Criteria based marketing for telephone directory assistance

• US 20030223563A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wolmuth, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,212,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement. The advertisements are selected from a databank according to selection criteria, which may include any number of advertisements. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes.

Claims

1. A system in which an advertisement is played to a user comprising;

using a selection means using selection criteria to select said advertisement.

2. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on Standard Industry Codes.

3. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on the User”

s geographical location.

4. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on the User”

s phone number.

5. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that user is requesting directory assistance.

6. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that selection means is a computer processor.

7. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that advertisements are stored in a memory means.

8. A system of the type claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that user is requesting toll services.

9. A system in which an advertisement is played to a user comprising;

providing directory assistance to the users; and

using a selection means using selection criteria to select said advertisement.

10. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on Standard Industry Codes.

11. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on the User”

s geographical location.

12. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that the selection criteria is based on the User”

s phone number.

13. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that selection means is a computer processor.

14. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that advertisements are stored in a memory means.

15. A system of the type claimed in claim 9 further characterized in that user is requesting toll services.

16. A device for the providing of directory assistance comprising;

A telephone network connecting a user with the system;

Said system having a processing means and a memory means;

Said memory means containing a plurality of advertisements;

Said system having said processing means use a selection criteria to select a advertisement; and

Said system playing said advertisement to said user.