PRIOR ART Today's brochures provide various pieces of information regarding objects described in the brochure. For example, printed travel brochures often include a map and advertisements for restaurants, hotels and museums located in the area covered by the map. In advertisements, businesses are able to pass their contact information and some other, so-called standing information, about themselves. In general, brochures are printed no more than a few times a year. Hence, brochures are not able to introduce frequently changing offers or to provide information regarding, for example, art exhibitions displayed in a museum at various times, exceptional opening hours, a hotel's vacancy status, or the like. Surely, brochure users are able to make a phone call to phone numbers of the objects mentioned in a brochure, but few people do that. Thus, there would be a need for more real- time communication. The communication between a brochure user and an object should preferably be established to be interactive. It would be preferential, for example, if a brochure user could utilize the brochure to make a reservation inquiry to one or more hotels, and if there is vacancy in a hotel and the price is agreeable, to book a room.

It is an object of the present invention among other things to alleviate or even eliminate problems of the prior art as described above.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a brochure as well as a method and a system for passing information, which enable a convenient communication between a brochure user and an object described in the brochure, such as a hotel.

In order to fulfil the above objects, among others, a brochure as well as a method and a system for passing information according to the invention are characterized by what is set forth in the characterizing clauses of the appended independent claims.

The exemplary applications and advantages mentioned in this specification apply, as appropriate, both to a brochure, a method and a system of the invention for passing information, even if this is not always specifically pointed out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A typical brochure of the invention comprises information about objects in a given area. Generally, such area refers to a geographical area. Travel brochures, for example, generally deal with the area of a given city. The objects include services about which the brochure contains information, typically advertisements. For example, the objects or services displayed in a travel brochure include typically hotels, restaurants, a city's travel agency, theatres, galleries, cinemas, organizers of sports events, various events. A typical brochure of the invention is a printed publication, usually made of paper. A method and a system of the invention preferably involve the use of such a brochure of the invention.

A typical brochure of the invention comprises a code system, whereby various brochures, objects presented therein, and possibly other items can be identified precisely. The brochure is typically provided with a set of instructions how to use this code system for passing information between a brochure user and the objects.

A typical brochure of the invention includes a brochure code precisely identifying the brochure. For example, the brochure code identifies precisely which city's travel brochure is in question. A typical brochure of the invention includes also one or more object codes for accurately distinguishing the objects of a single brochure from each other. The object code may also comprise several objects, i. e. a group of objects. Thus, for example, all hotels presented in a brochure can be identified as a single group with a single object code. In addition, a typical brochure of the invention comprises at least one extra code. One or more extra codes are used to represent a subject desirably passed between a brochure user and an object of the brochure. For example, the extra code may comprise information about a preferred language of communication. The extra code can be used for informing an object about which piece of information of the object the brochure user is interested in. In a typical brochure of the invention, the brochure code, the object code, and at least one extra code constitute together an operating code, which is capable of identifying an object precisely and which can be used for communication between a brochure user and the object. Such a simple object code enables a convenient and flawless communication. The brochure preferably contains necessary instructions to form the different operating codes. Further, the brochure preferably contains instructions as to how and for which purposes the operating codes can be used.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the brochure code, the object code, and at least one extra code are numbers or series of numbers. These are typically used for compiling an operating code by sequencing the numbers or series of numbers of the codes in a certain order and by leaving a blank space between the numbers or series of numbers of the codes. By means of numbers, the operating codes become short and simple. The computerized processing of numbers is easy.

In a typical method and system of the invention, a brochure of the invention is used for passing information between a user of the brochure displaying objects in an area and an object presented in the brochure.

A typical method comprises sending a brochure code which identifies the brochure, an object code which singles out one object described in the brochure from other objects in the same brochure, and at least one extra code together as an operating code, which identifies precisely said object described in the brochure, from a brochure user's terminal over a communications network to a server. The brochure user's terminal can be for example a mobile telephone, a portable computer, a PDA device (Personal Digital Assistant), an Internet terminal or any other device suitable for transmitting information. The communications network can be any information transferring system or a combination of several systems.

The operating code can be transmitted from a brochure user's terminal for example as an SMS message or in any other appropriate mode. The server refers to any appropriate data processing device. In a typical method of the invention, the operating code is processed at the server in order to find out which information it contains and about which object the brochure user seeks information. In a typical method of the invention, the information about an object identified by the operating code is read to the server from a database which comprises information about objects in the area. The information related to an object received from the database is typically transmitted from the server over a communications network to the brochure user's terminal. The database, comprising information about objects in an area, can be physically in one location, for example completely in the memory of a server. The database can also be partially or completely distributed, for example some or all information regarding an object can be retrieved from the object's own server.

In one method of the invention, the information about an object present in a database is changed from the terminal of the object. In this case, a communications network is used to establish a communication link from the object's terminal to a server. Thus, the object itself will be able to update its own information present in the database, whenever this is desirable and even in real time. Hence, for example a hotel can change prices offered to brochure users according to a current booking status.

In one method of the invention, it is explored at the server whether an operating code contains information intended for an object. If it does, the information contained in the operating code and intended for an object is transmitted over a communications network to the object. Such information may comprise, for example, a room reservation or a reservation inquiry addressed to a hotel. In a situation like this, it is possible that the information contained in the operating code and intended for an object be compared by the object with the information present in the object's own database. A hotel, for example, could check this way whether a desired reservation is possible. This comparison is used as a basis to form a response to a brochure user and to transmit the response over a communications network to the brochure user. For example, a brochure user attempting to reserve a room could thus receive information about whether or not the reservation is possible. According to one application of the invention, it is possible that in this situation the information of an object's own database be changed on the basis of information contained in an operating code and intended for the object. In other words, for example the reservation database of a hotel is then supplied with a reservation consistent with a received inquiry, if that is possible. Then, a message is typically sent to the user reporting a completed reservation.

A typical system of the invention for passing information between a user of a brochure describing objects in an area and an object described in the brochure comprises: - a server for processing information received from a brochure user's terminal device, --communications network means for carrying information between the brochure user's terminal device and the server, - a database for storing information about objects in the area, and - data transmission means for retrieving information from the database to the server, regarding an object identified by an operating code received from a brochure user's terminal.

In one embodiment, the inventive system further comprises communications network means for implementing a data transmission between an object and a server, for example over the Internet. The object, for example a hotel or a restaurant, may have access for example to database updating software, whereby the object itself can change its own database information from its own terminal.

The server in a system according to one embodiment comprises program code elements for exploring whether an operating code contains information intended for an object. The system may further comprise program code elements, by which the information contained in an operating code and intended for an object can be compared with information in the object's own database. In addition, the system may comprise program code elements which, on the basis of the result of said comparison, form a response to a brochure user. The system may also comprise program code elements, by which the information of an object's own database is changed on the basis of the information contained in the operating code. The above program code elements typically refer to elements of one or more computer programs. Such computer programs may be physically located either in the server included in the system or be at least partially distributed, for example to the objects'own servers.

By means of the invention, the communication of various pieces of information between a brochure user and an object described in the brochure can be provided in a reliable, secure, convenient and economic fashion.

