WO2008107003A1

WO2008107003A1 - Method and apparatus for buying items, particularly cds or dvds or similar products

Info

Publication number: WO2008107003A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/007833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Bramante
Original assignee: Joseph Bramante
Priority date: 2007-03-08
Filing date: 2007-09-07
Publication date: 2008-09-12

Abstract

A Method and an apparatus for buying products such as CDS or DVDS in a communication network have been provided. The apparatus connects a SIM card (7) to a computer terminal (3) through an interface (6) adapted to transfer to the computer terminal at least data for SIM card proprietor identification. A computer software loaded on the computer terminal has a first module for selectively sending an order B to buy the item to the computer server (2) and a second module for reading and sending SIM card proprietor identification data C, E to a telecommunication server when an order to buy is inserted. An auxiliary computer software loaded on the computer server (2) sends a transaction cost D to the telecommunication server which debits the transaction cost itself on the SIM card cash availability or on the SIM telephone bill.

Description

"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUYING ITEMS, PARTICULARLY CDS OR DVDS OR SIMILAR PRODUCTS"

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for buying items, in detailed CD'S or DVD'S or other products and or services in a communication network such as the internet network.

The present invention also includes a method for buying items, particularly but not exclusively CD or DVD using SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS) or MULTIMEDIA MESSAGING SERVICE (MMS) in a mobile telecommunication network.

The method according to the invention can be easily implemented in the telecommunication networks presently existing without substantial changes and without the need of developing new technologies.

Presently it is known in the market a method for buying items and in particular multimedia objects such as CD's, DVD's, cassettes in which such products are advertised on a telecommunication network such as a television or radio; product information, costs and also a telephone number is given so as the product can be ordered by simply calling in an easy way.

It is clear that such a sale is easy to be performed and does not need any direct retail intermediation. In other words, retail costs can be saved and therefore the product can be sold at a convenient price .

By contrast it is to be noted that advertising has to be obviously paid and typically advertising costs, especially television advertising costs, are not so low.

Furthermore when an order is to be made, the buyer has to call by phone the seller and he also has to provide him with identification data as well as payment data (i.e. credit card number and expiration).

Moreover advertising messages can reach several consumers but can not ^λselect' a peculiar group or identify and reach a definite kind of consumers having predetermined features.

In other terms it is not possible to send dedicated advertising messages to the final consumer (for example sending classical music CD advertising to consumers being 30 to 40 years old or cartoon DVD to people being less than 16 years old) .

In this situation it is a main aim of the present invention to solve the above mentioned drawbacks.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a simple system for carrying out a commercial transaction over a network. In this respect the present invention teaches how to buy a product, for example but not exclusively a multimedia item, without the need of directly inserting or communicating identification and payment data.

It is also a general aim of the present invention to use known systems to perform the method according to the present solution without needing substantial changes in the existing devices.

It is then a goal of the present solution to identify a method for buying items using SMS or MMS in a mobile telecommunication network which allows advertising the product and permits to obtain the sale of the same substantially with existing devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for buying items easy to be implemented and capable of maintaining costs of the product to be sold as low as possible.

A further object of the present solution is the possibility to select the consumers to whom the advertising messages have to be sent to.

The above and still further aims that will became more apparent in the course of the following description are achieved by a method for buying items in a communication network having the steps set out in - A -

claim 1 and in the claims depending thereon.

Further features and advantages will be best understood in the detailed description of the preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of a method for buying items in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiment of the invention will be discussed hereunder in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Figure 1 is a schematic and general view showing the apparatus for buying items in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the apparatus of figure 1 together with the buying steps according to the invention;

Figures 3a and 3b show an interface adapted to allow connection between a SIM card and a computer;

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the interface of figures 3a and 3b;

Figure 5 is a schematic and general view showing an alternative method for buying items using SMS or MMS in a mobile telecommunication network;

Figure 6 is a flow chart describing the method of figure 5 in its fondamental steps; and Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d show a player connected to the interface of figures 3a and 3b;

Figures 8-14 show a further embodiment of the adapter.

The apparatus for buying items in a communication network is indicated by reference 1.

The apparatus presents at least a computer server 2 connected to a plurality of computer terminals 3 through a computer network 5 (i.e. the internet network) .

The computer server 2 offers one or more items to be bought .

In particular the computer server 2 contains the data of the products to be sold.

For example it may contain the photo, a description and the price of an item (e.g. a computer hardware element or a book or a DVD) .

