WO2004008792A1

WO2004008792A1 - Method and system for altering user interface of mobile station

Info

Publication number: WO2004008792A1
Application number: PCT/FI2003/000545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juho-Pekka Virolainen; Väinö LESKINEN
Original assignee: Mobicus Oy
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-22
Also published as: FI20021383A0; AU2003238138A1

Abstract

The invention provides a method and a system for convenient, selective location-based information providing to mobile users. Profiles in centralized network node is applied. The profile describes the characteristics and personal selections of the user. Centralized design and deployment of campaigns is provided. When the campaigns has been designed, instructions are transmitted over the network to all or some service machines such as vending machines, i.e. all points that will locally communicate with user terminal(s). A service machine talks to any device that is willing to listen. A mobile station 1) filters offers based on stored miniaturized profile, and 2) temporarily alter/modifies user interface of the mobile station for making it easy for the user of the mobile station to react for the message. The user of the mobile station can react by a single action, for example, by pressing a key or selecting an option for the received advertised action. Thus, convenient, easy and simple one-click acknowledgement for obtaining the provided service/product is possible.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALTERING USER INTERFACE OF MOBILE STATION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to providing data to mobile users over a communication link.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The increasing demand for personal communication services (PCS) requires wireless networks to gracefully accommodate mobility of both users and services. Contrary to wire-line networks, in which user location is fixed, in wireless networks a user can potentially be located anywhere within the system service area.

The problem of location-based service providing to mobile users has been addressed by several studies. Conventionally location-based service providing applies cellular based locating technique. Such a locating technique is mainly based on cell identity. For example, in cellular system such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) there is being developed several location systems and some have entered the market. However, the common problem for those solutions is still that they use and consume the communication resources, for example signaling resources of the mobile communication system, plenty. Moreover, conventional cell-based location management such as cell identity based location management does not provide enough information about exact whereabouts and ambitions of the user.

Another conventional location-based service providing can be based on propagation time measurement. The current terminal-based location systems are Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) or Assisted Global Positioning System (A- GPS). However, the subscribers must replace and purchase new terminals which are adapted to the E-OTD or A-GPS. Obviously this creates costs as, for example, a GPS receiver has to be integrated into the terminal. Moreover, because the power is a critical element for mobile terminals, and the current terminal-based location systems must apply a separate processing in the reception of the location system signal, the current terminal-based location systems waste the power of the mobile terminal. For example, the reception and the locating based on the E-OTD requires substantially increased processing power in the terminal. Moreover, the does not operate in environments where radio path loss is significant, for example, indoors.

Both ways of approaching the problem are still clumsy for end-user, and the service providing is merely assisted by the rough or limited information about the current location of the user. Moreover, the service providers see the establishment of such service systems rather custom made and therefore arduous.

Yet another approach has been so-called push messaging. However, this kind of approach for even location-based service providing wastes crucial wireless communication resources. Although there has been some promises about an increase of the mobile communication resources for the latest and future mobile communication systems, these systems still have rather limited resources, especially considering large number of subscribers or costs and practicality of such systems.

