WO2009057151A2

WO2009057151A2 - System and method of customizing and delivering information

Info

Publication number: WO2009057151A2
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000739
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajendra Kumar Khare; Vikas Minda; Manjit Rath; Abhijit Das; Ravi Bhat
Original assignee: Rajendra Kumar Khare; Vikas Minda; Manjit Rath; Abhijit Das; Ravi Bhat
Priority date: 2007-11-04
Filing date: 2008-11-04
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: WO2009057151A3

Abstract

A system and method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device, the system comprising enabling mans to connect to the network after approval,sending means to send location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting,retrieving means to fetch the said user's social network profile from the central server andInteracting means to facilitate interaction of central server with one or more Information server

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CUSTOMIZING AND DELIVERING INFORMATION

The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No...2511/CHE/2007 filed on 4^th November 2007

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and system of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user's communication device based on user's profile on one or more social networks. More particularly, the invention therefore relates to an interactive permission based delivery of delivering information to a user on a user's communication device connected in a short range communication network such as via Bluetooth. The instant invention also aggregates and delivers information such as relevant advertisement and value added services in one or more social networks.

Background of the invention

Social networking media for example online social networking is the present trend of the day. These social networking media provides users to interact with other users on such networks sharing information on every aspect of life. Thus, social network media provides users the freedom to interact with their friends, relatives, communities of interest, like minded people and to the world.

A range of information is provided regularly to the users within such social network. Thus, there is an overload of information pushed to users within such social network media of various services relating to every sphere of life. Several attempts have been made to customize the delivery of information such as advertisement and value added services to the users for eliciting more effective responses. However, such information is made available occasionally at irrelevant points of time and is mostly operator (service provider) dependent.

There is no system that currently delivers relevant information regarding services that can be availed in a specific geographic location or in a specific relevant time period. Geographical positioning systems have been used to pin point user's communication device locations and deliver information on user requests. Some of the systems customize and deliver information based on pre-obtained user preferences. However, no systems exist which provide the user with information that is customized for user based on his personal preference and information obtained from one or more social networks which provide very specific user preferences.

Moreover, as social networking media transforms our lives, many businesses continue to struggle to keep up, and provide value to the consumer in such a structure. Without the ability to extend value to a consumer's experience, consumer loyalty to a business may quickly diminish. Thus, many businesses are searching for new ways to integrate social networking into their business models with features that appeal to the consumer, while making a profit.

Hence, there is a need for a method and system to deliver useful information to the users through an inexpensive and secure communication network. Further, the said method and system should be able to deliver highly customised information based on user specific information such as address, age , friend, circle , wallet profile and the like information which may be used for further processing by the user. Therefore, it is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method and system for profile based information delivery. The instant invention facilitates customization of delivery of highly customised information from one or more central servers to a user's communication device using the information gathered from a user's profile on a social network, the user's communication device connected in a communication network, more specifically in short range radio communication network such as Bluetooth.

Briefly, one exemplary embodiment relates to a method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user's communication device, the method comprising the steps of providing an option to connect to one or more mobile social network using short radio communication network, connecting to the network after approval, sending location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting, fetching the said user's social network profile from the central server, interacting central server with one or more Information server, determining and identifying the requested information to be transmitted, transmitting the requested information from the central server.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a system customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device, the system comprising enabling mans to connect to the network after approval; sending means to send location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting; retrieving means to fetch the said user's social network profile from the central server; Interacting means to facilitate interaction of central server with one or more Information server;

It is an object of the instant invention to detect an active user device in a service location serviced by the central server and deliver customized information to the user based on at least the information collected about a user from one or more social networks.

Yet another objective of the instant invention to customise the information based on the information collected from a social network and deliver highly customised advertisements and value added services over a communication network, specifically in a short range communication network such as via blue-tooth.

Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide an interactive permission based delivery of delivering information to a user on a user communication device connected in a short range communication network such as via Bluetooth.

Brief description of accompanying drawings

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive features of the present invention together with its objects and advantages are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified and wherein.

FIGURE 1 is a system diagram of a preferred embodiment of an environment in which the invention may be practiced.

FIGURE 2 illustrate a preferred mode of user registration with one or more social networking media on World Wide Web (Internet).

FIGURE 3 illustrates a preferred mode of user registration on a communication device with or without short radio messaging services like Bluetooth.

Figure 4 illustrates a system where the information parameters fetched through various method are combined to enable a targeted delivery of location based customised information.

Figure 5 illustrates a logical flow diagram of the method used to deliver targeted information.

