(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`22 August 2002 (22.08.2002)
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`
`PCT
`
`wo 02/065250 A2
`
`(51)
`
`International Patent Classificationh
`
`G06F
`
`International Application Number:
`
`PCT/USO2/04533
`
`(74) Agents: ROBERTS, Jon, L. et at; Robeits Abokhari &
`Mardula, LLC, Suite 1000, 11800 Sunrise Valley Drive,
`Regt0n7 VA 20191 (US).
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(25)
`
`(26)
`
`(30)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`International Filing Date: 15 February 2002 (15.022002)
`_
`_
`.
`1, h
`“mg Language’
`Eng 13
`Publication La“ “3 e.
`En lish
`g
`g '
`g
`
`Priority Data:
`60/268,977
`09/810,] 14
`
`15 February 2001 (15.02.2001)
`16 March 2001 (16.03.2001)
`
`US
`US
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
`MX, MZ, NO, NZ, OM, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG,
`5L SK, SL7 T17 TM TN, TR, TT7 TZ= UAv UG7 UZ’ VN7
`YUv 2A7 2M7 ZW‘
`
`INVERTIX CORPORATION [US/US];
`Applicant:
`5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22312
`(US),
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS: NIW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
`Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, T], TM),
`European patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR,
`GB. GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent
`(BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR,
`NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`5008 John Ticer
`Inventors: MCDOWELL, Mark;
`Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304 (US), KHALIL, Joseph;
`3305 Windham Circle, Alexandria, VA 22302 (US).
`ZWElFACH, Steven; 9018 Greylock Street, Alexandria,
`Published:
`VA 22308 (US). STEAD, Graham; 4639 5th Street South,
`Arlington, VA 22304 (US). LEJEUNE, David, Jr.; 13285 7 without international search report and to be republished
`Coppermill Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 (US).
`upon receipt ofthat report
`
`Title: USE OF PRESENCE AND LOCATION TNFORMATION CONCERNING WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS FOR
`(54)
`INSTANT MESSAGING AND MOBILE COMMERCE
`
`[Continued on nart page]
`
`HLR
`1:12
`
`PDE
`130
`
`MPG
`130
`
`MERCHANTS
`
`smsc
`13“
`
`WAP
`GATEWAV
`136
`
`FlREWALL
`
`, — - — —
`\I
`|
`I
`I WIRELESS
`I
`NETWORK
`1
`ELEMENT
`I
`INTERFACE
`I
`I
`
`:
`I
`._
`1
`
`
`‘_——|
`FIREWALL
`PRESENCE
`SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`112
`
`
`LOCATION
`
`
`PROXY
`
`SERVER
`
`
`“4
` PRIVACY
`
`
`M SERVER
`MANAGEMENT
`SYSTEM
`116
`
`
`
`CAMPAIGN
`
`MANAGER
`
`
`“8
`PLIM SYSTEM
` WEB
`
`
`
`
`
`SUSCRIBERS
`
`(57) Abstract: Presence determination, location determination, instant messaging, and mobile commerce are integrated into a func—
`tionally seamless system, which may be implemented as an added component of a wireless provider’s network. Alternatively, the
`integrated system enables instant messaging and mobile commerce as a centralized gateway attached to the networks of a large
`number of wireless providers. The gateway facilitates a business model that advances beyond today’s practices, in which individual
`wireless carriers enter into bi—lateral agreements with specific Internet content providers. The functionally integrated gateway dis—
`closed empowers Internet services that require real time information about wireless subscribers in order to conduct m—commerce or
`offer advanced messaging services. Optimization of a wireless network is also facilitated by taking network performance measure—
`ments, without using a special drive test team, via devices that are regularly using the network during standard network operation.
`
`W002/065250A2
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`Page 1 of 53
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`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1020
`
`Google LLC v. BlackBerry Ltd.
`IPR2017-OO912
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1020
`Google LLC v. BlackBerry Ltd.
