WO1991006187A1

WO1991006187A1 - Telephone system used for the distribution of advertising messages

Info

Publication number: WO1991006187A1
Application number: PCT/FR1990/000756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dufour
Original assignee: Dufour Jean Pierre
Priority date: 1989-10-20
Filing date: 1990-10-19
Publication date: 1991-05-02
Also published as: FR2653623A1; EP0450045A1; FR2653623B1

Abstract

Process for the distribution of advertising messages (orally, via computer, or visually by announcers) on a telephone or computer link between two subscribers communicating by means of a system assembly which constitutes a private service centre. Said process is characterised by the fact that first the subscriber composes the services subscription free call number (the so-called 'green' number), then a digital vocal server receives the call and the first series of advertisements is introduced, the subscriber being asked to compose the desired subscriber number, using word over-dialling, as soon as the tone of the second outgoing line, which has then been connected, is heard. The communication is characterised by the fact that the connection is interrupted at short intervals, during which the advertising messages and slogans are interjected on the two lines. All communication between the outgoing and incoming lines is billed to the announcers, which ensures a complete free connection though at said announcers' discretion.

Description

Telephone system for broadcasting advertising messages.

Application

The invention relates to devices allowing the private or public calling subscriber to make free calls to the called subscriber of his choice.

In a room of technical units, called a server (figl), each telephone call is established thanks to the relay of two telephone lines L1 and 1-2, one incoming, the other outgoing. This room is located in 15 private site, it connects subscribers by a means outside the central routing. On these lines specialized devices allow control and ^'injection determined crossings advertisements. The system is broken down into two main parts: 0 - a supernumerotation system (2)

- a digital voice server, support for insertions (3). Each incoming line physically corresponds to one and only one output line. 5 Each line is assigned a fixed maximum number of insertions, physically made up of as many ad-emitting modules (A, B, C, etc.). The process respects the consumer who is free to use it and to welcome it or not as they please without disturbing their privacy.

A very strict specification will confirm the ethical operation of the server, so as not to deviate from the case law and regulations of authorized communications as well as infringements of the 5 freedoms of users.

Among other things, in a more sophisticated version, the server could receive and re-transmit over the air for messaging radios (22). DIAGRAM

Depending on the subscriber's handset, whose telephone keypad dials in multi-frequency mode (each digit is transmitted in the form of dual-frequency pulses, composed of two tones taken from different tables), one "advertising" memorization key (4) , on which the brand of the process is registered as well as "Free Call subject to advertisers", reassures and facilitates the use of the process.

The "green" freephone number is the one assigned to the incoming line L1 of the server. The cost of this communication is borne by the server operator. For prepaid telephones for unprotected sites, free, a memory button will indicate this service. For those using a calling card, the latter will automatically dial the server number, the user will dial in multi-frequency mode as the recipient's number.

In other cases, in agreement with the central electronic routing companies, a simplified telephone number will facilitate the use of the process. The goal being convenience of use (where we will use the # plus a number, etc ...). The calling subscriber has access to the freephone number only in a specific geographical area in relation to the operation of the server. Several variants are possible for the industrialization of the server.

A simplified version obliges the calling subscriber to choose between several freephone numbers. Each being restrictive as to the destination of the desired communication. - communication of local tariff district (5)

- neighborhood area (6)

- interurban or specialized area (7)

SPARE FIRE - international zone (8) This restriction requested by the operator of the server authorizes line L2 only at a specific destination in the zone mentioned above. The subscriber requested can only be reached if he is located in this rate division area. In a more sophisticated version, the calling subscriber dials a unique freephone number.

Following the reception of a call from the server, a transmitter module (9) of digital advertisements (PROM or DRAM), receives and injects the first advertisement insertion. The subscriber is then invited to dial the number of the desired subscriber requested by voice frequency. This system of electronic components analyzes the destination numbering (10).

The incoming line is switched by shunting (11) with one line and only one outgoing whose destination in the tariff area corresponds to the requested route, for example: either local or long distance.

The analysis depends on the number of digits dialed (12):

2 digits: destination (forbidden prefixes) authorized (example: 19) or not for international.

8 digits: local destination

8 digits: neighborhoods with recognized prefixes

10 digits: long distance. Each country being different, the number of figures cited is only an example, it will be determined and predefined for each.

The invention, as mentioned at the beginning, is not intended to record in memory and restore the numbers of the called parties and the callers, although current techniques allow it. Remember that the server will be located mainly on a private site.

REPLACEMENT SHEET This technical means thus mentioned above acts as an automatic switch.

So this supernumerotation and auto-switch system is made up of electronic technical means (possibly telematics) and software, restoring the essential functionalities:

- a received signaling analyzer (10)

- software that implements the interfaces: it consists of 4 modules: a) the server responds to subscriber numbering requests. b) the server gives the possibility of consulting and updating authorized information (possible via remote servers). c) it makes the automatic call (11). d) it exchanges the requested numbering requests with the authorized routes (13).

The ad deliveries being a function of the routing (Fig 2). The technical standards of this system are not defined here, which may vary for certain countries whose standards are different. The best synthesis will apply to the best constructions of the moment. The invention can use optical fibers among other things. The fact of shunting on a private site, an incoming line requested by a subscriber, and an outgoing line on which the latter supercalls live to obtain the subscriber of his choice, remains specific to the invention (11). This system mentioned above is supplemented below. Either the requested subscriber is absent, or as soon as he goes off-hook, an authorized call duration is defined. The invention indeed predisposes a limit of communication. The fact of total gratuitousness being acquired subject to advertisers, in order to ensure a good perception of the messages of the latter who finance the operation, the limitation is necessary to ^" avoid any abuse of use of the process which would weaken the notoriety of the media support thus invented.

REPLACEMENT SHEET It is a device (12) which complements the system characterized in that it includes clock means capable of limiting communication with the outgoing line over time, and of regularizing the passage of the series of 5 advertising messages, these means being controlled in said set of systems (2): supernumbering-auto switch-software.

An electronic device (14), characterized in that it comprises means for amplifying the signal of the line

10 outgoing starts working when the called party answers the call.

This device fights against telephone losses due to long distance routing of the outgoing line.

15 The second main part is the voice server system (3) (or telematics, or visual, etc.), which supports insertions.

This device is characterized by its function, in that it delivers a message (digital for the sound-

² 0 telematics or visual), taken at the start, to a caller who has dialed a telephone number for this purpose on the incoming line, characterized in that it delivers said messages to two subscribers, when the first has joined the second , on an outgoing line.

² Said device is characterized in that it is exclusively a transmitter on the lines, but in no case can it record conversations on said lines, in accordance with an ethical respect for the process and the laws relating to freedom of communications and

³⁰ consumers.

Among other things as soon as the called subscriber goes off-hook, a transmitter module (15) will inject an announcement which will confirm to the called party that a person wishes to join them on this process. This called will be able to hang up the line ³⁵ if it is not willing to receive advertisements that follow in their communication. The cyclic announcer (16) is characterized in that it consists of several modules transmitters A, B, C ..., each injecting therefore in its time, a series of spots (information, slogans or others), during the course of the communication (example: a series of spots will intervene after 1 min of conversation according to the management order of the server operator), and according to a logical sequence A, B, C, D, etc. The transmitter is characterized by a device ordering the passage order A, B, C, D , etc.

On the other hand, each module is characterized in that a call counting device (17) limits the number of passages of the series of spots mentioned (to the number ordered by the advertisers).

The cyclic transmitter is characterized by a device

(18) noting the end of authorized passage, in one of its modules and characterized by another device (19), which consequently, orders the next cyclic passage to said transmitter following that which is at the end of the series of spots.

The cyclic transmitter of announcements is characterized in that its transmitter modules being at the end of the announcement series, a device (20) prohibits access to the outgoing line, the call rings "busy".

As a reminder, the invention is characterized by a free call subject to advertisers. Each transmitter module is characterized by an adjustable duration of the message.

In particular, a set of interfaces may be provided, with static or dynamic memories which constitute the technical means of the module injector.

The cyclic transmitter is thus technically divided into juxtaposed modules where the series of spots are recorded independently locally or remotely, the passages of which are counted by a counter. Each line operates independently and has an individual memory.

REPLACEMENT SHEET The invention includes, apart from these main provisions, certain others which are preferably used at the same time and which will be more explicitly discussed below. In what follows, a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawing: remote management (21). Concerning advertisers, they must be reassured of the passage of their advertising spots. The management is carried out according to several variants either by a telematic terminal of the type of those known under the commercial designation Minitel (21) or by a PC adapted locally or remotely with access confidentiality, with a call counting per module , by grouping of modules, with time slots, edition of the report. The terminal signals the faulty modules.

Technically, the servers will be characterized mainly in "cabinet" type. Located on a private site, they will have a backup of several hours, even a few days. These servers are characterized by the aforementioned devices and means usable in hygrometry and usual temperature, with power supply according to version 220 V ± 10% 50 Hz or 46 V DC. The current technology used is 32 KB / S, other possible versions are 42 KB / S or 64 KB / S. Coding is carried out (oral messages) in Delta modulation. The line impedance is 600 ohms.

The use of a server is characterized by the operating report: subscribers requesting advertisers who finance communications. This exploitation gives birth to a new medium: the advertising telephone. The invention relates to the implementation of the systems and additional devices mentioned above, but which constitute only a division of the server. The server is characterized by a set of these divisions (1): 1 incoming line / 1 outgoing line at least 4, see 8, 12 or 48 (incoming lines / outgoing lines). Configured in "Cabinet" type, the server is

REPLACEMENT SHEET characterized in that its presentation makes it modular and that it can respond to "evolving" traffic. Following this, and whatever the embodiment adopted, one finally obtains a method of broadcasting advertising messages (oral, telematic or visual by advertisers) on a telephone or telematic link between two subscribers who can communicate through a set of systems constituting a private server center, is characterized in that the subscriber first dials the toll-free number (called "green") of the server subscription, or a digital voice server receives the call, it inserts the first series of advertisements or slogans then invites the calling subscriber to dial directly by voice supernumerotation, the number of the requested subscriber, from the tone of the second outgoing line thus connected. Communication is characterized in that it consists in interrupting for a short period of time said connection, injecting on both lines, in said intervals, said advertising messages or slogans, and billing the total communication of incoming and outgoing lines to said advertisers, ensuring total free communication subject to advertisers. The constitution, functioning and benefits resulting sufficiently from the above. As goes without saying, and as it already follows from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its modes of application and embodiments which have been more especially envisaged, it embraces it, on the contrary , all variants (telematics, visual, paging) on private site or not.

REPLACEMENT SHEET

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Method of broadcasting advertising messages (oral telematic or visual by advertisers) on a telephone or telematic link between two subscribers able to communicate through a set of systems constituting a private server center, characterized in that the subscriber dial the server toll-free number, then dial directly by redial

1 ⁰ vocable, the number of the subscriber requested (for all distances: local, neighborhood, interurban or international), characterized in that it consists in interrupting for short intervals of time said connection to be injected on the two lines, in said

15 intervals said advertising messages or slogans, and to bill the total communication of incoming and outgoing lines to said advertisers, ensuring free communication.

20 2. Device for implementing the method of claim 1, characterized in that each division of the server is constituted in the form of a technical assembly comprising a connection system (11) suitable for connecting an incoming line L1 d '' a subscriber requesting

25 an outgoing line L2, specialized devices (15) allowing the injection on said link L1, L2 of said advertising messages, and an electronic console (11) ensuring the supernumerotation, namely, ensuring the connection of said outgoing line L2 with the line of

30 the other subscriber.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said technical assembly comprises software suitable for authorizing said connection (L1, L2) and for managing ~ ^~ - ^~ the regularization of said specialized devices constituting the digital voice server system (or telematics , or visual, or radio messaging ...), for the injection of said advertising messages.

REPLACEMENT SHEET

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said specialized devices (16) have a capacity of several modules (A, B, C ...) each associated with a counting device (17), a series of messages advertising being registered in each module.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said technical assembly comprises an end of passage device (18) capable of stopping the emission from a module (A, B, C ...) arriving at its term, and switch it to another next module taking over.

6. Device (20), according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said technical assembly further comprises a technical means suitable for informing said software so that it does not authorize connection on said outgoing line L2 if the last module is out of advertisers, the line then ringing "busy" for the calling subscriber.

7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises clock means suitable for regularizing the passage of the series of advertising messages, these means being controlled by said software.

REPLACEMENT SHEET