In view of various inherent limitations of mobile devices and systems, it would be desirable to avoid or mitigate these and other problems associated with prior art systems. Thus, there is a need for techniques to provide cost effective, resource sparing, or more handy information providing and responding system for mobile users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Now a method and a system have been invented where a mobile user conveniently faces location-based information.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing services for a user of a mobile station. The mobile station is adapted to operate in a mobile communication network. A short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service is detected at the mobile station. The service can be at least partly referred to in the signal. The short-range radio frequency signal is filtered, at the mobile station, based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile stored in the mobile station. User interface of the mobile station is temporarily altered. The user interface is altered for outputting service offering to the user. The service offering can be contained in the signal. The entire service is not necessarily needed to be send via the signal but can be delivered via other means. In an exemplary embodiment, as a consequence of the filtering, a Bluetooth compatible cellular mobile phone displays a text message, which text message offers or adversities a service or product to a user of the cellular mobile station.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing services for a user of a mobile station. The mobile station is adapted to operate in a mobile communication network. A short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service is transmitted to the mobile station. The signal is adapted to be filtered, at the mobile station, based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile stored in the mobile station. The signal is also adapted to temporarily alter user interface of the mobile station. The user interface is altered for outputting offering of the service to the user. The service offering or introductory providing can be contained in the signal.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile station for providing services for a user of the mobile station. The mobile station is adapted to operate in a mobile communication network. The mobile station comprises a short-range radio frequency section. The short-range radio frequency section is contained for detecting a short-range radio frequency signal. The short-range radio frequency signal indicates a service, at the mobile station. The mobile station comprises also a filtering application. The filtering application is contained for filtering the short-range radio frequency signal based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile stored in the mobile station. Moreover, the mobile station comprises means for temporarily altering user interface of the mobile station. The user interface is altered for outputting offering of the service to the user. The service offering or introductory providing can be contained in the signal.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for providing services for a user of a mobile station, where the mobile station is adapted to operate in a mobile communication network. The system comprises a centralized server computer, which is contained in the system for maintaining individual user profiles. The individual user profiles, for their part, are contained for a filtering application. The filtering application is at least partly stored at the mobile station. The centralized server computer is also contained in the system for managing funneling of service providing through local service machines. The system also comprises a local service machine for transmitting a short-range radio frequency signal. The short-range radio frequency signal indicates a service. Moreover, the local service machine is contained in the system for receiving service indication and service parameters from the centralized server computer. Moreover, the system comprises the at least one mobile station. The mobile station is contained for detecting the short-range radio frequency signal. The mobile station is also contained for filtering the signal based on a portion of the user profile and the parameters contained in the signal. The mobile station is also for temporarily altering user interface of the mobile station. The user interface is modified for outputting offering of the service to a user of the mobile station. The service can be indicated or pointed in the signal.

For better understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appending claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a networking environment in which the principles of the invention are applied,

Figure 2 depicts a further embodiment of a networking environment in which the principles of the invention are applied,

Figure 3 depicts a further embodiment of a networking environment in which the principles of the invention are applied,

Figure 4 depicts an exemplary mobile station for temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 depicts in a form of a flow chart a method for a temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6 depicts a signaling diagram for commencing the communication by a commence message, filtering the message and accordingly temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, Figure 7 depicts a signaling diagram for commencing the communication by an immediate commence message, filtering the message and accordingly temporarily altering user interface of a mobile station in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the invention provide a method and a system for convenient, selective location-based information providing to mobile users.

Some preferred embodiments apply profiles in centralized network node. A profile describes the characteristics and personal selections of the user. Advantageously, centralized design and deployment of campaigns is provided. When the campaigns has been designed, instructions are transmitted over the network to all or some service machines such as vending machines, i.e. all points that will locally communicate with user terminal(s). A service machine talks to any device, preferably a mobile station, that is willing to listen. The mobile station 1) filters offers based on stored miniaturized profile, and 2) temporarily alters/modifies user interface of the mobile station for making it easy for the user of the mobile station to react for the message. Preferably, the user of the mobile station can react by a single action, for example, by pressing a key or selecting an option for the received advertised action. Thus, convenient, easy and simple one-click acknowledgement for obtaining the provided service/product is possible. Thus, very few user actions are needed for the acknowledgement for acquiring the provided service/product. Therefore, the preferred embodiments are convenient for end-user. Moreover, the service provider can easily establish the service/product campaign for mobile users because means for providing the convenient location-based service providing for mobile users does already exist in the network platform. The service providing and marketing can be personalized not only based on user profile but also based on the environment that surrounds the user. Consequently, practical accurate location- based service providing can be established.

Some embodiments of the invention apply the mobile station (MS). The mobile stations can take a variety of forms. Examples of mobile stations include cellular mobile computing devices, cellular or mobile phones, portable computer devices, wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) devices. Most mobile stations are also wireless devices. Wireless devices are computing or communication devices that communicate in a wireless manner with a network. Preferably, the mobile station is Short Message Service (SMS) compliant operating in Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) for transmitting and receiving the SMS indicating the acknowledgement of the transaction of the provided service or receiving application software such as filter application or miniaturized user profile information. However, other ways for conveying messaging between the network and the mobile station are, for example, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data). The USSD provides the operator with a tool to design proprietary supplementary services. As with the SMS, USSD uses a signaling channel as a bearer. However, instead of having the store-and-forward functionality, it is session-oriented. This means that when the user accesses a USSD service, a session is established and the radio connection stays open until the user, application, or time-out releases it. Response times for interactive applications are faster. A packet switched data transfer contains the evolvement of the SMS and the USSD into the GPRS and further into the UMTS. These sophisticated cellular wireless communication networks provide the ability to transfer the message in form of packets via the wireless communication network. Also instead of the SMS, R-data offers also a way to transfer the message in IS- 136 (Time Division Multiple Access, TDMA) network to a gateway element of the wireless communication network to be forwarded to service applications. The cellular mobile station can be a hand-held device, which the user can conveniently carry. Some cellular mobile stations are tiny whereas some cellular mobile stations provide the user with more services. Preferably, the mobile station contains also a transceiver section for short-range wireless radio frequency communication such as Bluetooth.

