Abstract:
In a communication system, a wireless transceiver receives a request message from a caller system for an information service. The information service is associated with an Internet address and an image format. A control system determines a location of the caller system. The control system selects a text message format for the information service based on the location of the caller system. The control system transmits a setup message to the information service indicating the selected text message format. In some examples, the control system receives a text message from the information service responsive to the set-up message, and the wireless transceiver transfers the text message to the caller system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 11/482,698 that was filed on Jul. 6, 2006, is entitled “LOCATION BASED FORMAT SELECTION FOR INFORMATION SERVICES”, and that is hereby incorporated by reference into this patent application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to location based format selection for telecommunication information services. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Telecommunication service providers increasingly offer specialized dialing services to customers. For example, some providers offer customers information services related to particular events. A customer can dial a specialized phone number for an event and their provider will connect the customer to a service that provides information related to the event. A typical information service often times includes a media unit that plays out an audio information stream to a customer over a bearer connection. In such a case, the connection between the customer handset and the media unit requires a bandwidth amount similar to any comparative voice call. Information services for sporting events, such as auto races, have become very popular. 
     One drawback from the perspective of a service provider is that a large number of customers could call a single information service nearly simultaneously and from a single location. In the case of wireless telecommunications, a large volume of calls to an information service could overwhelm the portion of a wireless network serving the location. 
     In the prior art, one solution to the above problem is to temporarily increase wireless capacity at certain venues or locations around the time of a popular event. In this manner, the bandwidth will exist to service a large number of information service calls from a particular location, in addition to any regular voice calls. Unfortunately, provisioning and deploying temporary service equipment is expensive and inefficient. Regardless, the actual bandwidth demand could still exceed that provided by temporary equipment. 
     Another solution in the prior art is to block any call that could cause the total bandwidth in-use to exceed the bandwidth capacity of the network. However, blocking a call regardless of whether the call is a voice call or an information service call could result in customer dissatisfaction. In addition, monitoring the available bandwidth of a wireless network on a per-call basis could be overly onerous. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention helps solve the above problems and other problems by providing methods, systems, and software for providing information services in various formats, depending upon the location of a caller. In this manner, the delivery of an information service to a large number of callers within a particular geographical region or location could be optimized, rather than having to block calls or otherwise provide substandard service. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a wireless transceiver receives a request message from a caller system for an information service. The information service is associated with an Internet address and an image format. A control system determines a location of the caller system. The control system selects a text message format for the information service based on the location of the caller system. The control system transmits a setup message to the information service indicating the selected text message format. In some embodiments, the control system receives a text message from the information service responsive to the set-up message, and the wireless transceiver transfers the text message to the caller system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the operation of a call control system in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of a call control system in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a communication network in an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a computer system in an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1-7  and the following description depict specific embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple embodiments of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates communication network  100  in an embodiment of the invention. Communication network  100  advantageously provides for the provisioning and delivery of information services in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network by selecting the format of an information service based on the location of a requesting party. Based on the location of the requesting party, an information service can be provided in an appropriate format so as not to overly burden a network or portion of a network utilized for the information service. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , communication network  100  includes caller system  110  in wireless communication with transceiver system  120 . Transceiver system  120  is operatively coupled to call control system  130 . Call control system  130  is operatively coupled to communication network  140 . Information service  150  is also operatively coupled to communication network  140 . 
     Caller system  110  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with transceiver system  120 , call control system  130 , and information service  150 . Caller system  110  could be, for example, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computing device, or pager, as well as other types of caller systems. 
     Transceiver system  120  could be any system or collection of systems capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications to and from caller system  110 . In addition, transceiver system  120  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with call control system  130 . In an example, transceiver system  120  could be a wireless base station or base transceiver station. 
     Call control system  130  could be any system or collection of systems capable of controlling sessions or calls placed to or from caller system  110 . Call control system  130  could be capable of communicating with transceiver system  120  and information service  150 . In an example, call control system  130  could comprise a base station controller, a mobile switching center, a switch, or a soft switch, or any combination thereof, as well as any other type of call control system. 
     Communication network  140  could be any network or collection of networks capable of transporting communications to and from caller system  110 , transceiver system  120 , call control system  130 , and information service  150 . 
     Information service  150  could be any system or collection of systems capable of providing an information service to caller system  110 . In an example, information service  150  could be a call server, as well as other types of platforms capable of providing information services. 
