GB2449936A - System for communicating advertising information in response to identification code - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for communicating information such advertisement material comprising a server storing a plurality of codes identifying advertising material and consumer identification including the consumer's telephone number and their e-mail address. When a potential consumer sees an advertisement of interest, they are able to contact the server on their mobile phone, with a message including a code identifying the advertisement. In response potential consumers receive an e-mail to their e-mail address, including information relating to the advertisement.

Description

SYSTEM AND SERVER FOR COMM1JI'JICATJNG INFORMATION This invention

relates to a system and a server for use in the system, in which a potential consumer is able to obtain information, for example relating to an advertisement, which has been seen by the consumer.

When a potential consumer sees an advertisement, for example on the street or on the underground, often the advertisement carries details of the website from which the user may obtain information relating to the particular advertiser or product shown in the advertisement. However, this arrangement has the disadvantage that consumers generally have no way of recording the details of the website and are likely to forget the address of the website by the time that they are in a position to contact the website via an e-mail. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a server for use in the system in which a consumer may be provided with information from the website of an advertisement of interest to the user, without having to record details of the website.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication system comprising: a plurality of communication devices, each communication device being associated with a respective e-mail address, each communication device including means for sending data over a telecommunication system, the data including a representation of an information code identifying a set of information; and a server comprising: storage means storing a plurality of system codes, each system code identifying a particular set of information and storing identification information identifying each of the plurality of communication devices and the associated e-mail address; means for receiving data packages from the telecommunications system, each data package including one of the representations of an information code and an identification of the originating communication device; means for automatically comparing the received representation and the plurality of stored system codes so as to identify the set of information; means for automatically comparing the received identification and the stored identification information so as to identify the originating communication device; and means for automatically preparing and transmitting an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the originating communication device, the e-mail including further * -2-information relevant to the particular set of information identified by the system code.

By such an arrangement the consumer is able to access the website relevant to a set of information, for example an advertisement, without recording details of the website.

Each communication device will usually comprise a personal communications device. By such an arrangement, the consumer may contact the server as soon as he or she has seen a set of information, such as an advertisement, of interest.

Each communication device preferably includes means operative to dial the server automatically on input of data including a representation of one of the plurality of information codes. Such an arrangement is particularly user-friendly.

In a preferred embodiment, each communication device includes means for reading the information codes automatically. This arrangement avoids the consumer having to input the information codes manually.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a server for use in a communication system comprising a plurality of communication devices, each communication device being associated with a respective e-mail address, each communication device including means for sending data over a telecommunication system, the data including a representation of an information code identifying a set of information; and the server, the server comprising: storage means storing a plurality of system codes, each system code identifying a particular set of information and storing identification information identifying each of the plurality of communication devices and the associated e-mail address; means for receiving data packages from the telecommunications system, each data package including one of the representations of an information code and an identification of the originating communication device; means for automatically comparing the received representation and the plurality of stored system codes so as to identify the set of information; means for automatically comparing the received identification and the stored identification information so as to identify the originating communication device; and means for automatically preparing and transmitting an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the originating communication device, the e-mail including further information relevant to the particular set of information identified by the system code.

The server may comprise means for obtaining said identification information identifying each communication device and the associated e-mail addresses from a telecommunications system operator. This enables identification information to be obtained from the telecommunications system operator in the event that the server was not able to obtain the information previously.

Preferably the server includes means effective to add a batch code to the data received from the telecommunication system to form a composite code. Such an arrangement enables the server to readily process many jobs in parallel and to track each job relating to each set of received data.

Preferably the server includes means for storing a log of the representations of the information codes which can not be matched with the stored system codes. Such an arrangement enables representations of information codes which repeatedly can not be matched to be identified so that remedial action to be taken.

Preferably the server includes means for storing a log of incoming data including a representation of system codes relating to each particular set of information, and means for providing information relating to the number of times data relating to each set of information is received at the server. Where the set of information is in the form of advertising such an arrangement enables the system to provide each advertiser with data relating to the effectiveness of such advertising in attracting the interest of consumers.

The invention also includes a communication method and a computer program including processor implementable instructions for performing the steps of the method.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a communication system in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 depicts schematically a server for use in the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 depicts an numerical representation of the data package received by the server in the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 depicts the process steps performed at the server of Figure 2; Figure 5 illustrates the process steps performed at the server where the system caimot identify an incoming advertiser code; and Figure 6 illustrates the process steps performed at the server where the consumer identification incorporated in an incoming message is not recorded at the server.

