Method and apparatus for playing audible advertisements on a communication device

The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for playing audible advertisements on a communication device. In response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call, an audible advertisement from a set of audible advertisements is selected using criteria matching a user profile associated with the caller. The audible advertisement is played on the communication device to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is related to the following patent application: entitled “Method and Apparatus for Distributing Targeted Audible Advertisements as Ringtones”, Ser. No. 11/936,566, filed even date hereof, assigned to the same assignee, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method for targeting advertisements to a specific demographic. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and a computer program product playing audible advertisements on a communication device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile devices are ubiquitous and popular. Mobile devices may include, for example, mobile phones and personal digital assistants that are capable of wireless connections. Advertisers would like to leverage this ubiquity while continuing to target advertisements to individuals. Additionally, advertisers would like to leverage location information to help target the advertisements.

Several factors complicate the goals of the advertiser to exploit this mobile ubiquity. For example, mobile devices are small with limited display capability and limited and/or expensive bandwidth. The conventional means by which advertisers have exploited mobile devices include embedding advertising into visual content, such as advertisements on a web page. This approach has been met with great resistance by the end user because of the limitations of the display and the associated drawbacks on the end user's bandwidth. An end user, as referenced herein, is the person or persons who will be using a particular technology and for whom it is designed.

Another approach that has been met with mixed results is to deliver short message service (SMS) text, often called text messaging, with targeted advertising based on an end user's location. This approach has the downside of being intrusive because the end user spends time opening and reading the text message with the expectation that it is from a friend or colleague.

One possible approach to a less intrusive targeted advertising model is to allow users to “shop” for free ring tones that contain embedded advertisements. Upon acquisition and installation of an advertisement laden ringtone, the end user is presented with an audible advertisement as a prelude to the standard ring process. The downside of this approach is that the advertiser is dependent on a shopping process initiated by the end user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for playing audible advertisements on a communication device. In response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call, an audible advertisement from a set of audible advertisements is selected using criteria matching a user profile associated with the caller. The audible advertisement is played on the communication device to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1depicts a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system100is a network of computers in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system100contains network102, which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data processing system100. Network102may include connections, such as wire, fiber optic cables, or wireless communication links, such as radio towers116, and118.

In the depicted example, server104and server106connect to network102along with storage unit108. In addition, clients110,112, and114connect to network102. Clients110,112, and114may be, for example, personal computers, network computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), cellular communication devices, and wired communication devices. In the depicted example, server104provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients110,112, and114. Clients110,112, and114are clients to server104in this example. Network data processing system100may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown.

The illustrative embodiments, described herein, receive targeted audible advertisements from a server, such as server104, over a network, such as network102, to a client, such as client110. In response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call, an audible advertisement from a set of audible advertisements is selected using criteria matching a user profile associated with a caller. A caller may initiate a device by, but not limited to, removing the phone off the base receiver, as in the instance of a land-line telephone, or by depressing a key, such as “TALK”, on a cellular device. The audible advertisement is played on the communication to the caller device prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

In the depicted example, data processing system200employs a hub architecture including interface and memory controller hub (interface/MCH)202and interface and input/output (I/O) controller hub (interface/ICH)204. Processing unit206, main memory208, and graphics processor210are coupled to interface and memory controller hub202. Processing unit206may contain one or more processors and even may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems. Graphics processor210may be coupled to the interface/MCH through an accelerated graphics port (AGP), for example.

Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented programming system, and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive226, and may be loaded into main memory208for execution by processing unit206. The processes of the illustrative embodiments may be performed by processing unit206using computer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory208, read only memory224, or in one or more peripheral devices.

FIG. 3is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication device in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. Wireless communication device300includes processor302for controlling the operation of the communication device and memory304. Processor302may be a general-purpose microprocessor operating under the control of instructions stored in a memory, such as memory304, or device-specific circuitry for controlling the operation of the telephone device. Processor302is connected by system bus306to transmitter308, receiver310, keypad314, display316, and audio processor318. Keypad314may be a keypad and/or buttons. Display316may be any type of display device including a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other known displays, such as a cathode ray tube or active matrix display.

Transmitter308and receiver310are coupled to a telephone signal by couple324to provide full duplex communication. The telephone signal may be provided by a telephone line (not shown) in a land-based telephone or an antenna, such as for a wireless telephone. Audio processor318provides basic analog audio outputs to speaker320and accepts analog audio inputs from microphone322. Received signals are demodulated and decoded by receiver310. Transmitter308encodes and modulates signals passed to it by processor302or audio processor318. The output of the transmitter is amplified by power amplifier312to control the power level at which the signal is transmitted.

