Title of Invention

"A SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING SERVICES AND/OR APPLICATIONS AND/OR CONTENT IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK"

Abstract A system for accessing services and/or applications and/or content on a communication network from a user terminal, the services and/or applications and/or content being stored in or linked to one or more databases connected to said communication network, wherein said system characterized in an Interpreter module interpreting a user-entered text phrase in the user's own natural language by means of a text and grammar recognition process, said module being adapted to output commands and/or inquiries executable for a content logic based on the result of said text and grammer recognition process, the content logic being adapted to search and find services and/or applications and/or content among said services and/or applications and/or content in said one or more databases satisfying specifications defined by the commands and/or inquiries from the Interpreter module, a priority logic being adapted to sort said found services and/or applications and/or content in a prioritized list according to predefined priority rules.
Full Text A system and method for accessing services and/or applications and/or content on a communication network
Field of the invention
The present invention is related to mobile services, in particular to provide higher availability of such.
Background of the invention
Cellular phones or mobile; phones are no longer used for voice transmission only. They are now extended to also function as tools for providing simple services, applications and content download to the users. Examples of popular services/content being available for mobile phone users are downloading of logos and ring tones, directory assistance, positioning services, reservations etc. i.e. Mobile Internet Services.
In the case of GSM, GPRS and UMTS, the service bearers are usually SMS, MMS or WAP. All these bearers are in a category where the availability to the customers is characterized by a threshold in the user interface, and a certain degree of technical understanding is required. In addition, for almost all SiVIr? • ~nd MMS services and applications, the user needs to have knowledge of certain codes, syntaxes and numbers to access them. This type of services needs to be advertised daily and makes the marketing very costly. Presently, the most frequent content by using SMS codes is logos and ring tones. However, it is not feasibly or efficient to use this type of syntaxes and codes for more sophisticated contents.
As a consequence of the abovementioned, the usage of different services offered by telecom operators and service providers tends to be lower than expected. The use of the services, and thereby technology adaptation, seems to be
developing at a lower growth rate for the generality of the customers, compared to the services offered.
Consequently, there is a need for a solution lowering the threshold in the user interface, making services available on the terminals to the users, and presenting information to the users in an interactive way, so that the customer can communicate and understand the information received. Such a solution should be adapted and addressed to the majority of subscribers, utilizing the services available. The main object is to make majority of subscribers to use more of the operators' and Content Providers' Value Added Services.
Summary of the invention
The present invention discloses a system and a method providing the above-mentioned solution.
In particular, the invention comprises a system for accessing services and/or applications and/or content in a communication network from a user terminal, the services and/or applications and/or content being stored in or linked to one or more databases connected to said communication network. Said system includes an Interpreter module interpreting a user-entered text phrase in the user's own natural language by means of a text and grammar recognition process, said module being adapted to output commands and/or inquiries executable for a Content Logic based on the result of said text and grammar recognition process, the Content Logic being adapted to search and find services and/or applications and/or content among said services and/or applications and/or content in said one or more databases satisfying specifications defined by the commands and/or inquiries from the Interpreter module, a Priority Logic being adapted to sort said found services and/or applications and/or content in a prioritized list according to predefined priority rules.
The present invention also includes a method as claimed in claim 10.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a drawing of the system architecture of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
The present invention discloses a system providing existing services to the customers in a user friendly and flexible way.
From a user's point of view, a non-standardised text phrase expressing what he/she is looking for is entered into the user's terminal, and the system responses with the services/content matching the message of the text phrase, possibly in a prioritised order. Alternatively, the system is accessed and controlled by the user's voice through a voice recognition module.
The system providing this user scenario is preferably implemented in a server at a telecommunication operator, comprising three main components: Interpreter, Content Logic and Priority Logic. In addition, a browser mechanism for interfacing the system towards the users will be needed. In the case of cellular phones, a SIM browser is preferably used for this purpose. The server will also have to be connected to one or more databases containing services/content or links thereto.
The Interpreter
The object of the Interpreter module is to enable a user to formulate and enter search strings as they would be expressed in natural speech, i.e. in the user's natural language and with normal grammatical composition, without
knowing the correct syntax requested by each particular database. The search strings may be either written or spoken.
In other words the interpreter is a text-recognition and grammar module recognizing and translating the user's own natural language into a language that the Content Logic: understands. Text recognition is a fast developing field, and some of the existing solutions are already applicable for this purpose. A speech recognition system can be integrated to the natural language system to extend the system to perform a voice-based service. The response can also be voice synthesized in this case. A standard text recognition and grammar module has to be adjusted to the Content Logic so that it outputs commands and queries being executable for the Content Logic. This gives the operator the opportunity to associate content with a logical response to a customer's requests or needs. I.e. the user may make his or her queries/requests by logical written sentences on tiie terminal display.
This module could be based on a standard off-the-shelf natural Text Recognition software. A text recognition and grammar module may be used in the Verbal Compilator. It runs on standard operating system with an internet information server as an automation server. An SQL server is used as information store
The prototype Verbal Compilator is designed to be accessed by IP protocol through a slim operator-specific layer.
The prototype Verbal Compilator can access knowledge bases in several ways, e.g. by
• Using the http protocol,
• Using SQL statements and
• Internal storaa0.
Internally, all is defined by use of XML in the Verbal Com-pilator.
Externally, the Verbal Compilator communicates by use of http towards technical partners or content providers. The format must regularly be customised for each partner.
Content Logic
The Content Logic contains a set of predefined tables, matrixes and commands as well as search engines to execute the desired queries and commands generated from the text entered by the user in addition to information and links to all active and current services and contents. This logic will be the gate to all contents and is connected to the CPA(Content Provider Access) and thus the billing system. The Content Logic will receive requests by means of queries and commands from the Interpreter, informing the Content Logic what kind of services/contents to search for. The Content Logic then searches through one or more databases containing all available services/contents. The services/contents are preferably categorized in several segments as, e.g., sports, weather, location based Content, etc. Other examples of services/content being available in the databases are dictionaries, encyclopaedias, traffic information and services, directory assistance, ring tones, logos, music, videos, voice mail, cinema, Mobile Commerce, positioning services etc.
