Patent Application
20050261964
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates to multimedia communications over the Internet, and more specifically relates to a receiver self-priced fee scheme for the determination of fee flow, the billing and collection of fees between the caller and receiver, and the incorporation of search engine technology into the multimedia communications system for easier location of desired receivers.
Member/Member Pool, the member pool is comprised of one or more members, who are registered to use the system.
Caller/Receiver, a caller is any member who initiates a call, and the receiver is any member who accepts a call.
Payer/Payee, a payer is any member who makes payment for a receivers services and the cost of the call, while the payee is any member who receives payment for accepting a call.
Fee Flow/Charge-to-Answer is any call that requires a caller to pay for contacting any receiver.
Fee Flow/Free-to-Answer is any call that requires no payment by the caller.
Fee Flow/Pay-to-Answer is any call that requires a caller to pay for contacting any receiver, where the receiver can add virtually unlimited incentives into the terms to attract other members to make a call.
Fee Flow Participation is the scheme for one or more parties to benefit from the fee flow of a completed call with fee flow.
Fee Flow Participant is one or more parties entitled to participate in a fee flow participation.
Online Presence is the critical factor for a call to be established and charged, and it can be un-manned or automated, human presence is not required.
Pay-per-Call is a flat, one-time fee, set for a call.
Pay-per-Clock is a flexible fee that is calculated based on the duration of a call.
Pay-per-Performance occurs when the Payer gives payment, in the form of a tip, to the Payee upon the completion of a call, in addition to all other fee flows, either in conjunction with or in place of a rating system.
Pay-per-View is a flat, one-time set fee for a non-manned, auto-answered call, featuring a live feed for multimedia streaming of audio-visual content.
Pay-per-Download is a flat one-time fee set for a non-manned, auto-answered call, featuring download of one or more files.
Pay-per-Game is a flat or flexible fee, calculated for a call, featuring a real-time game.
Advertiser(s) and Advertising Member(s) are those subscribed to one or more keywords waiting to be short-listed and clicked to be engaged as a Receiver.
Respondents are any members who initiate a call in response to an advertiser's advertisement placement.
Keyword(s) match is the matching keyword(s) subscribed by advertising member(s) with the keyword(s) used in a search session that generates a short-list advertisement placement.
For return on investment (ROI) concerns, traditional telephone companies bill and collect telephone charges from their subscribers under one of these well known schemes: Caller pay, Receiver pay, and Both Caller and Receiver pay. Telephone companies will design various rate plans for customers to subscribe, these rate plans are usually regulated and subject to the approval of regulatory bodies, and are integral parts of service contracts between telephone companies and subscribers.
Among all the telephony products and rate plans, Premium Rate Services (PRS) have evolved since the early 1980's, whilst telephone companies engage third party service providers to provide value-added service via the telephone infrastructure, callers will have to pay a premium rate to gain access to these services. The receiver (provider) of a PRS call is the only party that is granted the contractual right to share the telephone charges that telephone companies collect from subscribers.
It is also normal to see that rate plans are not always call related, therefore basic service charges are common, meaning some price is to be paid for being just “connected” regardless of whether calls are made of not. In recent years, flat monthly fee plans are gaining popularity, while subscribers pay a flat fee and can make as many calls as he/she please without incurring additional per-call charges.
The latest evolution of communications over IP has enabled point-to-point as well as pooled multimedia communications without relying on the switch systems built by telephone companies for the call routing and exchange, and therefore also detached such communications from the billing and collection systems that the telephone companies built over their subscriber bases. The IP network builders need to take different approaches to address the needs to price and collect fees to make the facilitating of communications over IP networks a viable business.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,223,165 and 6,523,010 issued to Lauffer both teach a method of and an apparatus for facilitating the delivery of advice to consumers using a server unit that can store and display the names and characteristics of experts and then rapidly assist in connecting the expert and consumer for real-time communication. The server can also have the ability to receive keywords from the consumer, match those keywords to one or more experts, and tell the consumer how to contact an expert.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,801,899 issued to Lauffer teaches techniques for delivering information electronically and, more particularly, for delivering advice to consumers from a diverse set of experts. Lauffer also teaches systems and methods for matching consumers' questions with experts, displaying available experts for consumer viewing and selection, providing for compensation from consumers to experts, and providing for the connection between consumer and experts.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,540 issued to Faber, et al. teaches a method and apparatus for implementing group calling that includes displaying a service provider, a service provider rate for communicating with the service provider, and a real-time indication of whether the service provider is available. The method taught includes the steps of: receiving a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider and connecting the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer, receiving a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider and connecting the second customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the second customer while the first customer is coupled to the service provider, billing the first customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the first customer is maintained; and billing the second customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the second customer is maintained.
