Patent Abstract:
There is provided a method that includes sending information to a first device, receiving a confirmation that a user of the first device acknowledged receipt of the information, and facilitating a communication between the first device and a second device via a peer-to-peer network in return for the confirmation.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to facilitating communication between devices on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, and more particularly, to facilitating communication between devices on a peer-to-peer network in return for a user reviewing an advertisement. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There is presently no ability for users of a subscription-based or transaction-based P2P network to accrue credits for access to such network, except for direct payment methods. In particular, there is no ability to pay for voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) calls to local exchanges with advertisement credits, and no ability for P2P users to choose to receive advertisements to accrue credits while connected to a P2P network, in lieu of direct financial payments for access thereto. There is also no way for an advertiser to target advertisement content to various segments of P2P users of a network, from generalized 1-to-1 targeting. 
         [0005]    Presently, P2P networks do not attach metadata to data packets transmitted therethrough, for the purpose of encoding credits earned by a user for viewing advertisements. Further, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the use of generalized and targeted advertisements as an alternative to financial payments for access to P2P networks. 
         [0006]    The present invention addresses the foregoing, and other shortcomings in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    There is provided a method that includes sending information to a first device, receiving a confirmation that a user of the first device acknowledged receipt of the information, and facilitating a communication between the first device and a second device via a peer-to-peer network in return for the confirmation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various aspects of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings. A component or a feature that is common to more than one drawing is indicated with the same reference number in each of the drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an advertising substitution payment system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of interaction between a service provider and a user device in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a user interface for a user device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A P2P computer network uses diverse connectivity between participants in a network and the cumulative bandwidth of network participants rather than conventional centralized resources where a relatively low number of servers provide the core value to a service or application. P2P networks are typically used for connecting nodes via largely ad hoc connections. Such networks are useful for many purposes. Sharing content files containing audio, video, data or anything in digital format is very common. Real-time data, such as telephony traffic, is also passed using P2P technology. 
         [0013]    Nodes on a pure P2P network are sensibly classed neither as clients nor servers, but rather only as equal peer nodes that simultaneously exhibit client and server functions to one another. This network topology differs from the client-server model where communication is usually to and from a central server. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an advertising substitution payment system, hereinafter referred to as system  100 . System  100  includes a P2P network  101  that is implemented over the Internet, and that, in turn, includes a P2P service provider  180 , a plurality of user devices  170 ,  175 ,  180 ,  185 , supernodes  120  and  125 , and a private branch exchange (“PBX”)  160 . PBX  160  is coupled, via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) (not shown), to a user device  190  that is external to P2P network  101 . User device  190  could be, for example, a land line telephone or a mobile, e.g., cellular or satellite, telephone. 
         [0015]    P2P service provider  180  is implemented on a device having a processor (not shown) and a memory that includes instructions in modules for controlling the processor, namely a webserver  105 , an e-mail server  110 , and a P2P manager  115 . User device  170  is implemented on a device having a processor (not shown) and a memory that includes instructions in modules for controlling the processor, namely a web browser  150 , an e-mail client  155  and an applet  130 . User device  170  also includes components through which user  133  can conduct communication, e.g., a display, keyboard, microphone and a speaker. The term “module” is used herein to denote a functional part that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of subordinate components. Steps associated with the operations of P2P manager  115  and applet  130  can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or dictated by the steps themselves. 
         [0016]    In  FIG. 1 , applet  130  is shown as a component of user device  170 . However, applet  130  was previously installed into user device  170  as follows. At the behest of a user  133 , e-mail client  155  sends a request to P2P service provider  180 , via a communication  156 , to sign up for a P2P communications service. The request may optionally be accompanied by a fee for services and software downloads. The request is communicated to e-mail server  110 , and from e-mail server  110  to P2P manager  115  for processing. P2P manager  115  processes the request and sends a P2P software applet and secure password through webserver  105 , via a communication  152 , to web browser  150 . User device  170  installs the P2P applet as applet  130 . Applets  135 ,  140  and  145  are installed on user devices,  175 ,  180  and  185 , respectively, in a manner similar to that of applet  130  being installed on user device  170 , and an applet  165  is installed in PBX  160 . 
         [0017]    Applets  130 ,  135 ,  140 ,  145  and  165  enable P2P communications between user device  170 , user device  175 , user device  180 , user device  185  and PBX  160 . Whereas user devices  170 ,  175 ,  180  and  185  include applets  130 ,  135 ,  140  and  145 , respectively, user device  170  is able to conduct communications with any of user devices  175 ,  180  and  185 . User device  170  can also conduct communications with user device  190  via applet  165 . Such communication may involve any type of data that is suitable for transmission via P2P network  101 , including VOIP telephony. 
         [0018]    Supernodes  120  and  125  perform processing that need not be performed by a centralized server farm. Each of supernodes  120  and  125  manages functionality for itself and a number of designated nodes. A supernode may simultaneously perform the functions of an applet, e.g., applet  130 . Any of applets  130 ,  135 ,  140 ,  145  can be a node that manages limited functionality, principally for itself, or for a supernode, e.g., supernode  125 . P2P manager  115  also transmits lists of users, data about the user, and a master list of public telephone exchange Internet protocol (IP) addresses to supernodes  120  and  125 . 
         [0019]    User  133  may be required to pay a fee for the privilege of conducting communications via P2P network  101 . Such a fee is even more likely in a case where user  133  wishes to conduct a communication with a user  195  of user device  190 , since user device  190  is not within P2P network  101 , and the communication would be routed through a PSTN. Moreover, the communications between user device  170  and user device  190  may require a payment by one or both of user  133  and user  195 . The payment can be made by the purchase of credits by user  133 . 
         [0020]    As an alternative to the purchasing of credits, P2P service provider  180  can grant credits to user  133  in exchange for user  133  accepting a presentation of information. The information can be in any suitable form, such as textual, graphical, or audio form, and may include an advertisement. This alternative is referred to herein as an advertising substitution payment, and is accomplished with the consent of user  133 . Indeed, user  133  opts into a program for the payment by advertising substitution, either by affirmatively requesting permission to participate, or by affirmatively responding to an invitation to participate. 
         [0021]    For example, assume that user  133  wishes to place a call to user device  190 . Through a user interface with applet  130 , user  133  indicates a desire to participate in the advertising substitution payment system. Thus, via the user interface, applet  130  receives a prompt, from user  133 , indicating that user  133  has consented to receive an advertisement. Applet  130  sends a message to P2P manager  115 , indicating that user  133  has consented to receive the advertisement, and P2P manager  115 , in response to receipt of the message, sends the advertisement to applet  130 . Applet  130  presents the advertisement via the user interface, and waits for a confirmation that user  133  received the advertisement. The confirmation can be in the form of an input, by user  133 , evidencing that user  133  considered some content in the advertisement, e.g., user  133  is required to answer a question regarding the content. Nevertheless, applet  130 , upon receipt of the confirmation that user  133  received the advertisement, sends a further confirmation to P2P manager  115 . P2P manager  115  then sends a message to applet  130  to enable user device  170  to communicate with user device  190  via P2P network  101 . Thus, P2P manager  115  and applet  130  cooperate with one another to facilitate the communication between user device  170  and user device  190 , via P2P network  101 , in return for the confirmation from user  133 . 
         [0022]    The facilitation of a particular communication between user device  170  and user device  190  does not necessarily require participation by P2P manager  115 . For example, applet  130  may include, encoded therein, a collection of advertisements. Accordingly, applet  130  after the receipt of the prompt from user  133  indicating that user  133  has consented to receive an advertisement, presents an advertisement from the collection via the user interface. Applet  130  waits for a confirmation that user  133  received the advertisement, and thereafter, facilitates the communication via P2P network  101 . 
         [0023]    Also, although the operation of system  100  is described above in the context of a communication between user device  170  and user device  190 , which is external to P2P network  101 , the payment substitution can also be employed to facilitate a communication user device  170  and a user device that is within P2P network  101 , e.g., user device  175 . 
         [0024]    Communication between user device  170  and any other device, either within P2P network  101  or beyond P2P network  101 , begins with user  133  supplying login credentials, via user device  170 , to applet  130 . The login credentials are communicated, via a communication  153 , to P2P service provider  180 . 
         [0025]    The login having thus been performed, user device  170  initiates communication through applet  130 , via a channel  131 , to supernode  120 . Supernode  120  validates data packets, changes data packets as required, and then communicates data to supernode  125 . More particularly, supernode  120  sends communication, e.g., a “call”, via a channel  122  to supernode  125 . In so doing, supernode  120  attaches the IP address of, credit available to, and destination phone number to be reached from, user device  170  for the call. Supernode  120  sends the call, i.e., data packets that comprise “the call”, to PBX  160  via supernode  125  and a channel  126 . Communications between PBX  160  and supernode  125  are mediated by a P2P applet  165 . 
         [0026]    PBX  160  in turn prepares to send the call onward to user device  190 . Concurrently, PBX  160  transmits call charge information, via a communication  166  (designated by a heavy dotted line), to supernode  125 , through supernode  120 , to applet  130 . 
         [0027]    Upon receipt of the call charge information, applet  130  debits an account associated with user device  170 . When the account has a value that is less than a threshold, user  133 &#39;s call is interrupted, and one or both of user  133  and user  195  is/are notified by P2P service provider  180  that the call will be terminated unless more credits are purchased, or unless one or both of user  133  and user  195  agrees to request and review an advertisement. Optionally, P2P service provider  180  may request that user  133  or user  195  review a message to accrue credits that can be applied to a further service. 
         [0028]    Determination of the threshold can be done in one or a combination of several ways. One way is by simple comparison of remaining credits to a predetermined number. For example, user  133  could be notified when there are ten or fewer credits remaining. Another way is to determine a credit expenditure rate, and notify user  133  when a certain amount of time remains until available credits are expected to be exhausted. 
         [0029]    If user  133  decides to purchase credits then the following takes place. Applet  130 , via a channel  132 , places a data call through web browser  150  to P2P service provider  180 , via a communication  157 . Applet  130  sends P2P service provider  180  user  133 &#39;s credit card data and a quantity of credits to be ordered. To finalize this purchase of credits, webserver  105  communicates the order to P2P manager  115 , which processes credit information to grant the credits. Next, P2P manager  115  transmits credits through webserver  105 , via a communication  158 , to web browser  150 . Thus user device  170 &#39;s credits are replenished. 
         [0030]    Alternatively to user  133  replenishing credits on user device  170  by purchase, as described above, user  133  or user  195  can agree to view or hear a message, in exchange for which viewing or hearing, there is a replenishment of credits on user device  170  sufficient to continue the interrupted call. 
         [0031]    Although system  100  is described herein as having P2P manager  115  installed in a memory of P2P service provider  180 , and having applet  130  installed in a memory of user device  170 , either or both of P2P manager  115  and applet  130  can be tangibly embodied on an external computer-readable storage media  137  for subsequent loading into P2P service provider  180  and user device  170 , respectively. Storage media  137  can be any conventional storage media, including, but not limited to, a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a read only memory, or an optical storage media. The instructions could also be embodied in a random access memory, or other type of electronic storage, located on a remote storage system and coupled to P2P service provider  180  or user device  170 . Moreover, although P2P manager  115  and applet  130 , are described herein as being installed in P2P service provider  180  and user device  170 , and therefore being implemented in software, they could be implemented in any of hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of interaction between P2P service provider  180  and user device  170  communicating through a P2P network  250 , when user  133  opts to review a message in exchange for credits. 
         [0033]    Between P2P service provider  180  and user device  170  there is a plurality of communications  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 . Communications  210 ,  220 ,  230 , and  240  can be packet-based communications such as transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP). 
         [0034]    Communication  210  begins when user  133  initiates a request to receive a message, which user  133  accomplishes by selecting a digital soft switch or push button, i.e., a button  255 , on user device  170 . Button  255  having been selected, a digital transmission, i.e., a data call, to P2P service provider  180  is initiated. P2P service provider  180  then, in a process  260 , computes the request to review the message in lieu of payment. P2P service provider  180  next responds to user device  170  with a communication  220 . 
         [0035]    Communication  220  is a digital transmission of a message  275 . Message  275  may be rendered by user device  170  in audio, visual, or indeed any human-perceptible form. 
         [0036]    User  133  reviews message  275  via a user interface of user device  170 . Message  275  may prompt user  133  to complete certain actions, such as to indicate that user  133  has read message  275  in its entirety. When user  133  has completed the actions, applet  130  generates a confirmation  265  that indicates user  133 &#39;s receipt and review of message  275 , and initiates a communication  230 . 
         [0037]    In communication  230 , applet  130  transmits confirmation  265  to P2P service provider  180 . P2P service provider  180  then computes a credit count  280 , and initiates a communication  240 . 
         [0038]    In communication  240 , P2P service provider  180  transmits credits  285  to applet  130 . The quantity of credits  285  is reflective of credit count  280 . User device  170  thus has credits  285  available for immediate use to continue with a call that is in process, or to make other calls. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a user interface for communication between user  133  and applet  130 . User interface  300  includes a button  305 , which is an implementation of button  255 , mentioned above, or indeed any suitable user interest-notating device. User  133  employs button  305  to indicate his willingness to view message  275 . In exchange for user  133  confirming review of message  275 , which review may take place via user interface  300 , user  133 &#39;s user device  170  will receive credits  285 . 
         [0040]    In system  100 , user  133  can accrue credits for various uses by choosing to receive advertisements in lieu of making direct financial payments to an P2P service provider  180 . The perception of user  133  is that the call becomes free. System  100  enables:
   1. peer-to-peer users to earn credits by engaging in targeted advertisements;   2. peer-to-peer network owners to create a new financial mechanism for users to earn credits, rather to pay for them, that will unleash additional revenue streams and wider market acceptance and penetration;   3. creation of advertisement metadata to be managed on a distributed basis through a peer-to-peer network, dramatically reducing the overhead costs and processing required at a centralized server;   4. provision of engaging and useful advertisement opportunities to brands and advertisers to an untapped audience at the point of need;   5. greatly enhanced user options for payment choices;   6. effective and distributed advertising measurement system;   7. economic incentives to create new advertisement and peer-to-peer products for the benefit of all Internet users;   8. expansion of the payment choices for all Internet users for services across the Internet; and   9. an innovative advertisement-based system to accelerate adoption and use of the Internet for enhanced capabilities.   
 
         [0050]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a P2P network with VOIP, a P2P user initiates the applet to complete a VOIP-to-telephone call to an outside user through a PBX or a PSTN, usually for a financial charge. The telephone call consists of a landline connection. In another embodiment it consists of a mobile phone connection. In both cases, the P2P user, and sometimes the outside user, are charged for the connection. By employing a button on the user interface, e.g., see  FIG. 3 , the user elects to receive and review an advertisement (aural and/or visual) prior to placing the call, in lieu of financial charges, in various forms of compensation. This compensation then accrues credits for connection charges, so that financial charges are not incurred. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the P2P user initiates the applet to access a user interface, e.g., see  FIG. 3 , during a VOIP-to-telephone call to an outside user, which interrupts the connection, to receive and review an advertisement, prior to the available credits reaching zero and having the call disconnected due to insufficient funds. 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the outside user receives a request to receive and review an advertisement during the VOIP-to-telephone, prior to the P2P user&#39;s connection being terminated. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment, both the P2P user and outside user initiate and request to receive an advertisement prior to the termination of the VOIP-to-telephone connection. 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, a P2P user downloads the P2P applet with an advertisement already included in the software and an agreement to review the advertisement as credit for VOIP-to-telephone calls. Upon executing the software, the P2P user receives and reviews the advertisement and gains credit for a future VOIP-to-telephone call. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment, a P2P user purchases the P2P applet for a fee, with an advertisement already included in the software, and an agreement to review the advertisement for greater compensation. After the P2P applet is installed, the P2P user receives and reviews the advertisement and then receives direct compensation, instead of credit for a VOIP-to-telephone connection. 
         [0056]    In another embodiment, the P2P network service provider requests the P2P user to receive and review an advertisement to accrue credits for services, in lieu of charges. 
         [0057]    The techniques described herein are exemplary, and should not be construed as implying any particular limitation on the present invention. It should be understood that various alternatives, combinations and modifications could be devised by those skilled in the art. The present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7