SMS inquiry and invitation distribution method and system

Abstract

The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the method comprising:
 defining, at a server, a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed;   assigning, at the server, one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries;   transmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address; and   verifying authenticity of at least one inquiry reply based on the replier's mobile number and choice symbol in the inquiry reply or based on the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the inquiry reply via the network, wherein the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol selected by the at least one recipient but does not include the choice question included in the inquiry with the assigned reply address. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each inquiry is sent to one or more recipients per distribution according to a distribution list, and replies to an inquiry are accepted during a specified active time. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the choice symbols are selected among available choice symbols wherein any mobile number receiving multiple questions with a same reply address will be provided with a unique non-overlapping set of different choice symbols for each separate active question. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein inquiries include more than one separate questions to which the recipient may reply to in corresponding inquiry replies. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying content of a next inquiry for transmission to the at least one recipient based on the choice symbol included in the inquiry reply from the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, if no inquiry reply is received with a defined time frame or the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol that was not indicative of one of the reply alternatives, retransmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising saving inquiry replies into a database accessible via a web browser or for transfer to a computer system of a customer via a network connection. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising defining separate reply addresses groups for different type of inquiries and applying a pricing variation according to the reply address selected for the an inquiry. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a text message. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the inquiry reply is also a text message. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the inquiry reply is also a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and choice symbol in the inquiry reply received from the recipient's mobile device. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is also based on the reply address to which replies to the at least one inquiry are routed. 
     
     
       21. A system for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the system comprising:
 at least one server that defines a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed, the at least one server assigning one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries,   wherein the at least one server is coupled to at least one communication network and transmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient via the at least one communication network, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address,   wherein the at least one server also verifies authenticity of at least one inquiry reply received via the at least one communication network based on the replier's mobile number and choice symbol in the inquiry reply or based on the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply.   
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one server receives the inquiry reply via the network, wherein the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol selected by the at least one recipient but does not include the choice question included in the inquiry with the assigned reply address. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 21 , wherein each inquiry is sent to one or more recipients per distribution according to a distribution list, and replies to an inquiry are accepted during a specified active time. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the choice symbols are selected among available choice symbols wherein any mobile number receiving multiple questions with a same reply address will be provided with a unique non-overlapping set of different choice symbols for each separate active question. 
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       28. The system of  claim 21 , wherein inquiries include more than one separate questions to which the recipient may reply to in corresponding inquiry replies. 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one server identifies content of a next inquiry for transmission to the at least one recipient based on the choice symbol included in the inquiry reply from the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 21 , if no inquiry reply is received with a defined time frame or the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol that was not indicative of one of the reply alternatives, the at least one server retransmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       31. The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a database in which the at least one server saves inquiry replies, wherein the database is accessible via a web browser or for transfer to a computer system of a customer via a connection to the at least one communication network. 
     
     
       32. The system of  claim 21 , further comprising defining separate reply addresses groups for different type of inquiries and applying a pricing variation according to the reply address selected for the an inquiry. 
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a text message. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein the inquiry reply is also a text message. 
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35 , wherein the inquiry reply is also a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       37. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       38. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       39. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one server transmits the inquiry to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and choice symbol in the inquiry reply received from the recipient's mobile device. 
     
     
       40. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is also based on the reply address to which replies to the at least one inquiry are routed. 
     
     
       41. A method for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the method comprising:
 defining, at a server, a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed;   assigning, at the server, one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries;   transmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address; and   verifying authenticity of at least one inquiry reply based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed.   
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41 , wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a text message. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 41 , wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed. 
     
     
       50. A system for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the system comprising:
 at least one server that defines a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed, the at least one server assigning one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries,   wherein the at least one server is coupled to at least one communication network and transmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient via the at least one communication network, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address, and   wherein the at least one server also verifies authenticity of at least one inquiry reply received via the at least one communication network based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed.   
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 50 , wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a text message. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one inquiry is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 50 , wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed. 
     
