Patent Application
20080052353
The present invention relates generally to electronic commerce using digital and analog networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to a network application for recording and distributing recorded information and for tracking the communication time period and allocating revenue based thereon.
Consumers interested in acquiring voice-based services, i.e., services that can be provided over a telephone, must first identify the service provider who is capable of providing the required services. At present, this usually means perusing a telephone directory, which can become frustrating and time-consuming if the service providers telephoned are not immediately available. A phone book (whether a bound paper book or an electronic directory) is also not very effective if the service provider's business category is not known.
Over the years, a number of systems have been developed that partially address this problem. In particular, these include systems that attempt to match potential customers with potential service providers. They range from free bulletin-board-style Internet web sites to sophisticated Internet-based consulting services.
One such system is similar to an electronic “marketplace.” Users submit via the Internet a description of the services they need to an Internet-based “exchange.” These descriptions include the subject matter of the requested service, time constraints for service delivery, and the proposed price to be paid for the services. The exchange then identifies potential service providers and facilitates bidding for the job by the selected service providers, some of whom may or may not have been selected previously by the user. Once the service providers' bids have been received by the user, the user sends a full job request to one or more service providers of particular interest. The service providers who remain interested in the proposed work then submit a final bid to the user. This bid may also include the expert's particular qualifications and conditions for accepting the work. After the work has been completed, the expert contacts the exchange for payment. Although this system is beneficial, users still do not immediately know if an expert is available and the response from the expert is neither immediate nor direct.
Another prior art system maintains a list of independent professors available for answering questions via the Internet. The system functions as a middleman between the customer and the professors. The customer contacts the system via the Internet with a question. The system then contacts various experts within the appropriate field via the Internet and forwards the customer's question to the experts. Here too, customers do not immediately know if an expert is available, and the response from the expert is not immediate.
There is another system that allows users to post via the Internet questions for experts related to specific topical categories. However, there is no guarantee that an expert will answer the question as the user does not pay for the services and the experts are not paid. Again, presuming the expert is willing to answer a question, users do not immediately know if an expert is available and the response from the expert is not immediate nor direct.
Another system allows users to post questions to an electronic “bulletin board.” Other users, whether expert or not, then provide answers or comments on a voluntary basis. This system, though useful, suffers from many of the same problems as the system described above.
In some situations, the expert can provide useful information without having to interact directly with the customer or user. None of the systems described above has the capability of distributing recorded information to a user looking for and willing to pay for such information.
Today, the only viable methods to sell recorded aural information is by offering physical, recorded media (compact discs, cassettes, etc.) or by setting up a 1-900 number with a recorded message. Physical, recorded media such as compact discs are cumbersome and expensive to manufacture and distribute. 1-900 numbers are difficult because information providers cannot update the recording without physically accessing the machine and manually changing the recording to be played. They are also costly to publicize because each 1-900 number must be marketed separately.
The present invention provides a system through which information can be recorded and distributed. The system includes a controller computer linked with a communications interface. The controller computer has a database, a first logic unit linked with the database to establish via the communications interface a first communications connection with an information provider, and a second logic unit linked with the database to establish via the communications interface a second communications connection with a user. The information from the information provider is recorded over the first communications connection and stored on the database. In response to the user selecting to receive the information, the system delivers the information via the second communications connection to the user. Methods of recording and providing information and of selling recorded information are also provided herewith.
The present invention enables information providers to record, update, and deliver information from anywhere that has communications access, whether through a telephone network, a computer network, wireless communications network, etc. and enables information users to access such information from anywhere that has communications access. In one embodiment, a system according to the present invention establishes a web site, through which the information provider can at any time update the recorded information or the description and price that appear to the user and through which the user can at any time access the recorded information. Upon selecting to receive a desired recording, the user can listen to it through the telephone or other communications device. While the recorded information is being delivered to the user, the user would accrue charges on either a per-time period or lump-sum basis. The information provider would later receive all or part of the accrued charges. The present invention effectively solves all of the logistical problems involved with recording and distributing aural information.
As shown in
The controller computer 300 has the functionality of a standard web server, capable of interacting dynamically via the service provider computers 200 and the customer computers 100 with service providers and customers, respectively. In addition to the standard web server operations, the controller computer 300 is linked with a communications interface (“telephone interface”) 700 that enables the controller computer 300 to set up, initiate, confirm, and track communications between the customers and service providers, on the one hand, and the controller computer 300 on the other hand. The controller computer 300 has the ability to establish a first communications connection, e.g., a telephone call, with service providers for the purpose of recording and updating information stored in a database 310 maintained on the controller computer 300. The controller computer 300 also has the ability to establish a second communications connection, e.g., a telephone call, with customers for the purpose of distributing the information stored in the database 310.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in
Typically, customers and service providers register before customers can purchase services or information and before service providers can offer their services or information through the web site. During registration, the customers and the service providers are requested to submit certain information, such as a username and password. Customers may be requested to submit credit card or other financial information. Service providers may or may not be requested to submit credit card or other financial information. Once the requested information has been submitted, the data is stored in the database 310 in an account set up for the service provider and in a user account set up for the customer.
