Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/6273816
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 01:42:28
Document Index: 556382597

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US Patent for Method and apparatus for rewarding groups of communication service users Patent (Patent # 6,273,816 issued August 14, 2001) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)US Patent for Method and apparatus for rewarding groups of communication service users Patent (Patent # 6,273,816)
Method and apparatus for rewarding groups of communication service users
Mar 22, 1999 - AT&T
A method and apparatus can enter a call into a lottery, if the call is eligible. A group of individuals or other entities associated with the call for purposes of the lottery is identified; and if the call has won the lottery, at least one member of group is advised of the group&apos;s winning status. The odds of winning a lottery for the call can be adjusted based on a participation history for at least one member of the group. The participation history can include a past number of calls made or total call time logged by the caller, etc. Thus, for example, groups of frequent users of a communication service can be rewarded with increased odds of winning a lottery each time a request for communication services is made and communication services are provided.
This application is related to the following concurrently filed, commonly assigned applications: Ser. No. 09/274,135, entitled “Lottery Method And Apparatus Having A Tiered Prize Scheme;” Ser. No. 09/274,143, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Determining A Caller&apos;s Odds For Winning A Lottery Based On Caller History;” Ser. No. 09/274,141, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Determining A Call-Based Lottery Winner&apos;s Prize Tier Based On Caller Participation History;” and Ser. No. 09/274,142, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Determining A Caller&apos;s Eligibility For A Lottery And Advising Lottery Winner During A Same Call.”
The invention provides a method and apparatus for rewarding a group of communication service users. The communication service used can be a telecommunications service or any other type of communication service including wired and wireless communication services, such as radio communication services, computer networks, the Internet, etc. A group of communication service users can be rewarded by being entered into and winning a lottery when one member of the group is associated with a call made using the communication service. For example, one member of the group could make a telephone call and, in response, be entered into and win a lottery on behalf of the group. A member of the group can be associated with a call and enter the group into a lottery by making a call, receiving a call or otherwise being associated with a call, such as by allowing another caller to make a call using the member&apos;s communication device. Groups can be formed, for example, by individuals advising a communication service provider that a group, for lottery purposes, should be formed that includes the individuals. Groups can also be automatically formed by a communication service provider; for example, a group could be automatically formed of all individuals that are associated with a particular social, civic, professional or other organization.
If the call is eligible for entry into a lottery, a determination can next be made whether the group corresponding to the call has won the lottery. This determination can be adjusted based on various criteria, including the number of individuals in the group and/or the group&apos;s participation history, which can include a total number of calls made by at least one member of the group over a past period of time, e.g., the last 30, 60 or 90 days, a total amount of call time used by at least one member in the group, the types of calls made/received by the group, a number of past lotteries entered, a number of past lotteries won, a type of calls made, call destination information, a time of day or day, a dial-around code for past calls, etc..
Thus, for example, the group&apos;s odds for winning the lottery can be adjusted based on the number of individuals in the group. For example, if a lottery has defined odds for winning, e.g., one in ten thousand, the group could be provided with two or more entries into the lottery to adjust the odds of winning. Alternately, the group could be given one entry into the lottery and the odds for winning the lottery could be adjusted in another way. By adjusting the odds for winning, groups of frequent callers or users of the communication system can be rewarded with increased odds of winning as compared to groups of less frequent callers. At least one member of the group can be advised that the group has won the lottery during the call that entered the group into the lottery. However, this is not necessary and the group can be advised at some later time.
The invention is described below in connection with a telecommunication system. That is, as described below, callers make telephone calls to request communication services and communicate with a desired called party. However, it will be appreciated that the invention can be used with other types of communication systems, including wired and wireless communication systems, computer or other similar networks such as the Internet, etc. For example, the invention could be used as part of an Internet service provider (ISP) system such that each time a user accesses the Internet, a particular web site, a particular number or combination of web sites, or other similar computer network through the ISP&apos;s system, the user or a group associated with the call can be entered into and win a lottery. The user can access the Internet, computer network or other information source through a cable, satellite or other network or combination of networks. Likewise, communication service users that connect to a particular Internet web site, or view/interact with a particular television or other communication channel (either digital or analog), can be entered into and win a lottery. For example, users could be rewarded for viewing a particular television or other similar communication channel. Thus, the invention is not limited to use with telecommunication systems.
The caller 1&apos;s request for communication services can take different forms, depending upon the type of communication network 3 used to provide the communication services. In this example, the communication network 3 is a switched telecommunications network, and so the request for communication services can include a dialed telephone number. However, the communication network 3 can include other communication systems, and the request for communication services will likely change accordingly.
When the communication network 3 receives the call request and provides communication services, e.g., sends communication information between the caller 1 and the called party 2, a lottery module 4 is notified of the call. The lottery module 4 then determines if a group associated with the caller 1, the called party 2, or another entity associated with the call is eligible for entry into a lottery. In this example, a possible other entity associated with the call could be a person, group or business entity that maintains or is otherwise associated with the communication device used by the caller 1 or the called party 2. For example, a caller 1, who is actually using a communication device to make a telephone call, may be borrowing another person&apos;s telephone to make the call. In this case, the lottery module 4 can determine that a group associated with the person who owns the telephone or is responsible for paying for calls made using the telephone is eligible for entry into the lottery, rather than a group associated with the actual caller.
In contrast, the lottery module 4 could determine whether a group associated with the actual caller 1 is eligible for entry into the lottery even if the caller 1 is not usually associated with the telephone being used to make a call. In this case, the caller 1 can enter an identification number, dial a specific access telephone number or follow some other procedure to identify the caller 1&apos;s group identity to the lottery module 4 regardless of the telephone or other communication device being used to obtain communication services.
While communication services are being provided to the caller 1, the lottery module 4 preferably determines whether the call is eligible for entry into a lottery and, if so, whether the group associated with the call for lottery purposes is a winner of the lottery. However, the call can be entered into and win a lottery after communication services have been terminated. As discussed above, the group&apos;s odds of winning the lottery can be adjusted (e.g., increased), if desired, based on the group&apos;s past participation or call history, or other factors. If the group is a winner, at least one member of the group, such as the caller 1 or called party 2, is preferably advised of the winning status while communication services are being provided. For example, the lottery module 4 could interrupt the call to advise the caller 1 of the winning status, call the caller 1 on another telephone line, display a video message on the caller 1&apos;s communication device or otherwise advise the caller 1 of the winning status. If the group is not a winner of the lottery, the lottery module 4 can either advise the caller 1 or called party 2 that the group did not win the lottery this time, or make no announcement at all to the caller 1. When the caller 1 or called party 2 wishes to terminate the communication services, e.g., by hanging up the telephone, the communication services are terminated.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one example of a lottery module. In this example, the lottery module 4 includes a controller 41 that receives and sends signals over a line 44, which communicates with the communication network 3. For example, the controller 41 can receive a signal over the line 44 from the communication network 3 indicating that a call request has been made and communication services are being provided to a caller 1. In response to the received signal, which can include information identifying the caller 1, the call&apos;s originating telephone number, the destination telephone number, other call destination information, etc., the controller 41 identifies the group associated with the call for lottery purposes and determines whether the call is eligible for entry into a lottery. The group associated with the call for lottery purposes can be identified by comparing a caller 1&apos;s, called party 2&apos;s and/or other entity&apos;s identity (e.g., corresponding telephone number) to a stored set of group information. If the caller 1&apos;s, called party 2&apos;s or other entity&apos;s identity matches stored group information, the group associated with the call for lottery purposes can be the group to which the matching person belongs. Of course, other methods for identifying a group associated with a call for lottery purposes can be used.
The eligibility determination can be based on various factors including information received from the communication network 3 and/or other information stored in a memory 43. The memory 43 can store information such as a caller 1 or group&apos;s profile, including a number of calls made/received by callers 1/called parties 2 in the group during a past period of time, a total amount of call time used by the callers 1 or called parties 2 in the group, the types of calls made/received by the callers 1/called parties 2 in the group, etc. The controller 41 can also use information such as the time of day or day that a call is made, a specific dial-around code used to place a call, a call destination, or other information. In short, the controller 41 can use any desired information to make the eligibility determination. Alternately, all calls on the communications network 3 can be eligible for entry into a lottery.
Once the controller 41 determines that a call is eligible for entry into a lottery, the controller 41 sends a signal to a lottery generator 42 to enter the call into a lottery. The lottery generator 42 can enter the call into a standard lottery having defined odds and then provide an indication to the controller 41 whether the call has won the lottery. Alternately, the lottery generator 42 can adjust the odds of winning the lottery for the call based on the group&apos;s past participation history, which can include any of the information discussed above used to make an eligibility determination. For example, the call&apos;s odds of winning can be adjusted based on a number of calls placed by the caller 1 during a past time period, a total call time logged by the caller 1, the types of calls, e.g., credit card calls, dial-around calls, etc., a call destination such as a telephone number or geographical region, a time of day, a number of past entries into lotteries, a number of past lottery wins, etc. The odds of winning can be adjusted in any desired way, including providing the call with multiple entries into a lottery having predefined odds for winning, or providing the call with a single entry into a lottery that has adjusted odds.
If the call wins the lottery, the controller 41 sends a signal to the communication network 3 to notify at least one member of the group associated with the call of the winning status. Preferably, the caller 1 and/or the called party 2 is notified while the call that prompted entry into the lottery is ongoing. However, the caller 1 and/or called party 2 can be notified after the call has been terminated. The members of the winning group can be notified of the winning status in various ways, including providing a voice message to a member, displaying a message on a member&apos;s communication device, by telephoning the member on a separate telephone line, sending a facsimile or e-mail message to a member, etc.
Once the call is determined to be eligible and a lottery group associated with the call is identified, the lottery generator 42 determines if the call has won the lottery. The call could be entered into a lottery having defined odds, e.g., one in ten thousand, or the call&apos;s odds of winning could be adjusted as discussed above. For example, a member of the group could have made more than a threshold number of calls using a specific dial-around code during the last month, and therefore be entitled to increased odds of winning the lottery. Of course, other criteria can be used to determine whether and to what extent a call is entitled to adjusted odds of winning a lottery. Therefore, frequent callers in a lottery group can be rewarded with increased odds of winning a lottery. For example, callers in a group that make calls at a first level (e.g., total time or frequency) could be assigned a first level of odds of winning; callers in a group that make calls at a second higher level could be assigned a second higher level of odds of winning; and so on. One possible way of adjusting a call&apos;s odds is to provide the call with multiple entries into a lottery having defined odds. If the call wins the lottery, at least one member of the lottery group is advised of the winning status, preferably while communication services are being provided.
In step 400, a determination is made whether the call is eligible for a lottery. The eligibility determination can be based on various different eligibility criteria such as information regarding at least one group member&apos;s past participation history, including a number of calls or total call time for the member during a past time period, or other information related to the call such as a time of day, a call destination (e.g., a specific telephone number or geographic region), a dial-around code used to place the call, whether the call was made using a credit card, etc. This determination can be made by comparing the eligibility criteria obtained regarding the call with stored eligibility data. For example, a dial-around number used to initiate the call can be compared with a set of stored dial-around numbers; and if the obtained dial-around number matches one of the stored numbers, the call can be determined eligible for entry into a lottery. Of course, the eligibility determination can be made based on two or more criteria in any way as desired. For example, even if a dial-around number used to make a call matches a stored dial-around number, a further determination can be made whether the number of calls placed by at least one member of the group during the last month is equal to or greater than a desired threshold number. Thus, even if the caller used an appropriate dial-around number that would otherwise entitle the call to entry into a lottery, if at least one member of the group has not placed a specified number of calls using the dial-around number in the past, entry into a lottery can be denied.
For example, the call&apos;s odds of winning the lottery can be adjusted based on a call participation history for one or more members of the lottery group identified in step 300. The participation history can include information such as a number of calls recently made by a group member, a total call time logged by the group member, etc. For example, a call&apos;s odds of winning the lottery can be increased if a group member has made more than a threshold number of calls during a past time period. Thus, groups having members that frequently use a service, such as a dial-around service, can be rewarded with increased odds of winning as compared to other groups having members that less frequently use the dial-around service. The call&apos;s odds of winning can be adjusted by adjusting a number of entries allotted to the caller into a lottery, adjusting the odds of winning the lottery, etc.
The method for rewarding groups can also include a step of determining a prize or group of prizes that are awarded to members of a winning group. As described above, a single prize can be divided among members of a group, either on a pro rata basis or based on other criteria, such as each member&apos;s participation history. Alternately, individual prizes can be awarded to each member or other prize award schemes can be used.
1. A method for rewarding a group of communication service users, comprising:
receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can communicate with a called party;
identifying a group, including at least two of the caller, the called party or an entity other than the caller and the called party, associated with the call for lottery purposes;
determining if the call is a winner of the lottery; and
advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided comprises connecting the caller to the called party through a communications network.
means for receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can communicate with a called party;
means for identifying a group of members, including at least two of the caller, the called party or an entity other than the caller and the called party, associated with the call for lottery purposes;
means for determining if the call is eligible for entry into a lottery;
means for determining if the call is a winner of the lottery; and
means for advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery.
11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the means for advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery includes providing a voice message to a member, displaying a message on a member's communication device, telephoning the member on a separate telephone line, sending a facsimile or email to an individual from the group.
a memory that stores information regarding at least a participation history for a party;
a lottery generator that determines if a call has won a lottery; and a controller that identifies a group associated with the call for lottery purposes, determines if the call is eligible to enter the lottery, and notifies at least one member of the group if the call has won the lottery.
13. The lottery device of claim 12, wherein the communication system is a telecommunications network.
5403999 April 4, 1995 Entenmann et al.
5608785 March 4, 1997 Kasday
5713795 February 3, 1998 Kohorn
5835576 November 10, 1998 Katz
Patent number: 6273816
Inventors: Pradeep K. Bansal (Dayton, NJ), Lee Begeja (Gillette, NJ), Carroll W. Creswell (Basking Ridge, NJ)
Application Number: 09/273,943
Current U.S. Class: Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.) (463/17); Telephonic (e.g., Modem, Etc.) (463/41); Network Type (e.g., Computer Network, Etc.) (463/42); Electric Or Magnetic (273/138.2)