WO2000035216A1

WO2000035216A1 - System and method for providing targeted messages based on wireless mobile location

Info

Publication number: WO2000035216A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/026420
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig A. Owensby
Original assignee: Leap Wireless International, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-10
Filing date: 1998-12-10
Publication date: 2000-06-15
Also published as: JP2003504700A; AU1820399A; MXPA01005819A; KR20010108011A; CA2364278A1; CN1337129A; EP1135939A1

Abstract

A system and method is provided for inserting messages, and in particular, commercial information or advertisements, into a wireless mobile communication that are targeted to a subscriber of a Cellular Personal Communications Service (C/PCS) or Global Mobile Personal Communications Service (GMPCS). In a preferred embodiment, the messages are targeted to the subscriber of the service on the basis of the wireless mobile location of the terminal at the time of the wireless mobile communication. The system includes at least a wireless mobile terminal, a Base Transceiver Station and a Call Management System. The method of the invention includes at least the steps of: (1) compiling a first database of pre-selected messages to be targeted to the subscriber and predetermined criteria for choosing the messages to be targeted to the subscriber; (2) transmitting a wireless mobile communication comprising a call signal and Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal; and (3) utilizing the first database of criteria for choosing a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages to be targeted to the subscriber on the basis of the wireless mobile location of the terminal.

Description

Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING TARGETED

MESSAGES BASED ON WHtELESS MOBJTLE LOCATION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U S Provisional Application Senal No 60/072,090 filed January 21. 1998

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a system and method for providing targeted messages to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service More particularly, the invention relates to a svstem and method for inserting, before and during wireless mobile communications, commercial information or advertisements that are targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service In a preferred embodiment, the messages are chosen from a database of pre-selected commerαal information or advertisements and are targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal In an alternative embodiment, the commerαal information or advertisements are further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of predetermined Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscπber In another alternative embodiment, the commercial information or advertisements are further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of Histoπcal Response Data relating to the responses made to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber In yet another alternative embodiment, the commercial information or advertisements are further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of Histoπcal Response Data relating to the histoncal movement patterns of the subscnber BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cellular Personal Communications Service (C/PCS) and Global Mobile Personal Communications Service (GMPCS) provide audio, video and/or electronic data communications, including wireless mobile telephony service, wireless mobile data transmission service and wireless mobile global computer network (e g , Internet®) service Presently, the most common form of C/PCS is handheld mobile radiotelephone service and the most common form of GMPCS is hand-held mobile satellite telephone service To obtain these services, customers, referred to herein as "subscπbers," register with a particular service provider, referred to herein as an "operator " Upon registration, the operator's network is configured to acquire and route communications initiated or received by the subscnber's personal wireless mobile phone or wireless mobile computer The subscnber's wireless mobile phone or wireless mobile computer is sometimes referred to in the art as a "mobile station," and are collectively referred to herein as a "wireless mobile terminal " The subscπber can then initiate and receive communications from any mobile location within the operator's wireless network service area

Typically, wireless mobile terminals are assigned a unique International Mobile Station Identifier (IMSI) or other similar identifying code or number, referred to herein as a "Subscnber Identification Code " The Subscnber Identification Code is pre-programmed into the wireless mobile terminal to identify the subscπber and the subscπber account Although there is no guarantee that a wireless mobile terminal will always be used by tire subscπber of the account assigned the Subscnber Identification Code, typically the user will be the subscnber Alternatively, the Subscnber Identification Code may be contained on a Subscπber Identity Module (SIM), also referred to in the art as a "Smart Card," which is inserted into the wireless mobile terminal pnor to use The SIM or Smart Card indicates that the user of the wireless mobile terminal is the subscnber of the account assigned the Subscnber Identification Code contained on the SIM or Smart Card, or that the user has been authorized by the subscπber to use the wireless mobile terminal

Currently, C PCS networks are significantly more expensive than traditional wire, referred to herein as "landline," communication services As demand for C/PCS continues to grow, service charges will almost certainly decrease due to an increase in the number of subscnbers and an increase in the service capacity of the network Nevertheless, the service charges associated with communications initiated or received bv C/PCS subscπbers will likely remain unaffordable for many individuals As competition further reduces the cost of such services, pπce wars and an increasing level of bad debt (caused by widespread use of the C/PCS network by lower income subscπbers) will progressively erode the operator's profit margin In

of the additional global service capacity that will be introduced over the next several years, it will be necessary in order for operators to remain profitable that market penetration and service utilization increase significantly As a result of increased market penetration, a need will exist for a means of reducing subscnber service charges while maintaining operator profit margins

The emergence of new GMPCS networks creates similar problems for the operators of such services Due to the initial high cost of introducing and maintaining a GMPCS (including establishing a satellite system that provides global coverage), it will be necessary that GMPCS operators acquire a large number of subscnbers over a relatively short penod of time Nevertheless, it is predicted that service charges for GMPCS subscnbers will be even higher than service charges for C PCS subscnbers in order for operators to amortize the large up-front capital investments associated with such satellite systems Consequently, GMPCS operators will intentionally target "high-end" subscnbers to minimize the occurrence of bad debt and to maintain acceptable profit margins The number of subscnbers that can afford such high-end services, however, is expected to be limited Thus, strategies to increase affordability while maintaining operator profit margins will likely be required Further, the emerging wireless mobile data services and wireless mobile global computer network services are expected to operate in a manner similar to wireless mobile telephony services, thereby creating lower overall mobile service pπce expectations among subscnbers As such, GMPCS operators will hkelv be required in the future to provide wireless mobile access to global computer networks The service charges assoαated with these additional services will require GMPCS operators to offer even further cost saving incentives to subscnbers

It is thus apparent that a need exists for operators of wireless mobile communications services, and in particular for C/PCS and GMPCS operators, to acquire a large enough number of subscnbers to generate sufficient operating re\enue and sufficient profit margins to remain profitable Operators can most easily accomplish this by reducing subscπber service charges while maintaining profit margins It has been suggested that an effective means for operators to achieve this goal is to offer a pncing program in which sponsors subsidize the wireless mobile communications of subscnbers to the service with commercial information or advertisements The Applicant of the present invennon has determined that operators can take advantage of the unique attributes of wireless mobile communications by providing messages that are targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the real-time, physical location of the wireless mobile terminal at the time of the wireless mobile communication, referred to herein as the "wireless mobile location" of the terminal The Applicant of the present invention has also determined that by utilizing the unique Subscnber Identification Code assigned to each wireless mobile terminal, operators can provide messages that are further targeted to the subscnber on the basis of predetermined data pertaining to the subscnber, referred to herein as "Subscnber Profile Data." The Applicant of the present invention has also determined that operators can provide messages that are further targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the responses made to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber, referred to herein as "Histoncal Response Data." In addition, the Applicant of the present invention has determined that by utilizing the Histoπcal Response Data, operators can provide messages that are further targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the histoncal movement patterns of the subscnber

