WO2001011898A2

WO2001011898A2 - Information method using telephone numbers and sms

Info

Publication number: WO2001011898A2
Application number: PCT/SE2000/001564
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Olsson
Original assignee: Goyada Ab
Priority date: 1999-08-09
Filing date: 2000-08-09
Publication date: 2001-02-15
Also published as: SE9902859L; AU6603300A; SE9902859D0; WO2001011898A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information, which can be of interest to a user of a mobile telephone (15), from an information server to the mobile telephone. The invention comprises that a call set up request is received (14, 33) from the mobile telephone (15) at a first called telephone number together with the telephone number of the mobile telephone, and that a menu with alternatives, each associated with the respective telephone number, is sent (19, 47) in the form of a data message, particularly an SMS message, to the mobile telephone in dependence on said first called number, wherein said alternatives are associated with information and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number. Further, the invention may comprise the steps of receiving a further call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at the second called number, which is associated with one of said alternatives, identifying said one of said alternatives, which is associated with said second called number, and sending the information associated with said one of said alternatives to the mobile telephone in the form of a data message, particularly as an SMS message.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE AT A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and to a device, respectively, at a mobile telecommunication system. Specifically, the invention relates to a technique for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information that may be of interest to a user of a mobile telephone from an information server to the mobile phone, and optionally for performing a predetermined action, such as e.g. ordering or subscribing on a product or a service, sending a message, or configuring an electrical appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

A function beginning more and more to be used within mobile telephony is to send and receive so-called SMS messages (SMS, Short Messaging Service). These messages are sent over a protocol called IS-136.

It is l.a. known to send SMS messages comprising information, as e.g. weather reports, traffic information or stock quotation, from a message center (MC) to the user of a mobile phone via a mobile exchange and a base station. Information that a user of a mobile phone wishes to receive is defined thereby that the user first sends an SMS message to the message center with statements about the information that is desired.

For the user of a such a service it is though a complicated and time-consuming procedure to create and send an SMS message from his mobile phone as the phone is normally provided with a key pad with a very limited number of buttons. Additionally, he has to know how the text message shall look like m order to get back the correct information, and the telephone number that shall be used for the current specific service.

Further, it is through EP 0851696 known that a user calls a distributor of information services, whereby an identification of the user, e.g. the calling number, is transferred to the distributor. The distributor of information services can use the identification m order to access data specific to the user, e.g. a PIN code. The user is then provided with voice message or menu choices in order to choose information, whereby he then via button selections on the key pad of the telephone or via the voice response can make his choice of the particular information desired. Subsequently, the information distributor creates a message comprising the desired information and possibly the user specific data, whereby this is sent to a message center, which m turn transmits the chosen information to the user in an SMS message.

A disadvantage of th s method is that a channel has to be held open during the procedure of choosing information. If this comprises navigating through a menu with several hierarchical levels it can imply a considerable cost, while network capacity is meanwhile occupied. Further, it may be difficult to memorize codes for the respective menu choices when these are only given as voice messages, particularly when the menu comprises many alternatives and when the user is unfamiliar with the contents of the menu.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an ob3ect of the present invention to provide a method for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy, or any other information that may be of interest to a user of a mobile phone, from an information server to the mobile phone, which is lacking one or several of the limitations or disadvantages that are associated with prior art.

Further objects of the present invention will be apparent in the description below.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is a provided a method according to claim 1.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for performing the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is a provided a device according to claim 13.

Advantages of the present invention comprise simplified handling for the user of the mobile phone, more cost effective navigation through menus and a lower utilization of the capacity in the telecommunication network.

Further advantages of the invention and features thereof will be apparent in the description below.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be closer described below with reference to the appended drawings, which are only shown to illustrate the invention, and shall therefore in now way limit the same.

Fig. 1 illustrates, schematically, an embodiment of the device according to the present invention during communication with a mobile telephone.

Fig. 2 illustrates, schematically, an embodiment of the device and its parts according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of inventive method steps are indicated .

