U.S. patent application number 10/184670 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-03 for methods and systems for providing marketing information.
Invention is credited to Malik, Dale W..
Application Number | 20030065778 10/184670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25511766 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030065778 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malik, Dale W. |
April 3, 2003 |
Methods and Systems For Providing Marketing Information
Abstract
Methods for providing contextual information about communication
devices and/or services. Profile information indicating a user's
communication devices and/or services is stored. When profile
information or a message log is displayed, the user may identify a
communication device and/or service. A query inquires whether the
user would like contextual information. The contextual information
may be obtained from a gateway in a data network or a
telecommunications manager in a telecommunication network. The
contextual information is displayed. Profile information about a
user's communicating partner may be stored. When the user makes an
effort to communicate with the partner, a check may be made of the
partner's profile information for a preferred communication device
and/or service. If the user does not have a communication device
and/or service corresponding to that of the communicating partner,
a query may inquire whether the user would like contextual
information. If so, the contextual information is presented.
Inventors: |
Malik, Dale W.; (Dunwoody,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. PRATT
KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP (BELLSOUTH)
1100 PEACHTREE STREET
SUITE 2800
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Family ID: |
25511766 |
Appl. No.: |
10/184670 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10184670 |
Jun 28, 2002 |
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09966703 |
Sep 28, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 69/329 20130101;
H04M 3/436 20130101; G06F 16/958 20190101; H04L 51/56 20220501;
H04Q 2213/13377 20130101; H04L 41/22 20130101; H04M 7/0036
20130101; H04L 67/60 20220501; H04M 3/5307 20130101; H04M 3/537
20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 21/62 20130101; H04M 7/0054
20130101; H04M 3/42059 20130101; H04Q 2213/13338 20130101; G06Q
30/0267 20130101; H04M 7/1235 20130101; H04M 2242/22 20130101; G06Q
10/107 20130101; G06Q 10/109 20130101; G06Q 30/0269 20130101; H04M
3/4211 20130101; H04M 7/0045 20130101; H04L 61/4552 20220501; H04L
65/403 20130101; H04M 2203/2066 20130101; H04Q 2213/13175 20130101;
H04M 3/2218 20130101; H04L 67/561 20220501; G06Q 30/0257 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L 51/04 20130101; H04L 51/224 20220501;
H04M 7/128 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/225 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/173 |
Claims
We claim:
1. With respect to a communications manager that stores profile
information about a user, a method to provide the user with
information when interest of the user is heightened in the
information, the method comprising: causing the profile information
to indicate communication devices of the user; displaying the
profile information about the user on a computer screen; noting
heightened interest of the user in an entry in the profile
information; determining the entry identifies a communication
device; displaying a query on the computer screen with the query
inquiring whether the user would like contextual information about
the communication device; receiving a positive response to the
query; and presenting the contextual information to the user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the profile information indicates
communication services of the user; wherein the entry identifies a
communication service of the user; and wherein the query inquiries
whether the user would like contextual information about the
communication service.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
gateway in a data network.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
telecommunications manager in a communications network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification of the
communication device comprises a type of the communication device;
and wherein determining the entry identifies the communication
device comprises determining the entry identifies the type of the
communication device; and wherein displaying the query comprises
displaying the query inquiring whether the user would like
contextual information about the type of the communication
device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification of the
communication device comprises a brand of the communication device;
and wherein determining the entry identifies the communication
device comprises determining the entry identifies the brand of the
communication device; and wherein displaying the query comprises
displaying the query inquiring whether the user would like the
contextual information about the brand of the communication
device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification of the
communication device comprises a feature of the communication
device; and wherein determining the entry identifies the
communication device comprises determining the entry identifies the
feature of the communication device; and wherein determining the
entry displaying the query comprises displaying the query inquiring
whether the user would like the contextual information about the
feature of the communication device.
8. With respect to a communications manager that provides a message
log of communications of a user, the message log including entries,
respectively, for the communications of the user, and with each
entry including types of data relating to a communication, a method
to provide the user with contextual information, the method
comprising: displaying the message log of the user on a computer
screen; noting activation of a type of data in an entry relating to
a communication; displaying a query on the computer screen with the
query inquiring whether the user would like contextual information
based on the activated type of data in the entry; receiving a
positive response to the query; and presenting the contextual
information to the user.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
gateway in a data network.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
telecommunications manager in a communications network.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the activated type of data in
the entry comprises an identification of a communicator; and
wherein displaying the query comprises displaying the query
inquiring whether the user would like the contextual information
based on the identification of the communicator.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the activated type of data in
the entry comprises an identification of a communication device or
a communication service; and wherein displaying the query comprises
displaying the query inquiring whether the user would like the
contextual information based on the identification of the
communication device or the communication service.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the activated type of data in
the entry comprises an identification of a subject; and wherein
displaying the query comprises displaying the query inquiring
whether the user would like the contextual information based on the
identification of the subject.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the activated type of data in
the entry comprises an identification of a date; and wherein
displaying the query comprises displaying the query inquiring
whether the user would like the contextual information based on the
identification of the date.
