WO2008075313A2

WO2008075313A2 - Transmitting messages to subscribers during call setup

Info

Publication number: WO2008075313A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/055256
Authority: WO
Inventors: João Manuel AFONSO GERALDES; Sérgio RAMPAZZO; Rodrigo Gonçalo RODRIGUES VASQUES JORGE
Original assignee: Rampazzo, Vasques - Consultores Associados, Lda
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Also published as: WO2008075313B1; PT103621A; WO2008075313A3

Abstract

The objective of the invention is to take advantage of the time gap that exists between the call request and the receiver accepting or answering the call. This communication does not take place exclusively in voice signals, as is the case of analogue telephones and digital (normal or wireless) telephones. The invention can be used to communications made through data platforms, video or multimedia (for example through Internet Services), to establish communication between two or more people, and/or television platforms that allow for bidirectional signals. As mentioned above, in any of these cases and independently from the system used to make the call, there is always a time gap between the beginning of the call and it being answered. The invention in question aims to register a method/business model that manages the introduction of information or advertising contents, for the originator and/or receiver of the call, through a software application based on a structure that manages information and that is always connected to the telecommunications operator. For example, after dialing the number, the caller may choose to hear messages, during the waiting period, instead of the operator's (or other service provider) predefined tone. The advantage to the originator of the call may be a reduction in the cost of the call or even free of any charges. This service may provide benefits to users in the form of credits for their communication bill, or others The objective of the invention is to take advantage of the time gap that exists between the call request and the receiver accepting or answering the call. This communication does not take place exclusively in voice signals, as is the case of analogue telephones and digital (normal or wireless) telephones. The invention can be used to communications made through data platforms, video or multimedia (for example through Internet Services), to establish communication between two or more people, and/or television platforms that allow for bidirectional signals. As mentioned above, in any of these cases and independently from the system used to make the call, there is always a time gap between the beginning of the call and it being answered. The invention in question aims to register a method/business model that manages the introduction of information or advertising contents, for the originator and/or receiver of the call, through a software application based on a structure that manages information and that is always connected to the telecommunications operator. For example, after dialing the number, the caller may choose to hear messages, during the waiting period, instead of the operator's (or other service provider) predefined tone. The advantage to the originator of the call may be a reduction in the cost of the call or even free of any charges. This service may provide benefits to users in the form of credits for their communication bill, or others that are clearly of a financial nature. These benefits may however be of another type, according to the terms of the contracted service. The content of the messages may be determined by the originator or by the receiver of the call, depending on the contracted service and of the benefits associated with the owner of the communications service.

Description

"Method to transmit messages between a transmitter and a receiver with the aid of a communication support"

Technical information

The invention in question is classified as being part of the telecommunication sector and in particular in the support systems that aim to ensure the communication between one or more parties simultaneously.

State of the art

In the present time there are various vehicles of communication and it is certain that in the future many more will be created with the objective of allowing for improved communication between a caller and a receiver:

- The analogue Telephone allows for voice transmission and signal frequencies.

- The wireless Telephone uses short range radio signals for voice transmission to a system that makes the conversion to the analogical or digital signal.

- The Digital Telephone adds at least one channel for data transmission. This channel allows for the transmission of information about the call in progress or the transmission of information to be able to interact, for example, with a telephone exchange (PABX) .

- The VOIP Telephone uses the TCP/IP protocol and Internet connections for the transmission and reception of voice and digital data (transformed in data packages). In either case, at the start of a communication to a given destination, an audio signal is heard normally designated as "dial tone" or "dialing tone", indicating that the equipment is ready to establish communication and that in principle it will be interrupted when this takes place.

When the telecommunication equipment, namely automatic telephones, started being used, they created some confusion because of the absence of a signal from the telephone (no sound was heard) . This happened because previously, the communication was done by an intermediary - an operator. The user could assume that nothing was happening (there was no feedback) , and would hung up the telephone, thinking that it were out of order. This situation led operators to introduce a small buzz (known as small buzzing sound) on the line, allowing the user to know if the equipment was capable of communicating or not. This sound is also known as "comfort noise" or "comfort background noise".

The sound introduced by the operators differs from country to country, region to region and in some cases between operators in the same country so there is no standard "buzz".

In the cases of mobile telephones and IP telephones (VOIP - Voice over IP), the "dial tones" may not exist. The user just has to dial the number and then presses the "send" button (or any other button that serves this purpose) , to initiate the call.

The "dial tones" can be different and have different objectives. For instance a different sound may indicate to the users the need to dial a code to place external calls. As a call is made, the receiving party, identifies that somebody wishes to establish contact through a video or audio signal, - "ringing sign", and/or "pop up",- or even in a sensitive way, as is the case of "vibracall", with the option of all these options being used simultaneously.

The implementation of this method is done using a philosophy of submission to the CRM system installed by the operator, and not as a satellite system, given that this way of implementation, allows for more integration. The Operator, as the owner and manager of its CRM, will have complementary mechanisms to the contents of this method, which will not be altered. Also there is no need to increase additional equipments to those already existent.

There are a few documents already published that in some aspects come close to this invention, without attacking the novelty or inventiveness of this method.

Document reference US 2005/0286497 publishes a method to facilitate media contents transfer from a computer to a mobile phone, under which information from a computer and a mobile phone is received, acknowledged and transferred, a confirmation from the computer is received that a converted media file is ready to be transferred form the computer to the mobile phone and then a message is sent to the mobile phone including a link to a process that runs on the computer. This link can be selected so that the mobile phone can ask the computer to transfer the media content to the mobile phone. This invention is different from the method published in document US 2005/0286497 because its objective is the replacement of the ringing tone by information and not merely hiding it and also because it can be applied to a wide variety of telecommunications (analogue telephone, wireless telephone, digital telephone, VOIP telephone - Voice Over Internet Protocol -, data, video or multimedia platforms, and Internet connections) . The invention published in document US 2005/0286497 is only destined to facilitate media contents transfer between a computer and a mobile phone and therefore is not applicable to any other means of communication. This invention is also different because it guarantees to the user of the service, the right to refuse the transfer of the contents, which is not safeguarded int the document US 2005/0286497.

Document WO/0106735 (or US 7224788) publishes a method and device to generate commercial information in the form of voice, text or images, through a communication system that executes a transfer of the commercial information to the telephone that originates the call, replacing the ringing tone during the waiting period before the call being answered. This invention is different to the method and device of document WO/0106735 because the signal is replaced on the operator of the receiver of the call, using the operator channel while in the method and device of document WO/0106735 the telephone call is intercepted and a parallel operator is used that reconnects the two operators hiding the ringing tone. This invention is also different from what's published in document WO/0106735 by, unlike it, not being only destined to be used in fixed telephones, mobile phones, video mobile phones and Internet telephones, but also being able to be used in a broader set of telecommunications: analogue telephone, wireless telephone, digital telephone, VOIP telephone (Voice Over Internet Protocol) , data, video or multimedia platforms and Internet connections. This invention is also different by guaranteeing that the user of the service can reject the commercial information, which is not safeguarded in the method described in document WO/0106735, and also by- maintaining during the commercial information period, the comfort noise sound, as background noise, with a system that allows a guarantee to the originator that the connection is being processed

Document US 4811382 publishes a method and a device that detect telephone lines (analogue) that are receiving a call signal and that connects the lines in a way that the user hears a message while waiting for the call to be established. It is a method and device only applicable to analogue telephones connected to a PBX and therefore it doesn't affect the novelty or inventiveness of this method, which is destined to be used for communications both analogue and digital, not only telephonic, that does not require a PBX and that uses a computer.

Finally, document US 5539809 publishes a method to transmit, tho whom is making a telephone call, the hour of the day or the location of the recipient allowing for the connection not to be established. It is a method only applicable to analogue telephones and that claims only the transmission of geographical and hourly information, unlike this invention that is applicable to a much wider range of communication means, allows for a variety of contents to be transmitted, and is based on a volunteer subscription by the user. Summary of the Invention

The objective of the invention is to take advantage of the time gap that exists between the call request and the receiver accepting or answering the call.

This communication does not take place exclusively in voice signals, as is the case of analogue telephones and digital (normal or wireless) telephones. The invention can be used to communications made through data platforms, video or multimedia (for example through Internet Services) , to establish communication between two or more people, and/or television platforms that allow for bidirectional signals.

As mentioned above, in any of these cases and independently from the system used to make the call, there is always a time gap between the beginning of the call and it being answered.

The invention in question aims to register a method/business model that manages the introduction of information or advertising contents, for the originator and/or receiver of the call, through a software application based on a structure that manages information and that is always connected to the telecommunications operator.

For example, after dialing the number, the caller may choose to hear messages, during the waiting period, instead of the operator's (or other service provider) predefined tone .