Fig. 3 illustrates, schematically, an example of a suitable menu construction for use in the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for depicting and not limiting purposes, specific details are given, such as particular applications, techniques, methods, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It shall, however, be apparent for the man skilled in the art that the invention may be practised m other embodiments that deviate from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods, protocols, devices or circuits are omitted in order not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details.

In its most general aspect the invention comprises a method for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy, or any other information that can be of interest to a user of a mobile phone, from an information server to the mobile phone. The method comprises the steps of receiving a call set up request from the mobile phone via a first telephone number called, the so-called B number, together with the number of the mobile phone, the so-called A number, and in dependence on said first B number sending a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, to the mobile telephone in the form of a data message, preferably an SMS message, where said alternatives are associated with information regarding news, weather, sports, economy, or anything else, and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

Further, the invention may comprise the steps of receiving an additional call set up request from the mobile telephone via a second B number associated with one of said alternatives, identifying this alternative as being associated with said second B number, and finally sending information associated with this alternative m the form of a data message, preferably an SMS message, to the mobile telephone .

A more complex menu construction may comprise several hierarchical levels, through which one navigates to reach the desired information. In this respect, the further steps of receiving a call set up request from the mobile telephone at a telephone number called together with the number of the mobile telephone, and sending a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone m dependence on said number called, where said alternatives are associated with further menus and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number, can precede the above-mentioned steps, which steps may be repeated m order to navigate through the hierarchical levels .

By aid of the present invention a person can thus navigate through menus from his mobile telephone by dialling telephone numbers and get back different data messages in dependence on the telephone number being dialled.

The invention may be implemented in a device such as the one schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. This device 10 comprises a computer server 11 with a telephone exchange 13 for receiving incoming call set up requests 14, e.g. from a mobile telephone 15, and a modem or another transmitter 17 for sending data messages 19, particularly text messages according to the SMS standard, back to the mobile telephone 15 v a a service provider 21 of a mobile telecommunication system. The computer server 11 comprises processing capacity, suitable software and at least one data base or the like for realizing the present invention, see closer description below.

According to a short and illustrative example Anders is calling number 020-1234560 using his mobile telephone 15 and goes on-hook when the device 10 has registered the calling and called numbers (so-called A and B number presentation, respectively) . After going on-hook he gets back a text message (SMS message) reading "Weather: 020- 1234560, news: 020-1234561, sports: 020-1234562". Then Anders calls 020-1234561 as he wishes to receive news, whereby he gets back the message "Domestic: 020-1234570, foreign: 020-1234571". Finally, he calls 020-1234571 and now receives foreign news in a text message to his telephone .

An advantage of this system is that users need only to remember one single telephone number in order to enter the menu. This number can advantageously be stored as a short number m the mobile telephone.

The invention may also comprise sending a menu with alternatives each associated with a telephone number in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone, wherein the alternatives are associated with information to order or subscribe a certain product or service and the order or the subscription is carried out by dialling the respective telephone number.

Alternatively, or additionally, the invention may comprise the steps of receiving a call set up request from the mobile phone via a first telephone number called together with the number of the mobile phone and in dependence on said called number sending a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, to the mobile telephone in the form of a data message, preferably an SMS message, where said alternatives are associated with actions to be performed, and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number. While an alternative is chosen the corresponding action is performed. The actions to be performed may be any of a large range of activities, such as e.g. ordering, subscribing, sending a message or other, configuring an apparatus, e.g. an electrical home appliance, or other, activate an alarm, etc.

Further, authentication of the user may be applied. The calling number, i.e. the A number, may m this instance be used for authentication as a unique identification of the user. Alternatively, any other kind of authentication system may be provided to ensure that the current user is authorized to retrieve information or to perform actions. Typically, a PIN code may have to be entered to access the services .

According to a further embodiment of the invention telephone numbers may be re-used, i.e. the user of the mobile telephone receives different messages in dependence on where m the menu he is, even if he dials the same telephone number. In order to implement this an extra field is required, which indicates the position of the user m the menu.

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically and according to the present invention yet an embodiment of the device and its components, wherein a plurality of inventive method steps are indicated, which are depicted closer below m connection with the description of the components which in combination constitute an embodiment of the device.

A call detector 31 registers partly the telephone number called, partly the telephone number of the calling user (the so-called B and A numbers, respectively) at a transmission of a call set up request 33 from the user and forwards this information to a server 35 m a step 1. The detector may be implemented by aid of ISDN numbers, an ISDN card and software, which identify the A and B numbers.

A user data base 37 keeps track on where all existing users are positioned in a menu navigation system comprising nodes interconnected by links, where each node has an associated data message or other for transmission. Two fields are hereby required; the telephone number of the user and an identification of the node where he or she is at the moment. Preferably, there is a default start position for users who have not utilized the menu navigation system during a predetermined period of time, say 30 minutes. New users, which are not found n the date base, are stored and given a start position, preferably the same position as the one mentioned above. In a step 2 the server consults the user data base 37 and m a step 3 the server 35 receives the position information in the form of a present node address .

A link data base 39 preferably comprises two fields; B number and link number fields, wherein each B number is associated with a respective link number, say 1, 2, 3, etc. In a step 4 the server 35 thus consults the link data base 39 and searches for the link number and m a step 5 the link number is sent from the table 39 to the server 35. Note particularly that the steps 2 and 3 on one hand and the steps 4 and 5 on the other may be performed independent on each other and thus steps 4 and 5 may be performed before steps 2 and 3.

A node data base 41 preferably has four fields; present node address, link number, node address, to which a given link number is linked from the user position, and a data message associated with the new node address. In a step 6 the server 35 thus consults the node data base 41 and searches after the node which is reached from the present node address by the present link number and m step 7 the new node address and its associated data message are sent from the date base 41 to the server 35. The server then updates the user data base in a step 8 by moving the user to the new node, i.e. entering the new node address.

The node data base may be any suitable system which comprises the fields required in order for the user to be able to navigate through the menus. Particularly, the Internet may work as a node data base, since a home page has a URL address (present node address), links, which lead to new URL addresses (new node addresses), and data. Further software may be necessary in some instances in order to convert information in the node data base to the format which is required to send it to the mobile telephone of the user.

Finally, m a step 9 the server 35 sends the data message and the A number to a message sender 43, which in turn transmits the data message 47, preferably as an SMS message, to the receiver, i.e. the calling mobile telephone .

The invention may comprise a further field in the user data base, which indicates if some data message shall be sent to another number than to the detected and stored A number.

It is also possible to combine the above-mentioned solution with utilization of information about where the user is physically located. In such a way a current weather report may e.g. be sent, which varies m dependence on where the user is located.

Further, the invention may comprise the possibility for a user to store a certain node and get a direct number to this node similar to a book mark to a home page, which is saved in a web browser.

In a simpler embodiment, where the B number is used as link number, the link data base and the steps 4-5 may be omitted and in a further embodiment, in which the B numbers are neither re-used, the node data base may further be reduced to comprise two fields; B number and data message fields, respectively, whereby steps 6 and 7 are modified to correlate the incoming B number to the respective data message. In this latter embodiment the user data base and the steps 2, 3 and 8 may also be omitted.

With reference next to Fig. 3, which schematically illustrates an example of a suitable menu construction for use in the present invention, an example of an inventive method will be described in order to further illustrate the invention.

The menu is tree-based but any other kind of menu construction with nodes interconnected by links is applicable. In the figure 22 nodes are indicated NO, Nl, ..., N21. The links are denoted LI, L2, L3, etc. for each set of links starting from the same node.

A user calls a telephone number, say 020-333333, which is associated with link LI between nodes NO and Nl, from his mobile telephone, having say number 070-1234567. The nine steps which are depicted in connection with Fig. 2 are exemplified below.

1. The server receives A and B numbers, i.e. 070- 1234567 and 020-333333.

2. The server consults the user data base to find the node position of 070-1234567. We here assume that the user has not used the invention during a period of time and that he is therefore located in node NO highest up in the menu tree.

3. The server receives the information that 070- 1234567 is located in NO.

4. The server consults the link table to find with which link number the B number 020-333333 is associated. We here assume that the number is associated with link LI (the only one which starts at node NO) .