While it is known for operators to provide messages that are targeted to the subscnbers of conventional landline communications services, the known systems and methods have inherent limitations Most importantly, a landline communication is initiated or received by a terminal (e g , handset or computer) transmitting or receiving from a fixed location As previously mentioned, the term "wireless mobile location" as used herein is intended to mean the real-time, physical location of the wireless mobile terminal at the time that a wireless mobile communication is initiated or received Accordingly, messages cannot be targeted to the subscnber of a landline communications service on the basis of the physical location of the subscπber when the call is initiated from or received at a location other than the fixed location of the terminal In addition, today's increasingly mobile society makes it far less hkelv that the user of a fixed location terminal is the subscnber of the landline communications service Accordingly, it is significantly less certain that a message targeted to a subscπber of a landline communications service will actually be received by the subscπber of the service rather than by a caller who is merely using the fixed location terminal As a result, it is less likely that a potential sponsor of the message, particularly if the message is an advertisement, will be willing to subsidize the landline communication Even if the sponsor is willing to subsidize the landline communication, the sponsor is likely to attribute substantially less value to the effectiveness of the "non-targeted" message

It is also known to utilize the Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal of a wireless mobile communication to inform the subscnber of his or her real-time, physical location at the time that a call is initiated or received by the wireless mobile terminal In other words, the subscnber to the service is provided with a message, and more precisely with data, about the geographical location of the wireless mobile terminal The subscnber is not, as in the present invention, provided with a message, for example an advertisement, about business or service opportunities that is targeted to the subscnber based on the geographical location of the wireless mobile terminal Thus far, none of the known systems and methods for informing a subscnber of his or her geographical location has been utilized to provide commercial information or advertisements to the subscnber of a wireless mobile communications service that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal Further, none of the known systems and methods for informing a subscπber of his or her geographical location has been utilized to subsidize the wireless mobile communications of the subscnber

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a system and method for providing targeted messages to a subscnber of a wireless mobile communications service More particularly, the invention is a system and method for inserting commercial information or advertisements before and during C PCS and GMPCS communications that are targeted to the subscnber of the service In a preferred embodiment, the messages are chosen from a database of pre-selected commercial information or advertisements and are targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal In an alternative embodiment, the messages are further targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of predetermined Subscnber Profile Data pertaining to the subscnber and stored in an electronic database In another alternative embodiment, the messages are further targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Histoncal Response Data relating to the responses made to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber and stored in an electronic database In yet another alternative embodiment, the messages are further targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Histoncal Response Data relating to the histoπcal movement patterns of the subscnber and stored in an electronic database

The targeted messages, which may include audio, video and/or electronic data, but which are preferably audio commercial information or advertisements, are pre-selected and stored in a conventional electronic data input, storage and retneval device The messages to be targeted to the subscnber are chosen from the pre-selected messages, in a manner to be descnbed hereinafter, at the time that a wireless mobile communication is initiated or received by a wireless mobile terminal As is well known to those skilled in the art, the wireless mobile communication compnses a call signal and Wireless Mobile Location Data that is included with the call signal The Wireless Mobile Location Data identifies the real-time, physical location of the wireless mobile terminal at the time that the wireless mobile communication is initiated or received, referred to herein as the "wireless mobile location^" of the terminal Accordingly, the messages can be targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service solely on the basis of the wireless mobile location of the terminal, and consequenuv. the geographical location of the subscπber

Preferably, the wireless mobile communication further compnses a unique Subscπber Identification Code that is likewise included with the call signal The Subscnber Identification Code is assigned to the subscnber's wireless mobile terminal, or to a specific subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service using a Subscπber Identity Module (SIM) or Smart Card which can be used in any wireless mobile terminal having the capability to accept a SIM or Smart Card, thereby allowing any such terminal to be identified with the subscπber associated with the SIM or Smart Card The Subscπber Identification Code is used to identify predetermined Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscπber and stored in an electronic database Preferably, the Subscnber Profile Data includes demographic and personal preference data pertaining to the subscnber that is collected from the subscπber at the time the subscπber registers with the operator of the wireless mobile communications service, stored in a conventional electronic data input storage and retneval device and updated at regular intervals

For example, the demographic data typically includes standard demographic information such as age, gender, race and national ongin, but may include any demographic information selected by the sponsors of the messages to be targeted to the subscπber The personal preference data typically includes general information relating to the individual preferences of die subscπber such as preferred types of food and kinds of entertainment, as well as any hobbies or interests the subscπber may have However, the personal preference data may include any personal preference information selected by the sponsors of the messages to be targeted to the subscnber Whenever appbcable, the predetermined Subscπber Profile

Data may also include psychographic data obtained and selected in a similar manner In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the messages are further targeted to the subscnber identified by the Subscnber Identification Code on the basis of the Subscnber Profile Data in addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

Preferably, the wireless mobile communication further compnses a Call Identification Code and Date and Time Data that are likewise included with the call signal The Call Identification Code is assigned when a wireless mobile communication is initiated or received bv the wireless mobile terminal to identify the wireless mobile communication relative to other wireless mobile communications occurring at or about the same time The Date and Time Data determines and records the date and time of the wireless mobile communication Together with the Wireless Mobile Location Data, the Call Identification Code and the Date and Time Data permit Histoncal Response Data relating to the wireless mobile communication to be compiled and stored in a conventional electronic data input, storage and retneval device The Histoncal Response Data records information about the responses made to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber as well as the wireless mobile location of the terminal at the time of the wireless mobile communication. Accordingly, the histoncal movement patterns of the subscnber can be determined from the Histoncal Response Data

