METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR PROVIDING ADVERTISING-SUPPORTED CALL SERVICE

• US 20100080371A1
• Filed: 08/18/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tekelec
• Original Assignee: Tekelec
• Inventors: Gupta, Nirmal K., Ravishankar, Venkataramaiah, Marsico, Peter J., Sparks, Robert J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.130
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0184 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions, volume discounts, cell discounts, group billing, frequent calling destination(s) or user history list
• 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 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for advertising-supported call service are disclosed. According to one method, a SIP call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber is received. It is then determined whether the calling subscriber subscribes to a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service. In response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service, an advertisement is presented to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone, the call is connected to the called subscriber, and a reduced charge is effected for the call based on the PAPL service.

Claims

1. A method for providing advertising-supported call service in a session initiation protocol (SIP) communications network, the method comprising:

receiving a SIP call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber;

determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service; and

in response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service;

presenting an advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone;

connecting the call to the called subscriber; and

effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the call to the called subscriber includes acting as an intermediary between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber for the duration of the call.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein connecting the call to the called subscriber includes connecting the call directly between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein connecting the call directly between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber includes sending a re-INVITE message to the calling subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing one of an audio message and a multimedia message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the call setup message includes receiving an INVITE message.

7. The method of claim 1 comprising determining a location of the calling subscriber.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein determining a location of the calling subscriber includes one of querying a database, analyzing the call setup message, and obtaining global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing a message based on the location of the calling subscriber.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing a message based on the time of day.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein effecting a reduced charge for the call includes providing a lower flat rate for subscribers to the PAPL service.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein effecting a reduced charge for the call includes notifying a billing server of the reduced charge.

13. The method of claim 1 comprising generating usage measurement statistics associated with the advertisement and the call.

14. A system for providing advertising-supported call service in a session initiation protocol (SIP) communications network, the system comprising:

a communications module for receiving a SIP call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber; and

a PAPL module determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to a PAPL service and, in response to determining that the calling subscriber has subscribed to the PAPL service, presenting an advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone, connecting the call to the called subscriber, and effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP call setup signaling message associated with a pre-paid call.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SIP call setup signaling message associated with a post-paid call.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to act as an intermediary between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber for the duration of the call.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to connect the call directly between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the PAPL module is configured to send a re-INVITE message to the calling subscriber.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play one of an audio message and a multimedia message.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein receiving the call setup message includes receiving an INVITE message.

22. The system of claim 14 the PAPL module is configured to determine a location of the calling subscriber.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the PAPL module is configured to determining a location of the calling subscriber by one of querying a database, analyzing the call setup message, and obtaining global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play a message based on the location of the calling subscriber.

25. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play a message based on the time of day.

26. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to effect a reduced charge for the call by providing a lower flat rate for subscribers to the PAPL service.

27. The system of claim 14 wherein the PAPL module is configured to effect a reduced charge for the call by notifying a billing server of the reduced charge.

28. A computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber;

determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service; and

in response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service;

presenting an advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone;

connecting the call to the called subscriber; and

effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.

29. A method for providing advertising-supported call service in a communications network, the method comprising:

receiving a signaling system 7 (SS7) call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes a service key associated with a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service;

determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service based on the service key; and

in response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service;

presenting an audio advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone;

holding a Continue message from being sent to the sender of the call setup signaling message until the advertisement has been presented;

connecting the call to the called subscriber; and

effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein receiving a SS7 call setup signaling message includes receiving an SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a pre-paid call.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein receiving a SS7 call setup signaling message includes receiving a SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a post-paid call.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes an initial detection point (IDP) message.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein connecting the call to the called subscriber includes acting as an intermediary between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber for the duration of the call.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein connecting the call to the called subscriber includes connecting the call directly between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing one of an audio message and a multimedia message.

36. The method of claim 29 comprising determining a location of the calling subscriber.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein determining a location of the calling subscriber includes one of querying a database, analyzing the call setup message, and obtaining global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

38. The method of claim 29 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing a message based on the location of the calling subscriber.

39. The method of claim 29 wherein presenting the advertisement includes playing a message based on the time of day.

40. The method of claim 29 wherein effecting a reduced charge for the call includes providing a lower flat rate for subscribers to the PAPL service.

41. The method of claim 29 wherein effecting a reduced charge for the call includes notifying a billing server of the reduced charge.

42. The method of claim 29 comprising generating usage measurement statistics associated with the advertisement and the call.

43. A system for providing advertising-supported call service in a communications network, the system comprising:

a communications module for receiving a signaling system 7 (SS7) call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes a service key associated with a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service; and

a PAPL module for;

determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service based on the service key;

in response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service;

presenting an audio advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone;

holding a Continue message from being sent to the sender of the call setup signaling message until the advertisement has been presented;

connecting the call to the called subscriber; and

effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the communications module is configured to receive an SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a pre-paid call.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein the communications module is configured to receive an SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a post-paid call.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes an initial detection point (IDP) message.

47. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to present the advertisement by playing one of an audio message and a multimedia message.

48. The system of claim 43 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a pre-paid call.

49. The system of claim 43 wherein the communications module is configured to receive a SS7 call setup signaling message associated with a post-paid call.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes an initial detection point (IDP) message.

51. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to act as an intermediary between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber for the duration of the call.

52. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to connect the call directly between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber.

53. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play one of an audio message and a multimedia message.

54. The system of claim 43 the PAPL module is configured to determine a location of the calling subscriber.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein the PAPL module is configured to determining a location of the calling subscriber by one of querying a database, analyzing the call setup message, and obtaining global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

56. The system of claim 54 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play a message based on the location of the calling subscriber.

57. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to play a message based on the time of day.

58. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to effect a reduced charge for the call by providing a lower flat rate for subscribers to the PAPL service.

59. The system of claim 43 wherein the PAPL module is configured to effect a reduced charge for the call by notifying a billing server of the reduced charge.

60. A computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps comprising:

receiving a signaling system 7 (SS7) call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber, wherein the SS7 call setup signaling message includes a service key associated with a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service;

determining whether the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service based on the service key; and

in response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service;

presenting an audio advertisement to the calling subscriber via the subscriber'"'"'s telephone;

holding a Continue message from being sent to the sender of the call setup signaling message until the advertisement has been presented;

connecting the call to the called subscriber; and

effecting a reduced charge for the call based on the PAPL service.