Method and apparatus for message presentation Via telecommunications network

• US 20080049912A1
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher Horn, Daniel Tanjeloff, Robert Carney, Timothy Carter
• Original Assignee: Christopher Horn, Daniel Tanjeloff, Robert Carney, Timothy Carter
• Inventors: Tanjeloff, Daniel, Horn, Christopher, Carney, Robert, Carter, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/823,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20080049912A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/02 Calling substations, e.g. by ringing selective calling H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42051 where the notification is included in the ringing tone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53391 dependent on calling party

Abstract

A method and apparatus for delivering a message to a caller prior to the moment the recipient unhooks or answers their telephone or other network interface device, as well as optionally delivering a message to the caller, the recipient, or both after the connection between the service provider and the caller, and/or the connection between the service provider and the recipient has been established. The method and apparatus are effective for use with all telecommunications systems, including, but not limited to, optical-based telephone systems, wire-based telephone systems, wireless telephone systems, optical-based computer network systems, wire-based computer network systems, wireless computer network systems, and heterogeneous network systems.

Claims

1. A method of operating a telecommunication system, the method:

comprising

receiving a call from a caller, the call being directed to a recipient;

providing a message to the caller prior to establishing a connection between the caller and the recipient;

recording an incentive for a party authorizing the message; and

establishing the connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein recording an incentive comprises recording an incentive for the recipient, the incentive having a value based on the content of the message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the method further comprises, at a first time, the first time being prior to receiving a call directed to the recipient, enrolling the recipient as a subscriber; and

recording an incentive for the recipient comprises recording a value based on a number of calls directed to the recipient between the first time and the time the call is received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the message comprises providing a promotional message.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

entering into an agreement with a sponsor; and

receiving content for the promotional message from the sponsor.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising recording a charge to the sponsor in response to providing the message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, in connection with the call, information identifying a geographic location of the caller; and

selecting the message based on the geographic location.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, in connection with the call, information identifying the likely interests of the caller; and

selecting the message based on the likely interests.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the recipient with access to information on the recorded incentive.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving input from the caller; and

in response to the input, establishing a connection between the caller and the sponsor.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving input from the caller; and

in response to the input, sending an SMS message to the caller.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving input from the caller; and

in response to the input, notifying the sponsor to contact the caller.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving input from the caller; and

in response to the input, providing more information to the caller about the sponsor.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

connecting the caller to the recipient.

10. A method of operating a telecommunication system for which a sponsor provides promotional information, the method comprising:

receiving a call from a caller, the call being directed to a recipient;

providing a message to the caller prior to establishing a connection between the caller and the recipient, the message having content based on the promotional information; and

prompting the caller for input based on the message.

16. A method of operating a telecommunication system, the method comprising:

establishing an account associated with a recipient;

recording, in connection with the account, information about a plurality of potential calling parties;

receiving a call from a caller, the call being directed to the recipient and the caller being a party of the plurality of potential calling parties;

providing a message to the caller prior to establishing a connection between the caller and the recipient, content of the message being based on the information; and

establishing the connection.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein recording the information comprises receiving from each of the plurality of potential calling parties at least one preference relating a type of promotional information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising, sending an e-mail to each of the plurality of potential calling parties with an expiring URL, the URL providing a link to a web page through which changes to the recorded information may be made.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein recording the information comprises receiving from the recipient at least one preference relating a type of promotional information for at least a portion of the plurality of potential calling parties.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

recording an incentive for the recipient, the incentive being related to the number of the plurality of potential calling parties.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein recording an incentive comprises recording a cash reward, a credit for free phone minutes and/or a merchandise credit.