JP5283355B2 - Mobile audio content distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides the delivery of mobile-capable audio entertainment content. More particularly, the present invention relates to the electronic and mobile delivery of various media content, such as print periodicals and print news articles, by converting them into audio format and enabling such content along with other audio content to be delivered to consumers over wireless telephone networks. Particular embodiments of the invention provide interactive classified advertisement features.

Description

(Citation of related application)
This application claims the benefit of priority over previously shared and co-pending US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 836,125 (filed Aug. 8, 2006).

(Technical field)
The present invention relates to the distribution of mobile audio entertainment content. More particularly, the present invention converts various media content to audio formats, allowing such content along with other audio content to be delivered to consumers over a wireless telephone network. To the electronic and mobile distribution of various media content, such as printed periodicals and printed news articles.

  Current research shows that over 150 million people in the United States read magazines and nearly the same number of people in the United States read newspapers. As all studies have reported, these Americans currently spend almost as much money on magazines and newspapers as they spend on movies and video games. Overall media consumption continues to grow actively in the United States, however, the number of newspaper and magazine readers has shown a downward trend. This is because consumers are increasingly turning to more on-demand, mobile, and interactive options that are appropriate for their busy lifestyle. Similar market trends have been identified in other countries and markets around the world, ensuring that electronic media consumption has replaced traditional print media.

  Another identifiable trend is the growth of mobile entertainment services and the technology that allows consumers to multitask a large portion of the day. The average person spends a lot of time each day commuting by car alone, exercising in the gym, waiting in line, or traveling. For example, consumer technology and services that allow consumers to download music to a mobile phone and then play that music have shown significant growth over the last few years, and that growth Is expected to continue. In addition, recent growth in podcasting indicates that consumers continue to look for new forms of innovative mobile entertainment. It is estimated that over 6 million Americans are listening to podcasts. The podcasts are recorded audio files such as broadcasts, radio programs, interviews, etc. via computer downloads or mobile digital music (eg MP3 and other digital audio formats) players.

  Currently there is a tremendous amount of digital print content (such as made available by various news agencies or publishers), but such publishers convert such content into audio consumption. There is currently no high-capacity, high-quality platform that makes this possible. Most publishers have the technical skills, resources, or desire to have the infrastructure to create, store, and distribute such audio content on a scale large enough to make a profit. On the other hand, it simply has no ability, or does not express its intention. A traditional publisher that enables publishers to effectively leverage existing content and formats as digital audio content suitable for mobile delivery and / or consumption to reach new customers. This is advantageous when a system that can be managed by three parties is provided.

  Social wisdom is that consumer interest in portable music and podcasting download services will continue to spur the growth of mobile media and entertainment purchased by consumers. Thus, the problem lies not only in developing new content suitable for mobile entertainment, but also in developing new mechanisms for delivering content to mobile consumers. Portable digital media players can store hundreds of hours of audio and video files, but nevertheless, mobile device users can periodically “save” devices to download new materials. It is necessary to "synchronize". Generally, this synchronization involves attaching a digital media player to a personal computer and then downloading content from that computer (or the Internet) to the digital media player. In general, this process requires the user to physically connect to their computer in this manner whenever the user desires new content. Thus, current digital media players do not provide true portable access on demand for various types of content.

  There are over 200 million existing wireless phone service subscribers in the United States, and only a few of those subscribers are currently being offered by mobile phone service providers for digital entertainment media It is estimated that the service provided is used. Certain mobile phones allow users to download music and other pre-recorded audio or video content to their phone, for example for playback simultaneously or later Such devices are just a fraction of the phones that are still in use today. Accordingly, the provision of these services by wireless telephone service providers has only a small subset of potential customers. Furthermore, currently provided content does not currently utilize mass storage devices for digital content that are available through other sources, such as the Internet. Many wireless customers may be interested in providing services related to portable entertainment, but wireless customers may invest in new phones or change current service plans to gain this capability Thus, it may not be desirable to support the transfer of data.

  Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a system for providing mobile audio content delivery services to a large number of potential customers using mobile phones. In particular, such systems are designed to enable wireless carriers and content to be developed in a manner that enables large volumes of mobile audio content with low implementation barriers to consumers to be developed and distributed to a large number of consumers. It should be possible to link consumers with other providers. In addition, such mobile audio content delivery systems provide on-demand digital entertainment or other media (e.g., business, education, There is also a need to be able to provide delivery of references).

(Item 1)
A mobile audio content distribution (“MACD”) system for collecting and converting print media and distributing the media in the form of audio content to a plurality of subscribers, the MACD system comprising:
One or more wireless service provider networks, the wireless service provider network providing wireless communication access to the subscriber via a mobile device and including a mobile telephone core network; With the network of wireless service providers
One or more print media input sources for producing the print media;
A MACD network in electronic communication with the wireless service provider's network, the MACD network including a content acquisition subsystem adapted to collect the print media from the input source, and the collected print A content processing engine for converting media to audio content files, a content repository database for storing the audio content files, and on-demand to the mobile device of the subscriber via the network of the wireless service provider A MACD network comprising: means for delivering the audio content file;
The means for delivering the audio content file allows the subscriber to browse, navigate, select and play the desired audio content file from the content repository database. A MACD system comprising a multi-mode interface that allows different mechanisms to be used.

(Item 2)
The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider's network and a two-way voice that supports a voice action menu system for two-way communication with the subscriber. 2. The MACD system of item 1, comprising a recognition (“IVR”) telephone interface.

(Item 3)
The multi-mode interface further includes an audio streamer subsystem for streaming the desired audio file over a call initiated by a mobile device over the wireless service provider's network. 3. The MACD system according to claim 1.

(Item 4)
The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface adapted to communicate with the network of wireless service providers and a web server subsystem having a messaging engine and a web serving engine, the web server subsystem comprising: Item 4. The MACD system of any one of items 1 to 3, which enables a subscriber to communicate with the means for delivering using a mobile web protocol.

(Item 5)
The MACD network further includes a billing and settlement subsystem in electronic communication with the means for delivery, the billing and settlement subsystem including a settlement database, the billing and settlement subsystem comprising: Items 1 to 4 adapted to track the subscriber's two-way communication with the MACD network as content data entries in the payment database describing which audio content files are delivered The MACD system according to any one of the above.

(Item 6)
The means for distributing is adapted to distribute an advertisement file along with the desired audio content file to a subscriber, and the billing and settlement subsystem is configured to distribute the advertisement file as an advertisement data entry in the settlement database. Item 6. The MACD system of item 5, further adapted to track a subscriber's two-way communication with a rendered advertisement.

(Item 7)
7. The MACD system of item 6, wherein the billing and payment subsystem is further adapted to generate a billing report for the content data entry and the advertisement data entry from the payment database.

(Item 8)
At least one of the wireless service provider networks contracts with the MACD network to provide a MACD service to a mobile user of at least one of the wireless provider networks, and the billing report includes at least 8. The MACD system of item 7, wherein the MACD system is periodically transmitted to a network of a wireless provider and generates bills for a plurality of users of the mobile who subscribe to the MACD service.

(Item 9)
The billing and payment subsystem is further adapted to generate a statistical report for a particular subscriber based on the content data entry and the advertising data entry from the payment database, the statistical report comprising: Item 9. The MACD system of item 6, item 7, or item 8, useful for targeting advertising files to specific subscribers.

(Item 10)
The MACD network further comprises an interface for a user who is a subscriber including a secure web portal, wherein the subscriber can set and update content preferences, delivery preferences, and account management information for the MACD network. 1. The MACD system according to claim 1.

(Item 11)
Item 11. The MACD system of item 10, wherein the content preferences include identification of a preferred type of audio content that the subscriber desires simplified access.

(Item 12)
The simplified access includes customized menu selections available to the subscriber in question via an interactive voice recognition (“IVR”) telephone interface or mobile web access page. The MACD system described in 1.

(Item 13)
The means for distribution sends a text message to the mobile device of the relevant subscriber for the new audio content file classified as the preferred type of audio content and notifies the relevant subscriber. 13. The MACD system according to item 11 or item 12, adapted as described above.

(Item 14)
14. The MACD system of item 13, wherein the text message includes a link that supports the subscriber in question to perform the simplified access to the new audio content and subsequent distribution.

(Item 15)
The printed media input source includes a guide advertisement, and the means for distribution includes any means for the subscriber to search for the guide advertisement and listen to the search result. The MACD system according to claim 1.

(Item 16)
The content acquisition subsystem automatically and electronically collects print media from the source and communicates the collected print media to the content pre-processing engine by a predetermined scheduling and source rule database. Item 16. The MACD system of item 15, comprising a content acquisition engine to be controlled.

