Telephone search supported by keyword map to advertising

• US 20060171520A1
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Jingle Networks Incorporated (Marchex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kliger, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US11/291,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20060171520A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0247 Calculate past, present or future revenues
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0275 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8083 involving reduced rates or discounts, e.g. time-of-day reductions or volume discounts
• 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 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

A technology platform for the delivery of dynamic, interactive audio advertisements which may be played in response to a consumer initiated request for information via a telephone. More specifically, the invention provides advertising supported information services that are related to a keyword specified in the consumer initiated request. In one specific embodiment, at a customer station, a consumer is connected to a call processing system. The call processing system then receives a request for information from the consumer. To determine a response, the request is examined for the presence of one or more keywords that are not necessarily associated with telephone directory assistance and/or business categories as assigned by a telephone service or other directory provider. The keyword is then used to determine a subject matter area associated with the request, and an advertisement categorized within the associated subject matter area is identified.

Claims

1. A method for use in a telecommunications network, the network having a customer station and a call processing station, the method comprising the steps of:

at the customer station,

(a) dialing a telephone number used for accessing the call processing station;

(b) setting up a call connection from the customer station to the call processing station;

(c) providing a request for information from the customer station;

at the call processing station,

(d) receiving the request for information from the customer station;

(e) examining the request for information to identify at least a keyword associated with the request;

(f) using the keyword to determine a subject matter area associated therewith;

(g) selecting an advertisement categorized within the associated subject matter area;

(h) retrieving the selected advertisement from a stored media; and

(i) forwarding the selected advertisement to the customer station.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of using the keyword to determine a subject matter area further comprises the step of:

querying a database with the keyword as a query parameter, to determine the associated subject matter area.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (g) determines that multiple advertisements are categorized within the associated subject matter area, and further comprising the step of:

(j) automatically determining a selected advertisement from among the multiple advertisements.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement uses a maximized is based on maximizing advertising revenue.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein maximizing advertising revenue further chooses the advertisement for which the advertiser has indicated by way of a bid that they are willing to pay more than any other advertiser to play their associated message to the consumer.

6. A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement uses a is based on maximizing consumer satisfaction determination.

7. A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement uses a round robin selection.

8. A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of automatically determining a selected advertisement determines a best deal for the consumer.

9. A method as in claim 1 additionally comprising:

(k) forwarding the selected advertisement to the customer station.

10. A method as in claim 9 additionally comprising:

at the customer station,

(l) receiving the selected advertisement.

11. A method as in claim 10 additionally comprising a step of:

(m) causing the advertisement to be played to the customer station in an audible form.

12. A method as in claim 10 additionally comprising a step of:

(n) causing the advertisement to be played to the customer station in a visual form.

13. A method as in claim 1 wherein the request for information includes a description of a product or service.

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein the product or service is available from a number of differently classed providers in a telephone information directory.