Patent Application
20120089484
The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications, and, more particularly, to offering media content.
Media content providers provide an array of media content to users, based on user selections. Typically, a user selects media content from a media guide, and the media content provider provides the selected media content to the user via a telecommunications connection.
A user may refer to media content reviews posted by other users in selecting media content. However, the reviews of other users are not typically geared towards any particular user and thus may not be relevant. Moreover, there is little incentive for users to provide reviews of media content or to suggest media content to any particular user.
It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
According to one embodiment, a method for offering media content includes performing at least one of a first media content offering and a second media content offering responsive to receipt of an indication of a communication from a first communication device to a second communication device. The first media content offering includes transmitting a first media content sample of first media content to the first communication device or the second communication device based on at least one preference of a user of the first communication device or the second communication device and receiving a selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicating whether a user of the first communication device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content based on the first media content sample. If the received selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicates that the user of the first communication device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content, the first media content is transmitted to the first communication device, the second communication device, or another designated device.
According to another embodiment, a device for offering media content, includes a transceiver for communicating with at least a first communication device and a second communication device, a memory for storing at least one user preference associated with a user of the first communication device and at least one user preference associated with a user of the second communication device, and a processor for offering media content based on the stored user preferences. Responsive to an indication of a communication from the first communication device to the second communication device, the processor performs at least one of a first media content offering and a second media content offering. The first media content offering includes transmitting a first media content sample of first media content to the first media communication device or the second communication device based on at least one preference of a user of the first communication device or the second communication device and receiving a selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicating whether a user of the first communication device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content based on the first media content sample. If the received selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicates that the user of the first communication device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content, the first media content is transmitted to the first communication device, the second communication device, or another designated device.
According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer program product includes a storage medium upon which instructions are recorded that, when executed by a processor, perform a method for offering media content. The method includes performing at least one of a first media offering and a second media content offering, responsive to receipt of an indication of a communication from a first communication device to a second communication device, transmitting a first media content sample of first media content to the first communication device or the second communication device based on at least one preference of a user of the first communication device or the second communication device and receiving a selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicating whether a user of the first communication device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content based on the first media content sample. If the received selection from the first communication device or the second communication device indicates that the user of the first communicating device or the second communication device desires to download the first media content, the first media content is transmitted to the first communication device, the second communication device, or another designated device
Detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the embodiments described and illustrated are merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as examples or illustrations. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting.
According to exemplary embodiments, wireless and wireline users are enabled to associate media and other preferences for products and services for each number, e.g., telephone number, on their accounts and for some or all called numbers. Preferences may include, e.g., preferences for particular music genres, artists, movies, books, event tickets, and other products and services. Preferences may be designated using, for example, calling party/called party devices and/or a web portable or any other device accessible by users of the calling party/called party devices to set preferences.
According to exemplary embodiments, when a call is made, one or more songs, ring tones, and offers for products/services may be played to the called party and/or to the calling party. Thus, media offerings may be sent in either or both directions between the called party and the calling party.
The called party and the calling party may be provided with a real time offer to purchase and download media content, such as a complete song, a ringtone, a movie, a music video, a book, an event tickets or other products/services, before the call setup is terminated or at any point during the actual call. If downloading occurs during a call, it is desirable that it not interfere with the call, e.g., the speech path. Alternatively, the called party and the calling party may be provided with an offer to purchase and download media content after completion of the call, e.g., by maintaining an offer history. The media content may be downloaded to a device used for the call, e.g., a cellular telephone, or another designated device, e.g., another device that may be used for playing the media or a server hosting a media account, such as an I-Tunes account. Preferences for downloading media content to other devices may be designated by users in a manner similar to which media preferences are designated for a calling party and a called party. The media content may be downloaded at any desired point, e.g., during the actual call, upon completion of the call, or at any point after completion of the call. In addition, or as an alternative, a history of purchased media content may be stored in a user's library for future downloads. A called party/calling party may also purchase media contest using a call history of previously played ring tones through the use of, e.g., a handheld computer or media device.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an offer may be forwarded to a called party/calling party's friends and associates, and if a friend or associate downloads the offered media, the called party/calling party may be credited to his or her account for that download. This provides an incentive for the called party/calling party to refer offers to others.
According to one embodiment, the calling party using a calling device 120 drives the process of a random content sale opportunity to the called party using the called device 110, based on preferences of the calling party that are stored in advance in the media server 140. The calling party may store preferences specifically geared toward the called party, among others. The calling party preferences may be overridden by preferences of the called party. If the called party accepts an offer to purchase media, products, or services based on the calling party's recommendation, the calling party's account may be credited.
According to another embodiment, the called party using device 110 may specify media preferences that are stored in advance in the media server 140. Alternatively, there preferences may be specified via other suitable devices, e.g., a web portal accessible via a personal computer or PDA. The calling party may be offered media based on the preferences of the called party. The called party's preferences may be geared to the calling party, among others. If the calling party accepts an offer to purchase media, product, or service based upon the called party's recommendation, the called party's account may be credited.
The media server 140 stores preferences, including, for example, songs, ring tones, music, and video preferences for each telephone number. The media server 140 interfaces with users via the wireless network 130 for preference management and purchase history. The media server 140 streams media content that is selected by called parties/calling parties to the desired destinations and stores balances of credits/debits for all parties. The media server 140 acts as a media store, allowing users to purchase media content in real time. Also, users may be provided with a message, e.g., a text message or an email, providing a URL which may be used to purchase items at a later date. Additionally, a listing of offers may be stored, e.g., in the media store 140 or in the devices 120 and 110, allowing users to purchase offer media content at a later date.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the called party may select media to purchase, based on the media content sample, e.g., through pushing buttons on a keyboard of the called party device 110. For example, the called party may push “S” to purchase a song, “R” to purchase a ring tone, “B” to purchase a book, “mm” for a multi-media package, and “X” not to purchase. The selections made via the called party device 110 are communicated to the media server 140, as represented in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the calling party's account may be Credited, and the called party's account may be billed for a download, if the called party downloads the media content. Alternatively, the media content may be free, in which case the called party's account would not be billed. Additionally, if the called party and/or the calling party recommend the media content to others, the accounts of the called party and/or the calling party may be credited, and the accounts of others may be billed, as appropriate. Credit may be in the form of money, bonus points, and/or loyalty credits which may be used for other purchases or for obtaining discounts. Accounts may be billed in a similar manner, e.g., by subtracting money, bonus points, and/or loyalty credits from a party's account.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the media server 140 downloads the selected media content, e.g., after the call is completed, to the calling party device 120 as represented in
According to an exemplary embodiment, the called party's account may be credited, and the calling party's account may be billed for a download, if the calling party downloads the media content. Alternatively, the media content may be free, in which case the calling party's account would not be billed. Additionally, if the called party and/or the calling party recommend the media content to others, the accounts of the called party and/or the calling party may be credited, and the accounts of others may be billed, as appropriate. Crediting and billing may be performed in a manner similar to that described above with reference to
The processor 410 communicates with the memory 430 via, e.g., an address/data bus. The processor 410 can be any commercially available or customer microprocessor. The memory is 430 is representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used to implement the functionality of the device 400. The memory 430 can include but is not limited to the following types of devices: processor registers, processor cache, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAMD, DRAM other volatile memory forms, and non-volatile, semi-permanent or permanent memory types; for example, tape-based media, optical media, solid state media, hard disks, combinations thereof, and the like.
In addition to the implementations above, various components of the device 400, including the memory 430, processor 410 and I/O Data Ports 420 may be implemented with alternative components. For example, each of these components may be implemented with bio-magnetic, bio-electric, and/or biomechanical devices.
As shown in
While the memory 430 is illustrated as residing proximate the processor 410, it should be understood that at least a portion of the memory 430 can be a remotely accessed storage system, for example, a server on a communication network, a remote hard disk drive, a removable storage medium, combinations thereof, and the like. Thus, any of the data, applications, and/or software described above can be stored within the memory 430 and/or accessed via network connections to other data processing systems (not shown) that may include a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or a wide area network (WAN), for example.
It should be understood that
The devices, methods, and computer program products described herein may be implemented in any wireless networks that use exemplary telecommunications standards, such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). It should be understood, however, that the devices, methods, and computer program products described herein may alternatively be implemented in wireless networks that use any existing or yet to be developed telecommunications technology. Some examples of other suitable telecommunications technologies include, but are not limited to, networks utilizing Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), WIMAX and various other 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, and greater generation technologies. Examples of suitable data bearers include, but are not limited to, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) protocol family such as, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Enhanced Uplink (EUL) or otherwise termed High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Evolved HSPA (HSPA+), and various other current and future data bearers. Further, the devices, methods and computer products described herein may be implemented using wireline networks or combinations of wireline/wireless networks.
The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
