System and method for distributing messages to an electronic device based on movement of the device

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

p-0002The disclosure described herein relates to a system and method for distributing messages and/or content to an electronic device, such as a mobile electronic communication device.

BACKGROUND

p-0003Currently, advertisements and other messages are transmitted to a mobile communication device for review by the user of the device. The number of advertisements provided can be overwhelming to the user of the device. Further the context of use of a device by a user may render a particular format of an advertisement as being inappropriate.

p-0004There is a need for a system and method which addresses one or more of these deficiencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0005Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

p-0006<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram of a device in communication with a communication network, where the network includes an advertisement server that provides communications to the device in an embodiment;

p-0007<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart of exemplary processes executed by the device of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, as it receives communications from the advertisement server;

p-0008<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flowchart of exemplary processes executed by the advertisement server of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, as it sends communications to the device;

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic representation of the device of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a block diagram of certain internal components of the device in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a block diagram of two movement detection systems of in the device of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a block diagram of an alternative movement detection system of in the device of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>; and

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a block diagram of components of an advertisement server of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

p-0014The description which follows and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example or examples of particular embodiments of the principles of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation and not limitation of those principles and of the present disclosure. In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals.

p-0015In a first aspect, a method for distributing messages to a portable electronic device is provided. The method comprises: selecting a media, which may be an advertisement, from a set of advertisements based on a state of movement of the device, where the state of movement is at least partly based on movement data of the device; and transmitting the advertisement to the device.

p-0016In the method, after transmitting the advertisement to the device, the advertisement may be generated on the device.

p-0017In the method, the advertisement may be selected based on a speed of the device determined from the state of movement. The speed of the device may be associated with the speed of a user of the device.

p-0018In the method, the state of movement may be determined from comparing the movement data against a threshold to determine a speed of the device.

p-0019In the method, if the speed exceeds the threshold then the advertisement may include an audio component. If the speed does not exceed the threshold then the advertisement may provide audio and visual components.

p-0020In the method, if context data indicates that the device is associated with a driver of a vehicle then the advertisement may include an audio component.

p-0021In the method, the context data may be determined based on a status of a communication connection between the device and the vehicle.

p-0022In the method, if the context data indicates that the device is associated with a passenger associated with the driver then the advertisement may differ from a second advertisement in the set of advertisements sent to a second device associated with the driver.

p-0023In the method, the context data may be determined based on a status of a communication connection between the device and the second device.

p-0024In the method, the advertisement may include a visual component and the second advertisement does not include a visual component.

p-0025In the method, the movement data may be provided from one or more of an accelerometer, global positioning system (GPS) data, and communication strength signals, provided from the device.

p-0026In the method, data from the accelerometer may be analyzed to determine the speed based on data relating to changes of speed detected by the accelerometer for the device.

p-0027In the method, the context data may include data from a calendar module operating on the device.

p-0028In the method, the context data may include time data associated with the device.

p-0029The method may further comprise: if the state of movement changes to a second state of movement, then selecting a replacement advertisement from the set of advertisements based on the second state of movement; and then transmitting the replacement advertisement to the device.

p-0030In the method, the advertisement may be selected based on a route of travel for the device derived from the movement data.

p-0031In the method, the advertisement may be selected based an analysis of a history of the route of travel of the device. A prediction may be made for the route based on time, location, and history data.

p-0032In the method, one or more of the set of advertisements may be preloaded on to the device.

p-0033The method may further comprise providing a facility to initiate a request for additional information relating to the advertisement to be provided to the device.

p-0034In a second aspect, a server for distributing messages to a portable electronic device is provided. The server comprises: a movement analysis module to analyze movement data relating to the device to determine a state of movement of the device; an advertisement selection module for selecting an advertisement from a set of advertisements based on the state of movement; and an advertisement transmittal module for transmitting the advertisement to the device. After transmitting the advertisement to the device, the advertisement may be generated on the device.

p-0035In the server, the advertisement selection module may select the advertisement based on a speed of the device determined from the state of movement.

p-0036In the server, if the speed exceeds the threshold then the advertisement may include an audio component; and if the speed does not exceed the threshold then the advertisement may provide audio and visual components.

p-0037In the server, if context data indicates that the device is associated with a driver of a vehicle then the advertisement selection module may select the advertisement having an audio component.

p-0038In the server, the context data may be determined based on a status of a communication connection between the device and the vehicle.

p-0039In the server, if the context data indicates that the device is associated with a passenger associated with the driver then the advertisement selection module may select the advertisement that differs from a second advertisement in the set of advertisements sent to a second device associated with the driver. In the server, the context data may be determined based on a status of a communication connection between the device and the second device.

p-0040In the server, the advertisement selection module may select the advertisement to include a visual component and the second advertisement does not include a visual component.

p-0041In the server, the movement data may be provided from one or more of an accelerometer, global positioning system (GPS) data, and communication strength signals, provided from the device.

p-0042In the server, data from the accelerometer may be analyzed to determine the speed based on data relating to changes of speed detected by the accelerometer for the device.

p-0043In the server, the context data may include data from a calendar module operating on the device. In the server, the context data may include time data associated with the device.

p-0044In the server, if the state of movement changes to a second state of movement, the advertisement selection module may select a replacement advertisement from the set of advertisements based on the second state of movement. Then, the replacement advertisement may be transmitted to the device.

p-0045In the server, the advertisement may be selected based on a route of travel for the device derived from the movement data.

p-0046In other aspects, various combinations of sets and subsets of the above aspects are provided.

p-0047Generally, an embodiment provides a device, system and method to distribute and manage communications that are provided to an electronic device, such as, but not limited to, a (portable) wireless communication device, a laptop computer or a personal computer. A communication can be any media, such an advertisement. Generally an advertisement may contain any one or more of a text message, indicator, graphic, sound or other audio/visual content. An advertisement may be provided to the device in various forms and media, including as a message (for example, an email, a text message, or a voice mail message), as an embedded link in a website page that is accessed to the device, as a streamed content to the device. Also, an advertisement may be embedded and/or integrated into an application such that the advertisement is generated on the device without any request or further action required by a user of the device. For example, an advertisement may be generated as a visual output within a web page or as an output while an application is operating (e.g. as a banner during a telephone call). For the sake of convenience, and not limitation, the terms “advertisement” and “message” as used herein include any data or communication that is provided to the device. A purpose of distributing the advertisement may be to promote a particular ware, service or event. An advertisement may be provided through one or more servers logically connected to the network. However, an advertisement may also be provided from other devices in the network. A message may include any communication between devices that includes an advertisement. An embodiment permit a user to “over-ride” an operating mode of the device that generates the advertisement. Advertisements may be stopped and viewed at a later time.

