WO2002096042A1

WO2002096042A1 - A method and system for generation of data activities in a mobile phone network

Info

Publication number: WO2002096042A1
Application number: PCT/IS2002/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hjalmar Gislason; Vidar Masson; Freyr Olafsson
Original assignee: Maskina Ehf.
Priority date: 2001-05-21
Filing date: 2002-05-21
Publication date: 2002-11-28

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system to define data activities within a mobile phone network. A data activity constitutes transmittal of information between a central system and a client device, i.e. a mobile phone. The invention is a wizard driven system allowing persons to define their own mobile data activities witout the need for thorough technical knowledge. The invention provides a simple web interface that a mobile network operator can deploy on its website. The mobile network operator charges end-users for use of said data activities. Data activities are created with simple step-by-step wizards and authors can define their activity's features from predefined data and logic types, enter their own data sets and define the initiation- and delivery methods for their activity. The author determines the requests available to users, events within the system and what to do when the commands are given or events occur, choosing from existing logic- and data types. By choosing from these types and entering associated data, the author gradually generates a data activity.

Description

A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATION OF DATA ACTIVITIES IN A MOBILE PHONE

NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a possibility of creating, by using an Internet Web-interface, interactive data activities, which can be used by persons connected to a mobile phone network, by accessing these services through a mobile phone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When the Internet started to gain steam in 1993-1997, the key factor that held down its penetration was the lack of content and services in a structured and user-friendly form. Then in 1998-2000 when website design and development became easy and accessible and the amount of content and data activities reached a critical mass, the user penetration numbers started to skyrocket in the U.S.A. and Europe.

The same applies to the mobile Internet. Today advanced mobile data activities can only be created by professional developers with substantial technical know-how, which involves considerable costs and time. The present invention aims to lower this technical threshold, and lower the costs and shortening the time needed to create data activities. This is done by integrating into existing mobile delivery platforms, sophisticated but easy-to-use data activities generation methods, allowing mobile network operators to invite even the end-users themselves to define and develop their own mobile data activities.

Further information may be found in the following publications: Amanda McCarthy, "Mobile Internet Platforms Emerge", November 2000, Forrester Research; Frank Prince, "The Real Cost Of Mobility", May 2001 , Forrester Research; SmartTrust, "SmartTrust Delivery Platform" http://www.smarttrust.com/ deliveryplatform/productsheet.pdf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system to define data activities within a mobile phone network. A data activity constitutes transmittal of information between a central system and a client device, i.e. a mobile phone. Examples include collections of various data, e.g. jokes, quotes, phone books, and tips, and interactive data, e.g. quizzes and test. Data can be in the form of text, pictures, sound or other forms perceivable by humans and functional in a computer network. A data activity data is portioned in one or more data entries, e.g. each joke may be a separate data entry. Data activities are generated and collected in a central environment and made available for use by the public or any qualified portion thereof. A data activity is used in a mobile phone by accessing menus in a browser. By selecting a data activity, the user will receive one or more data entries (e.g. one question and answer choices) in a predefined way, e.g. randomly, in a certain sequence or according to a entered "look-up" string. The user is also able to access more data entries by selecting a "More" button which is displayed at the end of the transmitted data entries (or entry if only one is sent).

The invention is a wizard driven system allowing persons to define their own mobile data activities without the need for thorough technical knowledge. The invention provides a simple web interface that a mobile network operator or a mobile service provider can deploy on its website to bring the possibilities of mobile technology into the hands of end-users. The mobile network operator charges end-users for use of said data activities.

The invention allows users possessing no programming knowledge to define their own data activities.

Data activities are created with simple step-by-step wizards and authors can define their activity's features from a number of predefined data types and logic types, enter their own data sets and define the initiation- and delivery methods for their activity.

The author determines the requests available to users, events within the system and what to do when the commands are given or events occur, choosing from existing logic- and data types. In one embodiment the following data types are predefined: Text, Text by location, Contact/Phone book, and Question. In one embodiment the following logic types are predefined: List, Random, and Search. By choosing from these types and entering associated data, the author gradually generates a data activity. The data activity is accessible on the Internet and through a mobile phone as soon as it has been created in the authoring environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a routine to generate a data activity.

Fig. 2a is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2b is an overview of the interaction of the present invention with a mobile phone network.

Figs. 3-5 describe the method of generating a data activity through a set of Web pages.

Figs. 6-11 describe various supplementary Web pages for the generation and viewing interface.

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the menu setup a mobile phone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The functionality of the present invention is delivered by three main components: an interface for generating, viewing descriptions for and managing data activities, a mobile interface for using data activities and a server system which handles all back-end functionality for the other two components.

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a routine to generate a data activity. First, in step 101, an initiation method is defined. Defining an initiation method includes choosing a name, icon, series of buttons or a similar method by which the activity is to be invoked. In addition, the initiation method may include an event, such as a passing of certain point in time or when a value of certain parameter is equal to a predefined value, e.g. at "2. p.m. every day" or when "temperature reaches 37°C".

Second 102, either a logic type 103 or a data type 105 is defined. Defining one will reinitiate the process 102 since both the data type and the logic type need to be defined in a complete data activity 108. After a data type is defined, data input can commence 107. When modifying an existing data activity, a user may choose data set directly (i.e. the path from 104 to 106 is open), since data type and logic type is already selected. The final step in the generation process is choosing delivery methods 109 (e.g. access restrictions or different delivery platforms). The completed data activity 110 is sent to a server. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment supports the data activity generation process over the Internet using the World Wide Web. The server system 201 includes a server engine 202, a client identifier-to-user table 203, various Web pages 204, data activity database 205, and a user database 206. The server engine receives HTTP requests to access Web pages identified by URLs and provides the Web pages to client systems. Such an HTTP request may indicate that an author of a data activity has performed any action of the data activity generation process. Requests are both received from the generation interface client 207 and a mobile phone client 210. The user database 206 holds information about each registered user, such as the user's MSISDN (phone number) which is sent from the mobile client in each request 212, user name and password. The activity database 205 contains an entry for every activity that has been or is being created with the system. Each entry in the activity database, holds among other things, the data activity's initiation method, logic type, data type and data set. The client identifier-to-user table 203 contains mapping information from each client identifier, which is a globally unique identifier that uniquely identifies the client system, to the user associated with that client system (the user that is logged in). The client system for generation of data activities 207 contains a browser 208 and its assigned client identifier 209. The client identifier is stored in a file, referred to as a "cookie". The client system for using data activities (i.e. the mobile phone) 210 contains a browser (which is either client side, e.g. stored on the mobile phone (e.g. WAP) or the SIM- card in the mobile phone (e.g. WIB); or server-side transmitting only the data to the handset, e.g. in the form of SMS-messages; or a combination of both) 211 and its assigned client identifier 212, which in this instance is the MSISDN (phone number) stored on the mobile phone's SIM-card. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the client identifier could be in various forms, e.g. using a browser session. Using this information, the activity is stored in the activity database, including a link to the user information in the user database.

Figs. 3-5 describe the method of generating a data activity through a set of Web pages transmitted via the Internet. After logging in on a mobile service provider's Web-portal, a user, accessing the present invention, i.e. the first Web page, enters a name the user has chosen for a data activity in a designated input area 301. The user then selects 302a, from a list of predefined data types (e.g. Text, Phone book, Text by location, and Question) 302b-e, which type of data structure will be used for the data, the user intends to enter into the data activity. Next, the user selects 303a, from a list of predefined logic types (e.g. Random, Search, and Sequence) 303b-c, which type of logic will be used in delivering the data, the user intends to enter into the data activity. Random logic type will, when a data activity is used in a mobile phone, return a random data entry; Search will prompt the user to enter a search string, and return all data entries which include said string; Sequence will return data entries, one by one, in a predefined order. On the bottom of the Web page, the user is presented with two buttons 304, "Cancel" to revoke the generation process and "Next" to continue the generation process. Revoking the generation process on this Web page (and later Web pages) will result in that data activity be stored in a preliminary stage, only accessible by its author. Selecting "Next" will present a second Web page, wherein choices from the first Web page are displayed 401-403. Additionally the user is prompted to enter data 404, in a designated input area 405. After making a data entry the user clicks an "Add" button 406 and the data entry is added to a list of data entries 407 and the user is prompted to enter more data. In case of a mistake the user may edit or delete a data entry by clicking the respective button 408. The input area is structured according to the data type selected. Other areas 401-403 and 409 are the same regardless of data type selected. For example the data type "Text" will provide a one column area Fig. 4a. The data type "Phone book" Fig. 4b will provide a two column area, where the first column is intended for a name of a person or an entity and the second column is intended for that person's phone number. An automatic test is performed on the format of the phone number, informing the user if it is incorrect. Where supported by the delivery platform (e.g. in a WIGΛ/VIB solution from the company SmartTrust), the server will add to a phone number entry the functionality of setting up a call or initiating the writing of an SMS message to that number, when respective options are selected when the data activity is used in a mobile phone. The data type "Text by location" Fig. 4c will provide a two column area, where a geographical location (e.g. a zip code or neighborhood) is chosen from a drop down menu and placed in the second column alongside the respective data entry. This is useful when creating a data activity which will return a nearby store location, place of interest, etc. The list of geographical locations is defined by the mobile service provider running the present invention and its level of detail will depend on the accuracy of location information (i.e. the user's physical location at the time of a request for a data activity being made) available to the server from the mobile service provider's network. The data type "Question" Figs. 4di-4diii, intended for multiple choice test, will provide a field for entering a question Fig. 4di. After the question has been entered, the user is prompted to enter one or more answers Fig. 4dii and selecting which one of them is correct Fig. 4diii. This process can be repeated as many times as needed. The result is a three column area, where the first column will hold a question, the second column will hold a plurality of rows for the different answer choices to be supplied with each question, and the third column will hold a row for each answer choice, where it is defined whether an answer is the correct one or not. On the bottom of this second Web page, however it is structured according to the data type selected, there are three buttons 409, "Previous" to access the previous Web page, "Cancel" to revoke the generation process and "Next" to continue the generation process. Selecting "Next" will present a third Web page Fig. 5, wherein choices from the first Web page are displayed 501-503. Here, the user is able to choose delivery options, e.g. whether the data activity is accessible by all users with access to the present invention or not. Access is limited by checking a box 504a and selecting those phone numbers that are to have access to the data activity 504b. The last item in the generation process is the writing of a short description of the data activity 505 which is useful for other users when deciding if to use the data activity. On the bottom of this third Web page there are three buttons 506, "Previous" to access the previous Web page, "Cancel" to revoke the generation process and "Save" to finalize the generation process.

A user, logged in on a mobile service provider's Web-portal, can select a "My data activities" Web page, containing a list of all data activities, said user has created Fig. 6. The list can be sorted by name of data activity, and additionally includes a description of the data activity, number of times the data activity has been used, indication of whether it is in the users favorites or not, and buttons for editing or deleting a data activity. An button to add a data activity to a user's favorites is presented on this Web page. If a data activity is already in the user's favorites, an illustrative symbol is displayed. The user may also select a "Personal" Web page for entering a personal message to be displayed to other users Fig. 7. This page includes the same favorites functionality as said "My data activities" page. The "Personal" page is accessed by other users by clicking on the name of an author of a data activity. The name of the author can be found both on a description Web page Fig. 8 which is activated by clicking the name of a data activity and also on a directory Web page Fig. 9, which holds a list of all data activities accessible by a logged-in user or all data activities with no user restrictions, if a user is not logged in. The directory Web page, as well as "My data activities" page and the "Personal" page, all contain a "Favorite" functionality whereby an "Add to Favorites" button is displayed for each data activity listed and if a data activity is already in the user's favorites, an illustrative symbol is displayed. A logged-in user, clicking "Add to favorites" button, will add the relevant data activity to a favorites Web page containing data activities that said user has selected as this user's favorites Fig 10. On this favorites Web page a user may remove a data activity from the favorites by clicking a button adjacent to the relevant data activity. A user may also on this page, assign a unique shortcut number to a data activity. This can be done with a plurality of data activities. This shortcut number enables instant access to the relevant data activity from said user's mobile phone, as described in more detail below. Said description Web page contains a rating mechanism enabling every user to rate a data activity once. Ratings are collected and an average rating number displayed on said directory Web page. When displaying the above mentioned Web pages, a sidebar is additionally displayed Fig. 11. The sidebar includes a three lists of a plurality of data activities, each of them ranking highest in the respective categories, which in one embodiment of the invention are: Most popular data activities, Highest rated data activities, and Most recently made data activities.

The above mentioned examples of data types and logic types is by no means exhaustive and is for illustrative purposes only. Within the spirit of the present invention, many more data types and logic types can be presented to the author of the data activity.

The present invention includes an Web environment for administration to enable a technician of a mobile service provider, running the invention, to control and monitor usage of the invention. This administration environment gives access to general user settings. Features include access privileges, content editing (for censoring) and general monitoring and statistics gathering for the invention.

This embodiment of the invention contemplates a Web page transmitted via the Internet but one skilled in the art would appreciate that other methods maybe used (e.g. a standalone offline application which would access the server from time to time) and the arrangement of some of the items on the different Web pages may be changed within the spirit of the invention.

