Abstract:
A communication method includes the steps of receiving a call from a caller for connection to a subscriber, attempting a connection to the subscriber and retrieving a media file associated with the subscriber. The media file is played to the caller during a ring-back period of the attempted connection, playing of the media file to the caller is charged to the provider of the media file.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/130,620,filed on May 30, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/192,135,filed on Sep. 15, 2008,the entirety of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This application relates to telephonic ringing condition. More particularly, the present application relates to a modified ring-back feature. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The ring-back tone, used in both land line and mobile telephone communications is the tone heard by the calling party while they are waiting for the called party to answer its phone. This ring-back tone, which is typically a telephone ringing sound reminiscent of earlier land line telephones, lets the caller know that the phone is ringing on the called party&#39;s end. In the absence of the tone, the caller is notified of a problem and may attempt to re-dial the number or call a different number. 
     Recently, personalized ring-back tones have been offered to phone service subscribers, allowing them to set their own ring-back tone that is played to calling parties while their phone is ringing. For example, a subscriber to a mobile phone may elect, or pay, to have a certain popular song played instead of the normal ring-back tone. When others attempt to call them, they will hear the song instead of the normal ring-back tone to let them know that the subscriber&#39;s phone is ringing. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, it is one object of the present arrangement to provide a modified ring-back to a subscriber, where the modified ring-back tone is an advertisement played to called parties when they attempt to call the subscriber. The advertisement is preferably in the form of a song or other musical arrangement, but may be any form of audible signal. 
     To this end, a communication method is provided for receiving a call from a caller for connection to a subscriber and attempting a connection to the subscriber. A media file associated with the subscriber is retrieved and played to the caller during a ring-back period of the attempted connection. The playing of the media file to the caller is charged to the provider of the media file. 
    
    
     
       BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a service provider that offers a ring-back service, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a ring-back service, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a subscriber selection chart for a subscriber, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a subscriber tracking record, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a ring-back service, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a subscriber call history table, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an advertiser bidding flow chart, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an advertiser bidding flow chart, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a service provider then offers a ring-back service for a caller, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart of a caller side ring-back service, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a caller call history table, in accordance with one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 12  is an advertiser bidding flow chart, in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a calling party  2  having a service provider  12 , is connected to a subscriber  4  (called party) through the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) or internet (for VoIP and Internet based calls). 
     Subscriber  4  is coupled to their service provider  14  that maintains the salient features of the present arrangement. As shown in  FIG. 1 , service provider  14  maintains telephony/packet switch (VoIP) equipment  20 , a ring-back database  22 , a subscriber tracking database  24 , a subscriber credit database  26  and an internet/operator platform subscriber interface module  28 . 
     Telephone switch equipment  20  may be any form of telephonic handling equipment for handling incoming and outgoing calls for subscriber  4 . It is understood that aside from typical communications handling, telephone switch equipment  20  is only required to be able to handle the ring-back functions described herein. 
     Ring-back data-base  22 , is configured to store various ring-back tones including but not limited to audio tones, digital music files and other such audible or multimedia signals. As described herein, ring-backs stored in database  22  include at least advertisements from various providers that have either been submitted to or solicited by service provider  14 . However, it is understood that additional non-advertisement material may be stored in database  22  as well. 
     Tracking database  24  tracks the various telephonic usages of subscriber  4  including but not limited to all incoming and outgoing calls, subscriber usage of directory assistance (including those handled by service provider  14  as well as by third party providers), concierge services, etc. . . . The record of such tracked calls is described below in more detail. 
     Credit database  26  stores the various times that a ring-back, selected by subscriber  4  to be played to various calling parties  2 , is played. As described below, subscriber  4  may receive certain credits each time their ring-back is played to callers  2 , to be redeemed directly with service provider  14  or with third parties (such as the provider of the advertisement). Credit database  26  stores either the incidents of the playoff of ring-backs, the tallied credits earned or a combination of the two. 
     Internet—operator platform  28  provides an interface for subscribers  4  to either call service provider  14  or to connect on-line with service provider  14  in order to manage their ring-back tones and possibly track and/or redeem earned credits. 