p-0048One feature of an embodiment provides a particular format of an advertisement to a device depending on the current environment of the device. For example, if the device is moving (e.g. as it is being carried by a user who is walking or is carried by a user in a car, train, boat or plane), the form of an advertisement provided to the device may be changed. For example, if it is determined that the device is being carried by a driver of a car, an advertisement may not be provided to the device. Alternatively, a different format for the advertisement (e.g. audio only) may be provided or presented to the device. Alternatively still, if it is determined that the user of the device is a passenger in the same car, then another format of the advertisement may be provided to the device. This determination may be made by a profile setting for the device (e.g. device is: “in car—passenger”, “in car—driver”, “in train”, etc.). Alternatively a determination may be select by an application on the device, which may present a message on the display indicating the selection and allowing changes. For example, a message may be generating stating: “An assumption is being made that you are driving so future advertisements will be sent via voice output only. Please update if necessary.” As such, an embodiment may provide a collaborative set of formats of advertisements to a group of users of devices, when it is determined that the group is linked by some common association or connection (e.g. the devices are all in the same car, they all belong to the same family, etc.). The specific forms and/or formats of advertisements provided to each group member may depend on parameters and filters associated with each device.

p-0049In one embodiment, advertisements are provided to a device through a network. The advertisements are processed by an application or module provided in software, firmware or hardware on an advertisement server in the network. Alternatively, the advertisements may be stored and processed in the device allowing advertisements to be accessed later when possibly a network connection is not available. Additionally, aspects of the application and module can be split between the device and one or more servers. An embodiment can track an environment and operating conditions of the device based on an analysis of data stored by and signals received by the device. The environment and operating conditions may include data relating to the time of day, the location/movement of the device, the communication links currently established with the device, the detected light around the device, etc. In addition, an embodiment may obtain and use network presence information regarding other devices in the network.

p-0050First, a description is provided of a network and an exemplary communication device that has access to servers in the network, including an advertisement server, according to an embodiment. Thereafter, specific features of an embodiment are discussed.

p-0051Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, system <b>100</b> shows device <b>102</b> in communication with network <b>104</b>. Device <b>102</b> is a communication device having one or both data and voice communication capabilities; it may be a multiple-mode device capable of voice, data and other types of communications. Device <b>102</b> may be a wireless handheld device, cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or computer (either desktop or portable) having a (wireless) network card, network adapter and/or network interface controller (NIC) installed therein.

p-0052Device <b>102</b> may include a movement detection module (described later), which may incorporate an accelerometer. In addition to detecting motion, an accelerometer may be used to determine speed and acceleration of device <b>102</b>. Device <b>102</b> may also have a global positioning system (GPS) module (described later) that receives signals from one or more satellites, thereby allowing a location of the device to be calculated using triangulation techniques. Notably, location and speed data for device <b>102</b> may be determined based on the received location signals, such as those from a GPS module, using methods and applications known in the art.

p-0053Device <b>102</b> may have radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities, and thus device <b>102</b> may include an RFID transponder and/or an RFID reader. RFID uses radio waves to automatically identify objects, which may be done in several ways. An exemplary identification technique stores identification data, which may include a serial number, that identifies device <b>102</b> on a storage device, such as a microchip, that is in communication with the RFID transponder inside device <b>102</b>. An RFID reader enables an RFID transponder that is within the RFID reader's range to transmit the stored identification data to the RFID reader. The range of an RFID reader may depend on its power output and the radio frequency used. The RFID reader may receive and convert the radio waves transmitted by the RFID transponder into digital information which may then be processed by a processor on device <b>102</b> or a related server.

p-0054Device <b>102</b> may further include a short-range communication sub-system that enables communication between device <b>102</b> and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communication sub-system may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communication module to provide for communication with similarly enabled systems. Further details on components of device <b>102</b> are provided hereinbelow.

p-0055Returning to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, device <b>102</b> is shown in system <b>100</b> as communicating with several networks, each of which may be implemented in any known network architecture topology. Exemplary networks are described below.

p-0056Network <b>104</b> provides a suite of applications, services and data to its connected devices (e.g., device <b>102</b>) through its associated servers <b>106</b><i>a</i>, <b>106</b><i>b</i>, <b>106</b><i>c </i>(collectively “application servers <b>106</b>”). Interface server <b>108</b> is provided as one common collection and communication point for application servers <b>106</b> to components outside of network <b>104</b>. Devices (such as device <b>102</b>) connect to network <b>104</b> through wireless connections or through an external connection through Internet <b>110</b>.

p-0057Wireless network <b>112</b> provides another communication link for device <b>102</b> to network <b>104</b>. Network <b>112</b> also provides communications between device <b>102</b> and device <b>102</b><i>b</i>. Wireless network <b>112</b> may be a data-centric network, a voice-centric network, or a dual-mode network. In one embodiment, wireless network <b>112</b> is implemented as a Wi-Fi network generally following standards set by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee, known as IEEE 802, through its working group “11”. The 802.11 standard defines media access control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol model for WLAN. Wireless network <b>112</b> includes an antenna and supporting radio transmission equipment known to those skilled in the art. Access point (AP) <b>114</b> is shown in network <b>104</b> and in an embodiment AP <b>114</b> is an IEEE 802.11 radio receiver/transmitter (or transceiver) and functions as a bridge between network <b>112</b> and network <b>104</b>.

p-0058Cellular network <b>116</b> provides device <b>102</b> with another communication network allowing it to communicate with network <b>104</b>. The coverage area of network <b>116</b> may overlap with the coverage areas of network <b>112</b>. Cellular network <b>116</b> provides voice and data services to devices <b>102</b>. Data-centric technologies for cellular network <b>116</b> include the Mobitex (trademark) Radio Network (“Mobitex”) and the DataTAC (trademark) Radio Network (“DataTAC”). Voice-centric technologies for cellular network <b>116</b> include Personal Communication Systems (PCS) networks like Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems. Certain networks provide multiple systems. For example, dual-mode wireless networks include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks, and so-called third-generation (3G) networks, such as Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). Other network communication technologies that may be employed include, for example, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), etc. Access point <b>118</b> may provide an interface communication point between network <b>116</b> and network <b>104</b>.

p-0059As device <b>102</b> is mobile, it may be carried by its associated user. Device <b>102</b> may be carried by its user in a vehicle, such as vehicle <b>120</b>. Other passengers in vehicle <b>120</b> may also have devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, and <b>102</b><i>d</i>. As such vehicle <b>120</b> (or a train, plane, boat, bicycle) may have a collection of devices therein. It will be appreciated that a user may have multiple devices <b>102</b> that each device may have different capabilities in terms of how they process and generate advertisements. An embodiment may generate a format of an advertisement based on both the user's context and the capabilities of the device. The advertisement may be viewed immediately or saved and viewed at a later time. On the determination that device <b>102</b> is in vehicle <b>120</b>, this environment provides one context for advertisements for device <b>102</b> depending on whether the device is associated with a driver or a passenger (and which passenger) of vehicle <b>120</b>. Other passengers in vehicle <b>120</b> may also have devices <b>102</b> (not shown) etc. Contexts of “friends” may be made among occupants (driver and sets of passengers) in a vehicle. As such vehicle <b>120</b> (which may be a car, train, plane, boat, etc.) may have a collection of devices <b>102</b> therein.

p-0060Turning to network <b>104</b>, further detail is provided on exemplary application servers <b>106</b> therein. Each server may communicate directly with elements communicating within network <b>104</b> (such as device <b>102</b> and other application servers <b>106</b>).