The menu system on the mobile phone is illustrated on Fig. 12. Accessing the Main Menu will display a list of a plurality of browseable and selectable items (d.a. is an abbreviation for data activity). In this embodiment of the invention the items displayed are: Popular data activities, Highest rated data activities, Favorite data activities, New (most recently made) data activities, "My" data activities, and Shortcuts. When selecting any of the said menu items, except Shortcuts, a message is transmitted to the server, which returns a list of relevant data activities and a "Continue" command, for requesting a list of the data activities that are next in line on the relevant list. The lists sent by the server are browsable in the mobile phone. A user is able to browse to and click on a data activity, whereby the user is presented with two options, either to use (activate) the data activity or to view its description. Selecting either of these options will send the respective message to the server and either return the data activity or its description according to the selection. This embodiment of the invention contemplates a WIG gateway for delivery between the server and the mobile interface and a WIB browser on the mobile phones SIM-card, both are products from the company SmartTrust (www.smarttrust.com). One skilled in the art would appreciate that other methods may be used, e.g. SMS (Short Message Service) and WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), where essentially the same functionality is delivered to the user. When said WIB browser embodiment is used and Shortcuts is selected in said Main Menu, the user is presented with a static (as opposed to the dynamic menus (i.e. menus holding up-to-date information according to all activities in the server) which are delivered when the other items are selected, by requesting the relevant list from the server) browsable menu of a plurality of Shortcuts with progressively increasing unique identifying numbers (e.g. 1 through 5) and a "Continue" command. Selecting any of said numbered shortcuts will send a request to the server which in turn will reply by sending to the mobile phone, the data activity which responds to the number of shortcut selected (according to the shortcut number assigned to the data activity in the favorites Web page). As described above, data activities are assigned to shortcut numbers in the favorites Web page. If a data activity has not been assign to a selected shortcut number, the server will return a message informing the user of that situation.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A method for end-user generation of data activities in a mobile phone network comprising: under control of a client system, accepting, from a user, a definition of an initiation method for said data activity; accepting, from a user, a selection of a data type from among a plurality of data types; accepting, from a user, a selection of a logic type from among a plurality of logic types accepting, from a user, data entered; and sending the data type, the logic type, and the data to a server system; under control of a server system, receiving said data type, said logic type, and said data; storing said data type, said logic type, and said data as a data activity in a database; and enabling a plurality of mobile phone users to access the data activity through a mobile phone whereby a data activity for use on a mobile phone network is generated without a need for programming knowledge on behalf of a person generating said data activity.

2. The method of claim 1 further including structuring of means for entering data according to a selection of data type.

3. The method of claim 1 further including adding of functionality to data entries according to a selection of data type.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein predefined data types are: Text, Phone book, Text by location and Question.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein predefined logic types are: Random, Search, Sequence.

6. A client system for generating data activities in a mobile phone network comprising: a list of a plurality of predefined data types; selection means enabling a user to select any of the data types; a list of a plurality of predefined logic types; selection means enabling said user to select any of the logic types; an input component for entering data; and a storing component that upon activation sends said data type, said logic type, and said entered data to a server system.

7. A server system for storing and enabling the use of a plurality of data activities in a mobile phone network comprising: a receiving component for receiving requests from a plurality of users for defining, storing and using data activities; a delivery component for sending responses to said requests to a plurality of users; a client identifier-to-user table; a Web pages generation component; a data activity database; and a user database.

8. A method of accessing a data activity in a mobile phone network comprising: providing a static browsable menu usable in a mobile phone, encompassing a list of a plurality of unique shortcut identifiers, each made available to activation by a click of a button of the mobile phone; assigning centrally a unique identifying number to a data activity and having the possibility to repeat said assigning with respect to other data activities; in response to a shortcut identifier being activated in a mobile phone, transmitting a message holding the unique shortcut identifier and a user identification, to a server; and in response to receiving said message, sending to the mobile phone a data activity with a corresponding unique identifying number, whereby a data activity is requested by and sent to a mobile phone without any information on the data activity previously being needed to be sent to the mobile phone.

9. A client system for accessing a data activity comprising: in a central environment, an assigning component for assigning unique identifying numbers to a plurality of data activities; in a mobile phone, a static browsable menu, encompassing a list of a plurality of unique shortcut identifiers, each made available to activation by a click of a button of the mobile phone, that on activation transmits a message holding the unique shortcut identifier and a user identification, to a server;

10. A server system for accessing a data activity comprising: a storing component for storing unique identifying numbers for a plurality of data activities; and a delivery component for sending to a mobile phone, in response to a request encompassing a unique shortcut identifier and a user identification, a data activity with a corresponding unique identifying number.