Some embodiments of the invention apply centralized server for the management of the mobile location-based service providing. Server 110 in the exemplary Fig. 1 provides carrier-grade marketing engines that intelligently assess consumer permissions and preferences. The server system enables large-scale mobile marketing activities that match consumer preferences with personalized marketing content. Server applications allows 1) profile and store permissions of target consumers on an individual level. 2) Create and easily deploy mobile marketing campaigns. 3) Monitor real-time interaction with customers. 4) Measure and profile based on accurate information. 5) Adjust campaigns anytime in minutes. One feature of the server and its application is about personalization. The advanced personalization features of the server and its applications give marketers the benefit of tailoring their message according to the user and usage situation (time, place, history of usage, or any other variable). The micro- differentiation of information and incentives can be based on information derived from an external database, an imported database, or rules predetermined to respond to certain behavior. Some technical implementations of the embodied server are described next. The primary interfaces of the server in the GSM network are SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), which allow sending multimedia messages combining text, images, audio and video. SMS is favored due to its high usage and short connection time and MMS due to its richer format. Both on-demand and permission-push are acceptable delivery modes of information for the SMS and MMS. However, push messages are not mandatory because of their consuming nature. The server structure and interfaces, however, are not tied to any specific presentation format: Through a messaging system, XML encoded content can be delivered in any present and foreseeable mobile format.

Basic principles of the mobile network embody the invention. The filter and mini- user profile applications accommodated in the mobile station, the server bridging and establishing communication between the MS and between the service machine via the mobile network and possibly packet-based network such as Internet. Advantageously, the embodied invention can be installed with quite small efforts into the existing operating GSM environment or into evolvements of the GSM.

Some embodiments of the invention apply the mobile communication. Preferably, the invention will be described in connection with the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication). Regarding the invention, the operation and structure of the cellular mobile communication system are not relevant, and hence they are described only to a degree that may assist in comprehending the establishment of the selective location-based information providing to mobile users. Other applicable cellular mobile communication systems in transmitting the messages are GPRS evolvement (General Packet Radio Services) and 3G (Third generation for Mobile Communication). Short Message Service (SMS) provides an applicable example of a transmission of the short message from the mobile station via GSM to the centralized server, and possibly from the service machine to the centralized server.

Some embodiment of the invention applies short-range wireless radio frequency (RF) communication. The short-range RF wireless communication, alternatively expressed as a low-power RF communication can be based on Bluetooth or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Some more technical details of the Bluetooth can be found from Bluetooth standard specifications available from URL address: http://www.bluetooth.com. The short-range RF communication takes place between the service machine and the mobile station. The service machine is keen on proving inquiring short-range wireless commence message. This message may already contain the service providing/advertising information along with the technical initiating/inquiring information. The short-range wireless RF communication provides the advantage of practical locality. A certain location can be indicated by such a transmitter, and information relevant to that particular location can be delivered for that particular location only, if that is considered necessary. The communication can establish also a local area network. Thus, the mobile station and the service machine can communicate automatically, for example without any initiating user effort, via a short-range local area network. The short-range RF communication can also have a broadcast nature. The transceiver can provide the commence message substantially continuously to the mobile device.

