Telephone search supported by advertising based on past history of requests

• US 20060173915A1
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kliger, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,367,846 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0247 Calculate past, present or future revenues
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0275 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

A technology platform for the delivery of dynamic, interactive audio advertisements played in response to a consumer initiated request for information via a telephone. The platform provides advertising supported information services that are related to past responses made to a specific consumer who initiated the request. In one specific embodiment, a consumer uses a telephone is connected to a call processing system. The call processing system receives a request for information from the consumer. In determining a response, the consumer'"'"'s request is examined to identify the customer that originated the request. This in turn identifies a profile file associated with the consumer, which then permits the system to determine one or more advertisement selection parameters. The customer profile may comprise one or more records of past requests from the identified customer station.

Claims

1. A method for use in a telecommunications network, the network having a customer station and a call processing station, the method comprising the steps of:

at the customer station,

(a) dialing a telephone number used for accessing the call processing station;

(b) setting up a call connection from the customer station to the call processing station;

(c) providing a request for information from the customer station;

at the call processing station,

(d) receiving the request for information from the customer station;

(e) examining the request for information to identify at least the customer station that originated the request;

(f) examining a customer profile associated with the customer station, to determine one or more advertisement selection parameters, the customer profile comprising one or more records of past requests from the identified customer station;

(g) automatically selecting an advertisement from the advertisement selection parameters; and

(h) retrieving the selected advertisement from a stored media.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the records of past requests include a geographic location associated with the past requests.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the records of past requests include a subject matter area associated with the past requests.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the records of past requests include a time associated with the past requests.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the records of past requests include a list of one or more advertisements previously selected in response to the past requests.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein the records of past requests include locations associated with the advertisements previously selected in response to past requests.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (g) determines that multiple advertisements are associated with the advertisement selection parameters, and further comprising the step of:

automatically determining a selected advertisement from among the multiple advertisements.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement is based on maximizing advertising revenue.

9. A method as in claim 8 wherein maximizing advertising revenue further chooses the advertisement for which the advertiser has indicated by way of a bid that they are willing to pay more than any other advertiser to play their associated message to the consumer.

10. A method as in claim 7 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement is based on maximizing consumer satisfaction.

11. A method as in claim 7 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement uses a round robin selection.

12. A method as in claim 7 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement determines a best offer for the consumer.