15. With respect to a communications manager that stores profile
information about a user and about communicating partners of the
user, a method to provide the user with contextual information, the
method comprising: causing the profile information of the user to
identify communication devices of the user; causing the profile
information of a communicating partner to indicate a preferred
communication device of the communicating partner; noting an effort
by the user to communicate with the communicating partner with the
effort including an identification of the communicating partner;
using the identification of the communicating partner to check the
profile information of the communicating partner for the preferred
communication device of the communicating partner; comparing the
preferred communication device of the communicating partner with
the communicating devices of the user; based on the comparison,
determining the user has a communication device corresponding to
the preferred communication device of the communicating partner;
inquiring whether the user would like contextual information on the
preferred communication device of the communicating partner;
receiving a positive response to the query; and presenting the
contextual information to the user.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the profile information of the
user identifies communication services of the user; wherein the
profile information of the communicating partner indicates a
preferred communication service of the communicating partner;
wherein the identification of the communicating partner is used to
check the profile information of the communicating partner for the
preferred communication service of the communicating partner;
wherein the preferred communication service of the communicating
partner is compared with the communication services of the user;
wherein the comparison determines the user does not have a
communication service corresponding to the preferred communication
service of the communicating partner; and wherein the inquiry
inquires whether the user would like the contextual information on
the preferred communication service of the communicating
partner.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
gateway in a data network.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein presenting the contextual
information comprises obtaining the contextual information from a
telecommunications manager in a communications network.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the profile information of the
user indicates, respectively, configurations of the communication
devices of the user; wherein the profile information of the
communicating partner indicates a configuration of the preferred
communication of the communicating partner; wherein comparing the
preferred communication device of the communicating partner with
the communication devices of the user comprises comparing the
configuration of the preferred communication device of the
communicating partner with the configurations of the communication
devices of the user; wherein, based on the comparison, determining
the user does not have the communication device corresponding to
the preferred communication device of the communicating partner
comprises determining the user does not have the communication
device corresponding to the configuration of the preferred
communication device of the communicating partner; and wherein
inquiring whether the user would like the contextual information on
the preferred communication device of the communicating partner
comprises inquiring whether the user would like the contextual
information on the configuration of the preferred communication
device of the communicating partner.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein noting the effort by the user
to communicate with the communicating partner comprises noting a
heightened interest in the user.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority to and the benefit of the prior filed co-pending and
commonly owned patent application, which has been assigned U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/966,703, entitled "Methods and
Systems for a Communications and Information Resource Manager,"
filed on Sep. 28, 2001, and which is incorporated herein by this
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] The inventions relate to methods and systems of providing
contextual information relating to communication devices and/or
communication services to a user.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Consumers are inundated with marketing and the advertising
of new products and services. A lot of this advertising is wasted
because consumers do not always pay attention to the advertising.
The trick then, as marketing executives have known for a long time,
is to get the consumers to pay attention.
[0004] When would a consumer pay attention to advertising? A
consumer may pay attention to advertising if the products or
services being advertised have some relevance to the consumer. For
example, a consumer may pay attention to advertising presented at a
time when the consumer's interest is heightened with respect to the
products or services being advertised. A consumer's interest
generally is heightened when he or she is using or thinking about a
product or service. Thus, advertising presented when the consumer
is using or thinking about a product or service may be more
successful in grabbing the consumer's attention than when the same
advertising is presented at other times. Advertising presented when
the consumer is using or thinking about a product or service is
referred to as "contextual advertising".
[0005] With respect to communication devices and services, it has
been difficult to present contextual advertising to a consumer. As
noted, contextual advertising is advertising that is relevant to
the consumer when presented. Contextual advertising of
communication devices or services could be presented when a
consumer is using a communication device and/or service. But when a
consumer is using a communication device and/or service, generally
most of the consumer's attention is given to the communication in
progress. The consumer talking on a telephone or wireless unit
typically is fully engaged in a conversation, and advertising
presented during the conversation, even though it is contextual
advertising, goes largely unnoticed.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a method or system to
deliver contextual advertising of communication devices and/or
services in such a manner as to gain the attention of
consumers.
SUMMARY
[0007] Stated generally, the inventions provide a user with
contextual information such as contextual advertising of
communication devices and/or services. Advantageously, the
contextual information is presented to a user at a time when the
user's interest in the communication devices and/or services is
heightened. As a result, the user may pay more attention to the
information than otherwise, and it is more likely the user may act
on the information.
[0008] The inventions take advantage of a user's heightened
interest in communication devices and services demonstrated at
various times in the use of features of a communications manager.
For example, a user's interest is interpreted as a heightened
interest when the user accesses his or her profile information or
message log in the communications manager. As another example, the
user's interest is interpreted as heightened when the user makes an
effort or otherwise initiates a communication with a communicating
partner. During the user's heightened interest, the user is
provided with the option of being presented with contextual
information. The user is presented with the option so as not to
cause the contextual information to be considered as annoying or
bothersome. If the user responds positively, then the contextual
information presented.
