WO2010049940A1

WO2010049940A1 - Method and system of providing vas in a communication network

Info

Publication number: WO2010049940A1
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kiran Walavalkar Meeta; Kumar Pawan; Jayanth Ullal Suraj
Original assignee: Onmobile Global Limited
Priority date: 2008-10-31
Filing date: 2008-10-31
Publication date: 2010-05-06

Abstract

A method and system for providing a VAS to a caller in a communication network is disclosed. A communication service provider sends a notification to the caller for a VAS. The notification contains the subscription information of the VAS. The caller sends a single request to the system to subscribe for the VAS. The system on receiving a single request from the caller for the VAS automatically provides the VAS without requiring the caller to go through the menu driven system.

Description

TITLE: METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING VAS IN A COMMUNICATION

NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure. More particularly, the invention relates to automatically providing the VAS in response to the single request from the caller.

DEFINITIONS

COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE: communication infrastructure is a network for establishing communication. Communication includes, but is not limited to, transferring information and data such as voice, audio, video, graphics and the like. Examples of communication networks includes, but is not limited to, internet, intranets, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), transducer links such as those using Modulator-Demodulators (modems), telecommunication infrastructure which includes Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and CDMA network.

CALLER: A person using communication network for obtaining a VAS is referred to as a caller.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Information contained in the notification sent to the user for getting a VAS.

The following acronyms have been used in this text hereinafter: USSD: Unstructured Supplementary Service Data SMS: Short Messaging Service MMS: Multimedia Messaging Service IVR: Interactive Voice Response WAP: Wireless application protocol

BACKGROUND

Mobile phones have become immensely popular in past few years. A Telecom service provider provides value added service (VAS) in addition to the usual communication services through the communication infrastructure. Examples of usual communication services include call set up services enabling call set up between two telephones users, SMS services etc. Examples of VAS include surfing internet, sports news, zodiac prediction, online shopping etc. A user of a communication infrastructure obtaining the VAS from the telecom service provider is hereinafter referred to as a caller. The caller typically has to subscribe to a VAS before obtaining the VAS. The term Obtaining a VAS' has been used for both subscribing the VAS and also for obtaining the content of the VAS.

The telecom service providers provide various means to a caller to obtain VAS. Examples of such means are internet, voice portals etc. The caller, trying to obtain the VAS through existing means, has to typically navigate through a menu based system. For example, in a voice portal, the caller is asked language preferences, and then the caller is taken through a list of the VAS available and asked to perform a set of actions, like sending SMS, for obtaining a particular VAS. However, such menu based system results in a waste of time and money on part of the caller. Further, it may also happen that the caller is not able to locate the VAS she is looking for. All these limitations add to the discomfort of the caller and in turn adversely affect the business of the service providers.

In light of the above mentioned limitations, there exists a need for a system to provide the desired VAS to the caller in an efficient manner, thereby reducing the time and the money spent by the caller. Further, there is a need for presenting the desired VAS to the caller instead of the caller trying to search for the desired VAS through various means. Such a system is likely to increase the popularity of VAS and thus increase the number of subscriptions to VAS.

SUMMARY

A method for providing a VAS to a caller in a communication infrastructure is disclosed. The method includes sending a notification to the caller for obtaining a VAS. The method further includes receiving a single request from the caller for the VAS. Furthermore, the method includes automatically providing the caller with the requested VAS based on predefined conditions without the caller having to go through a menu driven system for obtaining the VAS.

According to an embodiment, a system for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure is disclosed. The system includes a voice application server to receive a single request for a VAS. The system also includes a charging module to bill the caller for the VAS. The charging module also notifies the voice application server about the billing. The system further includes a dispatch module to provide the VAS to the user based on the single request. The dispatch module also receives the single request for providing the VAS from the voice application server and updates the voice application module regarding providing of the VAS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.1 illustrates an environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating an activation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG.3 is a flow diagram illustrating the method for providing VAS, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; DETAILED DESCRI^PTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Various aspects and features of example embodiments of the invention are described in detail hereinafter.

A method for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure is disclosed. A VAS may include, but is not limited to, downloading ring tones, surfing internet, sports news, zodiac prediction, online shopping.

FIG.1 illustrates a communication environment according to an embodiment of the invention. The communication environment comprises of a caller 102, a communication infrastructure 104 and an activation system 106. Caller 102 may use communication infrastructure 104 to obtain VAS. Caller 102 is sent a notification containing VAS information and an access code. The notification is discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. Typically, promotional tools are used to send the notification to caller 102. Promotional tools may send the notification to caller 102 through SMS, USSD, or a WAP link etc. Promotional tools typically send bulk notifications to the callers.

