A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION SERVICES TO A MOBILE DEVICE USER

Abstract: A system and method for providing information services to a mobile device user (230), the mobile device user having a mobile device (240), comprising receiving profile information about the mobile device user (100), receiving real-time data from one or more content sources (110), generating a message for the mobile device user (120), the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, and transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user.

Description: A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION SERVICES TO A MOBILE DEVICE USER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/184,759, filed February 24, 2000, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMER INFORMATION SERVICES, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally relates to information services and, more particularly, the invention relates to information services for mobile device users. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At present, mobile telecommunications users represent a large, and growing, percentage of all telecommunication users. These "mobile" users use their mobile telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants, and mobile computers for business and pleasure, communicating, for example, with employers, family, and clients. As a result, various mobile telecommunication services have been developed to meet the needs of these mobile device users. For example, in addition to standard voice-to-voice communication services, mobile device-to-mobile device services have been developed. One such service, referred to as Short Message Service ("SMS"), allows mobile device users to transmit short messages from, for example, one mobile telephone to another mobile telephone. In SMS, messages are routed from the sending mobile device to a SMS Service Center ("SMSC"). The SMSC then routes the message to the receiving mobile device. Another service, referred to as Wireless Application Protocol ("WAP"), allows mobile device users to access World Wide Web applications from their mobile devices. In WAP, a "condensed" version of Hyper Text Markup Language ("HTML") is used, referred to as Wireless Markup Language ("WML") SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system and method for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, receives profile information about the mobile device user, receives real- time data from one or more content sources, generates a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, and transmits the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system and method for providing travel information to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, receives profile information about the mobile device user, the profile information including itinerary information for the mobile device user, receives real-time data from one or more content sources, the real-time data including route and vehicle information, generates a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, the generated message including status information tailored to the itinerary of the mobile device user, and transmits the generated message to the mobile device of the mobile device user In further embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the route and vehicle information may be information on a vehicle delay on a particular route, information on a vehicle cancellation on a particular route, or information on a route change for a particular vehicle In addition, the status information may be information on a vehicle on a particular route or information on alternate transportation In a further embodiment of both aspects of the invention, the system and method receives a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message In a still further embodiment of both aspects of the invention, the system and method transmits a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message In alternate embodiments of both aspects of the invention, the system and method receives the profile information from the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user In addition, the mobile device user or the entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user uses a computer network, a telecommunications network, the World Wide Web, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center to send the profile information. Further, the one or more content sources may be a retailer, a manufacturer, a health care provider, a transportation provider, a service provider, an education provider, a travel provider, or an entertainment provider Also, the real-time data may be sent as an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process. The manual process real-time data may be forecast data, which may augment the automatic process real-time data. In other alternate embodiments of both aspects of the invention, the mobile device may be a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile computer. Further, the system and method transmits the tailored message using a mobile telecommunications message system. The mobile telecommunications message system may be Short Message Service, General Packet Radio Service, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Bluetooth, or Wireless Application Protocol. The profile information may include identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, and identification information for the mobile device user's subscπption service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more fully from the following further descπption thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing various embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users. Figure 2 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary system for implementing vanous embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users. Figure 3 shows an exemplary platform architecture for implementing various embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing vanous embodiments of a travel information services system for mobile device users DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an information services system provides mobile device users with real-time, personalized information from one or more content sources This information services system, also referred to as a media channel, is scaleable, offeπng personalized service to millions of mobile device users Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing various embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users The process begins at step 100, which the system receives profile information about one or more mobile device users The profile information may include information about the mobile device user, information about the mobile device user's mobile device, and information about the mobile device user's subscπption service For example, the mobile device user information may include information that identifies the mobile device user, such as the mobile device user's name or account number The mobile device information may include information that identifies the mobile device, such as the type of mobile device or the manufacturer of the mobile device The subscπption service information may include information that identifies the name of the telecommunications company providing mobile communications to the mobile device, or the number (for example, the telephone number or the access number) of the mobile device The profile information may also include information regarding the types of information the mobile device user wants to receive, when the mobile device user wants to receive the information, or how the mobile device user wants to receive the information