p-0061Private Branch Exchange (PBX) server <b>106</b><i>a </i>provides a messaging client allowing device <b>102</b> to establish local voice and data transmissions within network <b>104</b> and with exterior devices and networks. PBX server <b>106</b><i>a </i>provides a connection with a PSTN (not shown) for routing incoming and outgoing voice calls for network <b>104</b> and its associated enterprise. On one side, PBX server <b>106</b><i>a </i>is connected to an external telephone system, such as the PSTN, via direct inward dialling (DID) trunks. In an embodiment, PBX server <b>106</b><i>a </i>may use ISDN signalling protocols for establishing and breaking circuit-switched connections through the PSTN and related signalling and communications.

p-0062Voice mail server <b>106</b><i>b </i>provides storage, retrieval and processing of voice mail data files which may be processed by PBX server <b>106</b><i>a </i>or a VoIP (Voice over Internet) system (not shown) associated with network <b>104</b>. Voice mail server <b>106</b><i>b </i>may also notify the user when a voice mail message is left in his mailbox.

p-0063Advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>provides storage and forwarding of advertisements to devices, such as device <b>102</b>, and/or servers in network <b>104</b>. The advertisements, in one example, are received from one or more advertising networks (not shown) in communication with the advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. Advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>provides a platform that gathers environment data from devices <b>102</b>, such as data on the current motion of devices <b>102</b>, and selectively identifies and distributes forms of advertisement to devices <b>102</b> and/or servers in network <b>104</b>. Database <b>122</b> may be associated with server <b>106</b><i>c. </i>

p-0064Email server <b>106</b><i>d </i>provides storage, retrieval and processing of emails, SMS, MMS and other data files which may be processed by network <b>104</b>. Other application servers <b>106</b> (not shown) may be provided (e.g. video streaming servers, etc.).

p-0065Media server <b>106</b><i>e </i>provides a resource of video, audio and audio/video materials for distribution to devices connected to network <b>104</b>.

p-0066As a common point of interface between elements in network <b>104</b> and external elements, such as device <b>102</b>, interface server <b>108</b> is provided that communicates within network <b>104</b> with each application server <b>106</b> and provides a “gateway” interface connection to external entities, such as device <b>102</b>, network <b>116</b> and network <b>112</b>. In one embodiment, all communications between device <b>102</b> and application servers <b>106</b> are processed through interface server <b>108</b>. Each application server <b>106</b> may have an independent connection to the external entities as well. Database <b>124</b> is associated with interface server <b>108</b> and may contain configuration data for devices <b>102</b> and application servers <b>106</b>, allowing communications to be conducted through application server <b>106</b>. It will be appreciated that in some configurations, interface server <b>108</b> is provided as a logical entity that may contain several modules responsible for various aspects of the interface with the devices <b>102</b>, such as email processing, web browsing processing, advertising, attachment serving, etc.

p-0067With components of an exemplary network identified, further detail is provided on notable features of embodiments.

p-0068One embodiment provides a “push”-based advertisement distribution system. Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, flow chart <b>200</b> illustrates an exemplary progression of actions that device <b>102</b> executes as it detects its movement, transmits movement data to the network <b>104</b>, and subsequently receives and displays an advertisement responsive to the movement data. The process begins at process <b>202</b>. Therein, device <b>102</b> is operating in a “normal” fashion and is in communication with network <b>104</b>. Next, in process <b>204</b>, device <b>102</b> detects, analyzes and reports movement data to advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c</i>, via interface server <b>108</b>. The reporting of data may be initiated from a request from server <b>106</b><i>c </i>or may be initiated by device <b>102</b> upon a (self) detection of its movement. As a movement may occur at any time, this process may operate as a background process in device <b>102</b>. Movement data may include data relating to location, speed, direction of travel, route of travel provided on a map or trip plan or navigation system, etc., which device <b>102</b> may determine or deduce from its sensors and modules (such as a movement detection module, described later). Movement data may also be in the form of unprocessed data obtained from at least one of the aforementioned sources such that the data is subsequently processed by advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>to determine certain information about the movement of device <b>102</b>.

p-0069Once the movement analysis is complete, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>then selects an appropriate format of an advertisement and sends it to device <b>102</b>. The determined current state of movement may also cause certain advertisements to be blocked from being provided to device <b>102</b>. A basic algorithm of an embodiment may be to select an advertisement from a set of advertisements based on a state of movement of the device, where the state of movement is at least partly based on movement data of the device; and then transmit the advertisement to the device.

p-0070At process <b>206</b>, device <b>102</b> receives advertisement data from advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>via interface server <b>108</b>. Thereafter, applications operating on device <b>102</b> then generate the format of the advertisement on device <b>102</b>. Advertisement data may be provided as one of, or a combination of, the following data formats: video (e.g. .mpg, .avi, .flv, .rm, .wmv, etc.), image (e.g. jpg, .tif, .gif, etc.), audio (e.g. .mp3, .ra, .wav, .wma, etc.), hmtl, flash, etc. Device <b>102</b> generates the received advertisement data according to the particular format of the data (e.g. video, audio, both). Depending on the advertisement data received, device <b>102</b> may display an advertisement image on its display either with or without audio, display an advertisement video with or without audio, or play only an audio advertisement through its speakers. Device <b>102</b> may provide tracking data to advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>when the advertisement is being generated or has been generated on device <b>102</b> for advertisement tracking purposes. This tracking data may be sent to another server.

p-0071It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or more of the processes of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> may be performed by applications that are remote to device <b>102</b>.

p-0072In an embodiment, a state of movement of device <b>102</b> may be determined in a number of ways, including monitoring signals from the movement detection module of device <b>102</b>, signals from the global positioning system (GPS) module of device <b>102</b>, changes in strength of cellular network signals received by device <b>102</b>, changes in satellite feeds received by device <b>102</b>, etc. In another embodiment, an active (hardware/software) switch may be provided in device <b>102</b> through which a user of device <b>102</b> may change a setting to a different state of movement to indicate whether device <b>102</b> is moving. In yet another embodiment, device <b>102</b> may be connected to vehicle <b>120</b> via wire or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth (trade-mark), and device <b>102</b> may obtain movement information from the vehicle.

p-0073In one embodiment, device <b>102</b> may be able to provide different contexts for its detected state(s) of movement. For example, device <b>102</b> may be located in a vehicle that is travelling. Alternatively, device <b>102</b> may be located in a pocket (or carrying case) of a user that is walking. These two movement contexts may be distinguished from each other. An embodiment may filter different advertisements to be provided to device <b>102</b> depending on its movement context. The context may be used to determine a threshold for sending movement data to server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. For example, device <b>102</b> may transmit movement data to advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>when the movement data indicates that device <b>102</b> is moving above a predetermined threshold speed (e.g. 20 km/h) and/or device <b>102</b> has been moving substantially continuously for a predetermined duration of time (e.g. 2 minutes). One trigger for exchanging data with server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may be as device <b>102</b> obtains location data from server <b>106</b><i>c </i>(or other sources). Such location data may be related to a request for data relating to a map, a route, or traffic updates. The movement data may be interpreted as a movement of the device that is in relation with movement of its user. The device may respond to its user's movement or how user is being moved (i.e. in a car, train, etc.). Additional data, such as time and availability data may be used to determine a context.

