Integrated audiotext-internet personal ad services

• US 6,697,786 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• 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): Stamber, Eric W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US09/933,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123929A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14
• 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, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

receiving a plurality of audio recordings via the Internet;

storing at least one of said audio recordings;

playing at least one of said audio recordings via a telephone;

sending an audio response message via a telephone; and

transferring said audio response message to an Internet access location;

isolating a subset of said audio recordings;

wherein at least one of said audio recordings is received from an advertiser;

wherein at least one of said audio recordings describes an item or person available through said system.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

placing at least one of said audio recordings via the Internet;

wherein said placing is performed by said advertiser.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said audio recordings comprises the greeting of a personal advertisement.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said Internet access location comprises a web site.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said Internet access location comprises an e-mail account.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

retrieving said audio response message via the Internet.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein DNIS is used to provide access to said playing or said sending.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

reviewing at least one of said audio recordings.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein ANI is used to control access to said playing or said sending.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

placing a text advertisement; and

publishing said text advertisement;

wherein said placing is performed by said advertiser; and

wherein said text advertisement is associated with at least one of said audio recordings.

11. A method for providing an Internet and telephone advertising system comprising the steps of:

placing a plurality of audio recordings via a telephone;

storing at least one of said audio recordings;

transferring at least one of said audio recordings to an Internet access location;

receiving a response message via the Internet;

retrieving said response message via a telephone; and

isolating a subset of said audio recordings;

wherein at least one of said audio recordings describes an item or person available through said system; and

wherein at least one of said audio recordings comprises the greeting of a personal advertisement.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

playing at least one of said audio recordings via the Internet.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

sending said response message via the Internet.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein said response message comprises audio.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein said response message comprises text.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said response message is retrieved using text-to-speech.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein DNIS is used to provide access to said placing or said retrieving.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein ANI is used to control access to said placing or said retrieving.

19. A method according to claim 11, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

placing a text advertisement; and

publishing said text advertisement;

wherein said text advertisement is associated with at least one of said audio recordings.