WO2019079134A1

WO2019079134A1 - Methods, mobile communication handsets and servers for content distribution

Info

Publication number: WO2019079134A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/055782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felipe Schmithz TEIXEIRA
Original assignee: Clue, Llc
Priority date: 2017-10-16
Filing date: 2018-10-14
Publication date: 2019-04-25

Abstract

An advertising method including: distributing a plurality of network connectable mobile communication handsets to users at no cost to the user and pushing advertising content to the handsets.

Description

APPLICATION FOR PATENT

TITLE: Methods, Mobile Communication Handsets and Servers for Content Distribution INVENTOR: Felipe Schmithz Teixeira

DETAILS OF RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the benefit according to 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of US provisional application 62/573017 entitled PRE-OS ADVERTISING METHOD AND SYSTEM and having the same inventor as the present application which was filed on October 16, 2017; said provisional application is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of digital content distribution methods and hardware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advent of handheld network connected mobile communication handsets such as smartphones and tablets, it is possible to push content to the handsets across the network. The pushed content is often advertising and/or entertaining and/or informative.

Operating systems for handheld network connected mobile communication handsets include, but are not limited to ANDROID (including variations such as COLOROS, EMUI, FLYME, HTC SENSE, MIUI (including POCO), LINEAGE OS, OXYGEN OS PIXEL UI and INDUS OS), IOS, BLACKBERRY, LG UX (including OPT US), SAMSUNG EXPERIENCE, XPERIA UI (a.k.a TIMESCAPE UI), ZEN UI, FUCHSHIA UI, TIZEN, UBUNTU, LUNE OS, PLASMAMOBILE, POSTMARKET OS and MAEMO LESTE, WINDOWS, KAIOS and SAILFISH OS.

Many operating systems feature a "lock screen" which requires user authentication prior to proceeding to the "desktop" of the OS itself. Various user authentication methods are employed including, but not limited to entry of a password or pin code, entry of a shape, fingerprint identification, voice recognition and facial recognition. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to distributing network connectable mobile communication handsets for free and pushing content to the handsets. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the pushed content appears in a pre- OS application (i.e. presented before or instead of the appearance of a lock screen). In some embodiments the content includes advertising content. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the content is a link which is automatically executed so that the handset presents content from a content search engine (e.g. YOU TUBE). According to these embodiments, the pushed content increase the number of "hits" in the relevant search engine.

A second aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to a network connectable mobile communication handset designed and configured to display advertising content in a pre-OS application. In some embodiments the pre-OS application includes an icon allowing the user to skip the advertising content, or a portion thereof. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the pre-OS application includes an option to pay for an upgrade to an advertising free version of pre-OS application.

A third aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to an advertising server designed and configured to push advertising content directly to a pre-OS application installed on a plurality of mobile communication handsets. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the server receives search data pertaining to searches performed from individual handsets and builds user profiles for specific handsets based on the search data. According to these embodiments, the sever selects advertising content to push to specific handsets based on the user profile for that handset. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the server sends an instant message or e-mail to an account associated with a handset that clicked on an icon in the advertising content. According these embodiments the instant message or e-mail includes related product information and/or supplementary product information. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the server pushes advertising content that elicited a click from a specific handset one or more additional times to the same handset. It will be appreciated that the various aspects described above relate to solution of technical problems associated with distributing content to relevant recipients.

Alternatively or additionally, it will be appreciated that the various aspects described above relate to solution of technical problems related to creating exposure for new content within a search engine (e.g. YOU TUBE).

According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the aspects described above, and/or their features are combined.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention there is provided an advertising method including: (a) distributing a plurality of network connectable mobile communication handsets to users at no cost to the user; and (b) pushing advertising content to the handsets. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the method includes installing a pre-OS application on the handsets prior to the distribution. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the advertising content is pushed directly to the pre-OS application.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention there is provided a mobile communication handset including: (a) a pre-OS application periodically receiving advertising content from a remote advertising server, the pre OS application configured to launch automatically prior to appearance of a lock screen upon device activation; and (b) a presentation application in communication with the pre-OS application, the presentation application displaying at least a portion of the content. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the presentation application includes an icon which allows a user to skip the advertising content. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the icon which allows a user to skip the advertising content becomes active only after a portion of the advertising content has been presented. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the handset includes a search interface in the presentation application. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the handset includes a profile data collector designed and configured to transmit search strings entered via the search interface to a remote server, wherein the search strings are linked to a unique identifier (UID) for the mobile communication handset.