Figure 6 illustrates a logical flow diagram of the method used when user asks for some specific information.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A method and system for profile based information delivery are provided wherein these facilitate customization of delivery of highly customised information from one or more central servers to a user device using the information gathered from a user's profile on a social network, the user device connected in a communication network, more specifically in short range radio communication network such as Bluetooth.

In the following description for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary preferred embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIGURE 1 shows components of one embodiment of an environment in which the invention may be practiced. Not all the components may be required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1 a communication system may include a telecommunication network 102 and/or a cellular network. In a preferred embodiment, the communication system may include only a telecommunication network 102 without the need for the cellular network. The system having the telecommunication network 102 may include a mobile server 103, Location based communication unit Supporting Bluetooth/WIFI 104, central web server 105, World Wide Web (Internet) 106, Information/Alerts Server (to feed advertisements etc) 107, other computing devices 108 and one or more mobile devices 101. The mobile device 101 shares the application with other mobile devices 101 either through the mobile communication network 102 and/or a short range communication network such as via Bluetooth.

Devices that may operate as computing devices 108 may include personal computers, desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, servers, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system can have encoded instructions to communicate with a central server over a communication network such as via blue- tooth. The central system can hold pre-obtained user information such as the user's account on one or more social profiles. Alternatively, the same can be retrieved using an interactive permission based mechanism when the user device is detected at a service location to the central server. The central server can access information regarding the user such as age, location, friend circle, recent posting and communities and like information and customize and deliver relevant advertisements and information to a user over a short range communication network such as Bluetooth. The information may be further customized based on the characteristics of the user device as detected and/or geographic location to deliver information and advertisements to a user about services that can be availed in nearby area and at a specific time. The information delivery may further be facilitated through an interactive mechanism through user's explicit request as illustrated in FIG. 6. The user request may be captured and processed by a central server by the disclosed system encoded with instructions to enable access through selectable menu options.

FIGURE 2 illustrate a preferred mode of user registration with one or more social networking media on World Wide Web (Internet) wherein the data base of central web server 105 is fed with the user' s social network information 201 available on one or more computing devices 108 on World Wide Web (Internet) 106. The user social network information 201 may include information such as name, age, e-mail address, ID and/or other like information.

The browser application may be configured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web based language, including a wireless application protocol messages (WAP), and the like. In one embodiment, the browser application is enabled to employ Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, Standard Generalized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), extensible Markup Language (XML), and the like, to display and send a message.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a preferred mode of user registration on a communication device with or without short radio messaging services like Bluetooth. As shown in FIG. 3 preferred mode of user registration on a communication device with or without short radio messaging services like Bluetooth may include a telecommunication network 102, Location based communication unit Supporting Bluetooth/WIFI 104, central web server 105, World Wide Web (Internet) 106, and one or more mobile devices 101 having social network information 301 which may include information such as name, age, e-mail address, ID and/or other like information.

A communication device may include at least one or other Mobile devices 101 also may include at least one other client application that is configured to receive content from another computing device. The client application may include a capability to provide and receive textual content, graphical content, audio content, and the like. The client application may further provide information that identifies itself, including a type, capability, name, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, mobile devices 102- 104 may uniquely identify themselves through any of a variety of mechanisms, including a phone number, Mobile Identification Number (MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), or other mobile device identifier. The information may also indicate a content format that the mobile device is enabled to employ.

Mobile devices 101 may be further configured to enable a user to participate in communications sessions, such as IM sessions. As such, mobile devices 102-104 may include a client application that is configured to manage various actions on behalf of the client device. For example, the client application may enable a user to interact with the browser application, email application, IM applications, SMS application, and the like.

Mobile devices 101 may further be configured to include a client application that enables the end-user to log into an end-user account that may be managed by other computing devices 108. Such end-user account, for example, may be configured to enable the end-user to receive emails, send/receive IM messages, SMS messages, access selected web pages, participate in a social networking activity, or the like. However, participation in various social networking activities may also be performed without logging into the end-user account. In addition, mobile devices 101 may include another application that is configured to enable the mobile user to display and interact with various integrated live views that are configured based, in part, on the mobile user's social networking activities, experiences, and the like, including vitality information associated with the mobile user's social network. Mobile devices 101 may also communicate with non-mobile client devices, such as computing devices 108, or the like. In one embodiment, such communications may include participation in social networking activities, including sharing of photographs, participating in determining how to spend time with other members, sending/receiving of messages, providing information based on physical proximity between members, or similar virtual hang-out activities.

Computing device 108 may include virtually any computing device capable of communicating over a network to send and receive information, including social networking information, or the like. The set of such devices may include devices that typically connect using a wired or wireless communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, or the like.

