WO2002063815A2

WO2002063815A2 - Wireless rating system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2002063815A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/003365
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ayala Laufer-Cahana
Original assignee: Mrateit, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-02-07
Filing date: 2002-02-07
Publication date: 2002-08-15
Also published as: AU2002240257A1; WO2002063815A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a wireless rating system and method for rating goods and services (50) at or near the time that the goods and services are paid for using a wireless device. The rating system collects rating data from users purchasers of the goods or services (3B), compiles rating information (5A), and disseminates the rating information responsive to queries transmitted either by wireless or wired communications.

Description

WIRELESS RATING SYSTEM AND METHOD

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to U.S. Utility Application Serial Number

09/777,666, filed February 7, 2001 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless rating system and method for collecting and distributing rating information for products and/or services paid for using wireless devices.

Description of the Related Art

Consumers currently use debit or credit cards or cash as the means of payment in most of their transactions. Experts predict that in the near future consumers will instead use handheld wireless communication devices, most commonly mobile phones, to pay for goods and services. The Bluetooth protocol or other short-range Radio Frequency ("RF") protocols are expected to provide a foundation technology to facilitate these transactions. The Bluetooth protocol is a wireless networking protocol for linking wireless communications devices. It is now the fastest growing technology ever and analysts predict that wireless commerce will soon be a $200 billion-a-year industry. The total demand for mobile phones is expected to almost triple over the next 5 years. Mobile payment has an enormous potential, especially when using Bluetooth technology.

Selecting a service provider can be a difficult task. Only preferred restaurants and hotels in large cities are reviewed both by professional critics and laymen. The majority of restaurants and hotels as well as other services, such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, day cares, painters, caterers, handymen, landscapers, and auto service centers, are not commonly rated. To the extent that rating information exists, it is not readily available to consumers and there are few limits or checks on who contributes these ratings. Ratings may be submitted by individuals who have not used the product or service or have not used it sufficiently to justify a rating. As a result, the rating information may be inaccurate and unreliable.

Consumers must expend significant effort in selecting the best service provider in a particular area or region. In many cases, the consumer has no tools to aid in selecting a service provider and must learn by trial and error. After using the selected service the consumer has valuable information, which is not shared with the next person considering using the same service provider.

According to the present invention, a user paying for a product or service using a mobile device will be prompted to rate the service. The rating data can be analyzed and translated to a database. This powerful, quantified, and most up-to-date rating information may be available to users and other interested persons through the Internet and through the mobile wireless devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has as an object to provide a rating system and method that collects rating information from mobile commercial transactions.

A further object is to provide a rating system and method that permits easy access to rating information.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wireless device and method for operating in a wireless rating system. A further object of the invention is to provide rating information which is based on ratings inserted by actual clients who paid for that service.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rating service that collects rating data and provides rating information responsive to rating information requests.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a rating system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 A and 2B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a rating service in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 3A-3C illustrate the communication flow and process for collecting rating data in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4A-4C illustrate the communication flow and process for collecting rating data in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 5A-5C illustrate processes for disseminating rating information according to exemplary modes of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart of operations performed by a processor of a rating service according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless device that may be used in connection with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The present invention relates to an innovative technology that collects and provides rating information for goods and/or services paid for using mobile wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones, communicators, PDAs, and others. These payments may be facilitated by the Bluetooth protocol. Of course, the present invention should not be limited to the use of the Bluetooth protocol, as other protocols may be used. The present invention can collect rating information of all businesses, big or small. The rating information is collected as a product or service is paid for and, therefore, represents a large, statistically significant group of actual clients. The present invention further facilitates consumer selection of a product or service provider. The rating scores may be available, for example, to mobile users either instantaneously at close proximity to the service provider or on-line using a wireless or fixed-line Internet browser. The present invention has the potential of being a very effective marketing tool, of saving time and money for businesses and consumers, of increasing productivity, and improving the quality of services.

Figure 1 provides a block diagram in accordance with one embodiment of a rating system 10 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the rating system 10 includes a plurality of service provider equipment 20 used or operated by service providers, user equipment 30 used by users, communications networks 40, credit processors 60 and a rating service 50. For convenience, the service provider equipment 20, user equipment 30, communication networks 40, and credit processors 60 are each illustrated as a single functional block. The service providers may be restaurateurs, hoteliers, physicians, dentists, day cares, painters, caterers, landscapers, handymen, auto mechanics, and/or other service providers. In the alternative or in addition, the rating system may include retailers or other suppliers of goods, such as furniture stores, bookstores, hardware stores, grocery stores, and/or others suppliers. The service providers operate service provider equipment 20, which may include one or more wireless devices 22. The wireless devices 22 may use short-range communication protocols such as Bluetooth to connect to the user wireless device 32, and may also be capable of communications to a wireless communications network 42 through long-range wireless communications protocols such as CDMA and GSM.

The service provider equipment 20 may also include one or more wired devices 24, such as special devices, computers, laptops, and/or servers. Larger service providers may have multiple wired devices 24 connected together in a local area network (LAN). Smaller service providers may have only a single computer. The wired devices 24 may be coupled to one or more wireless devices 22 through a network or a direct connection. The wired devices 24 are preferably coupled to communications network 40, having the ability to interact with the credit processors 60 and/or rating service 50. This may be accomplished any number of ways, for example, via modem, cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), Tl line, optical fiber, or other means. The server provider equipment 20 may also include cash registers, scanners, and other devices that facilitate a service transaction.

