10 and an institutional server 120.
  • the product warehouse 125 is either part of the store 102 or associated therewith.
  • the product warehouse receives an order for a product 1 14 from the store computer system 11 1 and makes arrangements to ship product 114 to the user home 140 using a supplier/delivery person 130.
  • the user's location and product/service information is provided to a computer system and used to determine the product, service, or information desired by the user; the computer system provides a corresponding application or service to the user's mobile communication device 100.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a context-based, virtual in-store ordering system ("VISO") where a user using mobile communication device 100, e.g., a cellular telephone, PDA, etc., places an order for a product 1 14 based on the product identifying information 1 15 on the product 1 14.
  • An application on a mobile communication device 100, a system in communication with the mobile communication device 100, or a third party system determines the user's context, e.g., the location of the store 102 where the user has the mobile communication device 100.
  • a mobile communication device 100 inputs product information identifying information either passively or actively, i.e., without or with the interaction of the user. With active identification, a user actively inputs to the mobile communication device 100 product identifying information 1 15 using the product identification medium 1 15a, 1 15b, or 1 15c, identifying the product 1 14.
  • This active input is provided in a variety of ways, for example, by providing input on an input mechanism of the mobile communication device 100, e.g., a key pad.
  • the user can passively input information identifying the product or service by scanning an information tag that identifies a product, e.g., a store has an information barcode that can be scanned by an appropriately equipped mobile communication device 100 or a product or service that has an RFID, or similarly enabled near field communication (NFC) system.
  • an information tag that identifies a product
  • a store has an information barcode that can be scanned by an appropriately equipped mobile communication device 100 or a product or service that has an RFID, or similarly enabled near field communication (NFC) system.
  • NFC near field communication
  • service or information may also be requested by a user of mobile communication device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 can also determine its context either passively or actively, i.e., without or with the interaction of the user.
  • active location identification a user actively inputs information identifying his location. For example, the user inputs a store name, store location, latitude and longitude, or GPS coordinates.
  • This active input is provided in a variety of ways, for example, by providing input on an input device of the mobile communication device 100, e.g., a key pad, or by scanning an information tag that identifies a location, e.g., a store has an information barcode that can be scanned by an appropriately equipped mobile communication device 100 or a product or service that has an RFID, or similarly enabled near field communication system.
  • the computer system associated with the mobile communication device 100 correlates the context of the mobile communication device 100 with the product or service identifying information to determine the unique product, service, or information requested by the user controlling the mobile communication device 100.
  • the identifying information has a one-to-one correlation between a product, service, or information. For, example, "123” correlates to 3M 2 inch by 2 inch yellow Post-it® pads, in a single pack of 30 pads; "124" is product information regarding the Post-it® pads; and "215" is a request for a store sales representative to meet the user in the section of the store where the Post-it® pads are normally stocked.
  • a mobile communication device 100 can determine its location passively, i.e., without the interaction of the user.
  • a mobile communication device 100 or a system in communication with the mobile communication device 100, passively determines its location.
  • GPS Global Position System
  • Current GPS devices are able to determine position within a few hundred feet.
  • recently produced mobile communication devices 100 include an E91 1 (enhanced 91 1) system, which provides and transmits a location identification information signal.
  • E91 1 system typically used by emergency services to identify the location of a caller, the E91 1 system can locate a user within a few feet.
  • E91 1 service is not exclusively reserved for use in emergencies or by emergency personal.
  • Another approach to passive location is cellular telephone transmission tracking, where cellular communication systems 103 identify the closest cellular tower 101 and generally use the closest cellular tower 101 to send and receive cellular transmissions to the mobile communication device 100.
  • the cellular communication system 103 can switch which cellular tower 101 is used to communicate with the mobile communication device 100, generally biasing towards using the closest cellular tower to the mobile communication device 100.
  • a cellular communication system 103 is able to determine the position of the mobile communication device 100 within the range of a cellular tower, where that range can vary significantly, from several hundred feet to 10 miles.
  • cellular communication systems 103 are also able to triangulate location of a mobile communication device 100 by using and comparing signals carried between a mobile communication device 100 and multiple cellular towers 101.
  • a cellular communication system 103 using triangulation currently is able to determine the position of the mobile communication device 100 with the range and accuracy of the triangulation including the multiple cellular towers 101, where that range can vary significantly, from 1/8 - 1 mile.
  • location information The greater the specificity of the location information, the more accurate the determination of the context. With location information provided actively, the location is very specific. With location information provided passively, the location is generally less specific than information provided actively. Although, using passive techniques like the E91 1 and GPS provides reasonably specific location information.
  • the mobile communication device 100 provides the product 1 14 and location information through communication system 103, preferably initially wirelessly through a cellular system that is networked, to the computer system 1 11 associated with the mobile communication device 100.
