WO2010041924A2

WO2010041924A2 - Mobile portal system

Info

Publication number: WO2010041924A2
Application number: PCT/MY2009/000165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thiam Hock Lee
Original assignee: Thiam Hock Lee
Priority date: 2008-10-07
Filing date: 2009-10-07
Publication date: 2010-04-15
Also published as: WO2010041924A3; MY168336A

Abstract

The present invention provides a mobile portal system for accessing content information stored therein through mobile communication device (101)s. The mobile portal system comprises a plurality of provider server groups (120), a central server group (110)s and a provider server groups (130) for each of the plurality of provider server. The plurality of provider server groups (120) are adapted for storing and managing content information, said content information are being streamed to fit a screen of the mobile communication device (101); the central server group (110) is adapted for synchronously storing and managing the content information stored at the plurality of provider server groups (120); and the provider server groups (130) is adapted for synchronizing and updating the content information stored in the central server group (110) with that of the plurality of provider server groups (120).

Description

Mobile Portal System

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information portal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile portal system.

Background of the Invention

Mobile phones are originally designed mainly for voice service/communication. With the available of smart phones and high speed broadband data service, i.e. 3G, the usage of mobile phone has been extended to data service should be equal to voice service, if not more important which allows information sharing becoming more mobile.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an information portal system for providing content information to a mobile communication device. The system comprises a plurality of provider server groups for storing and managing content information, said content information are being streamed to fit a screen of the mobile communication device; a central server group for storing synchronously and managing the content information stored at the plurality of provider server groups; and a synchronization server that operable to synchronize and update the content information stored in the central server group with that of the plurality of provider server groups. In one embodiment, user of the mobile communication device may require to subscribe to access the content information.

In another embodiment, the plurality of provider server groups may be operable to communicate with the central server group via hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

In yet another embodiment, the mobile communication device may be operable to communication with one of the plurality of provider server groups via any of GPRS₃ 3G and Wi-Fi.

hi yet a further embodiment, each of the central server groups and the plurality of provider server groups may comprise a presentation layer, a management layer and a data layer. The presentation layer may comprise a client application adapted for handling multimedia data flow. The multimedia data includes audio data and video data. The presentation layer of the plurality of provider server groups may comprise a portal server for providing graphic user interface for publishing the content information on the mobile communication device in response to a request for content information. The portal server includes a user agent profile specification for providing content information in an appropriate format for the mobile communication device. It is also possible that the management layer comprises a user management server, a content management server, a media storage server, a streaming server and an advertisement server, wherein said servers of the management layer are intercommunicating with each other via HTTP. The streaming server is operable to stream the data from the media storage server for publishing on the mobile communication device. Yet, the management layer may comprise a partner gateway server and a mobile payment gateway. Further, the data layer may comprise a user database, a content database and an advertisement database.

In yet a further embodiment, each provider server group is resided at a service provider. It is also possible that the information portal system comprises a synchronization server for each provider server group.

Brief Description of the Drawings

This invention will be described by way of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portal system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of architecture of a provider server group in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 exemplifies a screenshot of a content editor of one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram architecture of a central server group in accordance with one embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 exemplifies a screenshot of a mobile communication device of one embodiment. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In line with the above summary, the following description of a number of specific and alternative embodiments is provided to understand the inventive features of the present invention. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however that this invention may be practiced without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described at length so as not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures.

The present invention provides a mobile portal designed to provide the lifestyle information and integrations that are easily accessible through mobile communication device, such as mobile phones, smart phones and the like. The information and integrations includes online transactions, online purchases, classified, traveler tools, interactive advertising, mobile web and enquiry. These features are provided to enhance the user-experience on portal service, for a complete information-to-end usage cycle.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portal system 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The portal system is adapted to provide information portal to a plurality of mobile communication devices 101. The portal system 100 comprises a central server group 110, a plurality of provider server groups 120 and a plurality of synchronization servers 130. For the purpose of the present invention, each of the server groups 110 and 120 may include a group of servers forming the framework for intergrading information to facilitate the information portal. There is no limit that the number of server can be included in each server group. The provider server groups 120 are generally provided by respective service providers, where the mobile communication devices 101 are subscribed and connected thereto. The mobile communication devices 101 can connect to the respective service provider via any communication channels which include GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi, and etc. The central server group 110 is adapted to manage general contents and fit to the provider server groups 120. AU the general contents are also stored/updated at the central server groups 110 through the synchronization server 130. The connections/communications between the central server group 110 and the synchronization server 130 and the provider server groups 120 are established via hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The central server group 110 manages the general contents and turns them into customized contents readily accessible by the mobile communication devices 101.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of architecture of a provider server group 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The provider server group 200 is adapted to be used as the provider server group 120 of FIG. 1. The provider server group 200 can generally be organized into a presentation layer 210, a management layer 220 and a data layer 230. Briefly, the presentation layer 210 comprises a portal server 212 and a client application 214; the management layer 220 comprises a user management server 222, a content management server 223, a partner gateway server 224, a mobile payment gateway 225, a media storage server 226, a streaming server 227 and an advertisement server 228; and the data layer 230 comprises an user database 232, a contact database 234 and an advertisement database 236.