Activation system 106 receives a single request from caller 102, through communication infrastructure 104, for the VAS. The single request is based on the notification. Activation system 106 is updated regarding VAS information and the access code sent in the notification. Activation system 106 further provides the VAS to caller 102 in response to the single request. Single request is described in detail in conjunction with FIG.2. Activation system 106 is described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2. FIG.2 is a block diagram illustrating activation system 106 in accordance with an embodiment of an invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, activation system 106 comprises a voice application server 202, a database 204, a charging module 206, a dispatch module 208, a database 210, a daemon 212, and NEMO 214. NEMO 214 is a repository of the content of the VAS.

A notification is sent to caller 102 for making caller 102 aware of the VAS and enabling caller 102 to obtain the VAS in a simplistic manner. The notification comprises VAS information and an access code for obtaining the VAS. The notification has been discussed in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3. In response to the notification, caller 102 sends a single request to voice application server 202.

Single request is an action performed by caller 102 for obtaining the VAS specified in the notification. Single request ensures that caller 102 does not have to go through the menu driven system to obtain the VAS. Single request may include, but is not limited to, a caller 102 sending an SMS to the access code mentioned in the notification or dialing the access code mentioned in the notification. Single request is further described in detail in conjunction with FIG.3.

Voice application server 202 receives the single request from caller 102 for the VAS. Single request includes the access code. Voice application server 202 stores the single request in database 204. Voice application server 202 also collects other information through communication infrastructure 104 and stores the other information in database 204. Other information includes caller 102's mobile phone number, mobile phone handset details etc. Voice application server 202 obtains the VAS id corresponding to the access code from database 204. The request, the other information, and the VAS id stored by voice application server 202 are hereinafter referred to as subscription information of caller 102. Subscription information stored in database 204 by voice application server 202 is further discussed in conjunction with F(G. 3. Voice application server 202, after storing the subscription information, forwards the subscription information to charging module 206. Charging module 206 receives subscription information from voice application server 202 for charging the subscribers. Charging module 206, thereafter, checks the balance available with caller 102. If balance available with caller 102 is greater than billing charges for the VAS, charging module 206 deducts a pre-specified amount from the caller 102's account and returns a subscription ID for caller 102. In case the balance available with caller 102 is less than the billing charges for the VAS, charging module sends a message to caller 102 that the requested VAS cannot be provided to caller due to unavailability of balance.

Voice application server 102 receives the subscription ID, updates the subscription information by including subscription ID, and sends the subscription information to dispatch module 208.

Dispatch module 208 comprises a database 210 and a daemon 212. Dispatch module 208 obtains the content of the VAS from NEMO 214 and sends the content to caller 102. The procedure for obtaining and sending the content has been discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. NEMO 214 is a database containing the content of various VASs.

FIG.3 is a flow diagram illustrating the method for providing VAS, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

At step 302, a notification is sent to caller 102 through a promotional tool. Notification contains VAS information and an associated access code to obtain the VAS. In an embodiment of the invention, one access code is associated with one VAS. In another embodiment of the invention, one access code is associated with a plurality of VAS.

The notification may be sent to caller 102 as SMS for a VAS 'download ring tones'. The content of the VAS 'download ring tone' may be a pack of three ring tones (3RTs). The VAS information includes the information that the VAS 'download ring tone' includes a pack of three ring tones (3RTs) for Rs 15. The VAS information may also include the details, for example the names of the 3RTs, and the information regarding how to obtain the VAS. For example, the VAS information may include the message 'call the access code for obtaining the VAS' or "send an SMS at the access code". The associated access code with the VAS could be a number, for example 53335 or ^*646#. The access code may also be the number from which the SMS notification is sent to caller 102.

At step 304, caller 102 may respond to the notification by sending a single request to voice application server 202. In an embodiment of the invention, caller 102 may send the single request by calling the access code 53335 in the notification, using her mobile phone. In another embodiment, the single request is sending an SMS to the access code or dialing the access code as a USSD request. In another embodiment, caller 102 may send the single request by calling the number from which the notification was sent to caller 102. The single request does not involve any further communication between caller 102 and voice application server 202. The calling of the access code by caller 102 is accepted by voice application server 202 as a request for the VAS.