p-0074In an embodiment, device <b>102</b> may be provided with a set of alternative advertisements and may select which one or more advertisements from the set to be generated on device <b>102</b>. The selection may be based on an analysis of various factors and detected conditions, such as content of an advertisement, the current location of device <b>102</b>, the detected speed of device <b>102</b>, the direction of travel of device <b>102</b>, and any preset preferences of the user of device <b>102</b>.

p-0075Also, an advertisement provided to device <b>102</b> and the type of output generated may depend on a given context. For example, if there is a connection between device <b>102</b> and vehicle <b>120</b>, then device <b>102</b> may output the audio component of an advertisement through speakers of vehicle <b>120</b> or other devices associated with vehicle <b>120</b>. Also, a given advertisement may be provided to device <b>102</b> promoting a given ware, service or event when device <b>102</b> is within a given proximity to an associated store, building, theatre, etc. In another embodiment, when device <b>102</b> is located in vehicle <b>120</b> a determination may be made as to whether device <b>102</b> is associated with a driver of vehicle <b>120</b> or a passenger in the vehicle. The determination may be made by analyzing whether a Bluetooth (trade-mark) connection has been made between electronics in vehicle <b>120</b> and device <b>102</b>. Alternatively, a software setting may be provided and set to indicate whether device <b>102</b> is associate with the driver or a passenger. An embodiment may distinguish between deemed passengers in a vehicle and a driver of the vehicle. In some advertisement campaigns, passengers in a vehicle may be a preferred target audience than the driver, as passengers may have more time and less distractions to receive and review advertisements. Accordingly, when an advertisement is provided to device <b>102</b>, if device <b>102</b> is associated with the driver one format of an advertisement may be provided (e.g. audio only) and if device <b>102</b> is associated with a passenger, then another format of the advertisement may be provided (e.g. video with a map and audio). As such, there is a coordination of forms of advertisements provided to the devices <b>102</b> in vehicle <b>120</b>. This provides a method of determining a set of advertisements for a group depending on a context for the group. It will be appreciated that once a first member of a group is identified, then investigations may be made to determine possible other members in the group. Once the group limits have been defined, then rankings of members within the group may be determined and then specific message formats of a given advertisement may be provided to each member. An embodiment may allow tagging (or marking) of an audio advertisement so that the audio advertisement is played at that time and additional formats of the advertisement (which may include video segments) may be viewed later. The marking may be done through a graphical user interface (GUI) or through activation of a button on the device.

p-0076As such an embodiment can coordinate what is being generated on an external system (such as a vehicle that the user of device <b>102</b> is currently inside) with displays that the passengers may have.

p-0077If a detected state of movement changes from its present state while an advertisement is generated on device <b>102</b>, a further update message may be sent from device <b>102</b> to server <b>106</b><i>c </i>and subsequently, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may send a command to stop sending or generating the advertisement or replace the advertisement with another one. Alternatively, the original advertisement provided to device <b>102</b> may have a conditional trigger condition flag that is used to determine whether the advertisement is generated on device <b>102</b>. Device <b>102</b> may check the status of the flag and/or cause it to be updated depending on the current detected conditions of device <b>102</b>.

p-0078It should also be noted that for a large-scale advertising campaign (e.g. for a national food chain), an advertisement for the campaign may be cached on device <b>102</b> and may be triggered based on proximity or other triggers. There may be coordination with server <b>106</b><i>c </i>or other servers. As such, large data files would not have to be repeatedly downloaded by device <b>102</b>.

p-0079Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, flow chart <b>300</b> provides an exemplary progression of processes that advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>executes when determining when and what advertisement to provide to device <b>102</b>. At block <b>302</b> advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may request movement data from device <b>102</b> via interface server <b>108</b>. In another embodiment, device <b>102</b> may independently send movement data to sever <b>106</b><i>c</i>. At block <b>304</b>, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>receives movement data from device <b>102</b>. The movement data transmitted by device <b>102</b> may already be in a format that is readable by advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>or the movement data may require processing by interface server <b>108</b> and/or advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. The movement data may include information as to whether device <b>102</b> is connected to vehicle <b>120</b> by a wire or wireless connection, such as Bluetooth (trade-mark). In other embodiments, if a vehicle has a voice recognition feature, the driver (or someone) may say a command such as “navigate to there” or “navigate to advertisement” (either of which would provide directions to the an associated destination for the location or advertisement) and the navigations system would determine a route to the nearest upcoming location with the ability to resume the previous route afterwards.

p-0080At block <b>306</b>, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>analyzes the movement data and makes a determination as a state of movement of device <b>102</b>. For example, if server <b>106</b><i>c </i>determines that device <b>102</b> is moving at a speed over a given threshold (e.g. over at least 10 km/h), then server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may categorize the state of movement of device <b>102</b> as being within a vehicle, such as vehicle <b>120</b>. Then, additional contexts may also be determined for a given moving vehicle. For example, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may determine whether device <b>102</b> belongs to the driver of the vehicle <b>120</b>. This may be performed, for example, by checking the movement data for information on the existence of a separate communication link, such as a Bluetooth (trade-mark) connection, between device <b>102</b> and vehicle <b>120</b>. Additional time/day and location data may be analyzed. For example, if the time/day is a weekday, one context may be determined (e.g. at work). For example, if the time/day is a weekend, one context may be determined (e.g. at leisure). The day may also indicate a season (e.g. winter, spring, summer, fall). For example snowmobiling may be a deemed activity if the device is moving at a certain speed, the location is deemed to be in a field and the time is the winter. Alternatively, device <b>102</b> may have an active (hardware/software) switch that the user may set to indicate that whether he is the driver or passenger.

p-0081In block <b>308</b>, once a state of movement and any context is determined for device <b>102</b>, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>selects an advertisement and a format for the advertisement for device <b>102</b>. For example, if it is determined that the device <b>102</b> is likely associated with the driver, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may select an audio format of an advertisement for device <b>102</b>. If the information from device <b>102</b> does not indicate a connection between the device and the car, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may use a derived speed value for device <b>102</b> to determine a context for an advertisement. For example, one or more preset speed thresholds may be set (for example, 50 km/h). If the speed of device <b>102</b> is determined to be higher than a given threshold, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may determine that an audio format of an advertisement should be provided. If the speed of device <b>102</b> is lower than a given threshold, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>determine that a visual format or an audio-visual format of an advertisement should be provided. In one embodiment, advertisement <b>106</b><i>c </i>may send any type of advertisement (i.e. audio, visual, audio-visual) regardless of the speed of device <b>102</b>. At block <b>310</b>, the selected format of the advertisement is provided to device <b>102</b>. At block <b>312</b>, an optional feature is shown. Therein, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>waits for a request for additional information from device <b>102</b> and retrieves and send the related data when requested. The request can be provided automatically or a specific request. Such requests may be provided through an activation of a “button” on a GUI of a display of device <b>102</b> or through other interfaces to device <b>102</b>, including a voice command. This allows interactivity to be provided between the advertisement generated at the device and the source of the advertisement. For example, coupon or location/direction information may be provided. Further detail on this interactive feature is provided below.

p-0082It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or more of the processes provided in the blocks of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> may be performed by applications that are remote to server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. For example, movement data analysis may be performed on device <b>102</b> and device <b>102</b> may simply provide a message to server <b>106</b><i>c </i>indicating its current state of movement.

