Method, system and program product for communicating e-commerce content over-the-air to mobile devices

Abstract

Product or service information in the form of selected wireless e-commerce content is transmitted from a server to a mobile device, such as mobile telephone or personal digital assistant. The e-commerce content is transmitted either in response to an explicit user request for communication of the e-commerce content, or, in the alternative, is “pushed” to the mobile device as permitted by a user but in the absence of a specific request. The e-commerce content received at the mobile device is presented to a user by the mobile device in textual or graphical format in conjunction with an indication of a communication needed to consummate an e-commerce transaction. If the user desires to purchase the good or service represented by the e-commerce content, the user initiates the communication indicated by the e-commerce content.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a non-provisional patent application that claims priority to and the benefit of provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 529,688, filed Dec. 15, 2003, titled, Method, System and Program Product For Communicating E-Commerce Content Over-The-Air To Mobile Devices, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention is directed to data communication and, in particular, to over-the-air or through-the-air communication of e-commerce content to mobile computing devices. Still more particularly, the present invention is directed to methods, systems and program products that enable an e-commerce server to distribute e-commerce content to mobile computing devices, which then present the content to encourage and facilitate a user concluding an e-commerce transaction involving over-the-air or through-the-air communication. [0004] 2. Description o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of facilitating wireless mobile e-commerce. A method, for example, includes permitting users to designate user preferences in a data storage associated with a server having a program product. The user preferences, for example, include contact information for mobile devices and designations of products about which the users are interested in receiving mobile e-commerce content via the mobile devices. The method also includes selecting a product to be featured in a mobile e-commerce content responsive to the user preferences, forming a mobile e-commerce content having a mobile alert that gives users an option to view a graphics-enabled application launched from within the mobile alert such that an application programming interface at the mobile devices interfaces with the data storage and the program product on the server regarding product suppliers to permit access to the mobile devices and product information, selecting a user designating the product by reference to the user preferences in the data storage. transmitting the mobile e-commerce content from the server to the mobile device of the user, soliciting the user with the mobile e-commerce content on the mobile device regarding the product, indicating on the mobile device that a communication is needed from the user to consummate a mobile e-commerce transaction involving the product, and permitting the user to initiate the communication solicited by the mobile e-commerce content if the user desires to purchase the product and complete the mobile e-commerce transaction.

[0015] According to embodiments of methods, program products, and systems of the present invention, an m-commerce server, for example, can advantageously have a client relationship with the mobile device, as understood by those skilled in the art, so that the communication between the server and the mobile device operates like a dedicated link. As such, the user has no need to separately access and search the Internet, enter a domain name or website address, scroll through a plurality of web pages and / or selections on a single page, find a product or service area in which the user is interested, scroll through more product selection screens, locate a product or service in which the user has a desire in purchasing or finding more information on the product or service, and somehow consummate an e-commerce transaction. Consummation of an e-commerce transaction often previously was difficult to accomplish, as the mobile device had no secure and efficient way to enter or receive credit card, debit card, or other payment information. Unlike embodiments of methods, program products, and systems of the present invention, this previous more tedious and time consuming process, for example, discourages users from initiating or consummating an e-commerce transaction via a mobile device, especially in view of a significant use of mobile device being when users are traveling, have little time between or during stops, and have other actions or operations occurring around them. In contrast, embodiments of methods, program products, and systems of the present invention provide enhanced e-commerce solutions with mobile devices so that retailer, wholesalers, or other businesses can reach mobile customers in an efficient and timely manner to receive requests for, selectively solicit, and consummate mobile commerce transactions.

Problems solved by technology

First, for example, commercial transactions are generally limited by the availability of a laptop or desktop computer, as well as network connectivity with the Internet.

Even with the advent of publicly available wireless network connectivity (e.g., so called “wireless fidelity” (Wi-Fi)), access to a traditional computer and network connectivity still represents a significant restriction on the conduct of e-commerce.

Second, for example, it is undesirable for a user to be forced to search for the goods and services out of the myriads of websites on the WWW.

From the user's perspective, the search process can be time consuming and frustrating, and from the retailer's perspective, the retailer would like to ensure that the user finds the retailer's website and not that of a competitor.

Third, for example, even if the user locates the user's website, the user may have difficulty locating the desired goods or services on the retailer's website, or the retailer may be out of stock of the desired goods.

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