Abstract:
A method and apparatus to enable subscribers of cellular or telephone networks and internet users to conduct unsolicited and direct trading of goods, offering or requesting services, searching for friends, obtaining or providing specific pieces of information using handheld and personal devices that include smart phones, personal digital assistants, video devices, desktops and laptops.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/057,904 entitled “Method and apparatus for conducting unsolicited trades using personal computers or hand held devices over the internet or computer networks,” filed Jun. 2, 2008, the disclosure thereof incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Traditional methods of selling products via the internet require sellers to place advertisements on selected websites and then wait for interested parties to contact them via e-mails or telephone calls. Since there is no mechanism available to pre-screen interested parties, sellers usually receive many inquiries on their items for sale but the percentage of people who are actually interested in buying is usually low. The same process applies to people who have services to offer via the internet. 
         [0003]    There are a few undesirable aspects of selling products on the internet: 
         [0004]    The seller&#39;s contact address is exposed to everyone who reads the advertisement and the seller continues to receive inquiries from individuals even after the product has already been sold. 
         [0005]    Traditional methods of buying goods via the internet require buyers to access various websites and scan advertisements to search for products that match their needs. In most cases, buyers tend to spend a great deal of time on the internet but do not find the product they want to purchase. 
         [0006]    It is also considered a nuisance to buyers who reach sellers only to find out that products have already been sold or their e-mails to sellers received no responses. 
         [0007]    For applications such as property rental, friend searching, looking for roommates etc., internet users usually register with websites that offer these services. However, most of these websites usually require internet users to provide their personal data before granting them membership and access to their database. In general, users have found that individual websites that offer these kinds of services contain only small databases and thus, users need to sign up with several of these services to ensure satisfactory coverage. 
         [0008]    There are services on the internet that offer sports scores, breaking and developing news, weather reports, etc. To obtain comprehensive coverage, internet users usually register with many websites, but this can become costly and the amount of information is usually overwhelming. There are very limited options available to users for filtering out unwanted information. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In general, the invention presents a method and apparatus to enable anyone who has access to a cellular network or the internet to sell or buy goods, offer or request services, search for friends, or perform unsolicited exchange of information without having to advertise their products or services or perform frequent searches on various websites. 
         [0010]    With this invention, cell phone network subscribers or internet users are able to keep their identities and contact addresses only known to those with common interests while remaining anonymous to other internet users when selling or offering services over the cellular network or the internet 
         [0011]    The invention provides a means for cell phone network subscribers or internet users to search for friends over various cellular networks or across the internet without having to sign up for membership with groups or organizations running commercial websites. 
         [0012]    The method and apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for cell phone network subscribers or internet users who want to seek specific and instantaneous information on weather, sports scores, breaking news etc. without needing to sign up for services from various websites. The information and updates are supplied from other subscribers of the cellular network or internet users but it can come from a website that sends unsolicited updates. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a conventional system whereby subscribers of a cellular or telephone network may access specific internet websites to buy or sell goods using their handheld devices or cell phones with video display interfaces. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a conventional system whereby users may access the internet via Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), cable modems or a wireless service (such as WiMAX) or Wi-Fi. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a typical cellular network as shown in  FIG. 1  with a presence of a HOST server that connects to the cellular network to support the method and apparatus of the invention. To expand coverage, HOST servers that serve different cellular networks can be linked together via high speed data links to share their databases. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows the internet with various devices accessing the internet as shown in  FIG. 2  with a presence of a HOST server to support the method and apparatus of the invention. There may be one or more HOST servers that connect to the internet to support the method and apparatus of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows the search routine that the HOST server uses to search for matching templates. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Table 1 shows an example of a “selling” template for sellers to describe their products for sale. This template and subsequent templates are shown herein for illustrative purposes only. An implementation may add or delete fields, change optional values for each field to suit its purpose, but it still remains within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0019]    Table 2 shows an example of a “buying” template for buyers to describe products to purchase. 
         [0020]    Table 3 shows an example of an “offer service” template for offering a service. 
         [0021]    Table 4 shows an example of a “request service” template for requesting a service. 
         [0022]    Table 5 shows an example of a “search for friend” template for searching for friends. 