The notification ensures that caller 102 is presented with the information regarding the VAS and caller does not have to search for the desired VAS. Further, the single request corresponding to the notification ensures that caller does not have to go through a menu based system to obtain the VAS.

At step 306, activation system 106 provides the VAS to caller 102. Voice application server 202 stores the subscription information of caller 102 in database 204.

Subscription information includes the access code, caller 102's phone number, status, and billing information. In an embodiment of the invention, subscription information may also include caller usage information. Caller usage information includes information regarding interests of caller 102. The interests of caller 102 may be provided by caller 102, or may be assessed based on the VAS earlier ordered by caller 102. For example, caller 102 may have earlier obtained cricket information as VAS. Caller usage information, then, includes cricket as one of the interests of caller 102.

Voice application server 202 obtains the VAS id corresponding to access code from database 204. Further, voice application server 202 obtains the details of the VAS corresponding to the VAS id from database 204. For example, caller 102 called the access code 53336 which corresponds to the pack of 3 RTs for Rs 15. Voice application server 202 updates the subscription information by including the VAS id and the RT IDs of all the 3 RTs corresponding to the. VAS id. The status indicates how many of the requested RTs have been provided to caller 102. For example, just after receiving the single request, the status will be 'not delivered' for all the 3 requested RTs. After all the 3 RTs have been provided to caller 102, the status for each of the 3 RT will be 'delivered'.

In another embodiment of the invention, the access code may correspond to a plurality of VAS. Voice application server 202, then, decides on the VAS to be sent to caller 102 based on caller usage information. After deciding the VAS, voice application server 202 obtains the VAS id corresponding to the decided VAS from database 204. Voice application server further updates the subscription information by including the VAS id.

Voice application server 202 forwards the subscription information to charging module 206. Charging module 206, after charging caller 102, generates a subscription ID. Charging module 206 sends the subscription ID to voice application server 202. Subscription ID is an indication for voice application server 202 that caller 102 has been charged for the VAS. Voice application server 202 updates the subscription information by including the subscription ID.

Voice application server 202 sends the updated subscription information to dispatch module 208. Daemon 212 of dispatch module 208 obtains the subscription information from voice application server. For example, Daemon 212 obtains subscription information for the pack of 3RTS. Daemon 212 stores the subscription information in database 210. Daemon 212 sends the requested RTs to caller 102 one at a time. Daemon 212 reads the RT ID of one RT from subscription information and passes the RT ID to NEMO 214. NEMO 214 provides the content of RT corresponding to the RT ID to Daemon 212. RT content may be an mp3 file. Daemon 212 dispatches the RT content to caller 102. Daemon 212 further updates the status of the already dispatched RT as 'delivered' in the subscription information.

Dispatch module 208 then obtains second and third RT content from NEMO 214 and dispatches the RT content to caller 102 in a manner described above.

While example embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure, the method comprising: a. sending a notification to the caller, the notification containing information regarding the VAS ; b. receiving a single request from the caller for the VAS, the single request being sent using the. information regarding the VAS; and c. in response to the single request, automatically providing the VAS to the caller based on predefined conditions; wherein the single request ensures that the caller does not have to go through a menu driven system for obtaining the VAS.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein notification is sent by at least one of Short message service (SMS), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the single request by the caller comprises calling an access code.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the single request is sent by the caller through USSD.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the single request is sent by the caller through an SMS.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the single request by the caller through clicking a WAP link.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein predefined conditions further comprises balance in the account of the caller is greater than a certain value.

8. A method for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure, the method comprising: d. sending a notification to the caller, the notification containing information regarding a plurality of VAS; e. receiving a single request from the caller in response to the notification, the single request being sent by the caller using the information regarding a plurality of VAS; f. identifying a VAS to be sent to the caller based on the single request and a caller usage information, the VAS being one of the plurality of VAS; and g. providing the identified VAS to the caller based on predefined conditions; wherein the single request ensures that the caller does not have to go through a menu driven system for obtaining the VAS.

9. A system for providing a VAS to a caller through a communication infrastructure, the system comprising:

1. a voice application server configured to: a. receive a single request for VAS from the caller through communication infrastructure;

2. a charging module configured to: a. receive the single request for billing the caller for the VAS from the voice application module; b. bill the caller based on the single request; c. notify the voice application about the billing;

3. a dispatch module configured to: a. receive the single request for providing the VAS from the voice application module after the billing; b. provide the VAS to the caller based on the single request; c. update the voice application module regarding providing of the VAS;

4. a NEMO module for delivering the content of the VAS to the dispatch module.