p-0083Server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may have an associated database <b>122</b> that stores advertisements and formats. A table, (such as Table A below) may be created that provides a matrix of advertisement formats and conditions on which a particular format/advertisement is to be sent to a particular device <b>102</b>. A given format for an advertisement may be composed of one or more different audio/visual components. An audio component may be a voice and/or music generated on a speaker of device <b>102</b>. A visual component may be a static image, a video, a banner, text or any graphical element generated on a display of device <b>102</b>.

p-0084<tables id="TABLE-US-00001" num="00001"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="2"><colspec colname="offset" colwidth="56pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="1" colwidth="161pt" align="center" /><thead><row><entry /><entry namest="offset" nameend="1" rowsep="1">TABLE A</entry></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row><entry /><entry namest="offset" nameend="1" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row><entry /><entry>Formats of Advertisements for Device</entry></row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="56pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="63pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="49pt" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="49pt" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry /><entry /><entry>In Vehicle</entry><entry /></row><row><entry>Advertisement</entry><entry>In Vehicle (driver)</entry><entry>(passenger)</entry><entry>Stationary</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="4" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row><entry>Advertisement 1</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 2</entry><entry>Audio #1 only</entry><entry>Audio #2 only</entry><entry>Audio #2 only</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 3</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Visual #1</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 4</entry><entry>Email only</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Visual only</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 5</entry><entry>SMS message only</entry><entry>SMS + Visual</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 6</entry><entry>none</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 7</entry><entry>voice mail</entry><entry>Visual only</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 8</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry><entry>Audio only</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 9</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Audio only</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 10</entry><entry>Audio + Visual #1</entry><entry>Audio +</entry><entry>Audio +</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry>Visual #2</entry><entry>Visual #3</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 11</entry><entry>Audio + Visual #1</entry><entry>Audio +</entry><entry>Visual only</entry></row><row><entry /><entry /><entry>Visual #2</entry></row><row><entry>Advertisement 12</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry><entry>Audio + Visual</entry><entry>Audio only</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="4" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables><br /> The data in Table A may be stored in database <b>122</b> and may be periodically updated. It can be seen that for the matrix, with some advertisements, some states of movements may have no advertisement provided. Alternatively or additionally, a format of an advertisement may be adapter, modified, converted or changed into a different format. For example, an audio-based format of an advertisement may be converted into a text-based advertisement or vice-versa. conversion modules may be presented in either or both of the device <b>102</b> or server <b>106</b><i>c. </i>

p-0085In creating an advertisement format for distribution to device <b>102</b>, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may provide a command to another server to initiate a communication to device <b>102</b> that contains a message containing an advertisement destined for device <b>102</b>. For example, if a format of an advertisement is as an email or voicemail, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may send a command to server <b>106</b><i>d </i>or <b>106</b><i>b </i>to send a message containing text or a voice message containing the advertisement and request that server <b>106</b><i>d </i>or <b>106</b><i>b </i>send an appropriate message containing same to device <b>102</b>.

p-0086It will be appreciated that functions and operations described above for device <b>102</b> (and server <b>106</b><i>c</i>) in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 3</figref> may be reconfigured to be performed by its counterpart component (namely a function conducted by device <b>102</b> may be conducted on server <b>106</b><i>c </i>and vice versa) or on another component in system <b>100</b>. Appropriate message and command structures may be provided to synchronize functions among the components.

p-0087It will be appreciated that determination of movement of device <b>102</b> is a notable feature of an embodiment. An embodiment has useful capability of differentiating among types of movement of device <b>102</b>. For example movement data can be analyzed to determine whether device <b>102</b> is travelling in a vehicle <b>120</b> or is being moved randomly by its user. Movement data may include speed and direction data. One or both may be used to determine a “type” of movement being experienced by device <b>102</b>. Server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may transmit certain formats of an advertisement to device <b>102</b> if device <b>102</b> is determined to be travelling in a vehicle. For example, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may transmit advertisement data to device <b>102</b> only if the received movement data indicates that device <b>102</b> is moving above a predetermined threshold speed (e.g. 20 km/h) and/or device <b>102</b> has been moving substantially continuously for a predetermined duration of time (e.g. 2 minutes). Another embodiment may use basic user-definable settings in an application operating on device <b>102</b> (or on a remote application communicating with device <b>102</b>). Therein a set of (hardware/software) status conditions may be set for device <b>102</b> (e.g. device <b>102</b> is one of: moving, not moving, at work, not at work, at home, not at home, on vacation, commuting, not commuting, in a vehicle, in a train, in a plane, etc.) with sub-conditions (e.g. user of device <b>102</b> is one or more of: a driver, a passenger, associated with device <b>102</b><i>b</i>, not to be disturbed, available for any communications, etc.). A status may be a positive or negative condition (e.g. at work or not at work). Other time-based parameters may be considered, e.g. the current time of day, day of week, night time/daytime, etc.

p-0088In another embodiment, a given format of an advertisement may be provided to device <b>102</b> depending on a determined relevance for device <b>102</b>, based on the movement data and/or other information associated with device <b>102</b>. For example, using GPS location information of device <b>102</b>, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may identify an advertisement for device <b>102</b> promoting a retail outlet that device <b>102</b> is near offering a particular ware, service or event provided by the outlet. As such, as a notable location is approaching, a related advertisement may be provided to device <b>102</b>. The direction of movement of device <b>102</b> may also be used (e.g. north, south, east, west, etc.). This direction information may be used to filter advertisements (e.g. if travelling north, then only provide advertisements for proximate entities that are on the east side of the street being traveled on). Advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may also select advertisement content based on the preferences of the user of device <b>102</b>. The preferences of the user may be derived from a number of sources, including the user's device settings and subscriptions (e.g. Really Simple Syndication, Rich Site Summary, etc.), and the user's event history stored on device <b>102</b>. For example, the user's preferences may indicate an interest in sports and, based on this information, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may choose to send advertisements relating to sporting goods, services and events to the user's device <b>102</b>.

p-0089In yet another embodiment, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may utilize peer-identification information from device <b>102</b>. For example, for vehicle <b>120</b>, device <b>102</b> may be used by its driver. There may be multiple devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d</i>, etc. also in vehicle <b>120</b> and device <b>102</b> may identify other nearby devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d</i>, etc. by obtaining identification data from the nearby devices using RFID, Bluetooth (trade-mark) connection, or other communication links. Advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may request peer-identification from device <b>102</b>. The data provided by device <b>102</b> may serve as a sufficient indicator for advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>of the movement of peer devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d</i>, etc. This may be useful in a situation where the peer devices have no movement detection capabilities. Using the peer-identification data, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may selectively transmit advertisement data to peer devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d</i>, etc. In a further embodiment, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may synchronize the transmission of advertisement data to a group of devices <b>102</b>, <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d</i>, etc. travelling in the same vehicle <b>120</b>, such that the devices in the group generate the same advertisement at the same time to their respective users. In a further embodiment, the synchronization of advertisement may differentiate between device <b>102</b> that belongs to the driver and the devices <b>102</b><i>c</i>, <b>102</b><i>d </i>of the passengers such that different formats of an advertisement are provided to the driver and the passengers. For example, the passenger devices may receive a format that includes a visual component of the advertisement, while the driver's device <b>102</b> would not receive the same visual component.