[0009] More particularly, the inventions may be implemented through
the use of a communications ("com") manager operating in a personal
computer (PC) of a user. The com manager may store profile
information relating to the user. The profile information may
indicate the communication devices and/or communication services of
the user. In particular, the profile information may indicate the
type, brand, features, functionalities, specifications,
configurations, etc. of the communication device or service.
[0010] The user may cause the com manager to display the profile
information on the screen of the computer. If the user activates an
entry in the profile information, such activation is noted, and a
determination is made as to whether the activated entry identifies
a communication device and/or communication service. The
identification may include the type, brand, features, functions,
specifications, configurations, etc. of the communication device
and/or communication service. At this point, the user's interest in
identified communication devices and/or communication services is
heightened because the user has activated an entry including the
identified communication devices and/or communication services in
his or her profile information. With the user's interest
heightened, it is a good time to present contextual advertising to
the user.
[0011] The user, however, may find it annoying or bothersome to be
presented with contextual advertising when the user activates an
entry in his or her profile information. If the user finds the
contextual information to be annoying or bothersome, then the
presentation of the contextual information may have an undesirable
negative impact on the user.
[0012] Advantageously, the inventions include a mechanism with
respect to the presentation of the contextual information so that
any annoyance or bother is minimized. As a convenience to the user,
a query appears on the computer screen inquiring whether the user
would like contextual information about the communication device
and/or communication service. Thus, a user may avoid the
presentation of the contextual information or select such
presentation.
[0013] The query presented to the user may inquire whether the user
would like to see contextual information about the type, brand,
features, functions, specifications, etc. of the communication
device and/or communication service. If the user responds
positively, then the contextual information may be presented to the
user. The user's positive response to the query also may be
interpreted as a demonstration of a particularly heightened
interest in the contextual information. Thus, the presentation of
the contextual information may be particularly effective.
[0014] As explained above, the com manager may store profile
information about the user, and the user may be presented with
contextual information through the use of his or her profile
information. But the user may be presented with contextual
information in other ways. For example, the user may be presented
with contextual information through the use of a message log
provided by the com manager. The com manager may provide the
message log including, respectively, entries for communications of
the user. Each entry may include types of data relating to a
communication. The user can display the message log on a computer
screen. The user may activate a type of data in an entry of the
message log relating to a communication. At this point, the user's
interest in the data in the entry in the message log is heightened
because the user has activated the data in the entry in his or her
message log. With the user's interest heightened, it is a good time
to present contextual advertising to the user.
[0015] With respect to the message log, the type of data in an
entry that may be activated may include an identification of a
communicator, a communication device, a communication service, a
subject, and/or a date. The activation is noted and a query is
displayed. Advantageously, as with the profile information, the
user is provided with an opportunity to accept or decline the
presentation of the contextual information through the mechanism of
the query. The query inquires whether the user would like to be
presented with contextual information based on the activated type
of data in the entry. If the user responds positively to the query,
then the contextual information is presented to the user.
[0016] Another instance of a user's heightened interest in
communication devices and/or services is the user's effort at
communication with a communicating partner. To take advantage of
this instance of heightened interest, the inventions provide
mechanisms for presenting contextual information to the user.
[0017] The com manager may store profile information relating to a
communicating partner of the user. The profile information may
indicate a preferred communication device and/or communication
service of the communicating partner. The com manager notes an
effort by the user to communicate with the communicating partner.
The identification of the communicating partner is used to check
the profile information of the communicating partner for the
preferred communication device and/or communication service of the
communicating partner. The preferred communication device and/or
service of the communicating partner is compared with the
communication devices and/or services of the user.
[0018] Based on the comparison, a determination may be made that
the user has or does not have a communication device and/or a
communication service corresponding to the preferred communication
device of the communicating partner. If the user does not have such
a communication device and/or communication service, the inventions
take advantage of the situation to ask whether the user would like
to see contextual information. If the response is positive, then
the contextual information is presented.
[0019] As with the profile information and the message log, the
user is not automatically presented with contextual information
when a comparison yields a difference between the user's
devices/services and the communicating partner's preferred
device/service. Instead, so as not to annoy the user with unwanted
contextual information, the user is presented with a query. The
user is asked whether the user would like contextual information on
the preferred communication device and/or service of the
communicating partner. If a positive response is received, then the
contextual information is presented to the user.
[0020] Generally, with respect to contextual information, the com
manager may be in direct or functional control of the contextual
information to be presented to the user. Alternatively, the com
manager may take action to obtain the contextual information. For
example, the com manager may obtain the contextual information from
a gateway in a data network or from a telecommunications manager in
a communications network. As yet another alternative, the com
manager may be provided with particular contextual information to
present to the user as the opportunity arises. For example, a
service provider of wireless service may provide an updated service
program advertisement to the com manager. Of course, the service
provider may post the contextual information with a telecom manager
in the PSTN or a server in a data network for retrieval by the com
manager.