(Item 17)
The content pre-processing engine is controlled by a database of predetermined pre-processing rules that commands a process according to a context for converting the print media into an audio content file. The MACD system according to any one of the above.

(Item 18)
The MACD network further comprises a presentation management interface for use by an administrator to instruct the rules for inserting advertisements in the delivery of the desired audio content file. The MACD system according to any one of claims.

(Item 19)
19. The MACD system of item 18, wherein the means for delivering includes an initial service interface, an interactive voice recognition ("IVR") telephone interface, a web serving subsystem, and a voice streamer subsystem. .

(Item 20)
The print media input sources include items 1 to 19, including a publisher website, a Really Simple Syndication (“RSS”) Internet feed, a publisher content management system, and a specialized blogger website. The MACD system according to any one of the above.

(Item 21)
The content acquisition system is further adapted to collect media content that is already in audio format, selected from the group consisting of podcasts and advertiser announcements. The MACD system according to any one of claims.

(Item 22)
A mobile audio content delivery (“MACD”) process for collecting and converting print media and delivering the media in the form of audio content to a plurality of subscribers, the MACD process comprising:
Establishing a MACD network, the MACD network comprising a content acquisition subsystem including a content processing engine, a content repository database, and means for delivering audio files; and ,
Using the content acquisition subsystem to electronically collect digital print media from one or more input sources;
Using the content processing engine to convert the collected digital print media into an audio content file;
Storing the audio content file in the content repository database, wherein the stored content file is tagged and cataloged in the content repository database according to a classification of the content To do
Receiving a request from a subscriber via a wireless service provider's network, the wireless service provider's network providing wireless communication access to the subscriber via the subscriber's mobile device; and Receiving a request associated with a particular audio content file stored in the content repository database;
Delivering the specific audio content file from the content repository database to an appropriate mobile device of an appropriate subscriber who has made the request via the wireless service provider's network, Means for delivering a file means that the subscriber uses different mechanisms for browsing, navigating and selecting the particular audio content file from the content repository database during the request. With a multi-mode interface to enable delivery,
Including a MACD process.

(Item 23)
The multi-mode interface is an interactive service that supports an initial service interface adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider's network and a voice action menu system for bidirectional communication with the subscriber. 23. The MACD process of item 22, comprising a voice recognition (“IVR”) telephone interface.

(Item 24)
The multi-mode interface further includes an audio streamer subsystem for streaming the desired audio file over a call initiated by a mobile device over the wireless service provider's network. 24. The MACD process according to 23.

(Item 25)
The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface adapted to communicate with the network of wireless service providers and a web server subsystem having a messaging engine and a web serving engine, the web server subsystem comprising: 25. A MACD process according to any one of items 22-24, which allows a subscriber to communicate the request using a mobile web protocol.

(Item 26)
The MACD network further includes a billing and settlement subsystem in electronic communication with the means for delivering, the billing and settlement subsystem including a settlement database, and the MACD process includes content in the settlement database. Of items 22 through 25, further comprising tracking a subscriber's two-way communication with the MACD network as a data entry, the content data entry describing which audio content file is delivered The MACD process according to any one of the preceding claims.

(Item 27)
Delivering an advertisement file to a subscriber using the specific audio content file; and tracking subscriber's bi-directional communication with the delivered advertisement as an advertisement data entry in the payment database; 27. The MACD process of item 26, comprising.

(Item 28)
28. The MACD process of item 27, further comprising generating a billing report for the content data entry and the advertisement data entry from the payment database.

(Item 29)
The request is initiated by the subscriber in response to a text message received from the MACD network, the text message being simplified by the subscriber to a newly formed audio content file. 29. The MACD process of any one of items 22 through 28, including a link that supports performing access and subsequent delivery.

(Item 30)
The input source of the printed media includes a guide advertisement, and the means for distributing includes means for a subscriber to search for the guide advertisement and listen to a search result. The MACD process according to any one of the preceding claims.

(Item 31)
The print media input sources are all electronically accessible through the MACD network, including publisher websites, Really Simple Syndication (“RSS”) Internet feeds, publisher content management systems, and specialized bloggers. 31. The MACD process according to any one of items 22 to 30, including:

(Item 32)
A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions that, when loaded and executed on a suitable system, implements the steps of the MACD process of any one of items 22-31.

  The present invention provides for the distribution of mobile audio entertainment content. More specifically, it converts various media content, such as print periodicals and print news articles, into audio formats that, along with other audio content, are consumed by consumers over a wireless telephone network. It is related to electronic and mobile distribution by enabling it to be distributed. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a guided advertisement feature interactively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this regard, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a mobile audio content distribution system that includes a networking platform and computational and communication components, the mobile audio content distribution system. Provides a portable content service where entertainment and other content can be downloaded, streamed, or otherwise played via any phone or other mobile handset. In this regard, mobile-capable audio content can be delivered using a combination of 2G and 3G voice communication technologies and wireless data communication technologies, with wireless service providers, content providers, or other independent entities being more recent. It makes it possible to provide mobile audio content distribution services for all subscriber bases, rather than for target subscriber bases that are required to have a dedicated or dedicated telephone unit.

  Further, the subject of the present invention is to enable print media publishers and other content producers to reach a wide range of potential audiences, and is key for advertising purposes. It is to provide a mobile audio content distribution system that makes it possible to target consumers.

  In addition, the subject of the present invention is a solution that allows existing wireless customers to access and listen to spoken readings of the latest newspaper and magazine articles of their choice using existing mobile phones. Is to provide.

  The mobile audio content distribution system provided in an embodiment of the present invention allows existing wireless customers to access audio content converted from original audio content and printed content regardless of phone type or network subscription. And does not require the user to invest in a new mobile phone unit or other dedicated device to access content from their favorite publications. In addition, the system of the present invention allows the user to multitask and listen to the desired mobile content as hands-free and eyes-free. Thus, users engage in other time-consuming tasks such as commuting, exercising, or traveling without having to carry a device that is only responsible for digital media entertainment (eg, a portable digital media player) While doing so, the user can listen to the content. In addition, the system of the present invention utilizes voice commands, touchtone commands, or mobile web “click” commands to navigate, search, select, and ultimately consume mobile-capable audio content. Provide users with a friendly interface to digital media content. In this regard, the user can select and review content without knowing a new interface or navigation technique. In addition, the system of the present invention allows users to have content by enabling it whenever and wherever they have time to identify and / or select a desired article, story, or other publication. Put under control. Thus, the user does not have to forget to allocate time in busy days to stop and synchronize the device or downloaded media file well in advance of when the user wants to listen to the downloaded media file. .

  A mobile audio content distribution system according to embodiments of the present invention includes three basic elements: a mobile audio content distribution network, a wireless communication network, and various content production inputs (eg, publishers). A wireless communication network has a plurality of subscribers, each subscriber having a mobile communication device (eg, a mobile phone). In general, wireless communication networks include any type of mobile or cellular telephone network, and in particular, the wireless communication network desires to provide subscribers with an option to utilize mobile voice content delivery network services. Depending on the service provider, it can be appropriately operated. Thus, it should be understood that the mobile voice content distribution network and the wireless communication network can be operated jointly or independently of each other, allowing mobile voice content services to be It is to provide to subscribers. In particular, the system can connect a mobile audio content distribution network to a variety of different wireless communication networks, providing mobile content audio content services to mobile phone subscribers of different wireless communication networks as independent services. To do.

  Mobile audio content distribution networks include digital print media and a content acquisition system that collects digital audio media and uses automatic text-to-speech (“TTS”) conversion tools to render print content. Convert print media into a “speech” composite speech file. This converted typeface content and other audio content is stored in a content database, which is later converted by the mobile subscriber using a multi-mode user interface, constantly and on demand, Can be accessed.

  Embodiments of the present invention can be adapted to utilize various alternative revenue models for mobile audio content distribution systems. Such a first revenue model is a subscription model in which a consumer who is a subscriber pays a monthly subscription to access specific content (eg, collected by a mobile audio content distribution network). Including. In such a revenue model, there are various to provide access to “standard” content that is the first fee (or free) and “premium” content in certain areas that are additional and / or higher fees. Level subscriptions may be set. Such a second revenue model may depend on advertising revenue. In this second model, the cost of providing content to customers via a mobile audio content distribution network is supported by advertising revenue received by the publisher. As described further herein, a salient feature of embodiments of the present invention that utilizes an advertising revenue model enables mobile audio content distribution networks to further target mobile consumers to advertisers. As a result, providing their targeted advertising capabilities can be used as a way to support the cost of delivering their services and generating profits.

