WO2011161664A1

WO2011161664A1 - System for providing information and services to a tourist community

Info

Publication number: WO2011161664A1
Application number: PCT/IL2010/000489
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shimon Messika
Original assignee: Shimon Messika
Priority date: 2010-06-21
Filing date: 2010-06-21
Publication date: 2011-12-29

Abstract

A system for providing information and/or services to tourists traveling in a foreign country, which comprises a plurality of dedicated cellular mobile devices used by tourists traveling in a foreign country. Each device has a user interface which is configured to display menus to a tourist in his own native language, for allowing the tourist to select desired information and/or services. A call center is in cellular communication with the devices and that uniquely identifies the profile of each tourist who initiates an incoming call, according to data stored in his mobile device and automatically directs the incoming call to an operator who communicates with the tourist in his own native language, for providing verbal and textual desired information to the tourist and for acquiring desired services for the tourist from trusted service providers.

Description

SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO A

TOURIST COMMUNITY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of tourist information and services. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for providing information and/or services to tourists over a mobile device in their own native language.

Background of the Invention

Millions of people travel each year in several countries all over the world for business trips and for pleasure. The tourists find themselves outside their usual environment, and are usually not fluent in the native language of the country that they are traveling in. Also, usually the local people are not fluent in the language of the tourist, what can cause a lack of communication between the tourists and the local people. Even though English is the International language, many tourists and local people are not fluent in English. Even if the tourists do know English, sometimes their English is only at a very basic level, but not enough to get around.

Tourists may have difficulties finding attractions and visiting sites. The tourists may also have difficulties obtaining basic services such as transportation services, accommodations, etc. The tourists can find themselves helpless and sometimes frightened not able to alert emergency forces such as the police, ambulances etc.

One way that can assist a tourist is the use of a guide book, dedicated for tourists, providing information regarding the country or city visited. These kinds of books include information, such as maps, historical and cultural information, addresses, phone numbers, prices, important places to visit. Some tourist guide books contend knowledge about accommodations, health services, emergency services, etc. All this data enables the tourist to plan his trip according to his interests and his budget. However, these books can not always provide accurate information due to the fact that the information may already be obsolete and not updated. Also, these guidebooks may lack a lot of required information.

Another manner for a tourist to obtain information in a foreign country is the use of tourist information agencies. These agencies are able to provide information about a region and to give assistance to the tourists. They can assist in recommending suitable accommodations and provide informative material such as maps, traveling sites, restaurants, etc. However, these agencies can usually help only English speakers. Even if the employees of these agencies speak a few languages, the tourists can be rare-language speakers and can not get any real and efficient assistance. Also, these agencies are not always open and are not always reachable by phone.

According to prior art some methods and systems allow delivering dynamically tourist information to users of remote devices such as any computer, cellular phones or personal data assistants.

US 2002/0183072 describes a method and system for delivering dynamic and personalized experiences over mobile telephones and other similar devices, providing users with the ability to move about a city's tourist attractions while receiving personalized content, including original and reenacted audio. It is a personal travel guide that informs and entertains tourists based on their interests and preferences. The invention provides the exceptional travel experience in part because it provides users with unique, high-quality content customized to their interests and their behavior. The system tailors each experience based on the information a customer has requested, allowing tourists to visit only where they want, at their own pace. Furthermore, the present invention delivers content on site in real-time. The system includes capability for access via a variety of remote devices, including cellular telephones, personal data assistants, and personal computers, a tour engine that is capable of accessing a repository of information linked to geographical information, allowing tailoring of information to geographical location, a geographical positioning determination component for locating the remote device, content handling tools, including software, connection to content providers, and connection to support centers, such as call centers. However, these support centers do not necessarily provide information in the tourist's language, or provide information regarding various services. More so, this invention assists a tourist to move about a city's tourist attractions wherein a countrywide full information system is needed.