[0021] In sum, the inventions allow for the delivery of contextual
information such as advertising of communication devices and/or
services in such a manner as to gain the attention of a user. The
inventions take advantage of instances of a user's heightened
interest in the subject matter. For example, the contextual
information may be delivered in connection with a user's activation
of an entry in profile information or message log relating to the
user's communications. Further, the contextual information may be
presented in connection with a communication initiated by the user
to a communicating partner. Moreover, the contextual information is
presented at the direction of the user in response to a query to
avoid being annoying or burdensome to the user. Thus, the
contextual information is presented to a user at a time when the
user's interest in the communication devices and/or services is
heightened, and the user is more likely to act on the presented
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for operation of
the inventions.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary message log as may be used
with the inventions.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of profile information as may
be used with the inventions.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary actions of the
inventions.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of profile information
including contextual information as may be used with the
inventions.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary message log including
contextual information as may be used with the inventions.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary actions of the
inventions.
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the presentation of
contextual information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The inventions provide contextual information regarding
communication devices and/or services. For example, a user may
review his or her communication devices and/or services by
reviewing his or her profile information stored by a communications
("com") manager. The user may activate an entry in the profile
information such as an entry relating to wireless units. As a
result, a query appears inquiring whether the user would like
information about wireless units. If the response is positive, then
information about wireless units is presented.
[0031] Advantageously, the information regarding wireless units is
provided at a time when the user's interest in wireless units is
heightened as a result of the user's check of the profile
information. Thus, the likelihood of the user's paying attention
to, and acting on, the information presented about wireless units
is heightened.
[0032] In addition to the inventions described herein, additional
inventions relating to the presentation of contextual information
are described in the commonly owned and assigned patent application
entitled Methods and Systems for Providing Contextual Information
on Communication Devices and Services, filed concurrently with this
application in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and
which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] As noted, the inventions may be implemented through the use
of a communications ("com") manager. In a related patent
application, a communications and information resource (CIR)
manager is described. See U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/966,703, entitled "Methods and Systems for a Communications and
Information Resource Manager," filed Sep. 28, 2001, which is
incorporated herein by this reference. The CIR manager may be used
to implement the inventions described in this application. Prior to
describing the inventions, some background about the CIR manager is
provided.
[0034] The CIR Manager
[0035] A CIR manager may function as a "super" manager with respect
to the communications devices, services, and systems of a user. In
particular, the CIR manager may be used to centralize
communications activities and information such that the user does
not have to (but may) use multiple communications devices. For
example, the CIR manager may be used to keep a log of all types of
communications related to the user--whatever the device, whatever
the service, whatever the network.
[0036] An advantage of the CIR manager is the user does not have to
check or use each type of device for its own type of messages.
Another advantage is the CIR manager may obtain information from
resources including third party resources so as to facilitate
communications and information gathering activities of the user.
With the CIR manager, the user is provided with a centralized,
efficient, and user-friendly way to handle communications
activities including ways to receive, view, listen to, play,
respond to, store, log, monitor, delete, copy, forward, obtain,
create, and to take other actions. Moreover, the CIR manager
provides the user with personalized management of communications
and information resources.
[0037] In addition, in managing the communications and information
resources of the user, the CIR manager may provide the user with
one or more of the following features and advantages:
[0038] Recognition of the user and of others as authorized by the
user;
[0039] Remembrance and implementation of authorized users'
preferences;
[0040] Aid in finding information and resources;
[0041] Information related to an authorized users' activities and
communications including call management and detail;
[0042] Service set-ups, configurations, changes, deletions,
additions, updates, and synchronizations;
[0043] Maintenance of user account and preference information,
logs, activity logs, schedules, calendars, general directories,
personal directories, and the like;
[0044] Unified messaging including notice to the user relating to
communications and/or other actions; and
[0045] Suggestions, help, updates, reminders, warnings, alerts, and
other comments. The CIR manager may integrate the features
described above pursuant to a user's preferences so as to provide
efficient, organized, and user-friendly communications and
information resource management.
[0046] Even though the inventions are described herein by reference
to a CIR manager installed in a personal computer (PC), the
inventions may be practiced with other computer system
configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor
systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics,
mini-computers, mainframe computers, etc.
[0047] Exemplary Operating Environment of a CIR Manager--FIG. 1
[0048] Exemplary functions of a CIR manager 10 are described above.
To provide these functions and others, the CIR manager 10 may
interact with a variety of systems, networks, and elements that may
be directly connected to the CIR manager 10, may be hosted by the
same host(s) as the CIR manager 10, may be functionally connected
to the CIR manager 10, and/or may be accessible to the CIR manager
10 either directly and/or through other systems, networks, and/or
elements.
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary operating environment of a
CIR manager 10 implemented on a personal computer (PC) 24. For
details of an exemplary PC 24 as may be used with the CIR manager
10, see the previously referenced related application U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/966,703, entitled "Methods and Systems for
a Communications and Information Resource Manager," filed Sep. 28,
2001.
