WO2001067276A1 - System and method for providing free call service on the internet - Google Patents

System and method for providing free call service on the internet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001067276A1
WO2001067276A1 PCT/KR2001/000148 KR0100148W WO0167276A1 WO 2001067276 A1 WO2001067276 A1 WO 2001067276A1 KR 0100148 W KR0100148 W KR 0100148W WO 0167276 A1 WO0167276 A1 WO 0167276A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
free call
user
advertisement
accumulated
coupon points
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2001/000148
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bong Yeoul Kwak
Yang Dong Lee
Kwang Jin Rnoh
Original Assignee
Web2Phone Co. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Web2Phone Co. Ltd. filed Critical Web2Phone Co. Ltd.
Priority to AU2001232389A priority Critical patent/AU2001232389A1/en
Publication of WO2001067276A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001067276A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0192—Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for providing a free call service, and m particular to a method for providing a free call service on the internet wherein points are accumulated when a user clicks a specific advertisement on the internet, and the user is granted with free calls according to the accumulated points.
  • a free call service has been provided in various forms through the internet network. For example, both parties can speak to each other over the telephone by connecting to a server, which provides the free call service on the internet network, or connect to the telephone by using a personal computer.
  • a service company providing the free call service through the internet network procures investment expenses and telephone charges by inviting a banner advertisement on the web site.
  • the making profits is not always guaranteed, so an advertiser does not get the benefits by advertisement all the time. That is, a user may earn a right to use the free call service simply by clicking a banner advertisement on the free call site without spending a set period of time for viewing the banner advertisement.
  • the free call site may unilaterally decide the time at which the banner advertisement is displayed without regards to the needs of the advertiser and the viewing preference for users, thus rending the advertisement ineffective.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing a free call service on the internet, wherein free call coupon points are differentially applied according to the advertisement-watching time and step, the user gets the free call service with the points, and the points are taken off after making phone calls according to the predetermined telephone charge rate.
  • a method for providing a free call service on the internet comprising the steps of: registering user who accessed to a free call web server through an internet network as a member of the free call service; providing accumulated free call coupon points to the user who registered at the free call web server if he/she uses information and advertisement on the web; displaying a predetermined advertisement, when the user uses the free call service with the accumulated coupon points; and reducing the accumulated coupon points according to a telephone charge rate when the user employs the free call service, the free call service being ended when the user does not have the accumulated coupon points.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a structure of a network for a free call service in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a method for providing the free call service m accordance with the present invention
  • Figures 3 to 5 are detailed flowcharts showing the method for providing the free call service in Figure 2;
  • FIGS 6a and 6b show examples of an advertisement screen window in the free call service in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a structure of a network for the free call service in accordance with the present invention.
  • the network structure includes: user computers 110, 120, 130, an internet network 200, a free call web server 300, a free call database 350, a billing server 400, a web call center 500 and a telecommunication business network 600.
  • the telecommunication business network 600 includes: a telecommunication business network 620 for communicating with an international telephone 625, a facilitiesbase telecommunication business network 640 for communicating with a local and toll telephone 645, and a mobile communication business network 660 for communicating with a mobile communication terminal 665.
  • the user computers 110, 120, 130 connect to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200.
  • the free call web server 300 performs a member registration or searches the previously-registered member information of the user.
  • the free call web server 300 checks a click time, provides the click time to the billing server 400, receives coupon point information according to the click time and step from the billing server 400, and provides the free call coupon point information to the user computer 110, 120, 130.
  • the free call web server 300 transmits telephone number information received from the user computer 110, 120, 130 to the web call center 500, receives coupon point reduction information from the billing server 400 when the user computer 110, 120, 130 accumulating the free call coupon points uses the free call service, and provides the coupon point reduction information to the user computer 110, 120, 130.
  • the free call database 350 connects to the free call web server 300, and includes personal information of members, free call coupon point information of members, link information of banner advertisements, and banner advertisement information.
  • the billing server 400 checks the advertisement click time and step of the user, and provides the free call coupon point information corresponding to the click time to the free call web server 300.
  • the billing server 400 When the user gets the free call service, the billing server 400 provides the coupon point reduction information according to a predetermined telephone charge rate to the free call web server 300.
  • the web call center 500 calls the other party through the specific telecommunication business network 620 according to the telephone information from the free call web server 300.
  • the web call center 500 enables the user to log on through a dialer program of a web plugin, and to communicate with another party over a general telephone line through the internet network by providing voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service.
  • VOIP voice over internet protocol
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the method for providing the free call service in accordance with the present invention.
  • the user computers 110, 120, 130 connect to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200 and register at the free call service.
  • the free call web server 300 stores the user information in the free call database 250, and provides the free call coupon points to the user computers 110, 120, 130, respectively.
  • the member information recorded by the user computers 110, 120, 130 is graded according to its recording amount, and the coupon points are differentially provided.
  • the accumulated coupon point information is stored in the free call database 250 (S100,S200) .
  • the free call web server 300 transmits the accumulated free call coupon points to the user PC 110, 120, 130 through the internet network 200.
  • the user confirms his/her accumulated coupon points, clicks a call operation window on the web, and inputs a telephone number.
  • the telephone information is transmitted to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200.
  • the free call web server 300 applies the telephone charge rate by a charge rate database of the free call database 350 according to the telephone number transmitted through the internet network 200, and provides the telephone number information to the web call center 500.
