WO2008127169A1

WO2008127169A1 - Procedure and system to centrally adapt services to the desires of individual users

Info

Publication number: WO2008127169A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/000237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rune Roswall
Original assignee: Teliasonera Ab
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-01
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Also published as: SE0700918L

Abstract

At a procedure to centrally in a communication system adapt services to the desires of individual users a user profile is, in form of a desired profile for each individual user, in an individualization step, defined by a number of distinct values of user attributes. The content profiles of accessible services are defined by service attributes. Attribute values link the desired profiles of the users and the content profiles of the services together and create a user interface, and service attributes of the content profiles of the services are matched with user attributes of the user's desired profile to, to each user, provide adapted service. A corresponding system includes user terminals, which hold desired profiles of the users, defined by user attributes, and a device to define the content profiles of accessible services by service attributes. A device is arranged to match service attributes of the content profiles of the services with the attributes of the user's desired profile in order to, to each user, provide adapted services.

Description

PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM TO CENTRALLY ADAPT SERVICES TO THE DESIRES OF INDIVIDUAL USERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device, a procedure and a system in order to, from a view with regard to technology and system, link together and adapt different types of in one or more communication systems included services to specific preferences and desires of individual users. In the activities of international standardization of telecommunications there have in recent years been made great efforts to find well functioning technical solutions in a field which is usually called "personification". The purpose is and has been to effect one on technology based and centralized supervision and control of users, forms of subscriptions and to that belonging devices included in one or more tele- and data communication system which can work together. This has been made based on the fact that it in one in all essentials centralized system should be considerably easier to effectively prepare and handle, in the system existing, user data, both subscriber related information as well as the in the network elements collected technical information. By that, the operators, and, if applicable, the manufacturers, might be able to create system-related technical conditions to provide more individually adapted services in said system.

PRIOR ART

Parts of 3rd Generation Partnership Project Agreement, 3GPP, and Open Mobile Alliance, OMA₁ standardization work has been directed at the problem of collecting information from different network elements, among them user terminals, and use of the whole set of data to describe a generic user profile, GUP. One of the purposes of this work has been to, based on a generic user profile, make possible that different classes of service and terminal settings can be created and provided to the users, and in that way make it possible to better utilize different types of in the system arranged customer databases.

In US 6 530 083 a system for personified settings of an information management system is described. An individual user preference profile is produced for each identified user of the system. A combined user preference profile is determined based on the individual profiles. The settings then are adjusted to an optimum, based on the combined user preference profile. US 2006/0129544 describes a user preference information structure with a multi-hierarchical structure in which information is supplied to a user according to the user's preferences in a multimedia environment, an information supplier and an information user. The hierarchical data structure makes supplying of information according to the user preference and depending on current environment possible.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Aggressive marketing, via for instance e-mail, so called spam, telephone calls and other by means of different tele- and data communication systems transferable messages, and which among other things are based on personification in form of more or less general user profiles, have made a large number of recipients of such not asked for information increasingly annoyed. A well functioning system where a plurality of different customer data bases are utilized and where the own selections and preferences of the end users constitute the basis of an individualization of different message services is not available today. The invention aims at solving said problem.

Further, there is a need for a well developed individualized communication support in connection with different types of message services where the user, depending on, for instance, different types of handicap can have difficulties in assimilating the content in an adequate way regarding the today more or less standardized supply of tele- and data communication services. To make the communication system to adapt the services on the basis of different user scenarios and the own conditions of the users therefore would be desirable. Especially an individualized control service based on the user^'s geographical position and other specific user related reference data would be of great value to the end user. The invention aims at solving said problem.