In addition to the foregoing, other applications of the invention and advantages gained thereby will be described in the appended figures, as well as in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will now be described more closely with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically one brochure of the invention, and Fig. 2 shows an operating principle for a method and a system of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 illustrates an English language travel brochure 11 of the invention. The brochure 11 has its top portion provided with a highly visible brochure code 12 identifying this brochure of a geographical area from those of other areas. The exemplified brochure has a brochure code 101. In the middle of the brochure is a map 13 for a geographical area. The map 13 is shown in a highly schematic manner. It is marked with dots 13', for example for indicating the location of objects advertising in the brochure. Around the map 13 are arranged advertisements for businesses, sights and the like located in the area covered thereby. For the sake of clarity, the example of Fig. 1 only displays advertisements for three businesses, a hotel A"Hotel A", a hotel B"Hotel B", and a restaurant C "Restaurant C", designated with reference numerals 14a, 14b and 14c. In the advertising space of each business is arranged a particularly distinctive object code 15a, 15b and 15c, which distinguishes the business from other advertisers in the same brochure. The object code for hotel A is 1, that for hotel B is 2, and that for restaurant C is 3.

Business advertisements reveal information about the discussed business, but, for the sake of clarity, the example of Fig. 1 does not show for example contact information for the businesses, but instead just a few pieces of information essential in terms of the invention. In the illustrated brochure 11, each business has its advertisement provided with a few extra codes 16a, 16b and 16c, by means of which a brochure user 21 can make inquiries to the business about certain matters. The advertisement 14a for hotel A includes two extra codes 16a, "Available rooms"1 and"Driving instructions"2. The former refers to an inquiry about vacant rooms and the latter refers to a request for driving instructions. The advertisement 14b for hotel B has the same extra codes as hotel A. The advertisement 14c for restaurant C includes extra codes 16c, "Opening hours"1<BR> representing an inquiry about the restaurant's service hours, "Driving instructions" 2 representing a request for driving instructions, and"Menu"3 representing an inquiry about a menu.

The brochure 11 carries in its top right-hand corner an instruction field 17"INFO".

The instruction field 17 is visibly marked with second extra codes 18"Language", which are in reference to a language used in a communication system of the invention. The extra code for English language"English"is 1, that for Finnish language"Suomi"is 2, and that for Swedish language"Svenska"is 3. The instruction field 17 is marked with unequivocal operating instructions, whereby the brochure 11 of the invention can be used according to the invention for communication between the brochure user 21 and the businesses hotel A, hotel B, and restaurant C, advertising in the brochure. For the sake of clarity, these instructions are not visualized in Fig. 1.

The operating instructions for a brochure 11 shown in Fig. 1 include an instruction for compiling an operating code of the invention from the information set forth in the brochure 11. For example, if the user 21 were to seek information in Finnish language about the availability of rooms in hotel A, he or she should compile sequentially the extra code 18 for Finnish language, which is"2", the brochure code 12 for a brochure, which is"101", the object code 15a for hotel A, which is "1", as well as the extra code 16a representing an inquiry about available rooms in hotel A, which is"1". When the above codes are set in succession by leaving a blank space therebetween, the result is an operating code"2 101 1 1". The operating instruction advises further that this operating code should be sent as an SMS, i. e. as a text message to a certain telephone number. In the example of Fig.

1, all codes, and hence also an operating code compiled therefrom, are series of numbers. Thus, the operating code is easy to work out and easy to process numerically. Such a simple operating code can readily hold a large amount of diverse information. Various codes shown in Fig. 1 are just examples. Extra codes can be readily developed for all sorts of demands.

It is true that, in the example of Fig. 1, the operating code must be compiled from codes located in several parts of the brochure. According to the invention, however, it is obvious that the operating codes available for each object can be shown in a completed form, for example in connection with an advertisement for each object.

Fig. 2 illustrates an operating principle for one application of the invention. As in the previous example, the user 21 of the brochure 11 seeks to find out in Finnish language about the availability of rooms in hotel A advertising in the brochure.