Some embodiments of the invention apply the point-to-point based messaging. The point-to-point message is transferred between the mobile station and the server. The point-to-point messaging can comprise the acknowledgement of the transaction offered by the service machine. Alternatively, the messaging between the mobile station and the server can contain the applications or part of the applications for filtering or the user profile residing in the MS. The point-to-point messaging may also take place between the server and the service machine. Various reports or responses can be sent there between. Also, the campaigns and conditions for mobile service providing can be delivered between the server and the service machine. An example of the point-to-point messaging can be the short message service (SMS) of the mobile communication network which offers means for transferring short messages with limited length (140 bytes) between the cellular mobile station (MS) and a short message service center (SMSC). By means of concatenated SMS messages, more than 140 bytes can be transmitted. The MS originated short messages are transferred from the MS to the SMSC. The short messages can be destined for some MSs or for service providers in a fixed network such as in the Internet. A protocol employed between the SMSC and the MS is called SMTP (Short Message Transport Protocol). Moreover, the USSD or packet based message can be another example of this kind of messaging. The USSD provides the operator with a tool to design proprietary supplementary services. As with the SMS, USSD uses a signaling channel as a bearer. However, instead of having the store-and- forward functionality, it is session-oriented. This means that when the user accesses a USSD service, a session is established and the radio connection stays open until the user, application, or time-out releases it. Response times for interactive applications are faster. The USSD Center (USSDC) is operationally coupled with the server the Core Network.

Some embodiments of the invention apply the broadcast based messaging. The broadcast based message can be applied, for example, if there are various mobile stations or service machines. In that case the broadcast message provides the advantage, as by a single or few broadcast message(s) various receivers can be reach. Moreover, the broadcast messaging can maintain confidentiality by the appliance of encryption. For example, in GSM SMS Cell Broadcast (SMS-CB) or in UMTS Service Area Broadcast (SAB) provides means for the cellular network broadcasting. Cell Broadcast is a technology that allows a text or binary message to be defined and distributed to all mobile stations connected to a set of cells. Whereas SMS messages are sent point-to-point, Cell Broadcast (SMS-CB) messages are sent point-to-area. This means that one SMS-CB message can reach a huge number of terminals at once. In other words, SMS-CB messages are directed to radio cells or areas, rather than to a specific terminal. SMS-CB is an unconfirmed push service, meaning that the originator of the message does not know who has received the message, allowing for services based on anonymity. A Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE) is a multi-user front-end that allows the definition and control of SMS-CB messages. A CBE can be located at the site of a content provider. At the site of the operator a so-called Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) is located. The CBC is the heart of the Cell Broadcast System and acts as a server for all CBE clients. It takes care of the administration of all SMS-CB messages it receives from the CBE(s) and does the communication towards the Radio Access Network. The GSM network itself takes care of delivering the SMS-CB messages to the mobile terminals.

Fig. 1 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. The user has the mobile station (MS) (100). There may be one or several mobile terminals and users, but for illustrative purposes a mobile station is shown in the exemplary Figure 1. The mobile stations (100) may be capable of presenting data information such as text, voice, audio, and multimedia. The mobile station (100) may be coupled with a server (110) via a link (112). Preferably, the MS 100 is coupled with the server (110) via (or be under coverage of) at least one mobile network. The mobile network may be any type of cellular mobile communication network, including, but not restricted to, GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio System), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) or 3G (Third generation of mobile communications), where 3G can be compatible with GSM, HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data), GPRS, EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global / GSM Evolution) and WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). Various other cellular mobile networks can also be supported, such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), PDC (Personal Digital Communications), CDMA2000. Alternatively, a wired connection can applied between the MS (100) and the server (100) for updating/downloading the appliances (114, 116). The mobile station (100) contains the filter application (114) for filtering received short- range wireless RF messages and a miniaturized user profile (116), which is applied by the filter application (114). Both applications (114, 116) enable personalized filtering of the received short-range RF messages, and accordingly enable temporary alteration of the user interface of the MS (100). The applications (114,116) can be based on Java Midlet software operated by the MS (100). A service machine (104) is providing the short-range wireless RF communication/link (102) to the MS (100). The service machine (104) contains such a transceiver and computer (not shown) for transmitting the messages. The messages can contain advertisement of the service. The computer of the service machine (104) process also the reception and conversion of the campaign instruction received from the server (110). The service machine (104) is coupled with the server (110) via a link (108). The link (108) may be similar than the link (112), preferably, also GSM/GPRS link. The server (110) contains filter application (118), user profiles database (120), and campaign application (122). These are centralized in server network node. These describe the characteristics and personal selections of the user as described previously in detail. The server (110) stores more detailed technical implementation of the filtering applications of the user. Advantageously, centralized design and deployment of campaigns can be provided. When the campaigns have been designed, instructions are transmitted over the link (108) to all or some service machines such as vending machines, i.e. all points that will locally communicate with the user terminal (100). Moreover, the MS applications can be updated/loaded similarly via the link (112). A dash line (106) is illustrated in the example of Fig. 1 to show that the MS (100) and the service machine (104) can be local and located possibly, but not necessary, far away from the centralized server (110). A large number of users and various service machines may be connected and operated by the system. The system of the embodiment in Figure 1 is very advantageous because it can be introduced into the existing GSM networks. Fig. 2 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. The exemplary Fig. 2 depicts a further embodiment of the invention in multi-location service point environment. Three location points (104, 104', 104") are depicted in the example of Fig. 2. Each location point contains the service machine (104) and can locally transmit possibly individual service advertisement messages. A traveled route 200 depicts the route, which the MS (100) has traveled. The MS (100) has bypassed two location points (104', 104"). Both respective service machines of the points (104', 104") may have transmitted the advertisement/service providing messages (102'). The MS (100) has detected and received the messages (102'), filtered the messages and outputted the information by altering the user interface of the MS (100). For example, as the user of the MS (100) has passed the location point 2, the user is suddenly displayed a text on a screen of the MS (100): "Welcome to the stand of company X! Do you wish to obtain more information about us?" The user has not performed any action within a certain time or the user has bypassed the coverage of the short-range RF transceiver of the location point 2, and the user interface has normalized. The user has traveled into the coverage of the location point 1. The MS (100) has detected and received the message (102), filtered the message and outputted the information by altering the user interface of the MS (100). For example, as the user of the MS (100) has reached the location point/area 1, the user is suddenly displayed a text on a screen of the MS (100): "Welcome to the stand of company Y! Do you wish to obtain more information about us?" Now the user can by a single action press acceptance button of the keyboard of the MS (100). The acknowledgement of the location point 1 is sent to the server 110 for delivering further information about the company Y to the user.