  • the web call center 500 analyzes the telephone information, and connects a phone call through the corresponding telecommunication business network 600 (S300, S400) .
  • the free call web server 300 provides call start information to the billing server 400.
  • the billing server 400 receives the call start information, reduces the free coupon points according to the predetermined charge rate, and provides the information to the free call web server 300.
  • the free call coupon point reduction information is transmitted through the internet network 200 to the user PC 110 who uses the free call service. Therefore, reduction of the accumulated coupon points according to the reduction information from the free call web server 300 in the free call service is displayed on the screen of the user PC 110 (S500) .
  • the free call web server 300 constantly senses the reduction of the free call coupon points of the user receiving the free call service, and transmits a call stop command to the web call center 500 when the accumulated coupon points become zero(0) . Accordingly, the free call service is completed (S600 ) .
  • the user can receive the free call service again by accumulating the free call coupon points provided by the free call web server 300.
  • Figure 3 is a detailed flowchart showing a registration process of the free call service in Figure 2.
  • the user connects to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200, writes member information on a main member menu window, and transmits it to the free call web server 300.
  • the free call web server 300 detects the information from the user, and registers it on the free call database 350 if an error is not found (S210, S220, S230) .
  • the free call web server 300 Upon registration, the free call web server 300 provides some free call coupon points to the user PC 110, 120, 130 through the internet network 200. The accumulated points information is displayed on a screen of the user PC 110, 120, 130.
  • Figure 4 is a detailed flowchart showing an accumulation process of the free call coupon points in Figure 2.
  • the free call coupon points are accumulated in various ways according to the click information. That is, when the user registers 'advertisement mail subscription' , the free call web server 300 stores information of the corresponding member (S320 ) , and provides the free call coupon according to the subscription registration (S325) .
  • the click signal is transmitted to the billing server 400 through the free call web server 300.
  • the billing server 400 performs a count operation by a counter, and provides the free call coupon points to the user according to the banner advertisement watching t ⁇ me(S330, S335) .
  • the billing server 400 can check the user information and the using time by web contents on the basis of a hypertext transmission protocol.
  • the free call web server 300 searches the member information from the free call database 350, and provides the free call coupon points to the corresponding member according to the member registration (S340, S345).
  • the free call web server 300 searches information and differentially provides points to the user according to the information amount (S355 ) .
  • the click time is counted by the free call web server 300.
  • the free call web server 300 receives the billing information according to the counted time, namely the free call coupon points from the billing server 400. Accordingly, the free call web server 300 provides the free call coupon points to the user(S360, S365) .
  • the points are accumulated on a point accumulation window as shown in Figure 6a. Thereafter, the free call coupon points accumulated by the user are displayed.
  • Figure 5 is a detailed flowchart showing a free call process in Figure 2.
  • the user sets up a free call operation on the point accumulation window after accumulating the free call coupon points.
  • the free call operation information is transmitted to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200.
  • the free call web server 300 loads a dialer, and provides the user with an intermediate full screen advertisement through the internet network 200 while the dialer is loaded(S410, S420).
  • the loading time of the dialer is 5 to 10 seconds.
  • the intermediate full screen advertisement is provided as motion pictures. When the dialer is loaded, the advertisement window is automatically closed by using a flash function.
  • the intermediate full screen advertisement attracts considerable attention, and thus results in a large amount of advertisement profits.
  • the advertisement may be provided to a specific group of users. That is, the intermediate full screen advertisement may be made according to the age and interests of the users by referring to the member information .
  • the dialer when the dialer is loaded, as illustrated in Figure 6b, the intermediate full screen advertisement window is closed, and a full screen advertisement and a ticker advertisement are displayed with the dialer (S430 ) .
  • the click information is transmitted to the free call web server 300.
  • the free call web server 300 receives the billing information from the billing server 400, and provides the free call coupon points to the user (S450) .
  • the ticker advertisement changes at 30- second intervals.
  • the ticker advertisement changes at 30- second intervals.
  • the user clicks the ticker advertisement a corresponding homepage is loaded at the full screen advertisement region.
  • the user is provided with the free call coupon points according to the advertisement clicking.
  • the free call web server 300 analyzes the inputted telephone number, determines a telephone charge rate according to a corresponding area, and provides the telephone number information to the web call center 500.
  • the web call center 500 connects to the telecommunication business network 600 corresponding to the inputted telephone number.
  • the web call center 500 communicates with the international telephone terminal 625 through the telecommunication business network 620.
  • the web call center 500 communicates with the local wire terminal 645 through the facilitiesbase telecommunication business network 640.
  • the web call center 500 communicates with the mobile communication terminal 665 through the mobile communication business network 660(S470).
  • the free call web server 300 receives the reduction information of the free call coupon points according to the telephone charge rate from the billing server 400, and displays the information on the web of the user. Accordingly, the user can recognize the reduction of the accumulated coupon points during the free call.
  • the free call web server 300 analyzes the telephone number inputted by the user, receives an advertisement relating to a corresponding country from an advertisement server (not shown) (for example, an US-related advertisement when the user inputs an US telephone number) , and displays it on the free call operation window as the ticker advertisement (S480 ) .
  • an advertisement server not shown
  • an US-related advertisement when the user inputs an US telephone number
  • the free call web server 300 periodically provides the advertisement mail information to the user PC 110.
  • the free call web server 300 provides some free call coupon points to the user PC 110.
  • the free call coupon points are graded according to the click time of the user.
  • the free call web server 300 enables a server administrator to issue the free call coupons according to the advertisement clicking of the user and to adjust the telephone charge rate. Therefore, the administrator can make profits .
  • the present invention embodies the free call service on the internet.
  • the user accumulates the coupon points on the coupon accumulation window.
  • the accumulated coupon points are reduced, thereby maximizing the advertisement effects .

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and a device for providing a free call service on the internet. When the user watches an advertisement on the web, free call coupon points are differentially accumulated according to the advertisement-watching time. The user employs the free call service with the points on the internet, and the points are reduced according to a predetermined telephone charge rate.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FREE CALL SERVICE ON THE INTERNET
This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of Application Serial No. 2000-11355 filed on March 7, 2000, in the Republic of Korea [KR] .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for providing a free call service, and m particular to a method for providing a free call service on the internet wherein points are accumulated when a user clicks a specific advertisement on the internet, and the user is granted with free calls according to the accumulated points.
2. Description of the Background Art
A free call service has been provided in various forms through the internet network. For example, both parties can speak to each other over the telephone by connecting to a server, which provides the free call service on the internet network, or connect to the telephone by using a personal computer. A service company providing the free call service through the internet network procures investment expenses and telephone charges by inviting a banner advertisement on the web site. However, the making profits is not always guaranteed, so an advertiser does not get the benefits by advertisement all the time. That is, a user may earn a right to use the free call service simply by clicking a banner advertisement on the free call site without spending a set period of time for viewing the banner advertisement. In another case, the free call site may unilaterally decide the time at which the banner advertisement is displayed without regards to the needs of the advertiser and the viewing preference for users, thus rending the advertisement ineffective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for providing a free call service on the internet, wherein free call coupon points are differentially applied according to the advertisement-watching time and step, the user gets the free call service with the points, and the points are taken off after making phone calls according to the predetermined telephone charge rate.
In order to achieve the above-described object of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a free call service on the internet, comprising the steps of: registering user who accessed to a free call web server through an internet network as a member of the free call service; providing accumulated free call coupon points to the user who registered at the free call web server if he/she uses information and advertisement on the web; displaying a predetermined advertisement, when the user uses the free call service with the accumulated coupon points; and reducing the accumulated coupon points according to a telephone charge rate when the user employs the free call service, the free call service being ended when the user does not have the accumulated coupon points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a structure of a network for a free call service in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a method for providing the free call service m accordance with the present invention; Figures 3 to 5 are detailed flowcharts showing the method for providing the free call service in Figure 2; and
Figures 6a and 6b show examples of an advertisement screen window in the free call service in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A method and device for providing a free call service on the internet n accordance with the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .
Figure 1 illustrates a structure of a network for the free call service in accordance with the present invention. The network structure includes: user computers 110, 120, 130, an internet network 200, a free call web server 300, a free call database 350, a billing server 400, a web call center 500 and a telecommunication business network 600.
The telecommunication business network 600 includes: a telecommunication business network 620 for communicating with an international telephone 625, a facilitiesbase telecommunication business network 640 for communicating with a local and toll telephone 645, and a mobile communication business network 660 for communicating with a mobile communication terminal 665.
The user computers 110, 120, 130 connect to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200. The free call web server 300 performs a member registration or searches the previously-registered member information of the user. In addition, when the user clicks a banner advertisement displayed on the web, the free call web server 300 checks a click time, provides the click time to the billing server 400, receives coupon point information according to the click time and step from the billing server 400, and provides the free call coupon point information to the user computer 110, 120, 130. Thereafter, the free call web server 300 transmits telephone number information received from the user computer 110, 120, 130 to the web call center 500, receives coupon point reduction information from the billing server 400 when the user computer 110, 120, 130 accumulating the free call coupon points uses the free call service, and provides the coupon point reduction information to the user computer 110, 120, 130. The free call database 350 connects to the free call web server 300, and includes personal information of members, free call coupon point information of members, link information of banner advertisements, and banner advertisement information. The billing server 400 checks the advertisement click time and step of the user, and provides the free call coupon point information corresponding to the click time to the free call web server 300. When the user gets the free call service, the billing server 400 provides the coupon point reduction information according to a predetermined telephone charge rate to the free call web server 300. The web call center 500 calls the other party through the specific telecommunication business network 620 according to the telephone information from the free call web server 300.
Here, the web call center 500 enables the user to log on through a dialer program of a web plugin, and to communicate with another party over a general telephone line through the internet network by providing voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service.
Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the method for providing the free call service in accordance with the present invention.
The user computers 110, 120, 130 connect to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200 and register at the free call service. The free call web server 300 stores the user information in the free call database 250, and provides the free call coupon points to the user computers 110, 120, 130, respectively. Here, the member information recorded by the user computers 110, 120, 130 is graded according to its recording amount, and the coupon points are differentially provided. The accumulated coupon point information is stored in the free call database 250 (S100,S200) .
