AU2003100733A4

AU2003100733A4 - Real-time ordering and enquiry system derived from synchronisation between broadcast media scheduling and customer messaging initiation times

Info

Publication number: AU2003100733A4
Application number: AU2003100733A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Craig Burton; Jade Burton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-02
Filing date: 2003-09-02
Publication date: 2003-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-02

Description

Description The invention consists of a method and apparatus for automating the interraction with and purchasing from broadcast media outlets by customers possessing a personal message-capable device such as a mobile telephone.

The invention lays claim to a system and apparatus which can synchronise message acquisition times from the message provider network with broadcast content scheduling information.

In one instance of the invention, a customer uses their mobile telephone to send an SMS request to a telephone number publicised by a radio station. The time of the SMS being sent forms the basis of the customer ordering the music playing at that instant.

This instance of the invention assumes the mobile telephone owner has registered their mobile phone number so that delivery of the ordered music can be completed via their email or physical post address.

This instance of the invention provides a method and apparatus for 1. registration of the mobile phone owner's details via a website we refer to this as the "registration website") 2. accumulation of SMS messages from customers 3. synchronisation of SMS messages with playlist XML services provided by radio station scheduling systems 4. confirmation via outbound SMS to customers so that they may confirm the music they have ordered collection of reply SMS messages confirming music order 6. billing of the customer via credit card transaction or directly via SMS messaging costs 7. delivery of music to the customer (such as in an Email attachment of a digital music file or via download from a login account for the customer on the registration website) In another instance of the invention, the customer uses SMS to make a request during the radio or internet broadcast of a song. The customer is sent and SMS giving the confirmation details of the currently playing song along with the names of the previous five songs. This instance of the invention attempts to correct for lag in network processing of SMS messages.

In a third instance of the invention, the customer uses SMS or any other personal messaging protocol to register interest with a broadcast media service at a critical time publicised by the broadcaster. A broadcaster publicises that users of a service derived from the current invention should message their broadcaster during a certain song or advertisement. The current invention synchronises the messaging request against the scheduling system of the broadcaster and so determines which customers qualify.

A fourth instance of the invention is a passive configuration of the service such that a customer using their messaging device can merely have the details of content broadcast at a certain time recorded for their later perusal. This collected information then allows the user to purchase content in the more traditional way on the registration website and then optionally visit an affiliate website in order to purchase.

A fifth instance of the invention is implemented in an IVR or DTMF service which received calls from a standard telephone. The service logs the time of the call and this time forms the basis of schronisation with a media broadcaster as part of an enqiry or purchase.

Claims

1. synchronisation of initiation times (including, but not limited to network registration time of an SMS message send action) with broadcast media scheduling data (including but not limited to scheduling times for specific music made available via an XML web service from a radio or television station) in order to facilitate enquiries on, and ordering of, broadcast content published at a specific time

2. A process for registration of the personal details and communication device owned by a potential user of the content purchasing service based on claim 1 (above). This may include the user providing their telephone number and setting up a password, for example.

3. Claim 1 (above) with the inclusion that the customer may initiate an immediate purchase without issuing any kind of follow-up confirmation message.

4. a process for automating a customer order for broadcast content (as defined in claims 1 to 3 above) and the delivery of this content directly to the customer's messaging device or via some other electronic dissemination means including but not limited to Internet Email.

The customer configuration of which occurs in claim 2 (above). The converse of claim 3 (above); that a customer may request information about broadcast content for their perusal without any purchase to take place.

6. Billing of customer purchasing activity defined in claims 1 to 4 (above) such that the cost of the transmission of the personal message includes the additional cost of the content purchased.