Still referring to the example of Fig. 2, thus, the user may bookmark some or certain location points, and as a response the MS (100) stores the location identity. Later the MS (100) communicates stored bookmarks to the server (110), and, for example, all brochures as e-mail can be delivered to the user or a personal website for the user can be established. For another example, the user strolls through the town. The shops that caught the user's attention and happen to be close enough that the short- range RF transceiver can reach the MS (100) can be book-marked and the user can automatically obtain the location of the shop, opening times, etc.

In an alternative embodiment of Fig. 2, the MS (100) has bypassed two location points (104', 104"). Both respective service machines of the points (104', 104") may have transmitted the advertisement messages. The MS (100) has detected and received the messages. However, the filtering application (114) of the MS (100) has filtered out the message and the user interface of the MS (100) has not altered. When the MS (100) has reached the coverage of the short-range RF transceiver of the location point 1, the MS (100) has detected, received and filtered the message. The message has passed the filtering process, and as a consequence of the filtering the user interface of the MS (100) has been altered.

Fig. 3 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. The exemplary Fig. 3 depicts a further embodiment of the invention in a multi-data reception environment. A broadcast network (300) broadcast media streams such as music channels. A broadcast receiver (302) receives this. The broadcast receiver (302) forwards information about a channel identity and the playing time of the program to the MS (100) via the short-range RF communication/link (102). The broadcast receiver (302) may also forward information about the program, which is running to the MS (100) via the short-range RF communication/link (102). The user of the MS (100) can listen to the broadcast transmission at the same time. As the short-range RF message is detected and received at the MS (100), the filtering is performed. The user interface of the MS (100) may be altered now. For example, a text message may appear on the screen of the MS (100) that certain song is playing, obtain it? Clicking a key of the MS (100) by a single action can now store the purchase order for buying/obtaining the song. Alternatively, even though the message has passed the filtering process, the user interface remains the same. First click on the keys of the MS (100) displays information, for example, about how much would it cost to buy the tune that is playing. Second click stores the purchase order in the MS (100).

Still referring to the example of Fig. 3, the purchase order is later, preferably after the acceptance of the user as the click has been received, communicated to the central server (110) system. In the case of mere channel number being stored, the server (110) checks the tune from a playing list in a web-connected database server. Thus, the server (110) is coupled (108) with the broadcast network (300), and the server can receive play-list information from the broadcast network (300) about what piece of music is played at a certain time. Therefore, the song that the user has selected can be identified and delivered to the user.