In general, these types of information vary m accordance with the specific application of the information services system The process continues at step 110, in which the system receives real-time data from one or more content sources The content sources may be, for example, a retailer (such as a clothing retailer), a manufacturer (such as an automobile manufacturer), a transportation provider (such as an airline operator), a health care provider (such as a medical clinic), a service provider (such as a contractor), an education provider (such as a school), a travel provider (such as a travel agent), or an entertainment provider (such as a game maker). The real-time data may be received via an automatic process or a manual process. For example, a health care provider may send the information services system patient appointment information via an automated process, but may send "breaking" medical news via a manual process. Next, at step 120, the system generates a message for the mobile device user. The generated message is based on the received real-time data and is tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user. For example, in the health care provider example discussed above, the generated message may be a reminder of an upcoming appointment, breaking medical news about a medical condition, or information about the health care provider's planned office closing due to a vacation. Last, at step 130, the system transmits the generated message to the mobile device user's mobile device. For example, the system may transmit the generated message to the mobile device user's mobile telephone as a Short Message Service ("SMS") message. In further embodiments of the invention, mobile device users may also modify their profile information or send a termination notice to the system. The termination notice might request termination of the information service on a permanent basis or on a temporary basis. For example, a mobile device user may not want to receive the information service duπng his or her vacation. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the system may send a confirmation message to the mobile device users at the time the mobile device users send the system their profile information. The confirmation message may request a mobile device user to confirm that he or she has sent their profile information to the system. This additional process protects against "malicious" transmissions of profile information to the system In another further embodiment of the invention, a mobile device user may reply to the generated message. In turn, the system may send a message responsive to the reply message to the mobile device user. Figure 2 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary system for implementing various embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users. In the exemplary system, content system 210 is connected to application system 220 via portal 222 and/or portal 224. In turn, application system 220 is connected to mobile device users 230 via portal 232 and the mobile device users' mobile devices 240 via portal medium 242 The term "portal" encompasses many and vaπed communication "systems " For example, a portal may be the Internet, an Intranet, an Extranet, the World Wide Web, a computer network, a telecommunications network, a dedicated line, a modem, or an SMS Service Center ("SMSC") A portal may also be a communications protocol, such as Transport Control Protocol ("TCP"), Internet Protocol ("IP"), TCP/IP, SMS, or Wireless Application Protocol ("WAP"). In operation, mobile device users 230 send profile information to application system 220 via portal 232. Portal 232 may be, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an Interactive Voice Response ("IVR") system, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, or a customer service center. In a similar manner, content system 210 sends real-time data to application system 220 via portal 222 and/or portal 224. Portal 222 may be, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an Intranet, or an Extranet In contrast, portal 224 may be, for example, an ethernet connection, a highspeed telephone connection, or a dedicated line. In an exemplary embodiment in which content system 210 sends real-time data via a combination of an automatic process and a manual process, and in which portal 222 is an Intranet and portal 224 is an ethernet connection, then content system 210 may send the manual process real-time data via portal 222 and the automatic process real-time data via portal 224 In turn, application system 220 uses a mobile device user's profile information and the real-time data to generate a tailored message for the mobile device user. Then, application system 220 transmits the generated message to the mobile device user's mobile device via portal 242. The message may be transmitted upon generation of the message, or the message may be held for later transmission. The mobile device user's mobile device may be, for example, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistance, a pager, or a mobile computer (for example, a hand-held computer or a laptop computer). Portal 242 may be, for example, a SMS message, a WAP transmission, a streaming media transmission, a General Packet Radio Service transmission, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System transmission, or a Bluetooth transmission. Figure 3 shows an exemplary platform architecture for implementing vanous embodiments of an information services system for mobile device users. The exemplary platform architecture compnses numerous modules which substantially mirror the system's operation, such as content module 300, applications module 310, delivery module 320, and interfaces module 330. In addition, the platform architecture compnses a module for ensunng the system will scale, provisioning module 340, and a module for managing the performance of delivery module 320, performance module 350. The platform architecture also includes a module for integrating enterpnse applications, enterprise module 360, and a module for communicating with mobile device users and content sources, presentation module 370. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing vanous embodiments of a travel information services system for mobile device users. For example, the exemplary travel information services system may be used to keep commuters informed of commuter tram, commuter bus, or commuter boat schedules-including vehicle delays on a particular route, vehicle cancellations on a particular route, or route changes for a particular vehicle. The exemplary travel information services system may also be used to keep travelers informed of airline, railroad, bus, limousine, or ship schedules-including vehicle delays on a particular route, vehicle cancellations on a particular route, or route changes for a particular vehicle. The process begins at step 400, in which the system receives profile information from a mobile device user In a commuter implementation, the profile information might include mobile device information, as well as route and vehicle information. For example, mobile device user B wants schedule information, sent to his mobile telephone via a SMS message, for the 7:15 a.m. commuter tra (a vehicle) from A to B (a route) The mobile device user also wants schedule information for the 5 45 p m. commuter train (a vehicle) from B to A (a route). Mobile device user B wants to receive the relevant schedule information 30 minutes pnor to the vehicles' scheduled departures The process continues at step 410, in which the system sends a confirmation message to the mobile device user, requesting confirmation that the mobile device user sent the profile information to the