  Further, it should be understood that when utilizing a revenue-based revenue model, the system may be adapted to use click-through or spike-through advertising as appropriate. , Depending on whether customers exposed to the ads interacted with the ads in some way and how many customers exposed to the ads interacted with the ads in some way An additional fee will be charged. For example, if an “opt-out” is offered to subscriber listeners to bypass ads, based on how long the average customer listens to the desired ad, Advertising fees will increase. Alternatively, if, for example, the particular advertisement is interactive and says, for example, “Press (7) to receive more information about this product”, this may be a subscriber If started, a text message, email, or other follow-up communication will be sent to the user's phone for later review. Advertising and subscriber interaction in this manner can also be used in determining advertising fees.

  The distribution of audio content in a mobile audio content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention utilizes a mobile phone that is generally associated with a single user (and hence a single target consumer) as a characteristic. Tracking usage data by other audio content distribution networks allows conclusions to be made regarding specific consumer statistics. Of course, this also allows advertising to be effectively targeted. When an advertiser publishes a print ad in a print publication that is internationally or nationally published (eg Newsweek or Time), the majority of readers of that publication tend to skip the ad This is simply because the publication has a very diverse readership. However, the present invention as described herein allows content from such a large and diverse publisher to be used as a medium for delivering targeted advertisements.

  In this regard, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide mobile audio content distribution (“MACD”) for collecting, converting, and distributing print media in the form of audio content to a plurality of subscribers. ) Related to the system. The MACD system includes a network of one or more wireless service providers that provide wireless communication access to subscribers via mobile devices. The wireless service provider's network includes a mobile telephone core network. The MACD system also includes one or more print media input sources for producing print media and a MACD network in electronic communication with the wireless service provider's network. The MACD network has a content acquisition subsystem adapted to collect print media from input sources. The content acquisition subsystem includes a content processing engine for converting the collected printed media into an audio content file. The MACD network further comprises a content repository database for storing audio content files and means for distributing the audio content files to the subscriber's mobile device on-demand over the wireless service provider's network. . The means for delivering the audio content file provides different mechanisms for the subscriber to browse, navigate, select and play the desired audio content file from the content repository database. Includes a multi-mode interface that allows you to use.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a MACD process for collecting, converting, and distributing printed media to a plurality of subscribers in the form of audio content. The MACD process includes establishing a MACD network, in which case the MACD network includes a content acquisition subsystem, a content repository database, and means for delivering audio files, the content acquisition subsystem comprising: Includes a content processing engine. The MACD process further includes electronically collecting digital print media from one or more input sources using a content acquisition subsystem. The collected digital print media are converted into audio content files using a content processing engine, and these audio content files are stored in a content repository database. Stored content files are tagged and cataloged in the content repository database according to the content classification. The MACD process also includes receiving a request from the subscriber via the wireless service provider's network. The wireless service provider's network provides wireless communication access to the subscriber via the subscriber's mobile device. These requests relate to specific audio content files stored in the content repository database. Finally, the MACD process involves delivering a specific audio content file from the content repository database to the appropriate mobile device of the appropriate subscriber who made the request via the wireless service provider's network. In the MACD process, the means for delivering audio content files uses different mechanisms for the subscriber to browse, navigate and select specific audio content files from the content repository database during the request. Includes a multi-mode interface that allows.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described generally in this manner, some exemplary embodiments are described below with particular reference to several accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A first aspect of the present invention is to provide mobile audio content to subscriber consumers using the mobile audio content delivery ("MACD") system of the present invention. Includes a process 100 for developing and distributing The mobile-capable audio content delivery process 100 can first be conceptualized in step 110 by having a MACD to obtain print media in various digital formats from the content producer. Next, in step 120, the content is converted from printed digital media to synthesized speech recorded in a digital media format. Preferably, most and / or all of the content in the printed digital format is converted via electronic TTS technology that provides automatic simulation of human speech reading digital print media. Of course, although optional, a real celebrity or other syndicated reader may alternatively be used to record a particular print media reading in an audio file. However, of course, real celebrities or other syndicated readers are not appropriate for every situation. This is because these people inevitably add time delays to the process of converting digital print media to digital audio media, significantly increasing costs. In addition, the mobile audio content developed in steps 110 and 120 may be other content that is not in text format, eg, content that is already in audio and / or video format (pre-recorded radio programs, podcasts, commercial advertisements). Can be supplemented with announcements). In this regard, at step 110 ′, process 100 may obtain a digital audio file (ie, content that is already in a digital audio format) for use by the next step of process 100.

  As depicted, step 130 then includes the mobile audio content delivery system in an appropriate database so that the content is later accessed by the subscriber consumer as needed. Proceed to tag the collected content, create an inventory, and store it. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, mobile audio content may be stored as digital audio files in multiple electronic databases, the digital audio file being associated with each such digital file. It can be quickly searched to access specific content via data tags.

  Next, at step 140, the process 100 distributes the mobile audio content to multiple subscriber consumers via their own respective mobile devices (eg, mobile phones). move on. In most preferred embodiments of the present invention, mobile audio content is expected to be made available through various mechanisms. For example, the first mechanism uses an interactive voice recognition (“IVR”) navigation module (as commonly encountered as the helpline of many current telephones) that serves as an interface for computer-driven menu systems. May be included. In addition, consumers may also be provided with an option to utilize the device / phone's mobile web capabilities to browse various menus to review and select audio content. Similarly, the user provides a third mechanism for selecting content that utilizes various text messaging capabilities (such as SMS or MMS messages sent to customers every day that serve as an updated list of content). Can be done. When using this third mechanism, the user may be provided with the ability to define a profile, such as through an internet portal of a website associated with the MACD system, which profile is the type of such temporary message. And define timing.

  Regardless of how a particular consumer selects a particular piece of audio content, then in step 140, the content is, for example, the capabilities of the consumer's mobile device that is a particular subscriber. Depending on the user's mobile phone service plan limit, the mobile network access limit at the consumer's current location, and the user's preference through one or more of several mechanisms Is consumed. For example, a first mechanism for consuming downloaded digital audio content may include playing the content over the voice network of the mobile phone during the progress of the voice call call. A second alternative mechanism may include streaming the appropriate audio content file via unicast via a data network call to the user. Further, the selected digital audio content can be downloaded and cached (or stored) via a data call or mobile web browsing and then played locally or immediately by the subscriber. Such alternative mechanisms for accessing content and system elements for enabling such mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail below.

  The process 100 ends at step 150 due to customer account reconciliation. As described in more detail below, there are various mechanisms by which providers of such MACD systems can generate revenue from end users who are consumers accessing content through the system. Furthermore, it is clear that the various publishers that ultimately supply content delivered through the system want to be paid for the use of their content. In addition, (of course, consumers using MACD services use “time” purchased separately via a service plan during voice and / or data calls in a conventional manner for MACD networks. Mobile phone network service providers will also be charged for the use of the data network (unless they pay their mobile phone service providers directly, for example) I want. In this regard, step 150 includes tracking, categorizing, and reconciling content usage and delivery on a publisher and consumer basis to reconcile the charges between the various entities described above. Show.

  Of course, the use of an automatic TTS engine to convert digital print media content to an audio format sometimes causes errors in the conversion. For example, certain words (such as correct names and acronyms) may not be pronounced correctly. Accordingly, the conversion in step 120 may optionally include a sub-step that includes a review of the converted content, where a human listens to the automatically created audio file while simultaneously reading the original print source of the content. This person can then flag and note any obvious error corrections in the automatically generated audio content.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, an example of a MACD system 200 adapted to compile and deliver mobile audio content according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described as a schematic diagram. Yes. As described in FIG. 2, the system 200 includes a mobile audio content distribution network 210 that is in electronic communication with a network 230 of wireless service providers. Although not described in FIG. 2, it should be understood that more than one wireless service provider network 230 may be used in embodiments of the present invention. The wireless service provider network 230 may be, for example, any type of suitable mobile telephone network operated by a commercial service provider. This service provider is a mobile phone subscriber to use services made available by the mobile voice content distribution network operator (ie, “MACD service provider”) or by the MACD network 210. Can be operated jointly to provide a collective operation of services. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the MACD service provider operates the MACD network 210 independently of any mobile telephone service provider; instead, a mobile audio content delivery service subscriber Regardless of the service provider or telecommunications company, it allows access to its content via any suitable wireless service provider's network.