Turning firstly to Figure 1, the system comprises a plurality of communication S -4-devices in the form of mobile phones Ia, Ib, Ic, each mobile phone la, ib, Ic being associated with a respective terminal 3a, 3b, 3c at the home or the office of the particular mobile phone user. It will be appreciated that whilst only three mobile phones 1 a, 1 b, I c and three associated terminals 3a, 3b, 3c have been shown in the drawing for the sake of simplicity, in reality there will be a large number of mobile phones and associated terminals. It will also be appreciated that whilst mobile phones are referred to by way of example throughout the description, each communication device may take many forms such as a wired phone, or a PC adapted to send messages through a telecommunication system. Each mobile phone la, ib, Ic is able to send messages to a server 5 via telecommunication link 7. The server 5 is able to send c-mails to each terminal 3a, 3b, 3c via the internet which is denoted schematically as 9. Whilst only one telecommunication link 7 has been shown in Figure 1, the telecommunication link may be provided by different telecommunication systems. It will be appreciated that the telecommunication link, whilst shown schematically as a flash, will include a complex network including servers and a switching network.

In accordance with the invention, when a potential consumer sees an advertisement of interest, he or she is able to read a code from the advertisement, enter the code into their mobile phone 1 a, I b, 1 c using the mobile phone keypad and send a message to the server 5 via the telecommunication link 7. The message may be dialled at the mobile phone 1 a, I b, 1 c automatically using a key on the mobile phone I a, I b, Ic which has been preassigned for use on the system, or by entering the dialling code for the server 5 if a key has not been preassigned. In a preferred alternative embodiment each mobile phone I a, I b, Ic may include an infra-red or an electromagnetic wavelength scanner which can be used to read the advertisement code on the advertisement automatically. Alternatively the advertisement itself may include a transmitter which emits electromagnetic radiation which may be picked up by the mobile phone.

On passage of the message through the telecommunication link 7, the mobile phone operator (or other telecommunication system operator where a mobile phone is not being used) will add further information to the data, including an identifier for the originating mobile phone to form a data package. On receipt of the data package at the server 5, the code from the advertisement is compared with advertiser data stored in the server to identify the advertisement and the relevant advertiser, the mobile phone ID is compared with consumer data stored in the server 5 to identify the user and to obtain the e-mail address of the consumer which is also stored at the server. An e-mail including information relating to the advertiser is then sent to the consumer's e-mail address, the consumer being able to pick up the e-mail at the associated terminal 3a, 3b, 3c, the e-mail including a hyperlink to the advertiser's web page. An e-mail may also be sent to the relevant advertiser including details of the consumer.

Turning now also to Figure 2, the server 5 includes three databases: DBI a client database, DB2 a user database and DB3 an accounting database. Database DB I includes advertising client data in the form of a series of codes, each code including data identifying the particular advertiser and the particular advertisement. The data may be loaded into the database DB 1 either manually or automatically by a data load system 11.

The second database DB2 includes a number of sub-divisions, one sub-division being provided in respect of each mobile phone operator. In the particular example shown in Figure 2, three sets of user data MPOI, MPO2 and MPO3 corresponding to three mobile phone operators are shown, although it will be appreciated that in reality there will be many more sub-divisions corresponding to different mobile phone operators or indeed to other telecommunication system operators other than mobile phone operators. Each sub-division MPO1, MPO2 and MPO3 includes user data including an ID number identifying each mobile phone, I a, lb and I c, a corresponding e-mail address for the mobile phone user and the name of the mobile phone user.

The third database DB3 includes a log of incoming calls including the date, the time, the advertising code, the mobile phone ID, and which action has been taken in respect of each call, for example which e-mails have been sent by the server 5 to an e-mail terminal 3. Database DB3 also includes an accounts section, including accounts data indicating use of the system and statements for the use by each mobile phone operator, together with statistical data. The database DB3 also includes a log of incoming consumer IDs which had not been prerecorded at the server 5 and failed advertiser.

The server 5 also includes 5 memories, Ml, M2, M3, M4 and MS. The first memory, MI, is a temporary store for incoming data. The second memory, M2, includes a store of the advertising codes which have been matched against data transmitted by the mobile phones la, Ib, Ic, the memory M2 also holding the mobile phone IDs and the corresponding e-mail addresses.