5. The server receives the information that 020- 333333 corresponds to link LI.

6. The server consults the node data base in order to find the node, to which link LI leads from node NO.

7. The server receives information that the node is

Nl and that the data message associated with Nl is "News : 020-1234560 , wea ther : 020-1234561 , sports : 020-1234562 , s tocks 020-1234563, foreign exchange : 020-1234564 " .

8. The server instructs the user data base to change the position for 070-1234567 to Nl.

9. The server sends via the message sender the data message as an SMS message to 070-1234567.

We now assume that the user is interested in a weather report and therefore dials 020-1234561, whereby nine new steps follow (numbered 10-18):

10 The server receives A and numbers, i.e. 070- 1234567 and 020-1234561. 11. The server consults the user data base to find in which node 070-1234567 is located.

12. The server receives the information that 070- 1234567 is located in Nl.

13. The server consults the link table to find with which link number the B number 020-1234561 is associated. In this respect we assume that the number is associated with link L2.

14. The server gets the information that 020-1234561 corresponds to link L2.

15. The server consults the node data base in order to find the node, to which link L2 leads from node Nl.

16. The server gets the information that the node is

N3 and that the data message associated with N3 is "Vastra Gotaland: 020-1234560, Ostra Gόtaland: 020-1234561 , Vastra Svealand: 020-1234562 , Ostra Svea land: 020-1234563 , Norrland: 020-1234564 " .

17. The server instructs the user data base to alter the position of 070-1234567 to N3.

18. The server sends via the message sender the data message "Vastra Gota land : 020-1234560 , Os tra Gotaland: 020-1234561 , Vastra Svealand: 020- 1234562 , Os tra Svealand: 020-1234563, Norrland: 020-1234564 " as an SMS message to 070-1234567.

We now assume that the user is interested in a weather report for Ostra Svealand and therefore dials 020-1234563, whereby nine new steps follow (numbered 19-27) (note also that numbers are re-used in different parts of the menu tree) :

19. The server receives A and B numbers, i.e. 070- 1234567 and 020-1234563.

20. The server consults the user data base to find in which node 070-1234567 is located.

21. The server gets the information that 070-1234567 is located in N3.

22. The server consults the link table in order to find with which link number the B number 020- 1234563 is associated. In this respect we assume that the number is associated with the link L4.

23. The server gets the information that 020-1234563 corresponds to link L .

24. The server consults the node data base in order to find the node, to which link L4 leads from node N3.

25. The server receives the information that the node is N10 and that the date message associated with N10 is "Cloudy, about 11 °C during day, further details: Uppland: 020-1234560, Sormland: 020-

1234561, Malardalen: 020-1234562, Skargarden: 020- 1234563, Statistical information: 020-1234564".

26. The server instructs the user data base to alter the position of 070-1234567 to N10.

27. The server sends via the message sender the data message "Cloudy, about 11 °C during day, further details: Uppland: 020-1234560, Sormland: 020- 1234561, Malardalen: 020-1234562, Skargarden: 020- 1234563, Statistical information: 020-1234564" as an SMS message to 070-1234567.

Finally, we assume that the user is interested in a weather report for Stockholms skargard and therefore dials again 020-1234563, whereby nine new steps follow (numbered 28- 36) :

28. The server receives A and B numbers, i.e. 070- 1234567 and 020-1234563.

29. The server consults the user data base to find m which node 070-1234567 is located.

30. The server gets the information that 070-1234567 is located in N10.

31. The server consults the link table to find with which link number the B number 020-1234563 is associated. In this respect we assume that the number is associated with link L4.

32. The server gets the information that 020-1234563 corresponds to link L4.

33. The server consults the node data base in order to find the node, to which link L4 leads from node

N10.

34. The server receives the information that the node is N20 and that the data message associated with N20 is "Cloudy, about 11 °C during day, mainly dry, western winds about 3m/s, in the evening somewhat cooler, night temperature about 13°C, the day after to-morrow hotter, cloudy with sunny intervals, about 20°C. One step up in the menu: 020-1234561".