system. Typically, the confirmation message is sent to the mobile device user's mobile device. In the intenm, at step 420, the system receives real-time schedule data from a travel content source. The real-time schedule data may be sent to the system via an automatic process and/or a manual process For example, the automatic process may send "routine" schedule information, including running delay information, to the system. In contrast, the manual process may send to the system "forecasted" changes to the schedule. The forecasts may be, for example, minute-by- minute forecasts of how operational conditions may affect the timing of each vehicle on each route within the next hour. Typically, the forecasts augment the routine schedule information, which may include running delay information. In general, in this exemplary embodiment, the manual process real-time data might not be sent via an automatic process due to, for example, the immediacy of the real-time data. In addition, the manual process real-time data might be uniquely within the knowledge of, for example, a travel operator who, based on human expenence, may be better able to forecast a schedule change than, for example, an artificial intelligence system. When appropnate, at step 430, the system uses a mobile device user's profile information and the real-time data to generate a tailored message for the mobile device user. For example, continuing the commuter example discussed above, the system receives schedule information from the commuter rail operator that, on this Wednesday morning, the 7:15 a.m. commuter train from A to B is running 10 minutes late. In response, the system generates a message for mobile device user B, sometime pnor to 6:45 a.m., that informs him about the commuter train's delay. The message might read' "Mr. Smith, as of 6:30 a.m. today, your 7:15 a m. train from A to B is running 5-10 minutes late (6:45 a.m )." In this example, the time within the parenthesis shows the time the message was sent to mobile device user B. Last, at step 440, the system sends the generated message to the mobile device user's mobile device. For example, in the commuter example discussed above, the system sends the generated message at 6:45 a.m. to mobile device user B's mobile telephone via a SMS message Depending upon mobile device user B's selection, the SMS message might flash on mobile device user B's mobile telephone, or the SMS message might be sent to an "m-box" on mobile device user B's mobile telephone. In a further embodiment of the travel information services system, the mobile device user may send a reply message to the system seeking, for example, information on the reasons for the commuter train's delay. In turn, the system sends a message responsive to the reply message informing the mobile device user of, for example, the reason for the commuter train's delay. In a still further embodiment of the travel information services system, the system may send the mobile device user an "events-dnven" message, as well as the scheduled- time message. For example, in continuing the commuter rail example discussed above, the system receives subsequent schedule information from the commuter rail operator data about the 7:15 a.m. commuter train from A to B. The subsequent schedule information states that the 7.15 a.m. commuter tram from A to B is running 45 minutes late. In response, the system generates a message for mobile device user B, sometime subsequent to 6:45 a.m., that informs him about the commuter train ' s additional delay The message might read "Mr Smith, as of 7:05 a.m. today, your 7:15 a.m. tram from A to B is running 30-45 minutes late (7:06 a.m.)." In an alternate embodiment of a travel information services system for mobile device users, the travel content source may be, for example, an airline operator. In this exemplary embodiment, a mobile device user may provide the relevant profile information to, for example, a travel agent, when he or she makes a travel reservation or purchases travel tickets Thus, in this alternate embodiment, the travel information services system receives the mobile device user's profile information from an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user The entity may be, for example, the travel agent or the travel content source. The profile information may include, for example, information about the mobile device user's mobile device, information regarding the types of information the mobile device user wants to receive, when the mobile device user wants to receive the information, or how the mobile device user wants to receive the information These scheduled-time and events-dnven messages give a travel content source a flexible, dynamic mechanism for keeping its customers informed about schedule changes, as well as how to best travel from one destination to another destination under many different types of circumstances. For example, a message might inform a mobile device user of alternate transportation, such as whether it is better, on a particular route, to take a nominally later scheduled vehicle than a nominally earlier scheduled vehicle because the later scheduled vehicle will deliver the mobile device user to his or her destination sooner than the earlier scheduled vehicle. Or, a message might inform a mobile device user that a specific transportation vehicle, such as a particular commuter tram, is unavailable and suggest, for example, that the mobile device user take a different specific transportation vehicle, such as a particular commuter bus. The vanous embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language. For example, the vanous embodiments may be implemented in a procedural programming language (for example, "C") or an object-oriented programming language (for example, "C++" or JAVA) The vanous embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as preprogrammed hardware elements (for example, application specific integrated circuits or digital processors), or other related components. The vanous embodiments of the invention may be also implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system. Such implementation may include a senes of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable media (for example, a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk), or transmittable to a computer system via a modem or other interface device, such as a communications adapter connected to a network over a medium. The medium may be either a tangible medium (for example, optical or analog communications lines) or a medium implemented with wireless techniques (for example, microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques) The series of computer instructions preferably embodies all or part of the functionality previously descnbed herein with respect to the system Those skilled m the art should appreciate that such computer instructions can be wntten m a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems Furthermore, such instructions may be stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other transmission technologies It is expected that such a computer program product may be distnbuted as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (for example, shnnk wrapped software), pre-loaded with a computer system (for example, on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the network (for example, the Internet or the World Wide Web) Although vanous exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled m the art that vanous changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention These and other obvious modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims

Claims: I claim 1 A method for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the method comprising receiving profile information about the mobile device user, receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, and transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user 2 The method according to claim 1 , further compnsing receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message 3 The method according to claim 2, further compnsing transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message 4 The method according to claim 1 wherein the process for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user 5 The method according to claim 4 wherein I uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is a computer network, a telecommunications network, the World Wide Web, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center 6 The method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a retailer, a manufacturer, a health care provider, a transportation provider, a service provider, an education provider, a travel provider, or an entertainment provider 7 The method according to claim 1 wherein the real-time data is sent via X, wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process. 8 The method according to claim 7 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the forecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data. 9 The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device is M, wherein M is a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile computer. 10 The method according to claim 1 wherein the process for transmitting the tailored message transmits the tailored message using a mobile telecommunications message system. 11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system includes P, wherein P is Short Message Service, General Packet Radio Service, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Bluetooth, or Wireless Application Protocol 12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user's subscnption service. 13. A system for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the system compnsing a module for receiving profile information about the mobile device user; a module for receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, a module for geneiating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, and a module for transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user 14 The system according to claim 13, further comprising a module for receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message 15 The system according to claim 14, further comprising a module for transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message 16 The system according to claim 13 wherein the module for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user 17 The system according to claim 16 wherein I uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is a computer network, a telecommunications network, the World Wide Web, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center 18 The system according to claim 13 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a retailer, a manufacturer, a health care provider, a transportation provider, a service provider, an education provider, a travel provider, or an entertainment provider 19 The system according to claim 13 wherein the real-time data is sent via X, wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process 20 The system according to claim 19 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the foiecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data 21 The system according to claim 13 wherein the mobile device is M, wherein M is a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile computer 22 The system according to claim 13 wherein the module for transmitting the tailored message transmits the tailored message using a mobile telecommunications message system 23 The system according to claim 22 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system includes P, wherein P is Short Message Service, General Packet Radio Service, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Bluetooth, or Wireless Application Protocol 24 The system according to claim 13 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user's subscnption service 25 A computer program product for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the computer program product compnsing a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code thereon, the computer program code compnsing program code for receiving profile information about the mobile device user, program code for receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, program code for generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user; and program code for transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user. 26 The computer program product according to claim 25, further compnsing: program code for receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message. 27 The computer program product according to claim 26, further comprising- program code for transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message. 28 The computer program product according to claim 25 wherein the program code for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user. 29 The computer program product according to claim 28 wherein I uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is a computer network, a telecommunications network, the World Wide Web, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center. 30 The computer program product according to claim 25 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a retailer, a manufacturer, a health care provider, a transportation provider, a service provider, an education provider, a travel provider, or an entertainment provider. 31 The computer piogram product according to claim 25 wherein the real-time data is sent via X. wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process. 32 The computer program product according to claim 31 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the forecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data 33 The computer piogram product according to claim 25 wherein the mobile device is M, wherein M is a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile computer 34. The computer program product according to claim 25 wherein the program code for transmitting the tailored message transmits the tailored message using a mobile telecommunications message system 35. The computer program product according to claim 34 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system includes P, wherein P is Short Message Service, General Packet Radio Service, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Bluetooth, or Wireless Application Protocol 36. The computer program product according to claim 25 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user ' s subscnption service 37. A media channel for providing information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the media channel compnsing- means for receiving profile information about the mobile device user, means for receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, means for generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, and means for transmitting the tailored message to the mobile device of the mobile device user 38 The media channel according to claim 37, further compnsing: means for receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message. 39 The media channel according to claim 38, further compnsing means for transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message. 40. The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the means for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user. 41 The media channel according to claim 40 wherein I uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is a computer network, a telecommunications network, the World Wide Web, an electronic mail system, a facsimile machine, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center. 