In some exemplary embodiments of the invention there is provided an advertising server including: (a) an activation notification receiver configured to receive activation notices from a pre-OS application installed on plurality of mobile communication handsets; and (b) a content transmitter configured to push advertising content directly to a pre-OS application installed a specific handset within the plurality in response to an activation notice from the specific handset. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the server includes a profile builder configured to receive search data from searches executed from within the pre-OS application and construct handset specific profiles based on the data. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the server includes a content selector configured to receive the handset specific profiles, compare the profiles to a database of content available to the content transmitter and transmit a handset specific content selection to the content transmitter. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the server includes a message generator configured to send messages to an account associated with a specific handset in response to selection of an icon in advertising content presented on the specific handset. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the server includes a user interest monitor receiving icon selection notifications from a specific handset within the plurality and a repeat instructor issuing instructions to the content transmitter to transmit content related to a same product in which the icon appeared to the specific handset.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although suitable methods and materials are described below, methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. All materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the terms "comprising" and "including" or grammatical variants thereof are to be taken as specifying inclusion of the stated features, integers, actions or components without precluding the addition of one or more additional features, integers, actions, components or groups thereof. This term is broader than, and includes the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of as defined by the Manual of Patent Examination Procedure of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Thus, any recitation that an embodiment "includes" or "comprises" a feature is a specific statement that sub embodiments "consist essentially of and/or "consist of the recited feature.

The phrase "consisting essentially of or grammatical variants thereof when used herein are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof but only if the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, device or method.

The phrase "adapted to" as used in this specification and the accompanying claims imposes additional structural limitations on a previously recited component.

The term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of architecture and/or computer science.

Implementation of the method and system according to embodiments of the invention involves performing or completing selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of exemplary embodiments of methods, apparatus and systems of the invention, several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term "network connectable" indicates a hardware/software configuration that supports Wi-Fi connection and/or cellular data service (e.g. G3 and/or G4).

For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term "mobile communication handsets" includes smartphones and/or phablets and/or tablets. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the handsets are cellular communication devices and/or Wi-Fi Only devices.

For purposes of this specification and the accompanying claims, the term "Pre OS application" indicates an application which appears before or instead of a lock screen when the handset is activated. Typically mobile communication handsets are equipped with an OS application already installed in a "chip". According to According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the pre OS application is installed either on the same chip as the OS software or a different chip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, identical and similar structures, elements or parts thereof that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same or similar references in the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen primarily for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily to scale. The attached figures are:

Fig. 1 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating events associated with various embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic representation of a system according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4A depicts a handheld mobile communications device with the display "off;

Fig. 4B is a simulated screenshot of exemplary advertising content in a pre-OS application according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4C is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4D is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4E is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4F is a simulated screenshot of a note taking application according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5A is a simulated screenshot of exemplary advertising content in a pre-OS application according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5B is a simulated screenshot of search results according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5C is a simulated screenshot of an OS lock screen according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 5D is a simulated screenshot of an online shopping cart according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention; Fig. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a simplified schematic representation of a mobile communications handset according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention; and

Fig.8 is a simplified schematic representation of a computerized server according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention relate to advertising methods, mobile communications handsets specially configured for use in those methods and advertising servers specially configured for use in those methods.

Specifically, some embodiments of the invention can be used to present advertising content in a pre-OS application which appears before a lock screen and/or instead of a lock screen.

The principles and operation of methods, mobile communications handsets and advertising servers according to various exemplary embodiments of the invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Overview

Fig. 1 is a simplified flow diagram, indicated generally as 100, illustrating events associated with various embodiments of the invention. At 102 the mobile communication handset is initiated. Initiations occurs when the screen is activated, either by turning the device on or "waking" it from a dormant state as depicted in Fig. 4A.

Initiation 102 causes display 104 of a pre-OS application for presentation of advertising content.

Fig.3 is a simulated screenshot of advertising content, indicated generally as 300, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Content 300 includes GUI elements (icons) 302 and 304. In the depicted embodiment, icon 302 is an "add to cart" button which causes presentation of a virtual shopping cart on a shopping website. In the depicted embodiment, icon 304 is a customizable icon with a user selectable function. For example, in some embodiments icons 304 launch social media and/or instant messaging applications.

Fig. 4B is a simulated screenshot of exemplary advertising content in a pre-OS application at 104 according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. The depicted embodiment includes a fully functional search bar 402 (also depicted in Fig. 5 A) and an icon 404 for a note taking application. Fig. 4F is a simulated screenshot of a note taking application resulting from selection of icon 404 in Fig. 4B. The simulated screenshot also includes share icon 406 and a plus icon 408. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, selection of plus icon 408 causes display of similar or related products. Fig. 4D shows a simulated display of additional products resulting from selection of plus icon 408. Fig. 4C is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according in a full screen mode which is toggled on and off by selection of icon 410. Fig. 4E is a simulated screenshot of promotions presented in response to selection of icon 412 in Fig. 4B.

Returning to Fig. 1, selection 106 of a GUI element or icon causes presentation 112 to the user of content based on the selection.

If no selection is made at 106, at 108 there is an opportunity for search query input. If a search is performed from search bar 402, the search is executed 114 (e.g. via the OS of the device).

If no GUI is selected atl06 and no search is performed at 108 the user proceeds 110 to the operating system 116.

Fig. 5A is a simulated screenshot of exemplary advertising content in a pre-OS application according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention including a search bar. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a search query is received at 108 and a search is executed at 114 (Fig. 1). In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the search is partially or fully executed by the pre-OS application (104; Fig.

1)·

Fig. 5B is a simulated screenshot of search results from search bar 402 of the pre-

OS application. In the depicted embodiment, upon selection of a search result the user is presented with the OS lock screen 502 as seen in Fig. 5C. In the depicted embodiment, entry of an access code in the lock screen causes presentation of the selected search result in a sales site Fig. 5D

Fig. 5D is a simulated screenshot of advertising content according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic representation of a system, indicated generally as

200 according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Depicted exemplary system includes an advertising server 204 including a database of advertising content and a plurality of mobile communications handsets in communication with the server. For simplicity, a single handset is depicted as user device 202. User device 202 contains a storage unit 212 in which OS system files 214 and a pre-OS advertising application 210 are stored. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, server 204 pushes advertising content 208 directly to pre-OS application 210. In the depicted embodiment, user device 202 transmits user data pertaining to a user of device 202 to server 204. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, advertising content 208 is selected based upon user data 206. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention user data 206 and/or content 208 are transmitted across a cellular network and/or across the internet.

Exemplary advertising method

Fig. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a n advertising method, indicated generally as 600, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Depicted exemplary method 600 includes distributing 610 a plurality of network connectable mobile communication handsets to users and pushing 620 advertising content to the handsets. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, distribution is at no cost to the user. According to some of these no-cost embodiments, the user receives the handset for free but pays for communications services. Alternatively or additionally, according to some of these no-cost embodiments, the user receives communications services for free or at a discount. In the depicted embodiment, method 600 includes installing 608 a pre-OS application on the handsets prior to distribution 610 to users. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention installation 610 is performed by a manufacturer of the handsets, by a provider of communications services performing distribution 610, by an operator of an advertising server performing pushing 620 or by another party. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the advertising content is pushed directly to the pre-OS application. According to these embodiments, pushing the content directly to the pre-OS application means the user of the handset is exposed to the content before they have access to the desktop of their handset.