In one embodiment, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 presents a web page on the customer computer 100 and the service provider computer 200 through which the logic unit prompts the customer and the service provider to submit the requested registration information. The logic unit is linked with the database 310 and so automatically sets up the account and the user account and automatically stores the submitted registration information in the appropriate accounts on the database 310.
Service providers typically submit a description about and/or a listing for each information service they will provide through the web site. In one embodiment, the description and listing are submitted via the computer connection that has been established between the controller computer 300 and the service provider computer 200. Using a web page presented by a logic unit within the controller computer 300 on the service provider computer 200, the service provider typically first submits a valid username and password combination to access the account that has been set up for the service provider. The controller computer 300 will confirm the username and password combination by comparing the submitted data to data stored in the database 310 in the account set up for the service provider.
Once the username and password combination is successfully verified and the service provider has accessed the account, in one embodiment a logic unit within the controller computer 300 presents a web page 1000 as illustrated in
After the category is chosen, the service provider clicks on Continue 1020, and in one embodiment, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 then presents the service provider with a web page 1200 as illustrated in
After the service provider has finished creating the listing and the description, the service provider clicks on Continue 1260. Where the service provider has selected to provide information in a recorded format, in one embodiment, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 next presents the service provider with a web page 1400 as illustrated in
In the embodiment depicted in
One possibility is that the recording proceeds without a problem. When the service provider has finished providing the information, the service provider provides some indication, e.g., by pressing the #-key, to the controller computer 300 that he has finished 2131. In response, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 prompts the service provider to either listen to the information, save the information, or to re-record the information 2140. The service provider may indicate his choice by, e.g., pressing a number on the telephone keypad, or speaking a number into the telephone connection. If the service provider chooses to listen to the information, the controller computer 300 will play the information over the telephone connection and, at the end of the recording, return to 2140 and prompt the service provider to again choose to either listen (again) to the information, save the information, or to re-record the information. If the service provider chooses to save the information, the controller computer 300 acknowledges that the information has been saved, e.g., with a congratulatory message, and ends the communications connection 2150. If the service provider chooses to re-record the information, the controller computer 300 prompts the service provider to re-record the information, and then returns to 2130.
Another possibility that exists is that the communications connection is interrupted in the middle of recording the information, e.g., the service provider hangs up the telephone or otherwise becomes disconnected from the controller computer 300. If the communications connection is ended without the controller computer 300 receiving an indication that the service provider has finished recording the information, the controller computer 300 will save the information, but the listing for the information will not appear on the web site until the controller computer 300 receives a confirmation from the service provider that the information is ready for distribution 2132.
Another possibility is that the service provider will pause the recording before finishing, or will decide in the middle of recording the information to start over. The service provider may indicate his decision by, e.g., pressing the *-key, 2133. In response to receiving such an indication, the logic unit of the controller computer 300 will return to 2130 and begin the recording process anew.
Still another possibility is that the controller computer 300 reaches a “timeout” condition 2134. This may happen, e.g., when a size limit for the recorded information (either in terms length of time, e.g., 30 minutes, or computer or database memory) has been reached, or when the controller computer 300 records silence for a set length of time, e.g., 30 seconds. If the timeout condition is reached because the recorded information has reached the size limit, the controller computer 300 will proceed to 2140 and prompt the service provider as though the controller computer 300 has received an indication that service provider was finished. If the timeout condition is reached because the controller computer 300 has recorded silence for the set length of time, then the controller computer 300 will prompt the service provider that nothing has been recorded for the set length of time and play what information has been recorded 2135. After the recorded part of the information is played back, the controller computer will prompt the service provider to continue recording and return to 2130. If the controller computer again records only silence for the set length of time, the controller computer 300 will terminate the communications connection without having saved any of the information.
Once the controller computer 300 receives confirmation from the service provider to save the information, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 that is linked with the database 310 will save the recorded information in the service provider's account on the database 310. A system according to the present invention allows the service provider to access the account at any time to change or update the listing, the description, and/or the recorded information. To update the listing, description or the recorded information, in one embodiment the controller computer 300 would provide to the service provider the same or similar web pages as those illustrated in
In one embodiment, after the recorded information has been saved, a system according to the present invention previews the service provider's listing for the service provider prior to making the listing accessible to all of the users who browse the web site.
In San Fran Steven's Listings, shown in
On the preview page shown in
Once the recorded information has been saved and listing, description and recorded information confirmed, the recorded information becomes available for sale to all of the users who browse the web site. Access to the web site may be established as described above, with the customer using a user computer (“customer computer”) 100 to connect to a network 500 and then entering the URL of the controller computer 300. A logic unit within the controller computer 300 then establishes a computer connection with the customer computer 100.
