Mobile voice calls to mobile terminated data

• US 8,565,737 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NRT Technology Corp.
• Original Assignee: Joingo, LLC (NRT Technology Corp.)
• Inventors: Boyle, Stephen S., Greer, Russell S., Finney, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hong, Dung
• Application Number:
  US13/237,904
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/435.1, 705/14.4, 705/14.49, 705 1455- 1456
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages

Abstract

A method and system for an end user (caller) to easily opt-in to receive digital communications, such as for a mobile marketing campaign, is disclosed herein. A caller uses a mobile communication device to make a standard voice phone call to a predefined number. A voice call termination point captures the caller ID. The caller then makes a selection, and the call is terminated. If the caller is determined to be using a mobile communication device, a confirmation of the selection is sent to the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A method for a user to opt-in to receive digital communications, the method comprising:

receiving a telephone call to a pre-designated telephone number from a telephone number of a user;

collecting the caller identification of the telephone number of the user at a voice call termination point;

receiving a valid selection from the telephone number of the user and the telephone call at a voice termination point;

determining a type and a phone carrier of the telephone number of the user subsequent to terminating the call subsequent to ending the call;

screening the telephone number of the user for association with a data capable phone carrier and communication device subsequent to ending the call;

determining that the telephone number of the user is associated with a data capable phone carrier and communication device subsequent to ending the call; and

transmitting a confirmation digital communication from a voice opt service site to the data capable communication device associated with the telephone number of the user, the confirmation digital communication transmitted subsequent to the ending of the call;

determining at least one of;

the on/off status of the mobile communication device;

the type of mobile communication device;

an SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device; and

a data plan associated with the mobile communication device;

transmitting to the mobile communication device appropriate content based on at least one of a mobile communication service provider, the type of mobile communication device, the SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device, and the structure of the data plan associated with the mobile communication device;

wherein the user does not wait on the telephone call after the telephone call is ended.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital communication is a MMS communication.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital communication is a SMS communication.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital communication is a content push.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital communication is a WAP push.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the data capable communication device is a mobile phone.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital communication is a confirmation to participate in a mobile marketing campaign.

8. A method for a Mobile Marketing Association compliant opt-in to a mobile marketing campaign, the method comprising:

receiving a telephone call to a pre-designated telephone number from a telephone number of a user;

transferring the telephone call from the mobile communication device to a mobile service provider;

transferring the telephone call from the mobile service provider to a public network;

transferring the telephone call from the public network to a voice call termination point;

collecting the caller identification of the mobile communication device at the voice call termination point;

confirming that an opt-in option has been selected;

ending the telephone call;

storing the caller identification of the mobile communication device at a voice opt service site subsequent to ending the telephone call;

requesting a carrier type and information for the mobile communication device from a SMS gateway subsequent to ending the call;

receiving the carrier type and information for the mobile communication device from the SMS gateway at the voice opt service site subsequent to ending the call;

confirming at the voice opt service site that the call is from a mobile communication device subsequent to ending the call;

transmitting an opt-in confirmation message from the voice opt service site to the mobile service provider subsequent to ending the telephone call; and

transmitting the opt-in confirmation message from the mobile service provider to the mobile communication device subsequent to ending the call;

wherein the user does not wait on the telephone call after the telephone call is ended;

transmitting an opt-in confirmation message from the voice opt service site to the mobile service provider subsequent to ending the telephone call; and

transmitting the opt-in confirmation message from the mobile service provider to the mobile communication device subsequent to ending the call;

determining at least one of;

the on/off status of the mobile communication device;

the type of mobile communication device;

an SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device; and

a data plan associated with the mobile communication device;

transmitting to the mobile communication device appropriate content based on at least one of a mobile communication service provider, the type of mobile communication device, the SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device, and the structure of the data plan associated with the mobile communication device;

wherein the user does not wait on the telephone call after the telephone call is ended.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the opt-in confirmation message is a MMS communication.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the opt-in confirmation message is a SMS communication.

11. The method according to claim 8 wherein the data capable communication device is a mobile phone.

12. A system for a user to opt-in to receive digital communications, the system comprising:

a communication network;

a plurality of mobile communication devices capable of accessing the communication network;

a voice opt service site in communication with at least one of the plurality of mobile communication devices over the communication network, the voice opt service site configured to receive a telephone call to a pre-designated telephone number from a telephone number of a user, to collect the caller identification of the telephone number of the user, to confirm that an opt-in option has been selected, to end the telephone call, to determine a type and a phone carrier of the telephone number of the user after the telephone call has ended, to screen the telephone number of the user for association with a data capable phone carrier and communication device after the telephone call has ended, to determine that the telephone number of the user is associated with a data capable phone carrier and communication device after the telephone call has ended, to transmit a confirmation digital communication from a voice opt service site to the data capable communication device associated with the telephone number of the user after the telephone call has ended, to determine at least one of;

the on/off status of the mobile communication device;

the type of mobile communication device;

an SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device; and

a data plan associated with the mobile communication device; and

to transmit to the mobile communication device appropriate content based on at least one of a mobile communication service provider, the type of mobile communication device, the SMS plan associated with the mobile communication device, and the structure of the data plan associated with the mobile communication device;

wherein the user does not wait on the telephone call after the telephone call is ended.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the digital communication is a confirmation to participate in a mobile marketing campaign.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein the digital communication is a MMS communication.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein the digital communication is a SMS communication.

16. The system according to claim 12 wherein at least one of the plurality of mobile communication devices is a mobile phone.