WO2009038254A1

WO2009038254A1 - Method and menufacture for message service

Info

Publication number: WO2009038254A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000350
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Hong Yang; Geum Beom Song
Original assignee: Herit Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-09-20
Filing date: 2008-01-21
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: KR100840948B1

Abstract

Provided are a method and article of manufacture for a message service. The method includes the steps of: (a) accessing, at a terminal, a service system using information input by a user; and (b) transferring, at the terminal, the user's message to the service system to register the message. Here, the input information includes a unique identifier included in a product for the message service. According to the message service method and article of manufacture, it is possible to permanently store a message on-line, provide abundant information based on an area, provide an analog impression and maximize marketing effect.

Description

Description METHOD AND MENUFACTURE FOR MESSAGE SERVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a message service, and more particularly, to a message service method and product providing an analog impression using a multimedia technique. Background Art

[2] As illustrated in FIG. 1, memorandums that may contain personal content can be attached to a structure in a station or on a campus. Sometimes, such memorandums give people an analog impression, that is, move people to sympathize with the content written on the memorandums, and so on.

[3] In general, the memorandums may be made of paper, etc., and can be attached to a structure in a station, etc., by tape and other adhesives. Since there is a limit to the material quality of memorandums and adhesion methods, such memorandums may remain for a very short time period at the station and other areas.

[4] Meanwhile, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication service providers provide voice message services, motion picture services, digital photograph services and also text message services. Thus, subscribers to the corresponding services can receive messages, etc., based on more various methods than conventional methods. However, it is difficult to disclose a message containing contents to many people using such methods due to the limit of a message providing method of mobile communication service providers. Thus, it is difficult to give many people the analog impression of the above-mentioned memorandums.

[5] Therefore, a message service method is required which provides an analog impression, permanently stores a message, and provides the message using not only text but also various media. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] The present invention is directed to providing a message service method and product providing an analog impression using a multimedia technique. Technical Solution

[7] A first aspect of the present invention provides a message service method for registering a message by a user in a service system registering and managing a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at a terminal, information for access input by the user wanting to register the message and accessing the service system; and (b) transferring, at the terminal, the message to the service system to register the message, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier indicated in a product for the message service previously obtained by the user, and the unique identifier is used for identifying the message registered in and managed by the service system.

[8] A second aspect of the present invention provides a message service method for inquiring by a user a message registered in a service system, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at a terminal, information for access input by the user wanting to inquire the message, and accessing the service system to request the message; and (b) receiving, at the terminal, the requested message from the accessed service system, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier used for identifying the requested message among messages previously registered in and managed by the service system.

[9] A third aspect of the present invention provides a message service method for registering a message by a user in a service system registering and managing a message, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at the service system, the message from a terminal accessing the service system using information for access including a unique identifier; and (b) registering, at the service system, the received message in connection with the unique identifier, wherein the unique identifier is indicated in a product for the message service previously obtained by the user and is used for identifying the message registered in and managed by the service system.

[10] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a message service method for providing a service inquiring a previously registered message to a user by a service system, comprising the steps of: (a) requesting, at a terminal accessed through information for access, the service system for the message; and (b) transferring, at the service system, the requested message to the terminal, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier used for identifying the requested message among the messages previously registered in and managed by the service system.

[11] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a message service method for providing a service inquiring a message to a user by a service system, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, at the service system, a message of each user and a place identifier wanted to be mapped together with the message from a terminal of the user, and registering the message in connection with the place identifier; and (b) providing an environment which can inquire a message mapped together with each place identifier to a terminal accessed for message inquiry.

[12] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a product for a message service comprising a unique identifier that can be seen by a user, wherein the unique identifier is included in information input into a terminal of the user to access a service system registering a message of the user and corresponds to one message registered or to be registered in the service system. Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the present invention, unlike a conventional physical board and graffiti, it is possible to store an open message in a web and permanently inquire events having occurred at a specific time and place on-line.

[14] In addition, according to the present invention, when a private message is given to a person as a gift, it is possible to contain a message stored on-line in an actual off-line object and give an analog impression.

[15] Further, according to the present invention, unlike websites, such as a blog and a cafe, a message can be stored and inquired based on location information, and thus it is possible to provide abundant information based on an area.

