HK1237146A1 - Mobile contextual sms advertising - Google Patents

Description

Mobile contextual SMS advertisement

The application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with the application number of 200880020068.9, namely 'Mobile contextual SMS advertisement' (the application date is 2008, 6 and 10).

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from U.S. application serial No. 11/763,320 filed on 14/6/2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to mobile communications, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to targeting mobile devices to advertisements and replaying messages based on analysis of Short Message Service (SMS).

Background

The internet has undergone tremendous changes that affect our daily lives. For example, mobile computing devices have become a tool for creating new venues. They are known in the united states as new business tables and new golf courses of commercial life. In addition, many people are using such mobile computing devices to reconnect themselves to their friends, their neighbors, their communities, and the world.

With this increase in the use of mobile computing devices, many businesses desire to advertise to this group of computer users. However, advertisements that are sent only to virtually any accessible mobile computing device necessarily waste at least a portion of the advertiser's (advertiser) budget. To offset this unnecessary overhead, advertisers continually strive to shrink advertising efforts to targeted audiences.

On the internet, one typical method of selecting a target audience for an advertisement is based on a web site visited by the consumer or keywords entered into a search engine. Waiting for the mobile user to perform such an action, however, may cause the advertiser and/or consumer to miss opportunities. Further, just as a search engine may misinterpret the intent of a searcher, inappropriate advertisements may also be displayed based on misinterpretations of search terms. It is with respect to these considerations and others that the present invention has been made.

Drawings

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of one embodiment of an environment in which the present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a mobile device that may be included in a system implementing the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a network device that may be included in a system implementing the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a logical flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of a process for managing contextual advertisements (contextual advertisements) based on text message interactions, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention may be embodied as methods or devices, etc. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase "in one embodiment" as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Moreover, the phrase "in another embodiment" as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive "or" operator, and is equivalent to the term "and/or," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term "based on" is non-exclusive and allows for being based on other factors not described. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of "a" and "the" includes plural. The meaning of "in …" includes "in …" and "on …".

As used herein, advertising refers to any content that may be used for promotion (promotion) and/or education to the public. The message is typically controlled by a sponsor (sponsor) of at least some of the content. Such content may be provided using any of a variety of media, including but not limited to graphics, audio clips, video clips, text, and the like. In one embodiment, a URI, URL, or other link information may be provided to gain access to the advertisement.

The terms "text messaging" or "text message" as used herein refer to SMS messaging and various other limited size messaging protocols, including but not limited to Instant Messaging (IM), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages, or Enhanced Message Service (EMS) messaging protocols.

Briefly, the present invention is directed to monitoring interactive communications between mobile device users for questions and responses. In one embodiment, the interactive communication is via SMS. However, the invention is not so limited and other communication services may be used, including IM, MMS, EMS, and the like. Messages between mobile device users may be intercepted and examined to determine if a problem has been sent. In one embodiment, the presence of a question mark or other symbol may be used to identify a question. In another embodiment, question-oriented keywords such as "what," "when," "how," "why," or "where" may also be employed to identify the existence of a question in an intercepted message. However, other more heuristic analysis of the intercepted message may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In any case, when a question is sent, the question may be tagged and, in one embodiment, a copy may be saved. The initial message may then be forwarded to another user. When a response is received from another user, the question and the response may be analyzed together. Because the response can be viewed as a human interpretation of the question and it is desirable for the recipient to provide a more social connection to the sender, the response can help to refine the intent of the user who issued the query. The refined message and reply may then be employed to select an advertisement that is directed to and more relevant or contextual to the communication. The contextual advertisement may then be sent with the reply via a link, link information, or the like. In one embodiment, at least one mobile device user agrees to receive contextual advertisements in return for some form of compensation, such as a discount on the use of messaging services.

Although many of the embodiments described below are directed to managing contextual advertisements to mobile devices, the invention is not so limited. Thus, various embodiments may also manage contextual advertisements on other types of computing devices without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Illustrative operating Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates the components of one embodiment of an environment in which the invention may be implemented. Not all of the components may be required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. As shown, system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a local area network ("LAN")/wide area network ("WAN") - (network) 105, a wireless network 110, a Contextual Advertisement Server (CAS)106, a mobile device (client device) 102, a client device 101, and a messaging server 107.