`IPR2017-00912
`
`Page 1 of 53
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`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the ”Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations ” appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
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`USE OF PRESENCE AND LOCATION INFORMATION
`
`CONCERNING WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS FOR INSTANT
`
`MESSAGING AND MOBILE COMMERCE
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`[0001]
`
`The present invention relates generally to the field of Wireless communications.
`
`More particularly, the present invention relates to enablement of instant messaging and
`
`location-based mobile commerce across Internet and diverse Wireless network
`
`infrastructures.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`There are two major technical fields that have shown explosive growth over the
`
`past few years: the first is wireless communications and the second is use of data services,
`
`particularly the Internet. The growth of wireless communications has been astounding.
`
`Twenty years ago, there was virtually no use of wireless communications devices such as
`
`cellular phones. In contrast, the market penetration for Wireless devices in the US. in
`
`1999 was 32 percent. The current forecast is that 80 percent of the US. population will be
`
`Wireless subscribers by 2008. Likewise, current and expected adoption of data services is
`
`phenomenal. Interestingly, wireless communications and data services are beginning to
`
`converge.
`
`[0003]
`
`An example of this convergence is found in Instant Messaging (or “IM”).
`
`Originally an Internet-based text communication technology, IM will soon be integrated
`with wireless networks. It remains to be seen how smoothly this integration will proceed.
`
`Presence detection is an important element of any 1M solution because an essential aspect
`
`of the IM technology is the detection of whether the members of each IM user’s buddy list
`
`are present on the network. Although presence detection was fairly straightforward in the
`
`Internet environment, when the various wireless networks are to be integrated into the IM
`
`phenomenon presence is no longer so easy to establish comprehensively.
`
`[0004]
`
`Thus, what is needed is an infrastructure teclmology to enable mobile lM services
`
`and provide for effective mobile buddy lists.
`
`[0005]
`
`Another potential benefit of the integration of wireless networks with fixed IP
`
`networks, such as the Internet, is mobile commerce (also referred to as m~commerce).
`
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`Thus far, mobile commerce has been severely limited. To date, mobile commerce has
`
`typically been subscriber—initiated, with the subscriber using a handset to locate a product
`
`or service. This approach is consistent with E—9ll implementations, where the subscriber
`
`initiates a call that requires location information. However, for mobile commerce to be
`
`broadly successful this paradigm needs to be inverted. This inversion occurs' because
`
`wireless devices (telephone handsets, personal digital assistants, etc.) are not suitable for
`
`“window shopping.” Merchants should have the ability to initiate promotions — on a
`
`permission-oriented basis — just as they do with other media.
`
`[0006]
`
`In the next three years, the number of m-commerce providers is expected to grow
`
`from almost zero to more than 18,000 worldwide. In addition, traditional retailers will
`
`also seek to engage mobile customers. The current model of bi-lateral agreements cannot
`
`scale to meet the demands of m—commerce, messaging, and traditional retail. A
`
`centralized gateway, where subscriber information can be sold (on a permission-oriented
`
`basis) to firms that require such information, would be an advantageous advance
`
`[0007]
`
`Thus, what is needed is a centralized gateway where subscriber information can be
`
`sold, on a permission—oriented basis, to commercial firms.
`
`[0008]
`
`The availability of location information concerning the wireless handsets is
`
`.
`
`important to the enablement of mobile commerce. Although handset location information
`
`is not strictly required for mobile commerce to occur, it certainly facilitates the
`
`establishment of an effective m-commerce campaign.
`
`[0009] Wireless carriers worldwide are preparing to offer location—based services to their
`
`subscribers. At the heart of these services is the Position Determining Equipment (PDE)
`
`which determines the location of a wireless device. The available PDE solutions employ
`
`several distinct methods of location determination: triangulation of RF signals among base
`
`stations; RF fingerprinting; and, embedded GPS in the wireless device. Regardless of the
`
`method employed, the PDE’s most critical interface is to the Mobile Positioning Center
`
`(MPC), which routes emergency 911 voice calls and their associated location information
`
`to the local Public Safety Access Point (PSAP). The PDE also has an interface to a
`
`Location Proxy Server (LPS), which makes location information available to non-
`
`emergency third parties outside the wireless network.