Users are consumers or potential consumers of the services provided by the service providers. Some users may have equipment 30 including a wireless device 32, such as mobile telephone, PDA, communication, or other device. In the alternative or in addition, users may have user equipment 30 including wired devices, such as computers or laptops, for example. User wireless devices 32 and service provider wireless devices 22 may communicate directly through a wireless network protocol, such as Bluetooth. Alternatively, the user wireless devices 22 and the service provider wireless devices 32 may communicate through a wireless communications network 42. In this way, users may make payments to the service providers using wireless communication devices, such as mobile telephones, PDAs, communicators, and other wireless communication devices. Communications networks 40 permit communications between the service provider equipment 20, the user equipment 30, the rating service 50, and the credit processors 60. The networks 40 may be, for example, the telecommunications networks. Communications networks 40 include wireless communications networks 42. Wireless communications networks 42 may be any of the wireless networks used for mobile telephones, pagers, computer communications or other communications. The networks 42 may operate on protocols such as personal communications system (PCS), GSM, spread spectrum, code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), or other communication protocol. Examples of wireless network operators are Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon to name a few. Wireless networks 42 provide wireless services for the users and/or service providers. For example, wireless networks 42 may facilitate communications to and from the service provider wireless device 22 and/or the user wireless device 32. Of course, the service provider wireless devices 22 and user wireless devices 32 may also communicate with each other directly, as noted above. The wireless networks 42 may include one or more switching offices 44. The switching offices 44 enable communications over wireless links to be transmitted and received over wired or cabled links. For example, the user wireless device 32 may establish a communications link to a credit processor 60 through a wireless link to the wireless communications network 42 and a wired or cable link from the switching office 44 to the credit processor 60. The switching offices 44 may also provide processing functionality as discussed in more detail below.

The system 10 further includes the rating service 50 and credit processors 60. Rating service 50, while shown as a separate block in Figure 1, may be form part of the wireless communication network 42 or the credit processors 60. The rating service 50 will be described in greater detail below. The credit processors 60 extend credit and/or maintain accounts for the users 30 to facilitate payment by the users 30 to the service providers 20. For example, the credit processors 60 include credit card companies, banks and other financial institutions, and possibly payment service departments of the mobile operators 40. While the terms "credit" and "credit processor" are used herein, they should be understood to encompass debits and the processing of debit transactions as well. Of course, individual users may maintain accounts with one or more of the credit processors 60. The arrows in Figure 1 represent various communications paths that may couple the service provider equipment 20, the user equipment 30, the communications network 40, the rating service 50, and the credit processors 60. The communications link between the service provider wireless device 22 and the user wireless device 32 and the communication links between the service provider wireless device 22, the user wireless device 32 and the wireless communications networks 42 are wireless links. Of course, not all of the communication links are required and some may be omitted or simply not used in some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 A illustrates an embodiment of a rating service 50 in accordance with the present invention. The rating service 50 enables wireless communication devices 32, such as handheld Bluetooth devices, to prompt a user to rate a service from a service provider 20 as the user pays for the service via a wireless transaction. The rating service 50 collects the rating information from users, which can be analyzed and translated to a database maintained by the rating service 50. The collected rating information may be made available to users and providers over the Internet and/or by mobile phone or other communication equipment.

As shown in Figure 2A, the rating service 50 includes a communication interface 52, a processor 54, and a database 56. The communication interface 52 controls communications to and from the rating service 50. The communications interface 52 may handle electrical, optical, and/or wireless communications. For example, the communication interface 52 may comprise one or more communication servers coupled to a telecommunications network. The number of servers may be selected based on the projected number of simultaneous connections needed to operate the rating service 50 effectively. The communication interface 52 preferably provides a link to the Internet for access by user equipment 30 and others.

Processor 54 processes rating information and information requests received through the communications interface 52. The processor 54 further controls the storage and retrieval of information to and from the database 56. For example, the processor 54 processes rating data received from the users 30 via the communications interface 52. The processor 54 accesses the database 56 to store the newly received rating information. In addition, the processor 54 receives rating information requests from users or others, such as advertisers or the service providers, through the communications interface 52. The processor 54 processes the request and, if appropriate, retrieves the requested rating information from the database 56 and passes the information to the communications interface 52 for transmission to the requester. Figure 2B illustrates a second embodiment of the rating service 50. As shown in Figure 2B, the rating service 50 may be embodied as a distributed network of multiple rating services 50-1 to 50-N. Each of rating services 50-1 to 50-N includes a communication interface 52, a processor 54, and a database 56. The rating services 50- 1 to 50-N may communicate with each other through a public network or through a private network. The content of the databases 56 may be periodically synchronized so that they contain the same rating information. In this way, each database 56 is capable of responding to all rating information requests.

Alternatively, each database 56 may store only the rating information of service providers in the locality of that rating service 50. For example, assuming rating service 50-2 is located in the Philadelphia area, the rating service 50-2 will store rating information relating to services provided in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Rating information requests relating to Philadelphia area service providers that originate from other localities, e.g., from Dallas, may be routed to rating service 50-2 for processing and response. In such a case, the rating service 50-2 may respond directly to the rating information request or may respond through the rating service 50 located in the Dallas area.