  For example, the wireless service provider's network 230 may be any suitable network as is typically used in prior art commercial cellular telephone networks. Generally, such a network is such that when mobile electronic devices move between the caries towers 232a located in the cellular network, the towers are mobile electronic devices 250 (eg, mobile Wireless access network 232 including a plurality of wireless communication towers 232a and support devices to enable communication with a wireless access network and various features of mobile electronic devices And an electronic device core network 234 that provides services. As described in FIG. 2, any one mobile wireless communication network 230 may communicate with one or more mobile devices 250, which may be any type supported by the network 230. Mobile devices (cellular phones, PDAs, etc.).

  Accordingly, the core network 234 of the wireless communication network 230 as depicted in FIG. 2 is used to provide standard service features to prior art CDMA, GSM, TDMA, or cellular telephone customers. May include various prior art subsystems found in various types of mobile telephone networks. No subsystems other than those required to achieve mobile telephony voice calls over network 230 are required for implementation of embodiments of the present invention as described herein. However, many common types of such subsystems may, of course, exist in the commercial mobile telephone service provider network 230. For example, the core network 234 may include an assisted GPS subsystem, a voicemail subsystem, and a push-to-talk subsystem, which are in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Does not provide the ultimate functionality for mobile audio content delivery.

  However, after reading the entire description of the invention herein, it should be understood that it is beneficial for the core network 234 to have a specific communications subsystem in addition to the standard telephone communications subsystem. That said, the additional subsystem allows a subscriber, a consumer connected via the network 230, to use a variety of different mechanisms to communicate with the MACD network 210. . For example, if the core network 234 has a short message service center subsystem (“SMSC”), a consumer who is a subscriber with an appropriately equipped mobile device may enter text as described below. Messages can be used to communicate bi-directionally with the MACD network 210. Similarly, if the core network 234 has a multimedia message service center subsystem (“MMSC”), subscriber consumers can utilize the features of photo or video messages to deliver mobile audio content. Two-way communication with the network 210 may be performed. A WAP or other mobile wireless networking protocol subsystem, for example, enables mobile web browsing or other data transfer. In this regard, it should be understood that how a particular subscriber consumer interacts with the MACD network 210 depends on the capabilities of the mobile device 250 and at any given time. It is necessarily limited by the network services that are possible.

  As depicted in FIG. 2, the MACD network 210 communicates with various content sources 240. The content source 240 is type content from a publisher's website and an RSS feed from the Internet 240a, type content stored in the publisher's content electronic management system 240b, and from a professional blogger or podcast 240c. And other content 240d that is already in audio format (as provided by a publisher or advertiser in the form of a commercial announcement).

  These various types of content from content source 240 were sought by publishers (daily updates required by mobile audio content distribution networks, Internet “crawling”, mobile audio content distribution networks At various times (such as updates), the content is communicated to the MACD network 210 and the content is handled by the content acquisition subsystem 211 of the network 210. In the situation where the newly received content is already in audio format, the content acquisition subsystem 211 recognizes this audio material and determines the appropriate content (according to the acquisition and processing rules stored in the configuration database 214). This content is stored in the database 212 and tagged. However, when the material is in a digital text format, the content acquisition engine 211 of the subsystem 211 typically automatically converts a copy of the digital type into a digital audio file using a TTS application. To do. For example, the content acquisition subsystem 211 may take advantage of the TTS capabilities of commercially available digital audio content creation tools, such as the Speech application that is marketed by Nuance Communications Incorporated, or Foxix Corp. Other similar applications such as those marketed by. Since the audio files are created by the digital audio content creation tool of the content acquisition subsystem 211, those audio files are also stored in the content database 212 and appropriately tagged. In this way, the source content database 212 is created to contain a variety of content that is attractive to a wide audience that is potential customers.

  Of course, as described above, if necessary, a digital audio content file can be created in the prior art format by utilizing an actor or other person to read and record specific printed content. Digital audio content created in such prior art is similarly collected, tagged and stored in the content database 212 according to instructions according to various configuration rules in the configuration database 214.

  Also, as depicted, the content acquisition system 211 further includes a configuration management and monitoring interface 213 that allows an administrator to review and monitor content stored in the content database 212 ( Allows for the assignment of various configuration rules (stored in the configuration database 214) that can be used by the TTS tool and other engines of the content acquisition subsystem 212 to collect specific audio content, Set whether to process, tag, store, or handle. In addition, the newly created file stored in the content database 212 is optional, but with respect to the accuracy of conversion to the original print content by the administrator who is tasked to review using the interface 213. Can be reviewed. Additional aspects, components, and features of the content acquisition subsystem 211, in which the databases 212 and 214 are divided into multiple databases and the interface 213 is divided into multiple interfaces for various purposes, see FIG. Will be described in more detail below.

  The MACD network also includes means 220 for the mobile user to interface with the mobile audio content distribution network 210 and to browse and retrieve the desired content from the content database 212. Such means directly with requests (consumer-generated) from the wireless communication network 230 and one or more back-end components that allow a particular type of navigation and communication by subscriber consumers. An initial service interface 219 for interactive communication. As depicted, these components include an audio streaming subsystem 217, a web server subsystem 216, and an IVR telephone interface 215. Content requests from consumers who are browsing and / or subscribers are fed to various different components of the MACD network 210 as needed. For example, (as depicted, when a potential user navigates through content utilizing a WAP wireless web gateway via web serving engine 216a or text message via messaging engine 216a) As such, the web server system 216 can be utilized to provide a content database for multi-channel user interface capabilities. In addition, if a particular mobile user desires to browse and navigate a content repository using IVR voice commands over standard voice call calls from a wireless telecommunications network (eg, network 230). The IVR telephone interface 215 may be utilized. In addition, the mobile audio content distribution network 210 may also include an audio streamer system 217 that is configured to provide audio media content via digital unicast.

  The particular embodiment of the MACD network 210 as depicted in FIG. 2 also includes a billing and payment subsystem 218 that communicates two-way with the service interface 219. Subsystem 218 monitors which users of wireless communication network 230 (ie, device 250) use which content from content acquisition subsystem 211, and the monitored usage is stored in contract database 218a. Cross-reference with subscriber, content provider and advertiser contract data. Cross-references are used to create usage records and billing notations stored in the payment database 218b, and usage records and billing notes can be used as a reconciliation of billing. In this regard, an appropriate payment amount may be negotiated for content source 240, depending on the various subscribers of MACD network 210 (depending on the billing arrangement with the end user consumer) and Billing to advertisers can be adjusted appropriately. Similarly, in situations where the reward for using the content varies based on the amount of time delivered to the subscriber consumer, the reward can be determined for the content provider.

  Turning now to FIG. 3, a schematic of functional components of another embodiment of a MACD system 300 is depicted in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 3, the content is finally passed from the content production stage (at the leftmost) through a series of stages of content acquisition, content preprocessing, information and content storage, navigation and distribution. , Flows to the consumption stage (at the far right), where the mobile audio content is delivered to the subscriber's consumer mobile device 350. Similar to the system 200 of FIG. 2, the MACD system 300 has three basic components: a MACD network 310 and wireless (as depicted, for communication with an end-user subscriber's mobile device 350). It includes a communication network 330 and an input 340 for producing various contents. It should be understood that FIG. 3 depicts the MACD network 310 in greater detail compared to FIG. 2, so that FIG. 3 performs certain functions and demonstrates certain features described herein. To provide, examples of various components and elements including multiple databases, engines, and interfaces according to one particularly suitable embodiment of the present invention should be considered in connection with FIG. That's what it means.

  As shown in FIG. 3, content input 340 may be of various types from a variety of different publishers, such as publisher website 342, RSS (“Really Simple Syndication”) feed 344 of printed media content. Type content stored in the publisher's old content management system 346, or type story / articles or other type content on digital audio content 348 already created by the publisher. RSS is a standard form of XML-encoded text commonly used in publishing to allow for rapid exchange of publishing material in a common electronic format. RSS provides users with links to publications printed in electronic format, providing titles and short summaries. Content management system 346 is an internal system used by publishers to store content. Therefore, it is particularly preferred for content acquisition subsystems in embodiments of the present invention to have direct electronic access to such content management systems and stored content. Such systems often include, in addition to information, metadata about, for example, when an article was written, how many words it was, when it was first published, authors, keywords, and the like. Publisher audio-based content 348 includes any type of pre-recorded audio content including podcasts, parts of radio programs, and the like.

  Advertiser audio content 360 includes audio advertisements (similar to traditional radio advertisements with 15 second and 5 second spots). (For example, if a publisher requests or requires that certain advertisements be streamed along with certain partial print content on a media cast) such advertisements are sourced by the publisher, Or a third party advertiser may be the source. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, the advertiser's content in the form of the advertiser's digital audio file is also included in the content acquisition subsystem of the mobile audio content distribution network 310, as described below. A content source that can be properly communicated.