35. The server instructs the user data base to alter the position of 070-1234567 to N20.

36. The server sends via the message sender the data message "Cloudy, about 11°C during day, mainly dry, western winds about 3m/s, at night somewhat cooler, night temperature about 13°C, m the day after to-morrow hotter, cloudy with sunny intervals , about 20°C. One step up in the menu: 020-1234561" as an SMS message to 070-1234567.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention an SMS message may also comprise the information "Save as book mark 020-1234591", wherein, if the user dials this number, it is saved as a book mark (direct number) in order to directly to reach the desired information, in this case the weather m Stockholms skargard. The next time the user dials 020-1234591 this person receives directly the current weather for Stockholms skargard in a data message. Preferably, these direct numbers or book mark numbers may be used as direct numbers of other users to other services.

In a further embodiment more than one SMS message may be sent each time if the date information that is to be sent is too large to be housed in a single SMS message.

Note that the device according to the present invention does not need to be centralized. A distributed system is possible where e.g. storing and updating of text messages and/or transmission thereof may be performed from a remote location.

Particularly, the Internet may be used as basis for the information, whereby a device may be provided, which extracts information therefrom, for the construction of different data messages.

Whether a call is really set up or not when the user calls the server is of less importance for the invention. It is possible that the call is not set up (but the user receives a busy tone) , that it is set up and a confirmation that the signal has gone through is sent back to the user, e.g. as a voice message of the type "The instruction is received.

Please go on-hook " or that it is set up without giving any confirmation. Disconnection may be carried out either by the user going on hook or by the server disconnecting the call.

The advantages of the present invention comprises l.a. the following.

No SMS messages have to be entered and sent by the user of the mobile telephone.

Only one single telephone number has to be remembered (or be stored in the telephone or on the SIM card) for all services.

No speech channel has to be held open during the procedure of choosing information, which implies a lower cost together with the occupation of a lower network capacity.

The menus are given as text messages, which gives a better overview of different services. Thus, it is easily possible to navigate back and forth through the menus .

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings but can be modified within the scope of the appended patent Claims.

Claims

1. A method for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information, which can be of interest to a user of a mobile telephone, from an information server to the mobile telephone, characterized by the steps of:

(l) receiving (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a first telephone number called, so-called B number, together with the telephone number of the mobile telephone, the so-called A number; and

(ii) sending (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, m the form of a data message to the mobile telephone m dependence on said first B number, where said alternatives are associated with information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information, and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(m) receiving (14, 33) a further call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a second B number, which is associated with one of said alternatives;

(IV) identifying said one of said alternatives being associated with said second B number; and

(v) sending (19, 47) the information associated with said one of said alternatives to the mobile telephone m the form of a data message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the steps (ι)-(v) are preceded by the steps of receiving (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) with a telephone number called together with the number of the mobile telephone, and sending (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone in dependence on said number called, wherein said alternatives are associated with further menus and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the steps of receiving (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a number called together with the number of the mobile telephone and sending (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, m the form of a data message to the mobile telephone in dependence on the number called, wherein said alternatives are associated with further menus and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number, are repeated at least one time.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, comprising sending a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone, wherein said alternatives are associated with information for ordering or subscribing on a certain product or service and the order or subscription is carried out by dialling the respective telephone number.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein each data message, which is sent to the mobile telephone, is sent in the form of an SMS message.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein each data message, which is sent to the mobile telephone, is sent m dependence on earlier received call set up requests from the mobile telephone, i.e. earlier dialled B numbers to the information server.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein, when at least some call set up request is received (14, 33), also a position determination is received from the mobile telephone (15) and the subsequent data message, which is sent to the mobile telephone, is sent in dependence on the position of the mobile telephone.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least some data message, which is sent to the mobile telephone, comprises information retrieved from the Internet .

10. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein each received call set up request leads to the set up of a call in dependence on the availability of an unoccupied line.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a confirmation, particularly a voice message, is sent to the mobile telephone for each call set up.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein, during each received call set up request, it is prevented that a call is set up.

13. The method of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein a particular telephone number is allocated for information associated with one of said alternatives, wherein said information associated with said one of said alternatives is sent (19, 47) to the mobile telephone in the form of a data message in dependence on the reception (14, 33) of a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at said particular telephone number.

14. A device for delivering information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information which can be of interest to a user of a mobile telephone to the mobile telephone, characterized in that it is arranged for :

(I) receiving (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a first called telephone number, a so-called B number, together with the number of the mobile telephone, the so-called A number, and

(n) sending (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with the respective telephone number, m the form of a data message to the mobile telephone m dependence on said first B number, where said alternatives are associated with information regarding news, weather, sports, economy or any other information, and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein it is further arranged for:

(m) receiving (14, 33) a further call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) with a second B number, which is associated with one of said alternatives,

(ιv) identifying said one of said alternatives, which is associated with said second B number, and

(v) sending (19, 47) information associated with said one of said alternatives to the mobile telephone m the form of a data message.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein it is adapted to first receive (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a called telephone number together with a number of the mobile telephone and then to send (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, m the form of a data message to the mobile telephone n dependence on said called number, wherein said alternatives are associated with further menus and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein it is adapted to receive (14, 33) a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a called telephone number together with the number of the mobile telephone and to send (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, m the form of a data message to the mobile telephone m dependence on the called number, wherein said alternatives are associated with further menus and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number, repeatedly.

18. The device of any of claims 14 to 17, wherein it is adapted to send a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone, wherein said alternatives are associated with information for ordering or subscribing on a certain product or service and the order or the subscription is carried out by dialling the respective telephone number.

19. The device of any of claims 14 to 18, wherein each data message is constituted by one or several SMS messages.

20. The device of any of claims 14 to 19, wherein it is adapted to send each data message m dependence on earlier received call set up requests from the mobile telephone, i.e. earlier B numbers dialled to the device.

21. The device of any of claims 14 to 20, wherein it is adapted also to receive a positioning determination from the mobile telephone (15) and to send at least some data message in dependence on the position of the mobile telephone .

22. The device of any of claims 14 to 21, wherein it is adapted to construct at least some data message, which it is adapted to send, from information retrieved from the Internet .

23. The device of any of claims 14 to 22, wherein it is adapted to allow each received call set up request to be set up in dependence on the availability of an unoccupied

24. The device of claim 23, wherein it is adapted to send a confirmation, particularly a voice message, to the mobile telephone for each call set up.

25. The device of any of claims 14 to 22, wherein it is adapted to prevent a call from being set up at each received call set up request.

26. The device of any of claims 14 to 25, wherein it is adapted to allocate a particular telephone number for information associated with one of said alternatives, and to send said information associated with said one of said alternatives (19, 47) to the mobile telephone in the form of a data message in dependence on the reception (14, 33) of a call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at said particular telephone number.

27. The device of claim 14, wherein the B number, at which it is arranged to receive call set up requests, is associated with a link to a home page, or portion thereof, at the Internet or Intranet, and the menu, which it is arranged to send to the mobile telephone, is constituted by said home page, or portion thereof, at the Internet or the Intranet, and the telephone numbers, with which the alternatives are associated, are associated with respective links to home pages, or portions thereof, at the Internet or the Intranet, wherein said alternatives are constituted by the respective home pages, or portions thereof, at the Internet or the Intranet, which are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number.

28. A method for automatically performing an action, such as e.g. subscribing, ordering, sending a message, configuring an apparatus, from an information server to a mobile telephone, characterized by the steps of:

(i) receiving (14, 33) a first call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) at a first telephone number called together with the telephone number of the mobile telephone;

(ii) sending (19, 47) a menu with alternatives, each associated with a respective telephone number, in the form of a data message to the mobile telephone in dependence on said first number called, where said alternatives are associated with actions to be performed, and are chosen by dialling the respective telephone number; and

(iii) automatically performing a chosen one of said actions in dependence on receiving a second call set up request from the mobile telephone (15) via a second telephone number called together with the telephone number of the mobile telephone, said second telephone number being the telephone number associated with the action chosen.