  • the computer system 1 1 1 is configured to appropriately process the product and location information and communicate with other computer systems as need be.
  • the computer system 1 1 1 works in conjunction with a store computer system 1 10 to determine the correlation between a product identifying information 115 using the product identification medium 1 15a, or 1 15b, or 1 15c and a product 1 14.
  • a computer system 105 in communication with the mobile communication device 100 determines the specific context (e.g., store 102) of the mobile communication device 100.
  • the computer system 1 1 1 uses the active location information which should provide unique matching to determine the specific context, e.g., Acme Hardware on 5 th and Main, Cooper City, Florida.
  • the computer system 1 1 1 determines specific context to the best of its ability, e.g., Cooperstown Delights, 405 Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, California.
  • the computer system 105 determines a range of specific contexts, e.g., the Video Rental Store, Gas Station, the market, and dry cleaners on the 1500 block of Almeida, in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • a range of specific contexts e.g., the Video Rental Store, Gas Station, the market, and dry cleaners on the 1500 block of Almeida, in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • FIG. 1 also exemplifies using the system 99 to perform virtual in store ordering
  • VISO i.e., a user in a store placing an order for a product in the store based on product identifying information.
  • a user with a mobile communication device 100 is interested in a product 1 14 that is located in a store 102 and selects and causes to execute an appropriate program on the mobile communication device 100 to perform in store product ordering.
  • the user approaches the product 1 14 and acquires the product identifying information.
  • the user passively receives the product identifying information by exchanging information between the mobile communication device 100, which is enabled for near field communications, and the RFID tag 1 15a on the product 114.
  • the user actively provides the product identifying information by entering the location based identification 1 15b into the mobile communication device 100.
  • the product identifying information 1 15b is location based identification information that has reduced identifying information.
  • the product identifying information 1 15c is location based identification information in matrix bar code, which, in an aspect, can be reduced identifying information.
  • the product identifying information is provided by the mobile communication device 100 through its associated cellular communication system 103 to a computer system 1 10 associated with the mobile communication device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 communicates with computer system 1 10 through the nearest cellular tower 101 and the cellular server 105 of its associated cellular communication system 103.
  • the computer system 1 10 acquires the location of the mobile communication device 100 either from the mobile communication device 100, using GPS, E911, or some other service, or from the cellular communication system 103.
  • the computer system 1 10 determines the context of the mobile communication device 100. Using the determined context the computer system 1 10 determines the product 114 requested by the user. The computer system 1 10 communicates with the store's institutional server 120 and orders the product for the user. The institutional server 120 communicates with its warehouse 125 and requests that the product 1 14 be delivered by delivery service 130 to a location specified by the user, e.g., the user's home 140.
  • a user places a mobile communication device 100 near a product identifying information 1 15, e.g., a 2d barcode, of a product and the mobile communication device 100 reads and interprets information from the barcode and the mobile communication device 100 performs an action in an appropriate manner depending on the kind of information.
  • the mobile communication device 100 uses information associated with the product received from the identifying information 115 tag: to provide this information to the user, to request information about the product from a remote location, e.g., a web site, to request additional information about the product, and to order the product for purchase.
  • the mobile communication device 100 receives and interprets information from the identifying information 115 associated the product.
  • the information also contains instructions on how to order the product from a 'default' retailer, which, in an aspect, is the retailer where the user and product are located.
  • the instructions are processed by the mobile communications device 100 automatically or manually, requiring some input from the user of the mobile communications device 100.
  • a mobile communication device 100 will step a user through an ordering process for the product.
  • a program to step the user through the ordering process resides on the mobile communication device 100.
  • the program resides on another server or computer system and user's mobile communication device 100 provides input to and receives from that server and, in turn, prompts the user for input and provides output to the user, e.g., a thin-client system.
  • the mobile communication device 100 using its input/output capabilities: confirms that the user is interested in purchasing the product, how many of the products the user wants, as well as payment and shipping information.
  • the instructions from the identifying information 115 of a product 114 also includes information regarding different retailers that carry the product, which provides the user the opportunity to select a particular retailer to purchase the product from.
  • the user's selection of a retailer can be driven by a current user preference, for example, price, location, availability, reputation, but the user's selection of a retailer is not so limited.
  • the mobile communication device 100 uses information about the desired or default retailer, the mobile communication device 100 communicates with a server associated with the information provided by the product and causes an order to be placed with the server for the product.
  • the server performs back-end processing and processes the order and payment information. And upon confirmation of payment, the server processes the shipping of the product to the user.
  • the mobile communication device 100 uses the information regarding the product acquired from the identifying information 115 combined with user's information to process the purchase order.