The advantage to the originator of the call may be a reduction in the cost of the call or even free of any charges. This service may provide benefits to users in the form of credits for their communication bill, or others that are clearly of a financial nature. These benefits may however be of another type, according to the terms of the contracted service. The content of the messages may be determined by the originator or by the receiver of the call, depending on the contracted service and of the benefits associated with the owner of the communications service.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 is the schematic representation of the way in which the method works when transmitting messages.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the support structure for the method to transmit messages;

Figure 3 is the global representation of the procedures of a telecommunications operator - Enhanced Telecommunications Operations Map (simplified version);

Figure 4 is a more detailed representation of the OPERATIONS area of . the above mentioned Enhanced Telecommunications Operations Map;

Figure 5 is a more detailed representation of the main information systems used by this invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart of the algorithm that manages the service, according to this method and from the originator' s point of view; Figure 7 is a flowchart representation of the service management algorithm according to this method from the recipient's point of view;

Detailed Description of the invention

In order to better understand the invention, we used a structure of proceedings to categorize all the business activities that a telecommunications service provider must have, in accordance with the standards defined by the Tele Management Forum. The TMF is an international body where the major telecommunications operators and the world leading suppliers of equipment, systems and solutions for telecommunications meet. This body approved the Enhanced Telecommunications Operations Map (Figure 3) where all the telecommunications operating processes are described. The detailed development processes may be analyzed in the document with reference number GB921 available on their site www.tmforum.org.

This invention will be implemented in the OPERATIONS sub module of the telecommunications operator' s internal systems (Figure 3) , defined in the above mentioned document, in the Invoicing activity area and with interaction with the areas of Purchasing and Quality Control (Figure 4) .

The method to transmit messages between a sender (1) and a receiver (2) with the aid of a communication support, assumes the integration in the application for customer management, known as CRM (Customer Relationship Management) which can be briefly described as an extremely complex database that must allow the flexibility required according to the legislation specifications in each country where the telecommunications operator is doing business (figure 5) . I.e., it must allow retention of historical information regarding customers for at least one decade. On the other hand, the management of the above mentioned complexity, is only possible when the applications that are in the CRM platform are also implemented in a hardware platform capable of evolution in order to respond to the needs of business managers, public entities, consumers and others to whom the information may be available.

Having said this, this invention is above all a new CRM Module. The invention, even though it has a standard base development, will always require a tailor made installation that provides a correlation between the invention, the CRM and the invoicing system. For confidentiality and product knowledge reasons, the installation will always need to be carried out by an authorized entity.

In detail, the physical support that allows the transmission of messages is made up of:

-Server (s) (5) to manage the advertising contents and to process the associated financial benefits:

-Server (s) (6) to manage other messages and the requests of the various players;

-Server (s) (7) to manage the invoicing procedures and other information in a synchronous and asynchronous way; and

- A central server to connect the content servers to the

Originator or to the Telecommunications Operator (3) .

- The main phases for the management of a message transmission client are: - Subscribing the service (s) associated to message transmission message;

- After subscribing the service is activated;

- The software (4) manages the messages that will be made available until it receives information to deactivate or suspend the service.

The method of this invention is reinforced with a concern about Consumer Interests Protection, regarding under aged, citizens with special needs, elderly people, abusive sales, remote sales, warranties of products and services, and environmental and public safety risks.

This method required a rigorous approach at concept level by contemplating the rights and obligations of users and suppliers involved, so that it uses European community legislation as a pattern. The method predicts the adjustment in each country to local legislation in this matter. Simultaneously, because the environment is immersed in the new technologies, globalization will inevitably make contributions towards the implementation of the method in countries where consumer rights might regulation might not be consecrated. In such cases this method will by default assume this role in what concerns the business relations established under its umbrella. The method is also associated with guarantees regarding data protection and cultural, religious or ethnical issues.

To preserve the consumer rights, the business management method has mandatorily associated that its subscription is done in a volunteer basis and that if the consumer wishes, can cancel the subscription, as it is required that the software development must allow for this option. The development of this method is associated with a bidirectional capacity to communicate information. Therefore it is understood that this development is capable of establishing direct contact with the subscribers in order to provide information regarding situations of public safety (natural disasters, major accidents, etc.) , by binding the information to the possibility of broadcasting at the macro and micro level.

This method allows that the entities responsible for the development of sound, visual, static or dynamic information contents, can share, on a new communication channel, new formats that interact with consumers without changing their creativity methods, because the development of the method allows for a interactive and friendly environment.

