LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM
The invention provides a computer-based method for logging a user mobile device onto a server computer system including registering a unique identifier of a user mobile device, receiving a first message from the user mobile device, detecting an Internet Protocol address associated with the user mobile device, receiving the unique identifier corresponding to the Internet Protocol address; and transmitting to the user mobile device a second message.
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The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/746,171, entitled “COMPUTER BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM,” filed Jan. 21, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Utility Application Serial No. 12/234,488, entitled “COMPUTER BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOGGING IN A USER MOBILE DEVICE AT A SERVER COMPUTER SYSTEM,” filed Sep. 19, 2008, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1). Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a computer-based method and system for manipulating electronic media such as ringtones and videos.
2). Discussion of Related Art
Mobile phones usually have a number of ringtones that are installed by a manufacturer. A user can select a ringtone from a drop-down list, and it is also sometimes possible to associate different ringtones with different incoming phone numbers.
A user may wish to download a ringtone from a remote server and store the ringtone in memory of the mobile phone. However, a mobile phone and the network that it is connected to are usually too slow and the viewing capabilities on the mobile phone are too limited for finding media on a remote server. A company that provides mobile media content for use on mobile phones will usually also have a website that is accessible from a user computer system over the Internet. The user of the mobile phone may make use of the user computer system to find listings of mobile content on the website through browsing or searching functionality built into the website, and then instruct the website to facilitate downloading of the media content to the mobile phone. A message may, for example, be sent to the mobile phone, and the message can include a link to the media content on the server.
The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The server computer system 22 includes a file store in the form of a file server 42, a data store in the form of a file database 44, a content delivery platform and content management system 46, a Web site 48, a WAP site 50, an SMS/MMS gateway 52, and a transcoding service 54. The file database 44 is connected to the file server 42. The content delivery platform and content management system 46 forms the center of the server computer system 22, and all other components including the Web site 48, WAP site 50, SMS/MMS gateway 52, transcoding service 54, file server 42, and file database 44 are directly connected to the content delivery platform and content management system 46. The content delivery platform and content management system 46 indexes files such as ringtones (reduced media content), full-track content, games, wallpaper, and graphics from the file server 42 into the file database 44 and in a structured manner, as will be required for downloading and for the Web site 48, WAP 50, SMS/MMS gateway 52, and transcoding service 54. The transcoding service 54 prepares communications suitable for transmission over the Internet 30, WAP network 38, and SMS/MMS network 40.
2. Web SiteThe home page 163 is in a general area of the Web site 48 in
The home page 163 is typically displayed at one of the user computer systems 24, 26, or 28 in
Not every signal is described in detail herein. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a signal is generated by and transmitted from one computer system and received and processed at another computer system, and will also appreciate what the contents of such a signal will be. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that a computerized step is typically carried out by a respective module of software code stored in memory of a computer. For example, a transmission step is typically carried out by a transmission module, a receiving step is carried out by a receiving module, a password generation step is carried out by a password generation module, etc. These modules are connected to one another so that a step carried out by one module can be followed by a step carried out by another module.
As shown in
Upon selection of the link 190 and confirmation of the download as shown in
3. SMS with a Search Identifier
The content delivery platform and content management system 46 further includes a search engine, hereinafter referred to as an “extraction module” 200, a message generation and transmissions module 202, a results page request receiving module 204, a results page generation and transmissions module 206, a selection command receiving module 208, a download page 210, a download command receiving module 211 and a file transmissions module 214. The functioning of the system shown in
As shown in
SMS/MMS gateway 52 is connected to the extraction module 200. The extraction module 200 recognizes the text “Get” and the search query “Fergie” in the SMS message. The text “Get” serves as a search identifier. Upon detection of the search identifier “Get” by the extraction module 200, the extraction module 200 thus determines that the message includes a search identifier and then utilizes the search query “Fergie” to extract a plurality of search results from the file database 44.
The message generation and transmissions module 202 is connected to the extraction module 200 and transmits a message through the SMS/MMS gateway 52 and the SMS/MMS network 40 to the user mobile device 32. If, as in the present example, the extraction module 200 has detected the search identifier “Get” in the SMS message of
In the present example, the user selects the first search result “pedestal” to cause transmission of a selection command from the user mobile device 32 over the WAP network 38 and the WAP site 50. The selection command receiving module 208 is connected to the WAP site 50 and to the download page 210 so that the download page 210 is transmitted over the WAP site 50 and the WAP network 38 to the user mobile device 32.