An example of a transaction and rating will now be described in connection with Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C. Figure 3A illustrates the data flow through the rating system 10 according to one implementation of the present invention. It should be well understood that Figure 3A is intended to be exemplary and that other data flows are possible. Figure 3B illustrates process steps performed in the course of the payment from the user 30 to the service provider 20 according to one exemplary embodiment. Figure 3C illustrates process step for collecting rating information according to one exemplary embodiment.

Figures 3 A, 3B and 3C illustrate an example in which the user and the service provider enter into a transaction in which some or all of the payment is provided after the service is rendered. The service may be, for example, a meal at a restaurant, repair of an automobile, painting of a house, etc. The user enables payment for the service through the wireless device 32, such as a mobile phone, communicator, PDA, or other device. The service provider is equipped with a wireless device 22 that runs an application that facilitates wireless payment using Bluetooth or other short-range RF protocols. The service provider may also have other equipment 20, such as one or more wired communication devices 24, that interface with the wireless device 22. As shown in Figures 3 A and 3B, to facilitate payment, the user's wireless device 32 and the service provider's wireless device 22 establish communication link. In setting up the communication link, the user's wireless device 32 may receive identification information concerning the service provider, e.g., name, address, telephone number, and/or other identification information (302). The user's wireless device may also receive information regarding the price of the service. The user's wireless device 32 may transmit a credit information request and may also transmit the service provider information to the wireless network 42 (304). The credit information request relates to the manner(s) of payment that the user may use to pay for a service provided by the service provider. For example, the user may press a "get credit" button or display screen selection on the user's wireless device 32. Responsive to the "get credit" request, the user's wireless device 32 transmits a credit information request and service provider information through the wireless communication network 42 to a mobile operator or other service that stores the user's credit profile. The service provider information and the credit information request may be transmitted at the same time to the same destination or at a different time to different destinations depending on the location of the equipment that handles credit information requests and rating service information transfers. The mobile operator or other service responds to the credit information request by transmitting the user's credit options, e.g., credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard, bank credit, bank debit, or the mobile operator credit through its billing relationship with the user, to the user's wireless device 32 (306). The wireless communication network 42 may establish a communication link with the credit processor 60 in order to supply the user's credit options. The mobile operator may also transmit the service provider information to the rating service (308).

The credit information may be received and displayed by the user's wireless device 32. For example, when the user presses the "get credit" button, he/she may see displayed: Visa XXXX2567 (maybe also the credit amount available), Mastercard XXXX8965, Chase account XXXX6827, and Verizon. The user may then select one of the displayed credit options and transmit information relating to the credit option to the service provider (310). Transmissions between the user's wireless device 32 and the service provider's wireless device 22 may use, for example, the Bluetooth protocol or another short-range wireless transmission protocol. For example, the transmitted credit information may include the user's account number with the credit institution, and the identity of the credit institutions, expiration date, etc. Alternatively, the user may store his/her credit information in the user's wireless device 32. The credit information may be encoded for security. By pressing a "get credit" button or display screen selection, the user's wireless device 32 may cause the available credit options to be displayed for user selection. The user's wireless device 32 may also transmit the service provider information to the rating service 50 through, at least partially, the wireless network 42. Further, the user's wireless device 32 may receive a transmission from the service provider's wireless device 22 indicating the methods of payment acceptable to the service provider. For example, while the user may hold VISA and Mastercard credit and a Chase debit, the service provider may only accept the VISA credit and the Chase debit. Accordingly, the user's wireless device 32 may match the payment options acceptable to the service provider with the user's own payment options and display only the matching payment options. Moreover, the user may have a pre-set preferred method of payment stored in the wireless device 32 (e.g., the user would like to use his/her VISA account). The wireless device 32 may transmit information relating to the pre-set preferred method to the service provider's wireless device 22 as a default or automatically, for example, if the pre-set service method is acceptable to the service provider. Of course, the methods described above are intended as examples and any suitable method of transmitting credit information between the user and the service provider may be used.

Once the service provider's wireless device 22 receives an acceptable method of payment from the user's wireless device 32, the service provider equipment 20 prepares and transmits transaction information to the appropriate credit processor 60 (312). The service provider equipment 20 may transmit the transaction information through its wired device 24 or its wireless device 22. The transaction information may include a service and identification information (ID) unique to the service provider, the user's credit information, and the amount of transaction. The service provider may transmit additional transaction information, such as the name, address, and/or a category code for the service provider's business, among other things, or a service provider code unique to the rating service or otherwise interpretable by the rating service to identify the service provider.

The credit processor 60 processes the transaction information as a payment request to either confirm payment or deny payment (314). If the payment is confirmed, credit processor 60 transmits a confirmation message to the service provider. The service provider, through its wireless device 22, may pass the confirmation message to the user's wireless device 32 and requests final approval (316). Upon receiving the confirmation message, the user may be prompted to give final approval of the payment (318), e.g., by the display of a message on the screen of the user's wireless device 32, such as "$28.99 is OK?" When the user presses a "yes" button or screen selection, the approval is transmitted back to the service provider equipment 20. Alternatively, the service provider equipment 20 may print out a receipt for signature by the user.