  • the user's information such as bank or payment information, user's home, billing, and delivery addresses, is previously stored in a storage area of the mobile communication device 100 or contemporaneously entered with product ordering using the identifying information 1 15 information by the user into the mobile communication device 100.
  • the user's information is stored in a server that processes, or is associated with the server processing, the order in lieu of, or in addition to, user's information stored in the mobile communications device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 uses its data connection to the Internet to communicate to a server, which is used to transfer the user's information to the server processing the order. The server than connects to the retailer's website and processes the order.
  • the retailer's site or the middle server Upon completion of the successful processing of the order, the retailer's site or the middle server then sends an electronic confirmation of the purchase via direct connect message, SMS, or other means, to the user's mobile communication device 100 or other location as designated by the user.
  • This aspect of the invention allows consumers an increased buyer awareness, including, but not limited to, learning of product alternatives or substitutes, continuity products.
  • a product 1 14 is identified and ordered for the user.
  • the user can use product identifying information to request the delivery to the user of information about the product.
  • the delivery can be done in any of a variety of methods, including, but not limited to: being sent electronically to the mobile communication device 100, being sent electronically to a user's email account, or being sent information in hard copy to an address designated by the user.
  • the user can use product identifying information to request the service to the user from a store employee about the product.
  • the user selects the type of request sought: product, service, or information.
  • the user selects and causes the mobile communication device 100 to run an appropriate application that effectuated ordering a product or a service or information, respectively.
  • the user's expected response from the mobile communication device 100 and the computer system associated with the mobile communication device 100 was product or service or information ordering.
  • the invention is not so limited.
  • the product or service identifying information is used by the mobile communication device 100 and its associated computer system 105 to determine the appropriate type of user request and therefore the type of response the user is expecting.
  • a zone is a specified area that is uniquely identifiable from another zone.
  • Walmart and a sports stadium are located in the Red Zone
  • CVS and BlockBuster are located in the Blue Zone
  • the Pub and Outback are located in the Green zone.
  • the computer system 105 determines the particular response required.
  • the computer system 105 determines, using a look-up table, that the mobile communication device 100 is in Walmart and further that the user wants to perform virtual in store ordering of a product. Similarly, if a user with a mobile communication device 100 is the Blue Zone and provides product or service identifying information 54223 to its computer system, the computer system 105 determines that the mobile communication .device 100 is in Blockbuster and further that the user wants information provided to the user.
  • the computer system 105 determines that the mobile communication device 100 is in Outback and that the user wants to perform a paging service (to page a waitress or server for assistance). After the computer system 105 determines the desired response or service requested by the user, the computer system 105 communicates with the user's mobile communication device 100 to request the initiation of an application on the mobile communication device 100 or through the mobile communication device 100 to perform the user's requested service.
  • the computer system 105 determines, using a look-up table, that the mobile communication device 100 is in Walmart and further that the user wants to perform a paging service (to page a waitress or server for assistance). Similarly, if a user with a mobile communication device 100 is the Blue Zone and provides product or service identifying information 73225 to its computer system, the computer system 105 determines that the mobile communication device 100 is in Blockbuster and further that the user wants to perform virtual in store ordering of a product.
  • the computer system 105 determines that the mobile communication device 100 is in Outback and that the user wants information provided to the user. After the computer system 105 determines the desired response or service requested by the user, the computer system 105 communicates with the user's mobile communication device 100 to request the initiation of an application on the mobile communication device 100 or through the mobile communication device 100 to perform the user's requested service.
  • a mobile communications device is used to page individuals, as seen for example in FIGs. 6(a)-e.
  • a mobile communications device 100 reads information, preferably, from a identifying information 1 15 that provides the information necessary to page a person or thing.
  • the mobile communications device 100 when placed with near identifying information 1 15, reads the identifying information 1 15 at a particular location and receives information from the identifying information 1 15 indicating the contact information, e.g., a phone number, of a person desired to be paged.
  • This information is stored in the mobile communications device 100, and used, when initiated by the user on the mobile communication device 100, to page the person, preferably by an application of a secure transfer program residing and operating on the mobile communication device 100. Additionally, the mobile communication device 100 provides additional information to the person being paged, including, but not limited to, a location or phone number to respond to.
  • the paging system is used to request assistance from a store or restaurant employee.
  • Identifying information 1 15 at a specified location is read by a mobile communication device.
  • the mobile communication device 100 executing an appropriate program provides its user an option to page a store associate or waitress. If the user accepts the option, the mobile communication device 100, using the information acquired and interpreted from the identifying information 1 15, e.g., the business and specific location in that business where the consumer is located and information to establish communications with a server associated with the business, will send the user's location information to the server associated via the wireless or Internet data connection of the mobile communication device.
