WO2013100750A1

WO2013100750A1 - System of data transmission and distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2013100750A1
Application number: PCT/MY2012/000097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kok Lai CHIA; Azli PAAT
Original assignee: Ada Vista Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2011-12-28
Filing date: 2012-04-30
Publication date: 2013-07-04
Also published as: MY179480A

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising a communications gateway (200) for data transmission and distribution between an exchange server (100) and a user of a communication device having an active call number, an exchange server (100) for processing data transmission and distribution, a verification module (110) for verifying registration status of an incoming call number to determine need for assigning a trigger code (161) to said incoming call number, a registration module (120) for assigning a trigger code (161) to said incoming call number to access services of said exchange server (100) via multiple channels, an exchange module (130) for transmitting and distributing data from said exchange server (100) to said user.

Description

SYSTEM OF DATA TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field of the invention relates to mobile telecommunications, data initiation, transmission and distribution.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

At present the use of a communications gateway is to receive answer or route voice calls initiated by land line communications devices or mobile communications users dailing into the gateway. Typically the voice calls are received, routed or answered either in person or voice answering machines or by other voice activated computer systems such as interactive voice response (IVR) systems. Such communications gateway have also been used to receive non-voice calls from data devices such as modem or data communications devices to initiate or route data communications.

An example of such a communications gateway is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) gateway is applied to chat fax, data services, call back services for dialing domestic and international calls, allowing mobile phone users to access service provider services such as voice calling, fax and data services and voice call back services. Other than VOIP, another platform known as the unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) gateway enables operators to introduce messaging services with USSD as the bearer, enabling faster response times. USSD is session-oriented, which means that when a user accesses a service with USSD, a session is established and the radio connection stays open until the user, an application, or a time out releases it.

Typically, a user requests a service by entering a short code (e.g. * 120* 789#) on his mobile phone. The format of the short code follows USSD standard but its content is snecific to each service The short code contains the service code (ec. 120 and optional service-related information (e.g. 789). This code is passed across the mobile network to the USSD gateway and routed to the application. The application sends the response back to the user through the USSD gateway within the same USSD session. At present the application of the USSD gateway is text based. At present a group or community message has to be send individually to each recipient of the group or community. When several messages are sent, recipients that are not in the group will not receive the message. The present invention provides a solution to the problem of distributing information to multiple platforms and recipients without the need to directly send the information to multiple contacts individually through multiple communications gateways.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for data initiation and transmission and distribution through initiating a call to a communications gateway for receiving data transmission and distribution.

It utilises the mobile phone or communication device to make calls to a communications gateway to trigger multiple services and perform multiple functions and processes beyond voice services. This invention also employs multiple servers such as unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) server, web server, email server, SMS gateway server, voice and video servers used singly or used in concert for providing enhanced text, voice, data and video or multimedia services

An exchange server containing a verification module, a registration module and processing module is used for processing data transmission and distribution between the communications server and a user of a communication device having an active call number. The communications gateway is accessed via a long code and then self-terminating the incoming call after a pre-determined time after the call has been received.

Upon receiving an incoming call to the communications server, the exchange server verification module verifies if an incoming call number is registered in the system. If the incoming call number is unregistered in the system, the registration module assigns a code, an email and password or a combination to the unregistered incoming call number. The assigned code is a trigger code and the assigned email and password is based on a pre-determined syntax and containing any combination of alphanumeric characters.

If upon receiving the incoming call, the exchange server verification verifies that the incoming call number is already registered in the system, it will pass the information of the registered number and user information to the processing module to perform additional processing.

If upon receiving the incoming call, the exchange server verification verifies that the incoming call number is on its pre-determined list of approved numbers, then it will pass the information to the processing module to perform additional processing.

Upon receiving the incoming call and upon the verification process, it will pass such information to the processing module which will trigger one or all of the many connected servers: the USSD servers, web servers, email servers, SMS gateway servers, voice and video servers either in sequence or in concert for providing enhanced text, voice, data and video services. The enhanced services transmitted can be sent to single or multiple mobile devices or devices in form of USSD text, SMS, instant messaging, email, audio, graphic, video or a combination

The communications gateway can also be in form of an electro-mechanical or digital reader which can recognise the trigger code or long code and subsequently able to pass such information to the exchange server for verification, processing , triggering and distribution in a similar way as described above. The communications gateway can also be in form of a software application on a mobile or computing device that can transmit the trigger code or long code and subsequently able to pass such information to the exchange server for verification, processing, triggering and distribution of information in a similar way as described above

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 : illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each of the following preferred embodiments describes an example in which the rotating device may be assembled and the improvements over existing prior art. The configuration of the invention is not limited to the configuration mentioned in the following description.