The Histoncal Response Data is acquired and updated continuously as the wireless communications service is utilized by the subscnber to determine the most recent responses to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscπber and the histoncal movement patterns of the subscπber The Histoncal Response Data may, for example, be used to antiαpate the type of message that the subscπber is kkely to respond positively to in the future based on the subscnber's previous responses to similar messages The Histoncal Response Data may also be used to predict an area that the subscnber is likely to visit at a particular time for example close to the lunch or dinner hour In the latter example, the targeted message may be an

restaurant in the area that serves a type of food preferred by the subscnber, as indicated by the Subscπber Profile Data By assimilating the Wireless Mobile Location Data with the Subscnber Profile Data and/or the Histoncal Response Data, the invention permits messages, and in particular commercial information and advertisements, to be targeted to as broad or narrow a range of subscnbers as desired by the sponsor of the message

Further, the svstem and method of the invention permit the subscnber to interactively respond to a message provided to the subscnber, or to an inquiry for additional information from the operator of the service or from the sponsor of the message Preferably, the operator queues the subscπber at the conclusion of a message, at the conclusion of a group of messages or at the conclusion of the wireless mobile communication, to select one of several options and then monitors the subscnber's response to the query For example, the subscnber could request the operator to insert another message into the wireless mobile communication, to forward an audio, video or electronic data copy of the previously provided message to an electronic message input, storage and retneval database (e g , voice mail, e-mail, facsimile, etc ), or to establish a direct telecommunications or other data link with a representative of the sponsor of the message, such as a telemarketer The subscnber may respond to the operator's query and the operator may fulfill the subscnber's request immediately following a particular message, immediately following a group of messages or following the conclusion of the wireless mobile communication (e g , in the form of a "call-back" from a telemarketing representative)

A preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention is a wireless mobile telephony system for providing messages to a subscnber of a wireless mobile communications service that are targeted to the subscnber on the basis of wireless mobile location The preferred embodiment of the system includes a wireless mobile terminal for initiating and receiving a wireless mobile communication compnsing a call signal and Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal The system further includes a Base Transceiver Station in radio frequency communication with the wireless mobile terminal and a Call Management System in communication with the Base Transceiver Station Preferably, the Call Management System is in electπcal communication with the Base Transceiver Station However, the Call Management System may be in radio frequency communication with the Base Transceiver Station, as will be descnbed The wireless mobile terminal includes a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving the call signal to and from the Base Transceiver Station Likewise, the Base Transceiver Station includes a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving the call signal to and from the wireless mobile terminal and to and from the Call Management System The Call Management System includes an Ad Chooser Server for choosing the messages to be targeted to the subscnber, as will be descnbed

The preferred embodiment of the system further includes a first electronic data input, storage and retneval device in electncal communication with the Ad Chooser Server of the Call Management System The first electronic data input, storage and retneval device includes means for inputting, storing and selectively retnevmg pre-selected Ad Content Data, and for inputting, storing and selectively retnevmg preselected Ad Target Data The Ad Content Data consists of a plurality of pre-selected audio, video and or electronic data messages, but preferably consists of pre-selected audio commercial information or advertisements The Ad Target Data consists of predetermmed cntena for choosing the messages to be provided to the subscπber In the preferred embodiment, the Ad Chooser Server chooses the messages to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data mcluded with the call signal of the wireless mobile communication

In an alternative embodiment of the system of the inventioα the wireless mobile terminal is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber, as previously descnbed In additioa the Call Management System further mcludes a second electronic data mput, storage and retne\al device m electπcal communication with the Ad Chooser Server The second electronic data mput, storage and retneval device mputs, stores and selectively retneves the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data pertaining to the subscnber correspondmg to the unique Subscnber Identification Code The Ad Chooser Server then chooses the messages to be provided to the subscπber on the basis of the predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscπber m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

In another alternative embodiment of the system of the invention, the wireless mobile terminal is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber, as previously descnbed In addition, the Call Management System further mcludes a third electronic data mput, storage and retneval device m electπcal communication with the Ad Chooser Server The third electronic data mput, storage and retneval device mputs, stores and selectively retneves Histoπcal Response Data relating to the responses made to the messages previously provided to the subscnber correspondmg to the unique

Subscnber Identification Code The Ad Chooser Server then chooses the next message to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

In yet another alternative embodiment of the system of the invention, the wireless mobile terminal is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscπber, as previously descnbed In addition, the Call Management System further mcludes a third electronic data mput, storage and retneval device m electπcal communication with the Ad Chooser Server The third electronic data input, storage and retneval device mputs, stores and selectively retneves Histoncal Response Data relating to the histoncal movement patterns of the subscπber corresponding to the unique Subscπber Identification Code The Ad Chooser Server then chooses the messages to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

The wireless mobile telephony system of the invention mav also mclude a Base Station Controller in electncal communication with the Base Transceiver Station and m communication with the Call Management System Preferabh. the Base Station Controller is m electncal communication with the Call Management System However the Base Station Controller mav be in radio frequency communication with the Call Management System, as will be descnbed The Base Station Controller controls two or more Base Transceiver Stations as the subscπber moves from an area serviced by one Base Transceiver Station to an area serviced by another Base Transceiver Station Regardless, the Ad Chooser Server of the Call Management System operates in the same manner to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data, or on the basis of the Subscnber Profile Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data, or on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

The wireless mobile telephony system of the invention may also mclude a Mobile Switching Center m electncal communication with the Base Transceiver Station, either directly or through the Base Station Controller, or m communication with the Call Management System and a Local Landhne Network Preferably, the Mobile Switching Center is m electncal communication with the Call Management System and the Local Landhne Network However, the Mobile Switching Center may be m radio frequency communication with the Call Management System, as will be descnbed The Mobile Switching Center is utilized to acquire and route the wireless mobile communication compnsing the call signal transmitted and received by the first transceiver and the second transceiver Regardless, the Ad Chooser Server of the Call Management System operates in the same manner to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data, or on the basis of the Subscnber Profile Data in addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data, or on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

The Call Management Svstem of the wireless mobile telephonv system of the invention may also mclude a Voice Response Unit or other known communication holding and audio message insertion technology, m electncal communication with the Ad Chooser Server Preferably the Voice Response Unit mcludes a plurality of ports, or any other known technology, that receive hold (i e , "park") and direct or re-direct a wireless mobile communication to a desired destination Preferably, the Voice Response Unit further mcludes a plurality of voice cards, or any other known technology (e g , non-analog digital insertion), that insert audio messages into the parked wireless mobile communication Thus, the Voice Response Unit receives, parks, inserts an audio message that is targeted to the subscπber of the wireless mobile communications service, and forwards the wireless mobile communication to the desired destination In that regard, the Voice Response Unit acts a "smart switch" with communication parking and audio message insertion capability Regardless, the Ad Chooser Server of the Call Management System operates m the same manner to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data, or on the basis of the Subscnber Profile Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data or on the basis of the Histoπcal Response Data m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data

A preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for providing a message to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of wireless mobile location mcludes at least the followmg steps A first electronic database consisting of a plurality of pre-selected messages and predetermmed cπtena for choosing the messages to be provided to the subscnber is compiled A wireless mobile terminal is then provided for initiating and receiving a wireless mobile communication compnsmg a call signal and Wireless Mobile Location Data mcluded with the call signal The call signal (if required) and the Wireless Mobile Location Data are then extracted from the wireless mobile communication and provided to a Call Management Svstem including an Ad Chooser Server for choosing the messages to be provided to the subscnber The predetermined cntena of the first database is then utilized to choose a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages of the first database that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data Fmally, the message that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data is provided to the subscnber

An alternative embodiment of the method of the invention mcludes at least the following additional steps A unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber is assigned to the wireless mobile terminal and mcluded with the call signal and the Wireless Mobile Location Data In addition, a second electronic database consisting of predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscnber conesponding to the Subscnber Identification Code is compiled The predetermmed cπtena of the first database and the unique Subscnber Identification Code are then utilized to choose a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages of the first database that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data of the second database m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data Fmally, the message that is further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data is provided to the subscnber

Another alternative embodiment of the method of the invention mcludes at least the followmg additional steps A unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber is assigned to the wireless mobile terminal and mcluded with the call signal and the Wireless Mobile Location Data In addition, a third electronic database of Histoncal Response Data relating to the responses made to the messages previously provided to the subscπber correspondmg to the unique Subscnber Identification Code is compiled The predetermmed cπtena of the first database and the unique Subscπber Identification Code are then utilized to choose a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages of the first database that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the histoπcal responses of the third database m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data Fmally, the message that is further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Histoπcal Response Data is provided to the subscnber

Yet another alternative embodiment of the method of the invention mcludes at least the following additional steps A unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber is assigned to the wireless mobile terminal and mcluded with the call signal and the Wireless Mobile Location Data In addition, a third electronic database of Histoncal Response Data relating to the responses made to the messages previously provided to the subscπber correspondmg to the unique Subscπber Identification Code is compiled The predetermmed cntena of the first database and the unique Subscnber Identification Code are men utilized to choose a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages of the first database that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the histoπcal movement patterns of the third database m addition to the Wireless Mobile Location Data Fmally, the message that is further targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Histoπcal Response Data is provided to the subscπber Fmally, any of the prefened embodiments of the method of the invention described herein may mclude at least the following additional steps. Utilizing the call signal of the wireless mobile communication, the Call Management System queries the subscriber at the conclusion of a message, at the conclusion of a group of messages or at the conclusion of the wireless mobile communication, to select one of several options and monitors the subscriber's response to the query. Preferably, the subscriber activates a specified key or button on the wireless mobile terminal to transmit the response to the Ad Chooser Server of the Call Management System for processing. However, the subscriber's response may also take the form of a voice response (i.e., an audio signal) that is recognized by the system. Based on the subscriber's response, the Call Management System may provide additional information relating to the previously provided message, insert another message into the wireless mobile communication, forward an audio, video or electronic data copy of the previously provided message to an electronic message input, storage and retrieval database (e.g., voice mail, e-mail, facsimile, etc.), or establish a direct telecommunications or other data link with a representative of the sponsor of the message, such as a telemarketer. The subscriber may respond to the operator's query and the operator may fulfill the subscriber's request immediately following a particular message, immediately following a group of messages or following the conclusion of the wireless mobile communication (e.g., in the form of a "call-back" from a telemarketer).

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide a system and method for targeting audio, video or electronic data messages, and in particular audio commercial information or advertisements, to a subscriber of a wireless mobile communications service.

A further, and more particular object of the invention is to provide a system and method for inserting commercial information or advertisements into a wireless mobile communication initiated or received by a subscriber of a wireless mobile communications service that are targeted to the subscriber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data included with the call signal.

A further, and still more particular object of the invention is to provide a system and method for subsidizing the cost of a wireless mobile communications service by inserting commercial information or advertisements before and during a wireless mobile communication that are targeted to the subscπber of the service on the basis of the wireless mobile location of the subscnber^'s wireless mobile terminal

A further, and still more particular object of the invention is to provide a system and method for subsidizing the cost of C/PCS and GMPCS by inserting commercial informaπon or advertisements before and during a wireless mobile communication that are targeted to the subscnber of the service on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data mcluded with the call signal

Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for further targeting messages to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service on the basis of predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscπber and stored m an electronic database

Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for further targeting messages to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Histoπcal Response Data relating to the responses made to the targeted messages previously provided to the subscπber and stored in an electronic database

Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for further targeting messages to a subscnber of a wireless mobile communications service on the basis of Histoπcal Response Data relating to the histoπcal movement patterns of the subscπber and stored m an electronic database

Yet another object of the invention is to permit subscnbers of a wireless mobile communications service to interactively request and receive additional information relating to messages provided to the subscπber and to be connected to a telemarketing representative, or to respond to mquiπes from the operator of the service or the sponsor of the message

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregomg objects of the invention and others will become more readily apparent by refemng to the following detailed descπption and the appended drawings m which

FIG 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system for providing targeted messages to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service according to the present invention.

FIG 2 is a schematic diagram of the Call Management System of FIG 1 ,

FIG 3 is a schematic diagram of a specific example of a system for providmg targeted advertisements to a subscπber of a C/PCS or GMPCS according to the present invention, and

FIG 4 is a flow chart of a specific example of a method for choosing targeted advertisements according to the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is a system and method for providmg targeted messages to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service More particularly, the invention is a system and method for inserting commercial information or advertisements before and during C/PCS and GMPCS communications that are targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service on the basis of wireless mobile location Further, the invention is a system and method for providmg additional information relating to the targeted message or for providmg a direct connection to a representative of the operator of the service or the sponsor of the message, such as a telemarketer, m response to a request from the subscnber elicited by a query from the operator or the sponsor The system, mdicated generally at 10 m FIGS 1-X, compnses at least a wireless mobile termmal 12, a Base Transceiver Station 14 and a Call Management System 20 The method, mdicated generally at 50 m FIG 4, compnses at least the steps of (a) compiling a first electronic database consisting of a plurality of pre-selected messages and predetermmed cntena for choosing a message to be targeted to the subscnber, (b) providmg a wireless mobile termmal 12 for initiating and receivmg a wireless mobile communication compnsmg a call signal and Wireless Mobile Location Data mcluded with the call signal, (c) extracting the call signal and the Wireless Mobile Location Data from the wireless mobile communication, (d) providmg the Wireless Mobile Location Data to a Call Management System 20, (e) utilizing the predetermmed cntena of the first database to choose a message from the plurality of pre-selected messages of the first database that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data, and (f) providmg the targeted message to the subscπber In the prefened embodiment illustrated m FIGS 1 and 2, the system 10 compnses at least one wireless mobile termmal 12, at least one Base Transceiver Station 14 m radio frequency communication with the wireless mobile terminal and a Call Management System 20 in communication with the Base Transceiver Station Preferably, the wireless mobile termmal 12 is a wireless mobile phone or wireless mobile computer, sometimes refened to m the art as a "mobile station " The wireless mobile termmal 12 compnses a first transceiver (not shown) for transmitting and receivmg audio, video and/or electronic data m conjunction with conventional wireless communications services, such as wireless mobile telephony service, wireless mobile data transmission service and wireless mobile global computer network (e g , Internet®) service Most preferably, the wireless communications service is a wireless mobile telephony service provided by a C/PCS or GMPCS operator that permits a subscπber to the service to initiate and receive a wireless mobile communication from any mobile location withm the operator's wireless network service area

When a wireless mobile communication is initiated or received by the wireless mobile termmal 12, a call signal is generated and transmitted between the ongm and the destination of the wireless mobile communication At the same time, Wireless Mobile Location Data relating to the wireless mobile termmal 12 is generated and mcluded with the call signal The Wireless Mobile Location Data determines the realtime, physical location of the wireless mobile termmal 12 within the operator's wireless network service area at the time that the wireless mobile communication is initiated or received As used herein, the term "wireless mobile location" refers to the real-time, physical location of the wireless mobile termmal 12 at the time that the wireless mobile communication is initiated or received by the terminal Consequently, the Wireless Mobile Location Data identifies the geographical location of the subscπber usmg the wireless mobile termmal 12 In the case of C/PCS, the Wireless Mobile Location Data determines the wireless mobile location of the subscnber within a predetermmed cell, or withm a predetermmed sector of a given cell, of the operator's network Accordmgly, it is possible to determme the true geographical location of the subscnber to a high degree of precision It is anticipated that as cellular technology improves, the Wireless Mobile Location Data will be able to determine the wireless mobile location of the wireless mobile termmal 12 withm an even smaller subdivision of a given cell, and thus, the true geographical location of the subscnber to a higher degree of precision In the case of GMPCS, the Wireless Mobile Location Data determines the wireless mobile location of the wireless mobile termmal 12 by geo-positioning via a Global

Positioning System (GPS) communications relay satellite Accordmgly, it is possible to determme the true geographical location of the subscnber to an even greater degree of precision As previously mentioned, the wireless mobile termmal 12 is in radio frequency communication with at least one Base Transceiver Station 14 The Base Transceiver Station 14 compnses a second transceiver (not shown) for tracking a locator signal transmitted by the first transceiver when the wireless mobile termmal 12 is activated withm the operator's wireless network service area In addition, the second transceiver of the Base Transceiver Station 14 transmits and receives the wireless mobile communication Depending on the size of the operator's wireless network service area and/or the density of the wireless communications traffic withm the service area, a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations 14 are typically required to continuously track the locator signal transmitted by the first transceiver of the wireless mobile termmal 12 Accordmgly, the wireless mobile termmal 12 may communicate with more than one Base Transceiver Station 14 as the subscπber travels from one location to another withm the operator's service area As will be descnbed, transfer of the wireless mobile communication from one Base Transceiver Station 14 to another as the subscπber travels between base stations withm the operator's service area may be accomplished m a well known manner by a Base Station Controller 16

In the case of GMPCS, the first transceiver of the wireless mobile termmal 12 may alternatively transmit the call signal directly to a communications relay satellite In such case, the communications satellite provides a more accurate record of the wireless mobile location of the wireless mobile terminal 12 on the surface of the earth utilizing a related Global Positioning System (GPS), a separate GPS or other means based on the terrestnal coverage area of the transceiver assigned to manage the wireless mobile communication Accordmgly, the Wireless Mobile Location Data could be acquired via geo-positioning and provided to the Call Management System directly by the communications relay satellite Further discussion of the principles of cellular and satellite wireless communications technology is unnecessary to an enabling disclosure of the present invention, and therefore is not provided herem However, additional information regardmg the state of the art of cellular and satellite wireless communications technology is available from the excellent technical reference entitled GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY wntten by Joachim Tisal and available from John Wiley & Sons, LTD, West Sussex, England, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herem

As previously mentioned, the Base Transceiver Station 14 is m communication with the Call

Management System 20 Preferably, the Base Transceiver Station 14 is m electπcal communication with the Call Management System 20 However, the Base Transceiver Station 14 may be m radio frequency communication with the Call Management System 20 if logistics permit the wireless mobile communication to be transmitted directly to the Call Management Svstem without the use of a Mobile Switching Center 18, as will be descnbed In FIG 1, the electncal communication between the Base Transceiver Station 14 and the Call Management System 20 is mdicated by the solid lines which connect the Base Transceiver Station, the Base Station Controller 16, the Mobile Switching Center 18 and the Call Management System The direct radio frequency communication between the Base Transceiver Station 14 and the Call Management Svstem 20 is mdicated by the dashed lines connecting the Base Transceiver Station and the Call Management System via an optional RF feed Regardless, the Call Management System 20 compnses an Ad Chooser Server 22 for choosing the messages to be targeted to the subscnber

In an alternative embodiment, the system 10 of the invention further compnses a Base Station Controller 16 The Base Station Controller 16 governs the operation of one or more Base Transceiver Stations 14 and carπes out a number of other operational and telecommunications functions For wireless mobile communications amvmg from the Base Transceiver Station(s) 14, the Base Station Controller 16 directs the vanous communications to a Mobile Switchmg Center 18 for acquisition and further routing For wireless communications amvmg from the Mobile Switching Center 18, the Base Station Controller 16 routes each communication to the proper Base Transceiver Station 14 The Base Station Controller 16 also controls the transfer of the wireless mobile communication from one Base Transceiver Station 14 to another, commonly refened to as a "handover," as the wireless mobile termmal 12 crosses the geographical boundary between adjacent cells, commonly referred to as "roammg," within the operator's wireless network service area In order to achieve a handover when the wireless mobile terminal 12 is roammg, the Base Station Controller 16 provides the Base Transceiver Station 14 m the cell that will be acquiring the wireless mobile communication the necessary information to take control of the communication Thereafter, the Base Station Controller 16 transfers the wireless mobile communication to the receivmg Base Transcerv er Station 14 Preferably, the Base Station Controller 16 is m electncal communication with the Call Management System 20 through the Mobile Switching Center 18 However, similar to the Base Transceiver Station 14, the Base Station Controller 16 may be m direct radio frequency communication with the Call Management System 20 via an optional RF feed

In yet another alternative embodiment, the system 10 of the invention further compnses a Mobile

Switchmg Center 18, also referred to herem as a "Switch " The Mobile Switching Center 18 connects the wireless mobile communications network and the Call Management System 20 to a Local Landhne Network 19. such as an Integrated Switched Digital Network (ISDN) or Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) In particular, the Mobile Switching Center acquires wireless mobile communications onginated or received by the wireless mobile termmal 12 of a subscπber of the service, including the call signal, and routes the communication between the Base Transceiver Station 14 or the Base Station Controller 16. via the Local Landhne Network, to the Call Management System 20 In addition, the Switch 18 acts as a network node to provide access to the network databases and to the Authentication Center, which stores, retneves. monitors and applies subscnber access πghts Preferably, the Call Management System 20 compnses a Voice Response Unit 21, or other known call holding and audio message insertion technology, m addition to the Ad Chooser Server 22 If so, the Mobile Switching Center 18 is m direct electπcal communication with the Voice Response Unit 21, which m rum is m direct electncal communication with the Ad Chooser Server 22 Alternatively, the Switch 18 is m radio frequency communication with the Ad Chooser Server 22, m which case the Mobile Switchmg Center acts m a known manner as an intelligent switch or other known intelligent network solution Regardless, the Mobile Switching Center 18 identifies and separates the wireless mobile communications that are to be provided with a targeted message from the wireless mobile communications that are not to be provided with a targeted message The Switch 18 then transmits the wireless mobile communications to be provided with a targeted message to the Voice Response Unit 21 or directly to the Ad Chooser Server 22

Preferably, the Voice Response Unit 21 compnses a plurality of ports for receivmg, holding (also referred to m the art as "parkmg") and directing or re-directing the wireless mobile communication to the Mobile Switching Center 18, or directly to its ongm or destination termmal Preferably, the Voice Response Unit 21 further compnses a plurality of voice cards, or any other known technology that inserts an audio message mto a parked wireless mobile communication, such as a non-analog, digital insertion device or system Thus, the Voice Response Unit 21 receives, parks, inserts an audio message that is targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service, and forwards the wireless mobile communication to its ongm or destination termmal In that regard, the Voice Response Unit 21 acts m a known manner as a "smart switch" with call parkmg and audio message insertion capability Alternatively, as previously mentioned the Mobile Switching Center 18 may be m direct radio frequency communication with the Ad Chooser Server 22 via an optional intelligent switch or intelligent network solution Regardless, the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 operates m the same manner to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscnber and inserted mto the call signal of the wireless mobile communication

As illustrated m FIG 2, the Call Management System 20 is m electπcal communication with a Data Input Output, Storage and Retneval System 40 The Data Input Output, Storage and Retneval Svstem 40 mputs, outputs stores and retneves data relating to the subscπber, the messages to be targeted to the subscπber and the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber The Data Input Output, Storage and Retneval System 40 compnses a first electronic data mput, storage and retneval device 44 for manipulating a first database including a plurality of pre-selected messages, referred to herem as Ad Content Data 24, to be targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service The first database further mcludes predetermmed cntena for choosing the messages to be targeted to the subscnber, referred to herem as Ad Target Data 25, from the pre-selected messages of the Ad Content Data 24 Preferably, the Data Input/Output, Storage and Retneval System 40 further compnses a second electronic data mput storage and retneval device 46 for manipulating a second database consisting of Subscnber Profile Data 26 pertaining to the subscnber, as will be descnbed Preferably, the Data Input/Output, Storage and Retneval System 40 further compnses a third electronic data output, storage and retneval device 48 for manipulating a third database consisting of histoncal data relating to the targeted messages provided to the subscπber and the responses made to the targeted messages provided to the subscπber The histoπcal data of the third database is referred to herem as Histoncal Response Data 28 Certain of the Histoncal Response Data 28, referred to herem as Ad Insert Records, is provided to a fourth database to compute the Subscπber Billing Subsidy 30 to be credited to the subscπber account Thereafter, the Ad Insert Records data is provided to a fifth database, referred to herem as the Operator Billing System 32. to apply the Subscπber Billing Subsidy 30 to the appropπate subscnber account and mvoice the subscnber

In an alternative embodiment of the system 10 of the invention, the wireless mobile termmal 12 is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code that is pre-programmed mto the wireless mobile termmal Alternatively, the Subscnber Identification Code may be contained on a Subscnber Identity Module (SIM) or Smart Card that is inserted mto the wireless mobile termmal 12 pπor to use, as previously descnbed Regardless, the Subscnber Identification Code identifies the wireless mobile termmal 12. and consequently, the subscnber of the service and the subscπber account conespondmg to the wireless mobile terminal The Subscnber Identification Code is mcluded with the call signal, and as such, is provided to the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 where it is used to identify the predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data 26 pertaining to the subscπber Preferably, the Subscπber Profile Data 26 is collected from the subscnber at the time the subscnber registers with the operator of the wireless mobile communications service, is mput mto the Subscnber Profile Data Input Storage and Retneval Device 46 and is updated at regular intervals The Subscnber Profile Data 26 preferably mcludes demographic and personal preference data pertaining specifically to the subscπber For example, the demographic data typically mcludes standard demographic information such as age, gender, race and national ongm, but may mclude any demographic information selected by the sponsors, typically advertisers, of the messages to be targeted to the subscnber The personal preference data typically mcludes general information relating to the individual preferences of the subscnber, such as preferred types of food and lands of entertainment, as well as any specific hobbies or mterests the subscπber may have However, the personal preference data may mclude any personal preference information selected by the sponsors, typically advertisers, of the messages to be targeted to the subscnber Whenever appbcable, the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data mav also mclude psychographic data obtained and selected m a similar manner

