WO2008092204A1

WO2008092204A1 - Sending user selected content to a mobile communications device

Info

Publication number: WO2008092204A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Norman Allan; John Alexander Fraser
Original assignee: Data Broadcast Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-02
Filing date: 2008-01-31
Publication date: 2008-08-07

Abstract

Method of sending user selected content to a mobile communications device from a server, including receiving user selected content at the server from a terminal, after user activation of the selected content. A mobile device identifier is obtained and the user selected content is transmitted from the server to the mobile device. User activation may require activation of a control icon being part of a webpage where the message content or an identifier for the content is embedded, or may require the user to highlight selected content from the webpage and then select a menu option. The mobile device identifier may be a telephone number and could be obtained by the user entering the telephone number in an input field in a confirm send window. Charging for the transmission of the content may be made against the user or content source provider without a user registering with a content provider.

Description

SENDING USER SELECTED CONTENT TO A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

Technical Field

[001] The present invention generally relates to sending or transmitting user selected content to a mobile communications device, and more particularly to a method, system and/or computer program product for sending or transmitting user selected content to a mobile communications device, for example a mobile or cellular telephone, from a server, the user selected content obtained by the user from a content source, for example a web page on a terminal.

Background Art

[002] In a networked information or data communications system, a user has access to one or more terminals which are capable of requesting and/or receiving information or data from local or remote information or content sources, hi such a communications system, a terminal may be a type of processing system, computer or computerised device, personal computer (PC), mobile data terminal, portable computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or any other similar type of digital electronic device. The capability of such a terminal to request and/or receive information or data can be provided by software, hardware and/or firmware. A terminal may include or be associated with other devices, for example a local data storage device such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive.

[003] An information or content source can include a server, or any type of terminal, that may be associated with one or more storage devices that are able to store information, content or data, for example in one or more databases residing on a storage device. The exchange of information (i.e., the request and/or receipt of information, content or data) between a terminal and an information source, or other terminal(s), is facilitated by a communication means. The communication means can be a type of network and realised by physical cables, for example a metallic cable such as a telephone line, semi-conducting cables, electromagnetic signals, for example radio-frequency signals or infra-red signals, optical fibre cables, satellite links or any other such medium or combination thereof connected to a network infrastructure. [004] A user can also have access to one or more mobile communications devices which are capable of requesting and/or receiving information or data, usually in a more limited form, from remote information sources. A mobile communications device may be, for example, a type of mobile, cellular or satellite telephone, or a mobile Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The exchange of information between a mobile communications device and an information source, or other terminal(s), is facilitated by a wireless communication means.

[005] A network infrastructure can include devices such as a telephone switch, base station, bridge, router, or any other such specialised network component, which facilitates the connection between a terminal, server, gateway, mobile communications device, etc., and an information source(s), such as a server and associated one or more databases. Collectively, an interconnected group of terminals, communication means, infrastructure and information sources is referred to as a network. The network itself may take a variety of forms. For example, it may be a computer network, telecommunications network, data communications network, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), wireless network, Internetwork, Intranetwork, the Internet and developments thereof, transient or temporary networks, combinations of the above or any other type of network providing for communication between computerised, electronic or digital devices. More than one distinct network can be provided. A network as referenced in this specification should be taken to include any type of terminal, server or mobile communications device or other similar type of electronic device, or part thereof, which is rendered such that it is capable of communicating with at least one other terminal or mobile communications device.

[006] Presently, a mobile communications device, for example a mobile or cellular telephone, can only access limited types of data or content from information sources. Examples of such limited information sources include Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) enabled web sites or simple ASCII text transfer as Short Message (or Messaging) Service (SMS) with a dedicated mobile or cellular telephone server. It is not presently known to provide a generalised method or system giving a user the ability to have different types of content, for example text or images, sent to a mobile communications device from a variety of information sources. For example, it is not currently known to provide a generalised method or system enabling a user, whom has identified content of interest in a web page, to have the content readily transmitted to a nominated mobile communications device, thereby enabling the user, or some other user, to have the selected content available on the mobile communications device.

[007] There is a need for a method, system, computer program product, article and/or computer readable medium of instructions which addresses or at least ameliorates one or more problems inherent in the prior art.

[008] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from the prior publication) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Disclosure Of Invention

[009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of sending user selected content to a mobile communications device from a server, the user selected content obtained from a content source residing on a terminal, the method including the steps of: receiving the user selected content at the server, the user selected content transmitted from the terminal to the server after user activation of the selected content; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier.

[010] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the user selected content obtained from a content source residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals, the method including the steps of: receiving the user selected content at the server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals to the server after user activation of the user selected content; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, -A-

transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

[Oi l] Preferably, the user is authenticated at the server independently of any requirement for user authentication at any of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

[012] Optionally, but not necessarily, the terminal is a second server hosting the content source which is a web page.

[013] In a particular, but non-limiting, form, user activation requires activation of a control icon displayed as part of the web page and associated with at least part of the content of the content source.

[014] hi a particular, but non-limiting, form, user activation requires the user to highlight selected content from the web page and then select a menu option using an input device.

[015] hi a further particular, but non-limiting, form, the identifier is obtained as part of the user activation.

[016] Preferably, the menu option is provided by installed software and accessed as a right mouse button menu option.

[017] Preferably, the identifier is a telephone number.

[018] Optionally, but not necessarily, the terminal is a local terminal and the content source is a local electronic file.

[019] In a particular, but non-limiting, form, user activation requires the user to select the user selected content from the content source and paste the user selected content into a window produced from a web site. [020] In accordance with a specific optional embodiment, there is included a step of displaying a confirm send window to the user, including the user selected content, prior to transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device. Optionally, the confirm send window is initiated by a call to software installed on the server. Alternatively, the confirm send window is initiated by a call to software installed on the terminal, whereby the terminal requests a token from the server and the confirm send window is displayed to the user using the token.

[021] Optionally, but not necessarily, the telephone number is obtained by the user entering the telephone number in an input field in the confirm send window.

[022] hi accordance with a specific optional embodiment, the user is required to enter a password in an input field in the confirm send window.

[023] In accordance with another specific optional embodiment, verification of a user is performed by the server prior to transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device.

[024] hi accordance with other specific optional embodiments, the identifier is obtained by at least one of: querying a database associated with the web page; querying a database associated with the server; and/or retrieving a cookie from the user's computer.

[025] Optionally, but not necessarily, the user selected content is transmitted via SMS to the mobile communications device.

[026] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from at least one server, the user selected content obtained from a content source residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals, the computer program product residing on the at least one server and adapted to: receive the user selected content at the at least one server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals to the at least one server after user activation of the user selected content; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content from the at least one server to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

[027] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a system for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device, the user selected content being at least part of a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, the system including at least one processor adapted to: receive the user selected content, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers after user activation of a control icon displayed as part of the web page and associated with at least part of the content of the web page; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers.

[028] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct local terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the user selected content being at least part of a local electronic file provided on at least one of the plurality of distinct local terminals, the method including the steps of: generating a message construction window viewable by the user in response to a request from the user; receiving the user selected content at the server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct local terminals to the server after user activation requiring the user to select the user selected content from the local electronic file and paste the user selected content into the message construction window; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct local terminals.

[029] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a system for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device, the user selected content being at least part of a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, the system including at least one processor adapted to: receive the user selected content, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers after user activation requiring the user to highlight selected content from the web page and then select a menu option using an input device; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers.

[030] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method of sending selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the selected content being associated with a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, and the selected content stored on a database associated with the server, the method including the steps of: allowing a user to select a selected content identifier provided on the web page, wherein the selected content identifier identifies the selected content having been previously stored on the database; receiving the selected content identifier at the server after user selection of the selected content identifier and retrieving the selected content from the database; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmitting the selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers.

Brief Description Of Figures

[031] An example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but non- limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

[032] Fig. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example processing system that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular embodiment; [033] Fig. 2 illustrates an example network infrastructure that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular embodiment;

[034] Fig. 3 illustrates an example method of sending user selected content to a mobile communications device;

[035] Fig. 4 illustrates an example system for sending user selected content to a mobile communications device;

[036] Fig. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example establishment process;

[037] Fig. 6 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example system for sending user selected content from an enabled site;

[038] Fig. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example system for sending user selected content from a registered site;

[039] Fig. 8 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example system for sending user selected content via a web page; and,

[040] Fig. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example system for sending user selected content using a selectable menu option.

Modes for Carrying Out The Invention [041] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

[042] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

General System Architecture [043] A particular embodiment of the present invention can be realised using a processing system, an example of which is shown in Fig. 1. In particular, the processing system 100 may be a server and generally includes at least one processor 102, or processing unit or plurality of processors, memory 104, at least one input device 106 and at least one output device 108, coupled together via a bus or group of buses 110. hi certain embodiments, input device 106 and output device 108 could be the same device. An interface 112 can also be provided for coupling processing system 100 to one or more peripheral devices. At least one storage device 114 which houses at least one database 116 can also be provided. The memory 104 can be any form of memory device, for example, volatile or non- volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc. The processor 102 could include more than one distinct processing device, for example to handle different functions within processing system 100.

[044] Input device 106 receives input data 118 and can include, for example, data receiver or antenna such as a wireless data adaptor, a network interface, etc. Input data 118 can be data received via a network. Output device 108 produces or generates output data 120 and can include, for example, a peripheral component adaptor, a data transmitter or antenna such as a wireless network adaptor, a network interface, etc. Output data 120 could be distinct and derived from different output devices, and can be data transmitted to a network. A user could view data output, or an interpretation of the data output, on, for example, a monitor associated with a remote terminal. The storage device 114 can be any form of data or information storage means, for example, volatile or non- volatile memory, solid state storage devices, magnetic devices, etc.

[045] hi use, processing system 100 (e.g. a web site server) is adapted to allow data or information to be stored in and/or retrieved from, via wired or wireless communication means, the at least one database 116. The interface 112 may allow wired and/or wireless communication between the processing unit 102 and peripheral components that may serve a specialised purpose. The processor 102 receives instructions, data or content as input data 118 via input device 106 and can display processed results or other output to a user by utilising output device 108. More than one input device 106 and/or output device 108 can be provided. It should be appreciated that the processing system 100 may be any form of terminal, server, specialised hardware, or the like. [046] Processing system 100 may be a part of a networked communications system 200, as shown in Fig. 2. Processing system 100 could connect to network 202, for example the Internet or a WAN. Input data 118 and output data 120 could be communicated to other devices via network 202. Other terminals, for example, thin client 204, further processing systems 206 and 208, notebook computer 210, mainframe computer 212, PDA 214, pen- based computer 216, server 218, etc., can be connected to network 202. A large variety of other types of terminals or configurations could be utilised. The transfer of information and/or data over network 202 can be achieved using wired communications means 220 or wireless communications means 222. Server 218 can facilitate the transfer of data between network 202 and one or more databases 224. Server 218 and one or more databases 224 provide an example of an information source. For example, server 100, 218 may host one or more web pages that provide examples of content sources.

[047] Other types of network can communicate with network 202. For example, telecommunications network 230 could facilitate the transfer of data between network 202 and one or more mobile communications devices, such as mobile or cellular telephone 232 or a PDA-type device 234, by utilising wireless communication means 236 and receiving/transmitting station 238. Satellite communications network 240 could communicate with satellite signal receiver 242 which receives data signals from satellite 244 which in turn is in remote communication with satellite signal transmitter 246. Terminals, for example further processing system 248, notebook computer 250 or satellite telephone 252, can thereby communicate with network 202. A local network 260, which for example may be a private network, LAN, etc., may also be connected to network 202. For example, network 202 could be connected with ethernet 262 which connects terminals 264, server 266 which controls the transfer of data to and/or from database 268, and printer 270. Various other types of networks could be utilised.

[048] Processing system 100 is adapted to communicate with one or more mobile communications devices 232, 234 by sending and receiving data, 118, 120, to and from the network 202, thereby facilitating communication with mobile or cellular telephone 232 or a PDA-type device 234. [049] Thus, for example, the networks 202, 230, 240 may form part of, or be connected to, the Internet, in which case, the terminals 206, 212, 218, for example, may be web servers, Internet terminals or the like. The networks 202, 230, 240, 260 may be or form part of other communication networks, such as LAN, WAN, ethernet, token ring, FDDI ring, star, etc., networks, or mobile telephone networks, such as GSM, CDMA or 3G, etc., networks, and may be wholly or partially wired, including for example optical fibre, or wireless networks, depending on a particular implementation.

Overview [050] According to various aspects the present invention provides a web site integrated or anonymous public content transfer system/method, which in one particular embodiment provides direct and safe transfer of content from a content source, for example a web page, to a mobile communications device, for example a mobile telephone.

[051] Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a method 300 of sending user selected content to a mobile communications device from a server. Content 305 is at least part of content source 310, for example content 305 may be a selection of text from content source 310 which may be a web page. Content 305 is obtained from content source 310 which resides or is stored on a terminal, which may be a remote server. The terminal can be a wide variety of types of processing systems, for example a server hosting a web site or a local terminal which stores electronic files or documents that may be considered as content sources. It should be appreciated that a content source 310 can be any type of electronic file or document, for example a web page, a text file, a text and image file, or any other type of electronic file including data or information, such as a Word document, an email with HTML tags, or a PDF document.

[052] At step 315, a user locates or identifies content by viewing content source 310. At step 320, the user selects or otherwise indicates user selected content 305 of interest to the user. At step 325, the user activates the selected content 305 by one of a variety of alternate activation means. If the user does not activate content 305 the process can end at step 330. [053] After activation, the user selected content 305 is received at a server at step 335. At step 340, an identifier, for example a telephone number, is obtained for a mobile communications device. The identifier can be obtained as part of activation step 325, for example requiring the user to input a telephone number, or as a separate step, for example, retrieval of a telephone number from a database.

[054] Optionally, activation step 325 may require a user to input an identifier which is received at the server with the user selected content. Thus, the identifier can be obtained at step 340 by obtaining or retrieving the identifier from a file or information that was transmitted to the server with the user selected content 305. At step 345, the user selected content 305 is transmitted from the server to the mobile communications device using the obtained identifier. The user selected content 305 may be transmitted to the mobile communications device in a different format than the content 305 appeared in content source 310. Subsequently, at step 350, the user, or another user, can view content 305 on the mobile communications device. It should be appreciated that the server actually could be one or more servers, or a group of servers, where each of the one or more servers provides particular services or processes. For example, one server may receive content, another server may receive the identifier, another server may send content to the mobile device, etc.

[055] User activation can be performed by a variety of techniques. For example, user activation at step 325 may require activation of a control icon displayed as part of a web page, where the control icon is associated with at least part of the content 305 of content source 310. For example, a selection of text or a graphic image may be associated with a "send button" in a web page, whereby a user clicking on the send button using a pointer device results in user activation of content 305.

[056] Alternatively, user activation may require the user to highlight selected content from the content source 310, such as a web page, and then select a menu option using an input device, for example a keyboard or a mouse. This type of user activation could be achieved by providing installed software on the user terminal and accessed as a right mouse button menu option when selected content is highlighted. [057] Hence, this provides a method of sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to the mobile communications device from the server. The user selected content is obtained from the content source residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals. As an overview, the method thus includes receiving the user selected content at the server, where the user selected content is transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals to the server after user activation of the user selected content. Next an identifier is obtained or received for the mobile communications device. Then the user selected content is transmitted from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier. Importantly and advantageously the transmission is thus independent of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

[058] Referring to Fig. 4, there is illustrated a system 400 for sending user selected content 430 to a mobile communications device 450 from a server system 435, which in reality may be more than one server 440, with different servers handling different functions. System 400 includes an information source 405 including processing system 410 in communication with database 415. Database 415 can store or house one or more content sources, for example a web site which includes web page 420.

[059] A user has access to terminal 425, for example a PC provided with a web browser. A user can operate the web browser provided on terminal 425 to obtain or view content source 420 from terminal 410, e.g. a server. The user can then select content 430a,b from content source 420 that the user desires to transmit to a mobile communications device 450. User selected content 430a,b can be sent to server system 435 either directly from terminal 425 as user selected content 430a or from terminal 410 as user selected content 430b.

[060] Server system 435 receives user selected content 430a or 430b after user activation of the selected content. The user selected content can then be transmitted from server system 435 to mobile communications device 450 as user selected content 430c. User selected content 430c may be in a different format to user selected content 430a, 430b. For example, user selected content 430c may be transmitted in SMS format to mobile communications device 450. [061] In a particular example terminal 410 may be a server hosting the content source 420 which is a web page.

[062] Terminal 410 need not be a server but could be a local terminal and content source 420 could be a local electronic file or document. In this form, user activation may require the user to select (e.g. cut or copy) user selected content from the content source and paste the user selected content into a window produced from a web site. The web site could be associated with server system 435 and the window can be created by the user selecting to generate the window when viewing the web site.

[063] This provides a general form of allowing the user to paste user selected content, for example text or images, into a window produced on the user's terminal 425 to effect transfer of the user selected content to mobile communications device 450.

[064] As part of user activation step 325, there may be provided an additional step of displaying a confirm send window to the user, prior to actually transmitting the user selected content from server system 435 to mobile communications device 450. This additional step can allow the user to view the user selected content to verify the accuracy of the selection prior to transmittal. Such a confirm send window can be initiated by a call to software installed on server 440. Alternatively, a confirm send window can be initiated by a call to software installed on user terminal 425, whereby user terminal 425 requests a token from server 440 and the confirm send window can then be displayed to the user on user terminal 425 using the token provided by server 440.

[065] Providing a confirm send window, which may or may not include the user selected content, provides an opportunity for the user to submit a telephone number for mobile communications device 450. The telephone number can be entered into an input field of the confirm send window so that server 440 can obtain the telephone number for the mobile communications device 450. Additionally, it can be required for the user to enter a password in another input field in the confirm send window. It will be appreciated that one or more confirm send windows can be provided to request any desired data or information from the user. [066] Verification or authentication of a user can be performed by software installed on server 440 prior to transmitting the user selected content from server system 435 to mobile communications device 450. User details can be stored in database 445 and can be checked against user details obtained when a user elects to send user selected content.

[067] A telephone number for mobile communication device 450 can be obtained by a variety of means, for example, the telephone number can be obtained by the user entering the telephone number in an input field in a confirm send window. Alternatively, the telephone number can be obtained from database 415 associated with processing system 410 as the user may have registered with a third part web site provided by terminal 410. Also alternatively, the identity of the user may be known to server system 435, for example by requiring the user to log in, in which case a telephone number can be associated with a user profile and obtained from database 445 without requiring the user to re-enter the telephone number. Still furthermore, the telephone number may be identifiable from a cookie stored on the user's computer 425.

[068] hi a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, user selected content 430c is transmitted via SMS to mobile communications device 450 as a text message. Different formats of user selected content, for example images, video or sound, can be transmitted to mobile communications device 450 by other associated protocols or transmission standards, for example Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

[069] It should also be appreciated that previous to the present invention each web site owner would be required to engage then^* own SMS gateway provider and build SMS send functionality for even the simplest of information on each web page. This is a significant impediment to web sites providing such a facility. An embodiment of the present invention can provide a simple anonymous public SMS gateway that encourages web sites to include SMS send tags for simple contact details, at no cost to the web site owner.

[070] Furthermore, should a web site owner have wished to add an SMS facility, the web site owner would be required to provide their own signup and authentication for users to protect against abuse and spam. This would tie the access permission to the web site. An embodiment of the present invention can provide signup and/or authentication for users via the passport concept across mobile network providers and web sites, as hereinafter discussed.

Further Example

[071] The following examples provide a more detailed discussion of a particular embodiment. The examples are intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting to the scope of the present invention.

[072] The content transfer system/method provides the ability for mobile or cellular telephone users or owners to establish a "passport" for the user's mobile telephone number and then use that passport to initiate content transfer to the user's handset directly from content sources, such as internet web pages. A passport is a record in a database associated with the content transfer system and which corresponds to the user's mobile telephone.

[073] Utilisation of the content transfer system can be broadly grouped into two categories, being users and content contributors. Users are mobile telephone users/owners requiring the convenience of having information or data they have located, for example on the internet, available on the user's handset with the transfer process being both substantially easy and immediate. Content contributors are the operators/owners of web sites, commercial or otherwise, who require a service enhancement or marketing advantage of having their information on current or potential customer's handsets. Content contributors may gain such an advantage at no cost to them, gain additional revenue from a partnership program or provide content transfers without charge to users while being protected from malicious use.

Implementation Components

[074] The content transfer system utilises a centralised database of mobile telephone numbers and passwords with each record providing a passport. A passport record may further contain a country of origin for the mobile telephone service, accounting information and can provide for further information, e.g. demographic information, as required. [075] A second set of records relating to registered content contributors can be held for validation of send requests made from web sites either offering sponsored content or participating in a revenue share partnership program. As referenced herein, a content owner refers to any web site owner. A content contributor refers to a web site owner who has modified their website to utilise the content transfer system. A registered content contributor refers to a content contributor known to the content transfer system for revenue sharing or sponsored content reasons. An enabled web site is a web site modified to interface with the content transfer system. A registered web site is a web site belonging to a registered content contributor. Sponsored content is content provided by a registered content contributor to be supplied to passport holders e.g. users, free of charge to the passport holder. A passport holder is user for which a passport has been created. Optionally a passport holder may purchase credits to be utilised in preference to Mobile Terminated (MT) charging, this would become a pre-paid passport.

[076] The content transfer system can maintain usage information for passports and request information for registered content contributors and can thus provide reporting information on each.

[077] The content transfer system can be implemented using different types of gateways for the transmission of user selected content to a mobile telephone. For example, a premium gateway can be defined as used for the transmission of user selected content where the revenue is gathered at the time of transmission via MT charged messaging. This could be set as a default gateway. A non-premium gateway could be defined as used for the transmission of user selected content where the revenue is gathered other than at transmission (i.e. via sponsored content and prepaid passports).

[078] Also, a "message set" can be used with sponsored content. The content owner may optionally add a message set identifier (SetED or 'selected content identifier') to their URL. This set identifier may be used to, for example:

(i) limit the number of times that messages with this set identifier may be sent to a mobile device, and hence limit any abuse of the sponsored content; and (ii) look up the content of the message from the content transfer system database.

The content transfer system can then provide a version of the client.cgi on a server (e.g. client.cgi 710 shown in Fig. 7). This frees the sponsor from the need to run the client.cgi on the sponsor's own platform, particularly if the sponsor does not have the expertise, facilities or desire to add this feature to the sponsor's own servers.

Passport Establishment

[079] A passport can be created by a user initiated SMS to a dedicated inbound telephone number with the content of the message being a password for the mobile telephone number passport. This process is illustrated in Fig. 5. A user uses mobile telephone 505 to send a password via SMS using receiver/transmitter 510 to gateway 515 which then transmits the password and telephone number, for example via HTTPS 520, although other protocols such as HTTP could be used, to an activate or create Common Gateway Interface (CGI) which interfaces with database 530 and is used to create or update a passport stored on database 530.

[080] User passwords may be reset/updated at any time by repeating the establishment process. A user/customer self care web site can provide an alternative method of effecting password changes and managing account information. This can provide basis for maintenance of demographic data and nomination for opt in features by a user.

[081] A passport could be cancelled by: sending an SMS containing one of a set of configurable words, e.g. STOP, to the establishment process gateway; telephoning a customer support number; or via the user/customer self care web site. Passports can be deemed to be expired and automatically deactivated if a period of time since the last activity (for example log in, update or transmission) exceeds a configurable expiry period.

Enabled Site

[082] Referring to Fig. 6, an enabled site is a web site where the content has been written or modified specifically for use with the content transfer system. For each set of user selectable content a control is provided to initiate the transmission of the user selectable content. Activation of the control results in a post or get call to a CGI on the content transfer system delivery server and is targeted to a new browser window. Enabled page 60S sends content 607 via HTTPS 520 to a CGI 615 of the content transfer system which results in pop up send page 625 which is populated with content from CGI 615. Send page 615 results in content and details being transmitted to sendxgi 635 which can verify the user by querying password info from database 530. If the verification process of send.cgi 635 fails then send page 625 can be represented to the user. If verification by sendcgi 635 is accepted then sendxgi (dispatch) 640 can log information in database 530 and send a confirmation message to the user as confirm page 645. The destination telephone number and content can be sent by sendxgi (dispatch) 640 to gateway 515 to be sent to mobile telephone 505 as an SMS message 510.

[083] The call includes parameters containing the user selectable content and optionally a reply-to mobile telephone number. The returned send page 625 is populated with the supplied parameters and provides input fields for secure entry of the user's mobile telephone number and password. On submission of the send page 625, the user name and password is validated by send.cgi (verify) 635 against the passport database 530 on the establishment server and the content is transmitted via SMS 510 to the user's handset 505.

[084] Transmission can be via the premium gateway by default, however the non- premium gateway may be used if indicated by the passport accounting information (i.e. for pre-paid credits). The user can be advised via the web page of the success or failure of the validation and transmission dispatch.

Registered Site

[085] Referring to Fig. 7, a registered site is one belonging to a registered content contributor which requires tracking of activity from that web site for revenue share or sponsored content purposes. Transmission from a registered site requires the installation of server side software on that site. As with an enabled site, a control is provided for each user selectable content set to initiate the transmission of content. In the case of a registered site, activation of a control results in a post or get call to the installed software rather than the content transfer system delivery server. The returned content is again targeted to a new browser window. [086] Registered page 705 sends content 707 via HTTPS 520 to client.cgi 710 which provides an ID and password identifying the registered content provider to sen&cgi (token) 715. If accepted, send.cgi (token) 715 provides the token to database 530 and to client.cgi 710. Client.cgi 710 redirects using the token and content and generates redirect pop up window 720 to initiate content transfer system CGI 615. CGI 615 generates send page 625 which in this case provides the token as well as the content and other details to sendcgi (verify) 635 which queries database 530 to obtain token and password information. If the verification process fails, send page 625 is regenerated. If the verification process by sendxgi (verify) 635 is approved then sendxgi (dispatch) 640 is initiated and a similar process then followed as described for an enabled site.

[087] On receipt of a call, the installed software supplies site identification and password details to the content transfer system server via HTTPS 520 and is issued with a token, which is hidden from the user. The installed software then serves a redirection to the user's browser addressing the delivery server and containing parameters for the token, the user selectable content and optionally a reply-to mobile telephone number. The delivery server maintains a list of issued tokens and the token is validated, but not cancelled, on receipt of the redirected request. The send page 625 is served and populated with the supply parameters and provides input fields for secure entry of the user's mobile telephone number and password.

[088] On submission of send page 625 the user name and password is validated against the passport database 530 on the establishment server and the content is transmitted via SMS 510 to the user's handset 505. At this time the token is cancelled (may not be re- used) and accounting records updated.

[089] Transmission can be via the premium gateway by default, however the non- premium gateway can be used if indicated by the passport accounting information (prepaid credits) or the content contributor has undertaken to sponsor transmissions (sponsored content). The user is advised via the web page of the success or failure of the validation and transmission dispatch.

Self Care Web Site Facility [090] Referring to Fig. 8, there is illustrated a user/customer self care facility enabling a user/customer (i.e. passport holder) to access a message construction window for sending user selected content to user handset 505.

[091] A user, who may be required to log onto the content transfer system web site using their mobile telephone number and password, is provided access to a message construction window into which the user may type, copy or cut, and then paste any valid content from any source including non-enabled sites, non-registered sites, local documents or files, etc., for transmission to a handset 505, for example via SMS 510.

[092] Any text source 805 can be utilised to enable a user to highlight content and perform a paste operation of the content into a customer care send page 810. To enable this facility, it may be required for a user to login to a customer care login page 820 which transmits login details to custcare.cgi 825 which verifies password information stored in database 530. If user verification is confirmed the user can be presented with customer care send page 810 to enable the user to paste content into the customer care send page 810 which then sends the content via HTTPS 520 to send.cgi (dispatch) 640.

[093] A customer care confirm page 815 can be presented to the user and logging information can be transmitted by sendxgi (dispatch) 640 to database 530. A destination telephone number and the content is transmitted by send.cgi (dispatch) to gateway 515 for transmission of the content via SMS to handset 505. It should be noted that although a text source is discussed any other type of content source, for example images, could be utilised and transmitted to handset 505 using a transmission protocol other than SMS.

[094] Transmission can be via the premium gateway by default, however the non- premium gateway can be used if indicated by the passport accounting information (i.e. prepaid credits). The user can be advised via a web page of the success or failure of the validation and transmission dispatch.

[095] The self care facility can also allow content sponsors to view and manage the content of messages by the message set identifier (i.e. the SetID discussed previously). This frees the sponsor from the need to make regular changes to the sponsor's web site if the content of the message is to change for a particular message set identifier.

Browser Enabled [096] Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated a system that allows users to download a software package that, when installed, can register a content transfer request as a right mouse button menu item enabled when text (or other content such as an image) is selected in a browser window. A non-enabled page 905 displays content to a user and the user highlights content on non-enabled page 905. When the user clicks on a menu item in a right mouse button menu the selected content, such as text, can be sent as a parameter for a call to a CGI 615 on the delivery server mimicking the effect of activating a control on an enabled site. CGI 615 then transmits content to send page 625 popup window and similar processes are followed as for an enabled site.

[097] The returned page is targeted to a new browser window which can be populated with the supplied content and provide input fields for secure entry of the user's mobile telephone number and password. On submission of send page 625, the user name and password is validated against the passport database 530 on the establishment server and the content is transmitted via SMS to the user's handset 505. As previously, transmission can be via the premium gateway by default and the user can be advised via a web page of the success or failure of the validation and transmission dispatch.

[098] It should also be noted that other types of menu options could be used to initiate the content transfer, for example a pull down menu option from a graphical user interface or a hot-key on a keyboard.

Establishment

[099] Preferably, content contributors wishing to participate in revenue share agreements or utilise sponsored content facilities are required to register with the content transfer system. The registration process may be initiated by a content contributor either via a content contributor section of a customer self care web site or by calling a customer support number. Once initiated, the content contributor can be sent relevant authorisation forms. It may be determined that the process may only be completed, and an agreement created, after receipt of completed authorisation forms and, in the case of sponsored content, pre-payment for credits and/or a credit card authorisation for a threshold billing arrangement.

[0100] Passwords and other details may be updated at any time via the customer self care web site. Usage and financial reporting may be viewed at any time via the customer self care web site and reports can be dispatched, for example via email, to a nominated address on a periodic basis. An agreement with a content contributor could be cancelled by the content contributor telephoning a customer support number or via the customer self care web site.

[0101] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[0102] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0103] The present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, firmware, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

Claims

The claims:

1. A method of sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the user selected content obtained from a content source residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals, the method including the steps of: receiving the user selected content at the server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals to the server after user activation of the user selected content; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including: authenticating the user at the server independently of any requirement for user authentication at any of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal is a second server hosting the content source which is a web page.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein user activation requires activation of a control icon displayed as part of the web page and associated with at least part of the content of the content source.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein user activation requires the user to highlight selected content from the web page and then select a menu option using an input device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the menu option is provided by installed software and accessed as a right mouse button menu option.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal is a local terminal and the content source is a local electronic file.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein user activation requires the user to select the user selected content from the content source and paste the user selected content into a window produced from a web site.

9. The method as claimed in claim I₃ including the step of displaying a confirm send window to the user prior to transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the confirm send window is initiated by a call to software installed on the server.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the confirm send window is initiated by a call to software installed on the terminal, whereby the terminal requests a token from the server and the confirm send window is displayed to the user using the token.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the identifier is a telephone number and is obtained by the user entering the telephone number in an input field in the confirm send window.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user is required to enter a password in an input field in the confirm send window.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein verification of a user is performed by the server prior to transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device.

15. The method as claimed in claim I₅ wherein the identifier is a telephone number and is obtained by one or more of querying a database associated with the content source, querying a database associated with the server, and retrieving a cookie from the terminal.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user selected content is transmitted via SMS to the mobile communications device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the confirm send window displays the user selected content to the user prior to transmission.

18. A computer program product for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from at least one server, the user selected content obtained from a content source residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals, the computer program product residing on the at least one server and adapted to: receive the user selected content at the at least one server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party terminals to the at least one server after user activation of the user selected content; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content from the at least one server to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party terminals.

19. A system for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device, the user selected content being at least part of a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, the system including at least one processor adapted to: receive the user selected content, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers after user activation of a control icon displayed as part of the web page and associated with at least part of the content of the web page; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers.

20. A method of sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct local terminals providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the user selected content being at least part of a local electronic file provided on at least one of the plurality of distinct local terminals, the method including the steps of: generating a message construction window viewable by the user in response to a request from the user; receiving the user selected content at the server, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct local terminals to the server after user activation requiring the user to select the user selected content from the local electronic file and paste the user selected content into the message construction window; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; transmitting the user selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct local terminals.

21. A system for sending user selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device, the user selected content being at least part of a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, the system including at least one processor adapted to: receive the user selected content, the user selected content transmitted from the at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers after user activation requiring the user to highlight selected content from the web page and then select a menu option using an input device; receive an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmit the user selected content to the mobile communications device, using the identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers.

22. A method of sending selected content, obtained from any of a plurality of distinct third party host servers providing a plurality of content sources, to a mobile communications device from a server, the selected content being associated with a web page residing on at least one of the plurality of distinct third party host servers, and the selected content stored on a database associated with the server, the method including the steps of: allowing a user to select a selected content identifier provided on the web page, wherein the selected content identifier identifies the selected content having been previously stored on the database; receiving the selected content identifier at the server after user selection of the selected content identifier and retrieving the selected content from the database; obtaining an identifier for the mobile communications device; and, transmitting the selected content from the server to the mobile communications device, using the obtained identifier, independently of the plurality of distinct third party host servers .