Still referring to the example of Fig. 3, optionally after the user has made efforts to purchase/buy the song, which was playing, the song can be delivered to the user quite immediately/directly. The song can be stored in digital format such as MP3 or AAC in the server (110), thus, with or without Digital Rights Management (DRM). After the server (110) has received acknowledge, the server (110) can send the music file containing the song via the mobile communication network to the MS (100). The server (110) may receive the digital music file from the broadcast network (108).

Fig. 4 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. Figure 4 depicts an exemplary mobile station for temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The MS (100) of Fig. 4 may be used in any/all of the example(s) of Figure(s) 1 - 7. The MS (100) comprises a processing unit CPU (502), a mobile transceiver (506), a short-range RF transceiver (504), memory storages (508, 510, 512) and a user interface UI (514, 516). The mobile transceiver (506), the short-range RF transceiver (504), the memories and the user interface UI (514, 516) are coupled with the processing unit CPU (502). The user interface UI (514, 516) comprises a display and a keyboard to enable a user to use the MS (100). In addition, the user interface UI comprises a microphone and a speaker for receiving and producing audio signals. The user interface UI may also comprise voice recognition (not shown). The processing unit CPU (502) comprises a microprocessor (not shown). The memory storages comprise a SIM card (508), an operation memory of the MS (510), and an application memory (512). The memory storages/any part of the memory storage can contain software (SW) (not shown). Thus, The software can be stored in the memories. The microprocessor controls, on the basis of the software SW, the operation of the MS (100), such as the detection of the short-range RF message, reception of the message, filtering the message, altering the user interface (UI), displaying output in the user interface (UI) and the reading of inputs received from the user interface (UI). Some operations are described in the examples of Figures 1 - 7. For example, the hardware (not shown) comprises means for detecting the signal, means for demodulation, means for detecting the message, means for receiving the message, and means for filtering the received short-range RF communication, means for altering the user interface in accordance with the received short-range RF message, means for receiving inputs from the user for storing acknowledgement for the service, and means for transmitting the acknowledgement to the central server. Still referring to Figure 4, alternatively, middleware or software implementation can be applied (not shown). The MS (100) can be a hand-held device, which the user can comfortably carry. Advantageously, the MS (100) can be a cellular mobile phone.

Fig. 5 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. Figure 5 depicts in a form of a flow chart a method for temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with the embodied invention. In step 500, there is detected short- range wireless communication. The MS (100) can detect the communication, if the MS (100) is located under coverage of the short-range RF transceiver of the service machine (104). Thus, the service machine (104) is transmitting commence message(s) (such as commence Bluetooth communication message). In step 502, there is received the short-range RF communication. The communication is received at the MS (100) via the short-range transceiver of the MS (100).

Still referring to the example of Fig. 5, alternatively, the MS (100) can respond to the service machine (104) by sending a short-range RF response message. After the service machine (104) has received the response, the service machine sends a specific commence short-range RF message for activating the filtering and service providing.

Still referring to the example of Fig. 5, in step 504 the received short-range RF communication is filtered. The MS (100) filter the received message. The message contains parameters indicating content of the message. For example, if the message comes from a certain source of location, the message contains a parameter indicating the source location. For another example, if the message is from a certain service provider, accordingly the message may contain a parameter indicating the certain service provider. There can be numerous different criteria for parameters indicating various qualities of the service provider or the provided service/article. The MS (100) contains the filter application (114) and the mini user profile (116). The filter application (114) retrieves from the mini user profile (116) information about what kind of service/article the user prefers for. The filter application (114) compares this information to the received parameter(s) of the message (102). The comparison can be an exact match or a trendsetting result for inte olating/extrapolating the profiled preference of the user. In condition 506, if the communication does not pass the filtering the process idles back to the step 500. If it passes the filtering, the user interface of the MS (100) is altered in step 508. Typically, the MS (100) has a standard ongoing appearance for the user interface. For example, the user interface contains a displayed picture and the loudspeaker does not emit any sound. As a consequence of the step 508, the user interface can show a text or a video clip, and/or emit a voice or sound. Preferably, the altering is for providing/advertising the service/product that the service machine (104) is providing, and the service machine has got respective campaign from the server (110).