Preferably, the call signal, and the Wireless Mobile Location Data and the Subscπber Identification Code mcluded with the call signal, is transmitted to the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 to identify the subscnber as well as the wireless mobile location of the subscnber The predetermmed cntena of the Ad Target Data 25 is then compared to the Wireless Mobile Location Data and to the Subscnber Profile Data 26 to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscnber from the pre-selected messages of the Ad Content Data 24 Accordmgly, the messages chosen by the Ad Chooser Server 22 from the Ad Content Data 24 based on the Ad Target Data 25 are further targeted to the subscnber correspondmg to the wireless mobile termmal 12 identified by the Subscnber Identification Code on the basis of the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data 26 As such, the subscnber is provided with a message that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data

26 m addition to the wireless mobile location of the subscnber

In another alternative embodiment of the system 10 of the invention, the wireless mobile terminal 12 is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code, as previously descnbed The unique Subscπber Identification Code identifies the wireless mobile termmal 12, and thus, identifies the subscnber and the subscnber account conespondmg to the wireless mobile termmal The Histoncal Response Data 28 relating to the messages previously provided to the subscnber and the responses made by the subscnber to the targeted messages is then determined and recorded from the identity of the subscπber and the subscπber account The call signal, and the Wireless Mobile Location Data and the Subscnber Identification Code mcluded with the call signal, is transmitted to the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 to identify the subscnber as well as the wireless mobile location of the subscπber The predetermmed cπtena of the Ad Target Data 25 is then compared to the Wireless Mobile Location Data and to the Histoπcal Response Data 28 to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscπber from the pre-selected messages of the Ad Content Data 24 Accordmgly, the messages chosen by the Ad Chooser Server 22 from the Ad Content Data 24 based on the Ad Target Data 25 are further targeted to the subscnber identified by the Subscnber Identification Code on the basis of the messages previously provided to the subscπber and the responses made to the targeted messages As such, the subscπber is provided with a message that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data 28 m addition to the wireless mobile location of the subscπber

In yet another alternative embodiment of the system 10 of the invention, the wireless mobile termmal 12 is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code, as previously descnbed The unique Subscnber Identification Code identifies the wireless mobile termmal 12. and thus, identifies the subscnber and the subscnber account correspondmg to the wireless mobile termmal The Histoncal Response Data 28 relating to the histoncal movement patterns of the subscπber is then determined and recorded from the identity of the subscπber and the subscπber account The call signal, and the Wireless Mobile Location Data and the Subscnber Identification Code mcluded with the call signal, is transmitted to the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 to identify the subscπber as well as the wireless mobile location of the subscnber The predetermmed cntena of the Ad Target Data 25 is then compared to the Wireless Mobile Location Data and to the Histoncal Response Data 28 to choose the messages to be targeted to the subscπber from the pre-selected messages of the Ad Content Data 24 Accordmgly, the messages chosen by the Ad Chooser Server 22 from the Ad Content Data 24 based on the Ad Target Data 25 are further targeted to the subscnber identified by the Subscnber Identification Code on the basis of the histoncal movement patterns of the subscnber As such, the subscnber is provided with a message that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Histoπcal Response Data 28 m addition to the wireless mobile location of the subscnber SPECD7IC EXAMPLE OF A SYSTEM AND METHOD ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

The svstem and method of the present invention is best illustrated by the specific example shown m FIGS 3 and 4 wherein the wireless mobile communications service is a conventional C/PCS or GMPCS, and the messages to be targeted to the subscπber of the service consist of audio advertisements The C/PCS or GMPCS utilizes a telecommunications switch and an information processmg system compnsmg computer software featuring a switch mterface program, a database management program and a subscπber billing program

The telecommunications switch acquires the wireless mobile communication, refened to hereafter as the "call," and routes the call via a Pubbc Switched Telephone Network to the Call Management System 20 As previously discussed, the telecommunications switch may be a Mobile Switching Center 18 m combination with a Voice Response Unit 21 that acts as a switch, a Mobile Switching Center 18 that acts as an mtelbgent switch or a Mobile Switching Center 18 that utilizes an inteihgent network solution Still further, the telecommunications switch may be a direct RF Feed from a Base Transceiver Station 14 or a Base Station Controller 16 that acts as an mtelbgent switch or that utilizes an mtelbgent network solution As shown m FIG 3, m the specific example the telecommunications switch is a C/PCS or GMPCS Toll Switch With Messaging Capabibty 18 Regardless, the Switch 18 provides the switch mterface program with the call signal and the telecommunications data, refened to herem as "Switch Data," mcluded with the call signal Specifically, the Switch Data compnses the Wireless Mobile Location Data to identify the geographical location of the subscnber, the Subscπber Identification Code to identify the subscnber and the subscnber account, the Call Identification Code to identify the particular call and the Date and Time Data to establish the data and time of the call Once the targeted advertisement has been chosen, as will be descnbed, the switch mterface program debvers the targeted advertisement back to the

Switch 18 for insertion mto the call pnor to connection and/or at predetermmed intervals during the transmission of the call

In turn, the switch mterface program provides the Switch Data to the database management program The database management program mputs, outputs, stores and retneves the Ad Content Data 24

(I e , the plurabty of pre-selected messages to be targeted to the subscπber). the Subscnber Profile Data 26 (l e , the demographic and personal preference data pertaining to the subscnber) and the Histoncal Response Data 28 (I e . the record of the targeted messages previously provided to the subscnber and the responses made to the targeted messages, as well as a record of the geographical location of the subscπber at the time the message was provided to the subscnber) In addition, the database management program mputs, stores and retneves the Ad Target Data 25 (1 e , the cntena for choosing the messages from the λd Content Data to be targeted to the subscnber) The database management program combines the Switch Data with the Subscnber Profile Data 26 and the Histoncal Response Data 28 to generate an Ad Selection Code The Ad Selection Code is then manipulated to select an appropnate advertisement for the subscnber based on the geographical location of the subscnber, the demographics and preferences of the subscnber the advertisements previously provided to the subscnber and the date and time of the call