Memory M3 includes a store of failed advertiser codes as will be described in more detail later. * -6-

Memory M4 comprises a text memory including proforma text messages as follows: text message 1: "Advertiser code xxxxxxxxx received, details sent to your e-mail address" text message 2: "Incorrect advertiser code xxxxxxxxx. Please resend correct advertising code" text message 3: "Unregistered e-mail address. Please reply with a text including your name and e-mail address" text message 4: "Unregistered e-mail address and incorrect advertiser code xxxxxxxxx: please reply with a text giving your name, your e-mail address and the correct advertiser code" It will be appreciated that the text message length will be limited by the maximum length of a single text message and may vary.

Memory M5 includes an audio memory arranged to store audio messages to be transmitted back to the mobile phones 1 a, I b, I c which generally correspond with the messages in the text memory as follows: audio message 1: "Advertiser code xxxxxxxxx received; details sent to your e-mail address" audio message 2: "Incorrect advertiser code xxxxxxxxx. Please resend correct advertising code" audio message 3: "Unregistered e-mail address. Please reply with a text including your name and e-mail address" audio message 4: "Unregistered e-mail address and incorrect advertiser code.

Please reply with text giving your name, e-mail address and the correct advertisement code" The server 5 also includes a phone message input/output arrangement 13 arranged to receive incoming phone messages either by text or audio messages and output phone messages to the mobile phones I a, I b, Ic, e-mail assemble and transmit unit 15 arranged to assemble c-mails including details of the advertisement identified by the incoming advertiser code and an advertiser code recognition unit 17 arranged to analyse the incoming data messages and if necessary put the data into a format which corresponds to the advertising code data stored on the database DB 1. Finally the server includes a processing unit 19 which controls the processes performed at the server 5.

In use of the system, when a consumer enters an advertisement code read from an advertisement, into his or her mobile phone I a, I b, Ic, and presses the pre-assigned key as discussed above or enters the necessary dialling code, or the advertisement code is read automatically, a data packet having the numerical format shown in Figure 3 will be generated by the combination of the mobile phone and the telecommunication link 7 and transmitted to the server 5. In the particular example shown in Figure 3, on transmission of the message through the telecommunication link 7, the relevant mobile phone operator has added a three figure identifying code denoting the mobile phone operator, that is the digits "789" an 11 digit identification code "07890479333" for the originating mobile phone Ia, 1 b, Ic. This may be the code identifying the actual mobile phone or a code identifying the SIM card within the mobile phone. The digits "123" denote the dialling code for the server are also included in the data packet together with the digits "48900" denoting the advertiser code which the consumer has read off the advertisement.

It will be appreciated that the code incorporated in the data packet shown in Figure 3 is purely by way of example. The code may have any number of digits and, may be a numeric or alphanumeric code transmitted in any order. The code may be transmitted at any frequency possible in a telecommunication link, a digital, analog and/or modulated form.

Turning now to Figure 4, this figure sets out the steps performed at the server 5.

In step S4l, on receipt of a message from one of the mobile phones la, lb, lc, the phone message input/output unit 13 opens a phone line and holds the line open. The incoming datastream, as shown in Figure 3, is read in the advertiser code recognition unit 17. In the particular data packet shown in Figure 3, 9 digits have been allocated to the system code.

If there are not a complete number of digits in the advertiser code detected in the incoming data message as indicated in Figure 3, zeros are inserted on the left-hand side of the system code. This enables the shortest system codes, to be either used first when allocating the system codes or to be charged at a premium rate.

A batch code is generated for the job and added to the data in the incoming data packet shown in Figure 3, the code in the data packet including the batch code being held in memory Ml. It will be appreciated that the use of such batch codes enables the server 5 to process a large number of incoming messages simultaneously, the batch code for each job stored in the memory Ml enabling the particular job being processed to be identified.

In step S42 the advertisement code corresponding to the batch code stored in * -8-memory MI, is checked by the advertiser code recognition unit 17 against the entries in database DB 1. If a corresponding advertiser code is found in database DB 1, the selected advertiser's e-mail is loaded in memory M2 together with the batch code for the job. E-mail dispatch instructions are also loaded to memory M2.