Further, there is a need of creating a working integration between different communication systems and networks with regard to an individualization of services accessible in different communication systems. The invention aims at solving said problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is achieved by a procedure and a system of, by way of introduction, specified kind with in the patent claim 1 respective 11 specified characteristics. Individualization is in this context a concept with regard to integration of individual user preferences or desires, roles, user position, context, infrastructure and terminal capacity, and where belonging system solution is tailored on basis of the individual user's desires and preferences. Individualization further implies that a user builds his/her own user identity by own selections and by comparison of, for instance, tailored desires from the surroundings. Important parameters to the individual end user at individualization are, for instance, the security, the quality of the service, extent of system integration, accessibility and simplicity with regard to the management of accessible user profiles. A factor which influences the quality at tracing and control services is, for instance, the predicted accuracy of the utilized positioning technology. In order to effect an individualization of one or more services, a private profile must be created and maintained at the user device which includes, for instance, interests, desires, behavior and characteristics. The management of said profile requires interaction between in the communication system included network elements and the user. The individualized services are integrated with the existing technical infrastructure, and the solutions are preferably based on one in all essentials open system based on in the context existing standards and open interfaces.

The individualized concept is built on one in all essentials open system architecture, but the use of services is here intentionally restricted to a specific individual and his/her immediate surroundings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described more in detail in the following, with reference to the enclosed drawings, at which:

Figure 1 illustrates the information architecture which is utilized at one embodiment of the invention; • Figure 2 shows the fundamental structure of an example of embodiment of the system according to the invention; and Figure 3 illustrates an example of the use of the invention to make possible for children, elderly people or handicapped to travel alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With the object of facilitating the understanding of the present description, the following established abbreviations have been used:

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project Agreement

OMA Open Mobile Alliance GUP Generic User Profile

BT Bluetooth SMS Short Message Service

GPS Global Positioning System

WLAN Wireless Local Area Network

GPRS General Packet Radio Standard UMTS Universal Mobile Telephony System

RFID Radio Frequency Identification

In one in the system arranged network element in form of a personification framework, attributes and attribute values link users and content together and constitutes a user interface in the system. Attributes regarding the content are matched with the user attributes or the attributes of the user's desired profile. The specific attribute values of the users are matched with information content to, depending on the entered content parameters, decide which content that shall be shown and how this shall be presented, at any given point of time. This process takes place via for the function arranged means in said framework.

In the shown framework, user and content meet in said user interface, the user interface layer in Figure 1 , via the personification process.

Below the user interface layer there is a profile layer arranged in which certain values of the attributes are used to decide which content that shall be presented to which users, and under which conditions and other potential circumstances.

Personification further is one in the system arranged process, at which attribute values are allocated specific user profile classes by one in the system program-controlled process and where said profile classes are created and adapted depending on, among other things, the system-technological conditions at execution of the individualized services in the system.

The individualization is a process at which discrete attribute values are allocated manually by end users or any by him/her trusted deputy.

Below the profile layer, an attribute layer is shown in Figure 1. In the attribute layer, the attributes as such are defined, and the set of acceptable values is specified. Both user and content have their own attributes, but are coordinated by in said framework arranged means to secure that the, on the higher level existing, profile information shall be well synchronized. The attribute layer consequently is the set of all attributes and values, whereas a profile only is an example of this layer.

The system according to the invention also includes at least one portable communication device. Said communication device is arranged to support fast communication of messages, music, video screening, e-mail, telephone services over Internet, storing and showing of photos. In addition, said device also includes a web browser.

In Figure 2 an example of the system according to the invention is shown. The system includes a central user PC- platform 2, which communicates via Bluetooth, BT, with for instance a mobile terminal 4 for transmission and reception of SMS, and with a GPS-device 6 for positioning. The connection of the GPS-device 6 with a satellite for reception of data for the positioning is shown schematically in the Figure. The user PC- platform 2 further communicates with Internet over WLAN, Wireless Local Area Network. In the Figure is also shown that the user's mobile terminal 4 can, in a conventional way, communicate with other, external mobile terminals 8.

