WO2015155343A1

WO2015155343A1 - An automated communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2015155343A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/057869
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony DONOVAN
Original assignee: Voxtake Limited
Priority date: 2014-04-11
Filing date: 2015-04-10
Publication date: 2015-10-15
Also published as: GB2539598A8; IE20150103A1; GB2539598A; IE86638B1; GB201616809D0

Abstract

A communication system (18, 19, 21) has a server which prompts a user selection of a response from a set of candidate responses, and downloads a message to a user device according to the selection. The server sends an instruction to the user device (19) to generate a message containing at least some of the contents of the downloaded message, including a control command derived from the user selection. The device (19) generates an upload message with at least some of the contents of the download message and also additional data (h) and the control command. The upload message is processed by the server (18) to perform an activity. The server may include one of a number of possible return paths for the upload message, and indeed it may be to an access controller to open a barrier.

Description

"An Automated Communication System"

Introduction The invention relates to communication between user devices and a system.

The invention addresses circumstances in which people must convey to a system or an operator of a system an unambiguous response, statement or choice indication using SMS or other messaging protocol as the means of communication of that response.

Potential uses for such a system are many, some examples being: monitored security access systems, fault or emergency reporting systems, audience participation and surveys for television or live interactive shows. At present due to a requirement of each participant to manually construct a meaningful instruction or command for submission to the system, such systems are highly reliant on ad-hoc manual input and are therefore inherently error-prone, limited in the number, order and complexity of response options that may be communicated by the participant and lacking in ability of the organiser / system owner to manage or control the order, content, quality or timing of the responses or instructions sent. The limited ability of humans to consistently remember, chunk and parse anything more than simple information on an ad-hoc basis is a limiting factor of the current systems.

CN103295310 (Huang) describes a system for receiving short message votes, the system having multiple mobile phone devices.

EP1901501 (Wireless Services Corp) describes a system in which votes are recorded and replies are returned. The invention is directed towards achieving a greater extent of automation and also greater management and control of the content, quality and timing of instructions or responses sent while also allowing a larger variation of valid responses to be made by the user. The invention is also directed to achieving more versatile management of access to and actuation of controllers of systems such as physical entry barriers or heating systems. Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a communication system comprising a server programmed to:

prompt selection by a user device of a response from a set of candidate responses for an activity;

send a download message to the user device according to the selection, said download message including a command according to the selection;

as part of said download message, or separately, send an instruction to the user device to generate a structured upload message containing at least some of the contents of the download message including said command and additional data provided by the user device;

receive the structured upload message from the user device; and

process the command of the upload message according to said activity.

In one embodiment, the server is configured to compare the upload message to the download message. In one embodiment, the server is configured to transmit an instruction instructing the user device to automatically provide said upload message. In one embodiment, the download message includes a key required by the server in order to process the upload message.

In one embodiment, the download message includes a destination address for the upload message. In one embodiment, the instruction requests the user device to insert the key in the upload message. In one embodiment, the additional data included in the upload message includes a user identifier.

In one embodiment, the additional data included in the upload message includes a device identifier. Preferably, the additional data included in the upload message includes user device geo-location data. In one embodiment, the device geo-location data is in a format automatically determined by the device.

In one embodiment, the upload message is an SMS message. In one embodiment, the server comprises a Web layer linked with a database layer, in turn linked with a database. In one embodiment, the server includes one or more server hardware platforms which interface with a mobile network. In one embodiment, the database layer is linked with the server for mobile network access. In one embodiment, the system also includes user devices programmed with client software to interact with the server. In one embodiment, at least some of said user device client software is configured to provide a user interface, an application layer, and a Web layer. In one embodiment, the client software is configured to provide a prompt for the user to select an activity and a response, and the device Web layer interfaces with the server Web layer.

In one embodiment, the client software is configured to interpret the instruction from the server and to capture the additional data for the uploaded message. In one embodiment, the client software is programmed to acquire additional information from a device local store. In one embodiment, the client software is configured to concatenate captured additional data into the upload message in the message body. In one embodiment, the server is configured to preselect a return path from a plurality of possible return paths, and to instruct the device to use the selected return path. In one embodiment, the server is configured to dynamically create the key. In one embodiment, the server is configured to dynamically create the key according to user device location.

In one embodiment, the server is configured to dynamically create the key according to current time. In one embodiment, the server is configured to encrypt the instruction.