In the next step S44, the Consumer ID corresponding to in the batch code is then checked against the consumer ID entries in database DB2. Whilst as described above, the consumer data is stored in sub-divisions MPOI, MPO2 and MPO3 of database DB2 within the server 5, alternatively the data may be obtained for each call from the databases maintained by the mobile phone operators, or the telecommunication system operators. In this case the first three digits of the mobile phone ID of an incoming call is loaded into database DB3, these three digits identifying the particular mobile phone operator. A second phone line for the particular call is opened by telephone message input/output unit 13 and the virtual private network number for the particular mobile phone operator stored in database DB3 is dialled. A search is made in the mobile phone operator database for the particular mobile phone ID to derive the associated e-mail address and user name, the second line being closed on receipt of the data. The data is then incorporated in database DB2 and the processing continues from step S45. Generally, however, the consumer data will be downloaded from the mobile phone operators' databases in bulk.

Assuming that the consumer ID is matched by an entry in database DB2, after a download from the mobile phone operator if necessary, in step S45, the corresponding e-mail address for the matched consumer ID stored in database DB2 is loaded into memory M2. The phone message input/output unit 13 is instructed to send a text message based on text message 1 stored in memory M4 to the effect "advertiser code 48900 received, details sent to your e-mail address". The e-mail address which has been stored in memory M2 is then merged with the chosen advertiser's e-mail which is stored in database DBI in the e- mail assemble and transmit unit 15, which then transmits the e-mail to the consumer's e-mail address. Any additional e-mail dispatch instructions which have been stored for a particular advertiser in database DB I are actioned. This may include follow-up e-mails or information through the postal system where the postal address is available for any particular consumer. A record of the whole transaction is then logged in database DB3.

In step S46, the entries in memories MI and M2 for the particular job identified by the batch code are cleared and the phone line for the job closed.

In the event that in step S42 the advertisement code cannot be matched against the advertiser code entries in DB 1, the "incorrect advertiser code" processing depicted in Figure 5 takes place.

Turning now also to Figure 5, in step S5 I the batch code together with the advertisement code is held within memory M3 and in step S52 the consumer ID corresponding to the batch code is checked against the consumer ID code entries in DB2.

In step S53, assuming that an entry corresponding to the consumer ID code is listed in the database DB2, the e-mail assemble and transmit unit 15 prepares an e-mail based on text message 2 "incorrect advertiser code 48900. Please resend correct advertiser code". The record of the event is then logged in the log in DB3 as a failed advertisement code in step S54.

In the step S54, the entries in memories Ml, M2, M3 for the particular job identified by the batch code are cleared, the phone line is closed by phone message input/output unit 13 and the processing for the particular incoming message ends.

If, on the other hand in steps S44 or S52 it is found that there is no entry corresponding to the consumer code ID in database DB2 or in the database maintained by the mobile phone operators, the "no consumer ID processing" described in Figure 6 takes place as will now be described.

In step S6 I the advertiser code corresponding to the batch code is compared with the stored advertiser codes in M2. If there is a match for the advertiser code in M2, then in Step 62 the phone message input/output unit 13 is arranged to send a text message to the originating mobile phone Ia, ib, Ic based on text message 3 stored in text memory M4 to the effect "Unregistered e-mail address. Please reply with a texted e-mail address". A log of the event is stored in database DB3 as a failed consumer ID code in steps 63, the entires for the particular job identified by the batch code in memories Ml, M2, M3 being cleared and the phone line closed in step S64.

On the other hand, if the advertisement code corresponding to the batch code does not have a match with the stored advertiser codes in memory M2, in step S65 the advertisement code is compared with the advertiser codes corresponding to the batch codes which were held in M3 in step S5 I. The phone message input/output unit 13 is caused to send a text message based on text message 4 in text memory M4 to the effect "Unregistered e-mail address and incorrect advertiser code 48900: please send a text giving name and e-mail address and correct advertiser code" in step S66. The event is then logged in database DB3 as a failed advertiser code and failed consumer ID code in step S67. The entries in memories Ml, M2, M3 for the particular job identified by the batch code are then cleared and the phone line closed in step S68.

It will be appreciated that even if the incoming system code is found by the server 5 to be incorrect, it is still useful to log the user ID in the database DB3 for statistical purposes. The log of failed advertiser codes is particularly useful if there are a number of entries for a particular failed advertiser code, indicating a systematic error.

It will be appreciated that whilst in the use of the system as described above, text messages are transmitted back to the mobile phones, the system allows for the alternative mode of transmission of corresponding audio messages generated from the audio messages stored in memory MS by the phone message input/output arrangement 13 where the consumer has indicated these are preferable or it is not possible to send text messages to particular mobile phones.

The cost of use of the system will generally be met by the advertisers whose data is stored in database DB 1. It will be appreciated that the entries logged in database DB3 enable accounts to be set up for each advertiser based on the use of the system.

Furthermore the statistical data stored in database DB3 enables the advertisers to obtain figures relating to the effectiveness of particular advertisements in gaining the interest of particular consumers.

It will be appreciated that whilst, as described above, the terminal 3a, 3b, 3c associated with each mobile phone 1 a, 1 b, Ic is shown as being distinct from the mobile phone, each mobile phone may, itself, incorporate an e-mail terminal.

It will also be appreciated that whilst server 5 has been shown as a single unit, the server 5 may be formed from a number of distributed units which may be positioned in different locations and which may be linked by wireless connections.

It will also be appreciated that a method in accordance with the invention may be implemented by software running at the server 5. The software may be carried on a software carrier such as a disk, or may be downloaded as a signal, for example from the internet.

It will also be appreciated that whilst the above example has been described in relation to a set of information included in an advertisement, the set of information may relate to any other matter. For example, a user may obtain further information relating to plants in a public or commercial garden. * -"-

Claims (15)

1. A communication system comprising: a plurality of communication devices, each communication device being associated with a respective e-mail address, each communication device including means for sending data over a telecommunication system, the data including a representation of an information code identifying a set of information; and a server comprising: storage means storing a plurality of system codes, each system code identifying a particular set of information and storing identification information identifying each of the plurality of communication devices and the associated e-mail address; means for receiving data packages from the telecommunications system, each data package including one of the representations of an information code arid an identification of the originating communication device; means for automatically comparing the received representation and the plurality of stored system codes so as to identify the set of information; means for automatically comparing the received identification and the stored identification information so as to identify the originating communication device; and means for automatically preparing and transmitting an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the originating communication device, the e-mail including further information relevant to the particular set of information identified by the system code.

2. A communication system according to claim I in which each communication device comprises a personal communication device.

3. A communication system according to either of the preceding claims in which each communication device includes means operative to dial the server automatically on input of data including a representation of one of the plurality of information codes.

4. A communication system according to any one of the preceding claims in which each communication device includes means for reading the information codes automatically.

5. A server for use in a communication system comprising a plurality of communication devices, each communication device being associated with a respective * -12-e-mail address, each communication device including means for sending data over a telecommunication system, the data including a representation of an information code identifying a set of information; and the server, the server comprising: storage means storing a plurality of system codes, each system code identifying a particular set of information and storing identification information identifying each of the plurality of communication devices and the associated e-mail address; means for receiving data packages from the telecommunications system, each data package including one of the representations of an information code and an identification of the originating communication device; means for automatically comparing the received representation and the plurality of stored system codes so as to identify the set of information; means for automatically comparing the received identification and the stored identification information so as to identify the originating communication device; and means for automatically preparing and transmitting an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the originating communication device, the e-mail including further information relevant to the particular set of information identified by the system code.

6. A server according to claim 5 in which the server comprises means for obtaining said identification information identifying each communication device and the associated e-mail addresses from a telecommunications system operator.

7. A server according to either one of claims 5 and 6 including means effective to add a batch code to the data received from the telecommunications system to form a composite code.

8. A server according to any one of claims 5 to 7 including means for storing a log of the representations of the information codes which can not be matched with the stored system codes.

9. A server according to any one of claims 5 o 8 including means for storing a log of incoming data including a representation of system codes relating to each particular set of information, and means for providing information relating to the number of times data relating to each set of information is received at the server.

10. A communication method comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of system codes, each system code identifying a particular set of information; storing identification information identifying each of a plurality of communication devices and a respective e-mail address associated with each communication device; receiving data packages from a telecommunications system, each data package including a representation of an information code identifying a set of information and an identification of the originating communication device; automatically comparing the received representation and the plurality of stored system codes so as to identify the set of infonnation; automatically comparing the received identification and the stored identification information so as to identify the originating communication device; and automatically preparing and transmitting an e-mail to the e-mail address associated with the originating communication device, the e-mail including further information relevant to the particular set of information identified by the system code.

11. A computer program containing processor implementable instructions for performing all the steps of a method according to claim 10.

12. A computer software product storing a computer program according to claim 11.

13. A communication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A server substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A communication method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.