The above mentioned data can be seen by any of the computer terminals 3.

The computer terminal should be provided with an interface 6 which is adapted to allow connection between a SIM card 7 and the computer terminal 3.

The SIM card 7 is a common SIM card used in a mobile telecommunication system and will be generally the SIM card of the buyer.

The interface 6 may have different embodiments such as those shown in figures 3a, 3b and 4, or 8-14.

The interface 6 may be a USB adapter 8 having a seat for receiving the SIM card 7 and also having a USB connector 10 for connection to the computer terminal 3. The USB adapter seat may be a slot for SIM card insertion or may be a counter shaped seat 9 of the type shown in figure 3b.

Alternatively an interface 6 may be in the form of a PCM adapter having a seat 9 for receiving the SIM card 7 and USB connection 10 to the computer terminal 3 too.

Figure 4 discloses a further embodiment of the adapter 6 in the form of a wireless device 14 connecting the SIM card 7 to the computer terminal 3 for example sending signals via blue tooth, infrared or similar wireless connections.

In addition the adapter β can be loaded with multimedia content which can be used for an AAC/MP3 (music, pod cost) as well as MPEG (video) player.

Looking at figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d, the adapter 6 may be connected via USB port or other suitable means to the player 20. In a further interesting embodiment the adapter 6 may be in the form of a watch 50. The watchband 51 may house the USB connection 52 as well as a SIM card 7

(see Fig. 9a) . Alternatively the SIM card 7 may be placed in the back of the watch 50 (as shown in Figs. lOA-lOC) . Moreover the same watchband 51 may be provided with solar panels 56 for its easier rechargeability .

The watch 50 houses all the electronic circuitry for working as a cellular phone as well as the telephone key pad which can be accessed by opening the cover 53 as shown in Fig 12. The phone dial keys 54 are shown in the open configuration of Fig. 13.

Also the ear-phone 55 may be directly housed in the watch 50 (see Figs. 11 and 14).

The transactions can be performed according to the present invention exclusively by using one or more of the adapters 6 previously disclosed allowing a direct communication between the SIM card 7 and the computer terminal 3.

The apparatus according to the invention further comprises at least a telecommunication server connected to the internet network 5 too and containing data for SIM card proprietor identification.

The telecommunication server 4 can communicate either with the computer terminal 3 or with the computer server 2 .

In general it would be connected to the internet network and via be-directional communication with all the other computer.

According to the invention computer software is loaded on the computer terminal 3; an auxiliary computer software is loaded on the computer server 2 and on the telecommunication server 4 for performing the following steps/actions.

When a computer terminal 3 is connected to a computer server 2, some products to be sold are offered with their relevant data.

The buyer sends an order (arrow B) to buy the item from the computer terminal 3 to the computer server 2 (see fig. 2) .

Thanking to the interface 6 the computer terminal 3 reads the SIM card proprietor ID data.

Preferably, before reading such data, an authentication code, such as the PIN or PUK SIM card code is requested for security reasons.

Then the SIM card proprietor ID data are sent (arrows C, E) to the telecommunication server 4 for example via the computer server 2 together with or after the order to buy was already sent. Obviously such identification data can be directly sent through the internet network 5 to the telecommunication server 4.

Viceversa, in case the proprietor ID data are received by the computer server 2 (arrow C) a computer program sends the proprietor ID data (arrow E) to the telecommunication server 4.

Also delivery information can be sent at this step to the computer server 2 (arrow H) .

Having received the order to buy, the computer server 2 sends a transactions cost (arrow D) to the telecommunication server 4.

The telecommunication server 4 checks cash availability on the SIM card 7 and confirms availability (arrow F) to the computer server 2.

Obviously confirmation can also be directly given to the computer terminal 3.

If there is enough cash availability the computer server sends back a confirmation of order acceptance and processing (arrow G) to the computer terminal 3.

The same step may be directly performed by the telecommunication server 4.

Then, through the telecommunication server 4 the transaction costs will be debited to the SIM card cash availability or to the SIM card proprietor telephone bill.

In this way the SIM card 7 itself becomes a sort of credit or debit card.

The SIM card can allow at the same time identification of the buyer and be means for payment of the bought products .

In this way using for example pre-paid SIM card 7 cash availability can be immediately controlled and payment may be made in a secure way without cash flow on the internet or sensible data (credit card number) being used.

It is clear that rechargeable SIM card are the best way of payment since both buyer and seller are guaranteed.

Anyway the system according to the invention can be extended to any SIM card and the transaction costs can be directly debited on the telephone bill.

