Call processing method for delivering promotional messages

• US 6,009,150 A
• Filed: 11/16/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Broadpoint Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Broadpoint Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Kamel, Alexandre P.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US09/192,306
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.09, 379/88.16, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/111, 379/114, 379/201
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• 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 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• 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 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

An interactive voice response and call process application and system for delivering promotional messages allows a user to select a desired number of promotional messages which are played before a connection is established. The user may also request additional promotional messages at any time during the connection in order to extend a free or subsidized connection period provided by the system. The system monitors the connection and provides a warning tone to the user prior to the end of the free or subsidized calling period. The user may then request an additional promotional message, to extend the time period, or terminate the connection in an orderly fashion.

Claims

1. A method of delivering promotional messages to a calling party in a telephony system, comprising:

outputting a number of promotional messages to the calling party, wherein the number of promotional messages is selected by the calling party to correspond to a desired time interval for a call connection; and

maintaining the call connection between the calling party and a called party for said desired time interval.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing a warning tone to the calling party when a remaining portion of the desired time interval is less than a predetermined time threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising terminating said call connection when the portion of the desired time interval is zero.

4. A method of delivering promotional messages to a calling party in a telephony system, comprising:

maintaining a telephony connection between the calling party and a called party while a remaining earned time allotment is greater than zero;

subtracting time from said remaining earned time allotment while said telephony connection is maintained;

monitoring said telephony connection to determine if the calling party enters a telephony code indicating a request for an additional promotional message;

in response to detecting said telephony code indicating a request for an additional promotional message,

outputting the additional promotional message to the calling party,

incrementing a message counter, and

adding a time unit to the remaining earned time allotment; and

terminating said telephony connection when the remaining earned time allotment is zero.

5. A method of delivering promotional messages to a telephony user, comprising:

(a) receiving a call from the telephony user to a service access number;

(b) prompting the telephony user to enter a destination telephone number;

(c) outputting a promotional message to the telephony user;

(d) adding a time unit to an earned time allotment;

(e) prompting the telephony user to enter a first telephony code for another promotional message or to enter a second telephony code to initiate a connection to the destination telephone number;

(f) repeating steps (c) through (e) in response to the telephony user entering the first telephony code; and

(g) initiating the connection to the destination number in response to the telephony user entering the second telephony code.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising prompting the telephony user to enter a personal identification number after receiving the call from the telephony user.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving the personal identification number from the telephony user;

determining whether the personal identification number is valid; and

disconnecting the telephony user if the telephony user fails to enter a valid personal identification number after a predetermined number of attempts.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining whether the personal identification number is in use.