     In operation, a user could operate caller system  110  to initiate a session with information service  150 . For example, a user providing an input to caller system  110  associated with information service  150 , such as a telephone number, an Internet address, or the like. In such a case, caller system  110  could communicate via transceiver system  120  with call control system  130  to setup the session with information service  150 . The user and caller system  110  could be located in a specific geographic location. 
     Call control system  130  could communicate a setup process with information service  150  to establish the session between caller system  110  and information service  150 . Once the session has been established, information service  150  could be provided to the user. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the operation of call control system  130 . As discussed, the user and caller system  110  could be located in a specific geographic location. Upon receiving a session request from caller system  110  indicating information service  150  (Step  210 ), call control system  130  could determine the location of the caller and/or caller system  110  (Step  220 ). The location of the call could be determined in a number of well known ways, such as by a location indicator, a location determination method, as well as a location query. 
     Upon determining the location, call control system  130  could select a format from multiple formats for the requested information service  150  (Step  230 ). Next, call control system  130  could transmit a session setup message to information service  150  indicating the selected format (Step  240 ). In response, information service  150  could provide the requested service to caller system  110  in the selected format. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates communication network  100  in another embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , information service  150  includes audio system  151  and text system  152 . Audio system  151  could be any system or collection of systems capable of providing an information service to caller system  110  in an audio format. Text system  152  could be any system or collection of systems capable of providing an information service to caller system  110  in a text format. In one example, the text format could comprise a text messaging format. 
     It should be understood that other types of formats could be considered, such as video or picture image formats, as well as other types of formats. Likewise, other types of systems capable of providing an information service in the other types of formats could be considered, such as video systems or picture image systems. 
     In an operative example, caller system  110  could transmit a session request message to call control system  130  indicating information service  150 . Based on the location of caller system  110 , call control system  130  could select a format in which the information service could be provided to caller system  110 . For example, call control system  130  could select from either an audio format or a text format. In such a case, audio system  151  could be selected to provide the information service in an audio format, whereas text system  152  could be selected to provide the information service in a text format. 
     In yet another operative example, a situation wherein a large number of callers place calls nearly simultaneously to an information service from a single geographic location or region, such as a sports stadium, could occur. In such an example, a call control system could determine based on the location of the callers that the requested information service be provided to the callers in a text format, rather than in an audio format, thereby conserving bandwidth in the geographic location or region. 
     Advantageously, communication network  100 , and call control system  130  in particular, selects a format for a requested information service based on the location of caller system  110 . In this manner, the information services can be provisioned and delivered in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates communication network  400  in an embodiment of the invention. Communication network  400  advantageously provides for the provisioning and delivery of information services in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network by selecting the format of an information service based on the wireless sector of a requesting party. Based on the wireless sector of the requesting party, an information service can be provided in an appropriate format so as not to overly burden a network or portion of a network utilized for the information service. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , communication network  400  includes caller system  410  in wireless communication with transceiver system  420 . Transceiver system  420  is operatively coupled to call control system  430 . Call control system  430  is operatively coupled to communication network  440 . Information service  450  is also operatively coupled to communication network  440 . 
     Caller system  410  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with transceiver system  420 , call control system  430 , and information service  450 . Caller system  410  could be, for example, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computing device, or pager, as well as other types of caller systems. 
     Transceiver system  420  could be any system or collection of systems capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications to and from caller system  410 . In addition, transceiver system  420  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with call control system  430 . In an example, transceiver system  420  could be a wireless base station or base transceiver station. 
     It should be understood that transceiver system  420  could include multiple sub-systems wherein each sub-system could be capable of receiving communications from wireless sectors  421 ,  422 , and  423  respectively. In an example, the sub-systems could comprise directional antennae, each antenna pointing in a different direction. As illustrated by  FIG. 4 , transceiver system  420  could include three sub-systems, wherein each sub-system could communicate with caller systems in three one-hundred twenty degree sectors respectively. In an example, each sub-system could both transmit and receive communications. In an alternative, each sub-system could receive communications, while a central transmit sub-system could transmit communications. Other variations are possible. 
     Call control system  430  could be any system or collection of systems capable of controlling sessions or calls placed to or from caller system  410 . Call control system  430  could be capable of communicating with transceiver system  420  and information service  450 . In an example, call control system  430  could comprise a base station controller, a mobile switching center, a switch, or a soft switch, or any combination thereof, as well as any other type of call control system. 