One embodiment of the mobile device 102 and 103 is described in more detail below in conjunction with fig. 2. In general, however, the mobile device 102 and 104 may include virtually any portable computing device capable of receiving and sending messages over a network, such as the network 105, the wireless network 110, and so forth. The mobile device 102 and 104 may also be generally described as a client device configured to be portable. Thus, the mobile device 102 and 104 may include virtually any portable computing device capable of connecting to another computing device and receiving information. Such devices include portable devices such as cellular telephones, smart phones, display pagers, Radio Frequency (RF) devices, Infrared (IR) devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, laptop computers, wearable computers, tablet computers, integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, and the like. As such, the mobile device 102 and 104 are typically wide ranging in capabilities and features. For example, a cellular telephone may have a numeric keypad and a monochrome LCD display that can display only a few lines of text. In another example, a web-enabled mobile device may have a touch-sensitive screen, a stylus, and a color LCD display that may display several lines of both text and graphics.

A web-enabled mobile device may include a browser application configured to receive and transmit web pages, web-based messages, and the like. The browser application may be configured to receive and display graphics, text, multimedia, and the like, employing virtually any web-based language, including wireless application protocol messages (WAPs), and the like. In one embodiment, the browser application is capable of displaying and sending messages using Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, standard generalized markup language (SMGL), hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), and the like.

The mobile device 102 may also include at least one client application configured to receive content from another computing device. The client application may include the ability to provide and receive textual content, graphical content, audio content, and the like. The client application may also provide information identifying itself, including type, capabilities, name, and the like. In one embodiment, the mobile device 102 and 104 may uniquely identify themselves through any of a variety of mechanisms, including a telephone number, Mobile Identification Number (MIN), Electronic Serial Number (ESN), or other mobile device identifier.

Mobile device 102 can also be configured to communicate messages with another computing device, such as CAS106, client device 101, each other, and the like, for example, by: short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), Instant Messaging (IM), Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Mardam-Bey's IRC (mIRC), Jabber, email, etc. However, the present invention is not limited to these messaging protocols, and virtually any other messaging protocol may be employed.

The mobile device 102 may also be configured to include a client application that enables the end user to log into an end user account, which may be managed by another computing device, such as the messaging server 107. Such end-user accounts may be configured, for example, to allow the end-user to receive emails, send/receive IM messages, SMS messages, access selected web pages, and the like. However, the invention is not limited and in one embodiment, the end user may not need to log into an account to send/receive messages.

Further, in one embodiment, a user of at least one of the mobile devices 102 and 104 may be enabled to register to receive compensation based on: CAS106, messaging server 107, etc. is allowed to send contextual advertisements based on monitoring of messages. For example, in one embodiment, the user of mobile device 102 or even client device 101 may agree to receive contextual advertisements in return for a reduced cost of use of one or more messaging services provided by messaging server 107. In one embodiment, the cost reduction may be based on the number of contextual advertisements received by the user, the number of contextual advertisements clicked on by the user, or even based on providing consent to receive one or more contextual advertisements, and the like.

Mobile device 102 may also communicate with non-mobile client devices such as client device 101. In one embodiment, such communication may include sending and/or receiving messages, sharing photos, audio clips, video clips, or any of a variety of other forms of communication.

Client device 101 may include virtually any computing device capable of communicating over a network to send and receive information. The set of such devices may include devices that typically connect using a wired or wireless communications medium such as personal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, and the like. Thus, the client device 101 may also have different capabilities to display navigable views of information.

The wireless network 110 is configured to couple the mobile device 102 and its components 104 with the network 105. The wireless network 110 may include any of a variety of wireless sub-networks that may further overlay stand-alone ad-hoc networks or the like to provide infrastructure-oriented connections to the mobile device 102 and 104. Such sub-networks may include mesh networks, wireless lan (wlan) networks, cellular networks, and the like.

