System and method for providing messages

• US 9,047,619 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cenoplex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cenoplex, Inc.
• Inventors: O'Malley, Matthew Carl, Shor, David, Meade, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandt, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US13/127,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20110213657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/414.4, 455/417, 455/466, 705/14.4, 705/14.41, 705/14.42, 705/14.43, 705/14.44, 705/14.46, 705/14.49, 705/14.5, 705/14.52, 705/14.53, 705/14.55, 705/14.64, 705/14.66, 705/14.67, 705/14.68
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42017 Customized ring-back tones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages

Abstract

A system and method for providing a message to a recipient is provided. The system includes a network communication system for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device. The network communication system includes a communication system operatively connected to at least one communication device. The network communication system further includes an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a signal media server operatively connected to at least one message server, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient through the communication device, the communication system determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database, the message server determining the message, the message server retrieving at least one message, wherein the signal media server forwards the message to the recipient via the communication device.

Claims

1. A method for providing messages to a recipient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flagged recipient database;

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via a communication device;

determining if the potential recipient is a flagged recipient in the flagged recipient database via the recipient identifier;

if the recipient identifier is found, returning a message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding a message from a message pool from a message server to the flagged recipient via the communication device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of receiving a response from the flagged recipient and providing a further message from the message pool to the flagged recipient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of forwarding the message from the message pool comprises an audio message.

4. A method for providing messages to a phone call originator comprising the steps of:

providing a flagged caller database;

receiving a request from the phone call originator with a phone call originator identifier to initiate a phone call to an intended destination;

determining if the phone call originator is a flagged caller in the flagged caller database via the phone call originator identifier;

if the phone call originator identifier is found, returning a message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

transmitting a message to the flagged caller; and

forwarding the phone call to the intended destination.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of transmitting a message includes transmitting an audio message.

6. A method for providing messages to a recipient, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a communication request from a communication device with a communication device identifier;

if the communication device identifier is found, returning a message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

delivering a message to the communication device, wherein the message has a message attribute specific to the type of the communication device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of delivering a message includes delivering an audio message.

8. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient via the communication device with a communication device identifier;

determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining if the potential recipient matches an active account;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a message selection engine;

retrieving the at least one message;

if the communication device identifier is found, returning the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the message selection engine includes attributes specific to the communication device.

10. The method of claim 8 including receiving at least one input prior to forwarding the at least one message to the recipient.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one input includes an association with a purchased product.

12. The method of claim 8 including forwarding an action response to the recipient after receiving a recipient action to the at least one message.

13. The method of claim 12 including extracting the recipient action to the at least one message and inputting the recipient response into the message selection engine.

14. The method of claim 8 including forwarding an action response to the recipient according to an action selection engine after receiving a recipient action to the at least one message.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the recipient action is a voice prompt or a dual-tone multi-frequency signal.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the action response is pre-assigned.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the action response is selected from a group comprising at least one of Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), audio message, and a wireless access page.

18. The method of claim 8 wherein forwarding the at least one message includes forwarding a plurality of pre-assigned subsequent messages to the recipient.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the sequence of the pre-assigned messages are dependent on recipient actions.

20. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining a plurality of messages associated with the recipient;

determining one message with a message identifier from the plurality of messages according to an optimization selection engine;

retrieving the message; and

forwarding the message to the recipient via the communication device, wherein the message has an assigned action with an action identifier.

21. The method of claim 20 including receiving a recipient action to the message.

22. The method of claim 21 including inputting the recipient action within the at least one optimization selection engine.

23. The method of claim 21 including forwarding an action response to the recipient after receiving the recipient action to the message.

24. A method for providing an action response to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving an action from the recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, associating a message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

determining a plurality of action responses associated with the recipient;

determining an at least one action response according to at least one optimization selection engine from the plurality of action responses;

retrieving the action response; and

forwarding the action response to the recipient via the communication device.

25. A method for providing an action to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, associating a message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining a plurality of actions associated with the recipient;

determining one action according to at least one optimization selection engine;

retrieving the action; and

forwarding the action to the recipient via the communication device.

26. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier from a message pool according to a message server;

returning the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

retrieving the at least one message; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

27. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a predetermined recipient engine;

returning the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

retrieving the at least one message; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

28. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a message selection engine;

retrieving the at least one message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

determining at least one action with the action identifier according to an action selection engine;

retrieving the at least one action; and

forwarding the at least one message and at least one action to the recipient via the communication device.