In view of the above telecommunication server 4 sends the invoice 11 to the computer terminal 3.

It is the same telecommunication server 4 which debits costs on the prepaid SIM card or on the telephone bill.

The item is then shipped to the computer terminal proprietor (arrow 13) .

Moreover payment for the bought article is given from telecommunication server 4 to computer server 2 (arrow 12) .

The method for buying items in accordance with the present invention may be also modified by using short message system (SMS) or multimedia messaging service

(MMS) of the type presently known and used for exchange of messages or other multimedia contents between mobile phones.

A known mobile telecommunication network 100 is made of a plurality of cellular 200 which can communicate with at least the central server 300 (server data base) in a bidirectional way.

It is clear that the mobile telecommunication network is presently absolutely known and therefore not described in further detail.

First of all the consumer will receive a message on his or her mobile telephone ^■ (Step A¹ -Fig. 6).

In particular such a message is in the form of an SMS or an MMS and contains information about at least an item which can be purchased.

Obviously the telephone does not have to be a specific mobile phone since any mobile phone will make due. In particular the message received contains advertising and product information such as the costs for buying; for example SMS received may be of the type "New music CD "Simple Minds" NEW release, SPECIAL OFFER buy the CD for 9.99 dollars plus shipping and handling .

After receiving the 1^st message, the customer has the choice to upload a free or paying, song or game or something similar that would able our customer to upload the payment system program , by accepting this action it will confirm that the customer is accepting our promotional messages and or offers the consumer can perform different activities and will be able to use the payment system and will receive marketing and promotional messages as he or she will be part of our data base for such actions.

First of all no answer can be made to the received message (Step B'-Fig. 6).

In this case the original sender will not perform any further step and the process ends, we will then store the data in a reject file. The consumer will receive further messages relating to the same item or to different items in the future.

Vice versa the consumer may perform a minimum of three different kinds of operations. First of all the consumer may selectively press a single key on the mobile phone. The single key to be pressed is chosen among at least a first, a second and a third key already present on a touch pad of the mobile phone.

By pressing key number 1 (for example) on the mobile telephone the consumer accepts our marketing and promotions and sales payment system and has a choice to upload a free gift i.e. song, game or other, then by uploading this automatically uploads our program and enables the customer to be part of our special marketing , promotions and sales offers and is free to ask for further information of the item to be bought

(Step C'-Fig. 6) .

In case the item to be bought is a CD, pressing key number 1 will, for example, allow the consumer to listen to some sample tracks; the tracks can be snippets of the album with the length of 15 to 20 seconds each.

In case of a DVD sale, by pressing key number 1, the consumer may for example^' be allowed to watch a snippet of a film or a trailer of the same.

Obviously further and different information may be given depending of the item nature (time for shipping, prices and discount, quantity available ...) . In detail by pressing key number 1 on the mobile telephone, the key 1 will give signal by its tone to dial up an SMS number as an automatic reply and connect the telephone to a main server 300 that will identify the number as a message to give the client options to receive further information (to listen to music tracks,...) for example in CD listening situation and while in that mode, the same would apply for the individual tracks to listen with the key touch identifying tone system that will act as an automatic tone and track separator for the customer to scroll through the separate 19 seconds of sampled music of the individual tracks.

In other words again the software program will provide a code for 1; when 1 is pressed the phone automatically will ring to a listening center; pressing 1 number rings to listen in center, when automatically answered the voice automated system will give a selection of tracks to listen to by pressing the touch pad on the telephone that the consumer or client is using.

As a different option with respect to the above mentioned, the client can selectively press a different single key on the mobile phone causing the request to buy the item (Step D'-Fig. 6).

After exclusively pressing said key, for example key number 2, a request to buy the item via SMS or MMS is returned to the main server or processing the request.

In particular the SMS or MMS is returned either to the original sender or to another database server which can be either the telephone company database or the seller server database where the order can be processed.

Server database can obviously identify the mobile phone owner and will then send a further SMS or MMS to the mobile telephone owner to confirm a mailing address where to receive the item (Step E'-Fig. 6).

In particular the confirmation message will contain the mailing address that is acquired through the telephone company' s registry of that particular SIM card (Subscriber identity module) customer details.

The costumer returns the SMS or MMS confirming or changing the mailing address.

The sellers then receive the confirmation; if the confirmation returns with no change of address then the order is shipped to the registered client's address that is noted with the telephone company (Step F'-Fig. 6) .

If vice versa the address is not correct, the customer will send back the address with the right mailing address and then the order is processed to such corrected mailing house (Steps G¹, H-Fig. 6).

Obviously the customer will receive a further SMS or MMS asking confirmation of the changed mailing address (Step I'-Fig. 6)

In other words by pressing the key number 2 on the mobile telephone, same key number 2 will give a signal

(tone) that will identify the tone as a dial up for the purchase of the item; once received in the data bank as a purchase, the program will then automatically send the cited confirmation message for the confirmation of the mailing address.

The user can also opt for "no price tag" or "gift" to the seller ship the item with no price indicated, so that the user can send it as a gift to another person.

The costumer by pressing key number 4 on the phone (for example) will confirm the order and at the same time a message to an other data internal system is sent to identify the debit and then to process the order, the customer will receive a tracking number by a shipping partner for their own convenience of their purchase .

Payment can be made in any way (Step L' -Fig. 6) but it is preferably deducted automatically whether by debit card or by monthly billing; moneys are then processed on a daily or on a monthly base, depending on the contractual obligation with the specific telephone company and then credited companies/persons.

As a further possible option, the customer can press different single key on the mobile phone (for example key number 3) in order to request not to receive any further information on items to be bought (Step M'- Fig. 6) .

In other words pressing key number 3 will confirm that no other messages are desired.

Again the software program will provide a code for 3, when 3 is pressed it automatically will ring to a data system that will separate the different type of product commerce that is solicited and then will bank them as they are processed.

Obviously the software can be made to tailor the existing SMS centre units, or can be made to tailor customized database system that can be worked into collaboration with telephone companies or system servers .

At the same time the sellers can directly send the SMS apart from the use of the telephone companies and work out the payment procedure to fit the requirements that whether the telephone companies or the merchandiser accounts . The method also applies but is not limited to the use of Java in modern mobile phones.

In the process the user agrees to get a short program, that is uploaded to his telephone, which can then be directly contacted by the database. He can then reply with just one, two, three or four and or any other key or number and we associate the appropriate function to their key pressing.

It is also clear that the same method for buying through SMS and MMS can be implemented in the system according to figures 1 and 2.

In particular the step of sending the SIM card proprietor ID data and/or the order to buy may be obtained by pressing a single key or few keys on the computer terminal without physically inserting such data with a keyboard.

In particular said pressing can cause the computer terminal 3 to send the computer server 2 an information which either asks for further information on the item to be bought, or requests to buy the item, or requests not to receive any further information/advertising on the item to be bought.

Also in this case said single key is chosen among a first, a second and a third key already present on the keyboard and, after exclusively pressing the second key, a request to buy the item is sent to a server database processing the request, identifying the mobile phone owner and providing for shipping the item to the address indicated by the mobile owner himself.

Systems and methods achieve important advantages.

The above described systems are substantially like a telephone credit card type of system; they can work for any product, i.e., products offered via internet or the advertising SMS message can regard flowers, food, books, clothes and the same system applies for payment .

In case of MMS, customer can receive album covers and tracks to listen to and therefore the use of MMS system allows receiving more detailed information of the product.

The payment by phone system relies on a program that automatically launches SMS messages, behind SMS is a return number with a carry code to identify whether the code is, for example, 1 to listen, 2 to buy, 3 confirm, 4 not to receive messages any longer.

All the key numbers have identifying codes that will process made to fit whether working with the database system that the telephone company has existing through the SMS servers that are spread all over each Country or can be used for the customized telephone database system.

Obviously market opportunities of the above mentioned method are with substantially no limit since the method can be applied to presently existing mobile telecommunication networks without any substantial technological modification.

Moreover it would also be possible and the future is to create a credit card that would be used for all purchases over the Internet and/or SMS system.

Costs for implementing and for selling are obviously reduced due to the fact that telecommunication networks exist and products can be directly sold to consumers without using retailers or passing through a market.