Still referring to the example of Fig. 5, alternatively the user interface is altered after the user has initiated the altering process. For example, the user has requested the service by pressing a key, and as a consequence of the filtering and the keystroke, the user interface is altered.

Still referring to the example of Fig. 5, in condition 510 there is being checked whether the MS (100) receives the initiating or confirming action within the limits of availability of the service/article providing. The MS (100) should receive the action from the user for obtaining the service within the limits of availability of the service. For example, the user interface is altered for certain time period, and after the time period has lapsed, the process idles back to the step 500 and the user interface return to stand-by mode. For another example, the user interface is altered as long as the user is under coverage of the short-range RF communication of the service machine (104). Another flexible conditions for the availability can be applied. If the MS (100) receives an action from the user within the terms of availability, the process proceeds to step 512. In step 512 the MS (100) receives the action. Preferably, a single action by the user interface of the MS (100) is enough. For example, the one-click of the key of the MS (100) is enough for storing acknowledgement in the MS (100). Alternatively, speaking a voice can activate the acceptance. The MS (100) temporarily stores the acknowledgement in the memory space (508, 510, 512) of the MS (100). In step 514 the MS (100) communicates the acknowledgement message to the server (110). The acknowledgement can contain an order of the service/product, or that the user is willing get more information about the service/product. Preferably, the acknowledgement is sent to the server (110) by applying SMS/GPRS.

Fig. 6 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. Figure 6 depicts a signaling diagram for commence, filtering and accordingly temporarily altering a user interface of a mobile station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The example of Fig. 6 discloses three substantial network nodes between which the communication takes place: The server (110), the MS (100), and the service machine (104). The service machine (104) is applying an inquiry state. A commence signal is transmitted from the service machine (104) to the MS (100) via the short-range RF communication. Preferably, the commence Bluetooth communication message is applied, and the communication between the service machine (104) and the MS (100) is via Bluetooth. The MS (100) responses to the commence signal by sending the response signal to the service machine (104). The service machine (104) changes mode and transmits the service specific signal to the MS (100). The service specific message signal contains parameters indicating content of the message. For example, if the message comes from a certain source of location (the service machine), the message contains a parameter indicating the source location. For another example, if the message is from a certain service provider, accordingly the message contains a parameter indicating the certain service provider. There can be numerous different criteria for parameters indicating various qualities of the service provider/the provided product. A goal of the parameters of the service message is that the message can be filtered based on content and quality. The MS (100) changes mode into the filtering mode. Based on the parameters and the user profile, the MS (100) performs the filtering. If the message passes the filtering, the acknowledgement is send from the MS (100) to the server (110). The acknowledgement can contain an order of the service/product, or that the user is willing get more information about the service/product. Various appliances for the acknowledgement can be used. Preferably, the acknowledgement is sent to the server (110) by applying SMS/GPRS. Thus, the signaling between the MS (100) and the server (110) is preferably non-local because of the centralized hierarchy of the server (110): The server (110) can manage various MSs and service machines. The signaling between the service machine (104) and the MS (100) is preferably local that the location of the service machine (104) can be taken into account. If the service specific message does not pass the filtering, the MS (100) may optionally send a negative acknowledgement to the service machine (104).

Fig. 7 has been described in the foregoing. In the following, corresponding reference signs have been applied to corresponding parts. Figure 7 depicts a signaling diagram for commence, filtering message and accordingly temporarily altering user interface of a mobile station in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. The example of Fig. 7 is based on higher protocol level in the short-range RF communication than the example of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 has similar features than the Fig. 6 but the service machine (104) immediately transmits the service specific commence message. Thus, the service specific commence message can be a combination of the commence message and service specific message of Fig. 6. Preferably, the message is also Bluetooth compliant. For example, the service machine (104) can immediately notify to every MSs within the coverage of the short-range RF transceiver of the service machine (104) that a Company X's competition is available here. The MS (100) responses only if the filtering application (114) stored therein allows the competition to come through. Advantageously, the service/product can be informed immediately in the commence message, and some communication resources can be saved.

Some preferred methods of the invention are implemented as functions of, for example, software/middleware for mobile operators allowing them to build user profiles, make campaigns for mobile stations, sell channels for service providers for use in making interfaces to customers.