`
`._2_
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`[0010]
`
`There is a trend in the industry to combine the MPC and the LPS into a single
`
`platform: both systems route voice calls with embedded location information to third
`
`parties. However, there are good reasons that this conventional trend should be reversed
`
`and the MPC and LPS should be decoupled. Whereas the MPC performs the proven,
`
`stable function of routing emergency calls to the PSAP, the LPS is expected to evolve
`
`rapidly to accommodate the massive demands of Internet—based businesses and services.
`
`Perhaps most importantly, the LPS must accommodate merchant—initiated transactions,
`
`which should become a significant aspect of mobile commerce but cannot be provided by
`
`voice call-driven MPC technology. In the same way that Home Location Registers
`
`(HLRs) have been decoupled from MSCs ~ allowing “intelligence” to be decoupled from
`
`switching fabric —— the LPS should be decoupled from the MPC and allowed to evolve into
`
`a highly intelligent engine responsible for making wireless Internet access relevant,
`
`personal, and timely.
`
`[0011]
`
`A number of companies (e.g., FolloWap, OpenWave, SignalSoft, CTMotion,
`
`Air2Web, AirFlash, Ericsson’s “OZ,” InfoSpace, WindWire, OpenGrid, Aether Systems,
`
`724 Solutions, MessageVine, Lucent, Nortel, Nokia, Quickdot, Xypoint, Cellpoint, just to
`
`name a few) currently promise technologies that will provide some form of TM or m-
`
`commerce solutions for wireless handsets to communicate with Internet—connected users.
`
`However, none of these companies have been able to develop a system that integrates
`
`presence determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce.
`
`[0012]
`
`Thus, what is needed is a an infrastructure technology that allows the integration of
`
`presence determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`~ [0013]
`
`Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is the integration of presence
`
`determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce into a
`
`functionally seamless system. This integrated Presence, Location, Instant messaging, and
`
`Mobile commerce (or “PLIM”) system may be implemented as an added component of a
`
`wireless provider’s network.
`
`[0014]
`
`Alternatively, a further aspect of the invention is the integration of presence
`
`determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce as a
`
`-3-
`
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`centralized gateway that may be attached to the networks of a large number of wireless
`
`providers.
`
`[0015]
`
`The gateway arrangement according to this aspect of the invention facilitates a
`
`business model that represents a step forward from today’s practices, in which individual
`
`wireless carriers are entering into bi-lateral agreements with specific Internet content
`
`providers. The PLIM gateway generates revenues from Internet services that require real-
`
`time information about wireless subscribers in order to conduct m—commerce or offer
`
`advanced messaging services. The gateway may then share the revenue generated through
`
`the sale of subscriber information with the participating wireless carriers that host the
`
`subscribers.
`
`[0016]
`
`The PLIM gateway makes wireless subscriber presence, location, and profile
`
`information available on a 100% permission-oriented basis to Internet services. The PLIM
`
`gateway obtains subscriber information through direct electronic connections into wireless
`
`carrier networks. These connections are non-intrusive and pose no risks to the Wireless
`
`carriers. Raw data collected fiom carriers is formatted and cached inside the PLIM
`
`gateway, and made available to registered Internet services through an electronic Internet-
`
`based interface.
`
`[0017]
`
`Another aspect of the present invention is the enabling of true merchant initiated
`
`mobile commerce. This is made possible due to the integration of location information
`
`with a facility to manage marketing campaigns and a subscriber privacy management
`
`database. This ensures that the mobile commerce is conducted so that merchants obtain
`
`efficient marketing service and subscribers are subject only to marketing that they have
`
`expressly consented to.
`
`[0018]
`
`Additionally, another aspect of the invention is the implementation of network
`
`optimization and performance measurement features to enable network operators to
`
`measure the performance and increase the efficiency of their networks.
`
`[0019]
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide integration, for one or more
`
`wireless networks, of presence information, location information, Instant Messaging, and
`mobile commerce.
`
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`[0020]
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide integration of Instant
`
`Messaging and mobile commerce as a central gateway servicing the needs of multiple
`
`wireless networks.
`
`[0021]
`
`It is yet another object of the present invention to provide integration of Instant
`
`Messaging and mobile commerce as a dedicated system servicing the needs of only a
`
`single wireless network.
`
`[0022]
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to enable merchant initiated mobile
`
`commerce by integrating information about wireless subscribers” location, presence, and
`
`privacy choices.
`
`[0023]
`
`Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the
`
`following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0024]
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram View of the architecture of a PLlM system
`
`according to the present invention.
`
`[0025]
`
`Fig. 2 illustrates the flow of signals Via the PLIM system of the present invention
`
`when subscrib er-initiated location—sensitive Web browsing is practiced.
`
`[0026]
`
`Fig. 3 illustrates the flow of signals via the PLIM system of the present invention
`
`when merchant-initiated mobile commerce is practiced.
`
`[0027]
`
`Fig. 4 illustrates an initial registration process for effecting subscriber
`
`provisioning.
`
`[0028]
`
`Fig. 5 illustrates a preference selection process for effecting subscriber
`
`provisioning.
`
`[0029]
`
`Fig. 6 illustrates an updating process for maintaining subscriber provisioning.
`
`[0030]
`
`Fig. 7 illustrates a carrier specific PLIM server implementation.
`
`[0031]
`
`Fig. 8 illustrates a PLIM system implemented as a centralized gateway.
`
`[0032]
`
`Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a system for network optimization and performance
`
`measurement, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
`
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0033]
`
`One embodiment of the present invention is a computing platform that facilitates
`
`communications for wireless subscribers of a wireless network. The computing platform
`
`includes a presence module that maintains data concerning network presence of the
`
`wireless subscribers, as well as a location proxy module that maintains location data
`
`concerning physical location of the wireless subscribers. It also includes an instant
`
`messaging module connected to provide instant messaging service for the wireless
`
`subscribers utilizing the data concerning network presence. To enable mobile commerce,
`
`the computing platform further includes a campaign manager module connected to provide
`
`commercial message transmission to one or more of the wireless subscribers selected
`
`based on the data concerning network presence and the data concerning physical location.
`
`[0034]
`
`Another aspect of the computing platform is a privacy database containing records
`
`of data permission settings corresponding to individual ones of the wireless subscribers.
`
`The data permission settings of the privacy database are used as a further basis on which
`
`the wireless subscribers are selected to be provided commercial message transmission.
`
`[0035]
`
`Another aspect of the computing platform is that the presence module also
`
`maintains data concerning network presence of non-wireless instant messaging
`
`subscribers.
`
`[0036]
`
`Another embodiment of the present invention is a network gateway for collecting
`
`presence information and location information concerning wireless subscribers of plural
`
`wireless networks, and for facilitating instant messaging and mobile commerce. The
`
`network gateway includes a presence module that maintains data concerning network
`
`presence of the wireless subscribers, as well as a location proxy module that maintains
`
`location data concerning physical location of the wireless subscribers. It also includes an
`
`instant messaging module connected to provide instant messaging service for the wireless
`
`subscribers utilizing the data concerning network presence. To enable mobile commerce,
`
`the network gateway further includes a campaign manager module connected to provide
`
`commercial message transmission to one or more of the wireless subscribers selected
`
`based on the data concerning network presence and the data concerning physical location.
`
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`[0037]
`
`The present invention also encompasses process embodiments for the conduct of
`
`mobile commerce. One process embodiment includes receiving a request fitom an
`
`approved merchant for current location information concerning a mobile subscriber, and
`
`verifying via a privacy database that the subscriber has given permission for the merchant
`
`to access the requested information. The process further includes obtaining current
`
`‘
`
`location information concerning the mobile subscriber from position determining
`
`equipment associated with a wireless network, and providing the subscriber’s current
`
`location information to the merchant. By this process, the merchant is free to transmit to
`
`the subscriber personalized content based on the subscriber’s current location information.
