System and method for delivering web products to a subscriber unit

#The present invention is directed to a system and method for delivering web products to a subscriber unit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates delivery of web site contents to a subscriber unit in a telecommunication network. The subscriber unit may be any communication unit configured for handling web information, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone or a desktop personal computer (PC) or telephone instrument.

#By way of example, the present invention provides a system and method for providing access by a wireless Internet protocol (IP) capable device to a website via a phone call or similar dynamic session. As website connections are presently configured and billed, the Quality of Service (QoS) level for a given connection session is set at the outset or beginning of the session and remains unchanged throughout the session. Moreover, the QoS level is established or set by the website host. There is no capability provided for callers to select or set their own QoS level. Different web products require different QoS levels for optimum presentation. However, if a caller, for example a caller using a wireless device for access to a website, wishes to merely be able to access information from a website without particularly caring about the quality of the presentation, the caller may find it advantageous to access the website using a lesser or lower QoS level. Such a lower QoS level may be billed at a lower rate. On the other hand, a website host may desire that only a particular QoS level be allowed in obtaining a particular web product. In such a situation it would be advantageous if the website host could provide a caller a choice whether to receive the web product at the required QoS level or opt out of receiving the web product.

#Presently, there is no direct availability for web products by wireless devices without browsing or otherwise navigating a website or similar service provider. It would be advantageous for advertisers and other offerors of web products to be able to provide easy and direct access to their messages by wireless subscribers to a telecommunication network.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art system for delivering web products to a subscriber unit.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for delivering web products to a subscriber unit configured according to one embodiment of the system of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for delivering web products to a subscriber unit configured according to a second embodiment of the system of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art system for delivering web products to a subscriber unit. In FIG. 1, a system 10 for delivering web products includes subscriber or calling units 12, 14. Subscriber unit 12 represents a wireless communication device such as a wireless-capable personal digital assistant (PDA) device or a wireless telephone device. Subscriber unit 12 is communicatingly coupled with a wireless communication access facility 16, such as a cellular telephone tower in a mobile telephone system (not shown in detail in FIG. 1). Wireless communication access facility 16 is coupled with a telecommunication network 20. Subscriber unit 14 represents a personal computer (PC) device. Subscriber unit 14 is communicatingly coupled with telecommunication network 20.

#Telecommunication network 20 may include any of one or more of several networks such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and includes virtual private networks, private networks and other limited access network configurations coupled or otherwise arranged to provide communications among a variety of devices. Exemplary devices serviced by telecommunication network 20 may include, by way of example and not by way of limitation, wired telephones, wireless telephones, personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, mobile land radio units, and other communication devices. Coupling with telecommunication network 20 may be effected by several communication technologies and milieux including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, any mode of electronic transmission of information such as voice, data and video communications, whether delivered via systems employing digital, analog, ISDN, optical, wireline, wireless, or other delivery technologies. Also included within the contemplated technological applicability of the present invention are voice, data or video signals delivered over the Internet, via satellite communications, or via other delivery media.

#Telecommunication network 20 is coupled with exemplary web service providers 22, 24. Details are provided in FIG. 1 relating to web service provider 24; similar details exist relating to web service provider 22 but are not presented in FIG. 1 in order to avoid cluttering FIG. 1. Web service provider 24 is associated with a plurality of websites 30, 32, 34. The subscript “n” is employed in FIG. 1 in connection with websites 30, 32, 34 to indicate that there is no limit to the number of websites that may be associated with web service provider 24. Association between websites 30, 32, 34 and web service provider is via a browse relationship. That is, in order for a subscriber unit 12, 14 to access a particular website 30, 32, 34, subscriber unit 12, 14 must launch a browser (i.e., a program designed for navigating a website) via telecommunication network 20 and web service provider 24 to browsingly interact (i.e., to navigate within a website using browser software) with one or more website 30, 32, 34 associated with web service provider 24.