Abstract:
A system, method and computer program for ordering, paying for and download digital products to a mobile device in a cost-effective manner. The mobile device includes a short range transceiver and a network transceiver. The mobile device accesses electronic shop server web sites which contain digital products for sale and hotspot network locations where these digital products may be downloaded to the mobile device via the short range transceiver. The hotspot network locations contain a hotspot device for transmitting the digital products to the mobile devices via the low power radio frequency signal of the short range transceivers when the mobile device has detected the low power radio frequency signal. Using this system, method and computer program, a user of a mobile device may download large amounts of digital data without incurring telephone or cellular phone charges.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/572,905, filed on May 17, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,797, entitled “System and Method for the Transfer of Digital Data to a Mobile Device”, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a system, method and computer program for the transfer of digital data to a mobile device. More particularly, the invention is a system and method in which digital products may be ordered using an Internet capable cellular phone, and the products downloaded to the cellular phone in a cost-effective manner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the explosion in Internet access and usage, an increasing volume of business is occurring involving the purchase and receipt of digital products. Currently, a typical Internet user would have a browser installed in his local computer or server, such as Internet Explorer™ or Netscape™. Using this browser, the user would access an Internet service provider, such as America-On-Line (AOL™), via a modem over the local public switched telephone network (PSTN). Once logged onto the Internet server, the user may utilize one of the many search engines, such as Yahoo™ or Lycos™, to specify search terms. The user may also use a web crawler, spider or robot to attempt to find a product, service or information desired. The search engine or web crawler would then respond with a list of web sites which matched the search terms the user provided. The user would then log onto a web site and view products or services available for sale. If the user decides to buy an item from the web site, the firm operating the web site would frequently request that a credit card number be entered by the user in order to pay for the product or service. Once the credit card charge is approved, the operator of the web site will then typically ship the item to the user. In the case where the item ordered is digital in format, such as software, graphics, text, video, or music, the item ordered may be downloaded into the user&#39;s PC, server, lap top, palm computer or other processor-based system. 
     With the advent of cellular phones, with and without wireless access protocol (WAP), a user may also “surf” the Internet and order goods and services directly through the WAP-capable cellular phone or a processor-based system connected to the cellular phone in a similar manner as that used with a PC. Thus, a user may order goods and services from anywhere a cellular phone, satellite phone, or other type of mobile phone may operate. Therefore, a person could be sitting in the middle of a remote area, many miles away from another human being, let alone a telephone line, and order a video game from a web site on the other side of the planet and download it into his hand held computer connected to a cellular or a standalone WAP or HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) capable phone and play the game on the spot. 
     However, there is a significant drawback to the use of a cellular phone to transfer a large amount of data, and that is the amount of time it takes to transfer that data. It takes a very long time to transfer a large file of digital information using a cellular phone. This stems from the fact that the transfer rate for a cellular phone is relatively slow. Therefore, it would take a great deal of time to download a video, audio, text or software file using a cellular phone. This is generally not practical considering the high per minute cost of the calling plans most cellular users have. In some cases, the cellular charge for downloading a large digital file, such as a movie, would exceed the cost of the product itself. Thus, for all practical purposes, there exists no cost effective system or method for downloading a large digital product over a mobile device such as cellular phone. 
     A new communications device has been proposed using what is called a Bluetooth protocol architecture which allows for high transfer rates of digital data over relatively short distances. This architecture is described in a white paper by Riku Mettälä which is entitled “Bluetooth Protocol Architecture Version 1.0”, dated Aug. 25, 1999, copyright Nokia Mobile Phones 1999, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone includes both a cellular telephone and a low-power radio frequency (LPRF) receiver and transmitter. This Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone may act as three phones in one. Using its LPRF transmitter and receiver along with a base station connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone may function as a cordless telephone. Further, using its LPRF capability, the Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone may communicate directly to other Bluetooth protocol architecture telephones that are within range and may function as a “walkie-talkie” without incurring any charge. In addition, the Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone may operate as a cellular telephone. 