  Thus, content sources include print media (eg, newspapers, magazines, and online text content), audio content (eg, podcasts, music (ie, individual songs, albums, or radio programs)) and radio / TV talk / Audio from news programs), location-based information (eg weather and / or traffic information, restaurants and entertainment listings and guides), email, internet weblog (ie “blog”), interactive education Or independent courses (eg, lifelong education, textbook supplements for universities and high schools, language education, and religious materials), business / professional content (eg, real-time information (ie, stock quotes, company Emergency news), rear Time of the company's data (for example, sales amount), reports and industry research analysts, and it is evident that that may take the form of training courses) of the company. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may further support and distribute other types of audio content in addition to traditional publisher content converted to mobile audio content. Such content may include traffic and weather forecasts, business and commercial training and educational materials, university lectures for students, restaurants and entertainment lists and guides, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, media files obtained from content input 340 and advertiser audio content 360 flow to various elements of the content acquisition subsystem of the MACD network, and in the particular embodiment depicted, The content acquisition subsystem of the MACD network includes both a content acquisition engine 311a and a content preprocessing engine 311b. In the content acquisition stage as shown, entertainment content may be collected from various inputs 340 and advertisers 360. In the network 310 as shown, collection is performed by a content acquisition engine 311a that collects content from various inputs via various mechanisms in accordance with instructions from content acquisition rules stored in the content acquisition database 314a. Mostly an automated process. Rules in this database are periodically defined and revised by the administrator of the network 310 using the content processing management interface 313a.

  In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention as depicted in FIG. 3, the process by which the content acquisition subsystem acquires various types of content from a variety of different publishers is largely an automated process. . The content acquisition engine 311a forms an important part of the content acquisition subsystem and identifies and collects digital print content from the content input 340 of a particular publisher and, optionally, advertising content 360. A computer program that is adapted to do so. The engine 311a acquires new content on a scheduled “pull” basis and an unscheduled “push” basis without the need for a clear two-way communication by the administrator of the mobile audio content distribution network 310. It is preferable to obtain. For example, new print content can be downloaded on a scheduled basis (from a publisher's website or content management system) and converted into a daily headline feed, or the content can report a new story. Can be actively presented by publishers as needed. The operation of the engine 311a may be controlled by the administrator of the MACD network 310 using an interface 313a that defines acquisition rules on how and from which type and / or audio content should be collected. The acquisition rules are stored in the acquisition engine database 314a, where the acquisition rules are continuously available to the engine 314a.

  Next, in the content preprocessing stage, the media file input collected by the content acquisition engine 311a flows to the content preprocessing engine 311b. This content pre-processing engine 311b performs any necessary TTS conversion for the content acquisition subsystem, and engine 311b typically includes a commercially available TTS conversion application. The TTS application communicates with the vocabulary catalog database 314b and converts the digital media type content into an audio format in accordance with various preprocessing rules contained in the preprocessing rule database 314b.

  The lexicon database 314d is specially adapted for the particular TTS conversion application selected, and supports various sounds, voices, And other components. In addition, the preliminary processing rule database 314b is also accessed by the preliminary processing engine 311b during content preliminary processing. The database 314b allows the administrator of the mobile audio content distribution network 310 to store specific content pre-processing rules regarding how a specific typed word is handled by the content pre-processing engine 311b under specific circumstances. Allows you to define. For example, this allows extensions to the lexicon database 314d for pronunciation of words on a context-related basis. For names of frequent but unusual individuals, such as athletes who regularly appear in sports-related articles, the name may have a pronunciation that is defined in the rules database 314b. Similarly, a name can have multiple pronunciations, and the rules database 314b allows the administrator to define various context-based rules that determine when to use one pronunciation over other pronunciations. Can be used by. Further, for example, some acronyms are usually pronounced in the same way as spoken words, while other acronyms are uttered by reciting the individual characters that make up the acronym. Similarly, the rules in the pre-processing rules database identify such rules on a context-dependent basis to provide an audio record with the most realistic synthetic utterance harmony of the original printed content being processed. Can be used to

  In this regard, the content pre-processing engine 311b, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, has the ability to handle TTS conversion as pronounced, if necessary. The rules database 314b is a complete database as defined by the preprocessing database 314b whenever the engine 311b encounters a particular text string, depending on the type of content being processed (target area, content provider source, etc.). Allows engine 311b to understand whether to use a simple word match or to pronounce a text string using the standard rules of a TTS conversion application (defined by inventory database 314d) To do.

  The content acquisition subsystem of the network 310 provides a process management interface (eg, a front end for use by an administrator) that allows a user to interact with the schedule and source database 314a and the pre-processing rules database 314b. Application). Of course, the content pre-processing engine 311b converts the type media that comes in a queuing scheme into audio media, but may it be necessary at times to convert certain type media to digital audio media on a faster basis? Or may be desired. For example, the process management interface 313a may allow an administrator of the network 310 to engine 311b with higher priority to a particular type of printed content (eg, emergency news), a particular publisher's content, or even a particular part of the content. May be able to instruct the synthesized speech to be processed. For example, in this way, the latest news article can be given a higher conversion priority than a classified advertisement, and instead the guided advertisement has a higher priority than an article placed in the archive. Given.

  Following the content preprocessing stage, the audio media file containing both the content and the advertisement proceeds to storage of information and content, as depicted in FIG. Various audio media files are stored either in the content repository database 312a or the ad repository database 312b, where the audio media files are easily accessed during the next navigation and distribution stage. Audio media files are tagged to be retrieved, delivered, and distributed. The content repository database 312a includes all related metadata (eg, publisher, author, subject, information) as well as any synthesized or pre-prepared audio related to the synthesized audio content in addition to any associated metadata about the audio file. This is the main database of the content acquisition subsystem that contains content (eg, WAV files, MP3 files). The advertisement repository database 312b similarly includes all audio files and metadata regarding advertisement spots.

  A presentation management interface 313b is provided to the administrator of the network 310 to configure the operation of the network 310 during the information and content storage stage. This interface 313b allows an administrator to define navigation, prompting, presentation, and advertisement insertion rules (NPPAIR) in the NPPAIR database 314c, which rules audio content and advertisements in the databases 312a and 312b. Files are grouped into readily searchable and accessible categories to help subscriber consumers find content easily. In addition, the database 314c includes rules for inserting advertising content within the audio content during distribution, as described below, and the interface 313b is set by the MACD network administrator. Make it possible to do.

  It is clear that the navigation and delivery stage and the consumption stage are caused by the activities of the individual subscriber consumer. As described above, embodiments of the present invention may implement targeted advertisements to generate revenue for publishers, mobile audio content distribution network operators, and cellular service providers. The content and advertisement repository database 312 is also adapted to store and categorize advertisement audio files for distribution to users as dictated by advertisement insertion rules stored in the NPPAIR database 314c by an administrator.

  In operation, for example, a subscriber consumer wants to browse and listen to a mobile audio content offering stored in the content database 312a (such as by using a mobile web application on a mobile phone). When viewing the article, the consumer selects a link to initiate a call to the IVR subsystem (presentation telephone interface in FIG. 3), which forms part of the distribution means 320 of the network 310. The IVR subsystem automatically identifies that the user is browsing with a particular type of device (eg, using a mobile web application). In this regard, the IVR system allows multi-mode sessions across multiple machine interfaces for browsers and voice / data calls by forcing the user directly to call for immediate delivery of the requested content. It can be improved to set. Accordingly, the subscriber consumer is not required to navigate through the initial voice navigation menu at the initiation of a call to the IVR telephone interface 315, but rather directly to the delivery of the requested content. (Or led to a minimal voice navigation menu to confirm delivery of the requested content).

  Additionally and alternatively, the user may configure various shortcuts for using the various attributes of the system 300 to obtain the type of content that the user desires. For example, a user who likes to read a lead article in a particular newspaper (or other type of regularly updated print content) every morning, a series of text messages are sent to the user's device, and potential interest You may be required to identify some recently published articles. In this regard, the first user can get a headline delivered about the political section of the newspaper, and the second user can relate to a specific topic, for example a business article about a particular industry of interest. It may require that every new article be notified across various publication sources. Rather than having to call in and start navigation from the top-level IVR menu via the phone interface, the user reviews the customized content list on the device and then on a single phone call Distribution of the content of interest can be started by the operation of. Equally, a similar direct navigation approach to bypass the initial IVR menu of the IVR phone interface may be provided through WAP or other forms of mobile web. Therefore, the user can immediately access the type of content that the user wants to listen to and can start playing the content quickly with a simple click-play operation.