Exemplary Mobile Communication Handset

Fig. 7 is a simplified schematic representation of a mobile communications handset 700 according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Depicted server 702 is not part of handset 700.

Depicted exemplary mobile communication handset 700 includes a pre-OS application 710 periodically receiving advertising content 708 from a remote advertising server 702. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, pre OS application 710 is configured to launch automatically prior to appearance of a lock screen and/or desktop on screen 704 upon device activation. In the depicted embodiment, handset 700 includes a presentation application 712 in communication with pre-OS application, 710. Presentation application 712 displays at least a portion of content 708 on screen704. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, pre OS application 710 is loaded with multiple content items 708. Loading of multiple content items 708 contributes to an ability to load content 708 in presentation application 712 when communication with server 702 is not possible (e.g. when handset 700 is in airplane mode). In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, content items 708 are provided as links to external resources (e.g. http URLs or FTP addresses) and presentation application 712 includes browser capabilities. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments content items 708 are provided as audio and/or video files (e.g. MP3, MP4, WAV audio, or GIF) and presentation application 712 includes player capabilities.

In the depicted embodiment, presentation application 712 includes an icon 722 which allows a user to skip advertising content 708. In some embodiments icon 722 is a "slide to open" icon. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, icon 722 becomes active only after a portion of advertising content 708 has been presented in presentation application 712. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention there is a 0 second, 1 second , 3 second, 5 second, 10 second or 15 second or intermediate or greater number of seconds delay before icon 722 becomes active. In some embodiments increasing the amount of delay before icon 722 becomes active contributes to an increase in advertising penetration and/or conversions. In the depicted embodiment, handset 700 includes an icon 724 which offers a user an option to pay a fee to remove pre-OS application 710 for a fee.

In some embodiments presentation application 712 includes a search interface (see Fig. 4B; 402 and description hereinabove). According to these embodiments presentation application 712 a profile data collector 726 designed and configured to transmit search strings 728 entered via said search interface to remote server 702, wherein said search strings 728 are linked to a unique identifier (UID) 730 for said mobile communication handset. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the UID includes a telephone number and/or a serial number associated with the handset or a component thereof.

Exemplary Advertising Server

Fig. 8 is a simplified schematic representation of a computerized advertising server 800 according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. Handset 710 and account 860 are not part of server 800. In actual practice a large number of handsets 710 and/or accounts 860 are associated with server 800. A single handset 710 and a single account 860 are depicted for clarity.

Depicted exemplary advertising server 800 includes an activation notification receiver 810 configured to receive activation notices 808 from a pre-OS application installed on plurality of mobile communication handsets 710. In some embodiments activation notices 808 are sent from handset 710 via a network (e.g. cellular and/or Internet) if screen is activated when a network connection is Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments advertising content is be stored locally on handsets 710 to use if activation occurs when handset 710 is not network connected.

Depicted exemplary advertising server 800 also includes a content transmitter 820 configured to push advertising content 822 directly to a pre-OS application installed in a specific handset 710 within the plurality of handsets 710 in response to activation notice 808 from the specific handset 710. In the depicted embodiment, activation notice 808 is provided to content transmitter 820 by notification receiver 810 as indicated by downward facing grey arrow.

In some embodiments server 800 includes a profile builder 830 configured to receive search data 832 from searches executed from within the pre-OS application and construct handset specific profiles 834 based on data 832. In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, recent data 832 is more heavily weighted when constructing profile 834. In some embodiments weighting of recent data 832 contributes to an increase in relevancy of profile 834.

In some embodiments server 800 includes a content selector 840 configured to receive handset specific profiles 834, compare profiles 834 to a database 836 of content available to content transmitter 820 and transmit a handset specific content selection 842 to content transmitter 820. Although DB 836 is depicted as part of server 800, in some embodiments DB 836 resides outside server 800. And communication with DB 836 is across a network.

In some embodiments server 800 includes a message generator 850 configured to send messages 852 to an account 860 associated with a specific handset 710 in response to selection 848 of an icon in advertising content presented on specific handset 710. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention messages are SMS and/or IM and/or e-mail. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the messages include related product information and/or supplementary product information.