As observed in the marketplace, IP network builders or providers were still limited to the convention wisdoms of the old telephony industry. Users are given very no choice to leverage on their knowledge base to transform the perceived value in multimedia enhanced IP communications into financial benefit, not to mention the opportunity to participate in an open market for the acquisition of useful digital contents from sources that price their contents in a competitive fashion.
Another marketplace observation is the continual struggle that Instant Messaging (IM) service providers are experiencing trying to realize a positive return on their investment into VoIP. The marketplace is extremely competitive, competitors like Skype, offering “free internet telephony that just work” and other using free services like Microsoft's web conferencing and meeting software to engage in phone calls from personal computers to other personal computers located anywhere, connected by the Intranet. What is needed is a business method and model that provides additional features to its users rather than replacing conventional phone service at a much-reduced price, while offering its providers one or more revenue streams.
More and more frequently Internet users are using search engines to find desired information and points of contact for specific topics or assistance with problems. The multimedia communications system of the present invention is adaptable to integration into the current search engine methodology which utilizes paid advertising in exchange for prime ad placement on a displayed web page in response to a users search, and the relevance of listed advertising member is established via matching the keyword(s) used by the users in a search with the key word(s) subscribed by the advertising member.
The present invention accomplishes billing and collection of multimedia IP calls with Receiver designated fee schemes, and thereby enables such advance services as personal 800 or 900 service in the conventional telephony. Moreover, what goes beyond the telephony conventions is that with “Pay-to-Answer” option, the receiver can add virtually unlimited incentives into the terms to attract other members to make that call.
People involved in any communications (e.g. Instant Messaging over the internet) incur opportunity cost of the “time” and “perceived value of content”: The method and system empowers any member being called (as a receiver) to monetize these opportunity costs and realize financial benefits derived from the communication session. The present invention addresses the above stated needs by providing a capability to perform Receiver Self-priced multimedia communications via the IP network and over a member pool.
The Receiver Self-priced scheme allows a registered member to apply a pre-determined fee scheme comprising “fee flow” and “per-pulse rate” parameters in answering a call via an Internet connected device with installed client software. Depending on the receiver's designated fee flow, one of the parties involved in the communication will benefit from the transfer of monetary values of tokens, in an amount calculated in accordance with the receiver designated per-pulse rate.
Adopting the open market principle, members are free to choose an applicable fee flow with three options when members answer calls, namely “Pay-to-Answer”, “Free-to-Answer” and “Charge-to-Answer”. The options members chose will place the member in the marketplace as either a “Buyer”, “Neutral Player” or “Seller”. When a call is placed and answered, the main service contract is established between the caller and receiver, and fees are calculated and transferred between members, while the system servers as an intermediary, and collect a part of the fee flow as the reward with the nature being a commission.
The multimedia communications system of the present invention can be incorporated into a search engine to assists callers in locating the right person or receiver of the call to provide them with the best answer to their questions. Search engine sell keyword advertisements within their search result pages, but with the multimedia communications system of the present invention search engines can not only collect fees for advertisement placement, they can collect additional fees by charging a small percentage of the fee payment for each individual connection they are credited in delivering to the payee in a communication session.