As a further alternative, the user may pay for the service using a pre-paid debit card or other form of electronic money. In such a case, it may not be necessary for the service provider equipment 20 to contact a credit processor 60 for transaction approval. Much like a cash transaction, the user may be electronically debited the payment amount and the service provider may be electronically credited the payment amount upon the user's final approval of the payment. Upon the user's final approval of the payment, the user's wireless device 32 may transmit coded information indicating the final payment approval to the wireless network 42. The transmission may also include the final payment amount. In addition, the user's wireless device 32 may transmit upon final approval all of the transaction information, including the payment amount and the service provider information, to the wireless network 42. Accordingly, the first transmission of the service provider information in step 304 may be omitted.

If consistent with the payment option used, the service provider equipment 20 then transmits final approval to the credit processor 60 (320). When the credit processor 60 receives the final approval, it completes the transaction (322). This may be done by electronically transferring funds or a balance from the user's account to the service provider's account. The credit processor 60 may then generate a complete transaction message that is transmitted back to the service provider equipment 20.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3C, the wireless network 42 forward the transaction information (such as the final approval) to the rating service 50. This may be done of course through any one or more communications links, including optical, wireless, or landlines, or combinations of the foregoing. As noted above, the transaction information may include information identifying the service provider and possibly the type of service performed. Identification information may include the service provider's name, address, and telephone number, for example. The transaction information may also include the dollar amount of the transaction or, instead of an exact amount, a value reflecting a range of the dollar amount, e.g., 0-10 dollars, 10-30 dollars, etc. Of course, the rating service 50 may receive transaction information in other ways, as described below.

Upon receiving the transaction information, the rating service 50 checks any transmitted service provider information (326) and determines whether or not the service is ratable (328). For example, the rating service 50 may determine whether or not the service is ratable based on the service provider ID, name, address, and/or category, or based on the transaction amount, or the type of service performed, or a combination of factors. A service provider may not be ratable, for example, if the transaction is of a type that does not warrant a rating. Alternatively or in addition, the service may not be ratable if the transaction amount does not exceed a predetermined threshold. If the service provider is not ratable, the rating service may transmit a "not ratable" message or simply not transmit a rating request message. The rating service 50 may then map the service provider information to a service provider code (330). The service provider code may be used, for example, to categorize the various service providers that are ratable. If the service is ratable, the rating service 50 determines whether an entry exists for the service provider in its database 56 (332). If not, a new entry is generated (334). If an entry exists or if a new entry is generated, the rating service 50 transmits a rating request message to the user wireless device 32. In the example of Figures 3A and 3C, the rating request message may be transmitted to the user's wireless device through the wireless communication network 42 (338). Alternatively, the rating service 50 may transmit the rating request message to the user wireless device 32 via the service provider equipment 20 and through the communication network 40. If the service is not ratable, the rating service 50 may transmit a "not ratable" message to the mobile network 40 or to any relevant party, or simply not respond.

Upon receiving the rating request message, the user's wireless device 32 prompts the user to enter rating data for the service provided by the service provider (340). The rating data may be a simple number or grade ranking of the service, for example, a score in the range of 1-10 or other numerical rating, such as 1-5 stars, or a grade from A to F, or another rating system. The rating data may be a single keystroke for a fast, convenient one-touch rating. For example, the wireless device 32 may prompt the user to enter his/her rating number between 0 to 9. Alternatively or in addition, the user may be prompted to rate the three most important categories relevant to this service type. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user needs only three "clicks" to complete a rating.

Alternatively, the wireless device 32 may prompt the user through a more detailed series of ratings that may be tailored to the service category of the service provider or standard for all service providers. For example, if the service provider were a limousine service, the wireless device 32 may prompt the user to rate the comfort, the safety, the timing, the pricing, and the overall value, among other things. The user's wireless device 32 transmits the rating data to the rating service (342). In the example of Figures 3 A and 3C, the rating data is transmitted to the rating service 50 through the wireless communication network 42. The rating service 50 updates its database 56 in accordance with the received rating data (344).

If the user elects not to rate the service provider, the user can press an "End" or "No" button on the wireless device or presented on the display of the wireless device 32 or otherwise indicate that he/she will not submit a rating. If the user does not respond within a certain amount of time, the prompt for entering the rating information may be cleared from the display.

According to Figures 3A-3C, the user wireless device 32 establishes a communication link with the rating service 50 through the wireless communication network 42. Alternatively, the credit processor 60 or the service provider equipment 20 may establish a communication link with the rating service 50. For example, the credit processor 60 may transmit service provider identification information, the amount of payment, and other information to the rating service 50. Likewise, the rating data may be transmitted by the user's wireless device 32 through the service provider equipment to the rating service 50. For example, the service provider equipment 20 may contact the rating service, for example, through the wireless communication network or other network, upon completing a transaction. Alternatively, the user's wireless device 32 may prompt the user to transmit rating data upon completing a transaction. In this case, the rating data would not be transmitted unless approved by the user. Figures 4A-4C illustrate the communication flow and process for collecting rating data in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4A illustrates the data flow through the rating system 10 according to one implementation of the present invention. As above, Figure 4A is intended to be exemplary. Figure 4B illustrates the process steps performed in the course of payment from user to service provider according to a second exemplary embodiment. Figure 4C illustrates the process steps for collecting rating information according to the second exemplary embodiment.