42 The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a retailer, a manufacturer, a health care provider, a transportation provider, a service provider, an education provider, a travel provider, or an entertainment provider. 43 The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the real-time data is sent via X, wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process 44 The media channel according to claim 43 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the forecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data 45 The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the mobile device is M, wherein M is a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a mobile computer 46 The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the means for transmitting the tailored message transmits the tailored message using a mobile telecommunications message system 47 The media channel according to claim 46 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system includes P, wherein P is Short Message Service, General Packet Radio Service, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Bluetooth, or Wireless Application Protocol 48 The media channel according to claim 37 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user's subscnption service 49 A method for providing travel information services to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the method compnsing receiving profile information about the mobile device user, the profile information including itinerary information for the mobile device user, receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, the real-time data including route and vehicle information, generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, the generated message including status information tailored to the itinerary of the mobile device user, and transmitting the generated message to the mobile device of the mobile device user 50 The method according to claim 49, further comprising receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message 51 The method according to claim 50, further compnsing transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message 52 The method according to claim 49 wherein the process for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user 53 The method according to claim 52 wherein the mobile device user uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is the World Wide Web, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center 54 The method according to claim 49 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a rail operator, an airline operator, a ship operator, a limousine operator, or a bus operator 55 The method according to claim 49 wherein the real-time data is sent via X, wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, oi a combination of an automatic process and a manual process. 56 The method according to claim 55 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the forecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data 57 The method accordin 'tog to claim 49 wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone. 58. The method according to claim 49 wherein the process for transmitting the generated message transmits the generated message using a mobile telecommunications message system. 59. The method according to claim 58 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system is Short Message Service. 60. The method according to claim 49 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user's subscription service. 61. The method according to claim 49 wherein the route and vehicle information includes V, wherein V is information on a vehicle delay on a particular route, information on a vehicle cancellation on a particular route, or information on a route change for a particular vehicle. 62. The method according to claim 49 wherein the status information includes S, wherein S is information on a vehicle on a particulai route or information on alternate transportation 63 A system for providing travel information to a mobile device user, the mobile device user having a mobile device, the system compnsing a first receiver for receiving profile information about the mobile device user, the profile information including itinerary information for the mobile device user, a second receivei for receiving real-time data from one or more content sources, the real-time data including route and vehicle information, a generator for generating a message for the mobile device user, the message based on the received real-time data and tailored to substantially match at least part of the profile information of the mobile device user, the generated message including status information tailored to the itinerary of the mobile device user, and a first transmitter for transmitting the generated message to the mobile device of the mobile device user 64 The system according to claim 63, further compnsing a third receiver for receiving a message from the mobile device user in response to the tailored message 65 The system according to claim 64, further compnsing a second transmitter for transmitting a reply message to the mobile device user, the reply message responsive to the received response message 66 The system according to claim 63 wherein the first receiver for receiving profile information receives the profile information from I, wherein I is the mobile device user or an entity acting on behalf of the mobile device user 67 The system according to claim 66 wherein the mobile device user uses S to send the profile information, wherein S is the World Wide Web, an interactive voice response system, or a customer service call center 68 The system according to claim 63 wherein the one or more content sources include C, wherein C is a rail operator, an airline operator, a ship operator, a limousine operator, or a bus operator 69 The system according to claim 63 wherein the real-time data is sent via X, wherein X is an automatic process, a manual process, or a combination of an automatic process and a manual process 70 The system according to claim 69 wherein the manual process real-time data is forecast data, the forecast data augmenting the automatic process real-time data 71 The system according to claim 63 wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone 72 The system according to claim 63 wherein the first transmitter for transmitting the generated message transmits the generated message using a mobile telecommunications message system 73 The system according to claim 72 wherein the mobile telecommunications message system is Short Message Service 74 The system according to claim 63 wherein the profile information includes P, wherein P is identification information for the mobile device user, identification information for the mobile device user's mobile device, or identification information for mobile device user's subscnption service 75 The system according to claim 63 wherein the route and vehicle information includes V, wherein V is information on a vehicle delay on a particular route, information on a vehicle cancellation on a particular route, or information on a route change for a particular vehicle 76. The system according to claim 63 wherein the status information includes S, wherein S is information on a vehicle on a particular route or information on alternate transportation.

Inventors: BUD ANDREW, BUD, ANDREW
Applicants: BUD ANDREW, MBLOX LTD, BUD, ANDREW, MBLOX, LTD.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04L12
IPC codes: H04L12, H04L29, H04W4, H04W8