  • the server based on the information received from the mobile communication device, will understand the location of the user requesting a page.
  • the server will then provide that information to the business at that location of the user so that the business can, in turn, notify an employee where a user is requesting assistance.
  • the server accesses business records associated with the business where the user is located, and determines what employees are currently working. Having determined what employees are working, the server sends a call out to that specific employee via SMS, MMS, mobile communication device, or other communication means. The employee then is directed to the user at the specified location in the business.
  • the information on the identifying information 1 15 is used by the mobile communication device 100 to communicate directly with a business employee based on the information from the identifying information 115.
  • the information on the identifying information 115 is contact information for an employee or employees of the store, e.g., a phone number, a cell phone number, an email address, instant messaging address, etc.
  • the mobile communication device 100 uses the contact information to directly communicate, e.g., by calling or emailing, with the business employee.
  • identifying information 1 15 located on a restaurant table is read by a customer's mobile communication device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 communicates through its cellular tower system 1803 to its cellular server 1804.
  • the cellular server 1804 communicates with the business server 1805 which determines an appropriate employee, e.g., a waitperson, and then communicates with the communication device 1806 of the waitperson 1807.
  • a identifying information 1 15 is read by a customer's mobile communication device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 communicates through its cellular tower system 1813 to its cellular server 1814.
  • the cellular server 1814 communicates with the business server 1815 which determines an appropriate employee, e.g., a salesperson, and then communicates with the communication device 1816 of the salesperson 1817.
  • the mobile communication system is used to be a recipient of page, for example, based on a queuing or some other ordering system which could be used in such scenarios as a deli or a bank line, as seen for example in FIGs 6(a)-(e).
  • the consumer can tap (e.g., place their mobile communication device close enough to an NFC reader to permit NFC communications) their mobile communication device to a NFC reader or NFC tag.
  • the NFC reader in the deli scenario receives user information from the user's mobile communication device through a NFC communication. That user information is contact information of the user, e.g., the mobile communication device phone number or email address of the consumer.
  • the reader at the deli working alone or in conjunction with a computer server, has pre-defined rules that will send a page at an appropriate time when it is the user's time for service.
  • the reader at the deli either alone or in conjunction with a server sends a page through an Internet connection or telephone system to the user's mobile communication device; the server receives updates as users are processed through the queue and when the service is ready for the next customer.
  • the user can receive that page via SMS, MMS, phone call, or other communications protocol.
  • the queuing system and hierarchy can be maintained either at the reader or the reader can simply communicate the information to a server that has an application which controls and processes the paging and queuing of the service entity, e.g., the deli.
  • a consumer continues to shopping and is paged based on a predefined advanced notice, e.g., when there is only two people before him in the queue.
  • This paging system creates an efficiency for commerce and service by wasting less time for the consumer.
  • an NFC reader In an exemplary use in a deli restaurant, as depicted in FIG. 6(d), an NFC reader
  • the NFC reader 1841 located on a deli service counter reads a customer's mobile communication device 100 having NFC capability and receives contact information of the mobile communication device 100.
  • the NFC reader 1841 communicates the contact information to its associated computer system 1845.
  • the computer system 1845 maintains a queuing system and, when the time is appropriate in the progression of the queue to page the customer, the computer system 1845 communicates with a cellular server 1844 and using the contact information contacts the customer's mobile communication device 100 through its tower 1843 and indicates a signal indicating a page.
  • an NFC reader 1851 located on a bank service counter which reads a customer's mobile communication device 100 having NFC capability and receives contact information.
  • the NFC reader 1851 communicates the contact information to its associated computer system 1855.
  • the computer system 1855 maintains a queuing system and, when the time is appropriate in the progression of the queue to page, the customer the computer system 1855 communicates with a cellular server 1854 and using the contact information contacts the customer's mobile communication device 100 through its tower 1853 and indicates a signal indicating a page.
  • Another aspect of the invention is used to facilitate information on demand as seen for example in FIG. 7.
  • information is provided to the mobile communication device 100 based on the identifying information from bar code 401 (FIG. 2(c)).
  • bar code 401 the identifying information from bar code 401
  • the invention is not so limited and an identification medium can be used.
  • the users taps their mobile communication device 100 to, and receives information from bar code 401.
  • the mobile communication device 100 processes the information received from the bar code 401 and uses the information to determine and establish communications with its cellular service or the like, and access an Internet website based on the tag information.
  • the tag information is a web based URL.
  • the mobile communication device 100 also uses the tag information to determine which application on the mobile communication device is used to perform the access. For example, the tag information indicates that the cellular service is to be used. Any applications on the mobile communication device 100 can be used. Once the application is determined and the application is executed, the mobile communication device 100 application interacts with the website to coordinate the method of communications, e.g., downloading or streaming, as well as other communications issues, e.g., security or restricted websites. In a preferred embodiment, five different types of information 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 can be provided to the user through her mobile communication device: Text/Images, Video, Audio, Flash, and phone. These are briefly described as follows:
  • Text/Images communications permit text and/or images to be viewed by a user on the mobile communication device either by downloading or streaming the text/images to the mobile communication device.
  • Video communications permit a video to be viewed by a user on the mobile communication device either by downloading or streaming the video to the mobile communication device.
  • Audio communications permit audio to be played for a user on the mobile communication device either by downloading or streaming the audio to the mobile communication device.
  • Flash communications permit a flash file to be displayed for a user on the mobile communication device either by downloading or streaming the flash filed to the mobile communication device.
  • a flash file is known to those with skilTin the art.
  • Phone communications permits user to be directly connected to the specific person or service they need or wish to talk to that is defined or connected based on the information received by the mobile communication device from the bar code 401.
  • Routing of the information to the mobile communication device is performed as conventionally known where an application running on the mobile communication device 100 recognizes the unique scenario and processes that scenario.
  • Information on demand can use the information on the identifying information 1 15 tag to make the mobile communication device communicate 100 via an internet connection to a server and access one of the five scenarios for information on demand. It can begin a video stream to the mobile communication device 100, it can begin an audio stream to the mobile communication device 100, it can access images and text on the mobile communication device 100, it can access download of an interactive flash file to the mobile communication device 100 , or it can route the mobile communication device 100 to initialize a phone call to a specific individual such as a customer service or sales representative specific to that product or service without requiring the consumer to route through menus or voice prompts.
  • a specific individual such as a customer service or sales representative specific to that product or service without requiring the consumer to route through menus or voice prompts.
  • the mobile communication device in another aspect of the invention, the mobile communication device
  • an application is a thin client, where an application on the mobile communication device 100 seamlessly accesses a web based application that can run on the mobile communication device 100 but the consumer can not tell the difference between the web based application existing on the mobile communication device 100 as an installed and executing program on the mobile communication device 100 or the application "virtually" being on the mobile communication device 100 and actually being executed on a remote server and being displayed on the display of the mobile communication device 100 and using inputs of the mobile communication device 100.
  • the mobile communication device 100 runs a first application that recognizes, based on a self identification system, the type and kind of second application. The first application accesses the data connection of the mobile communication device 100 and communicates with a web location associated with the second application.
  • the mobile communication device 100 receives either the third application, a subapplication which is related to the second application, or the information that the first application needs to build and install the third application on the mobile communication device 100.
  • the second application remains on the remote server and is not installed on the mobile communication device 100
  • limits to the mobile communication device 100's memory are not an issue.
  • Sub-applications that are used often stay on the phone, and applications that are not used often are deleted and replaced with new applications depending on the use and need of the individual using the mobile communication device 100. Both scenarios solve the issue of limited space on the memory of mobile communication device 100 allowing hundreds and even thousands of applications on the mobile communication device 100 capitalizing on high speed wireless data networks.
  • FIG. 8 Another exemplary use of information encoded in a barcode 401 or other identificiation medium, is depicted in FIG. 8.
  • a user is directed to a particular Internet location based on information acquired from a identifying information 1 15.
  • the mobile communication device 100 is directed to a URL associated with the user and the information contained on the identifying information 1 15.
  • the mobile communication device 100 reads the identifying information 1 15, e.g., context, location, service, or business information.
  • the mobile communication device 100 includes a user's unique identification information (UID).
  • UID unique identification information
  • the mobile communication device 100 provides the UID and the information from the identifying information 1 15 to an institutional server, through the mobile communication device 100's server.
  • the institutional server determines, based on the UID and the information from the identifying information 115, a web location associated with both pieces of information.
  • the web is a restaurant, store, market, or bank web location also associated with the user.
  • the user interacts with web based application, service, or content as determined by the web location.
  • a mobile communication device 400 provides a user with service identifying information and institutional computer system requests, as depicted in as the FLIP system 401 of FIGs. 4 and 5.
  • the user's location and reduced product/service information is provided by the mobile communication device 100 to a computer system 105 associated with the mobile communication device 100, or determined by the computer system 105, and used to determine a product, service, or information desired by the user and the computer system 105 provides the corresponding application or service to the user's mobile communication device 100.
  • an institutional computer system 41 1 receives information identifying a mobile communication device 400 and product/identifying information provided by an information reader 405 and computer system 410 associated with the information reader, and the institutional server 415 determines the product, service, or information desired by the user and the institutional server provides the corresponding application or service to the user's mobile communication device.