WO 00/65368 describes a hand-held apparatus for taking the bearing of the geographic position and for transmitting the same to a service centre by telephone connection is provided with a receiver/processor for processing GPS signals which is provided with a suitable antenna and is controlled by the user for sending the received signals to a coder/decoder which processes said signals and send them to a loudspeaker connected in series with a signal amplifier so that coded audio signals are generated including information relative to the position which can be sent by the audio channel of a telephone connection to a service centre that recognizes and decodes the same so that the position of the calling user can be determined, and the user is supplied still by telephone line with a plurality of information concerning play and/or entertainment services strictly related to the geographic position of the user and/or his destination. However, these support centers also do not necessarily provide information in the tourist's language, or provide information regarding various services. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means for providing tourists with various tourist information of the place they are traveling in, and in their own language.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide means for the tourists to easily acquire various services in their own language.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a system for providing information and/or services to tourists traveling in a foreign country. The system comprises:

a) a plurality of dedicated cellular mobile devices used by tourists traveling in a foreign country, each of which having a user interface which is configured to display, one or more menus to a tourist in his own native language, for allowing the tourist to select desired information and/or services ; and

b) a call center being in cellular communication with the devices and that uniquely identifies the profile of each tourist that initiates an incoming call according to data stored in his mobile device, and automatically directs the incoming call to an operator being capable of communicating with the tourist in his own native language, for:

a) providing verbal and/or textual desired information to the tourist;

b) acquiring desired services for the tourist from trusted service providers. The operator can send the tourist textual features, images or video images to his dedicated mobile device, and wherein the tourist can view the features images and video images on the display screen of the device.

The tourist may communicate with the operator verbally or via SMS. He can also communicate with destinations in the country where he is traveling by making local phone calls using his dedicated mobile device.

The dedicated mobile device and the call center may comprise GPS features, for automatically obtaining the location of the tourist. The tourist may communicate from his PC over the internet with the call center by chatting with the operator using the PC.

The call center may be connected via the internet to one or more information databases for obtaining various updated information and to one or more trusted service providers.

The services that can be provided may include:

- Emergency services;

- Health services;

- Accommodation;

- Transportation;

- Restaurants;

- Tourist sites;

- Babysitting;

- Solving unexpected problems.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates the architecture of a system for providing information to tourists in a country they are traveling and in their native language. Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a system comprising several cellular mobile devices (1) and a central call center (2) (as shown in Fig. 1) that communicates with said devices. The system is used for providing information to tourists in a country they are traveling in and in the tourist's language. The system is also used for ordering various services for the tourist.

When the tourist wants to receive information from the system service he presses a button on the device (1) thus cellularly connecting to the central call center (2), directly to an operator station where an operator whom speaks his language can supply him with the various information that he requires. When the call center receives the call from the tourist user it automatically identifies from which device the call is made, who is the user and his name, what language he speaks and automatically directs the call to an appropriate operator who sees the tourist user's name on his/her display screen and speaks his language. The operator specializes in tourist information and can supply the tourist user with various information in the tourist's native tongue, which is updated in real-time.

The present invention is also used when the tourist wants to obtain a certain service and wants the system service to acquire the service for him. The cellular mobile device (1) comprises a browser with many feature options of various types of services. The tourist user can select a specific service that he wants to obtain. Then the user submits the selected service on the device (1) thus cellularly connecting to the central call center (2). When the call center receives the call from the tourist user it automatically identifies from which device the call is made, who is the user, what language he speaks and what service he requires. The system automatically directs the call to an appropriate operator who can also see the tourist user's name on his/her computer. The operator whom speaks the tourist's language can acquire the service. The operator in the central call station sees the user's name, selected service and speaking language on his/her display screen. This gives the operator time (even though usually a short time) to organize and prepare the conversation with the tourist.