     The LPRF receiver and transmitter operates at a frequency band of 2.4 Ghz with an optimal range of within 10 meters to a maximum range of 100 meters. A gross data transfer rate of one million bits per second (Mbps) may be achieved using the LPRF capability of a Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone. Therefore, the Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone may achieve high data transfer rates but only at short distances. Thus, the ability to transfer data at high rates using the Bluetooth architecture telephone phone is limited to under 100 meters of a Bluetooth device. Further, when used in conjunction with a base station connected to a PSTN, a Bluetooth protocol architecture telephone is restricted by the speed of the modem connecting the base station to the PSTN. Thus, no effective system and method is known for a mobile communications device to quickly download a large amount of digital data in a cost-effective manner. 
     Therefore, what is needed are a system and a method whereby large quantities of digital data can be quickly and inexpensively transferred to a mobile communications device. This system and method should be user-friendly, thereby further adding to Internet sales and business activity. This system and method should also support a business model that encourages both consumers and suppliers to use the system and method through availability of enhanced low-cost services to the consumer and enhanced sales to the supplier and retailer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of ordering and downloading digital products into a mobile device. This method starts by accessing an electronic shop server and ordering a digital product from the electronic shop server, using the mobile device which has cellular phone capability. The method then identifies a hotspot network location where the digital product may be downloaded into the mobile device using a short range transceiver embedded in the mobile device. Thereafter, the mobile device detects a low power radio frequency signal generated by the hotspot network location. The digital product is then downloaded into the mobile device by the hotspot network location transmitting the digital product, using the low power radio frequency signal, to the short range transceiver of the mobile device. 
     Further, an embodiment of the present invention is a method of ordering and downloading digital products into a mobile device. This method detects, by using the mobile device, the presence of a low power radio frequency signal generated by a hotspot network location. The method then selects from several digital products available for sale at the hotspot network location a digital product for purchase using the mobile device. The method then downloads the digital product into the mobile device using the low power radio frequency signal. 
     Still further, an embodiment of the present invention provides for a system for ordering and downloading digital products into a mobile device. This system has a hotspot network for transmitting a low power radio frequency signal having a digital product encoded in the low power radio frequency signal. This system further has a mobile device having a short range transceiver for receiving the digital product encoded in the low power radio frequency signal and a memory for storing the digital product. 
     In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides for a computer program executable by a computer and embedded on a computer readable medium for ordering and downloading digital products into a mobile device. This computer program uses a hotspot network code segment for transmitting a digital product encoded in a low power radio frequency signal. The computer program also has a mobile device code segment for receiving the digital product encoded in the low power radio frequency signal and storing the digital product in a memory. 
     These and other features of this device, method and computer program will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, examples in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and a better understanding of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the claims when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, all forming a part of the disclosure of this invention. While the foregoing and following written and illustrated disclosure focuses on disclosing example embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and the invention is not limited thereto. The spirit and scope of the present invention are limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 
       The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an example of an overall system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of the mobile station used by the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a modular configuration diagram showing the data flow used by the embodiments present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an order entry module, shown in  FIG. 3 , used by an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a hotspot download module, shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a hotspot order entry module, shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an order/location module, shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference numerals and characters may be used to designate identical, corresponding or similar components in differing figures of the drawings. Further, in the detailed description to follow, exemplary sizes/models/values/ranges may be given, although the present invention is not limited to the same. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of an overall system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a mobile station or terminal  10  acts as an interface for the user or consumer  20  for access to the present invention. This mobile station  10  may be a WAP-capable cellular telephone, a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) capable cellular telephone, or a cellular telephone with a processor-based system connected to it. The mobile station  10  further contains a short range transceiver which will be discussed in further detail in reference to  FIG. 2 . This processor-based system may be, but is not limited to, a laptop computer, hand-held computer, or other portable computing device, including a WAP-capable or HTML-capable telephone alone. The mobile station (MS)  10  may communicate through the mobile network  80  to the Internet  150  and then to an electronic shop server  40 . The mobile station  10  may also communicate directly to the electronic shop server  40  through the public switched telephone network/integrated services digital network (PSTN/IDSN)  60 . The electronic shop server  40  may be discovered by user  20  through, but not limited to, such advertisements as may be found in a newspaper  30 , magazine, journal or any other form of advertisement such as, radio or television advertisement. Further, as previously discussed, the user  20  may discover the existence of the electronic ship server  40  on the Internet  150  through the use of a search engine or web crawler, using computer  70  or mobile station  10 . 