`
`[0038]
`
`The integrated Presence Location Instant messaging and Mobile commerce (PLIM)
`
`system according to the present invention provides two salient advantages to a wireless
`
`carrier. One is the enabling of wireless instant messaging with “mobile buddy list”
`
`capability. The second is enabling of merchant-initiated mobile commerce. These
`
`applications hold great promise for immediate and untapped sources of revenue for
`
`wireless carriers.
`
`[0039]
`
`TM is a revenue generating service. Instant messaging is a popular — perhaps
`
`indispensable — Internet service that wireless subscribers Will pay to receive on their
`
`mobile devices. Even for carriers who do not bill separately for the IM service, the
`
`additional message traffic and airtime represent significant sources of new revenue on
`
`their existing infrastructure.
`
`[0040]
`
`Enablement of mobile commerce (or “m commerce”) is also a revenue generator.
`
`A PLIM system according to the present invention makes subscriber presence, location,
`
`and interest information available to merchants who desire to initiate transactions with
`
`Wireless subscribers. Carriers can generate multiple streams of revenue from the sale of
`
`presence and location information, as well as activate lucrative mobile commerce
`
`agreements with strategic partners.
`
`[0041]
`
`In addition, the ability to offer the PLlM as a gateway, independent of a single
`
`network, allows several important advantages. Most importantly, it provides a virtual
`
`“one stop shop” so that merchants, customers, and network operators can establish a
`
`business relationship with a single entity that provides a seamless interface.
`
`_7_
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`[0042]
`
`A PLIM system according to the present invention offers significant additional
`
`advantages to wireless carriers in terms of network optimization and performance
`
`measurement. Through its Presence Server, the platform allows other network elements to
`
`function more efficiently. For example, by indicating that a subscriber’s phone is OFF,
`
`the PLlM system eliminates unnecessary and resource—consuming SMS delivery re-
`
`attempts. Similarly, the PLIM system can signal the Positioning Determining Equipment
`
`when a subscriber has registered in a different market, allowing the equipment to rapidly
`
`“re-locate” the subscriber.
`
`[0043]
`
`The present invention ensures that mobile commerce is conducted in such a way
`
`that subscriber privacy is not compromised. The PLlM system provides for a 100% opt—in
`
`service. Subscriber information is firewalled inside the carrier’s network, or inside a
`
`centralized gateway, depending on implementation options. Subscriber information is not
`
`provided to any third party without explicit permission. Subscribers have the ability to
`
`establish and change their permissions and preferences easily and frequently using both
`
`PC and Wireless interfaces.
`
`[0044]
`
`Referring to Fig. 1, a block diagram of the architecture of a PLIM system 110
`
`according to the present invention is illustrated. One element of a system according to the
`
`present invention is the Presence Server 112. The Presence Server 112 determines
`
`whether a mobile device is ON or OFF in real-time. The Presence Server 112 inter—
`
`operates with system databases to allow sophisticated presence management.
`
`[0045]
`
`Another element of a system according to the present invention is the Location
`
`Proxy Server (LPS) 114. The LPS 114 makes subscriber location, as determined by third
`
`party equipment (e.g., PDE), available to merchants and other extemal entities under
`
`controlled conditions. An additional element of a system according to the present
`
`invention is the 1M Server 116. The IM Server 116 allows the wireless networks to send
`
`and receive instant messages from common IM platforms.
`
`[0046]
`
`Another element of a system according to the present invention is the mobile
`
`commerce Campaign Manager 118. The Campaign Manager 118 allows wireless carriers
`
`to automatically deliver targeted messages and e-coupons on behalf of mobile commerce
`
`merchants.
`
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`[0047]
`
`Each of these elements 112, 114, 116, 118 may be implemented on separate
`
`servers, but need not be to practice the present invention. Conceptually, the Presence
`
`Server 112, the Location Proxy Server 114, the TM Server 116, and the Campaign
`
`Manager 118 may be implemented as software modules that may execute on separate
`
`physical machines, or on a single physical machine, at a common location, or remotely
`
`from one another, depending on operational convenience. In other words, these elements
`
`of the present invention are not dependent on the specifics of hardware implementation to
`
`provide the functions that make the present invention useful.