If more than one service/content is found, it is left to the Priority mechanism to order the services/contents. The result of the search is then returned to the user's terminal, and by use of SIM toolkit, the service(s)/content(s) found will preferably appear in the terminal display as selectable menu opt'iop.s. The number of hits presented to the user, either through SMS, MMS, Mobile email, Cellbroadcast, WAP, WAP push or through voice channel (synthesized), can
be numerous, but is preferably limited to a certain number, with the option to see more if requested.
Priority Logic
The Priority Logic is driven by a method for prioritising between the services/content of all the Content Providers (CP) available through the operator's network. The list is to be organised in different segments of services fitted to be grouped together.
When the user requests a certain service or application, or asks for (general) information, the Content Logic will find the most relevant services/content and relay the list to the Priority Logic. The list is then arranged in a prioritised order according to what is most likely to satisfy the user's need and/or what is most valuable for the operator. To provide this, a database containing a ranking list is integrated in the priority logic. The list is segmented into different segments of services and applications.
Consequently, the user may experience a set of hits as a response to a successful request, and for this to be interesting, it is a requirement that the most popular services and applications are among the hits. The user should be able to personalise the service. E.g. having the possibility to set a limit of the.number of hits that is provided to him/her.
Tjhe .function of the Priority Logic is for the operator to organize services/content related to the end-user's requests. This will: ?~'d value to the service, as the prioritised content is the most likely wanted item requested.
The motivation to implement Priority Logic is based upon the assumption that rich and solid Content Providers are willing to pay according to a defined structure to be present in the hit list presented to the end user.
SIM browser
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a SIM Browser is used for accessing the. system. A SIM browser is a standard product- used .biyv,several mobile operators, and resides in the SIM card and can be used for menu-driven access to SMS based services and for enabling SIM application toolkit commands. SIM Browser can be described as partly similar to a conventional Internet browser, such as, e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer.
The SIM Browser receives byte coded WML-scripts from the Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG) server and runs these WML-script commands as SIM Application Toolkit (SAT) commands on the Mobile. The SIM Browser- is implemented as a SIM Toolkit Application and will also use SIM Application Toolkit commands, e.-j- -.for displaying text and getting key for interaction with the user.
The SIM Browser in the context of the present invention is responsible for:
• Providing user access to the system by means of an op
tion in the menu,
• Transmitting the user-entered text phrase to the In
terpreter,
• Receiving a'-:."-c^ponse and displaying it to the cus
tomer,
• Carrying out the requested operation if accepted by
the customer,
• Performing any end-to-end security functions if re
quested.
The combination with preloaded menu in the SIM and SIM Browser technique.-resembles that of WAP, but using the SIM browser gives the advantage of direct access to the system of tha present invention through a menu option in the menu system of the user's terminal without being forced to setup a WAP session or SMS semi-WAP interaction to get information. In addition, the terminal does not have to be WAP configured for making use of the system. However, use of the WAP browser and setting up a WAP session in addition to the SIM browser might be favourable in certain cases, and will also be within the scope of the present invention.
User scenario
In the following, the stejps of an example user scenario of the present invention will be presented.
1. The user selects the menu option to access the system
of the present invention, e.g. called "mGuru search".
2. The user enters a text phrase of his choice in the SIM
Toolkit menu by means of his/her keyboard, e.g. "my
nearest petrol station" or "petrol station in my area"
or only "petrol".
3. The SIM sendd chis request to the Interpreter logic
through SMSC, MMS, Mobile Email and OTA/WIG.
4. By means of the words "nearest" or "area" and "petrol
station", the Interpreter Logic outputs a search com
mand to the Content Logic for positioning services.
5. The Content logic finds a number of services and de
liberates with the Priority Logic before sending a WML
response back to the SIM Toolkit and the user includ
ing a prioritized list of the services found.
6. The attached display-text is shown to the user who ei
ther confirms/rejects the response or key in a new
string.
7. This response from the SIM is relayed back to the In
terpreter logic.
8. Upon user confirmation, the content provider presents
his "offer" to the user and takes over the proc
ess/dialogue .
9. Finally, the user has got his/her wanted service.
Optionally, if the user has predetermined that the system should respond with only one service per request, the steps 6-9 may be replaced by one single step of presenting the result of the service being on top of the priority list directly to the user. The user would then experience the response of his/her request, e.g. as a map sheet appearing on his/her display, plotting the exact route from his/her current position to the nearest petrol station.
Another example
The user selects the menu option to access the system as in step 1 above.
The user enters "The last melody of Eminem".
This request is sent to the Interpreter logic which outputs a search command to the Content Logic.
The Content logic finds a number of services and deliberates with the Priority Logic before sending a WML response, or WAP push message back to the user including a prioritized list of the services found:
a) "Listen to the last studio version"
b) "Provide as ringing tune"
c) "Provide as logo"
d) "MMS picture gallery"
e) "Order CD"
f) "Order DVD from provider A, USD 29.95"
g) "Order DVD from provider B, USD 37.95"
h) "Book movie ticket"
i) "Information form fan club"
The user chooses one option form the list, whereupon the content provider presents his "offer" to the user and takes over the process/dialogue of the transaction.
The various options presented to the user relates to different applications with widely different interfaces. However, the user will only see a "standard" interface common for all the applications, and which is simple in use for an occasional user. In this way the "mechanics" behind the interface is completely hidden form the user.
The main advantage of the present invention is that it minimizes the threshold in the user interface of services and content provided for cellular phones, and makes it very simple for the user to find wanted service, information or products. The present invention will let the user browse and find new or already known service, information or product possibilities without having to know certain SMS codes, search techniques and/or telephone numbers.
Besides the present invention will reduce the costs for advertising of SMS codes, reduce integration cost for Con-
tents providers, and will probably multiply the sales of different Contents.
The invention has been described as applicable in the contexts of traditional mobile networks like GSM, GPRS, UMTS, etc. However, as communication technologies are evolving, the invention can find application here as well. As examples of other technologies of interest, we can name WLAN, HiperLAN, Bluetooth and InfraRed (IR) communication. This list of currently available communication technologies must not be considered as exhaustive; in the future other technologies will certainly become available, and which can be supported by the system and method of the present invention.
While the invention- has been described in the context of
mobile services, it can find application in a stationary
environment as well. A Web server with the three modules
mentioned above installed, can be accessed form a standard
Web browser I a desktop Personal Computer. In this way the
same benefits of a uniform access interface to a multitude
of different services/applications/information contents can
be achieved. This solution will in principle be almost identical to the mobile approach, except for billing solutions, event though a full fledged Web browser is used. The additional capabilities of such a Web browser may of course be exploited with advantage to add features in the user in-