     In a typical operation flow, as shown in  FIG. 2 , at step  100 , subscriber  4  selects a ring-back, such as an advertisement ring-back to be played to callers  2  when they call subscriber  4 . After selecting a ring-back to be played to callers  2 , at step  102  the ring-back selection is stored in subscriber database  24  associated with some identifier and record relating to subscriber  4 . 
     At step  104 , caller  2  calls subscriber  4  through service providers  12  and  14  respectively. It is understood that service providers  12  and  14  may be the same entity in the event that caller  2  and subscriber  4  use the same service provider. For the purposes of illustration, service providers  12  and  14  are shown separately. 
     Next, at step  106 , after the initial telephony connection is completed between service providers  12  and  14 , the selected ring-back tone, stored in ring-back database  22 , is played to caller  2 , while the phone of subscriber  4  rings. 
     In one arrangement, caller  2  not only hears the advertisement ring-back tone, but also hears a faint usual “ring-ring” sound so that caller  2  knows they are waiting for subscriber  4  to answer the call as opposed to thinking that they might have dialed a wrong number or got through to an IVR (interactive voice response) system. After subscriber  4  picks up, or some other terminating event occurs (busy signals, hang-up, call drop etc. . . . ) the process terminates at step  108 . 
     The above described steps show the basic call flow for a subscriber  4  selected advertisement ring-back. The following descriptions of various implementations and variations of such a service relate generally to the various steps and modules described above in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     In one arrangement as shown in  FIG. 3 , when subscriber  4  is selecting a ring-back to be played to a caller  2  they are able to select from a plurality of ring-back options. Subscriber  4  may connect via the internet through internet interface  28  or they may call via an operator platform  28  to make their selection.  FIG. 3 , shows a GUI (Graphical User Interface)  200  that is presented either directly to subscriber  4  when connected by the internet or to the operator when subscriber  4  is contacting service provider  14  by telephone. 
     Graphic user interface  200  maintains, at a minimum, a selection table  202  that includes a series of ring-backs that subscriber  4  may select from. In one arrangement, subscriber  4  benefits from selecting a ring-back advertisement to be played to a caller  2 . 
     For example, a subscriber may select the CocaCola® jingle (such as the familiar “I&#39;d like to buy the world a coke.”) for supplanting their normal ring-back tones. Thus, when caller  2  attempts to call subscriber  4 , either by directly dialing their number or by attempting to connect to the user via a directory assistance call, caller  2  hears the selected personalized branded audio ring-back. In exchange, subscriber  4  either receives a coupon or prize directly from CocaCola or a reduced cost from service provider  14  (paid for by the advertiser) or some combination of the two. 
     Obviously, the types and numbers of incentives that may be offered to subscriber  4  for selecting to have a particular ring-back used are too numerous to be listed in full. However, for the purpose of illustration, the incentive is assumed to be either a credit or coupon redeemable for some product or service provided by the advertiser, or a credit to their telephone bill from service provider  14  to be paid in part or in full by the advertiser in exchange for selecting their advertisement. 
     Selection table  202  is able to show subscriber  4  all of the various options for ring-back selection, with the associated incentive for selecting this ring-back. Additionally, table  202  may have a sample button, allowing subscriber  4  to hear the advertisement ring-back before being selected. It is noted that for illustration purposes, the ring-back is described as an audio file. However, it is understood that if the various devices of subscriber  4  and caller  2  supports such a feature, the ring-back may be a multi-media tone/display video that is shown to caller  2  during the ring-back period. As discussed below, in one arrangement, advertisers may bid or pay to be listed at or near the top of table  202  to encourage greater selection by subscribers  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a subscriber database record  300  is shown for storage in subscriber database  24 . Subscriber record  300  may include various telephone fields including, but not limited to subscriber telephone number, subscriber personal information and other such information. Additionally, it is contemplated that subscriber record  300  includes a calling history field  302  that includes the times, durations, origination and termination data for all incoming and outgoing calls to subscriber  4  as well as any directory assistance call information including the listing requested, the number of time a listing was requested, the categories of the listings requested (whether during a direct request or a “category” type request) and other such history information. 
     Additionally, subscriber database record  300  contains a ring-back field  304  that includes any ring-back codes necessary for playing the selected ring-backs to callers  2 . 
     In one arrangement, if the subscriber desires, they may not only select an advertisement ring-back to be played to callers  2 , but they may select multiple ring-backs to play at different times, or a rotating schedule or even different ring-backs for different specific callers  2  or classes of callers  2 . For example a subscriber may select not to play advertisement ring-backs to personal calls (ie. from their contacts list), but may select to have advertisement ring-backs played to unknown parties. In each case, the level of incentive may be adjusted, according to whatever conditions are set by the advertiser. 
     As shown in flow chart  FIG. 5 , the various steps for tracking the incentives are shown, based on the ring-backs played to callers  2 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , steps  400 - 406  are the same as described above for steps  100 - 106  from  FIG. 2 . 
     At step  408 , once a ring-back is played to a caller  2 , a notation of that playback is recorded in subscriber history  302  indicating that an advertisement ring-back, selected by subscriber  4  has been successfully played to a caller  2 . 
     At step  410 , a corresponding notation is made in credit database  26  of service provider  14 , indicating that the incentive offered to subscriber  4  has been earned. It is noted that certain credits/incentives may be cumulative or require multiple playbacks to various callers  2 , etc. . . . or they may be applied automatically, even for selecting their potential use in the first place (ie. even if no one calls subscriber  4 ). It is contemplated that credit database  26 , in conjunction with subscriber history field  302  from tracking database  24  maintain whatever records for accounting that are required to track and fulfill the incentives. 
     In another embodiment, it is contemplated that certain providers of advertisement type ring-backs may desire to bid for certain advantages in being played to callers  2  via the ring-back tone of subscribers  4 . 
     For example,  FIG. 6 , shows a typical call history field  302  from a subscriber  4 . In the field  302 , calls are numbered, identified as incoming or outgoing, identified if they were from or through directory assistance, have the category of the connected party as well as the time and date information. 
     Using the example given in  FIG. 6 , it is shown that in the most recent six calls for subscriber  4 , two were related to the category skiing, possibly a ski slope or ski supply store. When discussing selection table  202  previously in  FIG. 3 , it was contemplated that the various available ring-backs/incentive combinations are arranged randomly or alphabetically etc. . . . However, it is contemplated that certain advertisers may wish to pay or bid to have their advertisement ring-back listed higher on selection table  202 . 
     In one arrangement, any advertiser may simply pay or bid to be listed first for all available subscribers  4 . This may be the case for many generic advertisers such as soft drink companies, automotive sales, etc. . . . However, for certain smaller advertising budgets, advertisers may wish to target subsets of subscribers  4  with certain matching interests. 
     In one example as shown in flow chart  FIG. 7 , at step  500 , an advertiser may review (with privacy options available) subscriber histories  302  in an amalgamated form in order to pay or bid to be placed higher on the selection table  200 . For example, for a subscriber  4  such as that shown in  FIG. 6 , a skiing advertisement may wish to be played to the various callers  2  that that subscriber  4  interacts with, given the higher probability that they may also be interested in skiing. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , aside from grouping of subscribers  6  into certain categories based on prior call history, subscribers  4  can directly reach service provider  14  via interface  28  and directly update their profile, stored within record  300  so that they can actively add certain preferences. This allows the subscriber greater control over which advertisements may be played to the callers  2  that call subscriber  4 . 
     At step  502 , advertisers may bid or present offers to service provider  14  and, at step  504  the winning bidder may be moved to the top of selection table  202  for particular subscribers  4 . In the present example, the winning bidder for the subscriber  4  group of “skiing enthusiasts” would have their advertisement ring back option presented as the first or nearly first option on table  202 . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in flow chart  FIG. 8 , steps  600  and  602  are the same as steps  500  and  502  respectively. However, at step  604 , rather than the advertisers pay to be placed higher on selection table  202 , advertisers may be paid/bid to be automatically placed into the ring-back of certain subscribers. In this arrangement, it is not contemplated that subscriber  4  receive incentives, rather service provider  14  receives direct benefits from the advertisers, including but not limited to an advertiser dollar paid, per playback of a ring-back to a caller  2 . For example, if service provider  14 , for a particular subscriber  4  plays a ring-back to  150  callers  2  in a month, then service provider  14  may receive a 1 cent per call advertising fee from the advertiser. It is further contemplated that such a system may still allow some subscriber  4  input, such as selecting of which advertiser ring-back to use with their ring-backs, but such an input is not required. 
     It is understood that the various permutations of how the tracked call history of subscribers  4  may be used by advertisers to pay or bid for more prominent placements are too numerous to detail in full. The present arrangement contemplates any similarly function ring-back advertisement arrangement where either the subscriber  4 , service provider  14  or some combination of the two receive a benefit from the advertiser in exchange for having their advertisement played in the place of the normal subscriber  4  ring-back. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a similar service may be offered on the caller  2  side. For example, rather than having subscriber  4  set the ring-back to be played to caller  2 , callers  2  may elect to have advertisements, played to themselves, over top of the ring-back sent from service provider  14  of subscriber  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , service provider  12  is situated similarly to service provider  14  from  FIG. 1 . In each case, the elements shown  720 ,  722 ,  724 ,  726  and  728  provide substantially the same functions as described with relation to  FIG. 1  for elements  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  respectively. However, due to the different nature of a caller selecting the ring-back they will hear, regardless of whom they call, the differing ring-back selection operations are discussed below. 
     For example, as shown in flow chart  FIG. 10 , at step  800  caller  2  may simply log on through interface  728  and accept advertisements to be played to them during normal ring-back time, possibly with a faint ring-back in the background. At step  802 , a caller  2  dials an outgoing number, and at step  804 , during the ring-back period, service provider  12  plays an advertisement ring-back to caller  2 . As with the subscriber  4  based system above, at step  806 , any necessary earned credit data for caller  10  may be stored in credit database  726 . 
     In another arrangement, as set forth in  FIG. 11 , similar to the arrangement with subscribers  4 , service provider  12  may maintain a tracking record  900  for caller  2  showing their past calls, which are numbered, identified as incoming or outgoing, identified if they were from or through directory assistance, have the category of the connected party as well as the time and date information. 
     Additionally, tracking record  900  may provide a means for callers  2  to directly reach service provider  12  via interface  728  and directly update their profile, stored within or associated with tracking record  900  so that they can actively add certain preferences. This allows caller  2  greater control over which advertisements may be played to the callers  2  that call subscriber  4 . 
     As with subscribers  4 , callers  2  may be targeted by certain advertisers to have their ring-backs modified. For example, based on the exemplary record  900 , caller  2  may be identified as a contractor or building materials buyer. A building supply house may wish to present advertisement or other material during that caller&#39;s  2  ring-back as well as other callers  2  having similar call patterns. 
     For example, as shown in flow chart  FIG. 12 , at step  1000 , the tracking records  900  of a plurality of callers  2  are analyzed and a plurality of callers  2  are identified and grouped into a series of various preferred caller categories. As an example, the caller  2  from  FIG. 11  may be included in a preferred category for builders. 
     Next, at step  1002 , various advertisers may bid to have their advertisements played during the ring-back period(s) of the callers  2  in one or more particular groups. A building materials advertiser may want their branded message to be played to callers  2  in the builders category. 
     At step  1004 , once a winning bidder is achieved for a category of callers  2 , service provider  12  then designates to play that advertiser&#39;s audio message during the ring-back period for those callers  2  in the category. Thus, when caller  2  makes a call through service provider  12 , service provider  12  may check their ANI or MIN to determine if their associated tracking record  900  indicates that they are to receive an advertising media ring-back as described above. 
     It is noted that in each of the above examples, for both caller  2  and subscriber  4 , the salient features are expressed in terms of telephone calls. However, it is understood that many text-related actions may take place during a telephone context, such a seeking call completion after a text message directory request. It is contemplated that the present arrangement may utilize embedded coding within the text messaging for call tracking purposes prior to playing any branded audio or multimedia messages during the ring-back period of call completion. Furthermore, to the extent the devices of caller  2  and subscriber  4  support such features, branded audio and multimedia ring-backs may include subsequent related text based coupons or other such redeemable text messages. 
     While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.