`
`[0048]
`
`The integrated Presence Server 112, according to the present invention, determines
`
`the network presence of a wireless subscriber or ]M user. The Presence Server 112
`
`determines if a mobile phone or other mobile device is ON or OFF. It also determines if
`
`an Intemet—based IM user is ONLINE or OFFLINE. The Presence Server 112 makes
`
`network presence information available between wireless networks and the Intemet.
`
`[0049]
`
`The simplest use of the Presence Server 112 is the instant messaging buddy list.
`
`Because the Presence Server 112 is able to determine if a wireless device is ON or OFF,
`
`traditional IM buddy lists can be extended to indicate whether “mobile buddies” are ON or
`
`OFF. Likewise, WAP applications and embedded software in the handset can indicate
`
`whether buddies are ONLINE at their PCs or at their wireless devices.
`
`[0050]
`
`The buddy list is an integral part of the [M experience — it allows one to send
`
`messages to buddies who are online and therefore able to receive them instantly. But the
`
`buddy list is becoming a valuable application in its own right. It is useful to know if
`
`buddies, co-workers, staff, and others are ONLINE or have their phones ON. Particularly.
`
`in mobile applications, merely knowing that a device is ON or OFF has intrinsic value.
`
`[0051]
`
`The Presence Server 112 according to the present invention does much more than
`
`power the buddy list. It enables “presence management” in a world where there are many
`
`ways to be online, and individuals may carry several different wireless devices. Presence
`
`management allows subscribers to direct calls, messages, and data traffic to particular
`
`devices. Presence management extends well beyond ON or OFF information: subscribers
`
`may wish to indicate “ON-busy” or “ON—meeting” or “ON-emergency only” or any
`
`number of other personal settings. Subscribers may even desire for their presence
`
`-9-
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`information to be presented differently to different outside parties, for example “ON-busy”
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`for co-workers but “ON-available” for spouse or supervisor. Moreover, Presence
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`management preferences may change at different times of the day, and on different days of
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`the week.
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`[0052]
`
`Presence information is also usefiil internally for the wireless network to
`
`streamline operations. One example involves the Short Message Service Center (SMSC)
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`134. The SMSC 134 does not know if a mobile device is ON or OFF, and therefore must
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`employ a complex, multi-day message delivery and re-delivery algorithm to ensure that
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`messages are delivered successfully. Using the PLlM system 110 according to the present
`
`invention, the SMSC 134 can query the Presence Server 112 before attempting to send a
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`message, eliminating inefficient retry attempts.
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`[0053]
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`Another example involves the Position Determining Equipment (PDE) 130 that
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`many wireless carriers are expecting to deploy in the near future. Network-based PDE
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`devices need to know the market where the subscriber is operating before they can locate
`
`the subscriber. If a subscriber moves from one market to another (for example, during a
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`business trip), the PDE does not know where to begin searching for the subscriber. Using
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`the present invention, the PDE can query the Presence Server to obtain market presence
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`information, and then rapidly locate the subscriber.
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`[0054]
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`The Presence Server communicates with other components of the PLIM system
`
`platform as well as external network elements in the wireless network.
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`[0055] Within the PLIM system platform, the Presence Server communicates with the
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`Instant Messaging (TM) Server, the Campaign Manager, the Privacy Database, and the
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`Network API components. The IM Server queries the Presence Server to determine if a
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`subscriber’s phone is ON or OFF so that accurate “mobile buddy list” information is
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`available for the [M clients. The Campaign Manager queries the Presence Server to know
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`if a particular subscriber’s phone is ON or OFF before attempting to send a targeted
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`mobile commerce message. The Presence Server queries the Privacy Database to ensure
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`that an external entity requesting subscriber presence information is authorized to receive
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`the information. Presence information is made available to approved external entities via
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`“push” or “pull” through the Network API.
