Abstract:
A virtual private wireless network in which wireless devices according to the present invention includes at least one wireless device having a screen for displaying received text and an intelligent information interconnect device integrating voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. 
     The information interconnect device includes a centralized directory database storing identifying information regarding the wireless devices, and further storing delivery preference hierarchy information for delivering content to the wireless devices. A user interface is provided for specifying criteria used to select at least one device ID from the centralized database, and a message delivery system is provided for searching the centralized database using the specified criteria and transmitting information to the wireless device(s) using the delivery preference hierarchy information.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a division of application Ser. No. 09/777,046 filed Feb. 5, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,618,763. 
     This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/180,255 entitled “METHOD OF SELLING PRODUCTS FROM THIRD-PARTY SITES” filed Feb. 4, 2000. 
     RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and fully incorporates by reference to application Ser. No. 60/180,255, filed Feb. 4, 2000, Entitled “METHOD OF SELLING PRODUCTS FROM THIRD-PARTY SITES”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a virtual network of wireless devices capable of providing transparent data transmission services. More particularly, the virtual private network of the present invention provides an integrated communications solution for users of wireless devices and to the companies that issue such devices to their employees. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use and proliferation of wireless devices has grown markedly. Such devices provide the user with numerous delivery options. A user may receive voice messages using cell phone or voice mail, or text messages using paging devices or email. In fact, wireless devices are increasingly providing the user with multiple delivery option in a single package. Many cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s) provide both telephone and email (Internet) capabilities. A single wireless device may soon service all of a user&#39;s communication needs. 
     Many business enterprises issue wireless communications devices to their employees. However, no facility presently exists for integrating voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. Moreover, no facility exists whereby a user can specify delivery preferences in a manner which is transparent to the sender. 
     Conventional networks including local area networks, and the internet, are not optimized to provide content in a format compatible with wireless devices. 
     Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a network optimized for the needs of wireless devices. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a wireless network in which the manner in which content is delivered to the wireless device is transparent to the sender. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides unified messaging services which integrate voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. A virtual private wireless network according to the present invention includes at least one wireless device having a screen for displaying received text and an intelligent information interconnect device integrating voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. 
     The information interconnect device includes a centralized directory database storing identifying information regarding the wireless devices, and further storing delivery preference hierarchy information for delivering content to the wireless devices. A user interface is provided for specifying criteria used to select at least one device ID from the centralized database, and a message delivery system is provided for searching the centralized database using the specified criteria and transmitting information to the wireless device(s) using the delivery preference hierarchy information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram providing an overview of the virtual private wireless network (VPWN) of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing how information is transmitted to wireless devices according to one aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a table showing the fields included in a user preference profile; 
         FIG. 3B  is a flowchart showing the process for delivering an urgent message according to the hierarchy defined in the preference profile; 
         FIG. 3C  is an example of a communications group; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing details of a first embodiment of the intelligent communications interconnect  104 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram providing an overview of the virtual private wireless network (VPWN) of the present invention, generally designated  100 . The VPWN  100  includes a plurality of wireless devices  102  and an intelligent communications interconnect  104 . The VPWN supports communications with a wide variety of wireless devices  102  including but not limited to personal digital assistants (PDA&#39;s), one-way and two-way pagers, and cell phones including the latest generation of cell phones having wireless internet capabilities. 
     The VPWN  100  provides a platform for companies, affiliations, and enterprises to disseminate relevant information to their employees, customers, partners, and vendors. This is accomplished through a combination of push and pull technologies that interface traditional IT systems with disparate wireless devices. The VPWN  100  provides a secure platform for aggregating multiple customers on a common platform. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing how information is transmitted to wireless devices  102  according to one aspect of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , an information originator  108  communicates information to the wireless device(s)  102  via the intelligent information interconnect  104 . According to one aspect of the present invention, the information originator  108  may broadcast a message to a group of wireless devices  102 . As will be explained below, the interconnect  104  provides a way to define broadcast (interest) groups to facilitate broadcasting messages. A user defined preference profile  110  ( FIG. 3A ) contains information used by the interconnect  104  in determining how to deliver information to the device  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the preference profile  110  contains user information  110 - a , device information  110 - b ,and delivery preference information  110 - c .The device information  110 - b  includes all device specific information necessary to communicate with the device, including email address, Internet Protocol address (IP address), telephone number, and communications protocol information. The delivery preference information  110 - c  defines the hierarchy used by the interconnect  104  in attempting to deliver messages. 
       FIG. 3B  is a flowchart showing the process for delivering an urgent message according to the delivery preference hierarchy defined in the preference profile  110 . The interconnect  104  attempts to deliver information provided by the originator  108  according to a primary user preference (step  120 ). Next, the interconnect  104  verifies whether receipt of the message was acknowledged. If the message was acknowledged (step  122 ), then further processing is unnecessary (step  130 ). Otherwise, delivery of the message is attempted using the secondary user preference (step  124 ). 
     Once again the interconnect  104  verifies whether receipt of the message was acknowledged (step  126 ). If the message was acknowledged, then further processing is unnecessary (step  130 ). Otherwise, delivery of the message is attempted using the tertiary user preference (step  128 ). 
     The interconnect  104  determines receipt of the message was acknowledged using a variety of conventional methods which are well known in the art. For example, the system can determine whether an email has been read or a voice mail has been replayed. Likewise, two-way pagers transmit an acknowledgment message upon receipt of a message. 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 2 , the interconnect  104  first attempts to voicemail a message to user  102 - a ( 1 ). If acknowledgement of the email is not received within a predefined period, the interconnect  104  attempts to email a message to user  102 - a ( 2 ). 
     As will be described below, the interconnect  104  includes logic for translating information into a variety of communications formats. Thus, for example, the interconnect  104  may translate a text message into a voice message, or for converting an email into a page-compatible message format. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing details of the intelligent communications interconnect  104 . 
     The communications interconnect  104  includes a user interface  200  used to enter information into, and request information from, the communications interconnect  104 . An application server  210  coordinates the services provided by the various functional units of the communications interconnect  104 , and includes a translation services module  212  used to translate content into a format compatible with the wireless device  102 . 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there is not a single universal communications format compatible with all currently available wireless devices. The translation module  212  of the present invention performs its translation services in a manner which is transparent to the wireless device  102 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the user interface  200  is a web page or the like accessible via a communications network  200  such as a local area network the Internet, or the like. Moreover, the user interface  200  may include a telephone menu system such as is known in the art. 
     A preference management system  220  is used to define and maintain a user&#39;s communications preference profile  110 , which is stored in a centralized directory database  222 . In addition the preference management system is used to create user-defined broadcast groups ( FIG. 3C ) 
     The centralized directory database  222  provides multiple levels of administration for all types of organizations, and manages the associated permissions to manage data access across the organizations. Thus, for example, different administration level may be defined which enable a workgroup to manage user lists, broadcast messages, set delivery parameters and access levels of enterprise data on a pull basis. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the directory database  222  is built using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) which allows ad hoc extensions for managing additional permissions. Notably, LDAP is simply a database that allows additional attributes (fields) to be added to an existing database, on-the-fly, without having to redesign the database. According to a preferred embodiment, LDAP is implemented using Microsoft SQL 2000; however other LDAP implementations may also be used. The common directory supports a number of advanced services such as unified messaging and e-mail and phone “follow-me” roaming services. 
     More particularly, a message delivery mechanism (MDM)  230  ( FIG. 4 ) performs the actual distribution of content to the wireless device  102 . The MDM  230  accesses the directory database  222  via the preference management system  220  to determine a device information  110 - b  such as phone number (text-to-speech message delivery), IP address, or E-mail address. The MDM  230  attempts to deliver content using the delivery preference hierarchy defined in the preference management system  220  until it can insure that the message was received. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the interconnect  104  provides unified messaging services which integrates voice messaging, email, and fax services into a single access point. The interconnect  104  provides a complete voice-messaging solution for the enterprise. Subscribers can retrieve, store, and record voice messages as well as edit, forward with comments, and reply to a subscriber&#39;s message with a phone call. 
     The VPWN  100  further provides Single Number Reach and Intelligent Notification Services which allow subscribers to be more responsive to their own customers. Single Number Reach is a user-configured feature by which a subscriber defines a cascade of phone numbers which the VPWN  100  will use in attempting to contact the subscriber. 
     For example, a subscriber may provide the VPWN with work (primary contact), cell phone (secondary contact), and home telephone numbers (tertiary contact). A user trying to call the VPWN subscriber will seamlessly be routed first to the primary contact, and then to the secondary and tertiary contacts in the order provided. Additionally, when a voice message is left for the user, the intelligent notification service will route a notification message through the content management system  232  to the message delivery mechanism  230  and to the user in the form of an SMS message or e-mail to alert them to the message waiting within the system. 