         [0023]    Table 6 shows an example of an “information” template. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to sell products without having to place advertisements on any commercial websites. Anyone with access to a cellular network or the internet can autonomously generate a template that describes a brief but essential detail of the product they want to sell. The template is then transmitted a HOST server that connects to the cellular network or the internet ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). A typical “selling” template is shown in Table 1. 
         [0025]    With the availability of smart phones and powerful handheld devices, the invention provides a means for cell phone network subscribers to submit “selling” templates from anywhere without having access to the internet. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to buy products without having to search for products on numerous commercial websites. Anyone with access to a cellular network or the internet can autonomously generate a template that describes a brief but essential detail of the product they want to buy. The template is then transmitted to a HOST server that connects to a cellular network or the internet ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). A typical “buying” template is shown in Table 2. 
         [0027]    This feature is particularly useful for cell phone network subscribers who are traveling and have limited or no access to the internet. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to offer specific services without having to place advertisements on commercial websites. Anyone with access to a cellular network or the internet can autonomously generate a template that describes a brief but essential detail of the service they are offering. The template is then transmitted a HOST server that connects to a cellular network or the internet ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). A typical “offer service” template is shown in Table 3. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to request specific types of services without having to search numerous commercial websites looking for similar types of services offered by other internet users. Anyone with access to a cellular network or the internet can autonomously generate a template that describes a brief but enough detail of the service they are requesting. The template is then transmitted to a HOST server that connects to a cellular network or the internet ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). A typical “request service” template is shown in Table 4. 
         [0030]    In a further embodiment, this invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to look for friends without having to search numerous commercial websites or join any organizations that dedicate to the search for friend business. Anyone with access to a cellular network or the internet can autonomously generate a template that describes a brief but sufficient detail of the friend they are looking for. The template is then transmitted a HOST server that connects to a cellular network or the internet ( FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ). A typical “look for friend” template is shown in Table 5. 
         [0031]    In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method and apparatus to enable cell phone network subscribers or internet users to obtain specific information without having to search numerous commercial websites all the time. 
         [0032]    Users generate “information” templates ( FIG. 6 ) to request or provide specific information regarding any events that are currently taking place, for examples, changing weather in a city, the score of an ongoing football game, a sale at a well-known department store etc. or even opinion regarding a recent TV show, a newly released movie etc. The “information” template is particularly useful for cellular phone users who can get the information while on-the-go with limited or no access to the internet. 
         [0033]    The main function of the HOST server is to find a match between a receiving template and the templates that are currently stored in its database, based on their types and categories. For example, the HOST receives a “buying” template (see Table 2); it would retrieve all “selling” templates currently stored in its database to look for a match. 
         [0034]    If a match is found, the HOST server sends notifications to both submitters of the matching templates and exchanges contact addresses. It is then up to both submitters to further the trade. It is possible to have multiple matches to one template. 
         [0035]    The HOST server stores the arriving template in its database if a match is not found. 
         [0036]    Every template has a default expiration time. Submitters may set this time to be shorter than default. The HOST server will discard a template when its expiration time is reached. A template may also be discarded from the HOST server database if the submitter sends to the HOST server a cancellation request before its expiration time is reached. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows the search routine that a HOST server uses to search for one or more matching templates. The HOST server receives a template (step  500 ), assigns a template ID (TID) (step  501 ), stores the template in its database (step  502 ) and sends a confirmation message to the submitter of the template with the assigned TID (step  503 ). 
         [0038]    Depending on the type of the received template, the HOST server retrieves all potentially matching templates one by one from its database to check against the received template for a match. For example, if a template with the type specified as “buying” is received, all templates with the types of “selling” are considered potentially matching templates and will be checked, field by field, against the received template. 
         [0039]    The HOST server retrieves a template from its database (step  504 ). If successful (step  505 ), it checks if the retrieved template (step  507 ) is a potentially matching template by checking the type.
       If the retrieved template is not a potentially matching template, the HOST server goes back to step  504  to retrieve the next template. If the end of the database is reached, the HOST server will stop searching and wait for the next template to arrive (step  506 ).   If the retrieved template is a potentially matching template, the HOST server will proceed to compare the values in the corresponding fields of the received and retrieved templates (steps  508 ,  509  and  511 ). Step  508  retrieves values of the next fields from both templates, Step  509  checks for end of template, step  511  compares the values of the fields. If the values are equivalent, the check continues until the end of template is reached and the templates are declared as “matched” (step  510 ). If a pair of values failed step  511 , the HOST server discards the retrieved template and goes back to step  504  to retrieve the next potentially matched template.       
 