[0050] The operating environment of FIG. 1 illustrates the CIR
manager 10 may communicate through the PC 24 with another
computer(s) 25 connected or otherwise networked with the PC 24. The
CIR manager 10 also may communicate through the Internet 26 with
one or more of the following or other devices:
[0051] Other computer(s) 27;
[0052] A gateway 28 serving the CIR manager 10;
[0053] An information resource 30 such as a database;
[0054] A messaging system 32;
[0055] A voicemail system 34;
[0056] An administrative center 36; and
[0057] The public switched telephone network (PSTN) 38.
[0058] In addition, the CIR manager 10 may communicate through the
PSTN 38 with one or more of the following or other devices:
[0059] A telecommunications manager 40;
[0060] A telephone (wireline unit) 42;
[0061] A wireless unit 44;
[0062] A pager 46; and
[0063] A fax device (not illustrated).
[0064] The CIR manager 10 may have access to other computers 25
through local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs),
direct connections, and other networks.
[0065] The CIR manager 10 also may have access through the PC 24 to
a global communications network such as the Internet 26, and
through the Internet 26 to other units, networks, and systems.
Particularly, the CIR manager 10 may communicate with a gateway 28
connected to or operating on the Internet. The gateway 28 may be a
service platform, server, or other device. The gateway 28 may be
provided by the service provider of the CIR manager 10, and may
serve the CIR manager 10. Communications activities to and from the
CIR manager 10 on the PC 24 may be directed to the gateway 28
and/or may pass through the gateway 28 to other systems, networks,
and/or elements. In passing through the gateway 28, the
communications activities may be facilitated by the gateway 28.
[0066] For example, assume a user is a new subscriber to the CIR
manager 10. In setting up the user for services available through
the CIR manager 10, the CIR manager 10 may send a communication to
the gateway 28 for routing to the appropriate element to handle
such set-up activities. In an exemplary embodiment, Administrative
Center 36 may handle administrative matters including set-up
activities for the service provider. The gateway 28 delivers or
otherwise routes the communication to the Administrative Center 36
for the set-up activity. The Administrative Center 36 may respond
to the gateway 28 with questions, information, and instructions for
the CIR manager 10.
[0067] Another way in which the gateway 28 may facilitate
communications activities of the CIR manager 10 is to function as a
router or director of communications and messages. For example, the
CIR manager 10 may forward a request for data to the gateway 28.
The gateway 28 may determine the data may be obtained from the
information resource 30. The gateway 28 then forwards the request
for data or the appropriate message to the information resource 30.
The information resource 30 may respond to the CIR manager 10 or to
the gateway 28, which then communicates with the CIR manager
10.
[0068] Further, the gateway 28 may facilitate communications
activities between the CIR manager 10 and the PSTN 38, and other
elements reached through the PSTN 38 such as the telecom manager
40, and the communications devices including the wireline unit 42,
the wireless unit 44, the pager 46, and the fax device 48.
Generally, the telecom manager 40 provides general functions and
features related to communications of a user. Specifically, the
telecom manager 40 may be implemented in a computer, on a service
platform, in a network node, or other device. The telecom manager
40 may include connections to devices and networks through
integrated services digital network (ISDN) lines and signaling
system 7 (SS7) data links. The telecom manager 40 may be capable of
functions similar to those of a service switching point (SSP) or
service node (SN) of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). For
example, the telecom manager 40 may have the following
capabilities: signaling, call set-up, routing, and access to
databases.
[0069] Exemplary Message Log--FIG. 2
[0070] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary message log 50 such as may
be provided by the CIR manager 10 and used in connection with the
inventions described herein. Message log 50 includes entries
relating to the exemplary user's communications using the CIR
manager 10. Specifically, message log 50 includes eight entries 52,
54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66. Each entry includes data 68, and in
this example, each entry includes four types of data: "from" 70;
"type" 72; "subject" 74; and "date" 76. The from data 70 refers to
the source or origin of the communication. The type data 72 refers
to the type or kind of communication. The subject data 74 refers to
the content, the substance, or other feature of the communication.
The date data 76 refers to the date of receipt (or transmittal if
from the user) of the communication.
[0071] Exemplary Profile Information--FIG. 3
[0072] The CIR manager may store profile information 102 about a
user. Profile information about the user's communicating partners
also may be stored as is described below in connection with FIG. 8.
FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form the profile information
102 that may be stored about a user.
[0073] The profile information 102 for the user may include, among
other things, a list of the communication devices and services used
by the user. In this example, the user has three communication
devices: a telephone 104; a wireless unit 106; and a computer (PC)
108. Each of the entries for the respective devices may include a
description of the respective device. For example, the telephone
104 is described as Brand X. The wireless unit 106 is described as
a Motorola unit. The computer 108 is described as a Dell unit. The
descriptions of the devices provided herein are minimal as they are
examples only. Generally, the description of a device includes as
much information as necessary to be useful in the comparison
process described below. For example, the description of a wireless
unit may include its brand, trademark, type, operating
specifications, functions, and features.