The system service can provide the user with information or can acquire services. Optionally, the system service will charge the tourist user only for the price of the local phone call to the system service for obtaining information. The system service uses a local cellular provider for the communication between device (1) and the call center. Preferably the system service does not charge the user for services that it acquires for the user. The system service can make deals with service providers and receive a percentage of the profits from the service providers, when directing tourists to their service. This is a great advantage for the tourist users because they can obtain a certain service through the present invention system service at the same standard price. However, for some services (like for ordering a rescue helicopter) the service can charge the tourist users. Optionally, the tourist users are requested to sign a receipt when a service is provided to them. The signed receipt will be sent to the system service for verification.

When a user registers for the present invention system, he supplies the system service with his credit card number or a cash deposit (which will be returned after using), so that the system service can acquire the services from the service providers using said credit card number.

The present invention system service can provide the user with information or can acquire services in the following fields: a) Emergency services. The tourists can find themselves in distress, helpless and sometimes frightened not able to alert emergency forces such as the police, ambulances etc. The tourists may also be involved in car accidents. The system operators can assist the tourists by calling the police, ambulance, etc. If a tourist gets lost or is in danger and does not know his location he can immediately call the system service, and inform the operator in his native language, of as much necessary information as possible regarding his/her location or of the danger incident. The operator will be in communication with the police, a rescue helicopter or other authorized security forces, and inform them of the information provided by the tourist. b) Health. The system operators advise and guide the users to appropriate medical centers in case of illness, injury or if any type of medical assistance is required even until his hotel. c) Accommo dations . The system operators can advise the users regarding hotels, motels, hostels and their prices, locations etc. The system operators can also order rooms for the tourist users. If the users are not familiar with the city that they are going to spend the night in, the operators can optionally order a room in a hotel according to the wishes according to a price range or according to the quality of the hotel (usually determined by a star rank). Optionally, the service system can make special deals with hotels for example a hotel manager can call the system service informing them that 30 rooms are available for a for the night, wherein the system service will receive a generous percentage for each tourist it sends them. d) Transportation. The system operators can order a taxi from a taxi service for the tourist user. The system service can order a car from a car rent, etc. According to another embodiment, in case when the tourist rents a car using the services of the call center, he will be able to get along with the car, a set of CD's, each of which containing vocal information about cities with historical sites and other places of interest in the toured country. This way, before arriving to a city or to a site of interest, he will be able to play the relevant CD using the car audio system and hear relevant information while driving to the destination.

The system operator can give an estimation price of a taxi ride between two locations so that the user won't be deceived by a cheating cab driver. In this manner the taxi company will not want to cheat users from fear that the system service will switch and work with another taxi company. The operator can provide the tourist with transportation information such as required bus/train numbers, when they reach certain stations, when to switch busses, etc. Optionally the operators can send schedules of trains, busses, subways, flights, etc. to the devices (1), and said schedules can be displayed on said device (1) screen. The operator can advise the tourists regarding preferred routes. In addition, the operator can advise about the estimated time until reaching the airport and about the traffic condition. e) Restaurants. The system operators can advise upon different types of restaurants, i.e. high/low quality restaurants, cheap/expensive, fast food/ oriental, Kosher, according to the desire of the user. f) Tourist sites. The system operators can recommend various sites and places to travel. Optionally, the system operator can electronically send the tourist users various maps and tour guides, images and videos images of certain sites, or other features to assist the user upon deciding on which places to visit. Likewise, the operator can electronically send the user schedules, entertainment guides, etc. The user can view all of these on the display screen of device (1). The operators can also recommend attractions, festivals, concerts, shopping centers, cultural centers, museums, galleries, sport games, boat rides and a lot more. The operators can also order tickets to these events and attractions for the tourist users. g) Unexpected problem occurrences. The system operators will assist as much as they can, when unexpected problems occur. The system operators will make phone calls to locate lost luggage, lost passports, etc. The system operators can also assist in advising and guiding the users in case of a theft. Optionally the operators can assist in urgent money transactions via the system service or in another manner. If the tourist user's credit card gets lost, the system service can handle the procedure of canceling the card. If the tourist user has bureaucratic problems such as an invalid credit card, etc, including making a conference call. The system service can contact the tourist user's embassy and request assistance. h) Other services. The system operators can advise and order additional types of services for the tourist user such as babysitting services for the adult tourist's children, Laundromats, deliveries, etc. Many more services can be ordered for the tourist user. If the tourist requires additional services that do not appear on the browser, the system service will try to assist him as much as possible.