With reference to Figure 3 a scenario is described illustrating an example of how the invention can be used for control of, for instance, children, elderly people or handicapped, when they are alone, for instance during a journey. A controlling person then first makes certain inputs into the Travel Manager, which is best made up of said communication device, block 10 in Figure 3. At this input, alarm buttons at the device and alarm messages are defined, block 12 in Figure 3.

After the journey has started, block 14 in Figure 3, time and position of the traveler are continuously updated by in the system arranged means, block 16 in Figure 3. If time and position data fulfill certain predefined criteria, for instance that the traveler is getting too late to catch a specified means of communication, for instance bus, train or plane, or is deviating too much from a predefined route, an alarm is triggered, block 18 in Figure 3, which is transmitted to the controlling person to draw his/her attention to the situation, block 20 in Figure 3. As is shown in block 20, the alarm is sent via SMS to said controlling person.

When the destination of the journey has been reached, said controlling person is informed about this, block 22, and the by the user carried communication equipment or the Travel Manager is inactivated, block 24 in Figure 3.

More in detail, the course of events can be as follows. The user has some form of handicap and shall alone make a rather long journey with the purpose of visiting relatives living in another country. One by the user trusted person has prior to the journey ordered tickets, made necessary reservations, downloaded timetables and alarm messages in the user's portable communication equipment, and also created one for the user's specific needs adapted user-friendly interface. Checking point messages have been created in the portable communication equipment, so that controlling person or other contact person via in the system included means is informed automatically in different stages of the journey about the user's arrival at, and depart from, different places. Said communication equipment also may have been provided, if so has been considered advisable, with, for instance, video clips which show the user where different facilities and other information of importance to the user can be found during the journey.

The user is going to travel by taxi, ferry, plane and bus. At the ferry terminal and at the airport there are WLAN-services including certain specific local services, such as information about delays in reference to the in the context concerned means of traffic. The user has, via means arranged in the system, been guaranteed access to these networks and the necessary services available there, and to one or more in the context appropriate public networks, such as GSM, Global Service Mobile, GPRS, General Packet Radio Standard, UMTS, Universal Mobile Telephony System. The user's portable communication equipment further is provided with an

"emergency button" which, when pressed, results in that an alarm is transmitted to a predefined number of receivers at one or more contacts who, all the time, with some exceptions, for instance at take off and landing by plane, can reach the user with test message via his/her portable communication equipment. Said communication equipment further is arranged to, on certain occasions during the user's journey, depending on the user's user profile, automatically generate messages to the user, for instance the message "Go to gate", 30 minutes before the user latest shall appear at the gate in question.

When the user is approaching the destination, a message is automatically transmitted, via in the system arranged means, to a local arrival controller.

If the user has any kind of luggage, and this for instance is provided with Radio Frequency Identification, RFI D, -marked address labels, then the user himself/herself must, by a procedure of his/her own, via said communication equipment accept that the luggage is taken away from the user at the air terminal, in other case an alarm message is sent to one for that purpose selected person or persons, or other selected alarm receiving instance.

By the system according to the invention, a personified organization of the journey consequently is made possible, a continuous personal logistics support during the journey and a continuous access to the different networks which are necessary for said tele- and data communication. In the Travel Manager or said communication equipment, journey specification files are created. The information which then has to be entered into the communication equipment defines in principle which information that shall be presented to the user to help him/her. As an aid for this task, said communication equipment puts, in the context relevant, questions to the user to define appropriate travel information. After that, the communication equipment creates a new file which is used to start the "travel aid".

The "Travel Manager" or the communication equipment includes, as mentioned, an SMS communication tool, an "emergency"-button and checkpoint information tools. By the "emergency"-button a predefined SMS is sent to one or more controlling persons. The SMS-tool also can be used to write new SMSs, which can be sent to the controlling person, and it also can show the latest received SMS. The SMS communication is made via Bluetooth to ordinary telephone. This telephone then is ordered to send an SMS, at which one for the purpose dedicated program is used, which is installed in the above mentioned communication device. The program utilizes the communication channel to the telephone to provide transmission of the SMS from the telephone. In this way a pilot is created in a very short time.

Even if the invention as stated has been described with respect to the illustrated embodiments, the invention can be modified and varied within the frame of the idea of the present invention. The invention is only limited by the enclosed patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Procedure to centrally adapt services to the desires of individual users, characterized in that, in an individualizing step, a user profile is defined in form of a desired profile of each individual user by a number of distinct values of user attributes, that the content profiles of accessible services are defined by service attributes, attribute values link together the desired profiles of the users and the content profiles of the services and create a user interface, and that service attributes of the content profiles of the services are matched with user attributes of the user's desired profile in order to, to each user, provide adapted service, at which information is arranged in one in the system arranged network element in form of a framework in a plurality of layers, which framework includes an attribute layer in which attributes are defined and sets of acceptable attribute values are specified, one above the attribute layer located profile layer in which the attributes are coordinated in order to secure synchronization of profile information, and one above the profile layer arranged user interface layer to link together user and content, at which the network element forms a user interface in the system.

2. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that said services include control services.

3. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 2, characterized in that said control services include control of a persons location at different points of time.

4. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control service includes continuous reporting of data from the control to a control center.

5. Procedure as claimed in patent claim 4, characterized in that an alarm is triggered if said data from the control fulfill predefined criteria with regard to said predefined reference data.

6. Procedure as claimed in any of the previous patent claims, characterized in that said control services include central displaying on screen of certain information in a certain way.

7. Procedure as claimed in any of the previous patent claims, characterized in that the desired profiles of the users and the content profiles of the services are defined by for each of them own user - respective service attributes.

8. Procedure as claimed in any of the previous patent claims, characterized in that, based on the user's desired profile, certain classes of services are provided to the user.

9. System to centrally adapt services to the desires of individual users, including user terminals, characterized in that the user terminals include desired profiles of the users, defined by user attributes, and that a device is arranged to define the content profiles of accessible services by service attributes, besides which a device is arranged to match service attributes of the content profiles of the services with the attributes of the user's desired profile to, to each user, provide adapted services, at which information is arranged in one in the system arranged network element in form of a framework with a plurality of layers, which framework includes an attribute layer in which attributes are defined and sets of acceptable attribute values are specified, one above the attribute layer located profile layer in which the attributes are coordinated to secure synchronization of profile information, and one above the profile layer arranged user interface layer to link together user and content, at which the network element forms a user interface in the system.

10. System as claimed in patent claim 9, characterized in that the desired profiles of the users and the content profiles of the services are defined by own attributes each.

11. System as claimed in patent claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the attributes in the user terminal are coordinated with the attributes in the device to define services to secure synchronization of profile information regarding accessible services with the user's desired profile.

12. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 9-11, characterized in that user terminal, device to define services, and comparator device are arranged in one and the same unit.

13. System as claimed in patent claim 12, characterized in that said unit includes a "User Drawing Board-PC-platform".

14. System as claimed in patent claim 13, characterized in that said "User Drawing Board-PC-platform" is arranged to communicate with Short Message Service,

SMS, and Global Positioning System, GPS, via Bluetooth, and with Internet via Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN.

15. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 9-14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said services include control services.

16. System as claimed in patent claim 15, characterized in that said control services include control of a persons location at different points of time.

17. System as claimed in patent claim 15 or 16, characterized in that said unit is arranged to continuously report data from the control to a control center via SMS.

18. System as claimed in patent claims 17, characterized in that an alarm is arranged to be triggered if said data from the control fulfill predefined criteria with regard to predefined reference data.

19. System as claimed in any of the patent claims 12-18, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said unit is arranged to communicate with different network elements, inclusive user terminals, at surrounding networks to collect information for defining of a generic user profile.

20. System as claimed in patent claim 19, characterized in that said unit is arranged to, based on the user's desired profile, provide for storing in a customer database certain classes of services as well as settings to the user terminal in question.