U.S. patent application number 12/391277 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-18 for system and method for transmitting and display of visual messages on screens of connected mobile devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mobiliad Investments & Trading Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sean Farhi, Dan Lichtenfeld, Pinhas Roisman.
Application Number | 20090156243 12/391277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36793630 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090156243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lichtenfeld; Dan ; et
al. |
June 18, 2009 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND DISPLAY OF VISUAL MESSAGES
ON SCREENS OF CONNECTED MOBILE DEVICES
Abstract
A method for conveying a message to a user of a mobile device.
The mobile device includes a display and memory. Message content is
transferred from a server attached to the mobile device over a
mobile network. Metadata is also transferred from the server. The
metadata includes instructions for displaying the message content.
The message content and the metadata are stored in the memory. The
message content is read from the memory and the message is
displayed on the display according to the instructions. The reading
and displaying is performed by an by an application previously
installed on the mobile device. The display events are logged to
produce a log stored in the memory and the log is periodically
transferred to the server. Preferably, the message content is
provided by a customer and the message content stored on the server
is targeted for the user. The customer receives the log from the
server and preferably the customer subsidizes use of the mobile
device based on the log.
Inventors: |
Lichtenfeld; Dan; (Nicosia,
CY) ; Roisman; Pinhas; (Nicosia, CY) ; Farhi;
Sean; (Nicosia, CY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARTIN D. MOYNIHAN d/b/a PRTSI, INC.
P.O. BOX 16446
ARLINGTON
VA
22215
US
|
Assignee: |
Mobiliad Investments & Trading
Ltd.
Nicosia
CY
|
Family ID: |
36793630 |
Appl. No.: |
12/391277 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
11883848 |
Aug 7, 2007 |
7512420 |
|
|
PCT/US06/04203 |
Feb 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
12391277 |
|
|
|
|
60650212 |
Feb 7, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/466 ;
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/10 20130101;
H04M 1/72427 20210101; G06Q 30/00 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101;
H04L 67/06 20130101; H04M 1/7243 20210101; H04L 67/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/466 ;
455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/14 20090101
H04W004/14; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A method for displaying a message to a user of a mobile device,
the mobile device including a display and memory, the method
comprising: (a) providing a mobile device having a display and a
communication circuit; (b) uploading a plurality of messages having
message content and a set of instructions for displaying said
messages to said device via said communication circuit; (c)
detecting that a display of the device is illuminated independently
of any message display; and (d) selectively displaying a message of
said plurality of messages, on said display, responsive to said
detecting.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said displaying comprises
displaying in response to a detection that said device is idle.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said message is targeted
to a user of said device.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein displaying comprises
displaying said message as a background message which does not
interfere with an operation of said mobile device.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein displaying comprises
displaying said message as a screen saver or a wall paper.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein displaying comprises
displaying an active message which a user can interact with.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said interacting
comprises selecting a link on said message and following said
link.
8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said interacting
comprises pressing a button on said mobile device.
9. A method according to claim 1, comprising browsing by a user of
at least one of said messages independent of display thereof.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said uploading comprises
uploading at least one of said messages and said instructions by
SMS.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said uploading comprises
uploading by a server which is accessible to an advertisement
campaign manager.
12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising logging one
or more of displaying, viewing or interacting with said messages by
a user and subsidizing use of the mobile device by an entity other
than said user, based on said logging.
13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said uploading is
performed solely when the mobile device is otherwise idle.
14. A method, according to claim 1, wherein said displaying is
performed also in association with an active communication.
15. A mobile device configured to perform the method of claim
1.
16. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly
embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to
display messages, according to the method of claim 1.
17. A method according to claim 1, wherein said instructions
include an indication of what type of trigger to use for
displaying.
18. A method according to claim 1, comprising refreshing said
message content and said instructions by push from a server.
19. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing said
upload.
20. A method according to claim 1, comprising sending an SMS
message by a user in response to said display by selecting said
displayed message.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/883,848 filed on Aug. 7, 2007, which is a
National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/004203
having International Filing Date of Feb. 6, 2006, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/650,212 filed
on Feb. 7, 2005. The contents of the above Applications are all
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to transmitting and display of
visual messages, banners, commercial logos, short video messages on
connected mobile devices including wireless, e.g. cellular,
telephones, and personal digital assistants.
[0003] Since the advent of telephone communications and its modern
day incarnation cellular communications, telecommunications has
always followed the same basic business model. The model has always
been characterized by a consumer paying for connectivity and
services based on either the amount of time or the amount of
bandwidth consumed.
[0004] In other fields of communications, namely broadcast
communications the model is different in that some communication
platforms provide a model through which the consumer does not pay
for either connectivity or bandwidth. In these models the
connectivity and bandwidth are paid for by advertising revenues.
Such is the case with commercial television, commercial radio,
newspapers and many popular Internet web sites.
[0005] Today's new devices, both wired and wireless, contain a
myriad of features once thought impossible or not relevant.
Features include multimedia messaging, video and audio support,
media management, multi-channel/multi-system communications and
more. Today it is quite common to find a phone with a color screen
capable of displaying rich media such as animations, video clips
and pictures. Such a screen has had limited effect as a commercial
medium until now.
[0006] There is considerable prior art in the area of advertising
using cellular telephones. In US patent application publication
20040259599, a cellular phone is composed of a housing, a keyboard,
first and second display devices, a memory, a receiver-transmitter,
and a controller computer. The memory stores the advertising
information. The controller computer is programmed to receive the
advertising information through the receiver-transmitter, to
control the first display device in response to instructions
received through the keyboard, and to control the second display
device to display the advertising information on a screen of the
second display device during a phone call established through the
receiver-transmitter in response to operation of the keyboard by a
user.
[0007] In US patent application publication 20040224705, an
advertiser transmits advertising contents from a contents server to
a portable telephone. A user displays the advertising contents on
the display unit in the rear face and the like of the portable
telephone in public places and the like so as to advertise the
contents to a third party. The advertiser shares a part of the
communication fee for compensating the user for displaying the
advertisement.
[0008] In US patent application publication 20040267615, a method
of presenting advertising to a consumer employs use of telephone
calls, whether accessed by toll-free number, by use of calling
cards or service access cards or other account access mode. When a
user makes a call, and attempts to access the service, to access an
account, or uses a calling card, an advertisement is presented to
the user prior to allowing access to the service, prior to allowing
access to the account or prior to connecting the telephone call.
The user is encouraged to listen to the ad in exchange for a free
telephone call service or for entry into a game of chance such as a
winning number drawing.
[0009] None of the prior art references disclose unobtrusive
advertising in a mobile device using the the broadcast media
business model.
[0010] There is thus a need for, and it would be highly
advantageous to have a method of a central server and client
software which together form a network through which advertising
messages are transmitted from the server to the client according to
commercial targeting business rules utilizing the broadcast media
business model.
[0011] Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is an open international
standard for applications that use wireless communication, for
example Internet access from a mobile phone. WAP was designed to
provide services equivalent to a Web browser with some
mobile-specific additions, being specifically designed to address
the limitations of very small portable devices.
[0012] Code division multiple access (CDMA) is a form of
multiplexing and a method of multiple access that does not divide
up the channel by time (as in TDMA), or frequency (as in FDMA), but
instead encodes data with a certain code associated with a channel
to perform the multiplexing. CDMA also refers to digital cellular
telephony systems that make use of this multiple access scheme,
such as those pioneered by Qualcomm, or W-CDMA.
[0013] CDMA2000 is a family of third-generation (3G) mobile
telecommunications standards that use CDMA, a multiple access
scheme for digital radio, to send voice, data, and signaling data
(such as a dialed telephone number) between mobile phones and cell
sites. It is the second generation of CDMA digital cellular.
[0014] W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) is a type of
3G cellular network. W-CDMA is a wideband spread-spectrum 3G mobile
telecommunication air interface that utilizes code division
multiple access (or CDMA the general multiplexing scheme, not to be
confused with CDMA the standard).
[0015] The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a
popular standard for mobile phones in the world. GSM differs
significantly from its predecessors in that both signaling and
speech channels are digital, which means that it is considered a
second generation (2G) mobile phone system.
[0016] DECT or Digital Enhanced (former European) Cordless
Telecommunications is an ETSI standard for digital portable phones,
commonly used for domestic or corporate purposes. DECT can also be
used for wireless data transfers.
[0017] Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, (iDEN), is a mobile
communications technology, developed by Motorola, which provides
its users the benefits of a trunked radio and a cellular
telephone.
[0018] Java Micro Edition (Java ME or J2ME), is a runtime and
collection of Java APIs for the development of software for
resource constrained devices such as PDAs, cell phones and other
consumer appliances. Java ME was designed by Sun Microsystems and
is a replacement for a similar technology PersonalJava.
[0019] Symbian OS is an operating system, designed for mobile
devices, with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and
reference implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian Ltd.
Symbian is currently owned by BenQ, Ericsson, Panasonic, Nokia,
Siemens AG and Sony Ericsson
[0020] Windows Mobile is a compact operating system for mobile
devices based on the Microsoft Win32 API. Devices which run Windows
Mobile include Pocket PCs, Smartphones, and Portable Media Centers.
The Microsoft .Net Compact Framework is a streamlined version of
the .NET Framework that is designed to run on mobile devices with
limited memory, resources, and battery power, including smart
devices like personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, and
set-top boxes. The .NET Compact Framework includes the base class
libraries from the full .NET Framework and a few libraries designed
specifically for mobile devices such as Windows CE InputPanel.
[0021] (Reference: Wikipedia)
[0022] The term "user" as used herein is the consumer of a mobile
device, e.g. cellular telephone.
[0023] The term "customer" as used herein is the entity that
provides message content, e.g advertisements for displaying on the
mobile device.
[0024] The term "idle" when referring to a mobile device means that
the device is not undergoing active communications intended for the
users, i.e. not talking and not receiving a message from another
service, e.g SMS.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] According to the present invention there is provided a
method for conveying a message to a user of a mobile device. The
mobile device includes a display and memory. Message content is
transferred from a server communicating with the mobile device over
a mobile network. Metadata is also transferred from the server. The
metadata includes instructions for displaying the message content.
The message content and the metadata are stored in the memory. The
message content is read from the memory and the message is
displayed on the display according to the instructions. The reading
and displaying is performed by an application previously installed
on the mobile device. The display events are logged to produce a
log stored in the memory and the log is periodically transferred to
the server. Preferably, the message content is provided by a
customer and the message content stored on the server is targeted
for the user. The customer receives the log from the server and
preferably the customer subsidizes use of the mobile device based
on the log. Preferably, transferring message content is performed
solely when the mobile device is otherwise idle. Preferably, the
displaying is performed solely while the mobile device is idle,
receiving an incoming communication, and/or ending an incoming
communication. Preferably, the user responds to the message by
selecting a link presented in the message. Preferably, the
displaying is performed solely when a light is on illuminating the
display, and the displaying does not turn on the light.
[0026] Preferably, the message content and metadata is periodically
updated solely when the mobile device is idle, by storing updated
message content and updated data in the memory.
[0027] According to the present invention there is provided a
mobile device to a server through a mobile communications network,
the mobile device including a memory and a display. An application
is installed in the mobile device which includes a transfer
mechanism which transfers message content and metadata from a
server communicating with the mobile device. The metadata includes
instructions for displaying the message content; a storage
mechanism which stores the message content and the metadata in the
memory; a display mechanism which reads the message content and
displays the message content on the display; and a log mechanism
which logs display events performed by the display mechanism, and
thereby stores a log using the storage mechanism in the memory. The
transfer mechanism periodically transfers the log to the
server.
[0028] According to the present invention there is provided, a
program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a
program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a
method for conveying a message to a user of a mobile device, the
mobile device including a display and memory, the method as
disclosed herein.
[0029] According to the present invention there is provide a
program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a
program of instructions executable by the machine or server to
receive the message content and provide the log to the
customer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a simplified system drawing, according to
embodiments of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing modules a server and
client device, according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a prior art drawing showing devices of different
display size, wherein embodiments of the present invention are
applicable;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a display screen layout of a mobile device,
according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a high level block diagram showing operation of
the present invention, according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating updating of message
content according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a process of
displaying messages upon receiving an incoming telephone call or
text message, according to embodiments of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of illustrating a process of
displaying a message while idle or upon ending incoming call or
incoming text message, according to embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0039] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a process showing operation of
an advertisement browser module installed in the mobile device,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] The present invention is of a system including a central
server and client software which together form a network through
which advertising messages are transmitted from the server to the
client according to commercial targeting business rules. The server
delivers the messages as a "playlist". A "playlist" is a file
including directives (meta data) directing specific messages to be
displayed at specific times and durations. Client software
installed in the mobile device requires the mobile device to be
connected occasionally to the server via a data, e.g. HTTP
connection.
[0041] The client software either downloads a playlist or the
playlist is received via SMS, GPRS or another alternate
communications method from the server. Downloading or updating of
the playlist is handled on a periodic schedule (e.g. once a day) in
order to preserve battery power and ensure scalability of the
platform. The client device then downloads the relevant message
content (text, image or video files). The client device displays
the messages according to the instructions within the playlist.
[0042] The client software replaces existing "Screen Saver" and
"Wallpaper" on the mobile devices. The client software typically
displays the visual messages while the device is in "stand by".
Alternatively or in addition the software displays the visual
messages while the device is receiving an incoming call alert or
other message alert (e.g. SMS) (Receive Call mode) and the user
typically looks at the display to see from whom is the incoming
call/SMS. Alternatively or in addition, the software displays the
visual messages when the device is ending a call (Call Summary
mode). The messages are preferably unobtrusive banners, commercial
companies' logos, a short video message in the background and/or in
a portion of the display, e.g. in the upper or lower part of the
screen, thus not inhibiting the use of the device. The display of
the messages preferably does not limit other functionality of the
device since the visual message is displayed in the background
while the foreground maintains the existing functional buttons,
messages and interactions. The client software preferably tracks or
logs the impressions (i.e. views) of each advertising message and
sends the log of impressions periodically to the server. The
messages are displayed in the end user's preferred or default
language and the message content is preferably targeted or
personalized to the user and follow the user to wherever he/she is
located, at home or roaming around the globe. Preferably, the
messages are only displayed when the devices back light is on by
default therefore the device does not consume significant power for
displaying a message. The messages may include action buttons
serving as a "trigger" or link in the message for commercial
purposes such as linking the user to more information on a WAP site
or sending an immediate SMS message to participate in an offer.
Such interactivity conforms to the "service policy" of providing
unobtrusive messages. Action button triggers may be used for
commerce purposes enabling the user to "buy now" or enabling the
user to get "more info" for informational purposes.
[0043] Client software makes use of the built-in graphic functions
of the phone or device including three-dimensional graphics. The
client software is preferably protected from illegal tampering or
removal by the end user. An end user that would like to remove the
software will have to contact his provider/carrier. If the software
is disabled, e.g. by tampering the provider/carrier is preferably
notified since usage logs show no activity from the user. In such
case the provider/carrier may seek to terminate the contract or
stop reimbursement of user on advertising messages viewed.
[0044] The server provides a management application enabling
advertisers to target campaigns based on user profile, demographics
and usage patterns. The server manages media and tracks
"performance" of advertising campaigns by logging impressions
(views of a specific advertising message). Reports can be used for
integration with a billing platform for reimbursement of the client
for advertising viewed. The server provides "self service"
capabilities for advertisers enabling them to "freeze" and
"unfreeze" campaigns, view campaign performance reports, track
targeting rules and manage campaign strategy. The system is
designed preferably on servers with the capacity of up to 100,000
end users simultaneously. Supported platforms include different
kinds of mobile devices using technologies including but not
limited to CDMA, TDMA, GSM, iDEN, DECT, VoIP. The platform is
compatible with and J2ME, Windows Mobile .Net, Symbian OS, Palm OS
and native device intrinsic technologies.
[0045] The principles and operation of a system and method of
unobtrusive advertising on a mobile device according to a broadcast
media business model, according to the present invention, may be
better understood with reference to the drawings and the
accompanying description.
[0046] Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of design and the arrangement of the
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of
being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0047] By way of introduction, principal intentions of the present
invention are to: (1) provide the mobile device as a commercial
medium which utilizes the broadcast media business model, i.e.
consumer, network, advertiser, (2) subsidize cost to the final
consumer, i.e. user of the cellular telephone and augment cost to
the customer, e.g. corporate advertiser, with advertising revenue
(3) offer a targeted, mobile and inherently personal, interactive,
accountable media; (4) Ad display/delivery and tracking is based on
playlist/cache/offline model rather than an on-line model and
consequently does not require a network/data connection with
constraints such as a limited bandwidth. (5) provide displayed
advertisements which are interactive and serve as a trigger for
mobile commerce via WAP and or outbound SMS. (6) support multiple
client device operating systems (e.g. Symbian, Windows Mobile, BREW
and different platforms (e.g. Palm, Smartphones, 3G cellular
telephones, PDAs) (7) provide unobtrusive advertising that does not
limit use of telephone for voice/data communications. Advertising
on receiving an incoming call creates an effective "captive"
audience while the advertisement does not hinder the desired action
on behalf of the user, answering the call.
[0048] It should be noted that while the discussion herein is
directed to commercial advertisements, the principles of the
present invention may be adapted for use in, and provide benefit
for display of, non-commercial advertisements, e.g. BLOOD DRIVE
TODAY for non-profit organizations, governmental and/or public
welfare messages, e.g. VOTE TODAY!, public opinion surveys and
other types of messages with optional interactive responses.
[0049] The present invention may be applied to address certain
social issues related to lowering communications expenses for those
who have difficulty affording the service.
[0050] Implementation of the method and system of the present
invention involves performing or completing selected tasks or steps
manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover,
according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred
embodiments of the method and system of the present invention,
several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by
software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination
thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the invention
could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected
steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of
software instructions being executed by a computer using any
suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the
method and system of the invention could be described as being
performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for
executing a plurality of instructions.
[0051] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified system
block diagram, according to embodiments of the present invention.
Campaign management server 10 is responsible for defining,
deploying and managing campaigns by the customer. Server 10
includes a software application operating over standard personal
computer (PC) server hardware 100 and offers a management interface
for advertisers to define, manage and deploy campaign playlists and
media. Server 10 communicates with clients 109 over a network, e.g.
GSM network 105 or CDMA network 106. WAP Gateway 102 is a part of
existing mobile operator infrastructure enabling the connection
between client 109 and server 10 over standard HTTP protocols
operating on GPRS or CDMA data networks. A Short Message Service
Center (SMSC) 104 is a network element in mobile telephone network
106/106 which delivers text or SMS messages. When a user sends an
SMS message to another user, the telephone, e.g client 109 actually
sends the message to SMSC 104. SMSC 104 stores the message and then
delivers the message to client 109 when available, as a store and
forward operation. SMSC 104 enables the sending and receiving of
messages between server 10 and client 109. According to embodiments
of the present invention SMS messages are optionally used for
transferring playlist directive data between campaign server 10 and
client 109. SMS messages may also used for triggering display of an
advertisement according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0052] Reference is now also made to FIG. 2, a block diagram
showing details of server 10 and clients 109. Campaign manager
module 100 is the main interface for customers, i.e. advertisers to
define, manage, track and deploy campaigns on the system, according
to embodiments of the present invention. Campaigns define which
advertisements are shown and when they are shown to each target
audience. A campaign database 101, a repository where all campaign
data is stored, is a logical database operating over a standard
database platform (e.g. mySQL, Oracle or MSSQL) which stores the
campaign meta data and data including playlist directives, actual
campaign resources (images) per client device and display size,
impression logs and administrative data. Campaign Reports module
202 is an interface for generating reports for the purpose of
gauging effectiveness and reach of the marketing campaign. Reports
module 202 includes ability to define and issue reports based on
the target audience, campaign, campaign resources, time frame,
target device, target platform and keywords. Billing Interface 203
is an interface to existing and future billing/service platforms in
order to enable mutual compensation as applicable to serve the
business model of augmenting the customer cost of
telecommunications with advertising revenue (and lowering cost of
telecommunications to the consumer)
[0053] In client 109, ad browser client module 204 is an
interactive application enabling the user to browse through all
advertisements which are available on his/her device 109. Ad
browser client module 204 enables the user to respond to the
advertisement (when applicable) by launching a link to a WAP site
connected with the advertisement or by issuing an SMS message
connected with the advertisement. Playlist directives as defined in
campaign manager 100 detail links (URLs) for both WAP sites and SMS
target addresses. Communication stack 205 is the module responsible
for communication with campaign server 10 when device 109 is idle
according to pre-defined schedule. Ad display 206 is a basic module
of the client responsible for displaying advertising message
according to pre-defined events--an incoming call, an incoming SMS,
end of call, idle, and/or screensaver mode. Advertisements are
displayed as directed in the playlist. Impression log module 207 is
responsible for logging all ad views on client 109 for later
aggregation by campaign server 10.
[0054] Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows in more physical
detail clients Smart Phone 109a and PDA 109b. According to a
feature in embodiments of the present invention, ad display 206
installed in client 109 adjusts to the size of all types of screens
in use from the smallest display screen 40S to the biggest display
screens 40B.
[0055] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates display
screen 40, according to an embodiment of the present invention. An
image 41 is displayed which advertises BRAND X, just before an
incoming call from John Smith is answered. An original incoming
call alert dialog 42 of device 109 appears and action buttons 43
"Answer" and "Reject" function unobstrusively without any
interference by appearance of adverstisement 41.
[0056] Operation of the present invention is illustrated in flow
diagrams of FIGS. 5-8. Referring now to FIG. 5, while device 109 is
on (step 501), a playlist and advertisement content is initially
loaded (step 502). In decision box 503, the application installed
in device 109, checks if device 109 is idle and if the time period
is reached for updating (process 60 of FIG. 6) the playlist. If
idle in decision box 503, then server 10 is checked (step 601) for
an update of the playlist and the impression log is sent (step 602)
to the server. If there are no new items with message content
(decision box 603) then update process 60 ends. Otherwise, if there
are new items (decision box 603) the application loops (step 604)
on the new items, retrieves (step 605) the new item resources, e.g.
image file, stores (step 606) the new item resources in device 109
memory. Referring back to FIG. 5, in decision box 504, when device
504 is idle and an incoming call or incoming SMS is alerted in step
701 of process 70 in FIG. 7. then the application installed in
device 109 loops through the playlist items (step 702), retrieves
(step 703) the appropriate item from device 109 memory for display
and displays (step 704) resource or image. In step 705, the
impression or display event is logged. Process 70 ends (step 706)
by calling process 80 when device 109 returns to an idle state.
Process 80 is shown in FIG. 8. In step 801, an incoming call is
ended. The application installed in device 109 loops (step 702) on
playlist items, retrieves (step 703) an item from device 109
memory, displays the retrieved item (step 704), logs the display
event or impression 705. The retrieved image is displayed for a
duration (step 802) according to meta data including in the
playlist, for a predetermined period of time, and/or while the back
light is still on.
[0057] Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which illustrates an
advertisement browser application installed as a feature in device
109 as, ad browser 204 part of campaign manager 100. A user
launches (step 901) an advertisement browser and views the existing
playlist (step 902). A requested item is retrieved (step 703) from
device 109 memory, the requested item is displayed (step 704), the
display event or impression is logged (step 705) and if selected,
e.g. clicked a WAP site is opened or an SMS is sent by the user
requesting further information or purchase of the item selected and
displayed.
[0058] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
[0059] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
variations, modifications and other applications of the invention
may be made.
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