Integrated audiotext-internet personal ad services

• US 6,282,515 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1997
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Netdate of Texas LLC (Netdate)
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Speicher
• Inventors: Speicher, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US08/965,517
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88, 704/260, 705/14, 705/16, 705/26, 705/27, 705/28, 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 where the data service is an electronic mail service

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering personal ad services which substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior systems that deliver such personal ad services. In the use of such services, the need is recognized for improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services. With the present invention, a personal ad published in a newspaper includes graphical icons which denote if an ad has additional text or multimedia files (a photograph or a video clip) available on the Internet. With respect to personal ad services, the present invention provides the needed improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services.

Claims

1. A method for providing a computer based advertising system comprising the steps of:

placing a text advertisement via the Internet;

storing said text advertisement;

playing said text advertisement via a telephone;

sending an audio response message via a telephone; and

transferring said audio response message to an Internet access location;

wherein said text advertisement describes an item or person available through said system.

2. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said text advertisement comprises a personal advertisement.

3. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said text advertisement is played using text-to-speech.

4. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said Internet access location comprises a web site.

5. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said Internet access location comprises an e-mail account.

6. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

retrieving said audio response message via the Internet.

7. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1 wherein DNIS is used to control access to said playing or said sending.

8. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein ANI is used to control access to said playing or said sending.

9. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

inputting of data.

10. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

charging a user.

11. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

isolating a subset of a plurality of said text advertisements;

wherein said subset may contain elements other than text advertisements.

12. A method for providing a computer based advertising system according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

reviewing said text advertisement for appropriate content.

13. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system, said apparatus comprising:

a means for placing a text advertisement via the Internet;

a digital information storage device;

a publishing means; and

a means for outputting said text advertisement via a telephone;

wherein said digital information storage device stores said advertisement as digital information; and

wherein said publishing means formats and digital information for publication.

14. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said apparatus also comprises a means for sending an audio response via a telephone which can be retrieved via the Internet.

15. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said apparatus also comprises a means for sending an audio response via the Internet which can be retrieved via a telephone.

16. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said apparatus also comprises a means for sending a text response via the Internet which can be retrieved a telephone.

17. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said apparatus also comprises a means for sending a response via a first telephone which can be retrieved via a second telephone.

18. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said advertisement is placed via a live operator.

19. An apparatus for a computer based advertising system as defined in claim 13, wherein said advertisement is placed via an interactive voice response system.