Claims

1. Apparatus for buying items in a communication network comprising:

- at least a computer server (2) offering an item to be bought (A) ;

- at least a computer terminal (3) connected to the computer server (2) through a computer network (5), for example the internet network;

- a SIM card (7) of a mobile telecommunication system; - an interface (6) adapted to allow connection between the SIM card (7) and the computer terminal (3);

- at least a telecommunication server (4) containing data for SIM card proprietor identification, said telecom server (4) being connected to the computer terminal (3) and/or to the computer server (2) through the computer network (5) characterized in that a computer software loaded on the computer terminal (3) presents :

- a first module for selectively sending an order (B) to buy the item to the computer server (2);

- a second module for reading and sending SIM card proprietor ID data (C, E) to the telecommunication server (4), for example via the computer server (2), when an order to buy is sent or is being sent to the computer server ( 2 ) ; and an auxiliary computer software loaded on the computer server (2) or on the computer terminal (3) having a module for sending a transaction cost (D) to the telecommunication server (4) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that, in case the proprietor ID data are received by the computer server (2) a computer program sends the proprietor ID data (E) to the telecommunication server

(4) .

3. Apparatus according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the interface (6) is a USB adapter (8) having a seat (9) for receiving the SIM card (7) and a USB connection (10) to the computer terminal (3) .

4. Apparatus according to claim (1) characterized in that the interface (6) is a PCM adapter having a seat (9) for receiving the SIM card (7) and a USB connection (10) to the computer terminal (3).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the interface (6) is a wireless device (14) connecting the SIM card (7) to the computer terminal (3) for example for sending signals via blue tooth, infrared or similar wireless connections.

6. Apparatus according to anyone of the previous claims characterized in that the computer software loaded on the computer terminal (3) further comprises a third module for sending delivery data H to the computer server (2).

7. Apparatus according to anyone of the previous claims characterized in that it comprises a further software loaded on the computer server (2) or on the telecommunication server (4) for sending back a confirmation of order acceptance and processing (G) to the computer terminal (3).

8. Apparatus according to anyone of the previous claims characterized in that a computer software is loaded on the telecommunication server (4) and has a main module for checking cash availability on the SIM card (7) and preferably for confirming availability F either to the computer server (2) or to the computer terminal (3) .

9. Apparatus according to anyone of the previous claims characterized in that it further comprises a computer software loaded on the telecommunication server (4) having an auxiliary module for debiting the transaction costs on the SIM card cash availability or on the SIM card proprietor telephone bill.

10. Method for buying items, particularly CD or DVD or similar products in a communication networks, comprising the following steps: - offering items to be bought (A) via computer network (5) from a computer server (2); - sending an order B to buy an item from a computer terminal (3) to the computer server (2);

- reading a SIM card proprietor ID data through an interface data adapted to connect the SIM card (7) to the computer terminal (3);

- sending the SIM card proprietor ID data (C, E) to a telecommunication server (4), when an order (B) to buy is sent or is being sent to the computer server (2);

- sending a transaction cost (DX) from the computer server (2) to the telecommunication server (4);

- debiting the transaction costs directly to the SIM card cash availability or to the SIM card proprietor telephone bill.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the step of connecting the SIM card (7) to the computer terminal (3) with a USB adapter (8) or a PCM adapter or a wireless device (14) for reading at least SIM card proprietor ID data and sending them to the computer terminal (3) .

12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the step of sending delivery data (H) from the computer terminal (3) to the computer server (2) for a desired delivery location of the item to be bought.

13. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the step of sending the SIM card proprietor ID data (A) from the computer server (2) to the telecommunication server (4) in case the ID data are received by the computer server (2).

14. Method according to anyone of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises the step of checking cash availability for buying the item on the SIM card (7) and confirming cash availability (F) either to the computer server (2) or to the computer terminal (3) .

15. Method according to anyone of claim 10 to 14 characterized in that it further comprises the step of sending back a confirmation of order acceptance and processing (G) to the computer terminal (3).

16. Method according to anyone of the claims 10 to 15 characterized in that the step of sending the SIM card proprietor ID data to the telecommunication server (4) is obtained by pressing a single key or few keys on the computer terminal without physically inserting such data with a keyboard.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that said pressing the single key or few keys on the keyboard causing the computer terminal (3) to send the computer server (2) an information which either: asks for further information on the item to be bought;

- requests to buy the item; - requests not to receive any further information on the item to be bought.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that said single key to be pressed is chosen among at least a first, a second, and a third key already present on a keyboard of the computer terminal.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that, after exclusively pressing said second key, a request to buy the item is sent to a server database processing the request, the server database identifying a mobile phone owner and providing for shipping the item to an address indicated by the mobile telephone owner.

20. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that before reading the SIM card proprietor ID data an authentication code, such as the PIN or PUK code SIM card code is requested.

21. Use of a mobile phone SIM card as a credit or debit card for identification of a buyer of an item, such as a CD or DVD or similar product and at the same time for debiting transaction costs directly on the SIM card cash availability.