Processor302or audio processor318may detect audible call status information and call status codes received by receiver310. Memory304may include a lookup table associating call status information or call status codes with visual call status information, such as text messages. Processor302detects or receives a call status code and displays an appropriate call status message on display316. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted inFIG. 3may vary.

The illustrative embodiments recognize the disadvantages of the current methods being employed by advertisers, such as, but not limited to, limited display capability, limited and/or expensive bandwidth, and the inability to target a specific demographic or a specific location. Accordingly, the illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for playing audible advertisements on a communication device. In response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call, an audible advertisement from a set of audible advertisements is selected using criteria matching a user profile associated with a caller. The audible advertisement is played on the communication device to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee. The callee, as used herein, is a person who or device that answers a telephone call. The callee may be more than one person or device, such as, but not limited to, the instance of a conference call.

The communication devices may be, but are not limited to, personal computers, network computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), cellular communication devices, and wired communication devices. An advertisement is defined as a public promotion of a specific product or service.

With reference now toFIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating the components of a targeted advertisement application in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is presented.FIG. 4depicts server400communicating with communication device402over a network, such as network102as shown inFIG. 1. Server400may be implemented in a data processing system, such as server104shown inFIG. 1or data processing system200shown inFIG. 2. Communication device402may be implemented in a data processing system or a wireless communication device, such as wireless communication device300inFIG. 3.

Operating system404runs on server400. Operating system404may be implemented using any commercially available operating system, such as, for example, Microsoft® Windows Server® operating systems. Targeted advertisement server application406runs on operating system404. In these examples, targeted advertisement server application406includes advertisements data store408, user profiles data store410, identify user process412, select targeted advertisement process414, preconfigured criteria data store416, customization process418, delivery process420, and monitoring process422.

Targeted advertisement server application406responds to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call. Targeted advertisement server application406stores or communicates with advertisements data store408and user profiles data store410. Advertisements data store408contains a plurality of audible advertisements targeted to a specific demographic. Targeted advertisement server application406has identify user process412that identifies a user profile associated with a caller of a communication device currently being used as the medium for presenting the audible advertisement. Identify user process412may also identify the current location of the communication device.

Select targeted advertisement process414selects a targeted advertisement for a caller using a preconfigured criterion matching the user profile. The criterion may be selected from a set of criteria stored in a data store, such as preconfigured criteria data store416.

In one illustrative embodiment, customization process418customizes the selected audible advertisement based on the user profile. For example, customization process418may insert a greeting with a name associated with the user profile prior to playing the selected audible advertisement. Additionally, customization process418may also insert other user specific information directly into the selected audible advertisement, such as, but not limited to, inserting the name of a pet associated with the user as part of a selected audible advertisement pertaining to pet products or services.

Delivery process420delivers the selected audible advertisement to the communication device. A communication device may store the delivered audible advertisements locally in a data store of audible advertisement, such as targeted audible advertisement data store434. The selected audible advertisement is played on the communication device to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

In another illustrative embodiment, targeted advertisement server application406may contain monitoring process422. Monitoring process422remotely monitors the usage of the selected audible advertisement. The monitored data may include, but is not limited to, the length of time the caller allows the audible advertisement to be played prior to terminating the selected audible advertisement, and the number of times a selected audible advertisement has been played.

The selected audible advertisement may be terminated in a number of different ways. In the case of a land-line, the selected audible advertisement may be terminated by, but not limited to, the caller dialing a phone number. In the case of other communication devices, such as, but not limited to, cellular phones, the selected audible advertisement may be terminated by, but not limited to, the caller depressing a certain key.

Monitoring process422may contain crediting process426associated with the monitored data. For example, a service provider may provide incentives for a caller to listen to the audible advertisements, such as, but not limited to, free service, extra minutes, entering the user into promotional contests, or crediting an account associated with the caller. The amount of minutes associated with free service may be tied to the number of times a caller listens to the audible advertisements. In one illustrative embodiment, monitoring process422may require the caller to perform a particular action with the communication device to ensure that the caller is in fact listening to the audible advertisements.

Similarly, monitoring process422may contain billing process424. Billing process424may bill advertisers of the selected audible advertisements for the number of times a caller listens to the targeted audible advertisement. In one illustrative embodiment, billing process424may provide advertisers with information concerning the effectiveness of their audible advertisements. For example, billing process424may report the percentage of callers that listen to a particular advertisement until completion, or the percentage of callers that interact with a particular audible advertisement.

With reference now to communication device402, communication device402contains targeted advertisement end user application430. Targeted advertisement end user application430may store a user profile associated with a caller in a data store, such as user profile data store432. In one illustrative embodiment, targeted advertisement end user application430sends the user profile to server400in response to a request for a new audible advertisement or in response to a request from server400for the user profile.

In another illustrative embodiment, targeted advertisement end user application430may receive selected audible advertisements from server400to be stored locally. The caller's communication device initiates playing process436, to play a locally stored audible advertisement in response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call.

By storing the selected audible advertisements locally, targeted advertisement end user application430is able to rotate selected audible advertisements without having to request a new selected audible advertisement from server400each time.

Additionally, by enabling the local storage of selected audible advertisements, server400may send a particular audible advertisement to a plurality of users without having to flood the network. The audible advertisement may be configured to play prior to a major event. Examples of major events may be, but are not limited to, a sporting event or the premier of a new show. Targeted advertisement end user application430stores this particular audible advertisement in targeted audible advertisement data store434. Targeted advertisement end user application430plays this particular audible advertisement at a predetermined time prior to the major event occurring in response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call.

In another illustrative embodiment, targeted advertisement end user application430implements monitoring and reporting process438. Monitoring and reporting process438locally monitors the usage of the selected audible advertisement. The monitored data includes, but is not limited to, the length of time the caller allows the audible advertisement to be played prior to terminating the selected audible advertisement, and the number of times a selected audible advertisement has been played. Monitoring and reporting process438may send the monitored data at a predetermined time based on a predetermined configuration, such as, but not limited to, when the number of audible advertisements that have been played reaches a threshold value or when the network bandwidth is low.

In another illustrative embodiment, as an alternative to server400performing the function of customizing the selected audible advertisement, targeted advertisement end user application430may contain customization process440. Customization process440customizes the selected audible advertisement to the user. For example, customization process440may insert a greeting with the caller's name prior to playing the selected audible advertisement.

With reference now toFIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating a server process for playing targeted audible advertisements is presented in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG. 5may be implemented by a server application, such as target advertisement server application406inFIG. 4.

The process begins when a server application receives a request to initiate a call from a caller (step500). The request to initiate a call may be indicated in numerous ways, such as, but not limited to, detecting the removal of a land-line phone from a base receiver. Additionally, the request to initiate a call may be indicated by the caller pressing the talk or send button on a communication device, such as, but not limited to, a cellular phone. The request to initiate a call may also be indicated by the caller dialing a telephone number.

The process identifies a user profile associated with the caller (step502). The user profile may be stored locally on a server in a data store of user profiles, such as user profiles data store410shown inFIG. 4.

Alternatively, the user profile may be stored locally on a communication device and a remote request may be initiated to retrieve the user profile and the current location of the communication device. The user profile may contain a designated location, such as, but not limited to, the home address of the caller. Alternatively, the current location of the communication device may be determined remotely through a network.

A targeted audible advertisement is selected for the caller using preconfigured criteria matching the user profile (step504). The criteria may include, but are not limited to, the location of the caller, the age of the caller, and the income level associated with the caller.

The selected audible advertisement may be customized prior to playing the selected audible advertisement on the caller's communication device (step506). The selected audible advertisement is delivered to the communication device and is played to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee (step508), with the process terminating thereafter.

The selected audible advertisement may be played prior to connecting the communication device to a communication network. Alternatively, the selected audible advertisement may be played after connecting the communication device to a communication network but prior to initiating a connection to a callee. In the case of a cellular network, connection to a communication network means the communication device is connected to a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO). The MTSO handles all of the phone connections to the normal land-based phone system, and controls all of the base stations in the region. If the communication device is connected through a land-line network, the selected audible advertisement may replace the standard dial tone after connecting to the telephone switching office to indicate that the communication device is ready to initiate a call.

The selected audible advertisement is played prior to the telephone switching office initiating a connection to a callee. In the case of a cellular network, initiating a connection to a callee means performing the process of connecting the caller's communication device with the callee's communication device. This process includes determining the cell in which the recipient's communication device is located, selecting a frequency pair to use during the communication, and communicating to the recipient's communication device the frequency pair to use. After the telephone switching office communicates to the Recipient's communication device the frequency pair to use, a ringing sound is played back to the caller. The ringing sound is typically referred to as a ringback. Once the recipient's communication device switches on to the frequency pair, the call is connected.

With reference now toFIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating a communication device process for playing locally stored targeted audible advertisements is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG. 6may be implemented by a communication device application, such as targeted advertisement end user application430inFIG. 4.

The process begins when a communication device application receives a request to initiate a call from a caller (step600). A targeted audible advertisement, stored locally in a data store, is selected (step602). The selected audible advertisement may be customized prior to playing the selected audible advertisement (step604). The selected audible advertisement is played to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee (step606), with the process terminating thereafter. As previously described inFIG. 5at step508, the selected audible advertisement may be played prior to or after connecting the communication device to a communication network, such as a telephone switching office, but prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating a process for locally monitoring the usage of selected audible advertisements in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process inFIG. 7may be implemented by a communication device application, such as, targeted advertisement end user application430inFIG. 4.

The process begins by monitoring and recording the length of time a selected audible advertisement plays prior to a caller terminating the selected audible advertisement (step700). In one illustrative embodiment, the selected audible advertisement may terminate when the caller enters a phone number. In another illustrative embodiment, the selected audible advertisement terminates when a connection is made between the calling parties.

The monitored information may be used to effectively credit the user's account and bill the advertisers. In addition, the process may perform certain actions based on the monitored data. For example, if only a part of the selected audible advertisement is played prior to the selected audible advertisement terminating, the selected audible advertisement may remain as the user's selected audible advertisement until a determination has been made that the entire audible advertisement has been played.

Additionally, the process monitors and records any interaction between the caller and the selected audible advertisement (step702). The caller may interact with the audible advertisement in a number of ways, such as, but not limited to, conducting a dialog, wherein the caller responds to prompts presented as part of the audible advertisement. Additionally, the selected audible advertisement may allow the caller to press a key to connect directly to a service that is being advertised or may request the caller to respond to a question by pressing a key. The interaction may also be in the form of a verbal response to a question or a prompt.

The process increments and records the number of times a selected audible advertisement has been played (step704). The process then determines whether the monitored information is reported remotely (step706). The determination may be made based on a preconfigured parameter, such as, but not limited to, when the number of audible advertisements that have been played reaches a preconfigured threshold value or when the network bandwidth is low.

If the process determines not to report the monitored information, the process returns to step700. If the process determines to report the monitored information, the monitored information is reported remotely to a server (step708), with the process returning to step700.

With reference now toFIG. 8, a flowchart illustrating a process for remotely monitoring the usage of selected audible advertisements in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is presented. The process inFIG. 8may be implemented by a server application, such as target advertisement server application406inFIG. 4.

The process begins by monitoring the usage of selected audible advertisements to determine the qualitative and quantitative effectiveness of the selected audible advertisement (step800). The monitored information may include, but is not limited to, the length of time the caller allows the audible advertisement to be played prior to terminating the audible advertisement and the number of times a selected audible advertisement has been played. Additionally, other aspects of the selected audible advertisement may be determined, such as, but not limited to, whether the caller interacts with the selected audible advertisement, or whether the caller calls a phone number or visits a website associated with the selected audible advertisement.

Furthermore, the monitoring process may be performed remotely, or information from a communication device may be requested by the server. Alternatively, a communication device may routinely send locally monitored information to a remote server at preconfigured intervals.

The user data associated with the monitored data, retrieved at step800, is identified (step802). The user data may include, but is not limited to, the caller's name, address, and telephone number. Additionally, the process may store the user data in a user data store.

As part of the incentive for callers to listen to a selected audible advertisement, an account associated with the caller is credited based on the monitored information (step804). The credit may be a monetary and/or a non-monetary benefit, such as, but not limited to, receiving award points redeemable for certain products or services.

Similarly, the advertisers associated with the monitored data, retrieved at step800, are identified (step806). The advertisers are billed for the advertising service (step808), with the process terminating thereafter. Billing may be based on a flat rate or at a rate based on the monitored usage data.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each step in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the step may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two steps shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the steps may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

Thus, the illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for playing audible advertisements on a communication device. In response to receiving a request from a caller to initiate a call, an audible advertisement from a set of audible advertisements is selected using criteria matching a user profile associated with a caller. The audible advertisement is played on the communication device to the caller prior to initiating a connection to a callee.

The above process is performed without requiring the caller to perform any additional actions beyond the ordinary call process. Therefore, the illustrated embodiments provide a method for targeting audible advertisements to a specific demographic in a non-intrusive manner. Furthermore, advertisers may target audible advertisements to a specific demographic and/or a specific location.

Further, a computer storage medium may contain or store a computer readable program code such that when the computer readable program code is executed on a computer, the execution of this computer readable program code causes the computer to transmit another computer readable program code over a communications link. This communications link may use a medium that is, for example without limitation, physical or wireless.