Additionally, the billing and collection system of the present invention can incorporate a prepaid fee account in response to a member's necessity to have a find that can be used to pay for services as they occur and enable credit transfers between members for usage beyond the multimedia communications system fee flows. This prepaid account would operate more like a distributor of money or a payment gateway on a multi-user electronic network. The prepaid account may also allow for an escrow feature that enables a member to hold the transfer of a payment for any number of days or until further action is taken. The prior art has yet to address payment methods they work in unison with instant messaging services or are complementary to services offered over other such multimedia communication systems.
In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.
Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention. The invention is a method and process for enabling multimedia communications over a multi-user electronic network such as the Internet, which incorporates a receiver self-priced fee scheme for the determination of fee flow and the billing and collection of fees between the caller and receiver. Multimedia communications includes communication through instant messaging systems, other text messaging systems either instant or delayed, and voice communications systems either instant or delayed.
The multimedia communication system of the present invention is not specific to a single channel of communication over a multi-user electronic network, although the preferred embodiment incorporates uses instant messaging (IM). The major system elements consist of database server, multiple subsystems, and multiple users connected over a multi-user electronic network.
The mechanics of the processes and activities discussed above can be achieved using the conceptual model of
Via the Internet Cloud (107) members (113, 114, and 115) downloads and installs client-software (117), and login to the communication sub-system (103) and enter a “stand-by for communication” mode. The client software (117) enables members (113, 114, and 115), via the Internet cloud (107), to communicate directly with other users in a peer-to-peer relationship (118).
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the client-software (117) is in the form of a plug-in, which is well known in the prior art. When a user downloads the client-software (117) in plug-in format, s/he may load the client-software (117) on their machine as a plug-in software for any other compatible instant messaging software previously installed on their computer or other electronic device such as a cell phone or PDA. In such a complementary position, the fee flow between members is more easily enabled and the accessibility of the members to the member network in dramatically increased.
If the member has not downloaded the client software (221), they may do so at this point. Next, each member chooses a fee flow method (230) among options of “Pay-to-Answer (PA)” (242), “Charge-to-Answer (CA) (241)”, and “Free-to-Answer (FA) (240)”. Now the member is ready to set their own per-pulse fee rate (250) and does so by entering their desired rate (260). Once a member enters their desire rate (260), the database (111) is updated (270) via the member subsystem (102). The member subsystem (102) then hands off to the transaction subsystem (105) for process of the member transaction (280). The transaction subsystem (105) performs the database update (290) after the member transaction and the member logs out (291) upon completion.
In yet another embodiment of the multimedia communication system of the present invention multiple fee schemes for each member base on keyword searches completed on search engines or channel sensitivities of Internet portals are possible. Members may sign up for each fee scheme previously described and associate them with any number of keywords (223) or a groups of keywords. Additionally, members may sign up for each scheme associated with a channel division offered by an Internet portal.
Now referring to
The main system on the database server (110) prompts the communication subsystem (103) to clear receivers line to receive call (373). The communication subsystem (103) determines if the receiving member is ready to receive the call (360). If the receiving member is not ready (371) then the call is terminated (381). If the receiving member is ready to receive the call (370) the call is sent and the receiving member must then determine if they want to attempt the call (380). If the receiving member declines (391) the call is terminated (392). If the receiving member accepts (390) the call is connected by the communication subsystem (103) via a peer-to-peer connection (395).
Upon one party terminating the call or the expiration of the call limit duration (397), the call is terminated (393) and the communication subsystem (103) updates the database (111) with call details to create a record (394) and then the communication subsystem prompts the clearing subsystem (104) to start the accounting process (396). Call details may include, but are not limited to, a rating mechanism.
Now referring to
When receiving a call a member may or may not be required to deposit money into their fee account. Depending on a member's chosen fee scheme, in case of a CA member, the call can be answered without having to deposit a stored value into members fee account, because fee will flow from caller to receiver, and benefit the receiving member. In case of a PA or FA fee flow methods, the member will have to purchase, via transaction sub-system (105), and deposit into the stored-value fee account, in order to fulfill the fee flow paying to the caller and system.
When making a call a member may or may not be required to deposit money into their fee account. Depending on the Called (receiving) member's chosen fee scheme, in case of a PA or FA call, calling member can be cleared for the call, cause the calling party will benefit from the call and there is no need for the caller to pay any fee. In case of a CA call, the calling member will have to purchase via transaction sub-system (105) and deposit into the stored-value fee account, in order to fulfill the fee flow paying to the called (receiving) member and system.
The transaction system of the present invention create a fee flow between caller and receiver under all pay schemes and one alternative to requiring callers to deposit money into an account is to offer prepaid accounts. The use of prepaid accounts can also be leveraged to enable credit transfers between members for usage beyond the multimedia communication fee flows. In this embodiment, the multimedia communication system of the present invention can provide a transaction system that acts more like a distributor of money with other systems can accept as payment.
In yet another embodiment, the prepaid fee account can be converted into a payment gateway that other providers on the multi-user electronic network may adopt for accepting or making payments through their own individual systems.
In still another embodiment, the fee account can incorporate an escrow feature that will enable a member to place a hold on a transfer for any number of days until further notice is taken. This functionality servers to incorporate an escrow service into multimedia communications systems such as instant messenger over a multi-user electronic network such as the Internet which has not to be done in the prior art.
Now referring to
Now referring to
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a keyword search or refined search features are provided not only by Internet portals as most community websites have their own internal search mechanisms and systems. Thus the present invention is not limited in scope to search engine websites only, but can be readily adaptable to other community websites such as those commonly used by online auction companies, dating services, comparison-shopping, and phone book websites.
Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that virtually any group of refined search terms can be used to create a more precise and effective search. In the present invention a search engine, Internet portal, or community website can choose to provide a refined search option that allows a user to enter additional criteria such as sex or zip codes or any additional data fields defined in the search mechanism which will return more accurate results. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention refined search terms are related to receiving member's geographic location or personal characteristics.
The typical search engine result (700) illustrates that paying advertisers are displayed along a column (701) located on the right hand side of an Internet browser page. In the desired search results page (702), paying advertisers are listed in a first series of horizontal rows (703) and are displayed along a column (704) located on the right hand side of an Internet browser page. Additional information supplied with the calling icons located displayed along a column (704) located on the right hand side of an Internet browser page may be the receiver's country and zip code, keywords, and fee scheme (flow and rate).
Now referring to
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the that logo appearance illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, members can create multiple identities (also known as an alias) and designate different fee schemes to each of the alias, in order to take full advantage of the multiple fee/charging schemes. For example a member could elect to have a master identity as a Charge-to-Answer Professional, charging $10 per minute, while at the same time posting a Pay-to-Answer alias to encourage people to chat with the member in French, which they might both be enthusiastically learning, by paying a flat rate of $1 per call. Under this format there is no conflict for a member to charge or pay for calls based on these two roles, because the callers will be calling the member from identity sources that describe the member differently, and know beforehand what the cost or benefit would be from making that call.
It is appreciated that the relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in database and subsystem configuration to detach them for each other and provide the possibilities to deploy the system in different locations and under different authorities with division of labor, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
In addition, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/860,858, entitled “Method and System for Receiver Self-priced Multimedia Communication Over the Internet and a Member Pool Incorporating Advertising Placement in Conjunction with a Search Engine”, filed on Jun. 6, 2004 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/831,857, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/481,678. This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/831,857, entitled “Method and System for Receiver Self-priced Multimedia Communication Over the Internet and a Member Pool”, filed on Apr. 26, 2004, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/481,678. This application cross-references U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/481,678, entitled “Method and System for Receiver Self-priced Multimedia Communication Over the Internet and a Member Pool”, filed on Nov. 20, 2003. This application cross-references Taiwan Patent Application SN 092132211, entitled “Method and System for Receiver Self-priced Multimedia Communication Over the Internet and a Member Pool”, filed on Dec. 1, 2003. This application cross-references China Patent Application SN 2003/101225324, entitled “Method and system for multimedia communication over the Internet and a Member Pool”, filed on Dec. 12, 2003.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60481678 | Nov 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10860858 | Jun 2004 | US |
| Child | 11182909 | Jul 2005 | US |
| Parent | 10831857 | Apr 2004 | US |
| Child | 10860858 | Jun 2004 | US |