As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the service provider's wireless device 22 may transmit transaction information to the user's wireless device 32 (401). The transaction information may include the payment sought for the service and identification information (ID) unique to the service provider. The ID may be an account number with a credit processor 60. For example, if the service provider had a relationship with VISA, the ID may be the service provider's VISA account number. The service provider's wireless device 22 may also transmit other identification information, such as name, address, and/or a category code for the service provider's business, among other things, or a service provider code unique to the rating service or otherwise interpretable by the rating service to identify the service provider.

The user, through his/her wireless device 32, receives the transaction information from the service provider wireless equipment 22 and transmits the transaction information to the mobile communications network 42 (402). The user's wireless device 32 may transmit only a portion of the transaction information in some cases and/or may append additional transaction information to the transaction information received from the service provider's wireless equipment 22. For example, the user's wireless device 32 may append the user's account number or other unique identification information with the credit processor 60.

The wireless communications network 42 receives the transaction information from the user's wireless device 32 and may process the received transaction information (403). In some embodiments, the processing performed by the mobile communications network 42 may be limited to simply establishing a communication link to the credit processor 60. In other embodiments, the mobile network 42 may perform more extensive, value-added processing. The establishment of a link and the processing may be performed by the switching office 44. As noted above, the link may be a wireless link, a wired or cabled link, or a combination. Upon establishing a communication link, the mobile communications network 42 transmits transaction information to the credit processor 60 (404).

As described above, the credit processor 60 processes the transaction information as a payment request to either confirm payment or deny payment (405). If the payment is confirmed, credit processor 60 transmits a confirmation message to the mobile communications network 42. The mobile communications network 42 passes the confirmation message to the user's wireless device 32. Upon receiving the confirmation message, the user is prompted to give final approval of the payment, e.g., by the display of a message on the screen of the user's wireless device (406). The final approval is transmitted to the credit processor 60 via the mobile communications network 42. When the credit processor 60 receives the final approval, it completes the transaction (407) as described above. The credit processor 60 may then generate a complete transaction message that is transmitted back to the user's wireless device 32 via the mobile communications network 42. The user's wireless device 32 may transmit notice of the completed transaction message to the service provider's wireless equipment 22. The service provider's wireless equipment could then print the transaction and issue a receipt for signature.

Once the transaction has been completed, the mobile communications network 42 may transmit transaction information to the rating service 50 (408). The transaction information may include information identifying the service provider and possibly in some cases the type of service performed. Upon receiving the transaction information, the rating service 50 checks any transmitted service provider information (409) and determines whether or not the service is ratable (410). As above, the rating service 50 may determine whether or not the service is ratable based on the service provider ID, name, address, and/or category, or based on the transaction amount, or the type of service performed, or a combination of factors. A service provider may not be ratable, for example, if the transaction is of a type that does not warrant a rating, such as the purchase of a soft drink from a vending machine or payment of a toll at a toll booth. Alternatively or in addition, the service may not be ratable if the transaction amount does not exceed a predetermined threshold. If the service provider is not ratable, the rating service may transmit a "not ratable" message or simply not transmit a rating request message. The rating service 50 may then map the service provider information to a service provider code (411). The service provider code may be used, for example, to categorize the various service providers that are ratable.

If the service is ratable, the rating service 50 determines whether an entry exists for the service provider in its database 56 (412). If not, a new entry is generated (413). If an entry exists or if a new entry is generated, the rating service 50 transmits a rating request message to the user wireless device through the mobile communication network 40. If the service is not ratable, the rating service 50 may transmit a "not ratable" message to the mobile network 40 or to any relevant party, or simply not respond.

Upon receiving the rating request message, the user's wireless device 32 prompts the user to enter rating data for the service provided by the service provider 20 (414). As above, the rating data may be a simple number or grade ranking of the service, for example, a score in the range of 1-10 or other numerical rating, such as 1-5 stars, or a grade from A to F, or another rating system. The rating data may be a single keystroke for a fast, convenient one-touch rating. Alternatively or in addition, the user may be prompted to rate the three most important categories relevant to this service type or a more detailed series of ratings that may be tailored to the service category of the service provider or standard for all service providers, as noted above. The user's wireless device 32 transmits the rating data to the wireless network 42, which forwards the rating data to the rating service 50. The rating service 50 updates its database_, 56 in accordance with the received rating data (415).

A number of variations are possible to the scenarios described above in connection with Figures 3A-3C and 4A-4C. As described above, the rating service 50 accepts new rating data for a service provider only if the user completed the payment to the service provider. This ensures that the rating data derives from actual customers. This may be achieved in several other ways. For example, the user wireless device 32 may receive the rating request message before final approval of the transaction. For example, the user wireless device 32 may receive the rating request message together with, or even before, the monetary confirmation message. In such a case, the service provider, the operator of the wireless network 42, the credit processor 60, or even the wireless device 32 itself may send transaction data to the rating service 50 before or while the availability of credit is determined. The rating service 50 may transmit the rating request message to the user, e.g., via the wireless network 42 or through the service provider wireless device 22. Upon receiving rating data from the user, the rating service 50 may reject the rating data if it does not receive notice that the transaction was completed within a predetermined time. Alternatively, although the rating request message is transmitted from the rating service 50, it may be suppressed until after the user transmits the payment approval message. For example, the switching office 44 of the wireless network 42, the credit processor 60, the rating service 50, or even the user's wireless device 32 may suppress the rating request message or its display to the user until the payment is approved. According to another alternative, the user wireless device 32 or the service provider wireless device 22 may generate the rating request prompt, or cause it to be generated, as part of the wireless payment process. For example, the user wireless device 32 may include software that prompts the user to enter a rating responsive to final approval of payment. The user wireless device 32 may establish a communication link with the rating service 50 before, during, or after entry of the rating data. For example, upon entry of the rating data, the wireless device 32 may transmit the rating data to the rating service 50 through the wireless communication network 42 or through the service provider wireless device 22. The rating service 50 may transmit messages to the user's wireless device 32 to prompt the user to enter more detailed rating information. If the rating standard is general for all service providers (e.g., "0" to "9" rating) or if the wireless device 32 can distinguish between categories of service providers, the rating data may be entered by the user before a communication link is established with the rating service.