In one embodiment, the device is pre-programmed to encrypt at least part of the upload message or the server is configured to instruct the device to encrypt the upload message. In one embodiment, the server is configured to send the download message with a control command to gain access at a physical barrier. In one embodiment, the server is configured to send the download message with a control command to control a heating system or an air conditioning system.

In one embodiment, the server includes a plurality of systems and is configured to instruct the device to send the upload message on a return path to one of said server systems. In one embodiment, said server systems include a plurality of access controllers and the server is configured to distribute key data to said access controllers, and to include in download messages said keys and return path data for routing of the upload message directly to said access controllers. In one embodiment, the server is configured to update said keys in said access controllers. Preferably, the server is configured to update said keys on a regular basis. In one embodiment, the server is configured to send the download message to allow the device to send report messages to a service company.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a communication method implemented by a server and a user device, the method comprising the steps of:

the server prompting a user selection of a response from a set of candidate responses for an activity;

the server sending a download message to the user device according to the selection, said download message including a command according to the selection;

as part of step the download message, or separately, the server sending an instruction to the user device to generate an upload message containing at least some of the contents of the download message, including said command;

the device generating a structured upload message according to said instruction and sending the upload message to the server; and

the server receiving the upload message and processing the command of the upload message according to said activity.

In one embodiment, the download message includes a key required by the server in order to process the upload message, and a destination address for the upload message. In one embodiment, the additional data included in the upload message includes a user identifier and/or a device identifier, and/or user device location data automatically determined by the device.

In one embodiment, the device concatenates captured additional data into the upload message in the message body. In one embodiment, the server pre-selects a return path from a plurality of possible return paths, and instructs the device to use the selected return path for the upload message. In one embodiment, the server dynamically creates the key.

In one embodiment, the server dynamically creates the key according to user device location, and/or according to current time. In one embodiment, the server encrypts the instruction. In one embodiment, the device encrypts at least part of the upload message. In one embodiment, the server sends the download message to allow the device to send a control command to gain access at a physical barrier.

In one embodiment, the server sends the download message to allow the device to send a control command to control a heating system or an air conditioning system.

In one embodiment, the server includes a plurality of systems and the return path is to a particular one of said system. In one embodiment, said systems include access controllers and the server distributes key data to said access controllers, and includes in download messages said keys and return path data for routing of the upload message directly to specific access controllers. In one embodiment, the server updates said keys in said access controllers. In one embodiment, the server is configured to update said keys on a regular basis. In one embodiment, the server sends the download message to allow the device to send report messages to a service company.

In another aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising non-transitory software code configured to perform the device steps of a method as defined above in any embodiment when executed by a digital processor.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the major components of a cross-platform communications system and method of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 show message flows in the system; and

Figs. 4 to 6 are flow diagrams showing operation of the system in various embodiments. Referring to Fig. l, an automated communication system comprises a server 18, which communicates with a user device 19 through various network elements including a cellular mobile network 13 and a wireless based internet connection using Wi-Fi 3G or 4G as the client side local point of access. In various embodiments other forms of wireless connectivity may be used.

The Web server 18 hosts a database 4 populated with data associated with each activity for which the system will be used. The database 4 may be updated directly or by way of a remote login facility. The server 18 has a broadcast data transport mechanism, which uses a Web service.

The activities may for example include access control for barriers or voting in a TV poll. The server prompts selection by a user device of a response using a user interface which is programmed to access a set of user responses. The user device 19 could be any Web-enabled device such as a mobile phone or tablet.

On selecting a response using the interface the server sends a download message to the user device 19 according to the selection. The download message includes a string (Fig. 2, "Command") according to the selection. The server also sends an instruction (signal "d", Fig. 1) to the user device 19 to generate a structured upload message containing at least some of the contents of the download message and also additional data provided by the user device. The server 18 also directs the user device 19 as to which of a number of data transport mechanisms available to it (e.g. SMS, TOIP, IR, NFC, Bluetooth) to utilise as the return path ("Destination", Fig. 2) for the upload message. The server then receives the upload structured message from the user device and processes the string passed through from the download message and the additional data added by the device. The string of the download message which is passed on into the upload message may in one example include a Key, a Command, a Server ID, and a Destination. The Key is a credential to allow the server 18 act on the upload message, the Command is a command for an action for the server such as to increment a vote for a candidate or to open a barrier, the Server ID identifies the server unit which receives the upload message (could be any of a number of units which together constitute the "server"), and the Destination is the return path for the upload message. In some embodiments the server 18 generates a user interface customised for an activity, and from that interface a selection of an individual response may be made. The interface may provide a listing of all possible responses or a filtered sub-set of possible responses pertaining to the particular activity. This is akin to creating and issuing standardised but individually primed micro-Webpages for directly interacting with real-world activities or devices.

