Method for informing a user of a communication device where to obtain a product and communication system employing same

A method for a communication device to inform a user of the communication device where to obtain a product desired by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

• conveying a request for the product to a server;
• responsive to the request, receiving a list of product providers that are located in a vicinity of the communication device and instructions for displaying the list of product providers to the user of the communication device, wherein the instructions include priorities for displaying at least identities of the product providers in the list and wherein the priorities are based on advertising fees offered to be paid by at least some of the product providers;
• and
• displaying the list of product providers to the user of the communication device in accordance with the instructions.

A communication system in communication with a plurality of provider servers associated with respective product providers, the communication system comprising:

• at least one base site for providing communication services to a plurality of communication devices;
• a system controller, coupled to the at least one base site, for controlling the communication services provided by the at least one base site and for determining an approximate location of at least one communication device of the plurality of communication devices;
• and
• a context engine server, coupled to the system controller and the plurality of provider servers, for receiving at least the approximate location of the at least one communication device, for requesting product information for a product from at least some of the plurality of provider servers based on the approximate location of the at least one communication device, for receiving the product information and an offer to pay respective advertising fees from the at least some of the plurality of provider servers, for generating a list of product providers that offer the product based on the advertising fees offered to be paid, and for providing :the list of product providers to the system controller for subsequent delivery to the at least one communication device.