     Communication network  440  could be any network or collection of networks capable of transporting communications to and from caller system  410 , transceiver system  420 , call control system  430 , and information service  450 . 
     Information service  450  could be any system or collection of systems capable of providing an information service to caller system  410 . In an example, information service  450  could be a call server, as well as other types of platforms capable of providing information services. 
     In operation, a user could operate caller system  410  to initiate a session with information service  450 . For example, a user providing an input to caller system  410  associated with information service  450 , such as a telephone number, an Internet address, or the like. In such a case, caller system  410  could communicate via transceiver system  420  with call control system  430  to setup the session with information service  450 . As illustrated, the user and caller system  410  could be located in sector  421 . 
     Call control system  430  could exchange setup communications with information service  450  to establish the session between caller system  410  and information service  450 . Once the session has been established, information service  450  could be provided to the user. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the operation of call control system  430 . As discussed, the user and caller system  510  could be located in sector  421 . Upon receiving a session request from caller system  410  indicating information service  450  (Step  510 ), call control system  430  could determine the location of the caller and/or caller system  410  (Step  520 ). The location of the call could be determined in a number of well known ways, such as by a sector indicator or flag included with communications received by transceiver system  420 . 
     Upon determining the sector, call control system  430  could select a format from multiple formats for the requested information service  450  (Step  530 ). Next, call control system  430  could transmit a session setup message to information service  450  indicating the selected format (Step  540 ). In response, information service  450  could provide the requested service to caller system  410  in the selected format. 
     Advantageously, communication network  400 , and call control system  430  in particular, selects a format for a requested information service based on the wireless sector of caller system  410 . In this manner, the information services can be provisioned and delivered in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates communication network  600  in an embodiment of the invention. Communication network  600  advantageously provides for the provisioning and delivery of information services in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network by selecting the format of an information service based on the wireless sector of a requesting party. Based on the wireless sector of the requesting party, an information service can be provided in an appropriate format so as not to overly burden a network or portion of a network utilized for the information service. In addition, communication network  600  provides a database system capable of storing format preferences in association with various wireless sectors. In an embodiment, the database system is remotely accessible by an update system. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , communication network  600  includes caller system  610  in wireless communication with transceiver system  620 . Transceiver system  620  is operatively coupled to call control system  630 . Call control system  630  is operatively coupled to communication network  640 . Information service  650  is also operatively coupled to communication network  640 . Communication network  600  also includes database system  635  and update system  660 . Call control system  630  is in communication with database system  635 . Likewise, update system  660  is in communication with database system  635 . 
     Caller system  610  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with transceiver system  620 , call control system  630 , and information service  650 . Caller system  610  could be, for example, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computing device, or pager, as well as other types of caller systems. 
     Transceiver system  620  could be any system or collection of systems capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications to and from caller system  610 . In addition, transceiver system  620  could be any system or collection of systems capable of communicating with call control system  630 . In an example, transceiver system  620  could be a wireless base station or base transceiver station. 
     It should be understood that transceiver system  620  could include multiple sub-systems wherein each sub-system could be capable of receiving communications from wireless sectors  621 ,  622 , and  623  respectively. In an example, the sub-systems could comprise directional antennae, each antenna pointing in a different direction. As illustrated by  FIG. 6 , transceiver system  620  could include three sub-systems, wherein each sub-system could communicate with caller systems in three one-hundred twenty degree sectors respectively. In an example, each sub-system could both transmit and receive communications. In an alternative, each sub-system could receive communications, while a central transmit sub-system could transmit communications. Other variations are possible. 
     Database system  635  could be any system or collection of systems capable of storing the identities of various sectors in association with the identities of various information services. In addition, database system  635  could be capable of storing preferred formats stored in association with the various sectors and information services. In one example, database system  635  could store the sector, information service, and format identities in translation tables. Translation tables are well known telecommunication database tables utilized for call routing. It should be understood that database system  635  could be independent of call control system  630 . However, it should also be understood that database system  635  could be integrated with call control system  630 . 
     Update system  660  could comprise any system or collection of systems capable of providing users with remote access and update capabilities for database system  635 . For example, update system  660  could be configured to update database system  635  with changes to translations tables. Update system  660  could be a well known remote communication process, such as FTP or Telnet. Other processes are possible. 