The download command receiving module 211 is connected to the WAP network 38 so as to receive the download command. The file transmissions module 212 is connected to the file server 42 and to the download command receiving module 211. The download command includes the name of the particular file in the file server 42, i.e., the file corresponding to the entry “pedestal” in the file database 44. The file transmissions module 214 utilizes the name of the entry in the download command to extract the corresponding file from the file server 42, and then transmits the file over the WAP network 38 to the user mobile device 32.
It can also been seen that the SMS messaging capabilities of the user mobile device 32 can be used to transmit a request for a media file. There is thus no need to utilize the WAP browser on the user mobile device 32 to search for and request a media file or to use a Web browser on a personal computer to search for and request a media file.
5. Registration and Login of User ComputerAs shown in
The Web site 48 includes an unregistered user area 260 and a registered user area 262. A user at one of the user computer systems 24, 26 or 28 in
The user mobile device 32 is connected to the server computer system 22 over the WAP network 38 which is maintained by the mobile carrier computer system 12. Both the user mobile device 32 and the mobile carrier computer system 12 have memories for storing IP addresses. In addition, the mobile carrier computer system 12 also has memory for storing unique identifier of the user mobile device, for example, a telephone number.
In use, the mobile carrier computer system 12 dynamically assigns an IP address to the user mobile device 32. Although the IP address assigned to the user mobile device 32 may stay the same for long periods of time, it can generally change. In contrast to static IP addresses which do not change, dynamic IP addresses have several advantages. They avoid the administrative burden of assigning specific static addresses to each user mobile device on a network. In some instances, they also allow many user mobile devices to share limited address space on a network when not all of them are online at the same time. In use, the mobile carrier computer system 12 keeps track of the unique identifier of a particular user mobile device, to which a particular dynamic IP address is assigned.
In use, the user 72 has control of both the user computer system 24 and the user mobile device 32.
At step 802, when the user 72 enters the URL http://www.thumbplay.com in the WAP browser on the user mobile device 32, the device sends a homepage request to the server computer system 22 via WAP network. At step 804, the server computer system 22 detects the IP address of the user mobile device 32 via the mobile carrier computer system 12. At step 806, the carrier computer system 12 sends to the server computer system 22 a phone number that corresponds to the IP address. At step 808, the server computer system 22 then compares the phone number with registered user data 442. At step 810, upon a favorable comparison of the phone number, the server computer system 22 retrieves from registered user data 442 the user-specific homepage associated with the phone number, and sends the homepage to the user mobile device 32. In this way, the mobile device 32 is automatically logged onto the server computer system 22 without the need to transmit any login information such as user name and password.
Alternatively, the user 72 may send an SMS message with a homepage identifier “Homepage” to the server computer system 22. The server computer system 22 goes through steps 804, 806, and 808 above. Upon a favorable comparison of the phone number, the server computer system 22 sends an SMS message to the user mobile device 32 with a link to the user-specific homepage. When the user 72 selects the link, the WAP browser on the user mobile device will be launched with the user-specific homepage.
7. Computer SystemThe exemplary computer system 900 includes a processor 902 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory 904 (e.g., read only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), etc.), and a static memory 906 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), which communicate with each other via a bus 908.
The computer system 900 may further include a video display 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 900 also includes an alpha-numeric input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 914 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generation device 918 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 920.
The disk drive unit 916 includes a machine-readable medium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 924 (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 904 and/or within the processor 902 during execution thereof by the computer system 900, the main memory 904 and the processor 902 also constituting machine-readable media.
The software may further be transmitted or received over a network 928 via the network interface device 920.
While the machine-readable medium 924 is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A computer-based method comprising:
- performing a first determination at the server computer system, the first determination comparing login information with registered user data stored in a database supported by the server computer system to determine whether the login information is received from a user computer system associated with a user;
- in response to determining that login information is received from the particular user computer system, performing a second determination, the second determination comparing the login information with the registered user data stored in the database supported by the server computer system to determine whether the user is a registered user; and
- in response to a favorable comparison of the login information and the registered user data, providing the user access, via the user computer system, to a registered user area of a web site supported by the server computer system.
2. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the registered user data includes user information associated with a particular user, the user information including a unique identifier of a user mobile device associated with the user.
3. The computer-based method of claim 2, wherein the unique identifier is a unique phone number of the user mobile device.
4. The computer-based method of claim 2, wherein providing the user access to the registered user area of the web site comprises transmitting a user-specific homepage associated with the particular user to the user computer system, the user-specific homepage providing functionality that allows the user to select media files to be transmitted to the user mobile device.
5. The computer-based method of claim 4, wherein the user-specific homepage includes links to a file database corresponding to media files the particular user is authorized to access.
6. The computer-based method of claim 4, the user-specific homepage includes links to a file database corresponding to media files the particular user has previously accessed.
7. The computer-based method of claim 1, further comprising:
- in response to determining that the login information is received from a computer system unassociated with the user, providing the user restricted access to an unregistered user area of the web site, the unregistered area configured to display a general homepage providing functionality that allows the user to select media files to be transmitted to the user mobile device upon receipt of a unique identifier of the user mobile device at the server computer system.
8. The computer-based method of claim 7, further comprising:
- in response to receiving registration information from the user computer system via the unregistered user area of the web site, storing the registration information as registered user data and providing the user access to the registered user area of the web site.
9. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions configured to be executed by at least one processor, the program of instructions comprising:
- at least one instruction to perform a first determination at the server computer system, the first determination comparing login information with registered user data stored in a database supported by the server computer system to determine whether the login information is received from a user computer system associated with a user;
- at least one instruction to perform a second determination in response to determining that login information is received from the particular user computer system, the second determination comparing the login information with the registered user data stored in the database to determine whether the user is a registered user; and
- at least one instruction to provide the user access to a registered user area of a web site supported by the server computer system in response to a favorable comparison of the login information and the registered user data, wherein the access is provided via the user computer system.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the registered user data includes user information associated with a particular user, the user information including a unique identifier of a user mobile device associated with the user.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein the unique identifier is a unique phone number of the user mobile device.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein providing the user access to the registered user area of the web site comprises transmitting a user-specific homepage associated with the particular user at the user computer system, the user-specific homepage providing functionality that allows the user to select media files to be transmitted to the user mobile device.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the user-specific homepage includes links to a file database corresponding to media files the particular user is authorized to access.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the user-specific homepage includes links to a file database corresponding to media files the particular user has previously accessed.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising:
- at least one instruction to provide the user restricted access to an unregistered user area of the web site in response to the first determination indicating that the login information is received from a computer system unassociated with the user, wherein the unregistered area is configured to display a general homepage providing functionality that allows the user to select media files to be transmitted to the user mobile device upon receipt of a unique identifier of the user mobile device at the server computer system.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
- at least one instruction to, store registration information as registered user data and provide the user access to the registered user area of the web site, in response to receiving the registration information from the user computer system via the unregistered user area of the web site.
17. A system comprising:
- at least one processor;
- memory coupled to at least one processor; and
- a program of instructions stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor, the program of instructions including: at least one instruction to perform a first determination at the server computer system, the first determination comparing login information with registered user data stored in a database supported by the server computer system to determine whether the login information is received from a user computer system associated with a user; at least one instruction to perform a second determination in response to determining that login information is received from the particular user computer system, the second determination comparing the login information with the registered user data stored in the database to determine whether the user is a registered user; and at least one instruction to provide the user access to a registered user area of a web site supported by the server computer system in response to a favorable comparison of the login information and the registered user data, wherein the access is provided via the user computer system.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the registered user data includes user information associated with a particular user, the user information including a unique identifier of a user mobile device associated with the user.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein providing access to the registered user area of the web site comprises transmitting, to the user computer system, a user-specific homepage associated with the particular user, the user-specific homepage providing functionality that allows the user to select links corresponding to media files the particular user is authorized to access, and wherein selection of the links causes media files to be transmitted to the user mobile device.
20. The system medium of claim 18, wherein the user-specific homepage includes links to a file database corresponding to media files the particular user has previously accessed.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 31, 2014
Applicant: Clear Channel Management Services, Inc. (San Antonio, TX)
Inventor: Evan Schwartz (Brooklyn, NY)
Application Number: 14/230,170