     The electronic shop server  40  provides a menu of digital products supplied from content providers  100  and available for purchase by user  20 . The user  20  may directly download the digital products from the electronic shop server  40  using the cellular phone capabilities of the mobile station  10 . The user may also proceed to a hotspot network  50  to download the digital products using the LPRF capability of the mobile station  10 . Each hotspot network  50  would have at least one hotspot device  90  to transmit the digital products to the mobile station  10 . The hotspot device  90  has the capability of detecting the distance between hotspot device  90  and mobile station  10  and adjusting its power output for the LPRF signal so as to use minimum power. The selection of whether to download a digital product directly from the electronic shop server  40  or proceed to a hotspot network  50  is made by the user  20  based on the estimated time it would take for the digital product to be downloaded using the cellular phone capabilities of the mobile station  10  versus traveling to a hotspot network  50  location. Thus, the user  20  can effectively perform a cost benefit analysis of downloading to the cellular phone in the mobile station  10  versus traveling to a hotspot  50  and downloading the digital product through the much faster short range transceiver of the mobile station. 
     The hotspot network  50  location may be, but is not limited to, a shopping mall, department store, franchise store, or video store. Further, the hotspot network  50  location is not limited to retail establishments but may be any place where potential consumers congregate. This would include such places as restaurants, airports, train stations, and stadiums. The only limitation that may exist for establishing a hotspot network  50  location is the ability to install a hotspot device  90  which can generate a LPRF signal that can be received by mobile station  10 . Therefore, any area, either indoors or outdoors, may be used in which a hotspot device  90  can be installed. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of the mobile station  10  used by the embodiments of the present invention. Mobile station  10  uses an antenna  250  to receive both LPRF signals and cellular phone signals. The cellular phone signals are transmitted by the antenna  250  to network transceiver  220  and thereafter to a central processing unit (CPU)  230  for storage in memory  240  or for presentation on display  200 . The LPRF signals are transmitted to short range transceiver  210 . Again, the data received by short range transceiver  210  is sent to CPU  230  for storage in memory  240  or presentation on display  200 . The LPRF signals are transmitted by hotspot device  90  contained within the hotspot network  50  location, shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A discussion will now be supplied involving the logic employed in the embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, a discussion will be provided of the modular configuration diagram provided in  FIG. 3  and the flowcharts illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . The flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 4 through 7 , as well as the modular configuration diagram shown in  FIG. 3 , contain operations that correspond, for example, to code, sections of code, instructions, firmware, hardware, commands or the like, of a computer program that is embodied, for example, on a storage medium such as a floppy disk, CD Rom, EP Rom, hard disk, etc. Further, the computer program can be written in any language such as, but not limited to, for example C++. In the discussion of the flowcharts fond in  FIGS. 4 through 7 , reference will be simultaneously made to the modular configuration diagram illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a modular configuration diagram showing the data flow used by the embodiments of the present invention. As indicated in  FIG. 3 , the mobile station  10  communicates with hotspot network  50  and electronic shop server  40 . As previously discussed above, the user  20  employing the mobile station  10  would typically contact the electronic shop server  40  and proceed to the location of a hotspot network  50  to receive the digital product. However, as discussed below in further detail, user  20  may make further searches and purchases of digital products while located at the hotspot network  50  location. In turn, both hotspot network  50  and electronic shop server  40  are connected to one or more content providers  100  and receive the digital product which would be ultimately sold to user  20  and downloaded into mobile station  10 . Further, hotspot network  50  may employ a hotspot order entry module  260  and a hotspot download module  270  to take orders and download digital products. In addition, electronic shop server  40  may use an order entry module  280  and an order/location module  290  to take orders, download digital products, and direct a user  20  to a hotspot network  50  location where the digital product may be downloaded. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an order entry module  280 , shown in  FIG. 3 , used by an embodiment of the present invention. Order entry module  280  begins execution in operation  300  and terminates in operation  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Upon start-up, in operation  300 , the order entry module  280  immediately proceeds to operation  310 . In operation  310 , the user  20 , via mobile station  10 , gains access to the Internet  150  and selects an electronic shop server  40  to which to log on. Thereafter, in operation  330 , user  20  may browse the content titles available on the electronic shop server  40  which would be shown on display  200  of mobile station  10 . The user then may select, via mobile station  10 , a particular digital product and place a purchase order with the electronic shop server  40  in operation  340 . Thereafter, in operation  350 , payment arrangements are made with electronic shop server  40 . Such payment arrangements may include immediate payment via a credit card or charging the price of the digital product to the cellular phone account of user  20 . Further, payment arrangements may include payment only upon receipt of the content product. Thereafter, in operation  360  the user  20  is requested to select whether he desires to download the digital product via the cellular phone capability of mobile station  10 . At this time the user may be provided with an estimated time to download via the cellular phone and the approximate cost. Should the user  20  decide to download the digital product via the cellular phone capability of mobile station  10 , processing proceeds to operation  370  where the digital product is downloaded through the cellular phone capability of the mobile station  10 . Thereafter, processing proceeds to operation  410  where execution of the order entry module  280  terminates. 