Thereafter, when the user accumulates the coupon points to get the free call service on the web, the free call web server 300 transmits the accumulated free call coupon points to the user PC 110, 120, 130 through the internet network 200. Here, the user confirms his/her accumulated coupon points, clicks a call operation window on the web, and inputs a telephone number. The telephone information is transmitted to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200. The free call web server 300 applies the telephone charge rate by a charge rate database of the free call database 350 according to the telephone number transmitted through the internet network 200, and provides the telephone number information to the web call center 500. The web call center 500 analyzes the telephone information, and connects a phone call through the corresponding telecommunication business network 600 (S300, S400) .
Here, when the user PC 110 and the other party make a phone call through the web call center 500, the free call web server 300 provides call start information to the billing server 400. The billing server 400 receives the call start information, reduces the free coupon points according to the predetermined charge rate, and provides the information to the free call web server 300. Here, the free call coupon point reduction information is transmitted through the internet network 200 to the user PC 110 who uses the free call service. Therefore, reduction of the accumulated coupon points according to the reduction information from the free call web server 300 in the free call service is displayed on the screen of the user PC 110 (S500) .
Here, the free call web server 300 constantly senses the reduction of the free call coupon points of the user receiving the free call service, and transmits a call stop command to the web call center 500 when the accumulated coupon points become zero(0) . Accordingly, the free call service is completed (S600 ) .
On the other hand, the user can receive the free call service again by accumulating the free call coupon points provided by the free call web server 300.
Figure 3 is a detailed flowchart showing a registration process of the free call service in Figure 2.
Firstly, the user connects to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200, writes member information on a main member menu window, and transmits it to the free call web server 300. The free call web server 300 detects the information from the user, and registers it on the free call database 350 if an error is not found (S210, S220, S230) .
Upon registration, the free call web server 300 provides some free call coupon points to the user PC 110, 120, 130 through the internet network 200. The accumulated points information is displayed on a screen of the user PC 110, 120, 130.
Figure 4 is a detailed flowchart showing an accumulation process of the free call coupon points in Figure 2. When the user sets up 'coupon accumulation' on the member main menu window, the free call coupon points are accumulated in various ways according to the click information. That is, when the user registers 'advertisement mail subscription' , the free call web server 300 stores information of the corresponding member (S320 ) , and provides the free call coupon according to the subscription registration (S325) .
When the user clicks an advertisement banner displayed on the web, the click signal is transmitted to the billing server 400 through the free call web server 300. Here, the billing server 400 performs a count operation by a counter, and provides the free call coupon points to the user according to the banner advertisement watching tιme(S330, S335) .
The billing server 400 can check the user information and the using time by web contents on the basis of a hypertext transmission protocol.
When the user joins an affiliated company on the web, the member information is transmitted to the free call web server 300. Here, the free call web server 300 searches the member information from the free call database 350, and provides the free call coupon points to the corresponding member according to the member registration (S340, S345). On the other hand, when the user takes part in a questionnaire survey and an online event on the web(S350), the free call web server 300 searches information and differentially provides points to the user according to the information amount (S355 ) . In addition, when the user clicks a special link on the free call web, the click time is counted by the free call web server 300. The free call web server 300 receives the billing information according to the counted time, namely the free call coupon points from the billing server 400. Accordingly, the free call web server 300 provides the free call coupon points to the user(S360, S365) .
The points are accumulated on a point accumulation window as shown in Figure 6a. Thereafter, the free call coupon points accumulated by the user are displayed.
Figure 5 is a detailed flowchart showing a free call process in Figure 2.
The user sets up a free call operation on the point accumulation window after accumulating the free call coupon points. The free call operation information is transmitted to the free call web server 300 through the internet network 200. Here, the free call web server 300 loads a dialer, and provides the user with an intermediate full screen advertisement through the internet network 200 while the dialer is loaded(S410, S420).
The loading time of the dialer is 5 to 10 seconds. The intermediate full screen advertisement is provided as motion pictures. When the dialer is loaded, the advertisement window is automatically closed by using a flash function. The intermediate full screen advertisement attracts considerable attention, and thus results in a large amount of advertisement profits. The advertisement may be provided to a specific group of users. That is, the intermediate full screen advertisement may be made according to the age and interests of the users by referring to the member information .
On the other hand, when the dialer is loaded, as illustrated in Figure 6b, the intermediate full screen advertisement window is closed, and a full screen advertisement and a ticker advertisement are displayed with the dialer (S430 ) . When the user clicks the advertisement, the click information is transmitted to the free call web server 300. According to the information, the free call web server 300 receives the billing information from the billing server 400, and provides the free call coupon points to the user (S450) .
At this time, the ticker advertisement changes at 30- second intervals. When the user clicks the ticker advertisement, a corresponding homepage is loaded at the full screen advertisement region. As a result, the user is provided with the free call coupon points according to the advertisement clicking.