Refering to Figure 1, describes a system comprising a communications gateway (200) for data transmission and distribution between an exchange server (100) and a user of a communication device having an active call number, an exchange server (100) for processing data transmission and distribution, a verification module (110) for verifying registration status of an incoming call number to determine need for assigning a trigger code (161) to the incoming call number, a registration module (120) for assigning a trigger code (161) to the incoming call number to access services of the exchange server (100) via a processing module (130) for processing and initiating data from the exchange server (100) to the user by triggering any one of the distribution channels (140): unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) servers, web servers, email servers, short messaging system (SMS) gateway servers, voice and video servers.

The communications gateway (200) can be a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) gateway, USSD gateway, global system for mobile communication (GSM) gateway, internet protocol (IP) gateway, session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway, gateway consisting of an electro-mechanical or digital device that can read or interpret the trigger code (161) or long code (162) and any other gateway or a software application on a mobile or computing device that allows for communication between a communication device and the present invention.

Further the communications gateway (200) can be in form of an electro-mechanical or digital device that can scan, read and recognize the trigger code (161 ) or long code (162) or a quick response (QR) code and automatically trigger the system to activate all distribution channels (140) of the exchange server (100).

Furthermore, the communications gateway (200) can be in the form of a software application on a mobile or computing device that can trigger the system to activate all distribution channels (140) of the exchange server (100) either directly or through activation of a call with a trigger code (161) or long code (162).

The exchange server (100) can be accessed via a long code (162). A mobile device, non-mobile device, transmits a long code (162) to a communications gateway (200) which connects the devices to the exchange server (100). Upon receipt of the long code (162) the exchange server self terminates the incoming call and passes the information to the verification module (1 10).

Upon receiving the incoming call the verification module (1 10) verifies the incoming call number with the registry of the system. If the incoming call number is not registered with the system, the verification module (110) communicates with a registration module (120). The registration module (120) authorizes a code module (160) to assign a unique trigger code (161 ) to the unregistered incoming call number for identification in the system. The trigger code (161) is a code that triggers the communications gateway (200) to open a session between a communication device and the gateway (200). In addition, the registration module (120), passes the information to a processing module (130) which authorizes an email issuing module (150) to assign an email address and password to the unregistered incoming call number. The information along with any information preset in the processing module (130) is then transmitted to the mobile user via any one of the distribution channels (140): USSD servers, web servers, email servers, short messaging system (SMS) gateway servers, voice and video servers.

On subsequent calls, when the verification module (120) recognizes the incoming call number, it identifies the incoming call number by its unique trigger code (161).

Upon receiving an incoming call the verification module (110) verifies the incoming call number with the registry of the system. If the incoming call number is already registered with the system, the processing module (130) will instruct the distribution channels (140) to communicate with the communication device via the USSD protocol by displaying a standard pre-determined text box or user specific menu on the communication device. The USSD response screen shall be displayed at a pre- determined period of time, and will allow the user to input instruction in form of text. Such text instructions can be the unique trigger code (161), a sub-code (1611 ), a predetermined keyword or command, or user chat or instant message which is passed back to the USSD server and processing module (130) for further interpretation. Upon receiving an incoming call the verification module (1 10) verifies the incoming call number with the registry of the system. If the incoming call number is one of the pre-assigned longcode numbers (162) registered with the system, the processing module (130) will trigger any one of the distribution channels (140): unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) servers, web servers, email servers, short messaging system (SMS) gateway servers, voice and video servers, to perform any tasks preset by the system or the user module (150). A registered user is provided access to a user module (150) allowing the user to set various parameters for the usage of code a sub-code (161 1) and a long code (162).

The user can trigger the system to perform a lookup service on the internet or web service or database to provide any real time information.

For example, if a user wants to check the weather forecast, he can dial a longcode (162) that is pre-assigned to provide weather forecast information. When the call is made to the pre-assigned longcode (162), the user module (150) performs a pre- determined action assigned to the longcode (162). In this example, the user module (150) would connect to the internet to receive real time weather forecast and forward it to the user by a pre-determined means.