WE CLAIM:
1. A system for accessing services and/or applications and/or content on a
communication network from a user terminal, the services and/or applications
and/or content being stored in or linked to one or more databases connected to
said communication network, wherein said system
characterized in
an Interpreter module interpreting a user-entered text phrase in the user's own natural language by means of a text and grammar recognition process, said module being adapted to output commands and/or inquiries executable for a content logic based on the result of said text and grammer recognition process,
the content logic being adapted to search and find services and/or applications and/or content among said services and/or applications and/or content in said one or more databases satisfying specifications defined by the commands and/or inquiries from the Interpreter module,
a priority logic being adapted to sort said found services and/or applications and/or content in a prioritized list according to predefined priority rules.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content logic includes a set of tables and/or matrixes associating possible incoming command and/or inquiries with search strings for search engines to operate in said one or more databases and/or with links to certain services/applications/content or groups of services/applications/content in said one or more databases.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the priority logic includes a ranking list prioritizing at least some of the available services/applications/content that is being used in said sorting of the services and/or applications and/or content in the prioritized list.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the priority list is sorted according to what is most likely to match a user's need expressed in the commands and/or inquiries resulting from the user-entered text phrase input in the Interpreter module.
5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Interpreter module, the content logic and the priority logic resides in a server localized at a telecommunication operator associated with the communication network, and that the server is connected to a billing mechanism charging users for each use of the system.
6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication network is a GSM, GSM/GPRS or a UMTS network and that the user terminals are cellular phones.

Documents:


Patent Number 249800
Indian Patent Application Number 686/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 46/2011
Publication Date 18-Nov-2011
Grant Date 12-Nov-2011
Date of Filing 21-Feb-2005
Name of Patentee TELENOR ASA
Applicant Address SNAROYVEIN 30, N-1331 FORNEBU, NORWAY.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 LARS CHRISTIAN NORDVIK BERG HOTVETVEIN 37B, N-3018 DRAMMEN, NORWAY.
2 ARNE CHRISTIAN MUNCH ELISENBERGVEIN 22, N-0265 OSLO, NORWANY.
3 LEIF SANDBERG JANTANS VAG 14, S-132 35 SALTSJO-BOO, SWEDEN.
PCT International Classification Number G06F 17/60
PCT International Application Number PCT/NO2003/000287
PCT International Filing date 2003-08-20
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 20023947 2002-08-20 Norway