The presentation layer 210 is adapted for interfacing and bridging mobile communication devices 101 and the management layer 220. The mobile communication devices 101 connect to the presentation layer 210 via standard communication channels, such as EDGE, 3G and HTTP. Operationally, the presentation layer 210 gathers mobile communication devices' 110 response interactively; provides Graphic User Interface (GUI); and outputs contents to the mobile communication devices 101. Usually, the contents are outputted via the HTTP. The portal server 212 provides a web based GUI on the mobile communication devices 101. The GUI manages presentations of the contents acquired from the content management server 223. The GUI also manages advertisements, if any, generated by the advertisement server 228. The portal server 212 also provides a User Agent Profile (UAProf) specification in order to provide contents in an appropriate format for the specific mobile communication device 101. Device screen resolution, for example, is detected by the UAProf to maximize user experiences with the GUI. The UAProf further characterizes capabilities of the mobile communication devices, such their respective vendor, model, screen size, multimedia processing capabilities, character set supports and etc. Format of the contents such as image size, font size are properly adjusted and categorized for better viewing pleasure and optimal usability on the mobile communication device. The contents, available in various types and format and media such as text, image, audio, and video, can be adapted in different languages and easily accessible through the information portal in accordance with the present invention. The portal server 212 further provides favorite channels for bookmaking and cataloguing contents that user of the mobile communication devices 101 wish to re-access. The portal server 212 works in conjunction with the content management server 223 to manage content in a personal nature. The contents can be categorized in accordance with subject matters of the users' interested or it can marked solely for informative and entertainment purposes.

The client application 214 is adapted for handling multimedia data flow. The multimedia data include video stream, audios and images available in the contents or advertisements. The client application 214 automatically converts the multimedia data into the appropriate format and uploads to the media storage server 226 through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). The client application 214 improves the usability of the information portal and reduces upload time and eliminates improper/incompatible media format type.

The management layer 220 provides major controls of the provider server group 200. The user management server 222 provides users controls and managements which include authenticating users before allowing the mobile communication devices 101 to access the information portal. Once the authentication is successful, the advertisement server 228, partner gateway server 224, mobile payment gateway 225 and content management server 223 operationally convert the contents data for publishing via the portal server 212.

The user management server 222 further includes a subscriber and merchant account administrator and a user activity log tool (not shown) for managing the users and merchants access. The subscriber and merchant account administrator provides operations to manage the subscribed accounts that include account creations, changes and deletions. Subscribers to the information portal relates to users of the mobile communication devices 101 subscribed to a service provider hosting the provider server group 200. The merchant relates to the contents provider which may be third parties contributes to the information portal. The merchant may also provide advertisements to be published along with the contents. The user activity log tool archives contents access activities and provides meaningful statements with regards to users' interactions with contents.

The content management server 223 provides web-based content editor 300 as shown in FIG. 3 to allow contents' and/or advertisements' providers to upload and manage the contents and advertisements on the portal server. The content editor provides a platform for merchants to create and publish the contents in form of HTML pages in multi-format to enhance mobile advertising capabilities. The content comprises text, images, design templates, videos, audios and etc. The content editor enables the content pages to fit for displaying onto all type of mobile communication device. The content editor may further provide a client module for residing at the merchants' side for converting and uploading some of the contents, such as the videos and audios for best view on the mobile communication devices 101. Besides the merchants, the administrators of the provider server group 200 may provides pre-screen and censoring/filtering via the content editor the contents before uploading to the portal server 212. The content management server 223 is also adapted to provide interface to trace usage of contents.