  For purposes of illustration, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate different use cases for specific access scenarios that can be supported by a multi-mode interface, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Yes. Examples of such use are described in detail below.

  As generally described above, user preferences may be set and changed by each subscriber consumer via a user management interface 319. Preferably, the interface 319 includes a web portal, which once the subscriber consumer has registered to use the MACD service, a password for each subscriber consumer. Provide a separate protected account. These accounts allow subscriber consumers to update their choices regarding content preferences, content navigation, and content delivery and account pricing, and these selections in the subscriber profile database 316a. In addition, the database 316a is accessible by various network elements of the distribution means 320. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, the MACD network 310 may also include one or more web servers that support the subscriber's web portal and subscribe to subscriber consumers. And provide a self-service mechanism for updating account information.

  For example, a home page may be provided that identifies and describes various types of content, different publishers, and different levels of subscriptions that are available for premium content. Further, if a particular user is considering subscribing to a given publisher, that user may subscribe to a cost, a free sample of content, and / or a particular content / publisher, or By canceling the current subscription, information about the option to renew the user's service contract may be provided. In addition, the web portal reports on what type of content the user has recently used, such as a report detailing which content from which publisher was listened to by a given user last month. May provide the ability for the user to review or to configure the user's profile. In addition, the user may be allowed to configure notification parameters to define what type of article they want to receive temporary text message notifications for.

  The NPPAIR database 314c includes various delivery rules defined by the administrator via the presentation management interface 313b, which can be used in various ways in which content stored in the content repository database 312a is used. Define. For example, these distribution rules define how all content for a particular publisher is organized and displayed to the subscriber for navigation. A newspaper company may want mobile audio content to be organized and displayed to subscribers in a way that progresses simultaneously with the typographic display of the content. For example, in this manner, a given publisher may desire mobile audio content organized by top stories, editorials, sports, life, technology, assets, finance, and the like. The NPPAIR database 314c also provides the ability to define delivery rules for any given advertiser, and the delivery rules describe how ads in the ad repository database 312b Instructs whether to be placed. In this regard, what a particular publisher may require (and ensuring proper delivery rules are defined and ensured) that the first part of the advertisement is streamed X times and the second part of the advertisement Is streamed Y times, but the first part must be streamed a specific number of times per day for a particular topic area of content, while the second part is called from a limited geographical location However, it is only streamed to subscribers requesting content from different topic areas. In this regard, for example, ensure that medical advertisements are streamed to content that is classified in the life or technology section, and that advertisements for financial services by intermediaries are streamed with content taken from the publisher's financial section. As such, publishers can meet advertisers' wishes.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile audio content distribution network navigation and distribution system inserts advertisements into the distributed content (eg, places the selected advertisement before the requested article, (By providing the user with an opportunity to “opt out” of listening to all advertisements) by pressing a key on the keypad), as well as tracking advertisement information and content usage information to deliver the means 320 Use the analytics engine in to increase the effectiveness of your ads. The analysis engine 3 automatically tracks what type of content is frequently listened to by a particular subscriber consumer and stores the user's statistics in the subscriber profile database 316a; Otherwise, store it associated with the subscriber profile database 316a and its usage information can be analyzed to increase the effectiveness of the advertisement. Thus, the statistical information is multiple to advertisers and publishers, identifying which subscribers accessed what content, when the user accessed the content, and what part the user listened to. Provides analytics, which can be “click-through” or “speak-through” bi-directional with ads, depending on how many customers listen to a particular type of advertisement or according to a particular type of content Report the frequency of communication.

  In this regard, the information collected and stored in the subscriber profile database 316a of the MACD network 310 can be concluded regarding the types of information, products, and services that are of interest to a given user. And By tracking what kind of mobile audio content delivery content a given user is listening to, users can make a reasonable guess as to whether they are interested in sports, home health care, politics, etc. . Of course, such information also provides insight into the gender, income, and age of a particular subscriber. As described elsewhere herein, such information is clearly expressed to the user in connection with or separately from statistical (or geo) information provided by the mobile carrier. Allows you to target specific ads.

  In addition, whenever a subscriber is bi-directionally communicating with a mobile phone to access mobile audio content delivery content, exactly when the subscriber is calling (cell phone provider's It is possible (in cooperation) to know roughly where the subscriber is calling from. This makes it possible to target the advertisement to a specific geographical location. For example, it is common for movie companies to repeatedly promote new movies one week before the actual screening starts. For example, when a predetermined movie starts to be screened on Thursday in the country, advertisements on print, radio and television are scheduled to be repeated from Monday to Wednesday of the week. In addition, however, many movies have a variety of dates for the start of screening. For example, a few days before the movie is widely released, it will initially begin screening in certain limited locations (eg, New York city and Los Angeles). The ability to target advertisements according to the present invention, both time-based and geo-based, allows movie companies to provide mobile audio content only to people within the New York and Los Angeles area codes during a given period of time. It may be possible to concentrate the distribution advertisement.

  Also, as depicted in FIG. 3, the mobile audio content distribution network 310 includes an account and payment interface 318 that allows an administrator to generate and provide reports from the payment database 316b. . These reports periodically summarize, for example, at the end of the month, the number of subscribers to the mobile audio content delivery last month, the number of ads run, etc. Or generate bills that require payment according to service level agreements created for wireless service providers and related to advertising, usage agreements, and content agreements. Publishers and advertisers find such reports useful. Because the report describes how many subscribers have consumed a particular type of content and how many click-through / speak-through have been experienced for a given advertisement. . Publishers also use such reports to set expectations for revenue sharing for the next month, and mobile audio content delivery network operators can use such reports to issue publishers and / or Justify fees for advertisers.

  Of course, publishers and advertisers may operate jointly or separately with regard to associating advertisements with content. In this regard, traditional publishers can schedule advertisements for content to be displayed in a mobile audio content distribution format, depending on existing advertising relationships. The publisher may dictate which content is configured for Medicast delivery and exactly which advertisements are combined with specific mobile audio content. Alternatively, if a significant number of publishers jointly use a single mobile audio content delivery network, multiple publishers and / or mobile audio content delivery service providers may collaborate on mobile Advertisers can be approached directly to deepen the relationship of group advertisements that are specific to their audio content distribution content area. Publishers do not have to try to manage advertising relationships. Of course, in such a situation, publishers and advertisers still set restrictions to prevent relationships with specific advertisers, specific content areas, etc. It is expected to be possible to opt in and out.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram depicting a sample process 400 in which a subscriber consumer can interact with an IVR telephone interface of a MACD network is depicted in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. In process 400, a subscriber consumer uses the mobile phone's hands-free feature (eg, Bluetooth or wired headset) in step 410, and in step 420 the phone access number associated with the MACD service. Make a normal voice call. This call connects the consumer to the IVR phone interface of the MACD network, and the IVR phone interface uses the voice command as shown in the sample script 430 ′ in step 430 to allow the consumer to To identify, select and issue specific navigation commands to begin playback. Thereafter, the consumer listens to the selected content at step 440 and the user uses the current IVR interface command (eg, “stop playing”) or hangs up at step 450. End playback by either.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment in which a subscriber consumer may interact with a mobile web (eg, WAP) interface of a MACD network via a mobile device, according to one particular embodiment of the invention. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the sample process 500 of FIG. Process 500 begins with a subscriber consumer in step 510 using a mobile phone WAP browser to navigate to a mobile web portal service associated with the MACD service. In step 520, the consumer browses a menu of available content, makes various menu selections, and finally selects one or more desired audio files. In step 530, after making the content selection, the consumer instructs how the consumer wants to receive the content (ie, download, streaming, playback via voice call, etc.). Is done. Thereafter, the consumer listens to the content at step 540 in the manner instructed by the selection at step 530.

  FIG. 6 depicts a third sample process 600 in which a subscriber consumer can simplify the selection and playback of audio content utilizing the subscriber's web portal, according to one particular embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart. In step 610, a subscriber consumer logs into a personal account on the MACD service web portal and selects a content that includes an identification of the particular type of content that the consumer desires to receive notifications. Set. In step 620, the consumer later receives a text message from the MACD service to the mobile phone. This text message provides a link (eg, a mobile web URL address that links directly to the content page) for each content file that meets criteria set in advance by the consumer. Next, in step 630, the user selects the desired content using the link, which is selected, for example, by automatically launching the mobile web client of the consumer's mobile phone. The web client may be directed to a specific URL for the content or a unique URL for the consumer. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 6, in step 640, the mobile phone may initiate a voice or data call to the MACD network, which is automatically detected by the MACD network. Resulting in instant playback of relevant content.