On the other hand, when the user inputs a telephone number through the dialer on the free call operation window, the free call web server 300 analyzes the inputted telephone number, determines a telephone charge rate according to a corresponding area, and provides the telephone number information to the web call center 500. The web call center 500 connects to the telecommunication business network 600 corresponding to the inputted telephone number. When the user inputs an international telephone number, the web call center 500 communicates with the international telephone terminal 625 through the telecommunication business network 620. When the user inputs a local or toll telephone number, the web call center 500 communicates with the local wire terminal 645 through the facilitiesbase telecommunication business network 640. In addition, when the user inputs a mobile phone number, the web call center 500 communicates with the mobile communication terminal 665 through the mobile communication business network 660(S470).
When the user receives the free call service, the free call web server 300 receives the reduction information of the free call coupon points according to the telephone charge rate from the billing server 400, and displays the information on the web of the user. Accordingly, the user can recognize the reduction of the accumulated coupon points during the free call.
The free call web server 300 analyzes the telephone number inputted by the user, receives an advertisement relating to a corresponding country from an advertisement server (not shown) (for example, an US-related advertisement when the user inputs an US telephone number) , and displays it on the free call operation window as the ticker advertisement (S480 ) .
On the other hand, when the user PC 110 sets up the advertisement mail reception registration upon the member registration, the free call web server 300 periodically provides the advertisement mail information to the user PC 110. When the user PC 110 confirms and clicks the advertisement mail transmitted through the internet network 200, the free call web server 300 provides some free call coupon points to the user PC 110. Here, the free call coupon points are graded according to the click time of the user.
The free call web server 300 enables a server administrator to issue the free call coupons according to the advertisement clicking of the user and to adjust the telephone charge rate. Therefore, the administrator can make profits .
As discussed earlier, the present invention embodies the free call service on the internet. The user accumulates the coupon points on the coupon accumulation window. When the user uses the free call service, the accumulated coupon points are reduced, thereby maximizing the advertisement effects .
As the present invention may be embodied m several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiment is not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is :
1. A method for providing a free call service on the internet, comprising the steps of: registering a user who accesses to a free call web server through an internet network as a member of the free call service; accumulating free call coupon points for the user by allowing the user to use information and advertisement; providing the accumulated free call coupon points to the user who registered with the free call web server and used the information and advertisement; displaying a predetermined advertisement, when the user uses the free call service with the accumulated coupon points; and reducing the accumulated coupon points according to a telephone charge rate when the user employs the free call service, the free call service being ended when the user does not have the accumulated coupon points.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the said registration step comprises the steps of: determining whether the user connecting to the free call web server intends to be a member of the free call service ; recording information provided by the user if he/she intends to be the member information when the user becomes the member of the free call service; storing the said information when there is no error, and providing the free call coupon points to the registered member; and displaying the accumulated free call coupon points to the member.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the free call coupon points are graded according to information provided by the member.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the free call coupon points are accumulated when the member subscribes to advertisement mail, and additionally accumulated according to the advertisement watching time of the member.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the free call coupon points are differentially accumulated according to the advertisement watching time of the member, when he/she clicks an advertisement banner on the web.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the free call coupon points are accumulated when the member becomes a member of an affiliate concern.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the free call coupon points are differentially accumulated according to the information amount provided by the member, when he/she takes part in a questionnaire survey and an online event.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the free call coupon points are differentially accumulated according to a link time, when the member clicks a specific link on a dialer window.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the said the free call service comprises the steps of: loading a dialer when the member sets up a free call operation window, and outputtmg an intermediate full screen advertisement during the loading time; displaying an advertisement screen with the dialer on the free call operation window, when the dialer is loaded; determining whether the member clicks the advertisement screen; providing predetermined points to the member, when he/she clicks the advertisement screen; and performing the free call operation by applying a charge rate of an inputted telephone number, when the member inputs the telephone number through the dialer.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate full screen advertisement is displayed according to the member' s preferences in the registration information during the loading time of the dialer.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the advertisement screen displayed with the dialer is divided into a full screen main advertisement region and a ticker advertisement region, and the ticker advertisement is changed at 30-second intervals and loaded to the full screen main advertisement region when the user clicks it.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the advertisement relating to an area of a telephone number inputted by the user is displayed m the ticker advertisement region.
13. A system for providing a free call service on the internet, comprising: means for enabling a user to register at the free call service through an internet network; means for enabling the user who registered at the free call web server to accumulate free call coupon points; means for enabling the user to use the free call service with the accumulated coupon points; and means for reducing the accumulated coupon points according to a telephone charge rate and a call time, when the user employs the free call service, the free call service being ended when the user does not have the accumulated coupon points.
PCT/KR2001/000148 2000-03-07 2001-02-02 System and method for providing free call service on the internet WO2001067276A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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AU2001232389A AU2001232389A1 (en) 2000-03-07 2001-02-02 System and method for providing free call service on the internet