[16] Furthermore, by executing a marketing event using the message service of the present invention, a communication service provider and a company cooperating with the communication service provider can expect an effect centered on a specific customer base, e.g., an age band and an area. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of a bus station to which memorandums containing personal content, etc., are attached;

[18] FIG. 2 illustrates a product for a message service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[19] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a message registration process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a message inquiry process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[22] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a webpage-based message inquiry process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[23] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the present exemplary embodiments are provided for complete disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform the scope of the present invention to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

[24] FIG. 2 illustrates a product for a message service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[25] Referring to FIG. 2, products 230 for a message service are attached to a board 210 installed at a station structure 200. Here, each product 230 having the form of a token has a unique identifier. Such a unique identifier may be used for a user to register a message in a service system or to access the service system and inquire a registered message. An enlarged view of the product 230 is indicated by reference number 240, in which unique identifier "824541" is indicated. In the board 210, an identifier for place, i.e., a place identifier, "Gangnam bus station" is displayed, and the place identifier indicated by reference number 220 is "3653".

[26] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be briefly described. A first user having purchased a product comes upon a content to contain in a message around Gangnam bus station. After making out a message using text, voice, motion picture, a digital photograph, etc., the first user accesses a service system using a unique identifier included in the product, transfers the message, and attaches the product to a board at Gangnam bus station. The service system stores and registers the transferred message together with the unique identifier. After this, the first user having registered the message or a second user finding the product accesses the service system using the unique identifier, and then can inquire the message.

[27] Preferably, the service system maps the transferred message and the unique identifier to register, store and manage the same, and also maps place information, time information, user information related to the message together with the transferred message to register, store and manage the same.

[28] There are some methods whereby a terminal accesses the service system. According to a method, a user may input a unique identifier together with a particular number, which is for receiving the service of the present invention, into the terminal. According to another method, a user may input a place identifier together with the particular number and the unique identifier into the terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to such methods. For example, referring to FIG. 2, when the user having purchased the product 230 inputs a particular number, unique identifier "824541" and the place identifier 220 into the terminal, the terminal accesses the service system. After this, the terminal can transfer a message to the accessed service system, and as a result, the service system can register and store the unique identifier, place information, e.g., a place identifier, and time information, e.g., a point in time when the message is received, together with the transferred message.

[29] Meanwhile, periodically or when no more products can be attached to the board 210, an administrator of the service system collects attached products from a board and provides unique identifiers corresponding to the collected products and a place identifier to the service system. Subsequently, the service system maps the provided place identifier into the provided unique identifiers to store and manage the same. According to this method, it is possible to skip a process in which a user inputs the place identifier to access the service system.

[30] Since a unique identifier is exclusively given to each product, it can be used as a means for identifying a message when messages are taken by respective products. Meanwhile, unlike the unique identifier and the place identifier of FIG. 1 consisting of numbers, the unique identifier and the place identifier may consist of characters, numerals, special characters, etc., in various ways, which can be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

[31] Detailed exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[32] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a message service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the message service system comprises terminals 300, 302 and 304, a network 310, and a service system 320.

[33] Referring to FIG. 3, it is assumed that a first terminal 300 performs message registration using a unique identifier, a second terminal 302 performs message inquiry using the unique identifier, and a third terminal 304 performs message inquiry through webpage access and search. Here, the terminals 300, 302 and 304 may be, for example, mobile communication terminals, wired terminals including a wired telephone, computer systems, and the network 310 may be, for example, a mobile communication network, a wireless network and a wired network.

[34] Meanwhile, the service system 320 registers, stores, and manages a message transferred by a user and supports a user to inquire the message. The service system 320 has a service access processing device, a message storage device, etc., and inter- operates with equipment of the network 310, e.g., a user authentication server, a location information server, Short Message Service (SMS) equipment and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) equipment. Since the service system 320 can be implemented in various ways, functions of the service system 320 will be mainly described below.

[35] First, a message registration process performed by the first terminal 300 and a post process performed by the service system 320 according to the message registration will be described below.

[36] In a first step, a user carrying a product inputs information into his/her terminal 300 and accesses the service system 320. Here, the input information to access the service system 320 includes a unique identifier included in the product and may additionally include a place identifier. In addition, when the user accesses the service system 320 using a particular number, the input information includes the particular number.