  For purposes of further illustration regarding how advertisements can be integrated with playback of audio content, FIG. 7 provides a flow diagram depicting a sample advertisement process 700 that may be provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. To do. Process 700 begins at step 710 with the playback of audio content being initiated by a subscriber consumer (eg, according to the voice call mechanism described above in FIG. 4). The IVR telephone interface uses a pre-recorded advertisement announcement script 720 'to announce to the sponsor just before playback of the audio content at step 720. During playback of the script 720 ′, the user can say “skip advertisement” at any time, and that command listens to the article selected from listening to the advertisement (step 730). (Step 740) moves the consumer immediately. If the consumer listens to all advertisements in step 730 without saying “Skip advertisements”, then the selected article begins to play (step 740). Further, as described in FIG. 7, at any time during the playback of an advertisement, a consumer can use one or more IVR interface voice commands (via text messages or emails, etc.). Request) additional information about the advertisement, and may follow up on the advertisement, for example, by placing an electronic commerce order.

  Another preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes guided advertisements in a mobile audio content format. Such guided advertisements, according to such preferred embodiments of the present invention, provide the ability for a consumer to constantly search through a list of guided advertisements while interactively communicating with interested guided advertisements. To do. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 8 provides a flow diagram depicting an interactive guided advertising process 800 that may be provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Process 800 utilizes the example of a person looking for a new rented house, and at step 810, a subscriber consumer enters the guided advertisement section of the MACD service, such as by using an IVR telephone interface. Begins. Once the consumer navigates the guided advertising content via the IVR portal, the consumer is directed at step 820 by the IVR interface (as communicated to the guided advertising query, such as by instruction script 820 '). At step 830, the consumer responds verbally using the search parameters, eg, in the northwestern part of Washington, DC (as shown in the answer script 830 ') and the rent is up to $ 2,000. Describe the needs of a rental house. Next, in step 840, the IVR interface interactively communicates with the guided advertisement search engine to analyze verbal search parameters, perform a search for guided advertisements for qualifying rental houses, and then read the guided advertisement back to the phone. start. Of course, this search can access various online databases in real time. Once the search is complete, in step 850, the IVR interface provides a summary of the results (such as by reading the summary of each candidate as shown in the result script 850 ') and allows follow-up by the subscriber. to enable. The subscriber may screen the search results using voice commands, eg, “Next”, “Back”, “Repeat”, “Delete”, or “Save”. Also, for example, if the user wants more information about a given advertisement, the user may respond in step 860 by issuing a follow-up action or information request (response script 860 ′ in FIG. 8). reference).

  Another useful feature of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention is that, for example, newspaper companies can often review restaurants and movies. Of course, such a review, like many other topic area type content, forms suitable type content that can be converted to mobile audio content. However, such reviews in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention can be done interactively in much the same way as guided advertisements. For example, if a user wishes to make a reservation after navigating and listening to a review of a specific restaurant, the user issues a voice command to investigate the possibility of the reservation electronically ( If the restaurant has a subscription to such an electronic or online reservation service, make a reservation to the restaurant and send the restaurant phone number to the user as a text message for later follow-up Or the user's call is transferred to a restaurant phone number and a reservation is made in the conventional manner.

Similarly, such preferred embodiments of the present invention allow subscribers not from reviews of concerts or other types of events (eg, movies) or from reviews, but rather from lists of concerts or events. May be linked to the same event's e-commerce ticket sales capabilities In various embodiments of the present invention, a contract between a mobile voice content delivery service operator and a network of mobile phone service providers If this is not done, the user may be required to use the user's mobile phone for several minutes in order to connect to the mobile audio content delivery service. In an alternative embodiment, the contract can be set up with a mobile phone service provider so that the subscriber's mobile phone is not used for several minutes, and therefore, of course, billing is associated with this contract. And settlement features exist. The particular contract selected will, of course, vary depending on the implementation and more optionally, depending on the user.

  In addition, in another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the mobile audio content distribution network is optionally, speech-to-text (“STT”) integrated within the IVR menu option. May include abilities. When such STT capabilities are included, a user dials into a mobile audio content distribution network via a mobile device and records a voice message that is converted to text, eg, by a commercially available STT software application. It becomes possible. In this way, the mobile audio content delivery network can be stored by the registered user on the user's phone (or received at a predetermined time in the future as determined by the user) It can be used as a means for converting voice memos. Such functionality can be useful, for example, in preparing shopping lists and other reminders.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, an operational model depicting various process flows and responsibilities of an advertiser 910, publisher 920, MACD network 930, and wireless service provider's network 940, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 900 is drawn. As shown in FIG. 9, each entity (eg, 910-940) has its own set of responsibilities that the entity (indicated by the dot in each entity) satisfies, Provide various information, deliverables, and requests (indicated by arrows indicating the flow of labeled information). FIG. 10 is a combination of a schematic diagram and a flow diagram that further illustrate the flow of these information between various entities that are bi-directionally communicating in a mobile audio content delivery system.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the MACD system 1000 is one or more subscribers with mobile devices that are adapted to communicate via a network of one or more wireless network service providers 1030. A consumer 1050 is connected to a MACD network operated by a MACD network service provider 1010. The MACD network service provider 1010 then deals directly with the content provider and advertiser 1040. In FIG. 10, various arrows between entities 1010 to 1040 indicate information exchange related to content collection, production, and distribution (solid arrows) and information exchange related to support functions such as billing and usage data ( And a broken arrow).

  As depicted in FIG. 10, content providers and advertisers 1040 interact with only the MACD service provider 1010 by providing content in the form of text or audio media (flow 1100d). In exchange for content, the content provider receives payment for the use of the content (flow 1100a) and the advertiser pays for placement of the advertiser's announcement (flow 1100b). Further, the MACD service provider 1010 may periodically provide advertisers with an analysis of advertising impact, customer data, and other such financial reports (stream 1100c).

  The various flows also connect the wireless network service provider 1030 with the MACD network service provider 1010, as shown in FIG. In particular, the MACD service provider 1010 delivers mobile audio content (flow 1100j), submits customer billing data to the wireless network service provider 1030 (flow 1100m), and then the MACD service provider 1010. At the same time, it collects customer usage data (flow 1100k) and receives payment for use of the MACD service from provider 1030 (flow 1100n).

  Ultimately, the subscriber consumer 1050 interacts with the wireless network provider 1030 in various ways. As shown, subscriber consumer 1050 selects, receives and / or listens to mobile content of voice content via wireless network service provider 1030 (flows 1100i and 1100h) and uses the wireless network. Receive and pay bills for (streams 1100f and 1100g). The MACD service provider also provides various customer care functions to the subscriber consumer, as depicted (stream 1100e).

  The various processes and methods described herein may be implemented using software stored in memory to be executed by a suitable processor. As an alternative, a mobile device and / or server may implement such processes and methods in hardware or a combination of software and hardware, where the hardware can optionally execute various programs separately. And dedicated hardware such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like.

  While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments that incorporate these concepts may be used. Therefore, it is proposed that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, the present disclosure has been made by way of example only, and various modifications have been made to the combination or arrangement of steps or the orientation of portions. Will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting a process for the development and distribution of mobile audio content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile audio content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating details of a mobile audio content distribution system and associated computing network, according to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting a use case for a particular access scenario that may be utilized by a subscriber, according to one particular embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram depicting the use case for another access scenario that may be utilized by a subscriber, in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting the use case for yet another access scenario that may be utilized by a subscriber, in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram depicting a use case for a general subscriber advertising experience that may be provided in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting a use case for a general subscriber interactive advertising experience that may be provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operational model and associated process flow, and responsibility for a preferred implementation of a mobile audio content distribution system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a combination of a schematic diagram and a flow diagram illustrating the flow of information between various elements of a mobile audio content delivery system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (30)