The information downloaded from the initiating server 18 contains an instruction for the mobile device to use one of the many communication methods open to it to return (upload) the enhanced structured message. Automation is achieved particularly because of the instructions to the user device for generation of the upload structured message and also selection of the response mechanism. Hence there is greatly improved accuracy in the upload message, and a faster response time. In some cases the user device selection of a response is an instruction initiated by the user from a set of possible instructions. For example it may be a locked gate asking "do you want me to open?" or a light asking "do you want me to be on or off?" In which case the interface supports interpretation of a command to "open", "switch on" or "switch off As described in more detail below the upload structured message has in some embodiments (a) a key for access so that the upload message will be acted upon, and (b) a command to set the type of action to be performed.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the server 18, in response to a request (upper dotted line in Fig. 1) initiated by the device 19, communicating with the Web layer 2, is programmed to send to the user device 19:

A download message (c) containing a Key, a Command, and Message Destination (e.g. phone no or IP address etc.) data in fields of the download message.

A program instruction (d) to be machine read by the mobile application layer 8 to use the device's phone service 10 to create a structured SMS upload message containing Key and

Command fields, and to send this structured upload message to the destination phone number provided in the message (c) sent. There is also another program instruction (e) to generate an upload message using a different mechanism such as a Tweet. This is optional.

In this context, 'Command' means the selected response or instruction. In the case of a poll it would be the selected candidate name, in the case of a quiz it would be the selected answer or answer proxy such as a number or letter representing the answer.

Other fields may be added for purposes such as to improve security. The purpose of the Key is to allow the consequent upload message to be identified by the server as a message which should be processed and/or to gain access to a service.

The device 19 is programmed to respond to the received program instruction to create the upload structured SMS message (message (i)) with added locally-held or remotely acquired data such as User ID, Device ID, and Device Location fields to provide a structured SMS message in a format similar to that shown at the bottom of Fig. 2 but not necessarily in the order shown. The upload structured message is identified as message (j) in the server 18 in Fig. 1. When processed, the server makes a write (k) to the database layer 3.

In various embodiments the system may include:

- A database hosted on a Web server

- Broadcast Data Transport Mechanism(s)

- Hand-held control device programmed with client software of the system.

- Return Path Data Transport Mechanism(s)

- Remotely located interfaces or actuators acting under instruction from a central database / server.

- A Web-application hosted on the server and rendered on a client web browser or other remote access software.

In another embodiment, a Dynamic HTML website is capable of performing both the server end functions and the client end functions thereby merging (2) and (7) on the server side and communicating directly with the mobile Application Layer of the mobile.

In one embodiment, the user interface and the programming used to control the mobile phone SMS service (in response to the downloaded program instruction) is all downloaded to the user device. The user device does not have a dedicated native application layer but uses the local browser as an interpreter of the downloaded HTML programming to create the application and embedded commands "on the fly". In one example of operation of the system, the organiser of an activity such as an Interactive TV show requiring SMS-based audience responses or a radio show hosting an SMS-based audience vote, would, using the server user Interface 1, communicating either directly (as illustrated, (a) in Fig. 1) or alternatively through the Internet, upload a set of variables to be stored in database fields located on the server store 4 using the server web layer 2 and the database layer 3.

Any number of variables in a set appropriate for an activity to be supported could be stored in the store 4. In one embodiment, the download message includes at least a Key field, a Command field and a Destination Number field. Multiple organisers, activities, data sets and end users could be catered for by the server 18.

Using the mobile user interface 9 on the device 19 a person wishing to interact or vote would, by means of a graphical user interface appropriate for their chosen activity rendered on the mobile device 19 by the server communicating with the mobile device, first select their desired activity and then select a response that they wish to make relating to that activity.

In response to the choices made by the person interacting through a combination of the mobile user interface 9 and the mobile application layer 8, the server Web layer 2 accesses, through the database layer 3 the appropriate fields for the activity and communicates them in the download message (c) and separate program instruction (d) through the Internet 5 to the mobile device application layer 8 through the mobile device Web layer 7.

