(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`22 August 2002 (22.08.2002)
`
`
`
`PCT
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 02/065250 A2
`
`
`
`(51)
`International Patent Classification’: GO06F=(74) Agents: ROBERTS, Jon, L. et al.,; Roberts Abokhari &
`Mardula, T.1.C, Suite 1000, 11800 Sunrise Valley Drive,
`Reston, VA 20191 (US).
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(25)
`
`(26)
`
`(30)
`
`(7)
`
`(72)
`
`International Application Number: ©PCT/US02/04533
`
`International Filing Date: 15 February 2002 (15.02.2002)
`a
`.
`lish
`Filing Language:
`Englis
`Publication Language:
`Enelish
`guage:
`8
`
`Priority Data:
`60/268,977
`09/810,114
`
`15 February 2001 (15.02.2001)
`16 March 2001 (16.03.2001)
`
`US
`US
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`CZ, DE, DK, DM,DZ, EC, EE,ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM,HR, HU,ID,IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
`MX, MZ, NO, NZ, OM,PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG,
`SI, SK,SL, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN,
`YU, ZA, ZM,ZW.
`
`INVERTIX CORPORATION [US/US],
`Applicant:
`5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 401, Alexandria, VA 22312
`(US).
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW),
`Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR,
`GB, GR,IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent
`(BE, BJ, CR, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR,
`NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`5008 John Ticer
`Inventors; MCDOWELL, Mark;
`Drive, Alexandria, VA 22304 (US). KHALIL, Joseph;
`3305 Windham Circle, Alexandria, VA 22302 (US).
`ZWEIFACH,Steven; 9018 Greylock Street, Alexandria,
`Published:
`VA 22308 (US). STEAD, Graham; 4639 5th Street South,
`Arlington, VA 22304 (US). LEJEUNE,David, Jr.; 13285 — without international search report and to be republished
`Coppermill Drive, Herndon, VA 20171 (US).
`upon receipt ofthat report
`
`Titles USE OF PRESENCE AND LOCATION TNFORMATION CONCERNING WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS FOR
`(54)
`INSTANT MESSAGING AND MOBILE COMMERCE
`
`[Continued on next page]
`
`MERCHANTS
`pyoorcecn
`PRESENCE
`st
`SERVER
`
`
`
`
`112
`|_|
`WAP
`
`
` PRIVACY ed
`LOCATION
`|
`GATEWAY
`
`
`
`136 1|WIRELESS PROXY
`
`||NETWORK SERVER
`
`
`
`
`{|ELEMENT 14
`{|
`INTERFACE
`
`i
`IM SERVER
`MANAGEMENT
`SYSTEM
`i
`116
`CAMPAIGN
`
`MANAGER
`118
`
`HLR
`132
`
`SMSC
`134
`
`PDE
`130
`
`MPG
`138
`
`FIREWALL
`
`\
`!
`
`PLIM SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`
`WEB
`SUSCRIBERS
`
`O02/065250A2
`
`(57) Abstract: Presence determination, location determination, instant messaging, and mobile commerceare integrated into a func-
`tionally seamless system, which may be implemented as an added componentof a wireless provider’s network. Alternatively, the
`integrated system enables instant messaging and mobile commerce as a centralized gateway attached to the networks of a large
`numberof wireless providers. The gateway facilitates a business model that advances beyond today’s practices, in which individual
`wireless carriers enter into bi-lateral agreements with specific Internet content providers. The functionally integrated gatewaydis-
`closed empowersInternet services that require real time information about wireless subscribers in order to conduct m-commerce or
`offer advanced messaging services. Optimization of a wireless networkis also facilitated by taking network performance measure-
`ments, without using a special drive test team, via devices that are regularly using the network during standard network operation.
`
`Page 1 of 53
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1020
`Google LLC v. BlackBerry Ltd.
`IPR2017-00912
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1020
`Google LLC v. BlackBerry Ltd.
`IPR2017-00912
`
`Page 1 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250 A2
`
`_[MINTIMTNMIUUIINT ITITTIA TATAMAN
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations" appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
`
`Page 2 of 53
`
`Page 2 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`USE OF PRESENCE AND LOCATION INFORMATION
`CONCERNING WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS FOR INSTANT
`MESSAGING AND MOBILE COMMERCE
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`[0001]
`
`The present inventionrelates generally to the field of wireless communications.