     
       59. A method for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the method comprising:
 defining, at a server, a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed;   assigning, at the server, one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries;   transmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address; and   verifying authenticity of at least one inquiry reply based on the replier's mobile number and a choice symbol in the inquiry reply or based on the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply.   
     
     
       60. The method of claim 59, wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 59, wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 59, further comprising receiving the inquiry reply via the network, wherein the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol selected by the at least one recipient but does not include the choice question included in the inquiry with the assigned reply address. 
     
     
       63. The method of claim 59, wherein each inquiry is sent to one or more recipients per distribution according to a distribution list, and replies to an inquiry are accepted during a specified active time. 
     
     
       64. The method of claim 59, wherein the choice symbols are selected among available choice symbols wherein any mobile number receiving multiple questions with a same reply address will be provided with a unique non-overlapping set of different choice symbols for each separate active question. 
     
     
       65. The method of claim 59, wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       66. The method of claim 59, wherein inquiries include more than one separate questions to which the recipient may reply to in corresponding inquiry replies. 
     
     
       67. The method of claim 59, further comprising identifying content of a next inquiry for transmission to the at least one recipient based on the choice symbol included in the inquiry reply from the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       68. The method of claim 59, further comprising, if no inquiry reply is received with a defined time frame or the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol that was not indicative of one of the reply alternatives, retransmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       69. The method of claim 59, further comprising saving inquiry replies into a database accessible via a web browser or for transfer to a computer system of a customer via a network connection. 
     
     
       70. The method of claim 59, further comprising defining separate reply addresses groups for different type of inquiries and applying a pricing variation according to the reply address selected for the an inquiry. 
     
     
       71. The method of claim 59, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a text message. 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 71, wherein the inquiry reply is also a text message. 
     
     
       73. The method of claim 59, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 73, wherein the inquiry reply is also a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       75. The method of claim 59, wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 59, wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 59, wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply received from the recipient's mobile device. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 59, wherein the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is also based on the reply address to which replies to the at least one inquiry are routed. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 59, wherein the inquiry transmission comprises transmitting the inquiry in a format which results in the assigned reply address being shown as sender address in a display of the mobile terminal of the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       80. The method of claim 59, wherein the inquiry reply only comprises one character. 
     
     
       81. A system for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the system comprising:
 at least one server that defines a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed, the at least one server assigning one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries,   wherein the at least one server is coupled to at least one communication network and transmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient via the at least one communication network,   wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address,   wherein the at least one server also verifies authenticity of at least one inquiry reply received via the at least one communication network based on the replier's mobile number and a choice symbol in the inquiry reply or based on the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply.   
     
     
       82. The system of claim 81, wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       83. The system of claim 81, wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       84. The system of claim 81, wherein the at least one server receives the inquiry reply via the network, wherein the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol selected by the at least one recipient but does not include the choice question included in the inquiry with the assigned reply address. 
     
     
       85. The system of claim 81, wherein each inquiry is sent to one or more recipients per distribution according to a distribution list, and replies to an inquiry are accepted during a specified active time. 
     
     
       86. The system of claim 81, wherein the choice symbols are selected among available choice symbols wherein any mobile number receiving multiple questions with a same reply address will be provided with a unique non-overlapping set of different choice symbols for each separate active question. 
     
     
       87. The system of claim 81, wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       88. The system of claim 81, wherein inquiries include more than one separate questions to which the recipient may reply to in corresponding inquiry replies. 
     
     
       89. The system of claim 81, wherein the at least one server identifies content of a next inquiry for transmission to the at least one recipient based on the choice symbol included in the inquiry reply from the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       90. The system of claim 81, if no inquiry reply is received with a defined time frame or the inquiry reply includes a choice symbol that was not indicative of one of the reply alternatives, the at least one server retransmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       91. The system of claim 81, further comprising a database in which the at least one server saves inquiry replies, wherein the database is accessible via a web browser or for transfer to a computer system of a customer via a connection to the at least one communication network. 
     