After the computer connection has been established, in one embodiment customers will have the option of executing a keyword search for service providers. The keyword search can be executed from a web page presented by a logic unit of the controller computer 300 on the customer computer 100. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that a keyword search consists of scanning a database for words that match the keywords entered. In this embodiment, the keyword search will be executed against the descriptions and listing data stored in the database 310 maintained on the controller computer 300. In one embodiment, customers will view a list of service providers matching the keyword search criteria on a web page presented by the logic unit on the customer computer. Customers will have the option of viewing the service providers listed according to price, availability, or customer evaluations in either ascending or descending order. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the service providers can be listed in any number of ways. As an alternative to a keyword search, customers can select a category to view a predetermined list of service providers. In one embodiment as described above with reference to
In one embodiment, the list of service providers includes a description of each information service provided by the service provider. The customer can select to receive the information described, e.g., by clicking on the description or on a link included with the description. If the customer selects to receive a recorded information product, a logic unit within the controller computer 300 will respond by establishing via the communications interface 700 a communications connection with the customer. The communications connection may be established over a telephone network, a computer network, satellite network, wireless communications network, direct TV network, or other type of communications network, and may include an audio connection, video connection, or other type of data connection.
At this point, the customer may choose either to stop delivery of the recorded information before its end or to listen to the recorded information to its end 2231. If the customer chooses to listen to the recorded information to its end 2231, the controller computer 300 will prompt the customer to choose to listen to the information again or to end the call 2232 by, e.g., pressing a number on the telephone keypad. If the customer chooses to listen to the information again, the controller computer 300 will re-send the information over the communications connection. If the customer chooses to end the call, the controller computer 300 will proceed to 2240, where the telephone connection is ended. In one embodiment, after providing the information to the customer, the controller computer 300 prompts the customer to submit an evaluation rating of the information that is stored on the database 310 as part of the description of the information.
Alternatively, the customer may choose to stop delivery of the information before it has reached its end. The customer may do this by, e.g., pressing the #-key on the telephone keypad or by hanging up. If the customer chooses to stop delivery of the information by providing an indication to the controller computer, e.g., by pressing the #-key, then the controller computer proceeds to 2240 and ends the telephone connection.
In one embodiment, the controller computer 300 according to the present invention has a logic unit to track how long the information is delivered to the customer. When the customer accepts the call 2220, the logic unit may begin a telephone call timer for the purpose of billing the customer for the information. As described above, the price for the information may be a rate per period of time or a fixed amount for each time the information is provided to the customer. In one embodiment, the logic unit automatically deducts an amount from the customer's user account when delivery of the information has stopped. Alternatively, the logic unit may deduct an amount equal to the rate charged by the service provider as the information is being delivered, i.e., while the communications connection is being maintained. If the telephone call has not been concluded when only a minute's worth of time is remaining (based on the rate charged by the service provider) on the user account, the controller computer 300 will prompt the customer to increase the credit in the user account, or to purchase additional time. If the customer does not increase the credit or purchased additional time, the controller computer 300 will prompt the customer to provide additional credit or payment before the call is terminated.
In one embodiment, the controller computer 300 records a summary of the transaction in the database 310 maintained on the controller computer 300 and updates the customer's user account and the service provider's account accordingly. The controller computer 300 additionally may send summary messages, e.g., via electronic mail, to both the service provider and the customer.
In one embodiment of a system according to the present invention, customers and service providers will be given a summary of account activity. This information may include services provided, services purchased, and the current month's billing and payment summary. Customers and service providers also may have the option of viewing the previous month's billing and payment summary as well as the next month's billing and payment summary.
A comedian named Peter offers a service to his audience that he calls “Joke of the Day,” in which he tells a joke that is particularly relevant to current events and today's celebrities. He has described this service at the subject web site under “Humor” in a listing that indicates the comedian's description, photograph, credentials, and a 50-cent price per minute to listen to the “Joke of the Day.” In order to record the joke each morning, Peter goes to the subject web site, and clicks on “Call Me Now to Make Recording.” The web site instantly calls him on his telephone and prompts him to speak his new recording. The new joke is recorded and stored on the web site.
A customer named Linda, who would like to hear a “Joke of the Day,” goes to the subject web site. She looks in the Humor section and finds several listings of comedians with different descriptions and prices. After choosing to listen to Peter's joke, she clicks on the “Call Me Now” button. Her telephone instantly rings and she is played a recording of Peter's joke of the day. She listens for three minutes, and then hangs up. Her credit card is charged a total of $1.50 for the three minutes (at 50 cents per minute). Peter's online account is credited the $1.50 minus a fee collected by the web site.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this example and the embodiments described above are illustrative only and do not in any way limit the range of applications of the present invention. Numerous modifications, variations, and improvements may be made to the example and the embodiments described above that still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/522,322, filed on Mar. 9, 2000, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09522322 | Mar 2000 | US |
| Child | 11932431 | Oct 2007 | US |