In some embodiments server 800 includes a user interest monitor 870 receiving icon selection notifications 848 from a specific handset 710 within the plurality and a repeat instructor 880 issuing instructions 882 to content transmitter 820 to transmit content 822 related to a same product in which the icon appeared to specific handset. 710. According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention the repeated content 822 includes a same advertisement and/or an additional advertisement for the same product.

It is expected that during the life of this patent many new communication protocols will be developed and the scope of the invention is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Specifically, a variety of numerical indicators have been utilized. It should be understood that these numerical indicators could vary even further based upon a variety of engineering principles, materials, intended use and designs incorporated into the various embodiments of the invention. Additionally, components and/or actions ascribed to exemplary embodiments of the invention and depicted as a single unit may be divided into subunits. Conversely, components and/or actions ascribed to exemplary embodiments of the invention and depicted as sub-units/individual actions may be combined into a single unit/action with the described/depicted function.

Alternatively, or additionally, features used to describe a method can be used to characterize an apparatus and features used to describe an apparatus can be used to characterize a method.

It should be further understood that the individual features described hereinabove can be combined in all possible combinations and sub-combinations to produce additional embodiments of the invention. The examples given above are exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the following claims.

Each recitation of an embodiment of the invention that includes a specific feature, part, component, module or process is an explicit statement that additional embodiments of the invention not including the recited feature, part, component, module or process exist.

Alternatively or additionally, various exemplary embodiments of the invention exclude any specific feature, part, component, module, process or element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Specifically, the invention has been described in the context of advertising content but might also be used for other content types.

All publications, references, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

The terms "include", and "have" and their conjugates as used herein mean

"including but not necessarily limited to".

Claims

TXR/001 - 14 -CLAIMS:

1. An advertising method comprising:

(a) distributing a plurality of network connectable mobile communication handsets to users at no cost to the user; and

(b) pushing advertising content to said handsets.

2. A method according to claim 1 , comprising installing a pre-OS application on said handsets prior to said distribution.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said advertising content is pushed directly to said pre-OS application.

4. A mobile communication handset comprising:

(a) a pre-OS application periodically receiving advertising content from a remote advertising server, said pre OS application configured to launch automatically prior to appearance of a lock screen upon device activation; and

(b) a presentation application in communication with said pre-OS application, said presentation application displaying at least a portion of said content.

5. A mobile communication handset according to claim 4, said presentation application comprising an icon which allows a user to skip said advertising content.

6. A mobile communication handset according to claim 5 wherein said icon which allows a user to skip the advertising content becomes active only after a portion of the advertising content has been presented.

7. A mobile communication handset according to claim 4, comprising a search interface in said presentation application.

8. A mobile communication handset according to claim 7, comprising a profile data collector designed and configured to transmit search strings entered via said search interface to a remote server, wherein said search strings are linked to a unique identifier (UID) for said mobile communication handset. TXR/001

- 15 -

9. An advertising server comprising:

(a) an activation notification receiver configured to receive activation notices from a pre-OS application installed on plurality of mobile communication handsets; and

(b) a content transmitter configured to push advertising content directly to a pre-OS application installed a specific handset within said plurality in response to an activation notice from said specific handset.

10. An advertising server according to claim 9, comprising:

a profile builder configured to receive search data from searches executed from within said pre-OS application and construct handset specific profiles based on said data.

11. An advertising server according to claim 10,

comprising a content selector configured to receive said handset specific profiles, compare said profiles to a database of content available to said content transmitter and transmit a handset specific content selection to said content transmitter.

12. An advertising server according to claim 9, comprising:

a message generator configured to send messages to an account associated with a specific handset in response to selection of an icon in advertising content presented on said specific handset.

13. An advertising server according to claim 9, comprising a user interest monitor receiving icon selection notifications from a specific handset within said plurality and a repeat instructor issuing instructions to said content transmitter to transmit content related to a same product in which said icon appeared to said specific handset.