  • the FLIP system 401 includes a mobile communication device 400, a location
  • a store which includes a product or service 420
  • a mobile communication device 400 is near field communication capable, e.g., RFID capable, by either including an RFID tag/circuit or by being configured to emulate an RFID tag/circuit, and includes RFID data, which includes a unique identifier for the RFID tag/circuit that corresponds to the mobile communication device 400, e.g., user identification information ("UII").
  • the mobile communication device 400 is configured to communicate with and is wirelessly coupled to the cellular communication system 460 which includes wireless/cellular towers 462 and a cellular server 461.
  • the cellular server 461 is preferably the cellular network provider associated with the mobile communication device 400.
  • the UII includes information particular to mobile communication device 400, for example, the cellular telephone number or a server associated with the mobile communication device 400.
  • the mobile communication device 400 is wirelessly connected to a cellular server 461, e.g., its cellular connection, which provides data communications between the mobile communication device 400 and the server 461.
  • the server 461 provides the mobile communication device 400 with communication service to the Internet and other phone and cellular servers.
  • the server 461 provides the mobile communication device 400 the ability to run Internet based services, applications, and other content on the mobile communication device 400, e.g., web browsers and the like.
  • the store computer system 411 includes a plurality of computers, which includes a local computer system 410 and an institutional server 415, e.g., a NFC server.
  • the store 450 includes an information reader 405 and products 420, and a cellular communication system 460.
  • the store computer system 411 is associated with the store 450 and its operation.
  • the information reader 405 is a near field communication ("NFC") receiver/reader or RFID reader 405, also referred to as a network connected reader, also has a unique identifier that indicates the scenario that the information reader 405 represents, e.g., a product or service of a store 450.
  • a product/service 420 has an associated information reader 405.
  • the information reader 405 is programmed or designed with product/service identifying information ("PSII").
  • PSII product/service identifying information
  • the PSII is provided to the computer system 410 of the store 450.
  • the PSII identifies which location/context and which product, service, or information that the user of mobile communication device 400 is interacting or dealing with in the physical world. That unique application, service, or content can run on the mobile communication device 400 via the mobile communication device 400 browser or a network connected applications on the mobile communication device 400.
  • the PSII is provided to the computer system 410 of the store 450.
  • the computer system 410 determines the appropriate scenario by using the PSII and correlating it to the business' products and services.
  • the computer system 410 can also determine that a type or context of the information reader 405, e.g., a vending machine, etc.
  • the computer system 410 sends the scenario information and the PSII to the institutional server 415 of the store 450.
  • the institutional server 415 provides the scenario information to mobile communication device 400 through the cellular system 460.
  • the scenario may be a web portal, or other similar application.
  • the mobile communication device 400 runs the scenario either on the mobile communication device 400 or through the mobile communication device.
  • the mobile communication device 400 may also provide information back to the institutional server 415, which may in turn communicate this to web portal in the Internet.
  • the computer system 410 and the server 415 being different systems, as noted above, the computer system 410 and the NFC server 415 can be parts of a overall business computer system.
  • the information reader 405 communicates with a server 415 via a wired or wireless connection, which in turn, communicates with the Internet or other services via phone or wireless communication systems.
  • the information reader 405 is self powered or can be powered via a power coupling connection.
  • the information reader 405 reads information, e.g., UII, from the mobile communication device 400's RFID tag/circuit.
  • the information reader 405 provides the UII information to the server 415, which in turn can provide it to other destinations or computer systems.
  • the server 415 receives the PSII and scenario information from the computer system 410.
  • the server 415 receives the UII and determines the mobile communication device 400 from the UII.
  • the server 415 using the UII and the scenario information, initiates an application, content, or service on the mobile communication device 400.
  • the user of the mobile communication device 400 thus has a registered and securely accessed portal where the applications, content, or service is run virtually on the server 415, but interacts with the user's mobile communication device 400.
  • the server 415 can also forward the UII and PSII information to other servers that initiate an application, content, or service on the mobile communication device 400.
  • the user interacts with the applications, content or service through the input/output systems of the mobile communication device 400.
  • the server 461 and server 415 are servers configured to run web or network based applications. Applications on the mobile communication device 400, whether web or network based, are actually run on at least one of the server 461 and server 415, but are displayed on the display area of the mobile communication device 400. A user on the mobile communication device 400 can interact with the applications through the mobile communication device 400 in a method known commonly as a thin client service. At least one of server 461 and server 415 are designed to recognize and to run particular applications based on the information received from the information reader 405, e.g., PSII. At least one of the server 461 and server 415 are designed to recognize, based for example, on the UII, the mobile communication device 400 to run the applications on.
  • the UII defines a unique portal, a virtual bucket in cyberspace associated with the mobile communication device 400. At least one of the mobile communication device server 461 and server 415 fill that bucket with an appropriate application based on the PSII, but that specific bucket is defined by that specific UII. Once that bucket is filled, that specific application is launched on the mobile communication device 400.
  • portal in cyberspace is a user visiting YahooTM or AOLTM on the
  • the portal runs physical world applications on the mobile communication device 400 through a virtual connection from the mobile communication device 400's wireless cellular connection.
  • a user of the mobile communication device 400 either manually provides directions, e.g., a URL, to the mobile communication device 400.
  • the mobile communication device 400 receives directions from a device coupled to the mobile communication device 400 and reads directions from an information source, e.g., a mobile communication device 400 coupled to a RFID reader and reading a barcode or an RFID tag.
  • an application or other service is provided on the mobile communication device 400 by a server, e.g., mobile communication device server 461 or server 415.
  • a user with a mobile communication device 400 is shopping in Walmart.
  • the user first identifies an item that he is interested in ordering.
  • the user approaches the item and places his mobile communication device 400 near an information reader 405.
  • the information reader 405 receives the UII from the mobile communication device 400.
  • information reader 405 provides the UII it received and its PSII to its server 415.
  • the server 415 determines based on the PSII that the user is interested in purchasing the item and using the UII determines the mobile communication device 400's portal.
  • the server initiates a program on the mobile communication device 400 that will permit the user of the mobile communication device 400 to purchase the item.
  • a user with a mobile communication device 400 is at a nightclub and is interested in a service or product offered by the nightclub.
  • the user presents his mobile communication device 400 near an information reader 405 on a table where he is seated.
  • the information reader 405 receives the UII from the mobile communication device 400.
  • Information reader 405 provides the UII it received and its PSII to its server 415.
  • the server 415 determines based on the PSII that the user is interested in a service or product offered by the nightclub and using the UII determines the mobile communication device 400's portal.
  • the server 415 initiates a program that is run on the mobile communication device 400 through a web portal that will permit the user of the mobile communication device 400 to select and purchase a service or product offered by the nightclub.
  • a program appears on the mobile communication device 400's display requesting feedback from the user regarding specific choices, for example, whether the user is interested in selecting food or a beverage.
  • the user is stepped through a series of prompts that guides the user to selecting products offered by the nightclub. For example, if the user desires a Samuel Adams beer, the program will ask the user a series of questions that will help guide his interaction.
  • the program uses voice/text recognition to determine the user's choice.
  • the program confirms the user's selection and concludes the purchase by providing the user payment options.
  • the user chooses credit card payment, for example, and provides his card number through the mobile communication device 400 input to the program.
  • the nightclub's back office processing receives payment from the credit card company and tenders the Samuel Adams to the user.
  • a user with a mobile communication device 400 is at a car dealership and is interested in having some automotive service work performed.
  • the user presents his mobile communication device 400 near an information reader 405 on a table in the service area.
  • the information reader 405 receives the UII from the mobile communication device 400.
  • information reader 405 provides the UII it received and its PSII to its server 415.
  • the server 415 determines based on the PSII that the user is interested in a service or product offered by the car dealership and using the PSII determines the mobile communication device 400's portal.
  • the server 415 initiates a program that is run on the mobile communication device 400 through a web portal that will permit the user of the mobile communication device 400 to select and purchase a service or product offered by the car.
  • a program appears on the mobile communication device 400's display requesting feedback from the user regarding specific choices, for example, what type of service that is requested. Based on the selection the user is stepped through a series of prompts that guides the user to selecting services offered by the car dealership. For example, if the user desires an oil change, the program will ask the user a series of questions that will help guide his decision making and question answering.
  • the program uses voice/text recognition to determine the user's choice. The program confirms the user's selection and performs the user's selected service.
  • the program concludes the purchase of the service by providing the user payment options. Payment for services typically is done after the service is performed. At that time, the user chooses credit card payment, for example, and provides his card number through the mobile communication device 400 input to the program. The car dealership's back office processing receives payment from the credit card company to the user.
  • FIGs. 9(a) and 9(b) Another exemplary use of the information encoded in the identification mediums such as barcode, RFID tag, NFC tag, or other is depicted in FIGs. 9(a) and 9(b) to bridge devices .
  • User uses mobile communication device 900 to read unique product identifying information from the identification medium 1 15 of the consumer electronics devices 901, 902, respectively.
  • the communication device 900 is appropriately configured to read and process the identificaition information 1 15; e.g., it can read and process RFID, matrix bar code, etc.
  • the consumer electronic devices are a stereo 901 and an MP3 player 902.