The rating service 50 may reject rating data for monetary transactions of less than the minimal cost for the service. The minimum payment amount may be category specific and may be changed from time to time. Other filtering mechanisms are also possible. Elaborate techniques and algorithms may be introduced in the system 10 to make the rating as accurate as possible, reflecting the true quality of service of the service provider.

In the preceding examples, the user rates the service at or near the time of paying for the service. It may also be possible for the user to rate the service after payment. For example, after completion of the monetary transaction using the wireless device 32, the device 32 may prompt the user to enter rating information. If the user chooses to defer his rating because the service is not yet completed, or simply according to preference, the user may select a "deferred" function. In response to the "deferred" selection, the service provider's ID may then be stored either on the wireless device 32 or in the rating service database. Afterward, the user may be prompted by the wireless device 32 to enter the deferred rating date the next time he/she invokes the payment application function, rating application function, or automatically after a certain amount of time, for example. The rating data would be transmitted back to rating service 50 and used to update the database.

The rating data may be stored in the database 56 and analyzed statistically. In some embodiments, there may be a single rating for each service provider. In other embodiments, there may be multiple ratings for service providers. However, depending on the individual service providers or category of service provider, there may be a single rating. For example, averages may be obtained and rankings may be compiled for various categories. Other possibilities may be to compute the rating information based on the payment amount, day of the week, time of day, or other relevant factor. Moreover, the rating information may only take into account ratings obtained within a predetermined time period to ensure that the information is up to date. The compiled rating information may be indexed based on a number of categories, such as the name of the service provider, location, and type or category of service and various subsets of the same. For example, the rating information may be indexed for restaurants, expensive restaurants, Italian restaurants, restaurants in the Philadelphia locale, restaurants located 3 blocks from the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, ten highest rated restaurants in Philadelphia, and combinations of the foregoing.

In addition to collecting rating data, the rating service 50 supplies rating information to users 30 and/or others having an interest in receiving the rating information. The rating information may be retrieved in several different ways. According to one embodiment of the invention, the database 56 includes service provider IDs used by the credit processors 60. For each service provider, there would be only one rating information. The rating service 50 would identify the service provider's rating records in the database 56 for any type of ID transmitted by the user. In another mode, the processor 54 would search the database 56 based on the service provider's name and would resolve ambiguities by providing the user additional information that would help him/her to select the right service provider.

Figure 5 A illustrates a first rating access mode that may be used. According to a first rating access mode, the user may obtain rating information for a service provider while the user is in close proximity to the service provider, e.g., within 100m of the service provider 20. In such a case, the user wireless device 32 may be equipped with an application or function for generating a rating information request. The user wireless device 32 may get the rating information for the service intended to be used by activating the application or function. This may be done simply by pressing a button or through a series of keystrokes. Alternatively, the user may be automatically prompted by the user wireless device 32 based on proximity to a service provider location.

In any case, a communication link is established between the user's wireless device 32 and the service provider wireless device 22. For example, the communication link may be based on RF technology, such as the Bluetooth protocol. The service provider's wireless device 22 transmits the information identifying the service provider, for example, its name, its address, and/or other identifying information, to the user's wireless device 32 (501). The user's wireless device 32 may then transmit the identification information along with a rating information request to the wireless network 42 (502). The wireless network 42 forwards the relevant information to the rating service 50 (503).

If the user's wireless device 32 detects communications signals from more than one service provider wireless device 22, the wireless device 32 would either use distance and/or direction measurement technologies to connect by default to the closest service provider. Alternatively, the wireless device 32 may display by categories all service provider identification information that it detected. The user could then select the desired service provider.

The rating service 50 receives the rating information request and service provider information from the mobile operator 40 and maps the service provider information to a rating code (503). The rating service 50 then searches its database 56 to find the requested rating information (505). The rating information is preferably (but not necessarily) the most up-to-date rating information available at the time of the request. The rating information is then transmitted back to the user and displayed on his/her wireless device screen (506). Based on the received rating information, the user can then make an informed decision on using this service provider.

A further mode of obtaining rating information will now be described in connection with Figure 5B. According to this mode of operation, the user may use a browser application run on the wireless device to access the rating service's web site via the mobile operator 42.