Best way to implement the method

The application of the method follows a communication' s algorithm between the originator (1) /receiver (2) and manages the service to be provided according to the information in the client's database referring to the originator (1) or receiver (2 ) .

The algorithms, shown in figures 6 and 7, are examples of how the management of the service takes place from the originator (1) or receiver's (2) point of view respectively.

In these algorithms we have the originator (1) /Caller and the receptor (2) in the beginning of the communication. The normal steps of a call, ring and active data transmission follow. At this point in time, the management and authentication application has already checked that the client is a subscriber and what type of publicity is contracted.

Until the call is answered, the interaction with the communication takes place, under which the subscriber receives from the publicity database the contracted publicity. The subscriber can receive this publicity until the call is established.

As a first example we present the flow of a communication in which the originator 81) , that subscribes to the system, makes a call to the mobile phone of a receiver (2) and during which:

1. The originator (1), to call the receiver's (2) mobile phone, will dial the receiver's telephone number or make use of the memory of his mobile phone to dial that particular receiver;

2. After dialing, the originator (1) will wait for the call to be answered. During this waiting period, there is time gap that may be filled by silence, "comfort noise" and/or an indication that the call is still waiting. This may vary depending on the operator (3) or the communications platform;

3. During this varying waiting period, during which the call may be promptly answered or not answered at all, the originator (1) has to wait, without deriving any benefit. With this invention the originator (1) may hear information considered to be of interest, advertising messages, which will earn him/her, previously agreed and/or contracted benefits, or a suggestion to perform a certain activity, if the communication platform allows for interaction. 4. In case the originator (1) opts to use the interactive operation with the platform managed by our patent, he/she may have the call answered by the receiver (2) . In this case, additional information will be sent to the receiver (2). For example information letting him/her know that the call is on wait and that he should not hang up the call. After the originator (1) has concluded his interactive task, he goes back to the call, getting back to the communication previously initiated;

5. According to the advertising messages (audio or visual) some advantages may be available to the user/client by this invention, depending on the service previously agreed to.

Another example of using this patent may de derived when a client uses his Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) . By using the loudspeaker or an earphone, he/she may start a communication and at the same time see a video or a text message in the screen of the PDA. Example: if the two users are subscribers of this invention, they can choose to pre define messages for whoever contacts them.

One example of the use of the platform on the Internet, may take place in the following way:

1. The originator (1) uses a system by IP (or another protocol that allows for voice transmission, through data packages or another form of information management) to make a call to another user;

2. As the user may be, for example, in an area that entails a higher call tariff to the originator, he/she can manually or automatically activate the service associated to this technology, with the objective of reaping the financial or informative benefits previously agreed with this user;

3. During the period that the call is not put through to the receiver (2) he/she will as an alternative, use the technology of this invention;

4. When the technology of this invention detects that the call has been established, it terminates the service.

The presentation of the method to transmit messages as described in this document, does not constitute any limitation to the ways of implementing the method. These examples may be subject to modifications and variations, undertaken by an expert in this field, which, however, are encompassed by the scope of this invention, as defined by the claims presented.

Claims

1. Method to transmit messages between one originator (1) and one receiver (2) with the aid of a communications support to communications devices such as the analogue telephone, the wireless telephone, the digital telephone, the VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) telephone, data, video or multimedia platforms, Internet connections, characterized by encompassing a physical support that allows the transmission of messages and comprises:

- server (s) (5) to manage advertising contents and the distribution of the associated financial benefits; server (s) (6) to manage other messages and the requests form the different stakeholders;

- server (s) (7) to manage the billing and information processes in a synchronous or asynchronous way; and

- a central server to make the connection between the contents servers and the Originator or the Telecomm Operator (3); and by

overlapping or replacing the signal that indicates that a device is ready to establish a communication and introducing the information and/or advertising contents to the originator and/or receiver of the call, through a software application (4) based on a information management structure that is connected to the customer management application (CRM) of the operator (3), until the communication is established.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the originator of the message having one or several of the following treatments: a reduction in the cost of the communications, that can go up to 100% (free of charge) ; an offer of credits to be used in future Communications ;

- Other benefits according to the service subscribed; in which the messages received are determined by the originator or receiver of the call, depending on the service contracted and of the benefits associated with the supplier of the communication service.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the following phases associated with the management of a customer of the message transmission service:

- subscription of the service (s) associated to the method to transmit messages;

Successful activation of the service after subscription;

- software (4) management of the messages that will be made available until the service is deactivated os suspended.