The system service can also supply information on renting/buying apartments, houses, etc. The system service can also connect the tourist user to tour guides, and organized trips.

If a service provider is not honest, a tourist user can report him to the system service and the system service can stop doing business with the service provider. In this manner the service provider will not want to cheat tourist users from fear that the system service will switch and work with another service provider. In general, the system service will supervise on the quality of the service providers and supervise on the tourist users, in a manner that the service providers and the tourist users meet the standards that the system service will determine. The system service can also supervise regarding irregular actions or activities. For example, if a tour guide wants to take a tour group to locations which were not planned ahead of time, the head of the tour group can consult with the system operator if the location is adequate and if there is no problem with the tourist's insurance, etc.

Using the present invention the user can save a lot of time, not needing to consult with hotel receptionists or tourist agencies (that tourists sometimes feel uncomfortable to speak with), but only with the system operator using a personal mobile device (1) capable of obtaining a larger and various amount of information, and also acquiring various services, and all this in the tourist's native tongue. This contributes to the tourist's self confidence and makes him feel more secure, and less like a stranger. Also, the present invention assists the user and prevents him from dealing with doubtful companies or people. The system service provides very reliable service.

According to the present invention, the tourist traveling in a foreign country can sign up and obtain service from the present invention system for a defined period of time. The system representative provides the tourist with a cellular mobile device (1) preferably after landing in the foreign country airport. Optionally, the tourist will return the device (1) at the end of his trip, with no charge.

Signing up for the system service can be done preferably by phone, by internet, etc. Travel agencies will be in contact with the system service and people can also sign up for the system service through a travel agency. A person can also sign up through an insurance agency, which benefit from risk reduction and time saving and even life saving. Insurance agencies can provide policies under the condition that a tourist signs up for the system service. Having the device (1) when traveling can save lives (for example immediately calling the system service to alert rescue forces in case a tourist is in distress). Therefore many insurance agencies would like their customers to sign up for the present invention service.

Optionally, the system service will be operational and available for the tourist users 24 hours a day, wherein from 6 in the morning to 10 at night the system service will function fully, and from 10 at night to 6 in the morning the system service will only handle emergency cases.

The system service can be connected via the internet (10) to one or more information databases (15) and service provider databases (15) thus obtaining various updated information. For example the system can be connected to the local train schedule database.

The system service can record all calls with the tourist users and save them for supervision of the service.

In an embodiment of the present invention, several devices (1) can have the same color and/or shape. This can be an identification sign for a traveling group. Also, if a tourist user's device breaks and the tourist identifies another system member device he can ask the other member if he can call the system service using his device and explain to the operator that his device broke, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user can communicate with the system service via SMS messaging. The user can request for certain information or order services via SMS messaging. Optionally, the information can also be sent to him by SMS messaging. For example, if the operator provides the tourist user with an address, he might forget the address. Therefore the operator can send an address via SMS, thus available for the tourist user at all times.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user has the option to use the cellular mobile device (1) to make local or international phone calls. The local calls cost the price of standard local calls. When a tourist travels with his personal every-day cell phone, a price of a local call in the country that he is traveling in can be a lot more than a regular standard local call. Therefore the present invention can be economically cost efficient. Also, a tourist user does not have to take his personal every-day cell phone with him. Sometimes tourists take their personal cell phones with them to other countries wherein they can be available (by making special deals with their cellular companies). Many times they would only want close family members to be able to reach them. They do not want to be available for everyone like people from work, etc. The present invention enables the tourists to provide their cell phone device number only to whom they want. In that manner they will not be disturbed by unwanted callers.

The dedicated mobile device may be limited to function only at the toured country and may be configured by the call center to operate according to prepaid credit that is loaded to the billing system of the cellular operator, so as to eliminate a situation when a tourist leaves the toured country with the dedicated mobile device and continues using it. The tourist will be able to reload the dedicated mobile device for further use and to be credited in case when he did not use his entire prepaid amount before leaving the toured country. According to another embodiment, if the tourist is in a place where he faces difficulties understanding natives, he can call the call center and allow one of the agents to join him to the conversation and speak with the native. Then the agent will explain him the misunderstanding in his own language.

In an embodiment of the present invention, device (1) comprises a GPS feature. In addition to the fact that the tourist user can use this feature for navigation, the system service can monitor his whereabouts and track him in case he needs help. If the tourist user is lost the system service can direct him to safety. The system service can also direct rescue forces to find the tourist user.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the system service can be in contact with a cellular company that provides service for locating cellular devices given cellular antennas and cellular signals from the device. If the tourist user is in distress, in danger, or is lost, the system service can alert the cellular company and use the company's service for locating/assisting the tourist user. Many insurance companies might want to include in their policies that tourists must use the present invention system service because of the system service cooperation with cellular companies that locate cellular devices. This is because it can reduce deaths and severe injuries.

In an embodiment of the present invention, communication between the tourist user and the system can be by chatting via the internet. If the tourist user possesses a PC or the kind, then the tourist can ask for information or acquire services from the system operator by chatting with the operator on the internet in his own language. The operator can chat using his/her computer. Preferably, registration for the system is free (with only depositing a certain sum of money until the device is returned). The present invention is very useful for the tourist whom receives a free cell phone wherein he can make local calls and order various services in the language he speaks for free, and also obtain various information. The service providers and the system service also gain.

It should be noted that the services mentioned hereinabove are only examples and embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can include many more services.

According to another embodiment, in case of a tour group, since each tourist has a dedicated cellular mobile device, all participants that belong to a group may be defined by the cellular operator as a unique group that has the benefit of an organization. This includes allowing members of the group to communicate with each other and with the tour guide free of charge. The cellular operator will be also able to remotely add all the contact details of all group members to the contact list of each member and delete them when the group leaves the country. In case when from some reason one of the tourists loses the group, he will be able to call group members or to receive a call from the touring guide.

According to another embodiment, the data and applications associated with the dedicated mobile device may be stored on a dedicated SIM-card that will be given to each tourist upon arrival to the destination. Alternatively, the applications associated with the dedicated mobile device may be installed in field on his own mobile device, when getting the dedicated SIM-card. This way, instead of giving him the dedicated mobile device, the tourist will be able to use his own mobile device with all the functionalities of the dedicated mobile device and just replace the dedicated SIM-card with the original SIM-card when he leaves the toured country. While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for providing information and/or services to tourists traveling in a foreign country, comprising:

a) a plurality of dedicated cellular mobile devices used by tourists traveling in a foreign country, each of which having a user interface which is configured to display one or more menus to a tourist in his own native language, for allowing said tourist to select desired information and/or services and

b) a call center being in cellular communication with said devices and that uniquely identifies the profile of each tourist that initiates an incoming call according to data stored in his mobile device, and automatically directs said incoming call to an operator being capable of communicating with said tourist in his own native language, for:

a) providing verbal and/or textual desired information to said tourist;

b) acquiring desired services for said tourist from trusted service providers.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which the operator can send the tourist textual features, images or video images to his dedicated mobile device, and wherein the tourist can view said features images and video images on the display screen of said device.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the tourist communicates with the operator via SMS.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the tourist communicates with the operator verbally.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the tourist communicates with destinations in the country where he is traveling by making local phone calls using his dedicated mobile device.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated mobile device and the call center comprise GPS features.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a PC wherein said tourist communicates over the internet with the call center by chatting with the operator using said PC.

8. A system according to claim 1, in which the call center is connected via the internet to one or more information databases for obtaining various updated information.

9. A system according to claim 1, in which the call center is connected via the internet to one or more trusted service providers.

10. A system according to claim 1, in which the services include: