U.S. patent application number 11/246333 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for system and method for introducing individuals over the internet to establish an acquaintance.
Invention is credited to Gregory J. Speicher.
Application Number | 20060031121 11/246333 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24994318 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060031121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Speicher; Gregory J. |
February 9, 2006 |
System and method for introducing individuals over the internet to
establish an acquaintance
Abstract
A system for introducing individuals over the internet to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating includes a
first processor, a database and a second processor. The first
processor maintains an internet website that interfaces with a
plurality of computing devices via a first network comprising the
internet. The internet website receives a plurality of personal
advertisements, receives search criteria, identifies personal
advertisements meeting the search criteria, transmits the
identified personal advertisements, receives a response to a
selected personal advertisement, stores the response in the
database in a mailbox assigned to the selected advertiser, receives
a password from the selected advertiser and communicates the
response to the selected advertiser. The second processor is also
adapted to receive a password from the selected advertiser via a
second network comprising a telephone network and to communicate
the response via the second network to the selected advertiser.
Inventors: |
Speicher; Gregory J.;
(Westerville, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAWRENCE R. YOUST;DANAMRAJ & YOUST, P.C.
5910 NORTH CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY
SUITE 1450
DALLAS
TX
75206
US
|
Family ID: |
24994318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/246333 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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08965367 |
Nov 6, 1997 |
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11246333 |
Oct 7, 2005 |
|
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08744879 |
Nov 8, 1996 |
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08965367 |
Nov 6, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/01 20130101;
H04M 3/4878 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
H04M 2201/60 20130101; G06Q 30/0271 20130101; H04M 7/0054 20130101;
H04M 3/4938 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014 ;
705/001 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 99/00 20060101 G06Q099/00 |
Claims
1. A system for introducing individuals over the internet to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating comprising: at
least one first processor that maintains an internet website that
interfaces with a plurality of computing devices via a first
network comprising the internet, the internet website adapted to
receive personal advertisements including a digital image, age
information and gender information from advertisers via the first
network, to receive search criteria from a searching individual via
the first network, to identify a set of personal advertisements
meeting the search criteria, to transmit at least a portion of the
identified personal advertisements to the searching individual via
the first network, to receive from the searching individual via the
first network a response to a selected personal advertisement
placed by a selected advertiser, to store the response, to receive
a password from the selected advertiser via the first network and
to communicate the response via the first network to the selected
advertiser; a database operably connected to the first processor,
the database adapted to store the response to the selected personal
advertisement in a mailbox assigned to the selected advertiser; and
at least one second processor operably connected to the database
and the second processor adapted to receive the password from the
selected advertiser via a second network comprising a telephone
network and to communicate the response via the second network to
the selected advertiser.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the telephone network
is a publicly switched telephone network.
3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein the second network is a
publicly switched telephone network.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the
computing devices is a mobile computing device.
5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein the mobile computing
device is a notebook computer.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first processor is
adapted to receive contact information from the selected advertiser
and to notify the selected advertiser using the contact information
when a response is received to the selected advertiser's personal
advertisement.
7. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein the contact information
comprises an email address.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the response comprises
a text message.
9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is communicated over the telephone network.
10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is converted to audio via a text-to-speech
algorithm.
11. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the response comprises
an audio message.
12. A method for introducing individuals over the internet to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating, the method
comprising: interfacing a plurality of computing devices to a
website via a first network comprising the internet; receiving a
plurality of personal advertisements including a digital image, age
information and gender information from advertisers via the first
network; receiving search criteria from a searching individual via
the first network; identifying a set of personal advertisements
meeting the search criteria; transmitting at least a portion of the
identified personal advertisements to the searching individual via
the first network; receiving from the searching individual via the
first network a response to a selected personal advertisement
placed by a selected advertiser; storing the response; receiving a
password from the selected advertiser via the first network;
communicating the response via the first network to the selected
advertiser; receiving a password from the selected advertiser via a
second network comprising a telephone network; and communicating
the response via the second network to the selected advertiser.
13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the telephone network
is a publicly switched telephone network.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein the second network is
a publicly switched telephone network.
15. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of the
computing devices is a mobile computing device.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein the mobile computing
device is a notebook computer.
17. The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step
of receiving contact information from the selected advertiser and
the step of notifying the selected advertiser using the contact
information when a response is received to the selected
advertiser's personal advertisement.
18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the contact
information comprises an email address.
19. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the response
comprises a text message.
20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is communicated over the telephone network.
21. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is converted to audio via a text-to-speech
algorithm.
22. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the response
comprises an audio message.
23. A system for introducing individuals over the internet to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating comprising:
means for interfacing with a plurality of computing devices via a
first network comprising the internet; means for receiving a
plurality of personal advertisements comprising digital images, age
information and gender information from advertisers via the first
network; means for receiving search criteria from a searching
individual via the first network; means for identifying a set of
identified personal advertisements meeting the search criteria;
means for transmitting at least a portion of the identified
personal advertisements to the searching individual via the first
network; means for receiving from the searching individual via the
first network a response to a selected personal advertisement
placed by a selected advertiser; means for storing the response;
means for receiving a password from the selected advertiser via the
first network; means for communicating the response via the first
network to the selected advertiser; means for receiving a password
from the selected advertiser via a second network comprising a
telephone network; and means for communicating the response via the
second network to the selected advertiser.
24. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the telephone network
is a publicly switched telephone network.
25. The system as recited in claim 24 wherein the second network is
a publicly switched telephone network.
26. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein at least one of the
computing devices is a mobile computing device.
27. The system as recited in claim 26 wherein the mobile computing
device is a notebook computer.
28. The system as recited in claim 23 further comprising means for
receiving contact information from the selected advertiser and
means for notifying the selected advertiser using the contact
information when a response is received to the selected
advertiser's personal advertisement.
29. The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the contact
information comprises an email address.
30. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the response
comprises a text message.
31. The system as recited in claim 30 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is communicated over the telephone network.
32. The system as recited in claim 31 wherein at least a portion of
the text message is converted to audio via a text-to-speech
algorithm.
33. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the response
comprises an audio message.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/965,367 filed Nov. 6, 1997, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/744,879, filed on Nov.
8, 1996, now abandoned.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to introducing
individuals for the purpose of dating and, in particular, to a
system and method for introducing individuals using the Internet
and the telephone system to establish an acquaintance for the
purpose of dating.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Personal advertisements, or "personal ads", which are
available in most newspapers, are a popular way for
previously-unacquainted people to become acquainted. In certain
services, an advertiser may call a live operator via a telephone
network and place a text personal ad. The personal ads are then
published in a newspaper. An advertiser may also call voicemail
system and record an audio message, often referred to as a
greeting, which expands upon the advertiser's text ad by describing
in more detail the advertiser and the type of person he is seeking.
A personal ad generally includes a telephone number and a mailbox
number permitting a caller to listen to an advertiser's voice
greeting. A caller can respond to a personal ad by recording a
reply voice mail message for the advertiser. An advertiser
retrieves a message by calling the system and entering a password
given at the time of ad placement. In other situations, an
advertiser may place a personal advertisement without speaking to a
live operator. An advertiser may, for example, record an audio
greeting which is later reviewed by a transcriber, who then writes
a text summary of each audio greeting for publication in the
newspaper.
[0004] With the expansion of the Internet and other on-line
services, personal ad services have been created to take advantage
of this new medium. A typical service allows an advertiser to place
a text personal ad that is published on the Internet on an HTML
(HyperText Markup Language) page. An Internet user may respond to a
personal ad by sending an advertiser a message via electronic mail.
One type of Internet personals service allows a person to place a
text personal advertisement to which other on-line users may
respond via electronic mail.
[0005] Certain systems have integrated traditional personal ads
services with the Internet. Using this approach, a newspaper can
publish personal ads in both the newspaper and on the Internet.
Callers may be asked to provide information about themselves in the
form of input data that is used to match them with other
advertisers. Each personal ad includes a telephone number and an ad
mailbox number permitting a caller to listen to an advertiser's
voice greeting. Other advertisers can, in turn, respond to ads by
calling a telephone number and leaving messages which are then
accessed and listened to by advertisers. In another format, text
ads are taken from newspaper and television personals programs and
published on the Internet. Each personal advertisement also
contains a number and an associated telephone number. By calling
the telephone number and entering an advertisement's number, a
caller can hear a voice recording of the advertiser and respond to
the ad, if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention is a
system for introducing individuals over the internet in order to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating. The system
includes a first processor maintaining an internet website adapted
to interface with a plurality of computing devices, to receive
personal advertisements comprising images, age information and
gender information from advertisers via a first network comprising
the internet, to receive search criteria from individuals via the
first network, to identify personal advertisements meeting the
search criteria and to transmit at least a portion of the personal
advertisements identified according to the search criteria and to
receive via the first network a response to a personal
advertisement. The present invention also includes a database
operably connected to the internet website and adapted to store at
least one response to a personal advertisement in an advertiser's
mailbox. The system includes a second processor, operably connected
to the database and a second network comprising a telephone
network, the second processor being adapted to receive a password
from an advertiser via the second network and to communicate to the
advertiser, via the second network, at least one response stored in
the advertiser's mailbox.
[0007] According to certain embodiments, the internet website is
adapted to receive contact information from an advertiser and to
notify the advertiser using the contact information when a response
is received to that advertiser's personal advertisement. The
contact information may include an email address. The response may
include a text message, and the text message may be converted to
audio via a text-to-speech algorithm. The response may also include
an audio message. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the
telephone network may include a portion of the publicly-switched
telephone network, and may be the publicly-switched telephone
network.
[0008] According to other aspects, the present invention includes
methods for introducing individuals over the internet in order to
establish an acquaintance for the purpose of dating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding of the features and
advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the
detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying
figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures
refer to corresponding parts and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a table of the fields used for storing personal
data, including a brief description of the particular fields;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a table of the fields used for storing
greetings data, including a brief description of the particular
fields;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a table of the fields used for storing response
data, including a brief description of the particular fields;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of the
present invention, more specifically placing an ad via a telephone
network;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of the
present invention, more specifically placing an ad through the
Internet;
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of the
process of reviewing and summarizing ads as accomplished by the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 shows personal ads as they would appear in a local
newspaper;
[0018] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of the
process of responding to an ad via a telephone network as
accomplished by the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of
the process of responding to an ad through the Internet as
accomplished by the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 shows a maximized personal ad as seen by the
Internet user who chooses to expand the ad to full-page size;
[0021] FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram of the response confirmation
process, including the Response Confirmation Form which gives the
Internet user instructions on how to enhance a response to an ad
with, audio, video or a photograph;
[0022] FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of
the process of retrieving responses via a telephone network as
accomplished by the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of
the process of retrieving responses through the Internet as
accomplished by the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 15 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of
the process of searching for ads via a telephone network as
accomplished by the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 16 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary operation of
the process of searching for ads through the Internet as
accomplished by the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the
present invention is disclosed herein. However, telephone
techniques, physical communication systems, data formats and
operating structures in accordance with the present invention may
be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may
be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment.
Consequently, the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are merely representative.
[0027] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a series of remote telephone
terminals T1-Tn are represented. In addition, a series of remote
computer terminals CT1-CTn are represented. The indicated terminals
T1-Tn represent the multitude of telephone terminals existing in
association with a telephone network, in this case the public
telephone network PTN. The indicated computer terminals CT1-CTn
represent the multitude of computer terminals connected to the
Internet.
[0028] Public telephone network PTN, which accommodates the
individual terminals T1-Tn, is coupled to an Interactive Voice
Response System IVR. The Internet, which accommodates individual
computer terminals CT1-CTn, is coupled to an Internet Web Server
IWS. Individual callers may use the individual telephone stations
T1 through Tn to interface the IVR through the public telephone
network PTN. Individual users at computer terminals CT1 through CTn
may use the Internet to interface the Internet Web Server.
Telephone callers and Internet users may record digital audio
messages, which can be retrieved via any of the remote telephone
terminals T1-Tn or remote computer terminals CT1-CTn. Users may
leave digital text messages, which may be retrieved via any of the
remote telephone terminals T1-Tn or remote computer terminals
CT1-CTn via computer monitor.
[0029] Considering the system of FIG. 1 in somewhat greater detail,
it is to be understood that public telephone network PTN has
multiplexing capability in order to individually couple the
terminals T1-Tn to the IVR on request. In the illustrative
embodiment of the system, the individual terminals T1-Tn take the
form of existing traditional or conventional telephone instruments.
It is also to be understood that the Internet has the capability
for individually connecting the computer terminals CT1-CTn to the
Internet Web Server. In the illustrative embodiment of the system,
the individual computer terminals CT1-CTn take the form of personal
computers that comprise a central processing unit CPU, modem,
monitor, keyboard, hard drive, sound card and microphone.
[0030] As noted, public telephone network PTN is coupled to an
Internet Voice Response system (IVR). In the disclosed embodiment,
multiple lines are connected from public telephone network PTN to
the IVR and, accordingly, the IVR may accommodate multiple
simultaneous calls from public telephone network PTN. The IVR
contains a processor, an exemplary form of which is an INTEL.RTM.
PENTIUM.RTM. Processor. The lines from public telephone network PTN
are connected to the processor though an interface 15, an exemplary
form of which is a series of commercially available interface
cards. The interface may incorporate modems, tone decoders,
switching mechanisms, DNIS and ANI capability. Generally, DNIS
capability is a function of public telephone network PTN to provide
digital data indicating the called number. ANI capability is a
similar function whereby the digital data indicates the calling
number.
[0031] The Internet Web Server (IWS) is coupled to the Internet.
The IWS and the Internet may be connected by a line between the IWS
and a local Internet provider service. The IWS may accommodate a
multitude of simultaneous Internet users. As represented, the IWS
is a computer programmed for Internet information server
operations. The IWS contains a processor and Internet server
software, exemplary forms of which are an INTEL.RTM. PENTIUM.RTM.
Processor and MICROSOFT.RTM. Server software.
[0032] The IWS may also be loaded with REALAUDIO.RTM. Server
software from PROGRESSIVE NETWORK.RTM.. REALAUDIO.RTM. allows
MICROSOFT.RTM. WINDOWS.RTM..WAV files to be converted into a
REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file, a compressed format which allows playback
over the Internet streamed in real time, as opposed to first
downloading a file and then listening to it. REALAUDIO.RTM.
accomplishes this by playing a first portion of an audio file while
a subsequent portion is still downloading.
[0033] The IWS may also be loaded with VDOLIVE.RTM. Server
software. VDOLIVE.RTM. allows a video clip in the MICROSOFT.RTM.
WINDOWS.RTM. AVI, APPLE.RTM. QUICKTIME.RTM., or MPEG video files
formats to be converted into a VDOLIVE.RTM..VDO format, a
compressed format that allows streaming playback over the Internet
in real time, as opposed to first downloading a file and then
listening to it.
[0034] The IVR and the IWS are coupled to a Database Server DBS via
an Ethernet hub as shown in FIG. 1. The system includes one or more
Operator Workstations OW1-OWn, through which an operator can
interact with and control the DBS, IVR and IWS. The database server
DBS is a computer programmed for database operations. In the
illustrated embodiment, the DBS manages a personal Ad Database
which is comprised of multiple tables that manage ad creation, the
audio greeting files, ad response files, photograph and video files
and keyword searching of ads. The Ad Database comprises electronic
personal classified ads and responses placed to ads.
[0035] In addition, the DBS converts audio files received via
telephone into the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for real time retrieval
via the Internet. The DBS may also convert audio files into
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX files for retrieval via telephone. Audio file
conversions are done through audio file conversion software, an
exemplary form of which is VOX STUDIO.RTM. by XENTEC.RTM.. The DBS
contains a processor and an SQL (Structured Query Language)
relational database software, exemplary forms of which are the
INTEL.RTM. PENTIUM.RTM. Processor and MICROSOFT.RTM. SQL
Server.RTM..
[0036] The Operator Workstation (OWS) is a conventional personal
computer capable of playing the audio data and capable of
displaying digitally stored photographs and movies. An exemplary
form of the OWS is a microcomputer equipped with an INTEL.RTM.
PENTIUM.RTM. Processor and a Creative Labs.RTM. Sound Blaster.RTM.
sound card. Operators may review incoming advertiser files,
including text, audio, photograph, and video, to insure that their
content is appropriate. Also, operators may use advertisers' text
messages and audio recordings to create summary text ads for
publication in a newspaper.
[0037] The following sections describe in greater detail the
interaction between the IVR, the DBS, the IWS, and the OWS.
Placing a Personal Ad Via a Telephone Network
[0038] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
an individual can place a personal advertisement via a telephone
network. An illustrative embodiment of this process is depicted in
FIG. 5. According to this method, an individual at terminal T1
makes a call over a telephone network to the IVR in order to place
a personal advertisement. Using standard DNIS techniques, the IVR
associates the called number with a specific function, in this case
receiving personal advertisements via telephone.
[0039] In the process of placing a personal advertisement, an
advertiser will generally be prompted to assist in generating a
profile of himself or herself by answering a series of questions
using the buttons on his phone. Upon receiving a call, the IVR cues
the advertiser to enter his telephone number 801. The IVR stores
the telephone number 802 in the field AD_PHONE 203. Next, the IVR
cues the advertiser to enter his gender 803. For example: "If you
are a woman, press 1. If you are a man, press 2." The IVR stores
the advertiser's gender 804 in the field AD_GENDER 207. Next, the
IVR cues the advertiser for his marital status 805. For example:
AIf you are single, press 1. If you are divorced, press 2. If you
are widowed, press 3." The advertiser responds and the IVR stores
the advertiser's marital status 806 in the field AD_MARITAL_STATUS
208. Next, the IVR cues the advertiser for his age 807. For
example: "Please enter your age." The advertiser's age is then
stored 808 in the field AD_AGE 209.
[0040] Next, the IVR cues the caller to record an audio greeting
812. The advertiser's audio greeting is then stored to a file on
the IVR 813 and Ad database is updated 809. Specifically, the
AD_REVIEW_FLAG 210 in the AD_PERSONAL_TABLE (see FIG. 2) is set to
FALSE, indicating that the ad must be reviewed by an operator. In
addition, a new record is created in the AD_GREETINGS_TABLE (see
FIG. 3) and the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 set to FALSE to indicate
that the audio greeting has not been reviewed. In the new record,
the fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_FILENAME 304,
GR_DATE_TIME 305 in the table AD_GREETINGS (see FIG. 3) are also
populated to indicate the advertiser's mailbox number, the format
of the audio file, the location of the audio file on the IVR and
the date and time the greeting was recorded. The field GR_TYPE is
set to VOX to indicate that the audio recording is in the
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file format. Finally, the field
GR_CONVERSION_FLAG is set to FALSE to indicate that the audio file
must be converted from the DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX format to create a new
audio file in the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for playback on the
Internet.
[0041] The IVR then cues the advertiser to indicate if he wishes to
record contact information, in this case an e-mail address 816. The
contact information may be used notify the advertiser when someone
responds to his or her personal ad. For example: "Press 1 to input
an e-mail address. Press 2 to decline." If the caller elects to
leave contact information, the IVR cues the advertiser to record
the contact information, in this case an e-mail address 817. The
audio recording is stored to a file on the IVR 818 and the field
AD_EMAIL_FILENAME 205 in table AD PERSONAL (see FIG. 2) is set,
indicating that an e-mail audio file exists and identifying its
location on the IVR.
[0042] Next, the IVR assigns the advertiser a mailbox number 819.
For example: "Your 5-digit mailbox number is 12345." The mailbox
number is then stored 820 in the field AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER 201. The
IVR then cues the caller to enter a password 821. The password is
stored 822 in the field AD_PASSWORD 202.
[0043] In addition, the IVR stores the date the ad is taken in the
field AD_DATE_TIME 206, and updates the field AD_ORIGIN 211 to
indicate that the personal ad was received via a telephone network
823. Finally, the IVR creates an electronic mailbox for the
advertiser on the IWS 824 and stores it in the field
AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER 201 to allow respondents to submit audio, video
and photographic files in response to the advertiser's personal
ad.
Placing an Ad Via the Internet
[0044] Although certain embodiments may employ a telephone network
to place a personal advertisement as described above, it is
anticipated that the majority of personal advertisements will be
placed using the Internet, with a telephone network being employed
for subsequent querying and maintenance activities. The use of the
Internet to place a personal advertisement is depicted in FIG. 6.
According to this method, an advertiser at terminal CT1 connects to
the Internet to place a personal advertisement. The advertiser
connects to the Internet and then to a Home Page 1001 on the
Internet Web Server IWS.
[0045] From the Home Page 1001 on the IWS, the advertiser selects
an Ad Placement Form 1002 as shown in FIG. 6. Ad Placement Form
1002 contains the following input fields corresponding to fields in
the Ad database as indicated: TABLE-US-00001 Gender 1003 AD_GENDER
207 Marital Status 1004 AD_MARITAL_STATUS 208 Age 1005 AD_AGE 209
E-mail address 1006 AD_EMAIL_ADDRESS 204 Phone Number 1007 AD_PHONE
203 Password 1008 AD_PASSWORD 202 Greeting Text 1014 GR_FILENAME
304
[0046] The process of placing a personal advertisement via the
Internet largely parallels the process of placing a personal
advertisement via a telephone network. Password 1008 is used by the
advertiser to retrieve messages and e-mail address 1006 and
telephone number 1007 are used to contact the advertiser. The
gender 1003, age 1005, and marital status 1004 fields contribute to
the profile of the advertiser. Finally, the Greeting Text 1014
field can be used to describe the advertiser and/or the person he
or she is seeking.
[0047] The advertiser completes the Ad Placement Form 1002 and
presses the "Submit" button to submit her personal ad. The form is
checked by the IWS for completeness 1016. If the form is
incomplete, the advertiser may be returned to the Ad Placement Form
1002. If the form is complete, the IWS assigns the advertiser a
mailbox number 1021 and stores it in the field AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER
201. The advertiser's profile, contact information, password and
greetings are then stored in their respective fields, as indicated
above.
[0048] The advertiser's text greeting is then stored to a file on
the IWS and the Ad database is updated 1017. Specifically, the
AD_REVIEW_FLAG 210 in the AD_PERSONAL_TABLE (see FIG. 2) is set to
FALSE indicating that the ad has not been reviewed by an operator
10. In addition, a new record is created in the AD_GREETINGS_TABLE
(see FIG. 3) and the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 is set to FALSE to
indicate that the audio greeting has not been reviewed. In the new
record, the fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_FILENAME
304, GR_DATE_TIME 305 in the table AD_GREETINGS (see FIG. 3) are
also populated to indicate the advertiser's mailbox number, the
file format, and the location of the text file on the IWS, and the
date and time the greeting was placed. Specifically, the field
GR_TYPE is set to TEXT. Finally, the field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG is
set to TRUE to indicate that the text does not need to be converted
to a different format.
[0049] Lastly, the Internet Web Server creates an Ad Confirmation
Page 1020. The Ad Confirmation Page 1020 performs two functions:
(1) it confirms the advertiser's mailbox number 1021, and (2) it
gives the advertiser instructions on how to include an audio
greeting 1022, photograph 1023, or video clip 1024 with her
personal ad. Finally, the Internet Web Server stores the date and
time the ad is taken in the field AD_DATE_TIME 206, and updates the
field AD_ORIGIN 211 to indicate that the personal ad originated on
the Internet 1025. In addition, the IWS creates an electronic
mailbox for the advertiser and stores it in the field
AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER 1026 to allow respondents to submit audio, video
and photographic files in response to the advertiser's ad.
Enhancing an Internet Ad with Audio, Photograph and Video
[0050] Although a text-only personal advertisement may communicate
basic information about an individual, the present invention
provides an individual with the ability to enhance his or her
personal advertisement with an audio clip, a photograph and/or a
video clip as well. To submit an audio greeting, the advertiser
first makes an audio recording using, for example, a .WAV file
editor, and then saves the file using his or her mailbox number as
the file name 1030. The advertiser then submits the audio file
using e-mail to an audio greeting electronic mailbox 1031. The
advertiser's audio recording is then stored to a file on the
Internet Web Server.
[0051] In addition, a new record is created in the
AD_GREETINGS_TABLE (see FIG. 3) and the Ad database is updated
1033. Specifically, the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 is set to FALSE to
indicate that the audio greeting has not been reviewed. Also, the
fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_FILENAME 304, GR_DATE
TIME 305 in the AD GREETINGS TABLE (see FIG. 3) are also populated
to indicate the advertiser's mailbox number, the format of the
audio file, and the location of the audio file on the IWS, and the
date and time the greeting placed. The field GR_TYPE is set to WAV
to indicate that the audio recording is in the MICROSOFT.RTM..WAV
file format. Finally, the field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG is set to FALSE
to indicate that the audio file must be converted from the
MICROSOFT.RTM..WAV format to create two new audio files: one in the
REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for playback on the Internet, and another
in the DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX format for playback via a telephone
network.
[0052] To enhance a personal ad with a photograph, the advertiser
first digitizes a photograph using a scanner or takes a photograph
with a digital camera and then saves the image to a GIF file using
her mailbox number as the file name 1036. The advertiser then
submits the graphic file using e-mail to a photograph electronic
mailbox 1031. The advertiser's photo is stored to a file on the IWS
and the Ad database is updated 1032. Specifically, a new record is
created in the AD_GREETINGS_TABLE (see FIG. 3) and the field
GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 set to FALSE to indicate that the graphic file
has not been reviewed. In each new record, the fields
GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_FILENAME 304, GR_DATE_TIME
305 in the table AD_GREETINGS (see FIG. 3) are also populated to
indicate the advertiser's mailbox number, the format of the graphic
file, and the location of the graphic file on the IWS, and the date
and time the photograph was received. The field GR_TYPE 302 is set
to GIF to indicate that the graphic file is in the GIF file format.
Finally, the field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG 306 is set to TRUE to
indicate that no file conversion is necessary as GIF is the graphic
file format used by the IWS. If other graphic formats were
accepted, they might have to be converted to a GIF format,
depending on the file formats supported by the IWS. If file
conversion were necessary, the field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG 306 would
be set to FALSE.
[0053] To enhance a personal ad with video, the advertiser first
digitizes a video clip and then saves the image to a file, for
example a MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file, using her five digit mailbox
number as the file name 1036. Other video formats such as
APPLE.RTM. QUICKTIME.RTM. or MPEG video could also be used. The
advertiser then submits the graphic file using e-mail to an
electronic mailbox 1031. The advertiser's video clip is stored to a
file on the IWS and the Ad database is updated 1032. Specifically,
a new record is created in the AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 3) and
the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 set to FALSE to indicate that the
video file has not been reviewed. In each new record, the fields
GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_FILENAME 304, GR_DATE_TIME
305 in the table AD_GREETINGS (see FIG. 3) are populated to
indicate the advertiser's mailbox number, the format of the video
file, and the location of the video file on the IWS, and the date
and time the video was received. Specifically, the field GR_TYPE
302 is set to AVI to indicate that the video clip is in the
MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file format. Finally, the field
GR_CONVERSION_FLAG 306 is set to FALSE to indicate that the video
file must be converted to the VDOLIVE.RTM. format for real time
playback on the Internet.
Reviewing and Summarizing Ads
[0054] New personal ads may be reviewed by an operator at an
Operator Workstation to insure that their content is appropriate.
Also, greetings submitted by an advertiser, whether they be audio
greetings or text greetings, may be summarized by operators to
create classified text ads for publication. In certain embodiments,
text ads to be published may be placed with a live operator rather
than via a recording.
[0055] FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a process for reviewing and
summarizing personal ads. An operator first queries the database to
determine if there are new ads to review 1800. Specifically, the
query looks for all ads in the AD_PERSONAL table (see FIG. 2) where
the field AD_REVIEWED 210 is set to FALSE. If the query finds a new
ad, the operator first reviews the ad's greeting 1801 as found in
the AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 3). This step consists of either
listening to or reading the ad's greeting depending on the format
in which it is stored. The operator then determines if the
greeting's contents are appropriate 1802. If the greeting's
contents are inappropriate, the ad is deleted, the record is purged
from the database 1803 and the operator is returned to block 1800.
If the greeting's contents are appropriate, the operator writes a
summary of the greeting 1804. The operator then queries the
database to determine if the advertiser recorded contact
information, such as an e-mail address 1805. If an e-mail address
audio recording is found, the operator transcribes the e-mail
address 1806. The operator then updates the database 1807.
[0056] The advertiser's text summary is subsequently stored to a
file on the IWS. The AD_REVIEW_FLAG 210 in the AD_PERSONAL table
(see FIG. 2) is set to TRUE, indicating that the ad has been
reviewed. In addition, a new record for the text summary is created
in the AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 3) and the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG
303 set to TRUE, indicating that the record has been reviewed. In
the new record, the fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER 301, GR_TYPE 302,
GR_FILENAME 304, GR_DATE_TIME 305 in the table AD_GREETINGS (see
FIG. 3) are also populated to indicate the advertiser's mailbox
number, the file format, and the location of the text file on the
IWS, and the date and time. The field GR_TYPE is set to TEXT.
Finally, the field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG 306 is set to TRUE to
indicate that the text does not need to be converted to a different
format.
[0057] The operator then returns to block 1800 to continue
processing ads. If no new ads are found, the operator queries the
database to determine if any multimedia files (audio, video, or
photo) have been submitted via the Internet to enhance a personal
ad 1808. Specifically, the query looks for all ads in the
AD_PERSONAL table (see FIG. 2) where the field AD_REVIEWED 210 is
set to TRUE that has files in the AD_GREETING_TABLE (see FIG. 3)
where the GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 is set to FALSE. If the query finds a
multimedia file, the operator first reviews the file 1809. If it is
an audio file, this consists of listening to the ad's audio
greeting. If it is a video or graphic file, this consists of
viewing the file. The operator then determines if the greeting's
contents are appropriate 1810. If the greeting's contents are
inappropriate, the filed is deleted and the record purged from the
database 1811. The operator is then returned to block 1808 to
continue processing multimedia files. If the file's contents are
appropriate, the operator approves the file 1812 and updates the
database 1813. Specifically, this consists in setting the field
GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 to TRUE to indicate that the file has been
reviewed.
[0058] If the file is an audio file, the Operator Workstation
converts the file to create a new REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file and stores
the file on the IWS. The Operator Workstation also converts the
file to create a DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file and stores the file on the
IVR. For each new audio file, a new record is created in the
AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 2) and the fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER
301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_DATE_TIME 305, and GR_FILENAME 304 are
populated to indicate the mailbox number of the advertiser, the
format of the file, the date and time, and the location of the
audio file on the IVR. Also, the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 is set to
TRUE to indicate that the file has been reviewed. Finally, the
field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG is set to TRUE to indicate that the audio
file does not need to be converted.
[0059] If the file is a video file, the Operator Workstation
converts the MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file to a VDOLIVE.RTM. file and
stores the file on the IWS. Also, a new record is created in the
AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 2) and the fields GR_MAILBOX_NUMBER
301, GR_TYPE 302, GR_DATE_TIME 305, and GR_FILENAME 304 are
populated to indicate the mailbox number of the advertiser, the
format of the file, the date and time, and the location of the
video file on the IVR. Also, the field GR_REVIEW_FLAG 303 is set to
TRUE to indicate that the file has been reviewed. Finally, the
field GR_CONVERSION_FLAG 306 is set to TRUE to indicate that the
video file does not need to be converted. The operator then returns
to block 1808 to continue processing multimedia files. If no new
multimedia files are found, the session is terminated 1814.
Publishing Ads Via the Newspaper
[0060] Each week, text ads submitted via a telephone network and
via the Internet may be published in a newspaper along with their
mailbox numbers. FIG. 8 depicts personal ads as they may appear in
a local newspaper. Icons are included in each ad that represent the
origin of an ad (via a telephone network or via the Internet) and
what additional information or multimedia, if any, is available on
the Internet. For example, an ad placed via a telephone network
contains a telephone icon 2001; an ad placed via the Internet
contains a computer icon 2002. If there is additional text on the
Internet, an ad contains an icon denoting additional text 2003. The
presence of a photo or video clip is indicated respectively by a
still camera 2004 and/or video camera 2005 icon, respectively.
Responding to a Personal Ad Via a Telephone Network
[0061] FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a method by which an
individual at terminal T1 may respond to a personal advertisement
via a telephone network. After dialing of the appropriate telephone
number, a connection is established from the remote terminal T1 to
the IVR. Using standard DNIS techniques, the IVR associates the
called number with a specific function, in this case a voice
personals response function.
[0062] Upon receiving a call, the IVR sets the "invalid mailbox
number count" equal to zero 2301. The IVR then increments the
"invalid mailbox number count" by one 2302 and cues the user for a
mailbox number 2303. Upon receipt of a mailbox number from the
user, the IVR queries the field AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER 201 to determine
if the mailbox number is valid 2304. If the mailbox number is
invalid, the IVR determines if the user has exceeded the maximum
number of attempts allowed 2305. If the user has exceeded the
maximum number of attempts allowed, the call is terminated 2306. If
the maximum number of attempts allowed has not been exceeded, the
IVR increments the "invalid mailbox number count" by one 2302 and
again cues the user for a mailbox number 2303.
[0063] If the mailbox number is valid, the IVR queries the field
AD_ORIGIN 211 to determine if the ad originated on the Internet
2307. If the ad originated from a telephone network, the IVR plays
the ad's audio greeting 2311. If the ad originated on the Internet,
the IVR may employ a text to speech function to recite the ad's
text greeting as placed on the Internet 2308. The IVR then queries
the AD_GREETINGS table (see FIG. 2) to determine if the Internet
advertiser also submitted an audio greeting 2309. If the query does
not find an audio greeting 2310, the IVR prompts the user to
indicate whether he or she wishes to respond to the ad 2312. If the
query finds one or more audio greetings 2310, the IVR plays the
audio greetings 2311. The IVR then prompts the user to indicate
whether he or she wishes to respond to the ad 2312.
[0064] If the user elects not to respond to the ad, the call is
terminated 2306. If the user elects to respond to the ad, the IVR
next cues him to record his response 2319. The IVR then stores the
response to a file 2320 and updates the database 2321.
Specifically, the IVR creates a new record in the AD_RESPONSE table
(see FIG. 4) and populates the fields RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501,
RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate
the mailbox number of the ad responded to, the date and time of the
response, the format of the response, and the location of the
response file on the IVR. The field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to VOX to
indicate that the audio recording is in the DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file
format. Finally, the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to FALSE
to indicate that the audio must be converted from the
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX format to create a new audio file in the
REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for playback on the Internet.
[0065] The IVR creates a new REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file from
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file and stores the REALAUDIO.RTM. file to a file
2322 on the IWS and updates the database 2323. Specifically, the
IVR creates a new record in the AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and
populates the fields RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503,
RSP_TYPE 504, and RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate the mailbox number
of the ad responded to, the date and time of the response, the
format of the response, and the location of the response file on
the IVR. The field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to RA to indicate that the
audio recording is in the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file format. Finally,
the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to TRUE for both the
audiotex VOX file and the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file to indicate that
the audio files do not need to be converted 2324. The caller is
then prompted to respond to another ad 2325. If the caller chooses
to respond to another ad, the IVR continues processing at block
2303, otherwise the call is terminated 2326.
Responding to a Personal Ad Via the Internet
[0066] FIG. 10 depicts the process by which a user at terminal CT1
may respond to a personal ad via the Internet. The user connects to
the Internet and then to a Home Page on the Internet Web Server
IWS. From Home Page 2401, the user selects an Ad Response Form
2402. The Ad Response Form instructs the user to enter 2403 the
mailbox number of the ad to which he or she wishes to respond. Upon
receipt of the mailbox number, the IWS queries the field
AD_MAILBOX_NUMBER in the Ad database to determine if the mailbox
number is valid 2404. If the mailbox number is invalid, the user is
presented with an Invalid Mailbox Number Form 2405.
[0067] If the mailbox number is valid, the IWS presents the user
with a Results Form 2406. The Results Form 2406 shows the ad
selected by the user, including at least some portion of the ad's
text 2407. In addition, the ad may contain one or more icons that
represent any additional text or multimedia files (audio, video,
photograph) for the ad that are available on the IWS. These icons
include an audio icon 2408 to denote the ad's audio greeting, a
still camera icon 2409 to denote a photograph of the advertiser, a
video camera icon 2410 to denote a video clip of the advertiser, or
a paper icon 2411 to denote additional text. It is to be understood
that these icons are merely representative and that many other
possibilities exist to denote the existence of text and multimedia
files. By clicking on an icon, the user can view and/or listen to
the associated file. In addition, by selecting a maximize bar 2412,
the user can expand an ad to full page size, as shown in FIG. 11.
The user can then respond to an ad by selecting the "Respond"
button 2413.
[0068] When the user selects the respond button, she is presented
with an Ad Response Form 2414. The user creates a response by
completing a response text field 2416. After completing the Ad
Response Form, the user submits the form by pressing the "Submit"
button 2422. The advertiser is then presented with a Response
Confirmation Form 2423. The Response Confirmation Form gives the
advertiser information on enhancing her response with an audio
message, photograph, or video clip.
[0069] The IWS then stores the response to a file and updates the
database 2424. Specifically, the IWS creates a new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and populates the fields
RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and
RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded
to, the date and time of the response, the format of the response,
and the location of the response file on the IWS. The field
RSP_TYPE 504 is set to TEXT. Finally, the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG
506 is set to TRUE to indicate that the text does not need to be
converted to a different format.
Enhancing a Response with Audio, Photograph and Video
[0070] As already indicated, after a text response has been
submitted, the user is shown a Response Confirmation Form 1501 (see
FIG. 12). Response Confirmation Form 1501 gives the user
instructions on how to enhance a response to an ad with audio,
video, or a photograph. To submit an audio response, the user first
makes an audio recording using an audio file editor and then saves
the file using her mailbox number as the file name 1503. The user
then submits the audio file using e-mail to the recipient's
electronic mailbox 1512 on the IWS 1504. The user's audio response
is stored to a file on the IWS and the Ad Database is updated
1505.
[0071] Specifically, the IVR creates a new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and populates the fields RSP_MAILBOX
NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and RSP_FILENAME 506
to indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded to, the date of
the response, the format of the audio file, and the location of the
audio file on the IVR. The field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to WAV to
indicate that the audio recording is in the MICROSOFT.RTM..WAV file
format. Also, the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to FALSE to
indicate that the audio file must be converted from the
MICROSOFT.RTM..WAV format to create two new audio response files:
one in the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for playback on the Internet,
and another in the DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX format for playback via a
telephone network.
[0072] The IWS determines if conversion of audio files is needed
1506, and then creates a new REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file and
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file from the MICROSOFT.RTM..WAV file 1507. The
REALAUDIO.RTM. file is stored on the IWS and the DIALOGIC.RTM. file
is stored on the IVR. The IWS also updates the Ad Database 1508.
Specifically, for each new audio file, the IWS creates a new record
in the AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and populates the fields
RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and
RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded
to, the date of the response, the format of the response, and the
location of the response file on the IWS. Finally, the field
RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to TRUE for both the source audio
file (.WAV) and the target audio files (.VOX and .RA) to indicate
that the audio files do not need to be converted 1509.
[0073] To send a photograph in response to an ad, the Internet
users first digitizes a photograph using a scanner or takes a
photograph with a digital camera and then saves the image to a GIF
file using her mailbox number as the file name 1510. The respondent
then submits the graphic file using e-mail to the recipient's
electronic mailbox 1504. The respondent's photo is stored to a file
on the IWS and the database is updated 1505.
[0074] Specifically, the IWS creates a new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and populates the RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER
501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and RSP_FILENAME 505 to
indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded to, the date of the
response, the file format of the photograph, and the location of
the file on the IWS. The field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to GIF to
indicate that the graphic file is in the GIF file format. Finally,
the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to TRUE to indicate that
no file conversion is necessary as GIF is the graphic file format
used by the IWS 1506. It should be noted that file conversion may
or may not be necessary depending on what file formats are
supported by the IWS and IVR and what formats the system allows
users to submit files in.
[0075] To send an advertiser a video clip, the Internet user first
digitizes a video clip and then saves the image to a
MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file using her five digit mailbox number as the
file name 1510. Other video formats such as APPLE.RTM.
QUICKTIME.RTM., or MPEG video could also be used. The respondent
then submits the graphic file using e-mail to the recipient's
electronic mailbox 1504. The respondent's video is stored to a file
on the IWS and the AD database is updated 1505.
[0076] Specifically, the IVR creates a new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and populates the fields
RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and
RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded
to, the date of the response, the file format of the video clip,
and the location of the video file on the IWS. Specifically, the
field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to AVI to indicate that the audio
recording is in the MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file format. Finally, the
field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to FALSE to indicate that the
VDOLIVE.RTM. file must be converted to the VDOLIVE.RTM. format for
real time playback on the Internet.
[0077] The IWS determines that the video file must be converted to
VDOLIVE.RTM. format 1506. The IWS creates a new VDOLIVE.RTM. file
from the MICROSOFT.RTM..AVI file and stores the new audio file to a
file 1507 on the IWS and updates the AD database 1508. A new record
in the AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) is created and the IWS
populates the RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE
504, and RSP_FILENAME 505 fields to indicate the mailbox number of
the ad responded to, the date and time of the response, the format
of the video file, and the location of the video file on the IWS.
Finally, the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to TRUE for both
record formats (AVI and VDOLIVE.RTM.) in the database to indicate
that no video files need to be converted 1509.
Retrieving Responses Via a Telephone Network
[0078] A user can retrieve responses via a telephone network, as
indicated in FIG. 13. First, an advertiser at terminal T1 places a
call over a telephone network to retrieve messages left for him or
her. As a result, a connection is established from the remote
terminal T1 to the IVR. Using standard DNIS techniques, the IVR
associates the called number with a specific function, in this case
a message retrieval function.
[0079] Upon receiving the user's call, the IVR sets the "logon
attempts" equal to zero 2501. The IVR then increments the "logon
attempts" by one 2502 and cues the user for a mailbox number and
password 2503. The IVR then queries the AD database to determine if
the mailbox number and password are valid. If the entries are not
valid, the IVR determines if the user has exceeded the maximum
number of logons attempts allowed 2505. If the user has exceeded
the maximum number of logon attempts allowed, the call is
terminated 2506. If the maximum number of logon attempts allowed
has not been exceeded, the IVR increments the "logon attempts" by
one 2502 and again cues the caller for a mailbox number and
password 2503.
[0080] If the entries are valid, the IVR then queries the
AD_RESPONSE table to determine if the user has any responses 2507.
If the user has no responses, the call is terminated 2506. If the
IVR finds a response, the IVR presents the text 2513 and audio 2514
messages from the respondent. If a response is in text form, the
IVR may use a text to speech process to play the message audibly.
If there are additional responses, the user is returned to block
2513. Otherwise, the call is terminated 2506.
Retrieving Responses Via the Internet
[0081] A user can retrieve responses via the Internet, as indicated
in FIG. 14. First, a user at terminal CT1 connects to the Internet
to retrieve messages. The user connects to the Internet and then to
a Home Page 1701 on the Internet Web Server. From the Home Page
1701 on the Internet Web Server, the user selects a Message
Retrieval Form 1702. The Message Retrieval Form 1702 instructs the
user to enter a mailbox number 1703 and password 1704. The IWS then
queries the Ad Database to determine if the mailbox number and
password are valid 1705. If the entries are not valid, the user is
presented with an Invalid Mailbox and Password Form 1706. If the
entries are valid 1705, the IWS queries the Ad Database 1707 to
find responses directed to the user.
[0082] If there are no responses, the IWS presents the user with a
No Responses Form 1709. If the IWS finds one or more responses, the
IWS presents the user with a Personal Ad Messages Form 1710. The
Personal AD Messages Form 1709 shows any messages for the user.
Each message shows the date 1712 and time 1713 the message was
received and contains one or more icons that represent the contents
of the message. A text icon 1714 denotes a text message; an audio
icon 1715 denotes an audio message; a still camera icon 1716
denotes a photograph; a video camera icon 1717 denotes a video
clip. By clicking on an icon, the user can view or listen to the
associated file.
Searching for Personal Ads Via a Telephone Network
[0083] A user can search for personal ads via a telephone network,
as indicated in FIG. 15. First, a user at terminal T1 places a call
to search personal advertisements. As a result, a connection is
established from the remote terminal T1 to the IVR over a telephone
network. Using standard DNIS techniques, the IVR associates the
called number with a specific function, in this case a voice
personals ad searching format.
[0084] The user is first prompted to indicate his preferences
regarding the type of person he or she wishes to meet. Referring to
FIG. 15, the IVR cues the user to enter the gender of the person he
or she wishes to meet 2101. Next, the IVR cues the user to enter
the lowest age of the person he or she wishes to meet 2102. Next,
the IVR cues the user to enter the highest age of the person he or
she wishes to meet 2103. Finally, IVR cues the user for the marital
status of the person he or she wishes to meet 2104.
[0085] Next, the IVR queries the database to find ads that match
the user's preferences 2114. If the query does not find any ads,
the call is terminated 2133. If the query returns one or more ads,
the IVR queries the field AD_ORIGIN 211 to determine if the ad
originated on the Internet 2117. If the ad originated from a
telephone network, the IVR plays the ad's audio greeting 2119. If
the ad originated on the Internet, the IVR presents the ad's text
greeting, and may employ a text to speech function to play the ad's
text greeting 2118. The IVR then queries the AD_GREETING_TABLE to
determine if the Internet advertiser also submitted an audio
greeting 2120. If the query does not find an audio greeting 2120,
the IVR prompts the user to indicate if he wishes to respond to the
ad 2122. If the query finds an audio greeting 2120, the IVR plays
the audio greetings 2121. The IVR then prompts the user to indicate
if he wishes to respond to the ad 2122.
[0086] If the user elects not to respond to the ad, the IVR
determines if there are additional matches 2132. If the there are
no additional matches, the call is terminated 2133. If there are
additional matches, the user is returned to block 2116.
[0087] If the user elects to respond to the ad, the IVR next cues
him to record his or her response 2129. The IVR then stores the
response to a file 2130 and updates the database 2131.
Specifically, a new record in the AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) is
created and the IVR populates the RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501,
RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and RSP_FILENAME 505 fields to
indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded to, the date and
time of the response, the format of the response, and the location
of the response file on the IVR. The field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to
VOX to indicate that the audio recording is in the
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file format. Finally, the field
RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to FALSE to indicate that the audio
file must be converted from the DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX format to create
a new audio file in the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA format for playback on
the Internet.
[0088] The IVR creates a new REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file from
DIALOGIC.RTM..VOX file and stores the REALAUDIO.RTM. file to a file
2130 on the IWS and updates the database 2131. A new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table FIG. 4 is created and the IVR populates the
RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and
RSP_FILENAME 505 fields to indicate the mailbox number of the ad
responded to, the date and time of the response, the format of the
response, and the location of the response file on the IVR. The
field RSP_TYPE 504 is set to RA to indicate that the audio
recording is in the REALAUDIO.RTM..RA file format. Finally, the
field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG 506 is set to TRUE for both files (.VOX
and .RA) to indicate that the audio file does not need to be
converted.
[0089] Next, the IVR determines if there are additional matches
2132. If the there are no additional matches, the call is
terminated 2133. If there are additional matches, the user is
returned to block 2116 to continue.
Searching for Ads Via the Internet
[0090] A user can search for personal ads via the Internet, as
indicated in FIG. 16. First, a user at terminal CT1 connects to the
Internet to search for ads that match her preferences. The user
connects to the Internet and then to a Home Page 2201 on the
Internet Web Server. From the Home Page 2201 on the IWS, the user
selects an Ad Searching Form 2202. The Ad Searching Form instructs
the user to indicate preferences, including the gender 2203, low
age 2204, high age 2205, and marital status 2206 of the person she
wishes to meet. When the form is complete, the user submits it by
pressing the "Submit" button 2208. The IWS then checks the
submitted form for completeness 2209. If the form is incomplete,
the user is returned to the Ad Searching Form 2202. If the form is
complete, the IWS queries the database to find ads that match the
user's preferences 2210. If the query returns no matches 2212, the
user is presented with a No Matches Page 2213. If the query returns
matches for one or more ads 2212, the IWS presents the user with a
Results Form 2214.
[0091] The Results Form 2214 shows the ads that match the user's
preferences. Specifically, the Results Form shows a text ad of the
type that appears in the newspaper 2215. In addition, each ad
contains one or more icons that represent any additional text or
multimedia files (audio, video, photograph) for the ads that are
available on the IWS. These icons include an audio icon 2216 to
denote the ad's audio greeting, a still camera icon 2217 to denote
a photograph of the advertiser, a video camera icon 2218 to denote
a video clip of the advertiser or a paper icon 2219 to denote
additional ad text. It is to be understood that these icons are
merely representative and that many other possibilities exist to
denote the existence of text and multimedia files. By clicking on
an icon, the user can view or listen to the associated file. In
addition, by selecting a maximize bar 2220, the user can expand the
ad to a full page size FIG. 11.
[0092] The user responds to an ad by selecting the "Respond" button
2221. When the user selects the respond button, she is presented
with an Ad Response Form 2222. The user creates a response by
typing in a response text field 2225. After completing the Ad
Response Form, the user submits the form by pressing the "Submit"
button 2230. The user is then presented with a Response
Confirmation Form 2231. The Response Confirmation Form gives the
user information on enhancing her response with an audio message,
photograph, or video clip.
[0093] The IWS then stores the response to a file and updates the
database 2232. Specifically, the IWS creates a new record in the
AD_RESPONSE table (see FIG. 4) and then populates the fields
RSP_MAILBOX_NUMBER 501, RSP_DATE_TIME 503, RSP_TYPE 504, and
RSP_FILENAME 505 to indicate the mailbox number of the ad responded
to, the date and time of the response, the format of the response,
and the location of the response file on the IWS. The field
RSP_TYPE 504 is set to TEXT. Finally, the field RSP_CONVERSION_FLAG
506 is set to TRUE to indicate that the text does not need to be
converted to a different format. The user can then return to the
Results Form at any time by using the "Back" key on her
browser.
[0094] The foregoing has been a disclosure of certain illustrative
embodiments of the present invention. As noted above, telephone
techniques, communication systems, data formats and operating
structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied
in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite
different from the specific examples disclosed herein.
Consequently, the specific structural and functional details
disclosed above are merely representative and should not be
considered as limiting the invention as recited in the following
claims.
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