[0074] Also in this example, the user makes use of four
communication services. Each service is included in the profile
information relating to the user and associated with the
appropriate device. Further, each of the services is described in
the profile information. As FIG. 2 illustrates, the telephone 104
is associated with local (communication) service 110 from BellSouth
and long distance service 112 from AT&T. The wireless unit 106
is associated with service 114 from Cingular. The computer 108 is
associated with e-mail service 116 from Microsoft. As with the
communication devices, the description of a communication service
in the profile information includes as much information as
necessary to be useful in the comparison process described below.
For example, the description of a long distance service may
identify the service provider and operating specifications,
functions and features.
[0075] An Exemplary Process of the Presentation of Contextual
Information--FIG. 4
[0076] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary actions of the
inventions in presenting contextual information to a user. The
actions described in connection with FIG. 4 are further referenced
through the description of examples provided below in connection
with FIGS. 5-6.
[0077] After start action 120, an opportunity to present contextual
information is noted in action 122. Such an opportunity may be
presented by the user's access to his or her profile information or
message log, by the user's initiation of a communication, or other
event. In response to noting the opportunity, preliminary
information is presented to the user in action 124. The preliminary
information may be a query inquiring of the user whether he or she
desires to be presented with contextual information. The query also
may be referred to as a "trial balloon" when the query is presented
on a computer screen such as text in the form of a circumscribed
question.
[0078] In decision action 126, if the user provides a negative
response to the query, then the process ends in end action 128. A
failure to respond to the query may be set as a default negative
response to the query. But if the user provides a positive response
to the query, then the contextual information is presented in
action 130. Thereafter, the process ends in end action 128.
[0079] Exemplary Presentation of Contextual Information with
Profile Information--FIG. 5
[0080] The above-described exemplary process of the presentation of
contextual information is now described in further detail by
reference to an example including the profile information of the
user originally described above in connection with FIG. 3.
[0081] FIG. 5 illustrates the profile information 102 of the user
as illustrated in FIG. 3, but FIG. 5 also illustrates three trial
balloons 150, 152, 154 that may be presented to the user with
regard to the presentation of contextual information. As a first
example, assume the user is checking his or her profile information
102. The user activates the entry 112 corresponding to long
distance service in the profile information 102. The activation of
the entry may indicate an opportunity to present the user with
contextual information. As a result of the activation, the user is
presented with a query as to whether the user would like contextual
information on the activated entry. In this example, trial balloon
150 includes text that asks the user: "Would you like to see
information on long distance service?" This particular trial
balloon 150 is presented to the user because the user activated the
entry 112 corresponding to long distance service in the profile
information. If the user had activated a different entry, then a
different query may be presented in the trial balloon.
[0082] The user may decline or accept through use of yes/no options
(not illustrated) or otherwise. If the user declines, then the
trial balloon 150 disappears. If the user accepts, then the trial
balloon 150 disappears and is replaced with a presentation of
contextual information. Alternatively, the trial balloon 150
remains on the screen, for example, until the user finishes with
the contextual information or the trial balloon 150 is otherwise is
caused to disappear from the screen.
[0083] In this example, the contextual information relates to long
distance service such as advertising for a particular long distance
carrier. The contextual information may be stored by or readily
obtainable by the com manager. Alternatively, the contextual
information may be obtained by or provided to the com manager
through a telecommunications manager 40 in the PSTN 38, or through
a gateway 28 in a data network 26 (see FIG. 1). For example, the
com manager may present the contextual information on long distance
service by linking to a web site of a particular long distance
carrier.
[0084] As another example, assume the user is interested in
acquiring a new or different wireless unit. The user activates the
entry 106 corresponding to wireless units in the profile
information 102. The user's activation of the entry 106
corresponding to wireless units is interpreted as showing a
heightened interest in wireless units. If the user's interest is
understood to be heightened, then an opportunity to present
contextual information exists.
[0085] In this example, the user is presented with trial balloon
152 that includes the following text: "Would you like to see
information on wireless units?" The presentation (or
non-presentation) of contextual information proceeds as described
above in connection with the previous example of a user's
activation of the entry 112 relating to long distance service in
the profile information 102.
[0086] As yet another example, assume the user is interested in a
particular manufacturer, provider or brand of telephone.
Advantageously, the inventions allow the user to "drill down" and
obtain contextual information on particular elements in an entry of
the profile information. In this example, the entry 102 for
"telephone" in the profile information 102 identifies the user's
telephone as "Brand X". The user may activate a particular element
of an entry, such as the "Brand X" element, and obtain contextual
information on that element.
[0087] In this example, the user is presented with trial balloon
154 that includes the following text: "Would you like to see
information on Brand X?" If the user answers positively, then more
drill-down possibilities may exist. Another trial balloon (not
illustrated) may be presented to the user that presents the user
with models of Brand X and asks whether the user would like to have
information on any of the models. The drill-down trial balloons may
continue until the appropriate level of details is reached. The
presentation (or non-presentation) of contextual information
proceeds as described above in connection with the previous
examples of a user's activation of the entry 112 relating to long
distance service or the entry 106 relating to wireless units in the
profile information 102.