The advertisement server 228 manages advertisements contents and applies intelligent logic for the content management server 223. The intelligent logic helps to increase subscriber exposure to relevant advertisements. The advertisement server 228 also keeps track of advertisements that are viewed by subscribers. It allows reports on advertisement view count be generated and retrieved, which can be useful for revenue collections. Within the advertising server 228, interactive advertising applications work seamlessly to deliver advertisements to the mobile communication device via the information portal. The user can access the information published by the advertiser, connect to phone contact published on the advertisements via direct dialing solution, purchased the advertised merchandise through online shopping facilities. The online shopping facilities may be proprietary or third party facilities. For those GPS enabled mobile communication device 101, the advertisement server 228 may further provides an interactive advertising application to publish advertisement in real time. The advertisements can also be displayed based on a location of the mobile communication devices 101 obtained via the GPS receiver in real time. Operationally, the advertisements may incorporate with a navigation system of the GPS enabled mobile communication devices 101 leading to the actual location where the advertisement providers are located via a one tough setting. The users of the mobile communications are provided with full controls to activate or deactivate advertisements publications. The users can also make reservation, online purchase and receive promotional discount through the code displaying on the advertisement.

The mobile payment gateway 225 may provide proprietary payment gateway or integrated with 3rd party payment gateway for allowing online purchase. All transactions may take place within Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, 128-bit encryption standard to ensure that a highest standard of security is employed to safeguard any payment.

The partner gateway server 224 provides additional feature that requires integration with merchants' system for end-to-end solution to users. For example, the partner gateway server 224 may integrate with cinemas to provide movie schedules and ticketing functions. Modular application programming interface (API)₃ for example, can be used for this purpose.

The streaming server 227 responsible to stream the data to end user upon receiving request from the mobile communication devices 101. It is adapted to detect automatically streaming protocol supported by the mobile communication devices and ^' stream out the data accordingly. The streaming protocol includes Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and HTTP. The streaming server 227 may provide media data in various bitrates that suits the network's bandwidth. The network may include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3 G, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and WiMAX. The media storage server 226 is a stockpile for storing multimedia data. The multimedia data stored in the media storage server 226 is managed by the content management server 223 and uploaded to streaming server 227 while creating output pages.

The data layer 230 serves as the storage to subscribers' and merchants' account, advertisement data and content data. Specifically, the advertisement database 232 can be used for storing all the advertisement related data; the content database 234 can be used for storing all the contents data; and the user database 236 stores all the users' particulars therein.

The communications between the elements facilitated by several technologies and protocols; HTTP is a communication protocol suitable for transmitting data for intranets and the World Wide Web (WWW); RTSP is a protocol suitable for streaming multimedia data (such as audios and videos) while allowing end user to remotely control the streaming server 227, such as "play" and "pause" the multimedia data, and to access to files on through the streaming server 227; EDGE is a digital mobile phone technology that allows increased data transmission rate and improved data transmission reliability; 3 G is technologies enable network operators to offer end user a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity; HSDPA is part of the family utilizing 3 G technology allowing higher data transfer rate and capacity than 3 G and EDGE; Wi-Fi is a wireless technology supported by standard modern wireless devices through a modem router used in home networks, mobile phones, video games and more; and WiMAX is a telecommunications technology adhering to IEEE802.16 standard, aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access, enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL. Referring back to FIG. 2, the mobile communication devices 101 may send request (to access contents) to the portal server 212 via any of EDGE, 3 G and HTTP channel, and receive the requested contents through HTTP. In a case of multimedia data, the mobile communication devices 101 may receive the data streamed through RTSP. HTTP is used for the portal server 212 to transmit data to the user management server 222, and from the content management server 222 and the advertisement server 228. The client application 214 may transmit data to the user management server 222 through FTP. AU inter-communications in the management layer 220 are established through HTTP. The communications between the data layer 230 and the management layer 220 may be established through JDBC.

It is understood that these communication channels are provided by way of examples, not limitation. Please note that the communications between the servers and gateways may establish through any other channels, or even combinations of two or more channels.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram architecture of a central server group 400 in accordance with one embodiments of the present invention. The central server group 400 is adapted to be used as the central server group 110 of FIG. 1. The central server group 400 comprises a presentation layer 410, a management layer 420 and a data layer 430 that structured and functioned similarly as the presentation layer 210, the management layer 220 and the data layer 230 of FIG. 2, except that the central server group 400 is not provided with a portal server and a streaming server because the central server group 400 is adapted for connecting the plurality of provider server groups 120 or 200. Specifically, the presentation layer 410 comprises a client application 414; the management layer 420 comprises a user management server 422, content management server 423, partner gateway server 424, a mobile payment gateway 425, a media storage server 426 and a advertisement server 428; and the data layer 430 comprises an advertisement database 432, a content database 434 and a user database 436. In addition, a content management server 423 of central server group 400 provides interface for the merchant administrator to update and publish contents that belong to them.