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`-10-
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`[0056]
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`The Presence Server also communicates with the Position Determining Equipment
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`(PDE), Home Location Register (HLR), Short Message Service Center (SMSC), and WAP
`
`gateway network elements in each of the wireless networks to which the PLIM system is
`
`connected. The PDE may query the Presence Server to determine the market in which a
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`subscriber is operating. The Presence Server may extract wireless presence information
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`from the HLR. The SMSC may query the Presence Server before attempting to deliver a
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`short message to determine of the recipient’s mobile phone is ON. The Presence Server
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`provides wireless presence information to WAP-based [M clients for the “mobile buddy
`
`list.”
`
`[0057]
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`In order for presence management to be more usefill in everyday life, network
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`presence preferably indicates more than simple ON or OFF information. Table 1
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`illustrates the different types of wireless presence that are supported by a Presence Server
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`of a system according to the present invention.
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`TABLE 1
`
`'
`
`WIRELESS DEVICE
`
`INTERPRETATION
`
`OFF
`
`
`Phone is OFF. Determined automatically on power__
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Phone is ON and the subscriber is available to be
`contacted.
`
`call.
`
`The phone is ON. The subscriber’s status has been
`manually set by the subscriber. Predefined settings
`include:
`
`DND (do not disturb)
`
`Busy
`Not available
`
`Meeting
`
`ON — WAP
`
`ON ~ <user defined>
`
`
`
`
`
`Phone is ON and subscriber is using the WAP instant_—
`
`
`
`
`Emergency Only
` The subscriber may also create arbitrary status indicators
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`consisting of alphanumeric characters.
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`[0058]
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`Likewise with the Internet, there are several variations of network presence. The
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`PLIM system’s Presence Server retrieves online presence from various IM servers (buddy
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`list information) and makes it available to wireless subscribers on the WAP IM client
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`application. Table 2 illustrates the different types of Internet presence that are supported
`
`by a Presence Server of a system according to the present invention.
`
`TABLE 2
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`Offline
`
`
`
`Internet customer has Mnotturned on, or logged into, the instant__Internet customer has turned on, 01 logged into, the instant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Online — <use; defned>
`
`messaging client application on her PC.
`The Internet customer is running the instant messaging
`application and has selected one of the status indicators
`(typical):
`
`
`
`
`0 Away
`
`0
`
`Extended Away
`
`0
`Emergency Only
`0 DND (do not disturb)
`
`
`
`
`
`[0059]
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`As IM moves into the wireless realm, presence information will undoubtedly
`
`become even more important. Using the status parsing as described above, presence
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`information will be used for “availability management” in a world where people have
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`multiple communication devices and can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
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`[0060]
`
`The IM—Anywhere Presence Server determines both Intemet presence and wireless
`
`network presence, and makes this information available to entities on both networks. How
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`presence is determined is explained as follows.
`
`[0061]
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`Determining Internet presence is straightforward: the Presence Server
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`communicates peer—to-peer with IM servers. Internet presence information is made
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`available to the Presence Server in the same way presence information is shared among
`
`IM clients worldwide. Currently, there is no uniform protocol for Intemet-based instant
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`messaging and presence, although an industry consensus is expected soon. The world’s
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`most common IM protocols are those used by AOL’s Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ
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`(also owned and controlled by AOL).
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`[0062]
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`Determining wireless network presence is considerably more complex. Some of
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`the key challenges are the following:
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`o The underlying communication protocols of TIA/EIA-41 wireless netWorks
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`currently do not natively provide presence indicators;
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`0 Accuracy is lost when unplanned network detachments occur, such as dead battery
`
`or roaming into analog service areas;
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`- Real-time electronic connections into operational wireless networks are needed;
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`0 Wireless carriers are resistant to technical solutions that place a processing burden
`
`on operational network elements;
`
`0 Wireless carriers will allow only a small number of external connections into their
`
`networks.
`
`[0063]
`The PLIM system Presence Server according to the present invention overcomes
`these challenges using novel techniques, and by offering a Wide variety of options for
`
`connecting into wireless network elements. The Presence Server is able to inter-operate
`
`with network elements from all major equipment manufacturers as well as Sig