Some preferred embodiments were discussed with the feature of single action acknowledgement. However, if the nature of the service/product requires or the service provider wishes, the acknowledgement for obtaining the provided service/product can be more secure. For example, several actions are needed for transmitting the acknowledge message to the server (110) from the MS (100). For another example, the user interface of the MS (100) can be altered/changed after the user has performed certain actions to the MS (100).

Particular implementations and embodiments of the invention have been described. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented above, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means without deviating from the characteristics of the invention. The scope of the invention is only restricted by the attached patent claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing services for a user of a mobile station (100) adapted to operate in a mobile communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service at the mobile station (100),

filtering the short-range radio frequency signal based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile (116) stored in the mobile station (100), and

temporarily altering user interface of the mobile station (100) for outputting offering of the service contained in the signal.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of performing at least a single action by the user of the mobile station (100) for an acknowledgement for obtaining the service.

3. A method according to any claim of the preceding claims, wherein the step of altering the user interface alters the user interface in such a way that the service is provided for the user and the user can react for the service by the at least single action.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of temporarily storing the acknowledgement locally at the mobile station.

5. A method according to any claim of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of forwarding the acknowledgement from the mobile station (100) to a centralized server (110) for delivering the service to the user.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the acknowledge is transmitted via a mobile communication network to the centralized server (110) managing a centralized user profile and a centralized service providing.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the service is provided by the signal which is transmitted via the short-range radio frequency communication by a local service provider (104) indicating a certain location area of the short- range radio frequency transmitter.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the service comprises a location- based service pertaining to the certain location area of the short-range radio frequency transmitter.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of temporarily altering the user interface is performed if the step of filtering the signal indicates that signal passes the step of filtering.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of filtering comprises the steps of obtaining information about what kind of service the user prefers for from the portion of the user profile (116) stored at the mobile station (100),

comparing the information to the received parameters of the signal, wherein the comparison shows an exact match or a trendsetting result for obtaining a profiled preference of the user.

11. A method according to any claim of the preceding claims, wherein the parameters indicates at least one of content of the service, a location area of a short-range radio transmission, a service provider.

12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the portion of the user profile (116) from a centralized server (110) via the mobile communication network.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the providing of the service by transmitting a second service indication and second service parameters from a centralized server (110) to a local service machine (104), which is transmitting the short-range radio frequency signal, via the mobile communication network.

14. A method according to claims 12 or 13, wherein the step of updating is performed by transmitting a broadcast message to multiple mobile stations and multiple local service machines.

15. A method according to any claim of the preceding claims, wherein the short- range radio frequency signal comprises a signal according to Bluetooth specification.

16. A method for providing services for a user of a mobile station (100) adapted to operate in a mobile communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service to the mobile station, wherein the signal is adapted to be filtered, at the mobile station, based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile stored in the mobile station, and the signal is adapted to temporarily alter user interface of the mobile station for outputting offering of the service contained in the signal.

17. A mobile station (100) for providing services for a user of the mobile station (100), the mobile station being adapted to operate in a mobile communication network, comprising:

a short-range radio frequency section (404) for detecting a short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service at the mobile station (100),

a filtering application (114) for filtering the short-range radio frequency signal based on parameters contained in the signal and at least a portion of a user profile (116) stored in the mobile station (100), and

means for temporarily altering user interface of the mobile station (100) for outputting offering of the service contained in the signal.

18. A mobile station according to claim 17, further comprising a input user interface (414) for performing a single action by the user of the mobile station (100) for an acknowledgement for obtaining the service.

19. A system for providing services for a user of a mobile station (100) adapted to operate in a mobile communication network, the system comprising:

a centralized server computer (110) for maintaining individual user profiles for a filtering application, which filtering application is at least partly stored at the mobile station (100), and for managing tunneling of service providing through local service machines (104),

a local service machine (104) for transmitting a short-range radio frequency signal indicating a service and for receiving service indication and service parameters from the centralized server computer (110), and the mobile station (100) for detecting the short-range radio frequency signal, for filtering the signal based on a portion of the user profile (116) and the parameters contained in the signal, and for temporarily altering user interface of the mobile station (100) for outputting offering of the service contained in the signal.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the local service machine (104) is coupled with the centralized server computer (110) via the mobile communication network, the local service machine (104) is coupled with the mobile station (100) via a Bluetooth connection, and the mobile station (100) is coupled with the centralized server computer (110) via the mobile communication network.