For example, the user may enter a search query into the wireless device 32, for example, the name of the service provider, a location, a category, or a combination of the foregoing (510). The search query may be transmitted by the user's wireless device 32 to the wireless network 42 (511) and then to the rating service 50 (512). The processor 54 of the rating service 50 will interpret the received query (513) and search the database 56 for matches (514). For example, if the user's query were the name of a service provider, the rating service 50 will search the database 56 to find an entry that matches the service provider name. If more then one match is found, the rating service 50 may transmit all matches or a subset of matches back to the user's wireless device via the wireless network 42 (515). The rating service 50 may also transmit a message requesting the user to narrow the search query. The user's wireless device 32, upon receiving the matching rating information, may display the matching information or additional information to help the user to select the right service provider. Based on the received rating information, the user would than make an informed decision on using this service provider.

A further mode for obtaining rating information is described in connection with Figure 5C. In this mode of operation, user or other interested party may obtain rating information using a wired device 34, such as a desktop or laptop computer. The user may access the rating information via the Internet using the computer system's browser. Similar to the mode described above, the user enters a search query (520), such as name of the service provider, the location, the category, or a combination of the foregoing. The search query is transmitted to the rating service 50 via a communications network 40, such as the Internet (521). The processor 54 of the rating service 50 interprets the search query (522) and searches the database 56 to find matches (523). If more than one match is found, rating service may transmit all or a subset of the matches, or a request for additional information to narrow the search query (524). The computer system may display all results and/or additional information to help the user to select the right service provider. Based on the received rating information, the user can make an informed decision on using or selecting a service provider. Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of the operations of the processor

54 of the rating service 50 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with Figure 6, the processor 54 receives incoming data from the communications interface 52 (601). The processor 54 interprets the incoming data to determine whether it is a new rating, rating data for a particular service provider, or is a rating information request (602). A new rating message is received, for example, upon final authorization of payment for a service. The new rating message includes information identifying the service provider, such as a service provider ID, name, address, etc., and may also include transaction information. If the processor 54 identifies the incoming data as a new rating message, it determines whether the service provider is ratable (603). This may be done based on the type of service provided and/or transaction amount. If so, the processor 54 then maps the service provider to a rating code (604). The processor 54 determines whether an entry exists in the database 56 for the service provider (605). If no entry exists, the processor 54 generates a new entry (606). After a new entry is created or if an entry exists, the processor 54 generates a rating request message and transmits the rating request message through the communications interface 52. The rating request message will prompt the user to enter rating data for the service provided. As noted above, the rating request message may specify a single one-click rating for the service or a series of ratings based on different aspects of the service.

The processor 54 may determine that incoming data is rating data. The rating data may be received from a user responsive to the rating request message. The processor 54 processes the rating (608). This may entail, among other things, correlating the rating to one or more factors, such as the identity of the service provider, time of day, day of week, a range of amount spent, and/or other categories or factors. The processing may also involve generating averages, updating the number of responses, and other statistical analyses. The processor 54 then updates the database entry or entries (609). If the processor determines that incoming data is a rating information request, the processor 54 processes the rating request information (610). The nature of the processing may differ depending on the nature of the information request. For example, if the request specifies a specific service provider by name or ID, the processor 54 may map the name or ID to a rating code. If the request specifies a category of service, a service locale, or a combination of category and locale, for example, the processor 54 may map category or locale to a corresponding code or combinations of codes. Processing may involve the interpretation of an intelligent search request specified by the request message. For example, a user may seek rating for a car wash for $10. The processor 54 may interpret the request and map the specified price estimate into a range covered by the database 56. Alternatively, the request may seek dentists within three blocks of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Once the search request is interpreted, the processor 54 searches the database 56 for entries that match the search (611). If no entry exists, the processor 54 may generate and transmit through the communication interface a "no rating information" response to the user (612). If one or more entries are retrieved from the database, the processor 54 process the retrieved entries, generates a rating response message, and transmits the rating response message through the communications interface 52 (613). As noted above, the processor 54 may transmit all or a subset of the retrieved entries and/or other information

In accordance with the present invention, rating data may be collected only from users who make payment for the service being rated. The rating service may reject rating data for monetary transactions of less then a certain amount based on the minimal estimated price of the service. Other filtering mechamsms using elaborate techniques and algorithms may be introduced in the system to make it as accurate as possible, reflecting the true quality of the service provider.

The invention will provide rating on-line and wireless that will be valuable for consumers, service providers, businesses, and market research. Consumers will be able to select a service provider and products based on ratings available on-line and through wireless transmission. Consumers may also be able to automatically access the ratings database for a specific provider when they are in this provider's proximity. This will enable the customer to make an informed selection even without prior research. The profile of the specific customer and his needs will be learned through his rating and personalized advertisement can be tailored. The rating system and method has been described primarily in connection with the rating of services. However, the rating system and method may also be used in connection with rating goods or other products. Further, the system and method described above use the display of the wireless device 32 to convey information to the user. It should be understood that, alternatively, the user may receive information audibly, for example, speech signals generated by the speakers of the wireless device 32. Similarly, rating data and/or other data may be input to the wireless device audibly. Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless device that may be used in connection with the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, a wireless device 32 may include a housing 710, a processor 720, radiofrequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 730, input device(s) 740, a display 750, and memory 760. As noted above, the wireless device 32 may be a mobile telephone, a handheld computer or PDA with RF functionality, or a similar device.