`
`Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to enablement of instant messaging and
`
`location-based mobile commerceacross Internet and diverse wireless network
`
`infrastructures.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`There are two major technicalfields that have shown explosive growth overthe
`
`past few years: the first is wireless communications and the second is use ofdata services,
`
`particularly the Internet. The growth of wireless communications has been astounding.
`
`Twenty years ago, there wasvirtually no use of wireless communications devices such as
`
`cellular phones. In contrast, the market penetration for wireless devices in the U.S. in
`
`1999 was 32 percent. The current forecast is that 80 percent of the U.S. population will be
`wireless subscribers by 2008. Likewise, current and expected adoption ofdata servicesis
`
`phenomenal. Interestingly, wireless communications and data services are beginning to
`
`converge.
`
`An example of this convergenceis found in Instant Messaging (or “IM”).
`[0003]
`Originally an Internet-based text communication technology, IM will soon be integrated
`with wireless networks. It remains to be seen how smoothlythis integration will proceed.
`Presence detection is an important elementof any IM solution because an essential aspect
`of the IM technology is the detection of whether the members of each IM user’s buddy list
`are present on the network. Although presence detection was fairly straightforward in the
`
`Internet environment, when the various wireless networks are to be integrated into the IM
`phenomenonpresenceis no longer so easy to establish comprehensively.
`
`[0004]
`
`Thus, what is neededis an infrastructure technology to enable mobile IM services
`
`and provide for effective mobile buddylists.
`
`[0005]
`
`Another potential benefit of the integration of wireless networks with fixed IP
`
`networks, such as the Internet, is mobile commerce(also referred to as m-commerce).
`
`Page 3 of 53
`
`Page 3 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`Thus far, mobile commerce has been severely limited. To date, mobile commerce has
`
`typically been subscriber-initiated, with the subscriber using a handset to locate a product
`or service. This approachis consistent with E-911 implementations, where the subscriber
`
`initiates a call that requires location information. However, for mobile commerceto be
`
`broadly successful this paradigm needs to be inverted. This inversion occurs because
`
`wireless devices (telephone handsets, personal digital assistants, etc.) are not suitable for
`“window shopping.” Merchants should have the ability to initiate promotions — on a
`permission-oriented basis — just as they do with other media.
`
`Inthe next three years, the number of m-commerceproviders is expected to grow
`[0006]
`from almost zero to more than 18,000 worldwide. In addition, traditionalretailers will
`
`also seek to engage mobile customers. The current modelof bi-lateral agreements cannot
`scale to meet the demands of m-commerce, messaging, andtraditional retail. A
`centralized gateway, where subscriber information can be sold (on a permission-oriented
`basis) to firms that require such information, would be an advantageous advance
`
`[0007]
`
`Thus, what is needed is a centralized gateway where subscriber information can be
`
`sold, on a permission-oriented basis, to commercial firms.
`
`[0008]
`The availability of location information concerning the wireless handsets is
`. Important to the enablement of mobile commerce. Although handsetlocation information
`is notstrictly required for mobile commerceto occur, it certainly facilitates the
`establishmentof an effective m-commerce campaign.
`
`[0009] Wireless carriers worldwide are preparing to offer location-basedservicesto their
`
`subscribers. At the heart of these services is the Position Determining Equipment (PDE)
`which determinesthe location of a wireless device. The available PDE solutions employ
`several distinct methods of location determination: triangulation ofRF signals among base
`stations; RF fingerprinting; and, embedded GPSin the wireless device. Regardless of the
`method employed, the PDE’s mostcritical interface is to the Mobile Positioning Center
`(MPC), which routes emergency 911 voice calls and their associated location information
`to the local Public Safety Access Point (PSAP). The PDEalso has an interface to a
`
`Location Proxy Server (LPS), which makes location information available to non-
`
`emergency third parties outside the wireless network.
`
`5.
`
`Page 4 of 53
`
`Page 4 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0010]
`
`There is a trend in the industry to combine the MPC andthe LPSinto a single
`
`platform: both systems route voice calls with embedded location informationto third
`
`parties. However, there are good reasonsthat this conventional trend should be reversed
`
`and the MPC and LPSshould be decoupled. Whereas the MPCperformsthe proven,
`stable function of routing emergency calls to the PSAP, the LPS is expected to evolve
`rapidly to accommodate the massive demandsof Internet-based businesses and services.
`
`Perhaps most importantly, the LPS must accommodate merchant-initiated transactions,
`which should becomea significant aspect of mobile commerce but cannot be provided by
`voice call-driven MPC technology. In the same way that Home Location Registers
`(HLRs) have been decoupled from MSCs — allowing “intelligence” to be decoupled from
`switching fabric — the LPS should be decoupled from the MPC and allowedto evolve into
`a highly intelligent engine responsible for making wireless Internet access relevant,
`personal, and timely.
`
`A number of companies(e.g., FolloWap, OpenWave, SignalSoft, CTMotion,
`[0011]
`Air2Web, AirFlash, Ericsson’s “Oz,” InfoSpace, WindWire, OpenGrid, Aether Systems,
`724 Solutions, MessageVine, Lucent, Nortel, Nokia, Quickdot, Xypoint, Cellpoint, just to
`namea few) currently promise technologies that will provide some form of IM or m-
`
`commercesolutions for wireless handsets to communicate with Internet-connected users.
`However, none of these companies have been able to develop a system that integrates
`presence determination,location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce.
`[0012]
`Thus, whatis needed is a an infrastructure technology that allows the integration of
`presence determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, one aspect of the present inventionis the integration of presence
`- [0013]
`determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerceinto a
`functionally seamless system. This integrated Presence, Location, Instant messaging, and
`Mobile commerce (or “PLIM”) system may be implemented as an added componentof a
`wireless provider’s network.
`
`Alternatively, a further aspect of the inventionis the integration of presence
`[0014]
`determination, location determination, Instant Messaging, and mobile commerce as a
`
`-3-
`
`Page 5 of 53
`
`Page 5 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`centralized gateway that may be attached to the networks of a large numberof wireless
`providers.
`
`The gateway arrangementaccordingto this aspect of the invention facilitates a
`[0015]
`business model that represents a step forward from today’s practices, in which individual
`wireless carriers are entering into bi-lateral agreements with specific Internet content
`providers. The PLIM gateway generates revenues from Internet services that require real-
`time information about wireless subscribers in order to conduct m-commerceoroffer
`
`advanced messaging services. The gateway may then share the revenue generated through
`the sale of subscriber information with the participating wireless carriers that host the
`subscribers.
`
`The PLIM gateway makes wireless subscriber presence, location, and profile
`[0016]
`information available on a 100% permission-oriented basis to Internet services. The PLIM
`
`gateway obtains subscriber information through direct electronic connections into wireless
`carrier networks. These connections are non-intrusive and pose norisks to the wireless
`carriers. Raw data collected from carriers is formatted and cached inside the PLIM
`
`gateway, and madeavailable to registered Internet services through an electronic Internet-
`based interface.
`
`[0017]|Anotheraspect of the present invention is the enabling oftrue merchant initiated
`mobile commerce. This is made possible due to the integration oflocation information
`with a facility to manage marketing campaigns and a subscriber privacy management
`database. This ensures that the mobile commerce is conducted so that merchants obtain
`efficient marketing service and subscribers are subject only to marketing that they have
`expressly consentedto.
`
`Additionally, another aspect of the inventionis the implementation of network
`[0018]
`optimization and performance measurement features to enable network operators to
`measure the performanceandincrease the efficiency of their networks.
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provideintegration, for one or more
`[0019]
`wireless networks, ofpresence information, location information, Instant Messaging, and
`mobile commerce.
`
`Page 6 of 53
`
`Page 6 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0020]=Itis another object of the present invention to provide integration of Instant
`
`Messaging and mobile commerce as a central gateway servicing the needs of multiple
`
`wireless networks.
`
`[0021]
`
` Itis yet another object of the present invention to provide integration of Instant
`
`Messaging and mobile commerce as a dedicated system servicing the needs of only a
`
`single wireless network.
`
`[0022]
`
`It is still another object of the present invention to enable merchantinitiated mobile
`
`commerce by integrating information about wireless subscribers’ location, presence, and
`
`privacy choices.
`
`[0023]
`
`Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the
`
`following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawingfigures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0024]
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram view ofthe architecture of a PLIM system
`
`according to the present invention.
`
`[0025]
`
`Fig. 2 illustrates the flow of signals via the PLIM system ofthe present invention
`
`when subscriber-initiated location-sensitive Web browsingis practiced.
`
`[0026]
`
`‘Fig. 3 illustrates the flow of signals via the PLIM system ofthe present invention
`
`when merchant-initiated mobile commerceis practiced.
`
`[0027]
`
`Fig. 4 illustrates an initial registration process for effecting subscriber
`
`provisioning.
`
`[0028]
`
`Fig. 5 illustrates a preference selectionprocessfor effecting subscriber
`
`provisioning.
`
`[0029]
`
`Fig.6 illustrates an updating process for maintaining subscriber provisioning.
`
`{0030]
`
`Fig. 7 illustrates a carrier specific PLIM server implementation.
`
`[0031]
`
`Fig. 8 illustrates a PLIM system implemented as a centralized gateway.
`
`[0032]
`
`Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a system for network optimization and performance
`
`measurement, according to a further embodimentofthe present invention.
`
`Page 7 of 53
`
`Page 7 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0033]|One embodimentof the present invention is a computing platform that facilitates
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`communications for wireless subscribers of a wireless network. The computing platform
`
`includes a presence module that maintains data concerning network presence of the
`
`wireless subscribers, as well as a location proxy module that maintainslocation data
`
`concerming physical location of the wireless subscribers. It also includes an instant
`
`messaging module connected to provide instant messaging service for the wireless
`
`subscribers utilizing the data concerning network presence. To enable mobile commerce,
`
`the computing platform further includes a campaign manager module connected to provide
`
`commercial message transmission to one or more of the wireless subscribers selected
`
`based on the data concerning network presence and the data concerning physical location.
`
`[0034]
`
`Another aspect of the computing platformis a privacy database containing records
`
`of data permission settings corresponding to individual onesofthe wireless subscribers.
`The data permissionsettings of the privacy database are used asa further basis on which
`the wireless subscribers are selected to be provided commercial message transmission.
`
`[0035]
`
`Another aspect of the computing platform is that the presence module also
`
`maintains data concerning network presence of non-wireless instant messaging
`
`subscribers.
`
`[0036]
`
`Another embodimentofthe present invention is a network gatewayfor collecting
`
`presence information andlocation information concerning wireless subscribers ofplural
`
`wireless networks, and forfacilitating instant messaging and mobile commerce. The
`
`network gateway includes a presence module that maintains data concerning network
`
`presence of the wireless subscribers, as well as a location proxy module that maintains
`
`location data concerning physical location of the wireless subscribers. It also includes an
`
`instant messaging module connected to provide instant messaging service for the wireless
`
`subscribers utilizing the data concerning network presence. To enable mobile commerce,
`
`the network gateway further includes a campaign manager module connectedto provide
`commercial message transmission to one or more of the wireless subscribers selected
`
`based on the data concerning network presence and the data concerning physical location.
`
`Page 8 of 53
`
`Page 8 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0037]
`
`The present invention also encompasses process embodiments for the conduct of
`
`mobile commerce. One process embodimentincludes receiving a request from an
`
`approved merchant for current location information concerning a mobile subscriber, and
`
`verifying via a privacy database that the subscriber has given permission for the merchant
`
`to access the requested information. The process further includes obtaining current
`
`‘
`
`location information concerning the mobile subscriber from position determining
`
`equipment associated with a wireless network, and providing the subscriber’s current
`
`location information to the merchant. By this process, the merchant is free to transmit to
`
`the subscriber personalized content based onthe subscriber’s current location information.
`
`[0038]
`
`The integrated Presence Location Instant messaging and Mobile commerce (PLIM)
`
`system according to the present invention provides two salient advantages to a wireless
`
`carrier. Oneis the enabling of wireless instant messaging with “mobile buddylist”
`
`capability. The second is enabling of merchant-initiated mobile commerce. These
`
`applications hold great promise for immediate and untapped sources of revenue for
`
`wireless carriers.