Wireless network 110 may also include an autonomous system of terminals, gateways, routers, and the like connected by radio links, and the like. These connectors may be configured to move freely and randomly and organize themselves arbitrarily so that the topology of wireless network 110 may change rapidly.

Wireless network 110 may also employ a variety of access technologies including second generation (2G), third generation (3G) radio access for cellular systems, WLANs, Wireless Router (WR) mesh networks, and the like. Access technologies such as 2G, 3G, and future access networks may allow for wide-range coverage for mobile devices with various degrees of mobility (e.g., mobile device 102 and 104). For example, the wireless network 110 may allow radio connections accessed through a radio network such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and the like. The wireless network 110 can include virtually any wireless communication mechanism by which information can travel between the mobile device 102 and 104 and another computing device, network, and the like.

Network 105 is configured to couple messaging server 107, CAS106, etc. with other computing devices, including client device 101, and to couple messaging server 107, CAS106, etc. with mobile devices 102 and 104 via wireless network 110. The network 105 can employ any form of computer-readable media for communicating information from one electronic device to another. Network 105 may include the internet, a direct connection such as through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, other forms of computer readable media, or any combination thereof, in addition to a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN). On an interconnected set of LANs, including those based on differing architectures and protocols, a router serves as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another. Further, the communication links within a LAN typically comprise twisted wire pairs or coaxial cables, and the communication links between networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or partial dedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T3, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), wireless links including satellite links, or other communication links known to those skilled in the art. In addition, remote computers and other related electronic devices can be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modem and temporary telephone link. Network 105 includes virtually any communication method by which information may travel between CAS106, messaging server 107, client device 101, and/or other computing devices.

In addition, communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, data signal, or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The terms "modulated data signal" and "carrier signal" include such signals: the signal has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information, instructions, data, and the like, in the signal. For example, communication media includes wired media such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optics, wave guides (wave guides), and other wired media and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

One embodiment of CAS106 is described in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 3. Briefly, however, CAS106 may comprise any computing device capable of connecting to network 105 to analyze messages between communicating client devices and provide contextual advertisements based on the message analysis. In one embodiment, the message is a text message using, for example, SMS, IM, MMS, EMS, or the like. However, the invention is not limited to text messages, and other types of messages, including audio messages for example, may be analyzed.

In one embodiment, CAS106 may receive messages between client devices intercepted by messaging server 107. CAS106 may then determine whether the intercepted message includes a question. If the message includes a question, CAS106 may then monitor for reply messages. When a reply message is received, CAS106 may refine the question with the reply message. For example, in one embodiment, at least one keyword in the reply message may be combined with at least one keyword in the question. The combined keywords may then be used to perform a search within the data store. That is, the refined question may then be employed to search the data store for a contextual advertisement that may be sent with the response. In one embodiment, the contextual advertisement may be sent via a link, such as a WAP link, hyperlink, or even via link information indicating how to access the advertisement. For example, in one embodiment, the link information may include textual instructions indicating how to access the contextual advertisement. In another embodiment, the link information may include a phone number to which a call is made to listen to the contextual advertisement.

Devices that may be used as CAS106 include personal computers desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, servers, and the like.

Messaging server 107 includes virtually any computing device configured to provide one or more messaging services. For example, messaging server 107 may provide Instant Messaging (IM) services, email services, VOIP services, SMS services, and the like.

Messaging server 107 may be implemented on a variety of computing devices, including personal computers, desktop computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based devices, network PCs, servers, network appliances, and the like. Further, although messaging server 107 is illustrated as a single network device, the invention is not so limited. For example, one or more messaging devices may be implemented with multiple network devices to provide various messaging services.

In one embodiment, messaging server 107 may be configured to receive messages from a sending device, such as client device 101-104, and send the messages and/or copies of the messages to CAS106 for analysis. In addition, messaging server 107 may similarly receive a link to the contextual advertisement (from CAS106 in one embodiment) and provide the link or link information to the original sending device along with the reply message. In another embodiment, messaging server 107 may forward the reply message to CAS106 and receive the reply message or a reply message modified with the link information of the context message.