The housing 710 is sized to be portable and, preferably, handheld. The wireless device 32 includes a portable power source (not shown), such as batteries. Processor 720 may be a microcomputer or other processor or combination of processors. Processor functions to provide control and processing capabilities for the wireless device 32 to perform the operations described above. RF transceiver circuitry 730 includes a transmitter and receiver capable of communicating with wireless device 22. For example, RF transceiver circuitry 730 may implement the Bluetooth protocol or another short-range RF transmission protocol. RF circuitry 730 may also include a transmitter and receiver for communicating over wireless communication network 42, such as a mobile telephone transceiver and associated circuitry. RF transceiver circuitry 730, under control of the processor 720, transmits data supplied from the processor or other source (e.g., input devices 740) as RF signals and receives RF signals and converts the received signals to data for processing by processor 720 Input devices(s) 740 may be any one or more devices that enable a user to input data and control instructions to the wireless device 32. For example, input devices 740 may include any one or more of a keypad (such as an alphanumeric keypad), various control buttons, microphone, mouse, pointer, tracking ball, keyboard, and/or pressure- sensitive display and associated operating drivers and software. As noted above, a user may input various types of data (such as rating data) using the input devices 740. Display 750 may display information to the user to facilitate user interaction and input of control instructions, as described above. Wireless device 32 may include other output devices in addition to the display 750, such as a speaker or printer. Memory 760 stores data and control instructions and other software for operating the wireless device 32.

The wireless device of Figure 7 has been described primarily in connection with a user's wireless device 32. However, the same or similar features of invention may be used in connection with a service provider's wireless device 22. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of rating a service provided by a service provider using a wireless communication device for operation by a user that uses the service, the wireless communication device having a display screen, an input device, and a transmitter, the method comprising: generating a display on the display screen that prompts a user to enter rating data following initiation of payment for the service; receiving rating data input by a user through the input device; and transmitting the rating data as a radio frequency signal using the transmitter.

2. The method according to claim 1, the step of generating the display is performed after final authorization of payment for the service.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

^• receiving identification information of the service provider through a radio frequency transmission; and transmitting the identification information as a radio frequency signal using the transmitter.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the display comprises generating multiple displays prompting the user to input multiple ratings for different aspects of the service.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rating data is input at least in part through an alphanumeric keypad.

6. A wireless communication device, comprising: a display for providing a visual display of information; an input device for inputting data and control; transmitter/receiver circuitry for transmitting radio frequency signals and for receiving radio frequency signals and converting the radio frequency signals to received data; memory for storing data and control instructions; a processor operatively connected to the display, the input device, and the transmitter receiver circuitry, the processor including memory for storing data and control instructions, the processor for (i) controlling the transmitter/receiver circuitry to transmit service payment authorization data as a radio frequency signal, said payment authorization data authorizing payment for a service provided to a user, (ii) controlling said display to provide a visual display prompting the user to input rating data for the service, (iii) receiving rating data from the input device, and (iv) controlling said transmitter/receiver circuitry to transmit the rating data as a radio frequency signal.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the processor controls the display to provide a visual display prompting the user to input rating data for the service responsive to receiving final payment authorization data from the input device.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the processor controls the display to provide a visual display prompting the user to input rating data for the service after receiving final payment authorization data from the input device.

9. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the input device comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the transmitter/receiver circuitry comprises circuitry that operates a wireless networking protocol for direct communication with other wireless communication devices.

11. A method for operating a rating service, the method comprising: receiving transaction data and rating data for a service provided by the service provider, the rating data transmitted from a user of the service following payment for the service using a wireless communication device; processing the rating data to produce rating information; and storing the rating information in a database record corresponding to the service provider.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the processing comprises generating an average rating for the service provider using the rating data.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising processing the transaction data.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transaction data includes a service provider identification data and the step of processing the transaction data comprises determining whether the service provided by the service provider is ratable.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transaction data includes a value indicative of the payment amount that the user paid for the service.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of processing comprises determining whether the value exceeds a predetermined amount.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: receiving a rating information request; processing the rating information request; and searching the database for rating information responsive to the rating information request.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rating information request identifies a service provider and the step of searching the database comprises searching the database for records corresponding to the service provider identified in the rating information request.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising transmitting results of the search query to the source of the rating information request.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rating information request identifies a category of service providers.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the rating information request identifies a locale.

22. A rating service comprising: a communication interface for receiving transaction data and rating data for a service provided by a service provider, the rating data transmitted from a user of the service following payment for the service using a wireless communication device; a processor for processing the rating data to produce rating information; and a database for storing the rating information in records indexed at least according to the service provider.

23. The rating service according to claim 22, wherein the processor further processes the transaction data.

24. The rating service according to claim 23, wherein the transaction data includes a service provider identification data and the processor determines whether the service provided by the service provider is ratable.

25. The rating service according to claim 22, wherein the transaction data includes a value indicative of the payment amount that the user paid for the service and the processor rejects the rating data if the value does not exceed a predetermined amount.

26. The rating service according to claim 22, wherein: the communication interface further receives a rating information request; the processor processes the rating information request and searches the database for rating information responsive to the rating information request.

27. The rating service according to claim 26, wherein the rating information request identifies a service provider and the processor searches the database for a record corresponding to the service provider identified in the rating information request.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the rating information request identifies a category of service providers and the processor searches the database for records corresponding to the category of service providers identified in the rating information request.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the rating information request identifies a locale and the processor searches the database for records corresponding to the locale identified in the rating information request.