The server Web layer 2 also accesses the downloaded program instruction or set of instructions from the store 4 and communicates these to the mobile device application layer 8 for the purpose of instructing the mobile device to create an SMS message using the phone service in the mobile device operating system. This is illustrated as the flow (d) in Fig. 1, and the mechanism for this may be an IP message using the Web layer 2 capabilities. This is only one example however, and indeed the program instruction may be downloaded as a field in the download message having the Key and Command etc. In response to the program instruction, the mobile application layer 8, using the phone service 10 in the mobile device operating system, automatically creates the upload SMS message and populates it with (at least) the contents of the Key and Command fields sent by the server 18. SMS is only one of the response methods available. It could alternatively be another mechanism such as Twitter (TOIP).

The mobile device application layer 8 is also programmed (if instructed by the server to do so), to acquire additional data (b) from the local store 11. This may include remote information acquired from the Web or geo-locational devices 12 such as a built-in GPS location device (h), or direct user input and to concatenate this additional data onto the same SMS body text in an order dictated by the Command of the server 18 or programmed in the mobile application layer 8. It could also prompt the person to input information on demand which hasn't been previously stored. By the same process a destination phone number may also be populated in the phone number field in the SMS upload message.

The user device 19 then sends the automatically-created SMS upload structured message to the destination address automatically provided. This is activated by the user simply pressing the 'Send' button on either the default SMS application or an SMS handling user interface included in the mobile application. Once sent, the mobile phone interface would revert to the activity user interface ready for the next interaction.

The automatically-constructed SMS upload message is sent through the cellular network to the destination number and received by a cellular network interface 14 located (as illustrated) in a premium rate service provider's premises or alternatively alongside the server 18.

Once received, the upload message, which is in a standardised format dictated by the instructions issued by the server 18, is analysed by the response analysis software 15. Also, data may be forwarded on to the server database layer 3 to be stored in the same store 4 from which the data originated and again accessible to the organiser on the organiser user interface 1 through the Web layer 2 for the purpose of comparison or analysis. In the case of a security-based application, return of the upload message that exactly matches the broadcast criteria could be used to unlock an entrance or control a system such as a heating or air conditioning system and the comparison could be made at the remote reception point using data pushed from the central server database. For example locks on security access gates could be issued with a set of acceptable Key and User ID data on a daily or on-going basis. Instead of the upload message being routed to the central server and the server sending a command to actuate the unlock mechanism, the mechanism could compare a received string (e.g. by infra-red connection from the phone) with a set of acceptable strings locally held but regularly updated from the server. The loop is still maintained, but the actuation process is ceded to the actuator.

The return path is pre-selected by the download message (or alternatively within the program instruction) issued from the server 18 to the mobile device 19, which then accesses and initiates the selected service hosted by the mobile device 19 so as to prepare and transport the upload message on the selected return path via one of a number of possible different routes or mechanisms such as SMS - using a mobile phone network. However, other options are possible such as:

Text over Internet Protocol (To IP) used by applications such as Twitter™ and Whatsapp™ which are now commonly referred to in the messaging communications industry as OTT (Over the top) text messaging services.

Infra-red communication interfaces now built into some mobile phone devices.

WAP communication.

NFC communication.

While the system will use these alternative paths as the return path, it is likely to be the case that the second two ways are already engaging remotely initiated loop-back response systems. An example would be the 'cookie' sent to a web browser which would report back to the server through the internet IP based WiFi connection or a two-way hand-held communication device used to interface with electronic equipment in the case of infra-red response systems.

In summary, the server 1 stores a database of activity listings, and appropriate responses or statements pre-configured for the poll or other activity.

Using a Web-based interface the device 19 can connect with the server 18 and select an activity and which response they would like to make. Based on the selection made the server sends to the user's phone using Internet protocol: A. An appropriate pre-configured text string with the fields illustrated in Fig. 2 that will be used to populate the upload SMS message.

B. The appropriate return phone number for the selected activity (there will be many numbers and activities on the server).

C. A program instruction instructing the user's phone to generate an automated SMS message, which includes the body text provided by the server, addressed to the phone number provided.

D. In some embodiments a program instruction to gather some additional locally-held (in the phone) or acquired text or data such as a user name or x, y co-ordinates and merge it into the SMS message to be returned. Three fields of one embodiment are illustrated in Fig. 2.