     However, should the user  20  elect not to download the digital product via the cellular phone capability of the mobile station  10 , processing proceeds to operation  380 . In operation  380 , a determination is made of whether the user  20  desires to download the digital product at a hotspot network  50  location. If, in operation  380 , the user  20  decides to download the digital product at a hotspot network  50  location, processing proceeds to operation  390  where a list of the local hotspot network  50  locations is presented to the user  20 . Thereafter, whether the user  20  decides to have the electronic product downloaded at a hotspot network  50  location or via the cellular phone capability of the mobile station  10 , a unique order number is transmitted to mobile station  10  by the electronic shop server  40  in operation  400 . Thereafter, in operation  410  processing terminates for the order entry module  280 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a hotspot download module  270 , shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of the present invention. The hotspot download module  270  includes operations  450  through  560  shown in  FIG. 5 . The hotspot download module  270  begins execution in operation  450  and immediately proceeds to operation  460 . In operation  460 , mobile station  10  automatically detects that it has entered a hotspot network  50  location through the receipt of an LPRF signal transmitted by hotspot device  90 , shown in  FIG. 1 . Thereafter, in operation  470  the mobile station  10  transmits the unique order number received from the electronic shop server  40  via order entry module  280  to the hotspot device  90 . Processing in the hotspot download module  270  then proceeds to operation  480  where the hotspot network  50  transmit a request for confirmation of the digital product download from the user  20  via mobile station  10 . If it is determined in operation  480  that the user  20  no longer desires to purchase the digital product, then processing proceeds to operation  490  where the order is canceled. However, if user  20  confirms the request to download the digital product at this time, then processing proceeds to operation  500  where the hotspot network  50  begins transmission of the digital product via hotspot device  90 . Processing proceeds to operation  510  where during the transmission of the digital product the hotspot network  50  may also transmit advertisements to be shown on display  200  of mobile station  10 . Since the time to transmit varies according to the size of the digital product, the amount of advertising may vary from a few seconds to several minutes. Thereafter, in operation  520 , notification is sent to the mobile station  10  indicating completion of the download process. In operation  530 , whether the download has completed in operation  520  or the order is canceled in operation  490 , the user  20  is queried to determine whether further purchases are desired. If further purchases are desired, processing proceeds to operation  540  where user  20  is presented with a menu of digital products available at the hotspot network  50  location. This menu of digital products may be generated by the hotspot network  50  server and is restricted to only digital products available within the hotspot network  50  location itself. Thereafter, processing proceeds to operation  550 , where the user  20  selects and orders another digital product. Processing then loops back to operation  480  where the process of confirmation and downloading is repeated. If, however, it is determined in operation  530  that no further purchases are desired, then processing proceeds to operation  560  where the hotspot download module  270  terminates execution. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a hotspot order entry module  260 , shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of the present invention. The hotspot order entry module  260  includes operations  600  through  710  shown in  FIG. 6 . The hotspot order entry module  260  begins execution in operation  600  and immediately proceeds to operation  610 . In operation  610 , mobile station  10  detects an LPRF signal broadcast by the hotspot device  90  upon entering a hotspot network  50  location. Thereafter, hotspot order entry module  260  proceeds to operation  620  in which the mobile station  10  accesses a server located within the hotspot network  50  location or the electronic shop server  40  via the hotspot network  50 . In either case, processing proceeds to operation  630  where the mobile station  10  receives a menu of options and information available at the hotspot network  50  location. In operation  640  the user  20 , through the mobile station  10 , may select browsing the digital products and vendors available at the hotspot network  50  location. Thereafter, in operation  650 , the user  20  may execute a best buy comparison function for a particular digital product that the user  20  desires to purchase. Such a best buy comparison function would list the vendors within the hotspot network  50  location that offer the digital product, starting from the least expensive to the most expensive. In the case where vendors offer the same digital product at the same price, the vendor offering the highest commission to the hotspot network  