p-0090It will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the advertisement server may provide these functions through software, hardware and/or firmware operating on or with its microprocessor. The interface server has a communication connection to the servers in the network; and a second communication link to the electronic device. The interface server may have a device communication module that, through instructions provided to the microprocessor, receives the request from the device for access to one or more services or servers; and generates and sends a response to the request for access to the device. The interface server may also have a server communication module to analyze a status of at least one capability of the electronic device; generate and send a set of access requests to a set of servers of the one or more services or servers that it can access; monitor for responses from the servers; extract access information from said the responses; and process the access information for the response for the device. The interface server produces the set of access requests from an analysis of said status of at the capabilities of the electronic device.

p-0091Once an analysis of the status of device <b>102</b> is complete, advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c </i>builds and sends individual advertisements to the device <b>102</b> and any peers.

p-0092In another embodiment, a “pull”-based advertisement system may be provided. Therein, one or more aspects of the movement analysis and advertisement analysis may be provided in whole or in part on device <b>102</b> and once the analysis is complete, device <b>102</b> may send a request for a specific format of an advertisement from server <b>106</b><i>c. </i>

p-0093Another feature of an embodiment allows additional data, contexts and interactions for advertisements to be provided to a device that is currently generating an advertisement. In particular, when an advertisement is being generated on device <b>102</b>, an interactive application may be presented or activated (such as on the GUI of the display showing the advertisement) on the device. For example a “coupon” or “direction” or “more info” GUI button may be generated on the display of device <b>102</b> near a generated visual advertisement. The button may be any element generated on the display, including an image of a product or thing. When the button is activated, a process is initiated to seek, obtain and generate on device <b>102</b> the additional information or details requested. Additionally or alternatively, a web-site link address may be provided. A request for additional information may be provided through other command mechanisms, such as a voice-activated command.

p-0094The additional information about the advertisement can provide additional details on the location of the advertiser associated with the advertisements, additional features of the advertised products or any other relevant linked data. The coupon may be a representation of an advertisement. An activation code may be provided that the user is prompted to provide and then once an approval process is completed, information for a discount or a special offer is provided. This information may be stored in the database containing the advertisement and may be provided by server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. Some data may be stored on the device itself or may be preloaded onto device <b>102</b> from server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. The location information may include GPS data about the location of the advertiser. Direction information may be provided based on the current location of device <b>102</b> and the location of the advertiser. An electronic coupon may be associated with the advertisement. Commands to purchase or reserve the product or service may be initiated through the interactive feature. Other types of ancillary data may be provided to device <b>102</b>. The source of the additional information may originate from other servers in the network. The requests initiated through the interactive feature may be sent from device <b>102</b> to any other servers in the network.

p-0095Further detail is now provided on components of device <b>102</b> that are related to processes relating to an embodiment. Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, electronic device <b>102</b> is based on a computing platform having functionality of an enhanced personal digital assistant with cellphone and e-mail features. It is, however, to be understood that electronic device <b>102</b> can be based on construction design and functionality of other electronic devices, such as smart telephones, desktop computers, pagers or laptops having telephony equipment. In a present embodiment, electronic device <b>102</b> includes a housing <b>400</b>, an LCD <b>402</b>, speaker <b>404</b>, an LED indicator <b>406</b>, touchpad <b>408</b>, an ESC (“escape”) key <b>410</b>, keypad <b>412</b>, a telephone headset comprised of an ear bud <b>414</b> and a microphone <b>416</b>. Touchpad <b>408</b> and ESC key <b>410</b> can be inwardly depressed as a means to provide additional input to device <b>102</b>. ESC key <b>410</b> may be depressed along the path of arrow “A”. A trackball may be provided (not shown).

p-0096It will be understood that housing <b>400</b> can be made from any suitable material as will occur to those of skill in the art and may be suitably formed to house and hold all components of device <b>102</b>.

p-0097Device <b>102</b> is operable to conduct wireless telephone calls, using any known wireless phone system such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, CDMA 2000 system, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system. Other wireless phone systems can include Bluetooth (trade-mark) and the many forms of 802.11 wireless broadband, like 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11 g, etc. that support voice. Other embodiments include Voice over IP (VoIP) type streaming data communications that can simulate circuit-switched phone calls. Ear bud <b>414</b> can be used to listen to phone calls and other sound messages and microphone <b>416</b> can be used to speak into and input sound messages to device <b>102</b>.

p-0098Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, functional components of device <b>102</b> are provided in schematic <b>500</b>. The functional components are generally electronic, structural or electro-mechanical devices. In particular, microprocessor <b>502</b> is provided to control and receive almost all data, transmissions, inputs and outputs related to device <b>102</b>. Microprocessor <b>502</b> is shown schematically as coupled to keypad <b>412</b> and other internal devices. Microprocessor <b>502</b> preferably controls the overall operation of the device <b>102</b> and its components. Exemplary microprocessors for microprocessor <b>502</b> include microprocessors in the Data 950 (trademark) series, the 6200 series and the PXA900 series, all available at one time from Intel Corporation. Microprocessor <b>502</b> is connected to other elements in device <b>102</b> through a series of electrical connections to its various input and output pins. Microprocessor <b>502</b> has an IRQ input line which allows it to receive signals from various devices. Appropriate interrupt firmware is provided which receives and reacts to the signals detected on the IRQ line.

p-0099In addition to the microprocessor <b>502</b>, other internal devices of the device <b>102</b> are shown schematically in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. These include: display <b>402</b>; speaker <b>404</b>; keypad <b>412</b>; communication sub-system <b>504</b>; short-range communication sub-system <b>506</b>; auxiliary I/O devices <b>508</b>; serial port <b>510</b>; microphone port <b>512</b> for microphone <b>416</b>; flash memory <b>514</b> (which provides persistent storage of data including local data relating to the status flags used by an embodiment); random access memory (RAM) <b>516</b>; clock <b>518</b> and other device sub-systems (not shown). Device <b>102</b> is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, device <b>102</b> preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet. Device <b>102</b> may have a SIM card (not shown).

p-0100Operating system software executed by the microprocessor <b>502</b> is preferably stored in a computer-readable medium, such as flash memory <b>514</b>, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM <b>516</b>. Communication signals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM <b>516</b>.