This command would not always be necessary, but in certain applications it greatly adds to the security and anti-spamming capability of the system.

By doing this, the returned SMS upload message will always contain an appropriate body text for the particular activity as the server database 4 only holds and distributes appropriate body text strings. Also, it is always in the format and order required by the requestor (e.g. poll organiser) as it is the requestor who created the Key and Command that is embedded in the returned SMS - not the end user. The communication is not prone to human error because it does not involve manual creation of the message by the end-user (e.g. poll participant) having received instructions as to what to put in the text by, for example, an audio or video broadcast. Also, the upload message is always directed to the correct destination address. It can automatically contain additional information stored locally on the phone that may be used to identify the user and the user's location. The upload message can be returned with little effort by the user as it has been fully pre-configured by the server 18.

Also, the communication can be started and stopped by the requestor at the server end by turning off the Web interface when not required. The communication can be serialised by dynamically creating a serialised Key or body text at the server 18 end which will return through the SMS message. Further, the communication can be encrypted by the server 18 and so is indecipherable by the end user, but properly interpreted by the SMS receiver and analyser 15.

The system and method are particularly advantageous because the server 18 is instructing the phone 19 to return a message containing information that the server has sent by Internet protocol to the phone. The originator has direct control over the content, quality and timing of the SMS upload messages received as they are not dependent on the end-user.

By providing full server-based control over the content and formatting of a returned SMS message generated by the phone in response to an instruction from the server, the organiser can also easily directly compare the standards-based SMS response received to the original IP-based data- set sent to the phone by the server. This allows efficient verification that the message received was in fact initiated by the server and use of this fact to further identify the end-user sending the SMS - not just the phone hardware that was used.

Referring to Fig. 3, this illustrates the closed loop nature of the communication, it will be appreciated that there is transfer of information from the initiator to the response analyser in a wholly digital and controllable format without passing through any human link, thereby removing the error-prone manual re-generation of the information. There is an ability to use a much larger set of response options than is possible using human memory as a short term store while a decision is being made as human memory would never be required to store all possible responses while a decision is being made. Also, the systems can control when the information will flow out of the initiator server, and can digitally concatenate additional locally or remotely stored user information with the server-generated information while it is passing through the loop for the purpose of identifying the user or limiting access to the loop. The system provides the ability for the end user to initiate the flow of information by selecting an option on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Also, it provides functionality to encrypt and serialise SMS responses received back from the responder due to the fact that the SMS response is created on the server and not by the responder. This could be used for the purpose of uniquely identifying each text and each end-user (not just the phone) for the purpose of blocking spam texts or in the case of a security system application - granting or rejecting access.

In terms of real-world application, in the case, for example of a 'text in' competition on a radio station it would mean that:- - The station would set up a question and set of instructions.

- The station would then input a set of possible answers which would be digitally made available to the end user device as well as appearing in the broadcast audio / video. - The end user would select, using a GUI which of the possible Commands would be acquired from the server, gated back through the loop-back route and returned to the station's analyser software 15 still in the original digital format. This would result in only acceptable answers always being returned and this only being possible when the server is set to release the answer. It would also result in eradicating response errors and inadvertent entries outside of the recommended times being generated by the end user.

Ease of use provided by the dedicated GUI associated with the competition would encourage more use of the system and therefore increase the number of users.

Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate examples of the nature of messages being communicated by the system, as set out below. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the system hosts a quiz show with many participants. This is an example of the system advantageously ensuring data integrity and performance where there is a large number of users, possible responding in a short period of time.

Fig. 5 shows an application in which a system of the invention manages SMS-based access control such as for a hotel car park access. When arriving at a hotel, using the mobile application, the guest can download a user interface from the server 18 using the mobile application. The interface downloads a current code from the server and uploads by SMS to the SMS activated access mechanism. The mechanism is also linked to the server and can compare the received code to the stored code before activating the barrier mechanism. This identifies the guest' s mobile phone by caller ID as well as catering for regular updating of the downloadable access code. For added security, the downloaded code could be concatenated with a pre-agreed guest code stored on the mobile phone and on the server to form a stronger access code for comparison by the mechanism. In this case, while the number of users is lower, or at least the rate of responses in a particular time period is lower, the structured nature of the uploaded message is very advantageous for access control security. Fig. 6 shows a similar arrangement for a utility company. By using the same automatically pre- formatted text, utility customers could immediately report loss of supply (or partial loss) or when supply returns use the App to report that - without having to enter into a telephone queue for a call centre operative. (3G and SMS will usually work in a power- cut situation for 3-4 hours).

