A method and apparatus for providing realtime information between a mobile station and at least one fixed station utilizing a business to business (B2B) engine. A subscriber utilizing a mobile station (MS) may send a request to a B2B engine to find a nearby fixed station, i.e., a restaurant. A reservation management company i.e., a service provider, interconnected with the B2B engine, may provide a reservation application to member restaurants and a restaurant module for integration with the B2B engine. The B2B engine provides an exchange point for passing realtime information between the restaurant and the mobile station. The restaurant module and the B2B engine communicate with the reservation application to automatically place and manage reservations according to an estimated time of arrival for the mobile station subscriber. Any adjustments may be made prior to arrival and all procedures may be done automatically without human intervention.
Apparatus For Facilitating Realtime Information Interexchange Between A Telecommunications Network And A Service Provider
Ranjit Bhatia - Plano TX, US Shashi Kavi - Plano TX, US Mikael Stromquist - Plano TX, US Tammy Wheat - Grapevine TX, US Arun Bhikshesvaran - Philadelphia PA, US
International Classification:
G06F015/173 G06F015/16
US Classification:
709/224000, 709/217000
Abstract:
A Business-to-Business (B2B) engine, apparatus and method for facilitating information interexchange between a telecommunications network and an information service provider. The B2B engine includes an interface module for interfacing with the telecommunications network and with the information service provider. The interface module allows the B2B engine to receive realtime information from the telecommunications network and provide the realtime information to the information service provider. The B2B engine includes a processor that controls the operation of the B2B engine and at least one application module interconnected to the processor that enhances the monitoring and realtime information retrieval of mobile terminals within the telecommunications network. The B2B engine also facilitates the reporting of the realtime information within the telecommunications network to the information service provider, thereby enabling content data and/or services to be provided to the mobile terminal.