WO2009051503A2

WO2009051503A2 - A system and method for simultaneously delivering rewards and targeted advertising to mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2009051503A2
Application number: PCT/PH2007/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fernando Jude Fernando Garcia; Raymond Gerard Sison Racaza; Jerome Ni Uy; Nico Jose Santiago Nolledo
Original assignee: Fernando Jude Fernando Garcia; Raymond Gerard Sison Racaza; Jerome Ni Uy; Nico Jose Santiago Nolledo
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2007-10-17
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Also published as: WO2009051503A3

Abstract

A system and method for delivering incentives and targeted advertising to the mobile device users by enrolling them into a Rewards Program. A Reward Application server linked to the billing system of a mobile telecommunications company (Telco) will track the rewards users have earned based on their usage of the Telcos' services. The Rewards Application Server checks Users' activities for rewards eligibility. The Rewards Application Server also references a Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database wherein the users are profiled according their demographics, preferences, time, location, context and subscriber's previous interactions using their mobile devices, or based on flagged keywords they frequently use or receive. The Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database collects and consolidates this information from multiple sources including but not limited to billing statements, registration for services and information captured through everyday usage of the Telco 's services. Users earn rewards in the form of points, raffle entries, or other incentives. Users are notified of their Rewards status periodically by the Rewards Application Server. These notifications are paired with targeted advertising and delivered to the users' mobile devices via Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Java or similar applications by the System. Both the rewards and targeted advertising are customized according to the Users' Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database profiles. The Rewards and Advertisements can be sponsored by the users' mobile Telco provider or a third-party advertiser.

Description

A System and Method for Simultaneously Delivering Rewards and Targeted

Advertising to Mobile Devices

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method of simultaneously delivering rewards and targeted advertising to users of a telecommunication company's services. The primary components of the system include: 1) a Rewards Application Server and Rewards Database Server that assigns the corresponding rewards for a users' mobile device usage and updates the same user of their status, and 2) a Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database that collects and consolidates user information and increases the relevance of rewards and advertisements that are paired with messages sent by the Rewards Application server.

BACKGROUND ART

At present mobile device users are encouraged to spend more on their Telco services with promotions conveyed through such media as TV, Radio, Point-of- sale, and Outdoor advertising. These traditional means of promotions are generally less targeted and less efficient than promotions conveyed directly to users' mobile phones.

To partially address the issue of efficiency in advertising, Telcos have also been broadcasting promotions directly to users' phones. However, these messages tend to be ignored as they are considered unsolicited and are only marginally more targeted than traditional advertising.

The same issues are present with non-Telco advertisers. On one hand, advertising through mobile phones allows better targeting, but on the other hand, advertisements sent directly to mobile users' phones tend to be considered as "spam"

Furthermore, both Telco and non-Telco advertisements sent to mobile devices do not take full advantage of the personalized and mobile nature of the device. Advertisements are generally not targeted based on the users' profile and previous transaction history, nor the users' current location, nor the time of day the subscriber will read the advertising message.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a method of simultaneously delivering rewards and targeted advertisement to mobile devices through a Rewards Application Server and a Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database. The Rewards Server will award users points based on their usage of Telco services, such voice call and other core billable services like SMS, MMS, WAP browsing, Third generation of mobile phone standards and technology (3G) usage, 3 G Video Calls, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Fourth generation of mobile phone standards and technology (4G) usage and other value added services (VAS). The rewards server will notify them of the points they have earned, and pair these notifications with targeted Telco/3^rd Party advertisements through the following steps: i

A user's Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN), which includes a country code and a National Destination Code that identifies the subscriber's operator, is entered into the Reward Application Server linked to the Telco's

Intelligent Network (IN) or similar billing system wherein, user transactions are being tracked for points obtained. Said Server will then assign as awards to the user the equivalent predetermined prizes and shall notify and update the user of their accumulated points or rewards earned periodically. The user transaction information are also sent to a Reward Database Server linked to the Rewards Application Server wherein the user is verified and checked for rewards eligibility.

The Reward Application Server is linked to a Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database wherein user transactions are processed. The Server then profiles the user accordingly by demographics, preferences, time, location, context and subscriber's previous or historical reaction to other messages using predetermined catch words.

The Mobile Subscriber Profile Database will then be used as a basis for further enhancing the subscriber usage by sending the subscriber with appropriate and reward based advertisement, which maximizes the advertising relevance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be fully understood upon reading the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the rewards system network architecture; and

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of SMS rewards system workflow;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a system and method for delivering rewards and targeted advertising to mobile devices. The reward system network structure , as shown in Figure 1 , shows a number of mobile device users 1 transacting with the Telco, either making a call or sending SMS to one another. These transactions passes through the Telco' s mobile device switching center (MSC) 2 if it's a voice call and/or into the Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 3 if its an SMS. The MSC or SMSC that is linked to the Telco Intelligent Network (IN) 4 checks for available prepaid balance , in case of prepaid subscribers, and verifies to continue the sending of SMS or continue the voice call. All users 1 are then automatically enrolled into the Telco's free reward program, which has a feature that allows users to opt-out anytime from said free reward program if they are not interested.

The Telco's Intelligent Network (IN) 4 is further connected and linked to a Rewards Application Server 5 that processes and tracks all transactions and activities made through the mobile devices of the respective users/subscriber 1 for points obtained. The Rewards Application Server 5 then, awards the user the equivalent predetermined prizes . It will also periodically notify and update the users 1 of their accumulated points or rewards earned,. The Rewards Application Server 5 is further linked to a Mobile Subscriber

Profile Database 6 that processes and profiles the user 1 through transactions made (such as call, downloads, uploads, messages sent/received and other activities) accordingly by predertmiηed data classifications such as demographics, preferences, time, location, context and subscriber's previous reaction to other messages using predetermined catch words.

A Rewards Database Server 7 linked to the Rewards Application Server 5 checks the transaction made by the user/users 1 for rewards eligibility.

It is to be noted that the user profiles in the Mobile Subscriber Profile Database 6 is matched into the Database in the Rewards Application Server 5 for purpose of delivering advertisement to appropriate targets at appropriate time.

The second embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, shows tlϊe same reward system network architecture as shown in Figure 1 wherein the Telco's IN 4 produced a SMS Detailed Report (SDR) 11 containing data such as transaction ID, Transaction Date and Time, A-Number (sender's MSISDN) and B-number (receiver's MSISDN) that is sent to the Rewards Application Server. 12 Then, these data are sent for processing to the Rewards Database Server 13 for rewards eligibility. Thereafter, the Rewards Application Server 5 comunicates to the Telco IN 15 the rewards that the user 1 earned. Simultaneously, the Rewards Application Server 5 sends an SMS notification for the delivery of rewards 16. This notification is paired with advertisements suitable for the user 1. The suitable advertisement is determined based on the user profile, the generation of which is discussed as the next embodiment of this invention.

A third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, shows the same reward system network architecture as shown in Figure 1 wherein the Telco's IN 4 produced a SMS Detailed Report (SDR) 11 containing data such as transaction ID, Transaction Date and Time, A-Number (sender's MSISDN) and

B-number (receiver's MSISDN) that is sent to the Rewards Application Server. 12

Then, these data are sent for processing to the Mobile Subscriber Profile Database

14 for subscriber personal information. It is noreworthy that the Mobile Subscriber Profile Database 6 collects and consolidates information from multiple sources in addition to the SMS Detailed Report (SDR) 11, such as user's telco transcations, the registration information they provide for both Telco and 3rd

Party services and Data taken from third parties such as Market research agencies.

With the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention clearly provides for a novel and systematic delivery of rewards to the users for their increased usage of Telco's services and provides for an effective delivery of advertisement bundled or laced with rewards to targeted users.

This reward system is also effective against advertisement being tagged and considered spam. Said rewards are not necessarily limited to accumulating points to get certain goods but include other reward schemes, such as free load, coupons or calls, or raffle entries for prizes, etc.

Furthermore, the advertising relevance is maximized since advertisements are sent to the appropriate target users based on their tracked profile or the advertiser's target group based on their particular preference.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristic thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive the scope of invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system for delivering rewards and targeted advertising to mobile device users comprising of: (1) a mobile communication device; (2) a plurality of linked server devices adapted to function as a Rewards Application System by storing and classifying transaction information and transmitting incentives and advertisement based on stored and classified transaction information; wherein the Rewards Application System is further comprised of: (i) at least one rewards database server device adapted to track eligibility for and delivery of rewards; (ii) at least one Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database server device adapted to store information on mobile devices users according to predetermined classifications like demographics, preferences, time, location, context and subscriber's historical reaction to advertisements; and (iii) at least one rewards application server device adapted to communicate with the provider network; and (3) a provider network adapted to generate a detailed report consisting of data regarding the transactions of mobile device users and communicate between at least one of the server devices and mobile communication device; wherein the provider network is further comprised of: (i) a telephone switching center; (ii) a network to verify eligibility for continued telecommunication services; and (iii) a message service center allowing the mobile devices to complete telecommunication services function or usage and notification of rewards delivery and for pushing targeted advertisement.

2. A method for delivering rewards and targeted advertising to mobile device users that will encourage increased usage of telecommunication companies' services like voice call or short message service, and at the same time, processing and tracking the users' transactions for database profiling, all of which are achieved by the following method steps: (i) a mobile device user initiating the process by availing of the telecommunication services; (ii) verifying and checking by network provider for eligibility to avail of telecommunication services; (iii) enrollment of the mobile device user in a reward program, in which said user can opt out of the program; (iv) tracking and processing of all transactions by the mobile device user for assignment of points and awards; (v) notifying and updates the user of the points earned and obtained; (vi) processing transactions and classifying data into a profile database according to predetermined classifications such as demographics, preferences, time, location, context and subscriber's historical reaction to other messages by the use of predetermined catch words; (vii) checking for rewards eligibility; (viii) delivering rewards; and (ix) transmitting notification of such rewards paired with advertisement suitable to profile of mobile device user.

3. A method for delivering rewards and targeted advertising to mobile device users comprising an analyzing and profiling step for the data generated from the transactions of mobile device users as described in step (vi) in claim 2, wherein said analyzing and profiling step further comprises (1) requesting information from network provider; (2) automatically monitoring the mobile device's geographic location subsequent to delivery of advertisement (3) receiving location data from global positioning system; (4) monitoring catch words in mobile user's messages and calls; (5) storing mobile device user's responses to advertisements; (6) defining an index that references the data collected and stored; (7) collecting and consolidating information from multiple sources such as user's telco transcations, registration information from Telco and 3rd Party services, data taken from third parties such as market research agencies.

4. A method for pushing advertisement to mobile devices in accordance with indexed and referenced data constituting profiles of profile of mobile device users as described in step (ix) in claim 2, wherein said target advertising step further comprises (1) detecting a registration of and geographical location of a mobile device; (2) defining an advertising target profile our of the subclasses in the Telco Mobile Subscriber Profile Database and overlapping of such subclasses; (3) presenting selected advertising information to a defined target; and (4) pairing and bundling the advertising information with the rewards notification.

5. A computer system comprising: a processor; and a program storage device readable by a computer system, embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform method steps as claimed in claims

2,3 and 4.