29. A method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a timing engine or a sequencing engine;

retrieving the at least one message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

30. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining if the potential recipient matches an active account;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a message selection engine;

retrieving the at least one message with one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

31. The computer-executable program of claim 30 wherein the message selection engine includes attributes specific to the communication device.

32. The computer-executable program of claim 30 including receiving at least one input prior to forwarding the at least one message to the recipient.

33. The computer-executable program of claim 32 wherein the at least one input includes an association with a recipient purchased product.

34. The computer-executable program of claim 30 including forwarding an action response to the recipient after receiving a recipient action to the at least one message.

35. The computer-executable program of claim 34 including extracting the recipient action to the at least one message and inputting the recipient response into the message selection engine.

36. The computer-executable program of claim 30 including forwarding an action response to the recipient according to an action selection engine after receiving a recipient action to the at least one message.

37. The computer-executable program of claim 36 wherein the recipient action is a voice prompt or a dual-tone multi-frequency signal.

38. The computer-executable program of claim 36 wherein the action response is pre-assigned.

39. The computer-executable program of claim 36 wherein the action response is selected from a group comprising at least one of Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), audio message, and a wireless access page.

40. The computer-executable program of claim 30 wherein forwarding the at least one message includes forwarding a plurality of pre-assigned subsequent messages to the recipient.

41. The computer-executable program of claim 40 wherein the sequence of the pre-assigned messages are dependent on recipient actions.

42. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining a plurality of messages associated with the recipient;

determining one message with a message identifier from the plurality of messages according to an optimization selection engine;

retrieving the message; and

forwarding the message to the recipient via the communication device, wherein the message has an assigned action with an action identifier.

43. The computer-executable program of claim 42 including receiving a recipient action to the message.

44. The computer-executable program of claim 43 including inputting the recipient action within the at least one optimization selection module.

45. The computer-executable program of claim 43 including forwarding an action response to the recipient after receiving the recipient action to the message.

46. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving an action with an action identifier from the recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the action identifier is found, associating a message identifier;

determining a plurality of action responses associated with the recipient identifier;

determining an at least one action response according to at least one optimization selection engine from the plurality of action responses;

retrieving the action response; and

forwarding the action response to the recipient via the communication device.

47. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, associating a message identifier;

determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining a plurality of actions associated with the recipient or the associated message identifier;

determining an action with an action identifier according to at least one optimization selection engine;

retrieving the action; and

forwarding the action to the recipient via the communication device.

48. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier from a message pool according to a message server;

retrieving the at least one message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

49. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a predetermined recipient engine;

retrieving the at least one message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

50. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a message selection engine;

retrieving the at least one message;

determining at least one action with an action identifier according to an action selection engine;

retrieving the at least one action; and

forwarding the at least one message and the at least one action to the recipient via the communication device.

51. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for providing messages to a flagged recipient, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution of the one or more sequences of instructions by one or more processors embodied therein causes the one or more processors to perform a method for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier via the communication device;

if the recipient identifier is found, determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database;

determining at least one message with a message identifier according to a timing engine, a sequencing engine, a segmenting engine, or a billing budgeting and bidding engine;

retrieving the at least one message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers; and

forwarding the at least one message to the recipient via the communication device.

52. A network communication system for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

at least one communication device;

a communication system operatively connected to the at least one communication device; and

an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a signal media server operatively connected to one of at least one message server, an at least one message selection engine, an optimization selection engine, or an action selection engine, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier though the communication device, the communication system determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database, the message server determining the message with a message identifier, the message server retrieving the message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers, wherein the signal media server forwards the message to the recipient via the communication device.

53. The system of claim 52 including at least one account operatively connected to an input module, the account providing account input to the exchange platform.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein the at least one account input includes the at least one message associated with a recipient purchased account product.

55. The system of claim 52 including at least one account operatively connected to an input module, the account providing account input to the exchange platform.

56. A network communication system for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device, comprising:

at least one communication device;

a communication system operatively connected to the at least one communication device; and

an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a message selection engine operatively connected to one of at least one timing engine, at least one segmentation engine, or both a signal media server and at least one sequencing engine, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient with a recipient identifier though the communication device, the communication system determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database, the message selection engine determining the message with a message identifier according to at least one sequencing engine, message selection engine retrieving the message with the message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers, wherein the signal media server forwards the message to the recipient via the communication device.

57. The system of claim 56 including at least one account operatively connected to an input module, the account providing account input to the exchange platform.

58. A method for processing a call, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a calling party;

determining if the calling party is a flagged recipient in a flagged recipient database;

routing the call to an exchange platform and checking a recipient identifier in a predetermined recipient engine for rules and any associated message identifier;

if the recipient identifier is found, returning a selected message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

playing the selected message to the recipient identified by the recipient identifier and waiting for a valid recipient action;

if a valid recipient action is received, performing one or more asynchronous follow up actions; and

routing the call to originating switch or Mobile Switching Center.

59. The method of claim 58 further comprising the steps of:

if a recipient identifier is not found, determining a message identifier selection and one or more associated action identifiers;

if a message identifier is determined, returning a selected message identifier and, if known, one or more associated action identifiers; and

if no message identifier is determined, routing the call to originating switch or Mobile Switching Center.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the recipient action is a dual-tone multi-frequency signal, a voice prompt, a Short Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), a designated button in the environment, a designated motion, and/or an external communication.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein the asynchronous follow-up action is pre-assigned.

62. The method of claim 58 wherein the asynchronous follow up action is selected from a group comprising at least one of a Short Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an audio message, a wireless access page, a Web URL, an interactive voice response, an external communication, an email, an offer, a direct mail, and/or an outbound call.

63. The method of claim 58 wherein playing the selected message includes playing a plurality of pre-assigned subsequent messages to the recipient, wherein the subsequent message is played during subsequent calls made by the same recipient.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein the sequence of the pre-assigned messages are dependent on recipient actions.

65. The method of claim 59 wherein determining the message identifier comprises employing a timing engine to determine the message identifier selection in accordance with timing rules, including the frequency occurrence for a particular recipient and/or for a particular campaign, and additional timing parameters and rules including specific day, event, time of day, day of the week, contract history, and/or billing cycle, for a particular campaign and/or campaign element.

66. The method of claim 59 wherein determining the message identifier comprises employing a sequencing engine to determine in what order the messages are played.

67. The method of claim 59 wherein determining the message identifier comprises employing a segmentation engine to determine the message identifier selection in accordance with segmentation elements including geography, demographics, psychographics, behavioral, motion, velocity, direction, altitude, mode of transit, contextual, mood of the recipient, or which preferably include segmentation elements being relative to time, preferably including the time of day, day of week, or which preferably include segmentation elements being to a budget, preferably including a monetary constraint per message played to a recipient, or which preferably include an action taken by a recipient, or which preferably include a result of an action, preferably including a click, conversion or page view, and/or some combination of these segmentation elements.

68. A computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for processing a call, carrying one or more sequences of instructions, wherein execution thereof by a processor causes the processor to perform a method for processing a call, comprising:

receiving a call from a calling party;

determining if the calling party is a flagged recipient in a flagged recipient database;

routing the call to an exchange platform, and checking a recipient identifier in a predetermined recipient engine for rules and any associated message identifier;

if the recipient identifier is found, returning a selected message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

playing the selected message to the recipient identified by the recipient identifier and waiting for a valid recipient action;

if the valid recipient action is received, performing one or more asynchronous follow up actions; and

routing the call to originating switch or Mobile Switching Center.

69. The computer-executable program of claim 68 wherein the recipient action is a dual-tone multi-frequency signal, a voice prompt, a Short Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), a designated button in the environment, a designated motion, and/or an external communication.

70. The computer-executable program of claim 68 wherein the action response is pre-assigned.

71. The computer-executable program of claim 68 wherein the action response is selected from a group comprising at least one of a Short Message Service (SMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an audio message, a wireless access page, a Web URL, an interactive voice response, an external communication, an email, an offer, a direct mail, and/or an outbound call.

72. A network communication system for processing a call, comprising:

at least one communication device;

a communication system operatively connected to the at least one communication device; and

an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a signal/media server operatively connected to at least one message server, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient though the communication device, the communication system being configured to carry out a method for processing a call, comprising the steps of;

receiving a call from the communication device;

determining if the communication device is a flagged recipient in a flagged recipient database;

routing the call to an exchange platform and checking a recipient identifier in a predetermined recipient engine for rules and any associated message identifier;

if a recipient identifier is found returning a selected message identifier and one or more associated action identifiers;

playing the selected message to the recipient identified by the recipient identifier and waiting for a valid recipient action;

if a valid recipient action is received, performing one or more asynchronous follow up actions; and

routing the call to the communication system.

73. The network communication system of claim 72 including at least one account operatively connected to an input module, the account providing account input to the exchange platform.

74. The network communication system of claim 72 including receiving at least one input prior to forwarding the at least one message to the communication device.

75. The network communication system of claim 74 including extracting the recipient identifier, the message identifier, or the one or more action identifiers, per the at least one input.

76. The network communication system of claim 74 including forwarding an action response to the communication device after receiving a recipient action or the at least one input.