[37] After this, the user transfers his/her message to the accessed service system 320.

Here, the message includes at least one of text, voice, a digital image and a motion picture.

[38] Subsequently, the service system 320 registers the received message in connection with the unique message. In addition, when the first terminal 300 has accessed the service system 320 by inputting the place identifier, the service system 320 registers the received message in connection with the unique identifier and the place identifier. Meanwhile, even when the first terminal 300 has accessed the service system 320 without inputting the place identifier, the service system 320 can obtain place information related to the message through a process in which an administrator of the service system 320 collects at least one product attached to a board and then provides the collected product to the service system 320. As a result, it is possible to store the provided place identifier in connection with the already registered message.

[39] Meanwhile, preferably, the service system 320 registers information on time, i.e., time information related to the received message in connection with the message. Here, the time information is determined based on at least one of a point in time of the access, a point in time of receiving the message, a point in time of registering the message, and a point in time of collecting the product from the board.

[40] Subsequently, the service system 320 provides the registered message to a personal blog or a personal home page, or supports a link for accessing the message in a personal blog or a personal home page. For example, a user having registered a message can register the message in his/her blog or personal home page and set the authority of others to inquire the message registered by himself/herself.

[41] In addition, preferably, the service system 320 provides users with a web-based user- support environment that enables the users to search for a message based on at least one of a place, time, the first terminal 300, and a user of the first terminal 300 related to each registered message. This operation can be performed because the service system 320 obtains a place identifier and time information upon registering the message and can receive the information on the first terminal 300 and the user of the first terminal 300 from the corresponding server of a communication service provider. For example, when the service system 320 has a hosting server providing the web- based user-support environment, each user can search for and inquire a message related to each place, i.e., a message corresponding to a product attached to each place, using a map, etc., on a webpage provided by the hosting server. The user can register a message selected after the search and inquiry or create a link to the message in his/her blog or a personal home page.

[42] Second, a message inquiry process performed by the second terminal 302 and a post process performed by the service system 320 according to the message access will be described below.

[43] This exemplary embodiment is used, for example, when a first user having a product stores a private message and then gives the product to a second user as a gift. In this case, the second user can inquire the private message using a unique identifier written on the product.

[44] In a first step, a user wanting to inquire a message inputs information into his/her terminal 302 accesses the service system 320 and requests the message. The user may be the first user having registered the message, the second user receiving the product used for registering the message from the first user, a third user finding the unique identifier of the product from the board 210 of FIG. 2, and so on. Here, the input information for accessing the service system 320 includes the unique identifier included in the product, and when the user accesses the service system 320 using a particular number, includes the particular number.

[45] In a second step, the service system 320 requested for the message transfers the message corresponding to the unique identifier among at least two previously registered and managed messages to the terminal 302.

[46] Third, a web-based message inquiry process performed by the third terminal 304 and a post process performed by the service system 320 according to the message inquiry will now be described. As described above, this exemplary embodiment is used when the service system 320 provides users with the web-based user-support environment that enables the users to search for messages based on at least one of a place, a time, a terminal, and a user of the terminal related to each registered message.

[47] More specifically, the third terminal 304, such as a computer system, accesses a webpage hosted by the hosting server included in the service system 320, i.e., the hosting server is the service access processing device, searches for messages according to places, times, terminals and terminal users, and then selects a message to be inquired. In response to this, the hosting server provides the message selected by the third terminal 320 to the third terminal 320. For example, a user accesses a webpage hosted by the hosting server using the third terminal 304 and then inquires open messages attached to a specific place at a specific time using a location of a board indicated in a map on the webpage and a date.

[48] Fourth, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-based message inquiry process performed by the third terminal 304 and a post process performed by the service system 320 according to the message access will now be described. As mentioned above, this exemplary embodiment is used when the service system 320 provides users with a WAP-based user-support environment that enables the users to search for messages based on at least one of a place, a time, a terminal, and a user of the terminal related to each registered message.

[49] More specifically, the third terminal 304, such as a cellular phone, accesses a WAP page hosted by the hosting server included in the service system 320, i.e., the hosting server is the service access processing device, searches for messages according to places, times, terminals and terminal users, and then selects a message to be inquired. In response to this, the hosting server provides the message selected by the third terminal 320 to the terminal third 320. For example, a user inputs a particular number for receiving a message service into the third terminal 304 to access a WAP page hosted by the hosting server, and then inquires open messages attached to a specific place at a specific time using a location of a board indicated in a map on the WAP page and a date. As a detailed example, the hosting server interoperates with the corresponding server, e.g., a location information management server, of a communication service provider to obtain location information of the third terminal 304, and then provides the location information together with a place identifier of a board close to a current location of the third terminal 304 to the third terminal 304 in the form of a WAP page so that the user can inquire a registered message.

[50] Meanwhile, the present invention can be applied to a marketing event in which other service providers, e.g., a food service provider, cooperating with a communication service provider give out products, e.g., coupons, tokens and cups particularly manufactured for public relations in which a unique identifier is written, and customers obtaining the products make out and register messages in commemoration of a visit to a specific location, e.g., a restaurant of the food service provider.

[51] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a message registration process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A message is stored in step 425 or 430, and a verification process for already registered place information, e.g., a location identifier, is performed (step 440) after a collection process following step 425 or 430. When it is determined in step 440 that the stored place information does not coincide with actual place information, the place information is changed with the information on a place to which a collected product is attached (step 445). Since those skilled in the art can readily understand the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 from the above description, detailed descriptions on other steps will be omitted.

[52] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a message inquiry process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step 515, a service system determines what type of message a terminal requests. When the terminal requests a voice message, voice is replayed (step 535). When the terminal requests an SMS message, the process proceeds to step 520. When the terminal requests an MMS message, the process proceeds to step 525. When the terminal requests a motion picture message, the process proceeds to step 530. In steps 540, 545 and 550, it is determined whether the terminal supports the requested message type. When the terminal does not support the requested message type, the process proceeds to step 555. In step 555, a user is induced to access the service system again using a terminal supporting the requested message type, e.g., a guide message containing such a content is transferred, and then the process proceeds to a step ahead of step 510. [53] When the terminal requests a voice message, an additional verification process, e.g., steps 520, 525 and 530, is not necessary because voice messages are supported by both wired telephones and mobile communication terminals. On the other hand, when the terminal requests another type of message, it is necessary to verify whether the terminal supports the message type. For this reason, there exist steps 520, 525 and 530.

[54] Since those skilled in the art can readily understand the exemplary embodiment of

FIG. 5 from the above description, detailed descriptions on other steps will be omitted.

[55] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a webpage-based message inquiry process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[56] When a service system stores and registers a message through the process described with reference to FIG. 4 (step 600), the message is registered in a website (step 605). For example, in a previously designated website, e.g., a portal site administered by a communication service provider, a message is registered as soon as registered in the service system. In addition, in a site designated by a user, e.g., a personal blog and a community site, the registered message may be copied or linked from the previously designated website afterwards.

[57] In step 610, when a user having registered the message in the service system sets an inquiry authority, the service system maps the set inquiry authority into the message and stores the inquiry authority.

[58] After this, when a person visits the website using his/her terminal, such as a computer system, and then requests inquiry on the message (step 615), the service system determines whether the person has the authority to inquire the message based on the information stored in step 610 (step 620). When the person does not have the inquiry authority, the person is not allowed to inquire the message, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the person has the inquiry authority, the message is provided to the terminal of the person (step 625).

[59] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A message service method for registering a message by a user in a service system registering and managing a message, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, at a terminal, information for access input by the user wanting to register the message and accessing the service system; and

(b) transferring, at the terminal, the message to the service system to register the message, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier indicated in a product for the message service previously obtained by the user, and the unique identifier is used for identifying the message registered in and managed by the service system.

[2] The method of claim 1, wherein the information for access further comprises an identifier of a place, i.e., a place identifier, wanted to be registered together with the message by the user, and the service system registers the place identifier together with the transferred message.

[3] The method of claim 2, wherein the place identifier is obtained from a board to which the product for the message service will be attached or is attached.

[4] The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the service system registers information on time related to the message in connection with the message.

[5] The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the message includes at least one of text, voice, a digital image and a motion picture.

[6] The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the input information includes a particular number corresponding to the service system and the unique identifier.