Following the operating instructions set forth in the brochure 11, the user works out an operating code 22"2 101 1 1"and sends it from his mobile phone 23 as an SMS message to a telephone number given in the operating instructions. The SMS message proceeds over a communications network, such as a GSM network 24, to a server 25 of a service provider of the invention. The server 25 is installed with an appropriate computer program for analysing the operating code 22. At the same time, the server 25 preferably stores in memory a phone number or other address that the operating code 22 has arrived from. If the operating code 22 contains an inquiry about information which is available from a database 26 permanently connected to the server 25, it requests such information from there. If the nature of requested information is such that it is available from a so-called distributed database, i. e. for example from the object's own server, it will be requested from there. This is exactly the case with the exemplified inquiry for vacant rooms, which must be made directly from a room reservation database 27 of hotel A, for example over an Internet link 28. The room reservation database 27 of hotel A is used to send back to the server 25 a message indicating when and what type of rooms will be available in hotel A. After receiving a reply to all inquiries made in the operating code 22, the server 25 transmits a response as an SMS message to the brochure user's 21 mobile phone 23. Messages according to the invention may of course travel by way of any appropriate communications network other than a GSM network or the Internet. The brochure user's 21 terminal device can be for example an Internet terminal, in which case he would send his operating code 22 to the server 25 for example as an e-mail or the like.

The server 25 would also transmit a response to the user 21 as an e-mail or the like.

In one application of the invention, it is possible to use a terminal device of the object, such as the computer 27 of hotel A, for changing information presently in the server's database 26. Thus, for example, the updating of weekly or daily changing offers does not require the staff of a service provider maintaining the server 25.

In one application of the invention, the information contained in an operating code is used as a basis for changing information present in an object's own database.

In the case of a hotel, for example, a system of the invention can be used for making room reservations. The brochure could include a direct extra code for room reservation. Thus, a hotel can be supplied directly with a reservation request in an operating code and with a message indicating what type of room is desired.

If there is vacancy, the hotel records a booking. If there is no vacancy, the system returns to the user a message indicating that the reservation has failed. A reservation can also be made in several stages. For example, the response received by the user 21, regarding the inquiry about available rooms conducted in the previous example, may have an offer attached to it. The brochure user 21 can be given a certain response period, for example 5 minutes, during which time the offer is valid.

In one application of the invention, a group of certain objects may have a common object code. Thus, it is possible to transmit a common inquiry or message to the entire group. All objects included in the group respond independently or the server compiles the replies into a single response which is sent to the brochure user 21.

The system can be programmed in such a way that one transmission of an operating code is sufficient for automatically reserving for example the cheapest available room from hotels advertising in the brochure.

According to one application of the invention, it is possible to include a positioning feature. The location of a person sending an operating code, i. e. a brochure user 21, is nowadays precisely determinable. For example, it is possible to program the system in such a way that, when, for example, an inquiry is made according to the invention for a Swedish language driving instruction to hotel B, hence using the option"Driving instructions", i. e. "2", for the extra code 16b, the entire operating code 22 thus being"3 101 2 2", the following happens. The system: 1) locates by some known technique the brochure user's 21 mobile phone 23, 2) works out the most convenient driving route from the mobile phone's location to hotel B, 3) writes the driving instruction in Swedish, and 4) sends the driving instruction to the mobile phone 23.

As a result of the positioning feature, a wide variety of other applications are available for the invention. It is possible, for example, to reserve a ticket from the nearest cinema or to order a taxi to one's own location.

The figures only show a few preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The figures and the description therefor do not specifically disclose matters, such as other possibly necessary operations, which are secondary with regard to the main inventive idea, known as such, or obvious for a person skilled in the art. In any case, after reading this specification it will be quite clear to the skilled person as to how and why this sort of per se known matters should be arranged. Most of the disclosed examples deal with making room reservations at hotels, but it is obvious that the invention is readily applicable to other objects as well. For example, reservation of a ticket to a football match, survey of art exhibitions in a region, inquiry for the vacancy status of inner city parking garages, or price inquiry for lunch options are examples of applications suitable for the invention.

It is obvious for a skilled person that the invention is not limited just to the foregoing examples, but that the invention may vary within the scope of protection defined in the appended independent claims. The dependent claims disclose a few plausible embodiments for the invention and, as such, should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention.