Patent CA-2463071-A1 (CA)
Title: Mobile classified ads system and method using short message system (sms) and/or multimedia message system (mms)
Inventor: BECHNATI TOUFIC
IPC: H04L12/16
Filed: 2004-04-06
Abstract: The system is composed of any number of mobile subscribers using any type of mobile devices connecting through sms/mms to a central database server setup by any service provider. It uses the most popular mobile messaging application sms/mms for the purpose of classified ads. The system is independent of mobile operators but use the sms/mms services of mobile operators. The system is made up of two components: a client component and a server component. The client component resides in any person's mobile device. It provides user s with data manipulation means and data communication means. The data manipulation means include having all the necessary information built-in the system to provide it with: (a) Means to compose any number and type of new ads/want ads with contact information and optional multimedia show (picture, audio, and/or video) especially mobil e devices with built-in cameras, give each ad/want ad (1) a unique record number automatically generated by the system, (2) a specific transaction code based on user's selected transaction type (ad or want ad), (3) a specific category code based on user 's selected category of ad/want ad, and (4) a specific set of data fields that are specific for every ad transaction and category to be filled by the user, and store all those ads/want ads as arecord set in a database file called the ads database file inside the mobile device's non-volatile memory. (b) Means for browsing the ads database file for viewin g, modifying, or deleting any existing ad from the ads database file of the mobile device's n on- volatile memory. (c) Means for storing the received downloaded matched ads in a database file called the matched ads database file inside the mobile device's non-volatile memory. (d) Means for browsing the matched ads database file for viewing all the stored matched ads, selecting a specific one and calling the contact to discuss the matched ad details, and finally either keeping or deleting the matched ad from the matched ads database file on the mobile device's non-volatile memory. (e) Means for resetting the ads and matched ads database files from the mobile device's non-volatile memory. The data communication means include: (f) Means for uploading or sending any valid outdated ad/want ad using sms/mms from any subscriber's ads database file of his/her mobile device's n on- volatile memory to that subscriber's ads database file on the centralized sms/mms enabled database server. A specific command code is included with the ad record numb er and the ad data in the upload message to identify a new ad from a modified or delete d existing ad. (g) Means for downloading or receiving any number of matched ads, of a specific ad number or for all ads, from any subscriber's matched ads database file on th e centralized database server to that subscriber's matched ads database file on his/her mobile device's non-volatile memory. The server component resides on the centralized database server. It also provides the server with data manipulation means and data communication means. The data manipulation means include: (a) Means for storing, browsing, and maintaining all the new or modified ads/want ads received by the server from all mobile subscribers in the network. The server maintains a separate ads database file for each subscrib er that is an enact copy of his/her mobile device's ads database file when uploaded by tha t subscriber. Each ad/want ad is identified by its ad record number and each subscriber is identified by its mobile phone number, which are two pieces of information included in the received message. (b) Means for searching all subscribers ad records in the centraliz ed database server for matched ads when a new or modified ad/want ad for any subscriber reaches the server. When a new ad/want ad is received the server starts searching for al l matched ads right away. When a modified ad/want ad is received, the server first deletes allthe old matched ads it can find on the server, then starts searching for all newly matched ads it can find. (c) Means for storing all found matched ads for each subscriber in a separate matched ads database file on the server, waiting to be downloaded by that subscriber when he/she wishes to do so. (d) Means for deleting an ad/want ad from the a ds database file of a subscriber, and delete all correspondent matched ads from the matched ads database files, when a deleted ad/want ad command reaches the server from th at subscriber. (e) Means for resetting the ads and matched ads database files o f any subscriber when the specific command from that subscriber reaches the server . (f) Means for automatically cleaning the database server of all invalid, old, and deleted matched ads records. (g) Means for automatically deleting every matched ad record of the server once it is downloaded by the user. (h) Means for automatically compacting all subscribers matched ads database files in the case their number of rec