Figure 4 illustrates a system where the information parameters fetched through various method are combined to enable a targeted delivery of location based customised information. The system in a preferred embodiment is configured basically for a combination of fixed parameters taken at the time of registration from social networking sites with location based behaviour, with surfing (buying pattern) ( a sum of behaviour on mobile & web) this information would be mainly used for targeting the user with specific Advertisement/content stored in a central web server 105. In a preferred embodiment, though the system is not limited to, the system may use web profile, mobile specific profile, location specific buying pattern, Location specific user profile and preferences, social profile and preference and the like information.

In a preferred embodiment, the permission based application accesses data already fed in a central server 105 as the user was member of a social network (on mobile of on web), it further tries to access the buying pattern and other profile of the user, connects it with location specific data so generated (such as place of access etc as the person is using Bluetooth), shares this information with a sever that hold certain information(advertisements etc) 107, this server 107 utilizes the information to send profile specific information 401 (Customised/Targeted delivery of Information) which is more beneficial both to the sender and the recipient. The operation of preferred aspects of the invention will now be described with respect to FIGURES 5 and 6. FIGURE 5 provides logical flow diagram of the method used to deliver targeted information, while Figure 6 illustrates the method used when user asks for some specific information.

Thus, FIGURE 5 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally showing a preferred embodiment of a process for managing social networking information, including vitality information for social networking members. The method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user's communication device begins at block 501 where the user is provided an option to connect to one or more mobile social network using short radio communication network and connected connecting to the network after approval at block 502 after sending location details at block 503 of the user to the one or more central server while connecting. The method in a preferred embodiment at block 504 fetches the said user's social network profile from the central server by interacting central server with one or more Information server at block 505 by determining and identifying the requested information to be transmitted at block and transmits the requested information from the central server at block 506.

Figure 6 illustrates a logical flow diagram of the method used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention when user asks for some specific information. The method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device begins at block 601 by providing the user an option to connect to one or more mobile social network using short radio communication network. The said user is connected to the network after approval at block 602 by sending location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting at block 603. The method in a preferred embodiment receives said user's requests for specific information requested by interactive menu options at block 604 by interacting central server with one or more Information server at block 605. The requested information to be transmitted is determined and identified at block 606 and transmitted from the central server with updation at block 607.

A social networking member may provide or request for various kind of information such as a mood avatar, photograph, or information from a blog etc. In another example, a web service, or other service may provide photographs, audio files, or the like. In one embodiment, information may be received, absent a solicitation for the information. In another embodiment, a request for information may be sent to various services, mobile devices, client/computer devices, or the like. The received information may include various vitality information including, but not limited to mood information, location information, IM or other communication status, information indicating a change in a blog status, or any of the other vitality information described above.

The blocks of the flowchart illustration support combinations of means for performing the specified actions, combinations of steps for performing the specified actions and program instruction means for performing the specified actions.

Although, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the invention. Preferred embodiments of this invention have been described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

I/WE CLAIM:

1. A method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an option to connect to one or more mobile social network using short radio communication network; connecting to the network after approval; sending location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting; fetching the said user's social network profile from the central server; interacting central server with one or more Information server; determining and identifying the requested information to be transmitted; transmitting the requested information from the central server.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a user communication device connected in a short range radio communication network viz. Bluetooth.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the short range radio communication network searches and detects an active user communication device in a service location serviced by one or more central server.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises using an interactive permission based mechanism when the user device detected at a service location to the central server.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein short range radio communication network uses encoded instructions to communicate with a central server.

6. A method of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device, the method comprising the steps of: providing an option to connect to one or more mobile social network using short radio communication network; connecting to the network after approval; sending location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting; receiving said user's requests for specific information requested by interactive menu options; interacting central server with one or more Information server; determining and identifying the requested information to be transmitted; transmitting the requested information from the central server with updation.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a user communication device connected in a short range radio communication network viz. Bluetooth.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the user's request received and processed by a central server encoded with instructions to enable access through selectable menu options.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein short range radio communication network uses encoded instructions to communicate with a central server.

10. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein short range radio communication network customises the information based on the information collected from a social network and deliver highly customised advertisements and value added services.

11. A system of customizing and delivering information to a user on a user communication device, the system comprising : enabling mans to connect to the network after approval; sending means to send location details of the user to the one or more central server while connecting; retrieving means to fetch the said user's social network profile from the central server;

Interacting means to facilitate interaction of central server with one or more Information server; determining means to determin and identify the requested information to be transmitted; transmitting means to transmit the requested information from the central server.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein a user communication device connected in a short range radio communication network viz. Bluetooth.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the short range radio communication network further comprises of detecting means to search and detects an active user communication device in a service location serviced by one or more central server.

14. The method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings

15. The system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings