EP3097681A1

EP3097681A1 - Method and system for rewarding a caller in a communication system

Info

Publication number: EP3097681A1
Application number: EP15712250.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Boris Ivanov Tsigov; Martin Georgiev Grozev
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-24
Filing date: 2015-01-23
Publication date: 2016-11-30
Also published as: WO2015109374A4; BG111683A; WO2015109374A1

Abstract

The method and system concern telecommunications and can be used by all subscribers and users of digital, mobile, satellite, computer, network and internet devices connectable through digital voice communication systems. A connection is established between a digital voice communication device (2) of a calling user and a digital voice communication device (3) of a called user via at least one digital voice communication system (1) for the purpose of ringing/calling the called user's device (3). According to the method, the calling user selects, using the digital voice communication device (2) and via a directory module (5), a certain name of a called user featured in the directory module (5). Once a connection has been established with the digital voice communication device (3) of the called user, a protection module (8) instructs a payment module (4) to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward for the call via the payment module (4). The communication system includes a payment module (4) that has the capability to perform actions to reward the calling user for the conducted conversation and a protection module (8) that has the capability to instruct the payment module (4) whether reward actions should be performed. The payment module (4) and protection module (8) constitute a computer running software or are part of a server or data storage device running or used by software, as well as part of a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip) running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REWARDING A CALLER IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The invention concerns telecommunications, in particular a method and system for communication that can be used by all subscribers and users of digital, mobile, satellite, computer, network and internet devices connectable through digital voice communication systems.

Background of the invention

At first, mass and publicly accessible digital voice communication was implemented using telephone system and network methods (telephony). For this, users need a telephone set and to register with the telephone system by receiving a subscriber telephone number. Subscribers' telephone numbers are recorded in a telephone exchange, which is responsible for routing, redirecting and

connecting subscribers through a telephone network. The telephone network constitutes a physical connection, established via cables or wirelessly, between all subscriber telephone sets and the telephone exchange. The telephone exchange serves its subscribers using a simple logic of connection by dividing subscribers into two main types: calling users and called users. In this way, when one subscriber wishes to talk to another, he/she sends a signal - the number of the subscriber he/she is calling - to the telephone exchange, which then connects him/her. The main way of billing users for the telephone service is to have them pay a subscriber fee for a certain period of time for being a part of the telephone system and having a subscriber telephone number. Subscribers are billed additionally when making voice telephone calls. The billing principle is implemented like so: the calling subscriber pa s ;.; fee based on u reasoning that he/she wishes to make a call, whereas the called subscriber does not pay a fee. The simplicity and convenience of the telephone system resulted in the massive expansion of telephone networks and a huge increase in the number of subscribers. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in the number of digits forming a telephone number. In order to avoid problems related to shortages and confusion of telephone numbers, so-called area codes and network operator codes were introduced. These codes divide telephone subscribers (lines) by geographic areas or network operator to which the telephone subscriber (line) is connected. Usually, dividing telephone subscribers (lines) by network operator codes is a practice in mobile network operators. Dividing telephone subscribers (lines) by geographic areas in which they are located is a practice of all network operators that use a landline to connect their subscribers (lines). Despite this division of subscriber telephone numbers through the introduction of such codes, the difficulty of getting users to remember even a few telephone numbers of telephone subscribers (lines) in which they are interested cannot be avoided. This is also one of the reasons why the telephone numbers of subscribers (lines) that are very important to the public are as short and easy-to-remember as possible. For example, the emergency telephone number: 1 12. Having excluded these telephone numbers and taken into account that every user has many different contacts and wishes to find such contacts, we get to the creation of the familiar telephone directory. This directory constitutes a random set of telephone numbers of subscribers (lines) and their names (referring to natural or legal persons). Telephone directories can be private and public. Private telephone directories contain the names of telephone subscribers, and their corresponding telephone numbers, who are known personally and only by the directory's owner. This private list (personal phone book) may be in paper or electronic form. For convenience and due to the almost constant need of this personal plmn book, such el ctronic directories have found their way into mobile telephone sets. However, a public telephone buoks contains a

significantly higher number of telephone numbers, which precludes mobile phones from having such a feature. Another reason is the continuous change and addition of telephone numbers to this public directory. This means that such public phone books can exist in electronic form only in a web-based

environment and only on the condition that network operators want the telephone numbers of their subscribers to be publicly available. This has resulted in the creation of mixed phone books: personal (private) and public. This is a directory module (phone book) listing entries selected by various criteria and is made available in the public domain via the internet as a database or webpage, or via a search engine linked to a database or PC, tablet or smartphone application. For example, Yellow Pages offers such a directory module.

As telephone systems and business developed, some subscribers became sought more frequently due to increased public or business interest. In this connection, reverse charge calls were implemented, whereby the calling subscriber does not pay a fee for the call, but the called subscriber does. Thus, business subscribers to the telephone system were given the ability to provide their customers with free calls.

With the development of information technologies, in particular local and global internet networks, new competitive methods and systems for digital voice communication were introduced. They applied the fundamental principles and methods of telephony. For example, VoIP telephony, SIP telephony, web-based platforms, Skype, Viber and many others. Some of these digital voice

communication systems and methods use so-called ad bidding systems and methods. They allow changes and optimisations to be made to the presentation and connection of subscribers. They are most commonly used to determine the positions of records in the directory module (phone book) according to preset criteria. An example is the ad bidding system and method used by Yellow r*^;i< es, where the ortion of a record >n the directory ,. -<ule (phone book) is determined by how much the subscriber associated with that record has paid for the position. Some digital voice communication systems and methods provide their subscribers with telephone numbers or registration names that have a different status. This status can mean, for example, that a call to the relevant number or registration name is free of charge for users who dial it.

All digital voice communication systems and methods - telephony, VoIP telephony, SIP telephony, internet- and web-based platforms - that use a directory module have a disadvantage in that they do not have a payment module that carries out actions related to rewarding a calling user for making a call to a called user featured in a directory module. This limits the use of digital voice communication.

Summary of the invention

The invention's job is to create a method and system for communication that enable calling users to receive rewards when using digital voice

communication via a directory module.

This problem is solved by a communication method, whereby a

connection is established between a digital voice communication device of a calling user and a digital voice communication device of a called user through a directory module and at least one digital voice communication system for the purpose of ringing/calling the called user's device. According to the invention, the calling user selects, using the digital voice communication device and through the directory module, the name of a called user featured in the directory module. Once a connection has been established with the digital voice communication device of the called user, the protection module instructs a payment module to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward via the payment module.

In another embodiment of the invention, the above problem is solved by a communication method, whereby a connection is established between a digital voice communication device of a calling user and a digital voice communication device of a called user through at least one digital voice communication system for the purpose of ringing/calling the called user's device. According to the invention, the calling user uses the digital voice communication device to establish a connection with the digital voice communication device of the called user who is connected to a pay-per-call system. A protection module then instructs a payment module to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward for the call via the payment module.

The payment module has the capability to determine the calling user's re ard, which may be in the form of cash and/or gifts and/or bonus points and/or discounts and/or reductions in the subscriber fee of the calling user. In another embodiment of the invention, the payment module also has the capability to determine a reward for the called user, which may be in the form of cash and/or gifts and/or bonus points and/or discounts and/or reductions in the subscriber fee of the called user.

The above problem is solved by a communication system connecting a digital voice communication device of a calling user with a digital voice communication device of a called user featured in a directory module through a digital voice communication system. According to the invention, the

communication system includes a payment module that has the capability to perform actions to reward the calling user for making the call and a protection module that has the capability to instruct the payment module whether it should performed reward actions or not.

The payment module constitutes a computer running software or is part of a server or data storage device running or used by software, as well as part of a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip) running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit.

The protection module constitutes a computer running software or is part of a server or data storage device running or used by software, as well as part of a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip) running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit.

The protection module protects the system from invalid, incorrect, illegitimate, speculative or fraudulent calls initiated by a calling user and instructs (determines) whether actions should be performed to reward the calling user. The protection module protects the method and system for communication from speculation related to the system's capability to give a reward to the calling user via the paymeni module. The prot ection module h_^ the capability to i n n a series of checks before determining whether t>; allow the payment module to give a reward or not. This verification consists of checking whether the conversation between the calling user and the called user has lasted longer than a preset period of time. The protection module has a database whose cells contain profiles of all called users featured in the directory module and their corresponding preset periods of time. Once these periods of time have passed, the protection module determines that the calling user should be rewarded via the payment module. The calling user will not be informed (notified) of the period of time preset in the protection module for which the call has to last before the payment module performs the reward actions.

A time module, constituting a timer, is connected to the protection module. This time module measures the length of time which the calling user and the called user spend in conversation. The time module starts timing when a connection has been established between the calling user and the called user and sends the measurement to the protection module. The time module constitutes a computer running software or is part of a server or data storage device running or used by software, as well as part of a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip) running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit.

When no protection module is present, the calling user can very easily abuse the method and system by speculatively (fraudulently) connecting to (calling) the called user in order to receive a reward, even though the call itself is meaningless, irrelevant, devoid of benefit, time-wasting and harmful to the called user. If there is no protection module, the calling user can call (ring / connect to) the called user not for the purpose of receiving useful information, but to conduct the conversation only because he/she will receive a reward. Time is one of the main factors the module uses to prevent speculation (fraud). For example, it is not the conversation's length that is of importance, but the calling user's unawareness of the point in time during the call at which he/she will receive a reward. For example, this point in Mine can be expressed in seconds as follows: on the first, tenth, fourteenth, fiftieth, fifth and then thirteenth second. It is not the call's duration that is of importance, but the capability to constantly change the defined period of time by increasing ( forward ) or decreasing (back) the period, or even keeping the period at the same value for longer, in order to deceive (divert) the calling user, thereby precluding speculation (fraud). The presence of a protection module in a system that gives rewards significantly improves such a system's effectiveness in terms of the quality, nature, content, and purpose of the call and truly necessary information exchanged in the call for both the calling user and the called user.

In another embodiment, the periods of time preset in the cells of the protection module's database for a call between a calling user and a called user can be changed at any time for each profile of a called user.

In another embodiment, the payment module can automatically, randomly and continuously change the reward period according to preset criteria, for example, every other hour, day or week, and the actual reward period can be adjusted randomly.

In another embodiment, a sound control module is additionally connected to the protection module. This sound control module has the capability to perform sound analysis and detect the presence of speech/conversation, identify the sex of the calling user, pick out predefined keywords from the

speech/conversation and record the actual conversations. The sound control module constitutes a solid-state memory or is part of a solid-state memory or integrated circuit (microchip) or integrated software code or part of software code or software or part of software.

In another embodiment, the protection module's database also has cells containing profiles of all calling users who have used the system. Detailed information on every call by the calling users is recorded in their profiles, such as: number of calls and conversations to certain called users; through the time module, duration of the calls to cc nin called users; through the sound control modu le, audio recordings of the actual conversations, sex of the calling user, keywords used by the calling user, number of identical keywords used and number of calls that did not feature speech/conversation. In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user once the calling user has made a predefined number of calls and conversations to a certain called user.

In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user once the calling user has made a preset number of calls of a preset duration to a certain called user.

In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user after identifying the sex of that calling user.

In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user after detecting that the calling user has used a preset keyword during his/her conversation with a certain called user.

In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user after detecting that the calling user has used a preset number of identical keywords during his/her conversation with a certain called user.

In another embodiment, the protection module has the capability to instruct (allow) the payment module to perform actions related to rewarding a certain calling user after detecting the presence of speech between certain calling and called users.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication system is equipped with a billing system.

I n another embodiment, the digita i voice communication system is equipped with a pay-per-cali system.

In another embodiment, the pay-per-call system is a pay-per-call bidding system. In another embodiment, the payment module is connected to the billing system or is part of the billing system.

In another embodiment, the payment module is included in the digital voice communication system.

In another embodiment, the payment module is installed on the digital voice communication device of the calling user.

In another embodiment, the payment module is connected to the directory module and has the capability to make changes to the records in the database of the directory module.

In another embodiment, the payment module is connected to an external payment system.

In another embodiment, the payment module has the capability to determine, through the protection module, the amount of reward that the calling user should be given depending on the duration of the conversation conducted between the calling user and the called user.

In another embodiment, the payment module has the capability to determine, through the protection module, the amount of reward that the calling user should be given depending on the number of conversations conducted between the calling user and a certain called user.

The digital voice communication system is a telephone system and network.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication system is LAN- based or internet-based or an internet-based platform or web-based platform.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication system is a VoIP system.

In another embodimeii^f. the digital voice communication .-:t;m is a SIP system.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication system is a system comprising a combination of a telephone system and network, LAX, internet, internet-based platform, web-based platform, VoIP system and SIP system.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication system is a system for simplified telephone dialling and connection of telephone subscribers via a directory module and sound recognition module in accordance with BG 1710 Ul .

The digital voice communication devices of calling and called users are designed to be used in a telephone system and network and may be: landline telephone sets and/or landline modules (gateways) and/or mobile telephone sets and/or mobile modules (mobile gateways) and/or mobile or landline computer telephone modems and/or satellite telephones with internet access and/or smartphones and/or tablets and/or smartphones with touch screens and/or tablets with touch screens.

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication devices of called and calling users are designed to be used in a LAN, internet, internet-based platform, web-based platform and may be: computers and/or smartphones and/or tablets and/or smartphones with touch screens and/or tablets with touch screens that have access to internet-based software playing the part of a telephone set and/or input module and/or Web-based software playing the part of a telephone set or input module (gateway).

In another embodiment, the digital voice communication devices are designed to be used in a VoIP system and may be: computers and/or

smartphones and/or tablets and/or smartphones with touch screens and/or tablets with touch screens and/or VoIP telephone sets and/or VoIP input module

(gateway) and/or VoIP software playing the part of a telephone set or input nodule (gatewa ).

i u another embodiment, the digital voice communication devices are designed to be used in a SIP system and may be: computers and/or smartphones and/or tablets and/or smartphones with touch screens and/or tablets with touch screens and/or SIP telephone sets and/or SIP input module (gateway) and/or SIP software playing the part of a telephone set or input module (gateway).

The directory module constitutes a phone book held in a solid-state memory or part of a solid-state memory or integrated circuit (microchip) or part of an integrated circuit or integrated software code or part of software code or software or part of software. The directory module is additionally installed on the digital voice communication device of the calling user and has a database that contains records of the names of called users and their corresponding telephone numbers and/or all records in the database are predefined and accessible to all users and cannot be changed or deleted by a calling user who is using the system via the digital voice communication device.

The following may be recorded in the directory module: names of called users and their corresponding character codes/numbers and/or names of called users and their corresponding virtual numbers and/or names of called users and their corresponding registration numbers and/or names of called users and their corresponding registration codes and/or names of called users and their corresponding registration names.

In another embodiment, the directory module is connected to a sound recognition module or is part of it. The sound recognition module constitutes a solid-state memory or is part of a solid-state memory or integrated circuit (microchip) or part of an integrated circuit or integrated software code or part of software code or software or part of software. The sound recognition module controls the directory module and searches of the database of the directory module initiated through voice commands sent to it via the microphone of the digital voice communication device of the calling user. The sound recognition moduh ' serves as an alternative and enables the calling usei < > operate the directory mouule more easily and quickly in comparison with opera ling it using the buttons and keyboard of the digital voice communication device. In another embodiment, the directory module is accessible via an internet- based platform.

In another embodiment, the directory module is accessible via a webpage / web-based platform.

In another embodiment, the database of the directory module contains additional entries associated with the names, such as: coordinates, address, webpage, email, fax and another telephone number.

In another embodiment, the directory module has the capability to remotely connect to its database.

In another embodiment, the calling user is informed (notified) of the period of time set in the protection module that has to pass in conversation before the payment module triggers the performance of reward actions by the payment module.

In another embodiment, an administration module is connected to the protection module, payment module, sound control module and directory module. This administration module has the capability to adjust settings and implement changes in the protection module, payment module and directory module made by an authorised user with administrator rights. The

administration module is used to modify and/or add and/or remove profiles of called users (records in the cells) in/to/from the database of the protection module, as well as to modify and/or add and/or remove keywords in/to/from the sound control module, as well as to modify and/or add and/or remove names and their corresponding numbers in/to/from the directory module, as well as to modify and/or add and/or remove and/or determine the forms of reward in/to/from the payment module. The administration module constitutes a computer running software or i- part of a server or data storage devic e running or used by software, as well as part ol a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip⁾ running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit. According to the invention, the advantages of the method and system are: In all digital voice communication methods and systems - telephony, VoIP telephony, SIP telephony, internet-based platforms and web-based platforms - that use a directory module, there is a payment module that carries out actions to reward a calling user for making a call to a called user featured in the directory module and a protection module that has the capability to instruct the payment module whether to perform reward actions. The payment module performs the reward actions once a certain period of time has passed. A conversation must take place during this period. This condition is a protection measure by the payment module that prevents (avoids) speculative calls made for the purpose of receiving rewards. The reward provided may be in the form of gifts to the user, cash payment, reduction in the user's subscriber fee, bonus points used as a payment method subject to predefined conditions or for discounts, etc. Since the user receives a reward for making a call to a called user featured in the directory module, the use of digital voice communication systems increases many times over. The presence of a module in a system that gives rewards significantly improves the effectiveness of such a system in terms of the quality, nature, content and purpose of the call and the truly necessary information exchanged in the call both for the calling user and the called user.

Brief description of drawings

Drawing 1 constitutes a block diagram of a system for communication between users who are using digital voice communication via a directory module.

Drawing 2 is a block diagram of a system for communication between users who are using digital voice communication via a directory module. In this case, the digital voice communication system is combined and an external payment system is used.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The invention is explained by, but not limited to, the following examples.

Drawing 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system according to the invention. This system includes a directory module 5 and a digital voice communication system 1 that connects a digital voice

communication device 2 of a calling user with a digital voice communication device 3 of a called user. In this example, the digital voice communication system 1 is a telephone system and network. It has a billing system 6 that charges users. Connected to it are a payment module 4 that has the capability to perform actions related to rewarding the calling user and a protection module 8 that has the capability to instruct the payment module 4 whether to perform reward actions. In this example, the reward is in the form of a reduction in the subscriber fee of the calling user initiating the conversation.

Here the payment module 4 has the capability to determine the amount of reward given to the calling user, which is directly proportional to the number of conversations conducted between the calling user and a certain called user, i.e. the higher ΐ! :·? number of conversations conducied by the calling ^ e r with the called user, the higher the amount of reward. The digital voice communication devices 2 and 3 are designed to be used in a telephone system and network. The digital voice communication device 2 of the calling user is a smartphone connected to the telephone network, whereas the digital voice communication device 3 of the called user is a landline telephone connected to the telephone network.

In this example, the directory module 5 constitutes a phone book and is additionally installed on the digital voice communication device 2 of the calling user. The directory module 5 has a database that contains records of the names of called users (subscribers) and their corresponding telephone numbers.

The calling user, equipped with the digital voice communication device 2, selects a certain user/subscriber name via the directory module 5. Once he/she has established a connection with the digital voice communication device 3 of the called user via the digital voice communication system 1 and after a period of time predefined in the protection module 8 has passed since the start of the conversation, for example 30 seconds, the protection module 8 instructs a payment module to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward for the call via the payment module 4. In this example, the reward is in the form of a reduction in the subscriber bill of the calling user in the billing system 6.

The protection module 8 protects the system from invalid, incorrect, illegitimate, speculative or fraudulent calls initiated by a calling user and instructs (determines) whether actions should be performed to reward the calling user. The protection module 8 protects the method and system for

communication from speculation related to the system's capability to give a reward to the calling user via the payment module 4. The protection module 8 has the capabil ity to run a series of checks before determining whether to allow the payment module 4 to give a reward or not. This verification consists ol checking whether the conversation between the calling user and the called user has lasted longer than a preset period of time. The protection module 8 has a database whose entries contain profiles of all called users featured in the directory module 5 and their corresponding preset periods of time. Once these periods of time have passed, the protection module 8 instructs the payment module 4 to reward the calling user. Here the calling user will not be informed (notified) of the period of time preset in the protection module 8 for which the call has to last before the payment module 4 performs the reward actions in order to (avoid) prevent speculation (fraud) in the form of unnecessary and pointless calls for the purpose receiving an undue reward.

When no protection module 8 is present, the calling user can very easily abuse the method and system by speculatively (fraudulently) connecting to (calling) the called user in order to receive a reward, even though the call itself is meaningless, irrelevant, devoid of benefit, time-wasting and harmful to the called user. If there is no protection module 8, the calling user can call (ring / connect to) the called user not for the purpose of receiving useful information, but to conduct the conversation only because he/she will receive a reward. Time is one of the main factors the protection module 8 uses to prevent speculation (fraud). For example, it is not the conversation's length that is of importance, but the calling user's unawareness of the point in time during the call at which he/she will receive a reward. For example, this point in time can be expressed in seconds as follows: on the first, tenth, fourteenth, fiftieth, fifth and then thirteenth second. It is not the call's duration that is of importance, but the capability to constantly change the set period of time by increasing ( forward) or decreasing (back) the period, or even keeping the period at the same value for longer, in order to deceive (divert) the calling user, thereby precluding

speculation (fraud). The presence of a protection module in a system that gives rewards significantly improves such a s\ -tern's effectivcac^ in terms of the quality, nature, content and purpose of the call and the truly necessary

information exchanged in the call for both for the calling user and the called user. Drawing 2 shows a block diagram of another example embodiment of the communication system according to the invention. This system includes a directory module 5 and digital voice communications system 1 that connects a digital voice communication device 2 of a calling user with a digital voice communication device 3 of a called user. It has a billing system 6 that charges users. Connected to it are a payment module 4 that has the capability to perform actions related to rewarding the calling user and a protection module 8 that has the capability to instruct the payment module 4 whether to perform reward actions. Here the period of time defined in the protection module 8 that has to pass in conversation is different for every specific called user.

Here the payment module 4 has the capability to determine the amount of reward given to the calling user, which is directly proportional to the length of the conversations conducted between the calling user and the called user, i.e. the longer the length of the conversation, the higher the amount of reward.

Here the payment module 4 has the capability to determine the amount of reward given to the calling user, which is inversely proportional to the number of conversations conducted between the calling user and a certain called user, i.e. the higher the number of conversations conducted by the called user with a certain called user, the lower the amount of reward.

In this example, the digital voice communication system 1 is a

combination of a telephone system and network and a web/internet-based system connected to an external payment system 7.

The external payment system 7 has the capability to handle means of payment and manage accounts. In this example, the reward is in the form a cash payment to the account of the calling user who is making the call (initiating the conversation).

The digital voice communication devices 2, 3 are designed to be used in a telephone system and network. The digital voice communication device 2 of the calling user is a smartphone connected to the internet and the telephone network. The digital voice communication device 3 of the called user is a landline telephone connected to the telephone network.

Here the directory module 5 is connected to a sound recognition module and is part of it. The sound recognition module constitutes a solid-state memory or is part of a solid-state memory or integrated circuit (microchip) or part of an integrated circuit or integrated software code or part of a software code or software or part of a software. The sound recognition module controls the directory module and searches of the database of the directory module initiated through voice commands sent to it via the microphone of the digital voice communication device of the calling user. The sound recognition module serves as an alternative and enables the calling user to operate the directory module more easily and quickly in comparison with operating it using the buttons and keyboard of the digital voice communication device.

According to Drawing 2, the directory module 5 constitutes a phone book accessible via a webpage / web-based platform from the digital voice

communication device 2 of the calling user (subscriber). The directory module 5 has a database that contains records of the names of called users and their corresponding telephone numbers. The directory module is connected to the payment module, which has the capability to make changes to the records in the database of the directory module, for example, in how a certain user is presented or connected, or the positions of records in the directory module according to preset criteria. An example is the ad bidding system and method, where the position of a record of a certain user in the directory module is determined by how much he/she has paid for the position.

A calling user, equipped with the digital voice communication device 2, elects a certain u r^r name using uV directory module ^ Once he/she I established a connection with the digital v ico communication device 3 of the called user through the digital voice communication system 1 and after a period of time defined in the protection module 8 has passed since the start of the conversation, for example 30 seconds, the protection module 8 instructs a payment module 4 to perform reward actions and the calling user receives reward for the call via the payment module 4. The reward is in the form of a cash payment received through the payment system 7 in the account of the calling user making the call and initiating the conversation.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Communication method whereby a digital voice communication device (2) of a calling user is connected to a digital voice communication device (3) of a called user via at least one digital voice communication system ( 1) for the purpose of calling/ringing the device (3) of the called user. The method is characterised by the fact that the calling user selects, using the digital voice communication device (2) and via a directory module (5) the name of a called user featured in the directory module (5). Once a connection has been

established with the digital voice communication device (3) of the called user, a protection module (8) instructs a payment module (4) to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward for the call via the payment module (4).

2. Communication method whereby a digital voice communication device (2) of a calling user is connected to a digital voice communication device (3) of a called user via at least one digital voice communication system (1 ) for the purpose of calling/ringing the device (3) of the called user. The method is characterised by the fact that the calling user connects, using the digital voice communication device (2), to the digital voice communication device (3) of the called user, who is connected to a pay-per-call system. A protection module (8) then instructs a payment module (4) to perform reward actions and the calling user receives a reward for the call via the payment module (4).

3. Method according to Claims 1 and 2 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) has the capability to determine whether the reward of the calling user should be in the form of a cash payment and/or gifts and/or bonus points for payment and/or for discounts and/or reduction in the subscriber fee of the calling user.

4. Method according to Claims 1 and 2 chara nscd by the fact that the payment module (4) has the capability to also determine whether the reward for the called user should be in the form of a cash payment and/or gifts and/or bonus points for payment and/or for discounts and/or reduction in the subscriber fee of the called user.

5. Communication system including a digital voice communication device (2) of a calling user and a digital voice communication device (3) of called user, both of whom are connected via a directory module (5) and a digital voice communication system (1). The communication system is characterised by the fact that it includes a payment module (4) that has the capability to perform actions related to rewarding the calling user for conducting the conversation and a protection module (8) that has the capability to instruct the payment module (4) whether reward actions should be performed. The payment module (4) and the protection module (8) constitute a computer running software or are part of a server or data storage device running or used by software, as well as part of a data storage device or integrated circuit (microchip) running or used by software, as well as part of an integrated circuit.

6. Method according to Claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the periods of time, set in the cells of the database of the protection module (8) and associated with a conversation conducted between a calling user and a called user, can be changed at any time for each profile of a called user.

7. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that a sound control module is additionally connected to the protection module (8). This sound control module has the capability to analyse sound and detect the presence of speech/conversation, identify the sex of the calling user, detect preset keywords in the speech/conversation and record the actual conversations.

8. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2, 5 and 7 characterised by the fact that the d se of the protct tion module (8) also has cells confining profiler of all calling users who have used the system. Detailed information on all conversations of the calling users is recorded in their profiles, such as:

number of calls to and conversations with certain called users; via the time module, duration of the calls to certain called users; via the sound control module, audio recordings of the actual conversations, sex of the calling user, keywords used by the calling user, number of identical keywords used and number of conversations conducted.

9. Method and system according to claims 1, 2, 5 and 7 characterised by the fact that the protection module (8) has the capability to instruct the payment module (4) to perform actions to reward a certain calling user after a predefined number of calls and conversations by the calling user to a certain called user and/or after a predefined number of conversations of a predefined duration by the calling user to a certain called user and/or after the sex of the calling user has been determined and/or after the calling user has used a predefined keyword during his/her conversation with a certain called user and/or after the presence of speech between the calling user and the called user has been detected.

10. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the digital voice communication system (1) is equipped with a billing system (6).

1 1. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the digital voice communication system ( I ) is equipped with a pay-per- call system.

12. Method and system according to claims 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the pay-per-call system is a pay-per-call bidding system.

13. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) is connected to the billing system (6) or is part of the billing system (6).

14 Method and s> t m according to c ims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) is included in the digital voice communication system ( I ) or is installed on the digital voice communication device (2) of the calling user.

15. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) is connected to the directory module (5) and has the capability to make changes to the records in the database of the directory module (5).

16. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) is connected to an external payment system (7).

17. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the payment module (4) has the capability to determine, via the protection module (8), the amount of reward to be given to the calling user depending on the length of the conversation conducted between the calling user and the called user and/or depending on the number of conversations conducted between the calling user and a certain called user.

18. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the digital voice communication system (1) is a telephone system and network.

19. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the digital voice communication system (1) is LAN-based and/or internet-based and/or internet-based platform and/or web-based platform and/or VoIP system and/or SIP system and/or system for simplified telephone dialling and connection of telephone subscribers via a directory module and sound recognition module.

20. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the digital voice communication devices (2, 3) of calling and called users are designed to be used in a telephone system and network and/or LAN and/or internet and/or internet-based platform and/or web-based platform and/or VoIP system aud/or SIP system L; H may be: landlme telephone sets and/or land line modules (gateways) and/or mobile telephone sets and/or mobile modules (mobile gateways) and/or mobile or landline computer telephone modems and/or satellite telephones with internet access and/or smartphones and/or tablets and/or smartphones with touch screens and/or tablets with touch screens that have access to internet software playing the part of a telephone set and/or input module and/or web-based software playing the part of a telephone set or input module (gateway) and/or VoIP telephone sets and/or VoIP input module (gateway) and/or VoIP software playing the part of a telephone set or input module (gateway) and/or SIP telephone sets and/or SIP input module (gateway) and/or SIP software playing the part of a telephone set or input module (gateway).

21. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that a sound recognition module is connected to the directory module (5).

22. Method and system according to claims 1 , 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the directory module (5) is accessible via an internet-based platform and/or webpage / web-based platform.

23. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the directory module (5) has the capability to remotely connect to its database.

24. Method and system according to claims 1, 2 and 5 characterised by the fact that the calling user is informed (notified) of the period of time defined in the protection module (8) that has to pass in the form of conversation before the payment module (4) will perform actions to reward him/her.

25. Method and system according to claims 1, 2, 5 and 7 characterised by the fact that an administration module is connected to the protection module, payment module, sound control module and directory module.

ENCLOSURE: 2 drawings