[0088] In the three examples described in connection with FIG. 5,
three different kinds of contextual information are made available
to the user, to-wit: long distance service information; wireless
unit information; and information about Brand X. By these three
examples, the generality of the definition of contextual
information is made apparent. Contextual information generally is
any type of information that may be associated with or related to a
term or element identified by the user. Contextual information may
include advertising, marketing, education, consumer, technical,
sales, service, safety, quantity, cost, or quality information,
etc.
[0089] Exemplary Presentation of Contextual Information with a
Message Log--FIG. 6
[0090] The general process of the presentation of contextual
information in connection with a message log is the same as with
the profile information 102 described above. Thus, the seven
examples presented in association with a message log are set forth
in abbreviated form below.
[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates a message log 50 of the user as
illustrated in FIG. 2, but FIG. 6 also illustrates seven trial
balloons 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, and 172 that may be
presented to the user with regard to the presentation of contextual
information. As a first example, assume the user is checking his or
her message log and notes the entry 52 regarding Maude Davis'
e-mail. The user activates the part of entry 52 corresponding to
the identification of the type of communication from Maude Davis,
i.e., e-mail. In this example, trial balloon 160 includes text that
asks the user: "Would you like to see information on e-mail service
providers?"
[0092] Typically, the query or trial balloon presented to the user
relates to the contextual information to be provided. The query or
trial balloon may include a general question about the activated
term, i.e., "Would you like information about e-mail?" The query or
trial balloon may include a more particular or directed question
about the activated term, i.e., "Would you like information about
e-mail service?" or "service providers?" or "technical description
of e-mail?" Of course, the query or trial balloon may include more
than one question. In fact, as noted above, the query may provide a
set of questions that "drill down" from the general to the specific
so as to determine with greater particularity the type of
contextual information sought by the user. For example, if the user
responds positively to trial balloon 160 ("Would you like
information on e-mail service providers?"), the trial balloon 160
may substitute a specific question such as: "Which e-mail service
providers would you like information on?" or "Which of the
following three e-mail service providers (A, B, C) would you like
information on?". Advantageously, the inventions provide the
contextual information based on the responses of the user.
[0093] Referring again to FIG. 6, an additional six examples of
queries/contextual information are described that may be presented
to the user as follows:
[0094] User activates the "subject" in entry 52 corresponding to
Maude Davis' e-mail. The "subject" is "Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant".
The following query 162 is presented: "Would you like to see a
menu?" If the answer is "yes", then the inventions may link to the
restaurant's website so as to present a menu.
[0095] User activates the "subject" in entry 54 corresponding to
Bill Jones' voice message. The "subject" is a wireless number:
"(703) 345-6789". The following query 164 is presented: "Would you
like information on wireless units?"
[0096] User activates the "date" in entry 62 corresponding to the
user's chat room message. The "date" is "5-13-99". The following
query 166 is presented: "Would you like to know what happened on
May 13.sup.th in history?"
[0097] User activates the "subject" in entry 66 corresponding to
Nancy Woodard's i-page. The "subject" is "status report". The
following query 168 is presented: "Would you like to see the status
reports?" If the answer is "yes", then the user may be presented
with the status reports. For example, the user may keep electronic
versions of the status reports in his or her word processing
program stored in the PC. The com manager may have a path set up so
as to be able to retrieve the status reports for presentation to
the user in response to an affirmative answer to the query 168.
[0098] User activates the "type" in entry 60 corresponding to Emily
Guida's instant message. The "type" is "instant message". The
following query is presented to the user: "Would you like to
upgrade your service?" If the answer is "yes", then the com manager
may compare the version of the user's service (as detailed in the
user's profile information in the com manager) to upgraded
versions. The com manager may offer the user various options. With
the user's selection, the com manager may contact the appropriate
service provider and cause the user's service to be upgraded.
[0099] User activates the "from" in entry 58 corresponding to Dale
Malik's wireless call. The "from" is "Dale Malik". The following
query is presented to the user: "Would you like to see Dale Malik's
information?" The com manager may store profile information on
communicating partners of the user. If the user responds positively
to the query, then the com manager may present the user with Dale
Malik's profile information as the contextual information.
[0100] An Exemplary Process of the Presentation of Contextual
Information--FIG. 7
[0101] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary actions of the
inventions in presenting contextual information to a user. The
actions described in connection with FIG. 7 are further referenced
through the description of examples provided below in connection
with FIG. 8.
[0102] As noted, the inventions take advantage of the user's
heightened interest in certain subject matter to ask the user
whether he or she would like information, and if the answer is yes,
then to present the information. An instance of a user's heightened
interest in communication devices and/or services may be the user's
effort at communication with a communicating partner. For example,
a user's effort to send an e-mail to a customer may be a good
opportunity to present information to the user on the customer's
favorite method of communication, especially if the customer's
favorite is not e-mail. If the user chooses to communicate via the
customer's preference, then the inventions may present the user
with a template or otherwise facilitate the user's communications
with the customer. If the user does not have facility to
communicate using the customer's preference, then the user may be
presented with information on how to gain such facility.
[0103] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary actions of the
inventions in seizing the opportunity of a user's effort at
communication to present the user with contextual information.
After start action 180, in action 182 the user's effort at
communication with a communicating partner is detected. For
example, if a user is using the com manager, the user may click on
or otherwise activate a "new communication" feature of the com
manager. The user supplies the identity of the communicating
partner.
[0104] In action 184, the profile information is checked to
determined whether the communicating partner has a profile, and if
so, whether the communicating partner has a preference for
communicating. A preference may relate to communication devices
and/or communication services, and may include details about such
preference(s). For example, the communicating partner may prefer to
communicate by e-mail, and by e-mail as provided by Service
Provider X. If the communicating partner has no preference, the
lack of preference may be presented to the user and the user may
continue the communication effort without the presentation of
additional information.
[0105] In action 186, the communicating partner's preference(s)
is/are compared to the information in the user's profile.
Specifically, the comparison is made to determine whether the user
has available the preference(s) of the communicating partner for
the user's own use. For example, the user may have an e-mail system
provided by Service Provider X. If the user has the preference or
can make use of it, then in action 188 the user's communication
with the communicating partner is facilitated. Facilitation may
include any action taken to help the user with the communication.
As an example, if the communicating partner's preference is for
e-mail, then an e-mail template may be presented to the user for
the user's use. Information in the template regarding the
communicating partner, the user, etc. may be supplied so as to
further facilitate the user's communication. The process then ends
in action 190.
[0106] Referring again to action 186 wherein a comparison is
carried out to determine whether the user uses the communicating
partner's preference(s). If the user does not use one or more of
the preference(s), then the inventions take advantage of the
situation to ask whether the user would like to see contextual
information. In action 192 the user is presented with a trial
balloon.
[0107] Advantageously, the user is not automatically presented with
contextual information when a comparison yields a difference
between the user's devices/services and the communicating partner's
preferred device(s)/service(s). Instead, so as not to annoy the
user with unwanted contextual information, the user is presented
with a query in the form of the trial balloon in action 192. The
user is asked whether the user would like contextual information on
the preferred communication devices and/or services of the
communicating partner. In this example, the user may be asked
whether he or she would like information on the preferred e-mail
system or service provider of the communicating partner.
[0108] In action 194 a determination is made as to whether the user
responded positively or negatively to the query of action 192. If a
positive response is received, then the contextual information is
presented to the user in action 196 and the process progresses to
action 198. But if a negative response is received to the query of
action 192, then the process does not present the contextual
information, but proceeds to action 198.
[0109] In action 198, a check whether the user desires to continue
with the communication may be made in action 198. If the check is
negative, then the process ends in action 190. On the other hand,
if the check in action 198 is positive, then in action 200 the
communication of the user is facilitated.
[0110] An Exemplary Presentation of Contextual Information--FIG.
8
[0111] The exemplary process of the presentation of contextual
information described in connection with FIG. 7 is now further
illustrated with an example discussed in connection with FIG.
8.
[0112] Assume the user desires to communicate with a communicating
partner--Dale Malik and makes an effort at such communication as
illustrated by the new communication 202. The user's com manager
includes profile information on Dale Malik 204. A preference for
fax communication 206 is indicated in Dale Malik's profile
information 205. The preference for fax communication 206 is
compared to the user's profile information 208. The result of the
comparison is that the user does not have a facility for fax
communication. Thus, the user is presented with a query 210 as
follows: "Would you like information about fax machines? fax
service?" If the user responds positively, then contextual
information is presented to the user. Advantageously, the
inventions allow a fax service provider to present Dale Malik with
information on their fax machines or service at a time Dale Malik's
interest in faxing is heightened. Thus, Dale Malik is more likely
to act on the advertising.
[0113] Conclusion
[0114] In sum, the inventions allow for the delivery of contextual
information such as advertising of communication devices and/or
services in such a manner as to gain the attention of a user. The
inventions take advantage of instances of a user's heightened
interest in the subject matter. For example, the contextual
information may be delivered in connection with a user's activation
of an entry in profile information or message log relating to the
user's communications. Further, the contextual information may be
presented in connection with a communication initiated by the user
to a communicating partner. Moreover, the contextual information is
presented at the direction of the user in response to a query to
avoid being annoying or burdensome to the user. Thus, the
contextual information is presented to a user at a time when the
user's interest in the communication devices and/or services is
heightened, and the user is more likely to act on the presented
information.
[0115] The exemplary embodiments of the inventions described herein
were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the
inventions and their practical applications so as to enable others
skilled in the art to utilize the inventions including various
embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the
particular uses contemplated. The examples provided herein in the
written description or in the drawings are not intended as
limitations of the inventions. Other embodiments will suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the
inventions is to be limited only by the claims below.
* * * * *