FIG. 5 exemplifies a screenshot 500 of a mobile communication device of one embodiment. The screenshot 500 has a plurality of icons for user selections to obtain the information contents through accessing the information portal. Each icon allows the user to access the contents of a general topic. The topics include automotive, travel, business, sports, games, technology, music, movies and live event. The features provided under each general topic are briefly illustrated as following:

The features provided under automotive topic includes automotive news update, new model and concept cars update, new car model through the respective car makers' website, car model specification and price, showroom locations, service centre locations, company articles, promotion details, motor sports activities, auto carnival, sponsored activities, workshop and maintenance information (including websites relation to auto parts, such as tyre, lubricant, spare parts, etc, auto-insurance information from the websites of the insurance company, insurance package and benefit, branches locations, classified for used vehicles, classic vehicles, sports vehicle and other vehicles and auto accessories.

The features provided under travel topic includes transportation information, flight schedule and booking, express bus schedule and booking, accommodation mapping and information, hotel rating, budget lodge information, restaurant mapping and information, classified tour packages, car rental information, weather updates, places of interest information, and maps.

The features provided under business and finance topic include business and finance news (local and foreign) update, stock watch, composite index, public listed companies information, unit trust information, up-to-date commodities performance, up-to-date exchange rates, online banking services, podcast of finance news investment tips, stock cart, online stock and etc. The online banking services further include personal banking, business banking facilities, insurance, unit trust, promotions, various banking applications, and etc.

The features provided under sports include various sports' updates, schedules, result updates and predictions, sports equipment promotions, information regarding sports men of interest, and etc.

The features provided under technology topic include latest hi-tech and IT news, latest gadgets including desktop and laptop computer, mobile phone and PDA, accessories, software information and updates, special offer and distribution centre, technological shows, helpful tips and etc.

The features provided under the music topic include latest artists and record news, music televisions, billboard chart, special offer and distribution centre, and etc.

The features provided under the movies and TV topics include movies and TV broadcast updates and schedules, cinemas location, ticket reservation, movie trailers, celebrities information and update, local and foreign event updates, and etc. The features provided under the live event topic includes latest and upcoming happening events, concert/drama/play schedule and synopsis, ticket reservation, user commentary and review, local activities, public celebrations and open house, fair and carnival events, charity programs, volunteer activities, information on education, advertisement space on latest promotions, list of current months events, and etc.

Each of the topics above may further include quick access feature, such as integrated one touch phone dialing, integrated GPS navigation, online reservation option, online transactions, online applications and etc.

While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An information portal system (100) for providing content information to a mobile communication device (101), said system (100) comprising: a plurality of provider server groups (120) for storing and managing content information, said content information are being streamed to fit a screen of the mobile communication device (101); a central server group (110) for storing synchronously and managing the content information stored at the plurality of provider server groups (120); and a synchronization server group (130) that operable to synchronize and update the content information stored in the central server group (110) with that of the plurality of provider server groups (120).

2. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein user of the mobile communication device (101) is required to subscribe to access the content information.

3. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of provider server groups (120) is operable to communicate with the central server group (110) via hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

4. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device (101) is operable to communication with one of the plurality of provider server groups (120) via any of GPRS, 3G and Wi-Fi.

5. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each of the central server group (110) and the plurality of provider server groups (120) comprises a presentation layer (210), a management layer (220) and a data layer (230).

6. The information portal system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the presentation layer (210) comprises a client application (214, 414) adapted for handling multimedia data flow.

7. The information portal system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the multimedia data includes audio data and video data.

8. The information portal system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the presentation layer (210) of the plurality of provider server groups (120) comprises a portal server (212) for providing graphic user interface for publishing the content information on the mobile communication device (101) in response to a request for content information.

9. The information portal system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the portal server (212) include a user agent profile specification for providing content information in an appropriate format for the mobile communication device (101).

10. The information portal system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the management layer (220) comprises a user management server (222, 422), a content management server (223, 423), a media storage server (226, 426), a streaming server (227) and an advertisement server (228, 428), wherein ■ said servers of the management layer (220) are intercommunicating with each other via HTTP.

11. The information portal system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the steaming server (227) is operable to stream the data from the media storage server (226) for publishing on the mobile communication device (101).

12. The information portal system (100) according to claim 10, wherein the management layer (220) further comprises a partner gateway server (224, 424) and a mobile payment gateway (225, 425).

13. The information portal system (100) according to claim 5, wherein the data layer (230, 430) comprises a user database (236, 436), a content database (234, 434) and an advertisement database (232, 434).

14. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each provider server group (120) is resided at a service provider

15. The information portal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the information portal system (100) comprises a synchronization server (130) for each provider server group (120).