Internet-audiotext electronic advertising system with anonymous bi-directional messaging

• US 6,836,762 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2001
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Netdate of Texas LLC (Netdate)
• Original Assignee: Netdate of Texas LLC (Netdate)
• Inventors: Speicher, Gregory J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, John W.
• Application Number:
  US09/903,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 705/10, 705/16, 705/26, 705/27, 705/28, 705/37, 705/1
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet. Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Claims

1. A computer based advertising system, wherein said system comprises:

a remote terminal;

means for interfacing said remote terminal to the Internet, said means for interfacing providing means for placing advertisements, means for placing audio recordings, and means for providing input data;

storage means coupled to said means for interfacing, said storage means being capable of storing said advertisements, said audio recordings, and said input data;

publication means coupled to said storage means for publishing said advertisements, said publication means including means for playing said audio recordings via the Internet;

control means coupled to said publication means, said control means capable of processing said advertisements for said publishing and capable of processing said input data to isolate a subset of said advertisements; and

response means for responding to said advertisements by sending an anonymous audio message;

wherein said audio recordings are associated with said advertisements.

2. A system according to claims 1, wherein said response means includes a means to create a voice mail box.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said audio message can be played via a telephone and via the Internet.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said remote terminal apparatus comprises a telephone.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said remote terminal apparatus comprises a computer.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said response means comprises a telephone.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said response means comprises a computer.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein a fee is charged to send said anonymous audio message.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises:

means for placing video recordings; and

means for playing said video recordings via the Internet;

wherein said video recordings are associated with said advertisements.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises:

means for responding to said advertisements by sending a video message; and

means for playing said video message via the Internet.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises:

means for placing digital photographs; and

means for displaying said digital photographs via the Internet;

wherein said digital photographs are associated with said advertisements.

12. A computer based advertising system, wherein said system comprises:

a remote terminal;

means for interfacing said remote terminal to the Internet, said means for interfacing providing means for placing advertisements, means for placing audio recordings, and means for providing input data;

storage means coupled to said means for interfacing, said storage means being capable of storing said advertisements, said audio recordings, and said input data;

publication means coupled to said storage means for publishing said advertisements, said publication means including means for playing said audio recordings via the Internet;

control means coupled to said publication means, said control means capable of processing said advertisements for said publishing and capable of processing said input data to isolate a subset of said advertisements; and

response means for responding to said advertisements by sending an anonymous video message;

wherein said audio recordings are associated with said advertisements.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said response means includes a means to create a voice mail box.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein said audio message is capable of being played via a telephone or via the Internet.

15. A system according to claim 12, wherein said remote terminal comprises a telephone.

16. A system according to claim 12, wherein said remote terminal comprises a computer.

17. A system according to claim 12, wherein said response means comprises a telephone.

18. A system according to claim 12, wherein said response means comprises a computer.

19. A system according to claim 12, wherein a fee is charged for sending said anonymous audio message.

20. A system according to claim 12, wherein said system further comprises:

means for placing video recordings; and

means for playing said video recordings via the Internet;

wherein said video recordings are associated with said advertisements.