p-0101Microprocessor <b>502</b>, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications on device <b>102</b>. A set of software (or firmware) applications, generally identified as applications <b>520</b>, that control basic device operations, such as voice communication module <b>520</b>A and data communication module <b>520</b>B, may be installed on the device <b>102</b> during manufacture or downloaded thereafter. Calendar application <b>520</b>C and address book application <b>520</b>D provide useful tracking tools for the user of device <b>102</b>. Data from the calendar application <b>520</b>C may be used in an embodiment to determine a context for a state of movement for device <b>102</b>. Calendar application <b>502</b>C may also process and also provide information on an expected state of activity of device <b>102</b> in the near future. Status module <b>520</b>E monitors and evaluates the status of various capabilities of device <b>102</b> (e.g. its communication connections, battery power, available memory) and updates data stored on device <b>102</b> with this information. Module <b>520</b>E may also generate and send communications to external devices (such as interface server <b>108</b>) regarding this information on a periodic basis or as statuses change. Module <b>502</b>E may combine calendar application data with the other sources of information to produce a refined view of the device's status, both now and in the future. Movement detection module <b>520</b>F receives data from various components of device <b>102</b>, such as movement detection circuit <b>536</b>, motion circuit <b>538</b> and trigger circuit <b>540</b>, GPS module <b>645</b>, RFID module <b>544</b>, communication module <b>504</b>, short-range communication sub-system <b>506</b>, time and calendar data etc. The data collectively can be used to determine whether device <b>102</b> is moving, the direction of movement, the speed of the movement, the location of device and what type of terrain the device is on (roads, railways, water, off-road, etc.). Module <b>520</b>F may provide all or part of a state of movement analysis of device <b>102</b> using data from any application <b>520</b> operating on device <b>102</b>, such as an email application, SMS text application, Instant Messaging application and a telephone application. Override (hardware/software) data and switch settings may also be used to determine the status of device <b>102</b>. Module <b>520</b>F may provide status messages to server <b>106</b><i>c </i>or other external devices, based on received requests or changes in movement status. Module <b>520</b>F may impose thresholds on the movement data before sending such status messages. Module <b>520</b>F may generate and send communications to external devices (such as interface server <b>108</b> or server <b>106</b><i>c</i>) regarding this data on a periodic basis, on a per-request basis, or as the device's movement changes. Advertisement processing module <b>520</b>G receives and extracts any components of advertisements provided to device <b>102</b> and provides the components to the proper output devices (e.g. display <b>402</b>, speaker <b>404</b>). It also has a conversion module to convert one form of an input file (e.g. text file) to another output format (e.g. audio) to facilitate converting a format of a received advertisement from one media to another. If a component of an advertisement is provided as an email, then data communication module <b>520</b>B will process same. As well, additional software modules, such as software module <b>520</b>N, which may be for instance a personal information manager (PIM) application, may be installed during manufacture or downloaded thereafter into device <b>102</b>. Data associated with each application can be stored in flash memory <b>514</b>.

p-0102Data communication module <b>520</b>B may comprise processes that implement features, processes and applications for device <b>102</b> as provided and described earlier, allowing device <b>102</b> to generate track status of various components of device <b>102</b> and to generate and send messages to external devices (such as interface server <b>108</b>).

p-0103Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communication sub-system <b>504</b> and the short-range communication sub-system <b>506</b>. Collectively, sub-systems <b>504</b> and <b>506</b> provide the signal-level interface for all communication technologies processed by device <b>102</b>. Various applications <b>520</b> provide the operational controls to further process and log the communications. Communication sub-system <b>504</b> includes receiver <b>522</b>, transmitter <b>524</b> and one or more antennas, illustrated as receive antenna <b>526</b> and transmit antenna <b>528</b>. In addition, communication sub-system <b>504</b> also includes processing modules, such as digital signal processor (DSP) <b>530</b> and local oscillators (LOs) <b>532</b>. The specific design and implementation of communication sub-system <b>504</b> is dependent upon the communication network in which device <b>102</b> is intended to operate. For example, communication sub-system <b>504</b> of device <b>102</b> may operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark), DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), CDMA 2000, Personal Communication Service (PCS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Other types of data and voice (telephonic) networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with device <b>102</b>. In any event, communication sub-system <b>504</b> provides device <b>102</b> with the capability of communicating with other devices using various communication technologies, including instant messaging (IM) systems, text messaging (TM) systems and short message service (SMS) systems.

p-0104In addition to processing communication signals, DSP <b>530</b> provides control of receiver <b>522</b> and transmitter <b>524</b>. For example, gains applied to communication signals in receiver <b>522</b> and transmitter <b>524</b> may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain-control algorithms implemented in DSP <b>530</b>.

p-0105Short-range communication sub-system <b>506</b> enables communication between device <b>102</b> and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communication sub-system may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communication module to provide for communication with similarly enabled systems. Sub-system <b>506</b> may be able to communicate with a communication system of a vehicle.

p-0106Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communication device is power source <b>534</b>. In one embodiment, the power source <b>534</b> includes one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the power source <b>534</b> is a single battery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack. A power switch (not shown) provides an “on/off” switch for device <b>102</b>. A power source interface (not shown) may be provided in hardware, firmware, software or a combination of such elements to selectively control access of components in device <b>102</b> to power source <b>534</b>. Upon activation of the power switch an application <b>520</b> is initiated to turn on device <b>102</b>. Upon deactivation of the power switch, an application <b>520</b> is initiated to turn off device <b>102</b>. Power to device <b>102</b> may also be controlled by other devices and by software applications <b>520</b>. Other components in device <b>102</b> include light sensor <b>542</b>. RFID module <b>544</b> may include an RFID transponder and/or an RFID reader.

p-0107Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, with some algorithms of an embodiment described, further detail is provided on how aspects of the embodiment are implemented in device <b>102</b> through movement detection circuit <b>536</b> and its related components. Therein, two sensors arrangements for device <b>102</b> are shown. Circuit <b>600</b>A shows sensor <b>538</b> directly connected to the interrupt and serial interface input lines of microprocessor <b>502</b>. Accordingly, software operating on microprocessor <b>502</b> is provided to selectively monitor signal(s) from sensor <b>538</b> to determine when movement of device <b>102</b> has been detected. The circuit between sensor <b>538</b> and microprocessor <b>502</b> can be considered to be one version of circuit <b>536</b>. Software operating on microprocessor <b>502</b> determines when a notable signal has been generated by sensor <b>238</b>. Circuit <b>600</b>B shows sensor <b>538</b> connected to trigger circuit <b>540</b>A having two differential comparators <b>602</b>A and <b>602</b>B, which then have their outputs attached to an analog mux <b>604</b>. The mux selectively provides its output according to a control signal generated by microprocessor <b>502</b>. The analog output of mux <b>604</b> is converted to a set of digital signals by analog to digital converter <b>606</b>, which then provides the output to microprocessor <b>502</b>. As with other implementation, software operating on microprocessor <b>502</b> determines when a notable signal has been generated by sensor <b>538</b>. Reading of positions determined by the software can be stored in memory <b>514</b> or <b>516</b>. The software can also create an average reading of the movement readings. This average reading can be used to determine when device <b>102</b> is in a resting position or when it is effectively in a resting position (e.g. it is being moved only in inconsequential amounts).

p-0108For any embodiment, a low-g MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) accelerometer may be used for motion sensor <b>538</b>. Further, the accelerometer may be of almost any type, including a capacitive, piezoelectric, piezoresistive, or a gas-based accelerometer. An exemplary low-g MEM accelerometer is a LIS302DL tri-axis digital accelerometer, available from STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland. Accelerometers sense and convert an acceleration detected from a motion (e.g. tilt, inertial, or vibration) or gravity into an electrical signal (producing a corresponding change in output) and are available in one, two or three axis configurations. Accelerometers may produce digital or analog output signals.