Moreover, although FIG. 1 illustrates CAS106 as a single computing device, the invention is not so limited. For example, one or more functions of CAS106 may be distributed across one or more different computing devices. Further, in one embodiment, messaging server 107 and CAS106 may be integrated into a single computing device without departing from the scope of the present invention, as described below in conjunction with FIG. 3.

Illustrative Mobile client Environment

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a mobile device 200 that may be included in a system implementing the invention. Mobile device 200 may include more or fewer components than those shown in fig. 2. The components shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. The mobile device 200 may represent, for example, the mobile device 102 and 104 of FIG. 1.

As shown, mobile device 200 includes a processing unit (CPU)222 in communication with a mass memory 230 via a bus 224. Mobile device 200 also includes a power supply 226, one or more network interfaces 250, an audio interface 252, a display 254, a keypad 256, an illuminator 258, an input/output interface 260, a haptic interface 262, and an optional Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 264. Power supply 226 provides power to mobile device 200. Rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries may be used to provide power. Power may also be provided by an external power source such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle that supplements and/or recharges the batteries.

Mobile device 200 may optionally communicate with a base station (not shown), or directly with another computing device. Network interface 250 includes circuitry for coupling mobile device 200 to one or more networks and is constructed for use with one or more communication protocols and technologies including, but not limited to, global system for mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP), SMS, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), WAP, Ultra Wideband (UWB), worldwide interoperability for IEEE 802.16 microwave access (WiMax), SIP/RTP, or any of a variety of other wireless communication protocols. Network interface 250 is sometimes referred to as a transceiver, transceiving device, or Network Interface Card (NIC).

Audio interface 252 is configured to generate and receive audio signals such as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface 252 may be coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to allow communication with other devices and/or to generate an audio acknowledgement of some action. Display 254 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), gas plasma, Light Emitting Diode (LED), or any other type of display used with a computing device. The display 254 may also include a touch sensitive screen arranged to receive input from an object such as a stylus or a human finger.

Keypad 256 may include any input device arranged to receive input from a user. For example, the keypad 256 may include a push button numeric dial or a keyboard. Keypad 256 may also include command buttons associated with selecting and sending images. Illuminator 258 may provide a status indication and/or provide light. Illuminator 258 may remain active for a particular period of time or in response to an event. For example, illuminator 258 may backlight buttons on keypad 256 when it is active, and remain on when the client device is powered up. Further, illuminator 258 may backlight these buttons in various modes when a particular action is performed (e.g., dialing another client device). Illuminator 258 may also cause light sources located within a transparent or translucent housing of the client device to illuminate in response to an action.

Mobile device 200 also includes input/output interface 260 for communicating with external devices, such as a headset, or other input or output devices not shown in fig. 2. The input/output interface 260 can utilize one or more communication technologies, such as USB, infrared, Bluetooth (R)^TMAnd the like. The haptic interface 262 is arranged to provide haptic feedback to a user of the client device. For example, the haptic interface may be used to vibrate the mobile device 200 in a particular manner when another user of the computing device calls.

Optional GPS transceiver 264 can determine the physical coordinates of mobile device 200 on the surface of the earth, which typically outputs a location as latitude and longitude values. GPS transceiver 264 can also employ other geolocation mechanisms including, but not limited to, triangulation, Assisted GPS (AGPS), E-OTD, CI, SAI, ETA, BSS, etc. to further determine the physical location of mobile device 200 on the surface of the earth. It can be appreciated that under different conditions, GPS transceiver 264 can determine the physical location of mobile device 200 in millimeters; and in other cases the determined physical location may be less accurate, for example within a meter or a much larger distance. However, in one embodiment, the mobile device may provide other information, including, for example, a MAC address, an IP address, etc., through other components that may be used to determine the physical location of the device.

Mass memory 230 includes RAM 232, ROM 234, and other storage devices. Mass memory 230 illustrates another example of computer storage media for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Mass memory 230 stores a basic input/output system ("BIOS") 240 for controlling low-level operations of mobile device 200. The mass memory also stores an operating system 241 for controlling the operation of mobile device 200. It will be appreciated that the component may include, for example, UNIX or LINUX^TMA version of a general-purpose operating system such as Windows Mobile^TMOrA dedicated client, such as an operating system, communicates with the operating system. The operating system may include or interface with a Java virtual machine module that allows control of hardware components and/or operating system operations via Java applications.

Memory 230 also includes one or more data stores that mobile device 200 can utilize to store, among other things, applications 242 and/or other data. For example, the data store may be used to store information describing various capabilities of mobile device 200. This information may then be provided to another device based on any of a variety of events, including being sent as part of a header during a communication, sent upon request, and so forth. At least a portion of the capability information may also be stored on a disk drive or other storage medium (not shown) within mobile device 200.

Application 242 may include computer-executable instructions to: these instructions, when executed by mobile device 200, send, receive, and/or otherwise process audio, video, and enable communication with another user of another client device. Other examples of application programs include calendars, browsers, contact managers, task managers, transcoders, database programs, word processing programs, security applications, spreadsheet programs, games, search programs, and so forth. Applications 242 may also include a messaging client 245, with messaging client 245 configured to send, receive, and/or otherwise process messages using SMS, MMS, IM, email, VOIP, and/or any of a variety of other messaging communication protocols. Although a single messaging client 245 is illustrated, it should be clear that multiple messaging clients may be employed. For example, one messaging client may be configured to manage SMS messages, another messaging client manages IM messages, and yet another messaging client is configured to manage email, etc.

Illustrative Server Environment

Fig. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a network device, according to one embodiment of the invention. Network device 300 may include many more components than those shown. The components shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. Network device 300 may represent, for example, an integrated device for use in implementing CAS106 and messaging server 107 of FIG. 1.

Network device 300 includes a processing unit 312, a video display adapter 314, and a mass memory, all in communication with each other via a bus 322. The mass memory generally includes RAM 316, ROM 332, and one or more permanent mass storage devices, such as hard disk drive 328 and removable storage device 326, which may represent a tape drive, optical drive, and/or floppy disk drive. The mass memory stores operating system 320 for controlling the operation of network device 300. Any general purpose operating system may be employed. A basic input/output system ("BIOS") 318 is also provided to control low-level operation of network device 300. As shown in fig. 3, the network device 300 may also communicate with the internet or some other communication network via a network interface unit 310, the network interface unit 310 being constructed for use with various communication protocols including the TCP/IP protocol. Network interface unit 310 is sometimes referred to as a transceiver, transceiving device, or Network Interface Card (NIC).

The mass memory as described above illustrates another type of computer-readable media, namely computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile, nonvolatile, and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computing device.

The mass memory also stores program code and data. One or more applications 350 are loaded into mass memory and run on operating system 320. Examples of application programs may include transcoders, schedulers, calendars, database programs, word processing programs, HTTP programs, customizable user interface programs, IPSec applications, encryption programs, security programs, VPN programs, account management, and so forth. Messaging server 352 and context advertiser 354 may also be included as application programs within application 350.

Messaging server 352 represents any of a variety of messaging services including, but not limited to, an email server application, an IM server application, an SMS server application, a VOIP server application, and the like. Further, while a single messaging server 352 is illustrated, the invention is not so limited and network device 300 may include one or more messaging services without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Messaging server 352 is configured to manage messages, such as text messages, between network devices. In one embodiment, messaging server 352 may charge a fee for use of its messaging services. In one embodiment, the messaging service may also provide cost reduction, discounts, or similar benefits to users who agree to receive advertisements, read advertisements, and/or click on advertisements. In one embodiment, the advertisement may be selected by the contextual advertiser 354.

Context advertiser 354 is configured to receive a message from messaging server 352 that is destined for another computing device. Context advertiser 354 may analyze the message to determine whether the message includes a question. Such a determination may be based on various criteria, including keywords, symbols such as question marks, heuristics, and the like. For example, a message such as "can you …? "," do you …? Phrases such as "how", etc. may be determined to include a question.

When context advertiser 354 determines that the message includes a question, context advertiser 354 may then monitor for a response to the question. This response is expected to come from a person who is likely to have some social connection with the sender of the question. Thus, the response may be used to refine the intent of the question sender, clarify the question, and potentially increase the value of the question.

Consider, for example, the query "how to go to the old wooden house where we are in summer in the last year? "is used in the above-mentioned patent publication. Such a problem may have little context for an automatic search/analysis mechanism. However, with a response such as "on A9 near Freemont," context advertiser 354 may select an advertisement associated with Freemont, a map of Freemont, or the like. Thus, the response may be viewed as providing a social context to the question. Accordingly, context advertiser 354 may refine the intent of the question based on the response.

Context advertiser 354 may select a context advertisement based on the analysis. In one embodiment, the selected contextual advertisement may be selected from a stored advertisement and/or link information to an advertisement stored in context data store 356. In one embodiment, at least some of the advertisements are sponsored advertisements. Context data store 356 may also be used to store copies of messages that include questions and/or information about the sender, including the sender's address, name, account identifier, etc. As such, context data store 356 may include a database, a folder, a spreadsheet, another application, and the like.

General operation

Operation of certain aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to fig. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a logic flow diagram generally showing one embodiment of a process for managing contextual advertisements based on text message interactions. In one embodiment, the text message is an SMS message, however, other messaging protocols may be employed. In one embodiment, process 400 of FIG. 4 may be implemented in CAS106 of FIG. 1 and/or network device 300 of FIG. 3.

Process 400 of fig. 4 begins, after a start block, when a message is received. In one embodiment, the message is a text message. In one embodiment, a message is received from one mobile device and is being sent to another mobile device. However, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the communication may also be between a mobile device and a non-mobile device (e.g., client device 101 of fig. 1) or between two non-mobile devices.

Processing next proceeds to decision block 404, where a determination is made as to whether the message sender is registered to receive a discount for receiving a contextual advertisement at decision block 404. In one embodiment, if the message sender is not registered to receive the discount, processing may return to call processing to perform other actions. However, the invention is not so limited and in another embodiment, various other actions may be performed, including, for example, sending an offer to the message sender to receive a discount based in part on receiving an advertisement, reading an advertisement, etc. In any case, as illustrated, in one embodiment, if the message sender is registered, processing proceeds to decision block 406.

At decision block 406, a determination is made whether the received message includes a question. As described above, a question may be identified based on the presence of a question mark within the received question, the presence of keywords such as "what, where, when, why, how," and the like. In addition, heuristics may also be employed to determine whether a received message includes a problem. When it is determined that the received message includes a question, processing proceeds to block 408; otherwise, processing may loop back to block 402 to monitor for another message that may include a problem.

At block 408, a copy of the question may be stored. In one embodiment, identifiers associated with the sender and/or intended recipient of the message may also be stored. Processing continues to block 410 where the initial message may then be forwarded to the intended recipient at block 410.

Processing next proceeds to decision block 412 where a determination is made as to whether a reply to the message has been received at decision block 412. If a reply to the message is received, processing proceeds to block 414; otherwise, processing proceeds to block 422 where a determination is made as to whether a timeout period has elapsed pending a reply, at block 422. The timeout period may be defined based on various factors. For example, a timeout period of several minutes may be selected to maintain correlation between questions and responses. In any case, if the timeout period is exceeded, processing may return to call processing to perform other actions. If, however, the timeout period has not been exceeded, processing may loop back to decision block 412 to monitor for receipt of a reply.

The response may then be used to refine the question at block 414. That is, a combination of questions and responses may be generated that may be used to clarify and/or narrow the interpretation of the intent of the question. For example, in one embodiment, at least one keyword may be obtained from the response and at least one keyword may be obtained from the question. These keywords may then be combined. In another embodiment, refined questions may be formed based on the responses for use in the search. Thus, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the answers may be used to modify the question. The refined question may then be used to perform a search for contextual advertisements at block 416. Thus, the selection of the contextual advertisement may be based on: a search using keywords obtained from the refined questions and/or responses; reformulated questions based on a combination of the response and the question; and so on. In one embodiment, the contextual advertisement may also be a sponsored advertisement based on refined keywords or the like.

Processing then proceeds to block 418, where a link to the contextual advertisement, link information indicating how to access the contextual advertisement, etc. is inserted in or otherwise associated with the response at block 418. The response and link information or link is then provided to the initial message sender, the user who posed the question.

Processing then proceeds to block 420 where the initial message sender may be credited (credit) for a discount or other benefit to allow such contextual advertisements to be sent, read, or based on similar agreements, at block 420. Processing then returns to call processing to perform other actions.

It should be appreciated that while the above description describes text messaging, the present invention is not so limited. For example, the message may also be a VOIP message or the like that may be analyzed using a voice recognition tool. The context message may then be added to the reply using various mechanisms, including, for example, by sending a telephone number, a short audio message, and so forth.

It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These program instructions may be provided to a processor to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute on the processor, create means for implementing the actions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may be executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform a series of operational steps to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions, which execute on the processor, provide for implementing the actions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also cause at least some of the operational steps illustrated in the blocks of the flowchart to be performed in parallel. Further, some steps may also be performed on more than one processor, such as may occur in a multi-processor computer system. In addition, one or more blocks or combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations may also be performed concurrently with other blocks or combinations of blocks, or even in a different sequence than that illustrated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified actions, combinations of steps for performing the specified actions and program instruction means for performing the specified actions. It will also be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified actions or steps, or by combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims (11)

1. A method for managing access to content on a mobile device over a network, comprising:

receiving a text message from a user of the mobile device destined for another user of another mobile device;

determining whether the received text message includes a question;

if a question is detected, storing a copy of the question and monitoring for a predetermined period of time a reply text message to the text message from another user of the other mobile device;

refining the question with the reply text message if the reply text message is received from the other user within the predetermined period of time;

employing the refined question to search for contextual content;

modifying the reply text message to include link information for the contextual content as a result of the search; and

providing the modified reply text message to a user of the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein refining the question with the reply text message further comprises:

extracting at least one keyword from the reply text message;

modifying the question to include at least one extracted keyword to generate a refined question.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of examining the received text message to detect problems further comprises: searching the received text message for at least one of a question mark or a question-oriented keyword.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing compensation to a user of the mobile device based on at least one of receipt of the contextual content or selection of the contextual content by the user.

5. A network device for managing the display of content on a mobile device, comprising:

a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data through a network; and

a processor operable to perform actions comprising:

receiving a text message from a user of the mobile device destined for another user of another mobile device;

determining whether the received text message includes a question;

if a question is detected, storing a copy of the question and monitoring for a predetermined period of time a reply text message to the text message from another user of the other mobile device;

receiving a reply text message from the other user within the predetermined period of time, refining the question with the reply text message;

employing the refined question to search for contextual content;

modifying the reply text message to include link information for contextual content that is a result of the search; and

providing the modified reply text message to a user of the mobile device.

6. The network device of claim 5, wherein the step of detecting the problem comprises: analyzing the received text message for at least one of a defined symbol or a question-oriented keyword.

7. The network device of claim 5, wherein the step of refining the detected problem further comprises:

selecting at least one keyword from the reply text message;

selecting at least one keyword from the detected question; and

combining at least one selected keyword from the answer with at least one selected keyword from the detected question to refine the detected question.

8. The network device of claim 5, wherein the link information further comprises at least one of a hyperlink, a telephone number, or a textual instruction indicating how to access the contextual content.

9. A method of managing the display of content on a client device over a network, comprising:

receiving, from the client device over the network, a Short Message Service (SMS) message destined for another user of another client device;

determining whether the received text message includes a question;

if a question is detected in a received SMS message, storing a copy of the question and monitoring for a predetermined period of time a reply SMS message to the SMS message from another user of the other client device;

refining the detected question by combining at least a portion of the reply SMS message with at least a portion of the detected question if the reply SMS message is received within the predetermined period of time;

selecting context content using the refined question;

modifying the reply SMS message to include link information for the selected contextual content; and

providing the modified reply SMS message to the client device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein analyzing the SMS message further comprises:

analyzing the SMS message with heuristics to detect at least one of a question-oriented phrase or a question-oriented keyword.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein refining the detected problem further comprises: modifying the detected question with a social context of the response.