WO2006046845A1

WO2006046845A1 - Opt in model service providing system based position of a mobile phone

Info

Publication number: WO2006046845A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003629
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Do Park; Sang-Hyu Bae; Yong-Kook Lee
Original assignee: Nextwireless Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-10-29
Filing date: 2005-10-29
Publication date: 2006-05-04
Also published as: KR100515238B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an opt- in location-based service system, in which when a user views a location- based service registration number and a location-based service authorization key, which are recorded in a predetermined place within a location-based service area, and inputs them through his/her mobile station, the location-based service system inquires of a mobile communication system whether the mobile station is located within the location-based service area, and provides location-based service to the mobile station when the mobile station is determined to be located within the location-based service area. Accordingly, it is possible for the user to receive the location-based service without signing up for the location-based service. Accordingly, it is possible for location-based service providers to provide the location-based services to users without violating the regulation on spam.

Description

OPT IN MODEL SERVICE PROVIDING SYSTEM BASED POSITION OF A MOBILE PHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an opt- in location-based service system that enables an opt- in mobile marketing service based on position information concerning a mobile station. Background Art

[2] There are opt- in and opt-out models to deal with unsolicited e-mail (spam). The opt- in e-mail is a Web marketing term for e-mail that recipients have previously requested by signing up at a Web site or special ad banner. Typically, Web users are invited to sign up for promotional information about one or more categories of products or services. Those who sign up have thus "opted in". Anyone sending them e- mail as a result hopes that the message will not be perceived as unwanted spam. The distribution model of sending the spam and allowing the recipient to request removal is referred to as "opt-out".

[3] Location-based service systems that provide location-based services based on the position information of mobile stations currently employ an opt-out location-based service system. That is, when a user having a mobile station enters a location-based service area, a mobile communication system perceives that the user enters the service area, and notifies a location-based service server that the user enters the service area. The location-based service server offers the mobile station various kinds of location- based services, such as franchise stores and promotional information about one or more categories of products or services.

[4] However, there is a problem in the opt-out location-based service in that the location-based services are indiscriminately provided to users having mobile stations when they entered the location-based service area regardless of whether they want or not. To solve the problem, the opt-out location-based service system has been configured such that the location-based services are provided only to users who have requested the location-based services by signing up for the location-based services. However, the users need to input their private information to make an application for admission. Further, the private information may be disclosed without permission.

[5] Accordingly, the present inventor has studied an opt-in location-based service system that allows users to receive location-based services without signing up for the location-based services. Disclosure of Invention Technical Solution

[6] It is an object of the present invention to provide an opt-in location-based service system that allows a user to receive location-based services without signing up for the location-based services.

Advantageous Effects

[7] The opt-in location-based service system according to the present invention provides location-based services to users only after gaining approval from the users.

Accordingly, it is possible to send e-mails concerning the location-based services without violating the regulation on spam.

Brief Description of the Drawings [8] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: [9] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an opt- in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an opt- in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [11] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of location-based services provided through an opt- in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [12] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opt- in location-based service system, in which when a user views a location-based service registration number and an authorization key which are recorded in a predetermined place within a location-based service area, and inputs them through his/her mobile station, the location-based service system inquires of a mobile communication system whether or not the mobile station is located within the location-based service area, and provides location-based service to the mobile station when the mobile station is determined to be located within the location-based service area. [13] Accordingly, the opt- in location-based service system according to the present invention provides location-based services to users only after gaining approval from the users.

Mode for the Invention [14] Exemplary embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [15] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an opt- in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [16] An opt- in location-based service system 100, interworking with a mobile com- munication system 200, provides location-based services to a mobile station (MS) 300 after gaining approval from the MS 300.

[17] The mobile communication system 200 includes a base transceiver station (BTS), which communicates with the MS 300, a base station controller (BSC), which is re¬ sponsible for the exchange of messages towards a MSC and the BTS, a mobile switching center (MSC), which is a telecommunication switch within a mobile com¬ munication network architecture which is capable of interworking with location databases, a home location register (HLR), which is a database found within mobile communication networks and stores subscriber data relating to services and features in addition to location area based information, a packet data serving node (PDSN), which is responsible for the establishment, maintenance and termination of a PPP session towards the MS, and an interworking function/gateway (IWF/GW).

[18] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an opt- in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[19] The opt- in location-based service system 100 includes a location-based service request receiving unit 110, a location determination unit 120, and a location-based service providing unit 130. The opt- in location-based service system 100 may further include a location-based service termination unit 140. The location-based service request receiving unit 110 receives a location-based service request from the MS 300 in which a user inputs a location-based service registration number and a location- based service authorization key.

[20] A location-based service provider that provides location-based services to users through the location-based service system 100 requests the location-based service reg¬ istration number and the location-based service authorization key from the location- based service system 100.

[21] The location-based service provider makes public his/her own location-based service registration number and authorization key through a notice board, a poster, a leaflet, a flyer, or the like, together with promotional material concerning the location- based services to be provided.

[22] For example, when the location-based service registration number is '1988-7771' and the authorization key is '9#', the location-based service provider may put up a notice announcing that "when you shop in a mall and press the location-based service registration number, '1988-7771', and the authorization key, '9#', you will get a mobile coupon related to the mall without charge. Please press '8#' to terminate the location- based service."

[23] Alternatively, the location-based service system may be configured such that the location-based service registration number is made public offline, and the authorization key and the promotional information concerning the location-based services are provided through ARS when the user makes a call to the location-based service reg¬ istration number.

[24] When the user inputs the location-based service registration number and the au¬ thorization key through the MS 300, the MS 300 makes a call to the location-based service registration number and transfers location-based service request information including the authentication key and a caller identity display (CID) to a server cor¬ responding to the service registration number, i.e., the location-based service system 100 through the mobile communication system 200. The location-based service system 100 receives the information through the location-based service request receiving unit 110.

[25] When receiving the location-based service request information through the location- based service request receiving unit 110, the location determination unit 120 inquires of the mobile communication system 200 and determines whether or not the MS 300 is located within a location-based service area.

[26] That is, when receiving the location-based service request information through the location-based service request receiving unit 110, the location-based service system 100 refers to the authentication key included in the location-based service request in¬ formation to confirm that the user has requested the location-based services by signing up, and inquires of the mobile communication system 200 whether or not the MS 300 corresponding to the CID is located within the location-based service area.

[27] Since the mobile communication system 200 stores in the HLR the position in¬ formation of BS and the position information of MS, which is identified by a global positioning system (GPS) or the like, the mobile communication system 200 determines the position of the MS corresponding to the CID by referring to the HLR, and notifies the position to the location-based service system 100. The location-based service system 100 determines through the location determination unit 120 whether or not the MS is located within the location-based service area by making reference to the position information received from the mobile communication system 200. The position information concerning the location-based service area is preferably stored in a database beforehand.

[28] When the MS is determined to be located within the location-based service area by the location determination unit 120, the location-based service providing unit 130 provides the location-based service to the MS 300. Data concerning the location-based service is preferably stored in a database beforehand.

[29] That is, when the MS is determined to be located in the location-based service area by the location determination unit 120, the location-based service system 100 reads location-based content from the database and transfers the location-based content to the MS through the location-based service providing unit 130. Accordingly, the location-based content is transferred to the MS 300 through the mobile communication system 200 so that the user can receive the location-based service.

[30] The location-based service may be mobile contents, such as mobile coupons or mobile advertisement, which are provided based on the position information of the MS and provided through the MS. The location-based services provided by the location- based service providing unit 130 may be mobile contents provided by at least one franchise store that is registered to provide the location-based service in the location- based service area.

[31] That is, when a plurality of stores are located in a small area such as a department store, i.e., when a plurality of franchise stores are located in a location-based service area, mobile contents provided at least one franchise store that is registered to provide the location-based service in the location-based service area can be selectively provided to the MS.

[32] On the other hand, the mobile content may be advertisement for the franchise store that is registered in the location-based service area. The mobile content may be an ad¬ vertisement list of franchise stores that are registered in the location-based service area. In this case, when a user reads the list and selects one of the franchise stores, the location-based service providing unit 130 provides advertisement for the selected franchise store to the user's MS. That is, in this case, the content is the advertisement itself.

[33] On the other hand, the mobile content may include advertisement. The ad¬ vertisement may by advertisement for a franchise store. In this case, the advertisement is included in the mobile content.

[34] The advertisement may include a homepage URL or a phone number of an advertiser. A user can access the advertiser's homepage or make a call to the advertiser's phone number.

[35] The location-based service termination unit 140 terminates the location-based service when a user inputs a termination key to terminate the location-based service through the MS 300, or when the MS 300 departs from the location-based service area.

[36] That is, the location-based service may be terminated by a user or by the location- based service system 100. In more detail, when a user presses a termination key, e.g., '8#', which is set to terminate the location-based service, through the MS while the user uses the location-based service, the location-based service system 100 terminates the location-based service by means of the location-based service termination unit 140.

[37] Alternatively, when the user departs from a location-based service area during the location-based service, the location-based service system 100 automatically terminates the location-based service through the location-based service termination unit 140. The location-based service system 100 requests and receives position information concerning the user's MS 300 from the mobile communication system 200 at regular intervals.

[38] Operation of the opt-in location-based service system will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[39] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the opt-in location-based service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[40] When a user inputs a location-based service registration number and an au¬ thorization key through his/her MS 300, the MS 300 makes a call to the service reg¬ istration number, and transfers location-based service request information including the authorization key and the CID to a server corresponding to the service registration number, i.e., the location-based service system 100, through the mobile com¬ munication system 200.

[41] In operation Sl 10, the location-based service system 100 receives the location- based service request information through the location-based service request receiving unit 110.

[42] In operation S 120, the location-based service system 100 refers to the authorization key included in the location-based service request information to confirm that the user has requested the location-based service by signing up, requests and receives position information of the MS corresponding to the CID from the mobile communication system 200, and determines whether or not the MS 300 is located within the location- based service area.

[43] When the MS is determined to be located in the location-based service area, the location-based service system 100 provides the location-based service to the MS 300 through the location-based service providing unit 130 in operation S 130.

[44] Accordingly, the opt-in location-based service system according to the present invention provides the location-based service only when the user requests the location- based service.

[45] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary em¬ bodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Industrial Applicability

[46] The present invention can be applied to an opt-in location-based service system that enables an opt-in mobile marketing service based on position information concerning a mobile station.

Claims

[1] An opt- in location-based service system comprising: a location-based service request receiving unit that receives from a mobile station location-based service request information including a location-based service registration number and a location-based service authorization key; a location determination unit that determines whether or not the mobile station is located in a location-based service area by making reference to the location- based service request information; and a location-based service providing unit that provides location-based service to the mobile station when the mobile station is determined to be located in the location-based service area.

[2] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 1, wherein the location-based service is mobile content provided by at least one franchise store that is registered to provide the location-based service in the location-based service area.

[3] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 2, wherein the mobile content is an advertisement concerning at least one franchise store that is registered to provide the location-based service in the location-based service area.

[4] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 2, wherein the mobile content is a list of advertisements of the franchise stores that are registered to provide the location-based service in the location-based service area.

[5] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 4, wherein the location-based service providing unit provides to the mobile station an advertisement that is selected among the list of advertisements through the mobile station.

[6] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 2, wherein the mobile content includes an advertisement.

[7] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 6, wherein the advertisement is an advertisement concerning the franchise store.

[8] The opt-in location-based service system of claim 7, wherein the advertisement includes an advertiser's homepage URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or phone number.

[9] The opt-in location-based service system of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a location-based service termination unit that terminates the location- based service when a termination key for terminating the location-based service is input through the mobile station.

[10] The opt-in location-based service system of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a location-based service termination unit that terminates the location- based service when the mobile station departs from the location-based service area.