  • Both devices 901, 902 have an Internet connection either via Ethernet, Wifi, or some other means and the devices are uniquely addresssible using their respective product identifying information, or information associated therewith, through the Internet.
  • the devices 901, 902 are not initially configured to directly communicate with each other.
  • the mobile communication device 900 reads identifying information 1 15 from the unique identification medium of both devices 901, 902.
  • the mobile communication device 900 connects wirelessly to a data connection and to a server 940.
  • the mobile communication device 900 provides the server 940 with information regarding consumer electronic devices 901, 902 including identifying information from their respective unique identification medium.
  • the mobile communication device 900 indicates to the server 940 that the consumer electronic devices 901, 902 are to communicate with each other.
  • the server 940 connects, via the Internet, to both devices 901, 902 based on the information provided by the mobile communication device 900 to the server 940 through their respective Internet connections. Then, the server 940 establishes communications between both devices 901, 902. When the server 940 recieves a communication from one of the devices 901, 902 the server causes the communication to be provided to the other of the devices 901, 902. Preferably, the server 940 uses information contained in the communication which indicates that the communication is intended to provided to an other electronic device; that information could be, for example, the producut indentifying information of the other device, but is not so limited. Thus, the devices 901, 902 communicate with each other through the Internet.
  • the invention is not so limited and can include various mobile user interfaces including cellular telephones, mobile communicators, personal digital assistants, portable processing devices, keyboard, keypads, and biometric devices. Although several of the examples are described using reduced product identifying information, the invention is not so limited and product identifying information need not be- reduced.
  • the invention is described above with respect to certain embodiments, the invention is not so limited.
  • the invention is described with respect to Near Field and cellular communications, the invention can be implemented using any wireless communication systems, including but not limited to near field communications.
  • the invention can be implemented using any wireless communication systems, including but not limited to near field communications.
  • a server and/or a mobile communication device server performing a task
  • various combinations of servers can be used and perform the equivalent tasks.
  • a third party server can perform the task at the request of the server and/or a mobile communication device server.
  • the invention is not limited to a cellular telephone; any suitable communication system can be used.
  • the examples described above can be run on mobile communication devices having the appropriate hardware to read and process the appropriate identifying information and appropriate software installed and executing on the mobile communication device and the associated computer server and institutional/store computer system.
  • the mobile communication device can use VISO software from Narian Technologies.
  • the FLIP example e.g., relating to FIGs. 6(a)-(e)
  • the mobile communication device can use FLIP software from Narian Technologies.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that minimal software, in addition to the standard software existing on the devices, has to be installed and operational on the mobile communication device, its associated computer system in the cellular network, and the institutional /store computer systems in order to effectuate the respective examples above. Furthermore, the examples, require little, if any, additional hardware to implement the respective examples.

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Abstract

Selon l'invention, un contexte de l'utilisateur d'un dispositif de communication mobile détermine quel produit ou service est demandé. Par la détermination de l'emplacement où se trouve le dispositif de communication mobile, des informations d'identification uniques sont utilisées pour identifier un produit ou service spécifique. Par l'utilisation d'informations concernant des produits limités à une zone définie, un identifiant de produit/service réduit peut être utilisé sur des produits/services.
PCT/US2008/009068 2007-07-27 2008-07-25 Appareil et procédé pour un traitement d'informations sans fil sur la base d'un contexte WO2009017682A1 (fr)

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WO2012154749A1 (fr) * 2011-05-09 2012-11-15 Google Inc. Service de localisation à capacité de communication de courte portée
US8615435B2 (en) 2011-05-09 2013-12-24 Google Inc. Short-range communication enabled location service
EP2420102A4 (fr) * 2009-04-16 2016-04-27 Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc Gestionnaire de session de client léger

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US7174361B1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2007-02-06 International Business Machines Corporation Scripting task-level user-interfaces
US20070124721A1 (en) * 2005-11-15 2007-05-31 Enpresence, Inc. Proximity-aware virtual agents for use with wireless mobile devices
US20070168354A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-07-19 Jorey Ramer Combined algorithmic and editorial-reviewed mobile content search results

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US7174361B1 (en) * 2000-02-04 2007-02-06 International Business Machines Corporation Scripting task-level user-interfaces
US20070168354A1 (en) * 2005-11-01 2007-07-19 Jorey Ramer Combined algorithmic and editorial-reviewed mobile content search results
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EP2420102A4 (fr) * 2009-04-16 2016-04-27 Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc Gestionnaire de session de client léger
WO2012154749A1 (fr) * 2011-05-09 2012-11-15 Google Inc. Service de localisation à capacité de communication de courte portée
US8527348B2 (en) 2011-05-09 2013-09-03 Google Inc. Short-range communication enabled location service
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