     The follow-me roaming services provided by the VPWN  100  allows end-users to direct content and call delivery to a pre-selected device or group of devices. The interface  200  enables a user to identify device(s)  102  to the interconnect  104 , and specify the order in which the interconnect  104  looks for the device(s) in order to deliver the content. 
     Preferably, the preference profile created by the preference management system will include delivery preference information for content received from identified users or groups of users. In this manner, the preference management system enables a user to specify different delivery preferences for different message originators  108 . 
     A combination of methods is used to determine if a message was received. If the message has not been read within a specific amount of time, the message is then attempted using the secondary or tertiary address. For example, an e-mail message may be sent as an HTML-type e-mail with an embedded dynamic link back to the VPWN message delivery server  230 . If a request is made to this dynamic link, then the system  100  assumes that the HTML message was received. 
     A Content Management System (CMS)  232  provides a central point for the collection and dissemination of content within the VPWN  100 , and manages data stored in the content database  234 . Preferably, content is stored in database  234  in a device neutral format which is may be viewed using a browser or the like provided on the wireless device  102 . If necessary, the translation services module  212  may translate (transcode, decode or clip) the content into a format compatible with the wireless device  102 . 
     The CMS  232  includes a rules engine (not illustrated) which gathers information from the Centralized Directory Database  222  in order to identify which user should have access to the various portions of the content stored in the database  234 . More particularly the access parameters are established by the user within the Preference Management System  220  or by the corporate/enterprise administrators. 
     For example, a business enterprise may utilize the VPWN as a virtual intranet. Importantly, the VPWN  100  incorporates a wide variety of security features to minimize the threat of unauthorized access. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the CMS  232  may (optionally) communicate with a third party content provider  236 . The CMS  232  ensures that the correct content is delivered to, or made available to, the end-user  102  based upon information pulled from the directory database  222 . Thus, for example, the preference management system could provide the user to subscribe to a variety of third-party content. 
     In addition, the CMS  232  incorporates a rule-based engine that can tailor content based upon various inputs, for example, partner, individual, content type, content source, content security levels. The rules based engine gathers information from the Centralized Directory  222  used to identify which users should have access to particular content (pull) in the Content Database  234 , and which content should be sent (pushed to particular users using parameters are established by the user within the Preference Management System  220  or by the corporate/enterprise administrators  200 . 
     Referring once again to  FIG. 2 , the information originator  108  may be a corporate enterprise which uses the VPWN to communicate to its employees. According to this example, the corporate enterprise would administer the content it desires to deliver using the content management system  232  which it accesses via the interface  200 . Content is stored in a content database  234 . Moreover, content may be provided by third party content providers  236  and disseminated via the MDM  230  according to (interest) group information maintained by the CMS  232  and delivery preference information maintained by the preference management system  220 . 
     Optionally, the VPWN may be integrated with a Web-Based Storefront  200 - 2  used to sell wireless devices. 
     According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the VPWN provides value added services to storefront  200 - 2 . Fore example, the storefront  200 - 2  may utilize the database  222  to store customer information. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the VPWN includes a Customer Service Module  300  which allows customer service representatives to maintain information on all aspects of a customer&#39;s wireless devices. This is accomplished through the directory database  222  and/or a customer service database  310 . 
     The Customer Service Database  310  maintains user and enterprise level information. It allows customer service representatives to provide first level support by having access to user profile information such as enterprise affiliation, specific wireless device information (SN, model number, applications), wireless service information (calling/service plan, plan rates, network coverage), workgroup information (security levels, group assignments, group administrator contact information). 
     An order fulfillment system  320  may be provided for gathering customer data, validating a customer order, and ultimately performing the necessary technical and manual transactions to complete the setup of the wireless devices purchased from the Web-Based Storefront  200 - 2 . The order fulfillment system  320  stores customer order data in an order fulfillment database  330 . 
     An optional procurement management system  340  enables an organization to manage a variety of wireless devices using a common platform. More particularly, the procurement management system  340  enables an organization to track total cost of ownership, allowing an organization to carefully manage their device inventory. This information feeds back into the common directory  222  to insure that the VPWN  100  always has the most current IP address, phone number, and e-mail address for any individual&#39;s current devices  102 . 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims.