Method and arrangement for distributing information and services through a network

• US 7,707,065 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tecnotree Oyj
• Original Assignee: Tecnomen Oyj
• Inventors: Kangas, Timo Juhani
• Primary Examiner(s): ZURITA, JAMES H
• Application Number:
  US10/088,926
• Time in Patent Office: 3,499 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• 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 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2083 Confirmation by serviced party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• 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 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 Non-interactive information services
• 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

A method is provided for distributing information or services through a network. A piece of information or service to be distributed is composed and a list of intended recipients is compiled (301, 301′, 302, 601, 602). Said piece of information or service is released (304, 304′, 603) so that it becomes accessible to the recipients appearing on said list. As a response to an indication (305, 401, 606) of a certain recipient having accessed (605) said piece of information or service, an account associated with said certain recipient is credited (306, 608).

Claims

1. A method for distributing information or services through a computer or cellular network, comprising the steps of:

composing a piece of information or service to be distributed through the computer or cellular network;

compiling a list of intended recipients;

releasing said piece of information or service so that said piece of information or service becomes accessible to the recipients appearing on said list; and

as a response to an indication of a certain recipient having accessed said piece of information or service, crediting an account associated with said certain recipient,

wherein the step of crediting an account comprises the substeps of;

defining the time taken for said indication to be received; and

crediting said account by an amount which is inversely proportional to said time.

2. A method for distributing information or services through a computer or cellular network, comprising the steps of:

composing a piece of information or service to be distributed through the computer or cellular network;

compiling a list of intended recipients;

releasing said piece of information or service so that said piece of information or service becomes accessible to the recipients appearing on said list; and

as a response to an indication of a certain recipient having accessed said piece of information or service, crediting an account associated with said certain recipient, wherein the step of crediting an account comprises the substeps of;

ranking the order in which said certain recipient provides the reception indication relative to other of said intended recipients; and

crediting said account associated with said certain recipient based on the order ranking.