FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a manner by which to facilitate the delivery of  and processing of multimedia content to mobile devices. More specifically  the present invention relates to methods of pushing content to mobile devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mobile content is any type of content which is viewed or used on mobile phones  like ringtones  graphics  promotions  applications  wall papers  animation  screen savers  games  movies  and GPS navigation.

[0003] Content of this type can be distributed in a number of ways. First  pre-recorded media bearing the content can be distributed to users  who can then load the content locally on their mobile devices. This method has the advantage that users can buy the pre-recorded media in a traditional physical shopping transaction.

[0004] The advent of sophisticated internet enabled mobile devices led to new ways of delivering multimedia content to mobile devices. One way is through using WAP services of network service provider. The network service provider hosts a set of WAP sites belonging to content developers. Users browse these WAP sites from their mobile devices and download the content on paying an agreed amount to the network service provider. This method is advantageous in that the accessibility to mobile content is increased manifolds. However  from content developers’ perspective  this method is not feasible as the developer has to pay distribution costs to the network service provider for content hosting. Also  it is cumbersome for some users to access the content via the telecommunication network.

[0005] Alternatively  the content can be made available through a data communication network such as Internet and users can then pay for the content on-line and download it to their terminals. This method has the advantage that there is no need to physically distribute media carrying the content  which saves on distribution costs. However  some users are resistant to on-line shopping  as it may be unfamiliar to them and is viewed by some as being insecure. Further  inaccessibility and lack of knowledge on usage of internet is also a hindrance to the distribution of content via the data communication network.

[0006] A need therefore exists for a system and method for delivering multimedia content to user’s mobile devices  overcoming the drawbacks of the systems discussed above and also several other shortcomings inherent to the existing prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings  disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0008] A method of delivering multimedia content to a user is provided. The method comprises receiving a request comprising a unique identification data and a content identification data at a short code server  the unique identification data comprising data for identifying the user and the content identification data comprising data for identifying a content desired by the user  forwarding the request to a content server  receiving the request at the content server  determining validity of the request  searching a content data base for the content upon determining the validity  identifying the content and sending a message comprising at least one link to the user  the link configured for downloading the content upon being activated within a predetermined number of attempts.

[0009] Systems and methods of varying scope are described herein. In addition to the aspects and advantages described in this summary  further aspects and advantages will become apparent by reference to the drawings and with reference to the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for delivering multimedia content as described in an embodiment; and

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a method for delivering multimedia content as described in another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the following detailed description  reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof  and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments  which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments  and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical  mechanical  electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is  therefore  not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0013] The present invention relates generally to a manner by which to facilitate the delivery of  and processing of multimedia content to mobile devices. More specifically  the present invention relates to methods of pushing content to mobile devices using data communication network 116.

[0014] Multimedia content is any type of content which is consumed on communication devices  such as ringtones  graphics  promotions  applications  wall papers  animation  screen savers  games  movies  and GPS navigation.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1  an improved system for delivering multi media content to a user in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided. As shown in FIG. 1  the system of the present invention for delivering content  hereinafter referred to as the system 100 comprises a personal telecommunication device 102 operated by a user wishing to gain access to a multimedia content (referred to hereafter as content). The personal telecommunication device 102 is capable of communicating over a telecommunication network 106 that is based on trackers of the type Global Positioning System (GPS)  Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)  General Packet Radio service (GPRS) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and the like. Optionally  the personal telecommunication device 102 is capable of obtaining access to a data communication network 116 such as internet.

[0016] The personal telecommunication device 102 may be an electronic device capable of transmitting  receiving  processing and/or displaying data that includes text  images  video  audio data and the like. The personal telecommunication device 102 may be  for example  a cellular phone  a personal digital assistant  a tablet and the like.

[0017] The user who wishes to access content may obtain a payment card made available to the user at one or more of mobile retail shops  general stores  exclusive game shops and internet cafes. In one embodiment  the payment card may be one of a pre-paid card  a post paid card and a credit card. Each of these payment cards may facilitate providing an upper limit on the expense made by the user in buying the content.

[0018] The payment card may be printed with a unique identification data. Further  the unique identification data printed on the payment card may be masked by application of an opaque material. The user in the intent of buying the content sends a request comprising the unique identification data.

[0019] The system 100 comprises a short code server 104. In one embodiment  the short code server 104 may be maintained by a telecommunication network service provider. The short code server 104 is configured to receive the request transmitted from the personal telecommunication device 102 of the user.