         [0042]    The search routing shown in  FIG. 5  may result in multiple matches to a receiving template. 
         [0043]    A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other implementations may be found to be within the scope of the following claims. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of a “selling” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Type: selling 
               
               
                   
                 Category: automobile, consumer electronics, games, etc. 
               
               
                   
                 If automobile is selected: 
               
               
                   
                 Make: Honda, Toyota, Ford, GMC, Mazda, Porsche, etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Model: Accord, Camry, Taurus, Pontiac etc. 
               
               
                   
                 Model year: xxxx 
               
               
                   
                 Color: red/blue/green/yellow/etc . . . 
               
               
                   
                 Miles: xxxxxx 
               
               
                   
                 Condition: fair/good/excellent/drivable/not drivable 
               
               
                   
                 Price: ($) xxxxx or negotiable 
               
               
                   
                 Contact phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx 
               
               
                   
                 Call restriction: day, night or none 
               
               
                   
                 Contact email address: xxxxx@xxx.com or none 
               
               
                   
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (days) or (weeks) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of a “buying” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Type: buying 
               
               
                   
                 Category: automobile, consumer electronics, games, etc.. 
               
               
                   
                 If automobile is selected: 
               
               
                   
                 Make: Honda, Toyota, Ford, GMC, Mazda, Porsche, etc.. 
               
               
                   
                 Model: Accord, Camry, Taurus, Pontiac etc.. 
               
               
                   
                 Model year: xxxx or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                   
                 Color: red/blue/green/yellow/etc . . . or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                   
                 Miles: 0, 12000, 30000 etc.. or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                   
                 Condition: fair/good/excellent drivable or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                   
                 Price: ($) xxxxx or less or negotiable 
               
               
                   
                 Contact phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx 
               
               
                   
                 Call restriction: day, night or none 
               
               
                   
                 Contact email address: xxxxx@xxx.com or none 
               
               
                   
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (days) or (weeks) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of an “offer service” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Type: offer service 
               
               
                 Category: building and construction, landscaping, carpentry, car wash, 
               
               
                 baby sitting etc . . . 
               
               
                 If building and construction is selected: 
               
               
                 Structure: home, room, bath room, kitchen, foundation, general 
               
               
                 Contractor license: registered or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                 Contract size: ($) less than 1000, 2000, 5000 etc.. or not specified 
               
               
                 Contact phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx 
               
               
                 Call restriction: day, night or none 
               
               
                 Contact email address: xxxxx@xxx.com 
               
               
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (hours) or (days) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of a “request service” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Type: request service 
               
               
                 Category: building and construction, landscaping, carpenting, car wash, 
               
               
                 baby sitting etc . . . 
               
               
                 If building and construction is selected: 
               
               
                 Structure: home, room, bath room, kitchen, foundation, general 
               
               
                 Contractor license: registered or don&#39;t care 
               
               
                 Contract size: ($) 1000, 2000, 5000 or more etc.. or not specified 
               
               
                 Contact phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx 
               
               
                 Call restriction: day, night or none 
               
               
                 Contact email address: xxxxx@xxx.com 
               
               
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (hours) or (days) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of a “search for friend” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Type: looking for a friend 
               
               
                   
                 Category: old friend or new friend 
               
               
                   
                 If old friend is selected: 
               
               
                   
                 Person&#39;s name: specific name (John Doe) or blank 
               
               
                   
                 College attended: name of the school or leave blank to 
               
               
                   
                 search for high school or elementary school attended 
               
               
                   
                 High School attended: name of the school or leave 
               
               
                   
                 blank to search for college or elementary school attended 
               
               
                   
                 Elementary School attended: name of the school or 
               
               
                   
                 leave blank to search for college or elementary school attended 
               
               
                   
                 Year of graduation: year (from college, high school or 
               
               
                   
                 elementary) 
               
               
                   
                 Contact phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx 
               
               
                   
                 Call restriction: day, night or none 
               
               
                   
                 Contact email address: xxxxx@xxx.com 
               
               
                   
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (hours) or 
               
               
                   
                 (days) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Example of an “information” template 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Type: obtain information, provide information 
               
               
                   
                 Category: weather change, sports score, TV show 
               
               
                   
                 rating, movie, department sale 
               
               
                   
                 If weather change is selected: 
               
               
                   
                 Place: City or Zip Code 
               
               
                   
                 Information: raining, sunny, stormy weather, cold, hot 
               
               
                   
                 Message: address of sender or a greeting or blank 
               
               
                   
                 Time to keep template active: 1, 2, 3, . . . (hours) or 
               
               
                   
                 (days)