     
       92. The system of claim 81, further comprising defining separate reply addresses groups for different type of inquiries and applying a pricing variation according to the reply address selected for the an inquiry. 
     
     
       93. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a text message. 
     
     
       94. The method of claim 93, wherein the at least one inquiry reply is also a text message. 
     
     
       95. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       96. The method of claim 95, wherein the inquiry reply is also a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       97. The system of claim 81, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a text message. 
     
     
       98. The system of claim 96, wherein the at least one inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       99. The system of claim 81, wherein the at least one server transmits the inquiry to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the choice symbol in the inquiry reply received from the recipient's mobile device. 
     
     
       100. The system of claim 81, wherein the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is also based on the reply address to which replies to the at least one inquiry are routed. 
     
     
       101. The system of claim 81, wherein the inquiry transmission comprises transmitting the inquiry in a format which results in the assigned reply address being shown as sender address in a display of the mobile terminal of the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       102. The system of claim 81, wherein the inquiry reply only comprises one character. 
     
     
       103. A method for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the method comprising:
 defining, at a server, a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed;   assigning, at the server, one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries;   transmitting the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address; and   verifying authenticity of at least one inquiry reply based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed.   
     
     
       104. The method of claim 103, wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       105. The method of claim 103, wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       106. The method of claim 103, wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       107. The method of claim 103, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a text message. 
     
     
       108. The method of claim 103, wherein the at least one inquiry is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       109. The method of claim 103, wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       110. The method of claim 103, wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       111. The method of claim 103, wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed. 
     
     
       112. The method of claim 103, wherein the inquiry transmission comprises transmitting the inquiry in a format which results in the assigned reply address being shown as sender address in a display of the mobile terminal of the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       113. The method of claim 103, wherein the inquiry reply only comprises one character. 
     
     
       114. A system for managing a plurality of inquiries to one or more recipients and receiving a plurality of inquiry replies in a network, the system comprising:
 at least one server that defines a plurality of reply addresses available for assignment to each of the plurality of inquiries, the reply addresses being the addresses to which replies to the inquiries are routed, the at least one server assigning one of the defined reply addresses to an inquiry of the plurality of inquiries, wherein the at least one server is coupled to at least one communication network and transmits the inquiry with the assigned reply address to at least one recipient via the at least one communication network, wherein the inquiry includes a choice question containing one or more reply alternatives indicated by corresponding choice symbols and wherein the assigned reply address is indicated as a sender of the inquiry with the assigned reply address, and wherein the at least one server also verifies authenticity of at least one inquiry reply received via the at least one communication network based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed.   
     
     
       115. The system of claim 114, wherein one or more inquiries are sent to a mobile device with the same reply address. 
     
     
       116. The system of claim 114, wherein the one or more reply alternatives include a letter, a number or another symbol available in a reply functionality of the mobile device. 
     
     
       117. The system of claim 114, wherein the inquiries are transmitted to the one or more recipients via Short Messaging Service messages. 
     
     
       118. The system of claim 114, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a text message. 
     
     
       119. The system of claim 114, wherein at least one inquiry of the plurality of inquiries is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       120. The system of claim 114, wherein the inquiry reply is a text message. 
     
     
       121. The system of claim 114, wherein the inquiry reply is a Short Message Service message. 
     
     
       122. The system of claim 114, wherein the transmitted inquiry is transmitted to a recipient's mobile device having a corresponding mobile number and the verification of the authenticity of the at least one inquiry reply is based on the replier's mobile number and the reply address to which the inquiry reply was routed. 
     
     
       123. The system of claim 114, wherein the inquiry transmission comprises transmitting the inquiry in a format which results in the assigned reply address being shown as sender address in a display of the mobile terminal of the at least one recipient. 
     
     
       124. The system of claim 114, wherein the inquiry reply only comprises one character.