The unique trigger code (161) preferably begins with a # or ##, but is not limited to such. Upon registration the unique trigger code (161) identifies the user. When a trigger code (161 ) is entered into the USSD response screen by another registered user, it allows both parties to share information, initiate a chat, share data, or a combination. A sub-code (161 1) is an extension of the trigger code (161), allowing for categorization and/or grouping of communications. The email can contain promotional content, text content, video content, audio content, graphical content, or a combination.

For example, if a user wants to group communications and the user's trigger code (161 ) is # 1234, he may assign a sub-code in the form of '#1234. group'. The trigger code (161) is not limited to four characters, and it is alphanumeric. A sub-code can be used to simplify the distribution of information, as a user doesn't have to individually send a message, chat, email or a combination to the recipients. By addressing the message, chat, email or a combination to a sub-code (161 1), all the members listed in the sub-code grouping will receive the communication.

The trigger code (161) and sub-code (161 1) can be assigned a descriptive code. The descriptive code allows the codes (161, 161 1) to be personalised by, for example, using the user's name to mask the codes (161 , 161 1) . In another embodiment, a registered user is assigned a long code (162) to be used similarly as a direct inward dialing (DID) number. Such number is assigned to a subgroup for direct access to services provided by the exchange server (100) bypassing menu options. Services provided by the exchange server (100) may be a chat, promotion, email. The email can contain promotional content, text content, video content, audio content, graphical content., or a combination.

For example, if an email to be distributed is assigned a sub-code (161 1), when the corresponding sub-code is called, the email will be forwarded to the device that called it.

In another example, if a group of recipients is listed in a sub-code (161 1), when an email is sent to the sub-code via the system, all recipients listed in the sub-code (161 1) will receive the email. Thus, eliminating the need to address the email to all the recipients individually.

Likewise, a text message can be sent to a sub-code (161 1), and all the recipients listed in the sub-code (161 1) will receive the text message, thus enabling a group chat.

The data and communication mentioned can be text, email, video, audio, graphic, or a combination.

In all of the above embodiments, the trigger code (161) can be initiated via voice, email, USSD, SMS, data, non-electronic or traditional paper-based mail sorter or electro-mechanical reader, a graphical code, video and other means of communication. A graphical code can be a quick response (Q ) code, a barcode, or any code comprising an image.

The graphical code when scanned and read by a device with appropriate software initiates a call to the system without the need to key in the trigger code (161) into the device. Thus essentially making it a dialable graphical code. At present state of the art, a QR code would be an appropriate graphical code to initiate such dialable trigger code (161), whereby the details of the trigger code (161) is encoded into the QR code. A media such as a document or mail envelope consisting of the trigger code (161) or long code (162) or quick response code may be scan or read by an electro-mechanical or digital device that in turn can initiate the exchange server (200) to trigger the system to activate all the above mentioned distribution channels (140)

A software application on a mobile or computing device may also initiates the exchange server (200) to trigger the system to activate all of the above mentioned distribution channels (140)

Further, in all of the above embodiments the trigger code (161), the sub-code (161 1), the long code (162), or a combination automatically triggers the system to activate all the distribution channels (140).

The communications gateway (200) receives a trigger code (161), a long code (162) or a combination via a central telecommunication exchange server. The central telecommunications server manages call transactions between various telecommunication service providers. Thus, being the main exchange server for telecommunications.

In as much as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

A system for data transmission and distribution comprising:

a communications gateway (200) for data transmission and distribution;

an exchange server (100) for processing data transmission and distribution between said exchange server (100) and a user of a communication device having an active call number;

a verification module (1 10) for verifying registration status of an incoming call number to determine need for assigning a trigger code (161 ) to said incoming call number;

a registration module (120) for assigning a trigger code (161) to said incoming call number to access services of said exchange server (100) triggered by said trigger code (161);

a processing module (130) for processing data to be transmitted;

at least a distribution channel (140) for distributing data from said exchange server (100) to said user.

2. A system according to claim 1 , whereby said communications gateway (200) is accessed via a long code (162).

3. A system according to any . one of claims 1 to 2, whereby said exchange server (100) self terminates an incoming call at a pre-determined period after the call is received..

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, whereby said verification module (1 10) verifies if an incoming call number is registered.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereby said registration module (120) assigns a trigger code (161) to an unregistered incoming call number.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, whereby said registration module (120) assigns an email with a corresponding password to an unregistered incoming call number.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 and 5, whereby said trigger code

(161) is a code that triggers the communications gateway (200) to open a session between a communication device and said gateway (200)..

8. A system according to claim 7, whereby said trigger code (161) is

alphanumeric with a singular or reiterated # prefix.

9. A system according any one of claims 7 to 8, whereby said trigger code (161) have at least one sub-code (161 1) to group communications.

10. A system according to claim 9, whereby said sub-code (1611) have at least one recipient in said group communications.

1 1. A system according any one of claims 9 to 10, whereby communications addressed to said sub-code (161 1) is a user defined alphanumeric character whereby when used in conjunction with the trigger code (161) is for group communication.

12. A system according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1 , whereby said sub-code (161 1) is assigned to a unique long code (162).

13. A system according to any one of claims 1 and 3, whereby said exchange server (100) distributes data when a unique long code (162) is dialed to access said exchange server (100).

14. A system according to any of the claims 1 and 3, whereby said exchange server (100) triggers said distribution channels (140) with a pre-determined message and text reply box when a long code (162) is dialed.

15. A system according to any of the claims 1 to 13, whereby said exchange server (100) triggers one or multiple tasks and instructions to said distribution channels (140) such as an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) server, web server, email server, short messaging system (SMS) gateway server, voice and video server when the long code (162) dialed matches one of the pre-assigned long code in the registration module (120) and as instructed by the pre-determined settings in the user module (150).

16. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, whereby said data is an

email, text, video, audio, graphic or a combination.

17. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, whereby said system

distributes email via said exchange server (100) by dialing a long code (162).

18. A system according to any one of claim 12, whereby said email provides

promotional content.

19. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, whereby calling said trigger code (161) allows a caller and recipient to share information, initiate a chat, share data, or a combination.

20. A system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, whereby calling said subcode (161 1) allows a group connection between caller and recipients listed in said sub-code (161 1) to share information, initiate a chat, share data, or a combination.

21. A system according to claims 1 to 18 whereby a registered user is provided access to a user module (150) allowing the user to set various parameters for the usage of code a sub-code (161 1) and a long code (162).

22. A system according to claims 1 to 19 whereby a registered user is able to

change settings in said user module (150) to allow linking of a long code (162) to a sub-code (161 1) to trigger at least one task and instruction to said distribution channels (140).

23. A system according to claims 1 to 20 whereby a registered user is able to link a long code (162) to calls received by the communications server (200) and to capture incoming call numbers and list them in real time on the user module (150) assigned to a pre-set sub-code (161 1).

24. A system according to claims 1 to 21 whereby a registered user is able to link multiple long codes (162) to received calls to the communications server (200) and to capture telephone numbers of each caller (whether registered or unregistered with the system) to his sub-code group and able to make count of the numbers in real time for purposes of statistical polling.

25. A system according to claims 1 to 21 whereby registered users dial long code

(162) to trigger multiple SMS messages or email messages to be sent as instructed in a pre-determined settings in the user module (150)

26. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 25, whereby said trigger code (161), said sub-code (161 1), said long code (162), or a combination automatically triggers said system to activate all the distribution channels (140) of said exchange server (100).

27. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 26, whereby said trigger

(161), said sub-code (161 1) or a combination is assigned a descriptive alphanumeric code.

28. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 27, whereby said trigger code (161) is activated by a graphical code, which when is scanned and read by a device with appropriate software initiates a call to said system without the need to key in said trigger code (161) into said device.

29. A system according to claim 28, whereby said graphical code is a quick response (QR) code, a barcode, or a combination, making said trigger code (161) dialable.

30. A system according to any of the claims from 1 to 29, whereby said

communications gateway (200) can be in form of an electro-mechanical or digital device that can scan, read and recognize said trigger code (161) or long code (162) or a quick response (QR) code and automatically trigger said system to activate all distribution channels (140) of said exchange server (100).

31. A system according to any of the claims from 1 to 30, whereby said

communications gateway (200) can be in form of a software application on a mobile or computing device that can trigger said system to activate all distribution channels (140) of said exchange server (100) either directly or through activation of a call with a trigger code (161) or long code (162)

32. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 31, whereby said

communications gateway (200) receives a trigger code (161), a short code (161 1), a long code (162) or a combination via a central telecommunication exchange server.