50  location may be listed first. Of course, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, any method may be negotiated between a shopping mall operator and the real establishments regarding payment for services provided by the mall operator and how to determine listings when more than one vendor offers the same product at the same price. The user  20  may then select a vendor within the hotspot network  50  location and order the digital product. The user  20  may then proceed to the vendor&#39;s location within the hotspot network  50  location and upon entering the vendor&#39;s establishment, the mobile station  10  would detect a LPRF signal from the vendor&#39;s hotspot device  90  and establish communications with the vendor&#39;s hotspot device  90 . In this manner, each vendor in a shipping mall or other facility may operate its own hotspot network  50  within the shopping mall or other facility. Thereafter, the vendor&#39;s hotspot device  90  would request confirmation of the order in operation  680 . If the order is confirmed in operation  680 , the vendor&#39;s hotspot device  90  would download the digital product to the mobile station  10  in operation  690 . However, if confirmation is not received in operation  680 , processing proceeds to operation  700  where the order is canceled. In either case, the hotspot order entry module  260  terminates processing in operation  710 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an order/location module  290 , shown in  FIG. 3 , used by the embodiments of the present invention. The order/location module  290  includes operations  750  through  850  shown in  FIG. 7 . The order/location module  290  is started in operation  750  and immediately proceeds to operation  760 . In operation  760 , the mobile station  10  gains access to the Internet  150 . Thereafter, in operation  770 , user  20  selects an electronic shop server  40  web page. Once access to the electronic shop server  40  web page is achieved, the user  20  may browse content titles on the web page in operation  780 . Thereafter, in operation  790  the user  20  selects a desired digital product and purchases it. In operation  800 , payment arrangements are made with electronic shop server  40 . Such payment arrangements may include immediate payment via a credit card or charging the price of the digital product to the cellular phone account of user  20 . Further, payment arrangements may include payment only upon receipt of the digital product. Once payment arrangements have been accomplished, processing proceeds to operation  810  where it is determined whether the user  20  desired to have the digital product downloaded at a hotspot network  50  location. If the user  20  desires to download the digital product in a hotspot network  50  location, then processing proceeds to operation  820 . In operation  820 , the user&#39;s starting location is determined. This may be the current location of user  20  or some other designated location. Thereafter, in operation  830 , the nearest hotspot network  50  locations are transmitted to the user based on the designated starting location. Whether the user selects to download the digital product at a hotspot network  50  location or via cellular transmission, the user  20  then receives a unique order number in operation  840 . Thereafter, in operation  850  processing of the order/location module  290  terminates. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , once the content or digital product is downloaded into the mobile station  10  it may be transferred from the mobile station  10  to another computer  70  which may be, but is not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop computer, and a handheld computer. This may be accomplished via a cable or other short range communications mechanism. Therefore, any processor based system may be the ultimate destination of the content or digital product in addition to the mobile station  10 . Using the mobile station having a short range transceiver  210 , large digital products may be downloaded and then transferred to the processor based system. 
     While we have shown and described only a few examples herein, it is understood that numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art could be made in the present invention. For example, in the foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention, the primary source of the digital product has been the content provider  100 . However, the content provider  100  may, in some instances, also support and operate the hotspot network  50  locations. Further, the hotspot network  50  location and the electronic shop server  40  may be conduits between the content provider  100  and the user  20 , or both the electronic shop server  40  and hotspot network  50  location may contain their own database of digital products, thereby not requiring a high-speed link between themselves and the content provider  100 . Still further, user  20  may elect to download the digital product using a home base station connected via a modem to the local PSTN, thereby eliminating cellular phone charges. The transfer rate would of course be limited by the modem speed. However, this may be a preferred option if the user  20  is not incurring long distance phone charges while connected to the PSTN. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.