p-0109Since an accelerometer detects a change in velocity, in order to use an accelerometer to detect a certain speed, signals from an accelerometer may be used to detect velocity changes, which are then analyzed to determine whether an underlying given (average) speed is associated with the changes. In a moving vehicle, for example, as the device is moving, different accelerations may be detected as the vehicle speeds up (perhaps from a stop), slows down (perhaps to a stop) and turns corners during the driving. These velocity changes can be mapped against predetermined speed levels which then can be used to select given formats of advertisements, for example as provided in Table A.

p-0110To improve sensitivities of an accelerometer when it is used as motion sensor <b>538</b>, its outputs can be calibrated to compensate for individual axis offset and sensitivity variations. Calibrations can also be performed at the system level, providing end-to-end calibration. Calibrations can also be performed by collecting a large set of measurements with the device in different orientations.

p-0111Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, an alternative circuit <b>540</b>B is shown for sensor <b>538</b> which is aligned as a single axis analog sensor. Sensor <b>538</b> can be oriented such that its output detects movement along a desired axis (e.g. ‘Z’ axis detecting when device moved vertically). Additional axes may be monitored by replicating circuit <b>540</b>B for each additional axis. Briefly, the output of sensor <b>538</b> is provided to buffer amp <b>700</b>. The output of buffer amp <b>700</b> is provided in tandem to comparators <b>702</b> and <b>704</b>. The other inputs of comparators <b>702</b> and <b>704</b> are taken from different taps on resistor ladder <b>706</b>, comprising resistors <b>706</b>A, <b>706</b>B and <b>706</b>C. Comparators <b>702</b> and <b>704</b> each produce upper and lower limit comparison signals for the output of sensor <b>538</b>. If the value of the signal from sensor <b>538</b> is either above the upper limit set by the parameters of comparator <b>702</b> (comparing the signal from sensor <b>538</b> against its tap from the resistor ladder <b>706</b>) or below the lower limit set by the parameters of comparator <b>704</b> (comparing the signal from sensor <b>538</b> against its tap from the resistor ladder <b>706</b>) then OR gate <b>708</b> generates a trigger signal <b>710</b>. It will be appreciated that the limits can be used to define a range of signals detected by sensor <b>538</b> representing when be device <b>102</b> is either stationary (e.g. at rest) or being moved.

p-0112It will be appreciated that other circuits using different combinations of sensors and triggering components and threshold detectors may be used to provide functionalities of sensor <b>538</b> and circuit <b>540</b>.

p-0113In other embodiments, motion sensor <b>538</b> may be substituted or combined with a different device, such as a spring-loaded switch, a tilt switch, a gyroscope, a mercury switch, GPS module <b>546</b> or any other device which can generate a signal responsive to movement or change in orientation of device <b>102</b>. It is preferable that the device have low quiescent power draw characteristics.

p-0114Now, further detail is provided on features of server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, general features of server <b>106</b><i>c </i>for processing electronic communications in accordance with an embodiment are shown. In an embodiment, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>is based on a general purpose computing platform. It may have the form factor of a desktop or laptop computer. It may be a minicomputer. In a present embodiment, computer <b>106</b><i>c </i>includes main processing station <b>800</b>. Internally, server <b>106</b><i>c </i>has microprocessor <b>802</b> and memory <b>804</b>. Connection ports <b>806</b> provides one communication connection system to allow server <b>106</b><i>c </i>to connect to with network <b>104</b>, providing access to device <b>102</b> and other devices. Applications <b>808</b> are software that execute on microprocessor <b>802</b> and may be stored in memory <b>804</b> as database <b>122</b>. Advertisements for advertising campaigns and their associated attribute data may be stored in database <b>122</b>.

p-0115Applications <b>808</b> control basic operations of computer <b>116</b>, including ports <b>806</b>. Connection module <b>808</b>A provides the connection-level communication between server <b>106</b><i>c </i>and other elements in network <b>104</b>, such as interface server <b>108</b> to ultimately allow access to processing of emails, IMs, data and other data transmission through server <b>108</b>. Movement analysis module <b>808</b>B initiates requests for movement data to device <b>102</b>, receives movement data from device <b>102</b> and analyzes the movement data to determine a state of movement for device <b>102</b>. Advertisement selection module <b>808</b>C selects and sends an advertisement to device <b>102</b> based on trigger conditions (per Table A) and movement results provided by module <b>808</b>B. Module <b>808</b>C may also have a conversion module to convert one form of an input file (e.g. text file) to another output format (e.g. audio) to facilitate converting a format of a sent advertisement from one media to another. Additionally, advertisements may be sent to device <b>102</b> depending on other scheduling and trigger conditions. Module <b>808</b>B may initiate a command destined for another application server <b>106</b> (such as email server <b>106</b><i>d </i>or voice mail server <b>106</b><i>b</i>) to send a message containing a provided advertisement to device <b>102</b>. As such, applications <b>808</b>A-C execute processes for server <b>106</b><i>c </i>as described in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

p-0116In another embodiment, devices in a network may periodically send movement data to advertisement server <b>106</b><i>c</i>. Server <b>106</b><i>c </i>may use that data as criteria to select appropriate advertisements.

p-0117The embodiments have been described for a system that provides an interface server to provide intermediary processing of communications between a device and servers in a network. It will be appreciated that embodiments may implement the features in any communication protocol or system. It will be appreciated that any features of interface server as described herein may be incorporated into a device or a component of another server in network <b>104</b>.

p-0118It will be appreciated that the embodiments relating to devices, servers and systems may be implemented in a combination of electronic hardware, firmware and software. The firmware and software may be implemented as a series of processes, applications and/or modules that provide the functionalities described herein. The algorithms and processes described herein may be executed in different order(s). Interrupt routines may be used. Data may be stored in volatile and non-volatile devices described herein and may be updated by the hardware, firmware and/or software. Other network embodiments may use non-client server architectures for management of communications.

p-0119It will be appreciated that a system and method in accordance with an embodiment can address a technical problem of how to provide common data items to a plurality of mobile telecommunication devices within a mobile telecommunication network through a push or pull mechanism. By selecting individual sets of two or more devices from the plurality of available devices operating within the network based on shared attributes between two or more communicating devices, an embodiment may enable the specific distribution of appropriate data items to those selected devices. This selective targeting of the devices and/or content may provide a reduction in the overall traffic within the network as it can obviate or reduce the need to push (or pull) data items to all devices operating in the network, rather data items are distributed to those devices whose attributes match a predefined attribute type. Furthermore, the matching of the nature of the data items that is sent to the attributes may further provide reduction in traffic within the network as the data items that are pushed (or pulled) are pre-filtered prior to their distribution to targeted mobile devices.

p-0120As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both.

p-0121In this disclosure, where a threshold or measured value is provided as an approximate value (for example, when the threshold is qualified with the word “about”), a range of values will be understood to be valid for that value. For example, for a threshold stated as an approximate value, a range of about 25% larger and 25% smaller than the stated value may be used. Thresholds, values, measurements and dimensions of features are illustrative of embodiments and are not limiting unless noted. Further, as an example, a “sufficient” match with a given threshold may be a value that is within the provided threshold, having regard to the approximate value applicable to the threshold and the understood range of values (over and under) that may be applied for that threshold.

p-0122The present disclosure is defined by the claims appended hereto, with the foregoing description being merely illustrative of embodiments of the present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill may envisage certain modifications to the foregoing embodiments which, although not explicitly discussed herein, do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.