[0020] The request sent by the user further comprises a content identification data. The content identification data identifies the content the user wishes to consume. In one exemplary embodiment  the content identification data ‘G25’ may be associated with the content “snake and ladder” game. A mapping of the content identification data with the content is maintained in a content server 108 provided by the content provider. Accordingly  the system 100 further comprises a content server 108. This is further explained in conjunction with the following embodiments.

[0021] Further  the content identification data may be obtained by the user via a promotion and/or communication by the short code service provider  the telecommunication network service provider  the content provider and/or any other retail vendor. Accordingly  the content identification data may be published in one of the various channels not limiting to print advertising  digital media  mobile advertising  messaging service  printing on the payment card and the like.

[0022] The request sent by the user comprising the unique identification data and the content identification data is received by the short code server 104. The short code server 104 forwards the request to the content server 108  The content server 108 comprises a validity module 110  a billing module 112 and a content database 114  the validity module 110 configured for validating the request  the billing module 112 configured for generating billing details for the user and the content database 114 for mapping the content identification data with the content. Though in this embodiment  the content database 114 is described as a part of the content server 108  the content database 114 may be cloud hosted and communicatively coupled to the content server 108 in an alternate embodiment.

[0023] The content server 108 subsequent to receiving the request from the short code server 104 validates the request using the billing module 112. The validation may take place in three phases. In the first phase the unique identification data is validated. In the second phase the content identification data is validated. The content provider prior to issuing the unique identification data and content identification data may have stored each of the data in corresponding databases. Further  each of these databases may be updated on a periodical basis that effects in adding one or more newly issued identification data and/or deleting one or more expired identification data. The validity check performed by the validity module 110 asserts the presence of each of the content identification data and the unique identification data in the corresponding databases.

[0024] The third phase for validating the request comprises  validating the monetary eligibility of the user. The payment card used by the user may be one of a pre-paid  post paid and a credit card and accordingly the monetary eligibility of the user is determined. The monetary eligibility of a user with a pre –paid card may be determined by comparing the balance amount in the pre-paid card of the user with the pricing details of the content he wishes to consume. Similarly  the monetary eligibility of a user with a post –paid card may be determined by identifying if the user has reached the upper limit specified in accordance the post-paid card and the monetary eligibility of a user with a credit card may be determined by identifying if the user has reached the maximum permissible credit limit.

[0025] In one exemplary embodiment  if balance in the user’s pre-paid card is INR 5 and the user has placed a request for accessing content worth INR 10  the validity module 110 is configured to invalidate the request. The validity module 110 may also take the help of billing module 112 to determine the validity of a user. The billing module 112 maintains a mapping of the expense incurred by the user against the unique identification data corresponding to the user.

[0026] Following the determination of validity of the request by the validity module 110  the content server 108 determines if the content is requested is indeed available. The availability of the content is determined using the content database 114 that maintains a mapping of the content identification data with the content.

[0027] Upon determining the availability of the content  the content server 108 generates a content code  maps it to the unique identification data and the content identification data  appends it to a URL (Universal Resource Locator) and creates a message that is delivered to the user via the short code server 104 over the telecommunication network 106.

[0028] The billing module 112 keeps track of the expense made under the account of the unique identification data. Hence  subsequent to the delivery of the message to the user  the billing module 112 updates the expense tracking data against the unique identification data.

[0029] The user upon receiving the message may activate the link comprising the URL  for downloading the content. Further  attempts made by the user for activating the link may be limited to a predetermined number (for example three). The link when activated fetches the content directly to the user’s personal telecommunication device 102 from the content server 108 without getting connected to the short code server 104.

[0030] The short code server 104 may be maintained by a telecommunication network provider. The telecommunication network provider comprises an operating server (not shown) for managing one or more operations of the telecommunication network provider including billing. Further  the activation of the link by the user fetches the content from the content server 108 directly to the user’s personal telecommunication device 102  without getting connected to the operating server (not shown) maintained by a telecommunication network provider for billing.

[0031] Activation of the link by the user sends the content code to the content server 108  who again validates the link and provides access to the content. The content server 108 validates the content code appended to the link by determining one or more of the number of attempts at activating the link  validity of unique identification data and content identification data.

[0032] Subsequent to the validation of the content code  the content server 108 pushes the content files to the personal telecommunication device 102 of the user over a data communication network 116  without any intervention from user.

[0033] Each of the content identification data  the unique identification data and the content code are alphanumeric identification codes. Further  each of the request and the message may be a short message  a multimedia message and the like.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 of delivering multimedia content to a user  the method 200 comprising the steps 202 through 228.

[0035] At step 202  the short code server 104 receives the request comprising the unique identification data and content identification data transmitted from user’s personal telecommunication device 102.

[0036] At step 204  the short code server 104 forwards the request to content server 108. At step 206  the user request is received at the content server 108.

[0037] At step 208  the validity module 110 determines the validity of user request in three phases. To begin with  the validity module 110 matches the unique identification data with the corresponding data stored in a database residing at the content server 108. In second phase  the validity module 110 compares and matches content identification data with the data available in the corresponding database.

[0038] Third phase comprises validating monetary eligibility of the user. During this phase  the monetary eligibility of a user with a pre –paid card may be determined by comparing the balance amount in the pre-paid card of the user with the pricing details of the content he wishes to consume. Similarly  the monetary eligibility of a user with a post –paid card may be determined by identifying if the user has reached the upper limit specified in accordance the post-paid card and the monetary eligibility of a user with a credit card may be determined by identifying if the user has reached the maximum permissible credit limit.

[0039] Following the determination of validity  at step 210 the requested content is searched for in the associated content database 114 and subsequently in steps 212 and 214 respectively  the requested content is identified and a content code is generated corresponding to the identified content.

[0040] At step 216 the content code is mapped with the unique identification data and the content identification data. Further  at step 218  the content server 108 appends a URL link to the content code and generates a message.

[0041] At step 220  according to one embodiment of the present invention  the generated message comprising the URL link is sent to the user from the content server 108 via the short code server 104.

[0042] Upon receiving the message  at step 222 the user activates the URL link and the content code is transmitted to content server 108.

[0043] At step 224  the content code appended to the URL link is validated by the validity module 110 of the content server 108. The validity module 110 compares the content code with the corresponding data stored in associated database and if the match is found  at step 226 the desired content is retrieved from the content database 114.

[0044] Subsequently  at step 228 the retrieved multimedia content is delivered to user’s personal telecommunication device 102 via the data communication network 116.

[0045] In an alternate embodiment  the link comprising the URL for downloading the content may be printed on the payment card. The user reproduces the URL on personal telecommunication device 102 and activates the link  which takes the user to the web portal hosted by content server 108. Further  the user enters the content identification data and the user identification data corresponding to the content which the user wishes to access. Upon validation and retrieval of the content  afore mentioned in step 208 to 226  the multimedia content is delivered to user’s personal telecommunication device 102 via the data communication network 116.

[0046] This written description uses examples to describe the subject matter herein  including the best mode  and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims  and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims  or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:

1. A method of delivering multimedia content to a user  the method comprising:
receiving a request comprising a unique identification data and a content identification data at a short code server  the unique identification data comprising data for identifying the user and the content identification data comprising data for identifying a content desired by the user;
forwarding the request to a content server;
receiving the request at the content server;
determining validity of the request;
searching a content database for the content upon determining the validity;
identifying the content; and
sending a message comprising at least one link to the user  the link configured for downloading the content upon being activated within a predetermined number of attempts.

2. The method of claim 1  further comprising:
generating a content code upon identifying the content;
mapping the content code with the unique identification data and the content identification data; and
appending the content code with the link to generate the message.

3. The method of claim 1  wherein sending the message comprises:
sending the message to a personal telecommunication device of the user.

4. The method of claim 1  wherein sending the message comprises:
sending the message to the short code server;
receiving the message at the short code server; and
forwarding the message to a personal telecommunication device of the user.

5. The method of claim 1  further comprising:
obtaining the unique identification data through a payment card.

6. The method of claim 1  wherein determining the validity comprises at least one of:
determining the validity based on monetary eligibility;
determining the validity based on the unique identification data; and
determining the validity based on the content identification data.

7. The method of claim 1  further comprising:
receiving an activation of the link at the content server;
validating the content code appended to the link;
fetching the content indicated by the content code upon validation; and
delivering the content on a personal telecommunication device of the user.

8. The method of claim 1  wherein validating the content code comprises at least one of:
determining the validity based on the number of attempts at activating the link; determining the validity based on the unique identification data; and
determining the validity based on the content identification data.

9. A system for delivering multimedia content  the system comprising:
a personal telecommunication device to be used by a user  the personal communication device configured for transmitting a request  the request comprising a unique identification data and a content identification data  the user identification data comprising data for identifying the user and the content identification data comprising data for identifying a content desired by the user;
a short code server  for receiving request from the user  the short code server configured for forwarding the request; and
a content server coupled to the short code server  the content server configured for receiving the request from the short code server  determining validity of the request  searching a content database for the content upon determining the validity  identifying the content and sending a message comprising at least one link to the user  the link configured for downloading the content upon being activated within a predetermined number of attempts.

10. The system of claim 10  wherein the content server comprises a validity module  a billing module and a content database  the validity module configured for validating the request  the billing module configured for generating billing details for the user and the content database for mapping the content identification data with the content.