[7] A message service method for inquiring by a user a message registered in a service system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, at a terminal, information for access input by the user wanting to inquire the message, and accessing the service system to request the message; and

(b) receiving, at the terminal, the requested message from the accessed service system, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier used for identifying the requested message among messages previously registered in and managed by the service system.

[8] The method of claim 7, wherein the unique identifier is indicated in a product for the message service owned by the user or put in a place where the user can see the product for the message service.

[9] The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the previously registered and managed messages are registered and managed together with information on time related to the message.

[10] A message service method for registering a message by a user in a service system registering and managing a message, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, at the service system, the message from a terminal accessing the service system using information for access including a unique identifier; and

(b) registering, at the service system, the received message in connection with the unique identifier, wherein the unique identifier is indicated in a product for the message service previously obtained by the user and is used for identifying the message registered in and managed by the service system.

[11] The method of claim 10, wherein the information for access further comprises an identifier of a place, i.e., a place identifier, wanted to be registered together with the message by the user, and step (b) comprises the step of registering, at the service system, the place identifier in connection with the received message.

[12] The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) comprises the step of receiving, at the service system, a place identifier wanted to be registered together with the message by the user from the accessing terminal, and step (b) comprises the step of registering and managing the place identifier together with the message.

[13] The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: registering and managing, at the service system, at least one message among the messages registered in step (b) in connection with a place identifier indicating an installation place of a board to which the at least one message is attached, wherein the place identifier is obtained through a process in which an administrator of the service system collects at least one product for the message service attached to the board and then provides the product to the service system.

[14] The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: registering information on time, i.e., time information, related to the message in connection with the message.

[15] The method of claim 14, wherein the time information is determined based on at least one of a point in time of the access, a point in time of receiving the message, a point in time of registering the message, and a point in time of collecting the product for the message service from the board.

[16] The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising the step of: providing, at the service system, a web-based user-support environment enabling a user to search for the message registered in step (b) based on at least one of a place, a time, a terminal, and a user of the terminal related to the message.

[17] The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising the steps of: providing, at the service system, the message to a personal blog or a personal home page, or supporting a link for accessing the message in a personal blog or a personal home page.

[18] A message service method for providing a service inquiring a previously registered message to a user by a service system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) requesting, at a terminal accessed through information for access, the service system for the message; and

(b) transferring, at the service system, the requested message to the terminal, wherein the information for access comprises a unique identifier used for identifying the requested message among the messages previously registered in and managed by the service system.

[19] The method of claim 18, wherein the unique identifier is indicated in a product for the message service owned by the user or put in a place where the user can see the product for the message service.

[20] The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the previously registered and managed messages are mapped together with place identifiers provided upon registration to be registered and managed.

[21] The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the previously registered and managed messages are registered and managed together with information on time related to the message.

[22] A message service method for providing a service inquiring a message to a user by a service system, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving, at the service system, a message of each user and a place identifier wanted to be mapped together with the message from a terminal of the user, and registering the message in connection with the place identifier; and

(b) providing an environment which can inquire a message mapped together with each place identifier to a terminal accessed for message inquiry.

[23] The method of claim 22, wherein the service system supports each terminal with a web access method and a webpage-based message access environment.

[24] The method of claim 22, wherein the service system supports each terminal with a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access method and a WAP page-based message access environment.

[25] The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) comprises the step of: providing, at the service system, the accessed terminal with information on a place and a registered message corresponding to a place identifier of a place close to a location of the accessed terminal.

[26] The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein the user inputs a particular number so that the accessed terminal accesses the service system.

[27] An article of manufacture for a message service, comprising: a unique identifier that can be seen by a user, wherein the unique identifier is included in information input into a terminal of the user to access a service system registering a message of the user and corresponds to one message registered or to be registered in the service system.

[28] The article of manufacture of claim 27, further comprising: a first side exposing the unique identifier to the user; and a second side attached to a board installed at a predetermined place.

[29] The article of manufacture of claim 27 or 28, wherein the unique identifier is used for accessing the service system to inquire the message corresponding to the unique identifier.

[30] The article of manufacture of claim 28, wherein the information input into the terminal of the user to access the service system further comprises a place identifier indicated on the board.

[31] The article of manufacture of any one of claims 27, 28 and 30, wherein the service system maps and registers the message of the user together with the unique identifier and the place identifier.