Booking method and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for booking reservations in a booking system and synchronizing bookings among several booking systems. The system comprises at least one booking system; at least one service provider; a mediator service; a client, and at least one client terminal device that can be a mobile device and that includes a dialogue. The client uses the dialogue to enter information into the system and the mediator receives inquiries and answers from the at least one booking system, the at least one service provider, and the at least one client. The mediator transfers and adapts information between them. The method and system are particularly suited for use with mobile phone users by Small Message Service messages.

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         28 . A network server that controls communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the network server comprising:
 means for preparing an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer;   means for specifying a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message;   means for sending the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network; and   means for receiving a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message; and   means for associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received, wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.   
     
     
         29 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider. 
     
     
         30 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the means for associating the reply message determines which inquiry text message to which the reply message corresponds based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received. 
     
     
         31 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service. 
     
     
         32 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer's mobile device. 
     
     
         33 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the means for associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer's mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message. 
     
     
         34 . The network server of  claim 33 , wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message. 
     
     
         35 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet. 
     
     
         36 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the network server communicates with the customer's mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet. 
     
     
         37 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation. 
     
     
         38 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction. 
     
     
         39 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         40 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         41 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         42 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         43 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         44 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer. 
     
     
         45 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         46 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider. 
     
     
         47 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message. 
     
     
         48 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the reply message uses as a foam of communication at least one of the following: SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card. 
     
     
         49 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address. 
     
     
         50 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber's number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address. 
     
     
         51 . The network server of  claim 28 , wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer. 
     
     
         52 . A method of controlling, using at least one network server, communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the method comprising:
 preparing, by the at least one network server, an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer;   specifying, by the at least one network server, a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message;   sending, by the at least one network server, the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network coupled to the at least one network server; and   receiving, by the at least one network server, a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message; and   associating, by the at least one network server, the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received, wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the associating of the reply message determines which inquiry text message to which the reply message corresponds based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer's mobile device. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the associating the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer's mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the network server communicates with the customer's mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the reply message uses as a form of communication at least one of the following: SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber's number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer. 
     
     
         76 . A system for controlling communications between a product or service provider and a mobile device that is associated with a customer and has an identifier address, the system comprising:
 at least one server that prepares an inquiry text-message relating to the provider for transmission to the mobile device in response to a communication received from or about the customer, specifies a reply address associated with the provider in the prepared inquiry text-message and sends the inquiry text-message to the mobile device over a telecommunications network,   wherein in response to receipt of a reply message to the inquiry text-message from the mobile device over the telecommunications network at the specified reply address provided in the inquiry text-message, the at least one server associates the reply message with the inquiry text-message based on the specified reply address at which the reply message was received,   wherein the reply message authorizes a transaction involving a product or service provided by the provider.   
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the reply message authorizes a payment for the product or service provided by the provider. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the association of the reply message with the inquiry text message is based on the reply address at which the received reply message is received. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the inquiry text-message includes at least one choice that is selectable by the customer to authorize the transaction in which payment is provided to the provider in exchange for the product or service. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the reply message includes the identifier address of the customer's mobile device. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the association of the reply message with the inquiry text-message generates an association between the identifier address of the customer's mobile device, a reply address at which the reply message was received, and an indication of content of the reply message. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the indication of content of the reply message indicates a choice selected by the customer in the reply message. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the communication that triggers preparation of the inquiry-text message is received via the Internet. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the at least one server communicates with the customer's mobile device via an SMS gateway and the network server communicates with the provider via the Internet. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a booking system for booking a reservation. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line banking service and the transaction is a banking transaction. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, travel agency service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is in the healthcare field and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a healthcare appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a vehicle maintenance organization and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a vehicle maintenance appointment for the customer. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a hotel and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a hotel room reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is an airline and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of an airline reservation for the customer. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a car service and the transaction is the generation or confirmation of a car service engagement for the customer. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a provider of an on-line, ticket service and the transaction is the purchase of a ticket. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the network server communicates with a plurality of customers using mobile devices including the customer and a plurality of product or service providers including the product or service provider. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the inquiry text-message is a SMS (Short Message Service) message, MMS (Multimedia Message Service) message or e-mail message. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the reply message uses as a form of communication at least one of the following: SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card. 
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the reply address is suitable for SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), e-mail, Internet mail, voice mail, Web browser, telephony application, call center, video conference, Personal Information Manager, Personal Data Assistant, pager, fax, office equipment or smart card address. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the identifier address is A-subscriber's number, Calling Line Identity, e-mail address or IP address. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the provider is a communications provider and the transaction is the generation or configuration of a communication connection for the customer.