If the utility company could be guaranteed that the text received would always be correctly configured and formatted, (as with the quiz implementation) then they could use the standardised information to feed into a GIS Database in order to build up a picture of the extent of a fault and also the effect that restoration efforts are having on restoration of supply.

Figs. 3 to 6 provide examples of how the download and upload fields are populated in various examples. The following are two further examples.

Example 1

Application: SMS vote

Key: Votekeyword

Command: Candidate A

Server ID: IP address or proxy name

Destination: 51777

User ID: Name

Device ID: Phone number

Device Location: GPS Coordinates

In this example a pre-defined Key [Votekeyword] is entered into the server database by a content management system and sent by the server web-layer to the remote user device 19 over Internet Protocol, (e.g. Smartphone). When returned, this component is interpreted as the voting instance in which the participant wants to take part. Multiple Votes may be run simultaneously. The command component of the download string is [Candidate A] which when returned, is interpreted as an instruction to increase the votes for Candidate A. For secure transactions, a server ID may also be sent to the remote unit and in this case, that ID is the Server [LP. address] which, when returned, verifies that the remote device 19 has acquired the voting information from a valid source. Other data may also be issued from the server 18, such as, (but not limited to), time stamps or server geo-location information. A destination address for a return string is included in the download string or alternatively issued by an ancillary carrier. In this case, because SMS is the desired initial return path from the remote unit, a short- code [51777] is sent to the mobile unit, along with an instruction on an ancillary carrier to use SMS as the return path. Additional information [Other 1] may also be included. On the instruction issued from the server, the user device will create a SMS message containing [Votekeyword]+[Candidate A]+[Otherl]+[Name]+[Phone No.]+[GPS Co-ords]+[Other 2] to be routed initially via SMS to destination [51777] and on to the analysis system, by an Applications Programming Interface (API). The components of the return string are ordered in a pre-defined order and routed by a pre-defined carrier as instructed by the server programming instruction associated with the particular activity.

Example 2,

Application: Access control

Key: + or - incrementing or decrementing of a previous number

Command: OPEN

Server ID: IP address of server

Destination: Controller IP address

User ID: user@co.com

Device ID: IP address of device

Device Location: GPS Coordinates.

A major advantage of the invention is that it shifts the generally accepted method of audience interaction through SMS based text messaging systems away from the current 'broken loop' or radial communication approach to a fully managed and controlled digital closed loop and gated system of response. This approach allows the organiser to have full control over the content, quality and timing of audience response. The following improvements to the overall process are achieved:

— Ability to control the time slice within which an audience can participate.

— Ability to ensure that only uniform and acceptable responses are received.

— Ability to measure and compare the number of audience requests for information to decisions to respond by SMS.

— Ability to provide a remotely configurable graphical user interface for use when responding.

— Ability to add additional security coding to the returned response for the purpose of identifying the end-user or limiting access to the return loop. — Ability to serialise the response sent by the end-user to avert attempts to use caller ID Spoofing (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caller ID spoofing ) to pretend that the same SMS response is being sent by multiple different persons.

— Ability to fully encode the response sent by the end user so that un-authorised SMS responses from third parties not 'in the Loop' will be difficult to generate and attempts to do so easily ignored.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example the invention could be used to control systems such as photo-copiers or vending machines. Once the user opens the interface the phone can direct the copier to make a copy (possibly with also user entry a valid PIN by NFC or Bluetooth). There could also be a link on the interface to download a fully-featured program application for working the copier.

Claims

A communication system comprising a server (18) programmed to:

prompt selection by a user device (19) of a response from a set of candidate responses for an activity;

send a download message to the user device (19) according to the selection, said download message including a command according to the selection;

as part of said download message, or separately, send an instruction to the user device (19) to generate (10) a structured upload message containing at least some of the contents of the download message including said command and additional data provided by the user device;

receive the structured upload message from the user device (19); and

process the command of the upload message according to said activity.

A communications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the server (18) is configured to compare the upload message to the download message.

A communication system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the server is configured to transmit an instruction (d) instructing the user device to automatically provide said upload message.

A communication system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein the download message includes a key required by the server in order to process the upload message.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the download message includes a destination address for the upload message.

