Method of wireless retrieval of information

Details Method of wireless retrieval of information Method of wireless retrieval of information

1996-12-24

2002-12-10

Hoosain, Allan (Department: 2645)

Telephonic communications

Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis

Indication or notification of message

C379S088110, C379S088170, C379S088220, C379S201020, C379S207020

Reexamination Certificate

active

06493430

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for wireless retrieval of information. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method of providing data from an information database in response to a request from a mobile station on a wireless network.
It is known in the prior art that an information service provider can establish a database which can be accessed by subscribers to obtain particular desired information. Such information might include news, weather, traffic, etc. One configuration for providing such information to a subscriber is illustrated in FIG.
1
A. In that configuration a subscriber computer
100
is connected via modem
101
to the public switched telephone network (PSTN)
1
and through that network to a database service provider
102
. A subscriber at computer
100
can generate queries or requests that are transmitted to the database service provider which then provides a response back to the subscriber.
While this configuration can be helpful to a subscriber who has a computer and a connection to the PSTN, access to these informational databases or information service providers is otherwise still somewhat limited.
In today's world the use of wireless communications continues to expand at a rapid pace. More and more people have cellular phones which provide them with mobile communication in an ever expanding wireless environment. However, at present there is no configuration in the wireless environment that facilitates the access of a database of an information service provider via a mobile station.
It is known that with the enhanced functionality available to mobile stations, such as prescribed by a protocol referred to as IS-136, message packets can be sent to a wireless communication devices operating within the protocol. In particular, this type of messaging is referred to as a Short Messaging Service (SMS).
FIG. 1B
illustrates a known wireless arrangement for providing short messages in accordance with the IS-136 protocol. In that arrangement a mobile station
110
is in wireless communication with a base station
120
. The base station is coupled to a mobile switching center (MSC)
130
. A message center (MC)
146
is coupled to the MSC
130
. The message center stores messages for mobile units and may use a personal identification number (PIN) that is associated with a given subscriber to correlate messages and subscribers. The message center then forwards the messages to the designated mobile station via MSC
130
and base station
120
in a format known as the Short Message Services (SMS) Format. This format is well known in the art and is described in the IS-136 protocol.
To date, no one has explored how implementation of the Short Messaging Service could enhance the ability of a subscriber to retrieve information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating access to informational databases from a mobile station. In one embodiment, a subscriber uses a mobile station to place a call via the wireless network and a PSTN to an information service provider. An identification of the mobile station, such as a calling number ID is also forwarded to the information service provider. That provider can then use the calling number ID to retrieve a user personal identification number (PIN) or user identification number. The subscriber then, via activation of keys on the keypad of the mobile station, makes selections of the particular pieces of information which are desired. Subsequently, the database information service provider constructs a message containing the desired data and the appropriate PIN or user identification number and forwards that to a message center. The message center then forwards the data from the information service provider in accordance with the Short Message Service format.
As a consequence of this arrangement, a mobile station has the flexibility to request data from a database service provider and have the data sent directly to the mobile station using a messaging technique which is now available.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5131020 (1992-07-01), Liebeamy et al.
patent: 5327554 (1994-07-01), Palazzi, III et al.
patent: 5351235 (1994-09-01), Lahtinen
patent: 5396543 (1995-03-01), Beeson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5459779 (1995-10-01), Backaus et al.
patent: 5519780 (1996-05-01), Woo et al.
patent: 5550907 (1996-08-01), Carlsen
patent: 5559860 (1996-09-01), Mizikovsky
patent: 5577102 (1996-11-01), Koivunen
patent: 5577103 (1996-11-01), Foti
patent: 5604744 (1997-02-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 5604921 (1997-02-01), Alanara
patent: 5719918 (1998-02-01), Serbetciouglu et al.
patent: 5742905 (1998-04-01), Pepe et al.
patent: 5768276 (1998-06-01), Diachina et al.
patent: 5768509 (1998-06-01), Gunluk
patent: 5794142 (1998-08-01), Vanttila et al.
patent: 5794156 (1998-08-01), Alanara
patent: 5835583 (1998-11-01), Hetz et al.
patent: 5870089 (1999-02-01), Fabbio et al.
patent: 5878397 (1999-03-01), Stille et al.
patent: 5903832 (1999-05-01), Seppanen et al.
patent: 5905959 (1999-05-01), Foladare et al.
patent: 5959543 (1999-09-01), LaPorta et al.
patent: 5974300 (1999-10-01), LaPorta et al.
patent: 6014429 (2000-01-01), LaPorta et al.
patent: 6085101 (2000-07-01), Jain et al.
patent: WO 97/41654 (1997-11-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method of wireless retrieval of information does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method of wireless retrieval of information, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of wireless retrieval of information will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2934277