System and method for transmitting and display of visual messages on screens of connected mobile devices

Abstract

A method for conveying a message to a user of a mobile device. The mobile device includes a display and memory. Message content is transferred from a server attached to the mobile device over a mobile network. Metadata is also transferred from the server. The metadata includes instructions for displaying the message content. The message content and the metadata are stored in the memory. The message content is read from the memory and the message is displayed on the display according to the instructions. The reading and displaying is performed by an by an application previously installed on the mobile device. The display events are logged to produce a log stored in the memory and the log is periodically transferred to the server. Preferably, the message content is provided by a customer and the message content stored on the server is targeted for the user. The customer receives the log from the server and preferably the customer subsidizes use of the mobile device based on the log.

1 . A method for displaying a message to a user of a mobile device, the mobile device including a display and memory, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a mobile device having a display and a communication circuit;   (b) uploading a plurality of messages having message content and a set of instructions for displaying said messages to said device via said communication circuit;   (c) detecting that a display of the device is illuminated independently of any message display; and   (d) selectively displaying a message of said plurality of messages, on said display, responsive to said detecting.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said displaying comprises displaying in response to a detection that said device is idle. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said message is targeted to a user of said device. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein displaying comprises displaying said message as a background message which does not interfere with an operation of said mobile device. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein displaying comprises displaying said message as a screen saver or a wall paper. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein displaying comprises displaying an active message which a user can interact with. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said interacting comprises selecting a link on said message and following said link. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said interacting comprises pressing a button on said mobile device. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising browsing by a user of at least one of said messages independent of display thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said uploading comprises uploading at least one of said messages and said instructions by SMS. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said uploading comprises uploading by a server which is accessible to an advertisement campaign manager. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising logging one or more of displaying, viewing or interacting with said messages by a user and subsidizing use of the mobile device by an entity other than said user, based on said logging. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said uploading is performed solely when the mobile device is otherwise idle. 
   
   
       14 . A method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said displaying is performed also in association with an active communication. 
   
   
       15 . A mobile device configured to perform the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       16 . A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to display messages, according to the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said instructions include an indication of what type of trigger to use for displaying. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising refreshing said message content and said instructions by push from a server. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising performing said upload. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising sending an SMS message by a user in response to said display by selecting said displayed message.