A mobile audio content distribution ("MACD") system (200, 300) that collects and converts print media and distributes the media in the form of audio content to a plurality of subscribers, the MACD system (200, 300) )
One or more wireless service provider networks (230, 330) that provide wireless communication access to the subscriber via a mobile device (350); and One or more wireless service provider networks (230, 330), including a mobile telephone core network (234);
One or more print media input sources for producing the print media;
A MACD network (210, 310) in electronic communication with the wireless service provider network (230, 330);
The MACD network (210, 310)
A content acquisition subsystem (211) adapted to collect the print media from the input source, the content acquisition subsystem (211) including a content processing engine for converting the collected print media into an audio content file )When,
A content repository database (212) for storing the audio content files;
Means for delivering the audio content file to the mobile device (350) of the subscriber on demand via the wireless service provider network (230, 330);
An analysis engine (3) that automatically tracks what type of content the subscriber frequently listens to and stores the tracked information as user statistics in the subscriber profile database (316a);
The means for delivering the audio content file allows the subscriber to use a plurality of different mechanisms for browsing, navigating and selecting the desired audio content file from the content repository database (212). A multi-mode interface (220) that allows the desired audio content file to be played,
The means for distributing is adapted to notify the subscriber about a new content file by sending a text message to the mobile device (350) of the subscriber, the new content file being It meets the preset reference by the subscriber as a type of content preference it is desired to subscriber receives a notification,
The transmitted text message informs the subscriber about a new audio content file based on the user's statistical information for the subscriber, and the new audio content file is sent to the new repository on the content repository database. A MACD system that includes links that lead to both audio content files and advertisements .   The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface (219) adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider network (230, 330) and a voice action menu system for two-way communication with subscribers. The MACD system (200, 300) of claim 1, including a supporting interactive voice recognition ("IVR") telephone interface (215).   The multi-mode interface further includes an audio streamer subsystem (217) that streams the desired audio file via a call initiated by a mobile device (350) via the wireless service provider network (230, 330). The MACD system (200, 300) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising:   The multi-mode interface is an initial service interface (219) adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider network (230, 330) and a web server subsystem having a messaging engine (216a, 216b) and a web serving engine. And the web server subsystem enables the subscriber to communicate with the means for delivering using a mobile web protocol. The described MACD system (200, 300).   The MACD network (210, 310) further includes a billing and settlement subsystem (218) that is in electronic communication with the means for distributing, the billing and settlement subsystem (218) comprising a settlement database. The billing and settlement subsystem (218) includes the MACD network (210, 310) as content data entries in the settlement database (218b) describing which audio content files are delivered. 5. The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 1, adapted to track a subscriber's two-way communication with the device.   The means for delivering is adapted to deliver an advertisement file to the subscriber along with the desired audio content file, and the billing and settlement subsystem (218) is adapted for advertising in the settlement database (218b). The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 5, further adapted as a data entry to track a subscriber's two-way communication with the delivered advertisement.   The MACD system (200, 300).   At least one wireless service provider network of the wireless service provider networks (230, 330) contracts with the MACD network (210, 310), thereby mobile of the at least one wireless provider network (230, 330). Providing a MACD service to a user, and the billing report is periodically communicated to the at least one wireless provider network (230, 330) to charge one of the mobile users who subscribe to the MACD service. The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 7, wherein the MACD system generates a document.   The billing and payment subsystem is further adapted to generate a statistical report for a particular subscriber based on the content data entry and the advertisement data entry from the payment database (218b); The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein statistical reports are useful for targeting advertising files to the particular subscriber.   The MACD network (210, 310) further comprises a subscriber user interface including a secure web portal, where the subscriber sets content preferences, delivery preferences, and account management information regarding the MACD network (210, 310). 10. The MACD system (200, 300) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the MACD system (200, 300) is capable of being updated.   11. The MACD system (200, 300) of claim 10, wherein the content preferences include identification of a preferred type of audio content that a given subscriber desires simplified access.   The simplified access is a customized menu selection that is made available to the given subscriber via an interactive voice recognition (“IVR”) telephone interface (215) or a mobile web access page. The MACD system (200, 300) of claim 11, comprising:   The MACD system of claim 1, wherein the text message includes a link that assists the given subscriber in performing the simplified access and subsequent delivery of the new audio content. 200, 300).   The MACD system according to claim 1, wherein the print media input source includes a guide advertisement, and the means for distributing includes means for a subscriber to search for the guide advertisement and listen to a search result. 200, 300).   The content acquisition subsystem (211) automatically collects print media electronically from the source, and transmits the collected print media to the content pre-processing engine in a preset scheduling and source rule. 15. The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 14, comprising a content acquisition engine controlled by a database. The content pre-processing engine (3 11b) is controlled by the database of preset pre-processing rules, the pretreatment rules set Me該予, to convert the print media to the audio content file, according to context The MACD system (200, 300) according to claim 15, wherein the MACD system (200, 300) is ordered.   The MACD network (210, 310) of claim 1, further comprising a presentation management interface used by an administrator to command rules for inserting advertisements in the delivery of the desired audio content file. MACD system (200, 300).   The means for distributing includes an initial service interface (219), an interactive voice recognition ("IVR") telephone interface, a web serving subsystem, and a voice streamer subsystem (217). MACD system according to (200, 300).   The print media input sources include publisher websites (240a, 342), Really Simple Syndication (“RSS”) Internet feeds (240a, 344), publisher content management systems (240b, 346), and specialized 2. The MACD system (200, 300) of claim 1, comprising: a blogger's website (240 c).   The MACD system of claim 1, wherein the content acquisition system is further adapted to collect media content that is already in audio format, selected from the group consisting of podcasts and advertiser announcements. (200, 300). Mobile audio content distribution (“MACD”) that collects and converts print media and distributes the media to multiple subscribers in the form of audio content via a mobile device connected to one or more wireless service provider networks ) Process, wherein the MACD process is
Establishing a MACD network (210, 310) comprising: a content processing engine; a content repository database (212); means for delivering audio files; and an analysis engine. Including a content acquisition subsystem (211) including,
Using the content acquisition subsystem (211) to electronically collect digital print media from one or more input sources;
Using the content processing engine to convert the collected digital print media into an audio content file;
Storing the audio content file in the content repository database (212), wherein the stored content file is tagged and cataloged in the content repository database (212) according to content classification; Is made,
Automatically tracking by the analysis engine what type of content the subscriber frequently listens to, and storing the tracked information as user statistics in the subscriber profile database;
Receiving a request from a subscriber via a wireless service provider network, the wireless service provider network (230, 330) providing wireless communication access to the subscriber via the subscriber's mobile device (350); The request is associated with a particular audio content file stored in the content repository database (212);
Deliver the specific audio content file from the content repository database (212) to the appropriate mobile device (350) of the appropriate subscriber who made the request via the wireless service provider network (230, 330) And doing
The means for delivering the audio content file is a plurality of different for the subscriber to browse, navigate and select the specific audio content file from the content repository database (212) during the request. With a multi-mode interface that allows you to use the mechanism,
The request is initiated by the subscriber in response to a text message received from the MACD network (210, 310) that informs the subscriber about a new content file and the new message. The content file meets the criteria preset by the subscriber as being the preferred type of content that the subscriber wants to receive notifications, and the text message is sent to the newly formed audio content file. when you run the delivery of simplified access and newly formed audio content files that subsequent, only contains a link to support a given subscriber,
The text message notifies the subscriber about a new audio content file based on the user's statistical information for the subscriber, the new audio content file being a new audio content file on the content repository database. And a MACD process that includes links that lead to both advertisements .   The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface (219) adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider network (230, 330) and a voice action menu system for two-way communication with the subscriber. The MACD process of claim 21, comprising a supported interactive voice recognition (“IVR”) telephone interface (215).   The multi-mode interface further includes an audio streamer subsystem (217) that streams the desired audio file via a call initiated by a mobile device (350) via the wireless service provider network (230, 330). 24. The MACD process of claim 22, comprising.   The multi-mode interface includes an initial service interface (219) adapted to communicate with the wireless service provider network (230, 330) and a web server subsystem having a messaging engine and a web serving engine; The MACD process of claim 21, wherein the web server subsystem allows the subscriber to communicate the request using a mobile web protocol.   The MACD network (210, 310) further includes a billing and settlement subsystem (218) that communicates electronically with the means for distributing, the billing and settlement subsystem (218) comprising a settlement database ( The MACD process further includes tracking subscriber's bi-directional communication with the MACD network (210, 310) as a content data entry in the payment database (218b), the content data entry The MACD process of claim 21, which describes which audio content files are delivered.   Delivering an advertisement file to a subscriber using the specific audio content file; and tracking a subscriber's two-way communication with the delivered advertisement as an advertisement data entry in the payment database (218b); The MACD process of claim 21, further comprising:   27. The MACD process of claim 26, further comprising generating a billing report for the content data entry and the advertisement data entry from the payment database (218b).   The MACD process of claim 21, wherein the input source of the print media includes a guide advertisement, and the means for distributing includes means for a subscriber to search for the guide advertisement and listen to search results. .   The print media input source includes a publisher website (240a, 342) and a real simple syndication (“RSS”) Internet feed (240a, 34. The MACD process of claim 21, comprising a publisher content management system (240b, 346) and a professional blogger website (240c).   30. A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon computer readable instructions, wherein the computer readable instructions are loaded and executed on a suitable system. A computer readable recording medium that causes the appropriate system to perform the steps of the MACD process of claim 1.

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