A communication system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the instruction requests the user device (19) to insert the key in the upload message.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the additional data included in the upload message includes a user identifier. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the additional data included in the upload message includes a device identifier.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the additional data included in the upload message includes user device geo-location data.

A communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the device geo-location data (12) is in a format automatically determined by the device.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upload message is an SMS message.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server comprises a Web layer (2) linked with a database layer (3), in turn linked with a database (4).

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server includes one or more server hardware platforms which interface with a mobile network.

A communication system as claimed in either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the database layer (4) is linked with the server for mobile network access.

A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system also includes user devices (19) programmed with client software to interact with the server.

A communication system as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least some of said user device client software is configured to provide a user interface (9), an application layer (8), and a Web layer (7).

A communication system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the client software is configured to provide a prompt for the user to select an activity and a response, and the device Web layer (7) interfaces with the server Web layer (2).

18. A communication system as claimed in claims 16 or 17, wherein the client software is configured to interpret the instruction from the server and to capture the additional data for the uploaded message. 19. A communication system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the client software is programmed to acquire additional information from a device local store (11).

20. A communication system as claimed in any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the client software (8) is configured to concatenate captured additional data into the upload message in the message body.

21. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server is configured to pre-select a return path from a plurality of possible return paths, and to instruct the device to use the selected return path.

22. A communication system as claimed in any of claims 4 to 21, wherein the server (18) is configured to dynamically create the key.

23. A communication system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the server is configured to dynamically create the key according to user device location.

24. A communication system as claimed in claims 22 or 23, wherein the server is configured to dynamically create the key according to current time. 25. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server is configured to encrypt the instruction.

26. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is preprogrammed (7, 8) to encrypt at least part of the upload message or the server is configured to instruct the device to encrypt the upload message.

27. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server is configured to send the download message with a control command to gain access at a physical barrier.

28. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server is configured to send the download message with a control command to control a heating system or an air conditioning system.

29. A communication system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the server includes a plurality of systems and is configured to instruct the device to send the upload message on a return path to one of said server systems.

30. A communication system as claimed n claim 29, wherein said server systems include a plurality of access controllers and the server is configured to distribute key data to said access controllers, and to include in download messages said keys and return path data for routing of the upload message directly to said access controllers.

31. A communications system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the server is configured to update said keys in said access controllers.

32. A communications system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the server is configured to update said keys on a regular basis.

33. A communications system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the server is configured to send the download message to allow the device to send report messages to a service company.

34. A communication method implemented by a server (18) and a user device (19), the method comprising the steps of:

the server (18) prompting a user selection of a response from a set of candidate responses for an activity;

as part of step the download message, or separately, the server sending an instruction to the user device (19) to generate an upload message containing at least some of the contents of the download message, including said command; the device generating a structured upload message according to said instruction and sending the upload message to the server; and

35. A communication method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the download message includes a key required by the server in order to process the upload message, and a destination address for the upload message. 36. A communication method as claimed in claims 34 or 35, wherein the additional data included in the upload message includes a user identifier and/or a device identifier, and/or user device location data automatically determined by the device.

37. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 36, wherein the device concatenates captured additional data into the upload message in the message body.

38. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 37, wherein the server preselects a return path from a plurality of possible return paths, and instructs the device to use the selected return path for the upload message.

39. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38, wherein the server dynamically creates the key.

40. A communication method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the server dynamically creates the key according to user device location, and/or according to current time.

41. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 40, wherein the server encrypts the instruction. 42. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 41, wherein the device encrypts at least part of the upload message.

43. A communication method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the server sends the download message to allow the device to send a control command to gain access at a physical barrier. 44. A communication method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the server sends the download message to allow the device to send a control command to control a heating system or an air conditioning system.

45. A communication method as claimed in any of claims 34 to 44, wherein the server includes a plurality of systems and the return path is to a particular one of said system.

46. A communication method as claimed in claim 45, wherein said systems include access controllers and the server distributes key data to said access controllers, and includes in download messages said keys and return path data for routing of the upload message directly to specific access controllers.

47. A communication method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the server updates said keys in said access controllers. 48. A communication method as claimed in claim 47, wherein the server is configured to update said keys on a regular basis.

49. A communication method as claimed in claim 48, wherein the server sends the download message to allow the device to send report messages to a service company.

50. A computer readable medium comprising non-transitory software code configured to perform the device steps of a method of any of claims 34 to 49 when executed by a digital processor.