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020000011355A KR20010087569A (en) 2000-03-07 2000-03-07 Method and apparatus of free calling service in internet
KR2000/11355 2000-03-07

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WO2001067276A1 true WO2001067276A1 (en) 2001-09-13

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JP (1) JP2001268275A (en)
KR (1) KR20010087569A (en)
AU (1) AU2001232389A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001067276A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003277731B2 (en) * 2002-11-28 2007-11-15 Jong-Do Park Free-call certificate service system
TWI423625B (en) * 2010-10-28 2014-01-11 Chunghwa Telecom Co Ltd Adjustment system for data transmission rate and method thereof

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012517177A (en) * 2009-02-05 2012-07-26 ハン，セキョン Providing telephone service using the Internet

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11355339A (en) * 1998-06-03 1999-12-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Internet phone system
JPH11355461A (en) * 1998-06-03 1999-12-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Internet phone system

Patent Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11355339A (en) * 1998-06-03 1999-12-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Internet phone system
JPH11355461A (en) * 1998-06-03 1999-12-24 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Internet phone system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003277731B2 (en) * 2002-11-28 2007-11-15 Jong-Do Park Free-call certificate service system
TWI423625B (en) * 2010-10-28 2014-01-11 Chunghwa Telecom Co Ltd Adjustment system for data transmission rate and method thereof

Also Published As

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KR20010087569A (en) 2001-09-21
AU2001232389A1 (en) 2001-09-17
JP2001268275A (en) 2001-09-28

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