     In an embodiment, users could update database system  635  in response to real-time events. For example, an event that could attract a large crowd could be scheduled within a relatively short notice period. The event could be scheduled at a venue within sector  621 . In anticipation of the event, the owner or operator of communication network  600  could utilize update system  660  to update how requests for sessions with information service  650  are handled. Prior to the event schedule, requests from sector  621  could be handled normally. However, during the event service requests for information service  650  could be handled in an exception manner as prescribed by an update from update system  660 . 
     Call control system  630  could be any system or collection of systems capable of controlling sessions or calls placed to or from caller system  610 . Call control system  630  could be capable of communicating with transceiver system  620 , information service  650 , and database system  635 . In an example, call control system  630  could comprise a base station controller, a mobile switching center, a switch, or a soft switch, or any combination thereof, as well as any other type of call control system. 
     Communication network  640  could be any network or collection of networks capable of transporting communications to and from caller system  610 , transceiver system  620 , call control system  630 , and information service  650 . 
     Information service  650  could be any system or collection of systems capable of providing an information service to caller system  610 . In an example, information service  650  could be a call server, as well as other types of platforms capable of providing information services. 
     In operation, a user could operate caller system  610  to initiate a session with information service  650 . For example, a user could provide an input to caller system  610  associated with information service  650 , such as a dialed telephone number, an Internet address, or the like. In one example, the dialed telephone number could be a vertical service code, an abbreviated dialing code, or the like. In such a case, caller system  610  could communicate via transceiver system  620  with call control system  630  to setup the session with information service  650 . As illustrated, the user and caller system  610  could be located in sector  621 . 
     Call control system  630  could exchange setup communications with information service  650  and database system  635  to establish the session between caller system  610  and information service  650 . Once the session has been established, information service  650  could be provided to the user. 
     In an operative example, call control system  630  could receive a session request from caller system  610 . The session request could indicate the location of caller system  610  in sector  621 . In one example, signaling from transceiver system  620  separate from the session request could indicate sector  621 . 
     In response to the session request, call control system  630  could query database system  635  with the identity of the requested information service  650  and the location of caller system  610 . In this case, the location is sector  621 . Database system  635  could process the query with the translation tables and return a response to call control system  630  identifying a preferred format for the information service  650  with respect to requests originating from sector  621 . The preferred format could be one format of multiple formats, such as audio, text, video, and picture formats. 
     Upon receiving the response from database system  635 , call control system  630  could transmit a setup message to information service  650  identifying caller system  610  and the preferred format for the service. In response, information service  650  could provide the service in the preferred format. For example, an audio module in information service  650  could play-out an information stream to the user of caller system  610 . In another example, a text messaging module could generate and transmit a single or series of text messages to caller system  610  for display to the user. Either the audio play-out or the text messages could include the information relevant to information service  650 . 
     Advantageously, communication network  600 , and call control system  630  in particular, selects a format for a requested information service based on the wireless sector of caller system  610 . In this manner, the information services can be provisioned and delivered in a manner that optimizes the overall performance of a communication network. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates computer system  700  in an embodiment of the invention. Computer system  700  includes interface  720 , processing system  730 , storage system  740 , and software  750 . Storage system  740  stores software  750 . Processing system  730  is linked to interface  720 . Computer system  700  could be comprised of a programmed general-purpose computer, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that programmable or special purpose circuitry and equipment may be used. Computer system  700  may use a client server architecture where operations are distributed among a server system and client devices that together comprise elements  720 - 750 . 
     Interface  720  could comprise a network interface card, modem, port, or some other communication device. Interface  720  may be distributed among multiple communication devices. Interface  730  could comprise a computer microprocessor, logic circuit, or some other processing device. Processing system  730  may be distributed among multiple processing devices. Storage system  740  could comprise a disk, tape, integrated circuit, server, or some other memory device. Storage system  740  may be distributed among multiple memory devices. 
     Processing system  730  retrieves and executes software  750  from storage system  740 . Software  750  may comprise an operating system, utilities, drivers, networking software, and other software typically loaded onto a general-purpose computer. Software  750  could also comprise an application program, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processing instructions. When executed by the processing system  730 , software  750  directs processing system  730  to operate as described for call control systems  130 ,  430  and  630 , as well as for other elements of communication networks  100 ,  400 , and  600 .