`
`[0039]
`
`IM is arevenue generating service. Instant messaging is a popular — perhaps
`
`indispensable — Internet service that wireless subscribers will pay to receive on their
`
`mobile devices. Even for carriers who do notbill separately for the IM service, the
`
`additional messagetraffic and airtime represent significant sources of new revenue on
`
`their existing infrastructure.
`
`[0040]
`
`Enablement of mobile commerce (or “m commerce”) is also a revenue generator.
`
`A PLIM system according to the present invention makes subscriber presence, location,
`
`and interest information available to merchants who desire to initiate transactions with
`
`wireless subscribers. Carriers can generate multiple streams of revenue from the sale of
`
`presence andlocation information, as well as activate lucrative mobile commerce
`
`agreements with strategic partners.
`
`[0041]
`
`In addition, the ability to offer the PLIM as a gateway, independentofa single
`
`network, allows several important advantages. Most importantly, it provides a virtual
`
`“one stop shop”so that merchants, customers, and network operators can establish a
`
`business relationship with a single entity that provides a seamless interface.
`
`-7-
`
`Page 9 of 53
`
`Page 9 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0042]
`
`A PLIM system according to the present invention offers significant additional
`
`advantages to wireless carriers in terms of network optimization and performance
`
`measurement. Through its Presence Server, the platform allows other network elements to
`
`function moreefficiently. For example, by indicating that a subscriber’s phone is OFF,
`
`the PLIM system eliminates unnecessary and resource-consuming SMSdelivery re-
`
`attempts. Similarly, the PLIM system can signal the Positioning Determining Equipment
`
`when a subscriberhas registered in a different market, allowing the equipmentto rapidly
`
`“re-locate” the subscriber.
`
`[0043]
`
`The present invention ensures that mobile commerce is conducted in such a way
`
`that subscriber privacy is not compromised. The PLIM system providesfor a 100% opt-in
`
`service. Subscriber informationis firewalled inside the carrier’s network, or inside a
`centralized gateway, depending on implementation options. Subscriber information is not
`provided to any third party without explicit permission. Subscribers havethe ability to
`
`establish and changetheir permissions and preferenceseasily and frequently using both
`
`PC and wireless interfaces.
`
`[0044]
`
`Referring to Fig. 1, a block diagram of the architecture of a PLIM system 110
`
`according to the present inventionis illustrated. One element of a system accordingto the
`
`present invention is the Presence Server 112. The Presence Server 112 determines
`
`whether a mobile device is ON or OFF in real-time. The Presence Server 112 inter-
`
`operates with system databasesto allow sophisticated presence management.
`
`[0045]
`
`Another element of a system according to the present invention is the Location
`
`Proxy Server (LPS) 114. The LPS 114 makes subscriberlocation, as determined by third
`party equipment(e.g., PDE), available to merchants and other external entities under
`
`controlled conditions. An additional element of a system according to the present
`
`invention is the IM Server 116. The IM Server 116 allows the wireless networks to send
`
`and receive instant messages from common IM platforms.
`
`[0046]
`
`Another element of a system according to the present invention is the mobile
`
`commerce Campaign Manager 118. The Campaign Manager 118 allows wireless carriers
`to automatically deliver targeted messages and e-couponson behalf of mobile commerce
`
`merchants.
`
`Page 10 of 53
`
`Page 10 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0047]
`
`Each of these elements 112, 114, 116, 118 may be implemented on separate
`
`servers, but need not be to practice the present invention. Conceptually, the Presence
`
`Server 112, the Location Proxy Server 114, the IM Server 116, and the Campaign
`
`Manager 118 may be implemented as software modules that may execute on separate
`
`physical machines, or on a single physical machine, at a commonlocation, or remotely
`
`from one another, depending on operational convenience. In other words, these elements
`
`of the present invention are not dependenton the specifics of hardware implementation to
`
`provide the functions that make the present invention useful.
`
`[0048]
`
`The integrated Presence Server 112, according to the present invention, determines
`
`the networkpresence of a wireless subscriber or IM user. The Presence Server 112
`
`determines if a mobile phone or other mobile device is ON or OFF. It also determines if
`an Internet-based IM user is ONLINE or OFFLINE. The Presence Server 112 makes
`network presence information available between wireless networks and the Internet.
`
`[0049]
`
`The simplest use of the Presence Server 112is the instant messaging buddylist.
`
`Because the Presence Server 112 is able to determine if a wireless device is ON or OFF,
`
`traditional IM buddy lists can be extended to indicate whether “mobile buddies” are ON or
`
`OFF. Likewise, WAP applications and embedded software in the handset can indicate
`
`whether buddies are ONLINE at their PCsorat their wireless devices.
`
`[0050]
`
`The buddylist is an integral part of the IM experience — it allows one to send
`
`messages to buddies whoare online and therefore able to receive them instantly. But the
`
`buddylist is becoming a valuable application in its own right. It is useful to know if
`
`buddies, co-workers, staff, and others are ONLINE orhavetheir phones ON. Particularly.
`in mobile applications, merely knowingthat a device is ON or OFFhasintrinsic value.
`
`[0051]
`
`The Presence Server 112 accordingto the present invention does much more than
`
`power the buddy list. It enables “presence management” in a world where there are many
`ways to be online, and individuals maycarry several different wireless devices. Presence
`
`management allows subscribersto direct calls, messages, and data traffic to particular
`devices. Presence management extends well beyond ON or OFFinformation: subscribers
`
`maywishto indicate “ON-busy” or “ON-meeting” or “ON-emergency only” or any
`numberof other personal settings. Subscribers may even desire for their presence
`
`-9-
`
`Page 11 of 53
`
`Page 11 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`information to be presented differently to different outside parties, for example “ON-busy”
`
`for co-workers but “ON-available” for spouse or supervisor. Moreover, Presence
`
`management preferences may changeat different times of the day, and on different days of
`
`the week,
`
`[0052]
`
`Presence informationis also useful internally for the wireless network to
`
`streamline operations. One example involves the Short Message Service Center (SMSC)
`
`134. The SMSC 134doesnot know if a mobile device is ON or OFF, and therefore must
`
`employ a complex, multi-day message delivery and re-delivery algorithm to ensure that
`
`messagesare delivered successfully. Using the PLIM system 110 accordingto the present
`
`invention, the SMSC 134 can query the Presence Server 112 before attempting to send a
`
`message, eliminating inefficient retry attempts.
`
`[0053]
`
`Another example involves the Position Determining Equipment (PDE) 130 that
`
`many wireless carriers are expecting to deploy in the near future. Network-based PDE
`
`devices need to know the market where the subscriberis operating before they can locate
`
`the subscriber. If a subscriber moves from one market to another (for example, during a
`
`business trip), the PDE does not know where to begin searching for the subscriber. Using
`
`the present invention, the PDE can query the Presence Server to obtain market presence
`
`information, and then rapidly locate the subscriber.
`
`[0054]
`
`The Presence Server communicates with other components of the PLIM system
`
`platform as well as external network elements in the wireless network.
`
`[0055] Within the PLIM system platform, the Presence Server communicates with the
`
`Instant Messaging (IM) Server, the Campaign Manager, the Privacy Database, and the
`
`Network API components. The IM Server queries the Presence Server to determine if a
`
`subscriber’s phone is ON or OFFsothat accurate “mobile buddylist” information is
`available for the IM clients. The Campaign Managerqueries the Presence Server to know
`if a particular subscriber’s phone is ON or OFF before attempting to send a targeted
`mobile commerce message. The Presence Server queries the Privacy Database to ensure
`that an external entity requesting subscriber presence information is authorized to receive
`the information. Presence information is made available to approved external entities via
`“push”or “pull”through the Network API.
`
`-10-
`
`Page 12 of 53
`
`Page 12 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0056]
`
`The Presence Server also communicates with the Position Determining Equipment
`
`(PDE), Home Location Register (HLR), Short Message Service Center (SMSC), and WAP
`
`gateway network elements in each of the wireless networks to which the PLIM system is
`
`connected. The PDE may query the Presence Server to determine the market in which a
`
`subscriber is operating. The Presence Server may extract wireless presence information
`
`from the HLR. The SMSC may query the Presence Server before attempting to deliver a
`
`short message to determine ofthe recipient’s mobile phone is ON. The Presence Server
`
`provides wireless presence information to WAP-based IM clients for the “mobile buddy
`
`list.”
`
`[0057]
`
`Inorder for presence management to be more useful in everydaylife, network
`
`presence preferably indicates more than simple ON or OFFinformation. Table 1
`
`illustrates the different types of wireless presence that are supported by a Presence Server
`
`of a system according to the present invention.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`|
`
`
`WIRELESS DEVICE
`
`INTERPRETATION
`
`
`
`OFF
`
`Phone is OFF, Determined automatically on power
`
`ON — Available
`
`Phone is ON and the subscriber is available to be
`
`ON — WAP
`
`call.
`Phone is ON and subscriberis using the WAP instant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ON — <user defined>
`The phone is ON. The subscriber’s status has been
`manually set by the subscriber. Predefined settings
`
`include:
`
`DND (do notdisturb)
`
`Busy
`Notavailable
`Meeting
`Emergency Only
`
` The subscriber may also create arbitrary status indicators
`
`consisting of alphanumeric characters.
`
`-11-
`
`Page 13 of 53
`
`Page 13 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0058]
`
`Likewise with the Internet, there are several variations of network presence. The
`
`PLIM system’s Presence Server retrieves online presence from various IM servers (buddy
`
`list information) and makesit available to wireless subscribers on the WAP IM client
`
`application. Table 2 illustrates the different types of Internet presence that are supported
`
`by a Presence Server of a system according to the present invention.
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Online - Available
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Online — <user defined>|The Internet customeris running the instant messaging
`
`application and has selected oneofthe status indicators
`(typical):
`
`Internet customer has not turned on,or logged into, the instant
`
`Internet customer has turned on, or logged into, the instant
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERNET STATUS
`Offline
`
`
`
`
`
`
`e Away
`e
`Extended Away
`e
`Emergency Only
`DND (do not disturb)
`
`
`[0059]
`
`As IM movesinto the wireless realm, presence information will undoubtedly
`
`become even more important. Using the status parsing as described above, presence
`informationwill be usedfor “availability management”in a world where people have
`
`multiple communication devices and can be accessed anywhere, anytime.
`
`[0060]
`
`The IM-Anywhere Presence Server determines both Internet presence and wireless
`
`network presence, and makes this information available to entities on both networks. How
`
`presence is determinedis explained as follows.
`
`[0061]
`
`Determining Internet presenceis straightforward: the Presence Server
`
`communicates peer-to-peer with IM servers. Internet presence information is made
`available to the Presence Server in the same waypresence information is shared among
`IM clients worldwide. Currently, there is no uniform protocol for Internet-based instant
`
`messaging and presence, although an industry consensusis expected soon. The world’s
`
`most common IM protocols are those used by AOL’s Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ
`(also owned and controlled by AOL).
`
`-12-
`
`Page 14 of 53
`
`Page 14 of 53
`
`

`

`WO 02/065250
`
`PCT/US02/04533
`
`[0062]
`
`Determining wireless network presence is considerably more complex. Some of
`
`the key challenges are the following:
`
`e The underlying communication protocols of TIA/EIA-41 wireless networks
`
`currently do not natively provide presence indicators;
`
`e Accuracy is lost when unplanned network detachments occur, such as dead battery
`
`or roaming into analog service areas;
`
`e Real-time electronic connections into operational wireless networks are needed;
`
`e Wireless carriers are resistant to technical solutions that place a processing burden
`
`on operational network elements;
`
`e Wireless carriers will allow only a small number of external connections into their
`
`networks.
`
`[0063]
`The PLIM system Presence Server according to the present invention overcomes
`these challenges using novel techniques, and by offering a wide variety ofoptions for
`connecting into wireless network elements. The Presence Serveris able to inter-operate
`
`with network elements from all major equipment manufacturers as well as Signaling
`
`System 7 (SS7) bearer networks. Table 3 indicates a few of the general presence
`
`determination techniques employed by the PLIM system. Co-pending U.S. application no.
`09/771,201 discusses several additional techniques that may be used in accordance with
`
`the invention for presence determination.
`
`TABLE3
`
`
`
`CONNECTION TYPE
`Direct connection to
`HLR
`
`