The subscnber billing program interfaces with the database management program to determme the Subscnber Billing Subsidy 30 to be appbed to the subscnber account, to develop subscnber billing records for the Operator Billing System 32, and to mvoice the subscnber from the Operator Billing System In addition, the subscnber billing program provides Ad Insert Records, subscnber data and sponsor data to the operator of the service to conduct billing and customer assistance functions, such as advertisement activation and deactivation, record keepmg, reporting and mvoicmg Accordingly, the specific example of the invention is a method of inserting targeted advertisements mto the wireless mobile communications of certain subscnbers of a C/PCS or GMPCS Thus, the operator of the service can offer subsidized wireless mobile communications to its subscnbers while at the same time providmg targeted advertising to its advertising customers (l e , sponsors) In particular, the invention combines telecommunications marketing with the additional capabibty of targeting the advertisements to subscπbers of a C/PCS or GMPCS based on the geographical location of the subscπber at t e time that the call is initiated or received

For example, before a subscπber initiates a C/PCS or GMPCS call by pressing the "send" or ' go" key, a senes of communications have already occurred between the wireless mobile termmal 12 and the

Switch 18 As the call is initiated, the Switch 18 immediately forwards the Wireless Mobile Location Data, the Subscnber Identification Code, the Call Identification Code and the Date and Time Data to the Ad Chooser Server 22 of the Call Management System 20 In the specific example, the Ad Chooser Server 22 compnses a Candidate Discriminator Module 21 and an Ad Selection Code Generator 23 The Candidate Discriminator Module 21 may be embodied m the Switch 18, a separate system or, as shown in

FIG 3 m the Call Management System 20 Regardless, the Candidate Discriminator Module 21 determines which subscnbers are to be provided with targeted advertisements If the Candidate Discriminator Module 21 determines that the Subscπber Identification Code does not identify a subsidized subscπber to the service, the call is routed m a normal manner through the Switch 18 If the Candidate Discriminator Module 21 determines that the Subscnber Identification Code identifies a subsidized subscπber, the Candidate Discriminator Module passes the Switch Data to the information processmg system where the Ad Selection Code Generator 23 generates the Ad Selection Code

The Ad Selection Code Generator 23 generates the Ad Selection Code unless the subscnber presses a predetermmed key on the keypad of the wireless mobile termmal 12 or issues a voice command, if voice recognition capability is available, to indicate that a subsidy is not desired for that particular call If the subscnber elects to not receive or to cancel the advertisement withm a predetermmed elapsed time, an indication is made m the Ad Insert Records for the subscnber As a result the subscπber will be billed at the normal non-subsidized rate for the call and may be charged a small premium by the operator of the service Alternatively, non-subscnbers may be given the opportunity to receive subsidized service by pressmg a predetermmed key on the keypad to indicate their willingness to receive one or more targeted advertisements In the latter case, the Candidate Discriminator Module 21 forwards the call to the Ad Selection Code Generator 23 Once the Candidate Discπmmator Module 21 determines that the call is to be subsidized with one or more targeted advertisements, a call hold signal is generated and sent to ihe Switch Control, mdicated at 17 in FIG 3, which prevents the call from bemg connected by the Switch 18 until insertion of the targeted advertisement(s) is completed The amount of time allocated for insertion of the targeted advertisements) before the call connection process is permitted to beg will depend on me average call connection time Thus, the operator of the service will be able to utilize the "dead time" before a call is connected for a valuable purpose

The Ad Selection Code Generator 23 combines the Switch Data with the demographic and personal preference information previously obtamed from the subscπber and stored m the Subscπber Profile Data 26 electronic database The Switch Data and the Subscπber Profile Data 26 specific to the subscnber are combined to generate the Ad Selection Code for the call The Ad Selection Code embodies a range of elements, including the geographical location of the subscnber at the time of the call (l e , the wireless mobde location of the wireless mobile termmal 12) and the demographic and personal preference data for the subscnber, as well as the advertisements previously provided to the subscnber, all of which can easdy be compared with the sponsor's cntena, or protocols, for targeted advertisements In addition, the Ad Selection Code may indicate whether the subscπber has agreed to insertion of an advertisement only pnor to connection of the call or also at regular intervals during the call Further, the Ad Selection Code may indicate the subsidy level desired by the subscnber Accordmgly, the length of each advertisement may vary allowing for higher or lower subsidy levels The Wireless Mobde Location Data and the Date and Time Data components of the Switch Data may also be utilized by the database management program to develop the Histoπcal Response Data 28 for use m targeting future advertisements based on the responses made to the advertisements previously provided to the subscnber and the histoπcal movement patterns of the subscnber Thus, the Ad Selection Code is not merely a database of unrelated location, identity, demographic, preference, date and time date, but instead is a database of mter-related subscnber information which may be "managed" by a computational algonthm to develop subscnber personality profiles including the previous responses and movement patterns of the subscπber based on wireless mobde location, date and time Once generated, the Ad Selection Code is forwarded to the Call Routine Generator

The Call Routine Generator, mdicated by 27 m FIG 3, embodies an algonthm setting out the rules for assignmg targeted advertisements to the cad m view of the Ad Selection Code and the Ad Target Data 25 established by the sponsors of the advertisements The algonthm analyzes the pre-selected advertisements stored m die Ad Content Data 24 electronic database and the predetermmed cntena, or protocols, stored m the Ad Target Data 25 electronic database (which define the range of acceptable charactenstics of a targeted advertisement) for comparison with the Ad Selection Code The protocols (l e , Ad Target Data 25) for each advertisement identify the geographical location of the subscπber, the date and/or time of day, the attributes of the subscnber, the urgency for completing a run on the advertisement, and the level of repetition of the advertisement that is acceptable for the advertisement to be inserted mto a cad In addition, the algonthm estabbshes rules regardmg the action to be taken m the event that the Ad Selection Code satisfies the protocols of two or more advertisements or m the event that there the Ad Selection Code does not satisfy the protocols of any of the advertisements The algonthm of the CaU Routine Generator 27 is a multiple step process that begins with a large pool of advertisements and narrows the pool until only advertisements with protocols that are satisfied by the Ad Selection Code remain The CaU Routine Generator 27 may also generate a secondary pool consisting of rejected advertisements whose protocols are nearly but not exactly satisfied by the Ad Selection Code, and from which targeted advertisements mav be drawn under specific predetermmed circumstances

The multiple-step process of the algonthm of the Cad Routine Generator 27 is dlustrated m FIG 4, and mav occur m vanous sequences, or in paradel, as follows

First a advertisements that are not active withm the Ad Content Data 24 of the CaU Management System 20 are ehminated Second, the Subscnber Identification Code of the Ad Selection Code is compared to the advertisements avadable from the Ad Content Data 24 electronic database to eliminate from further consideration those advertisements identified m the Ad Selection Code as bemg recendy inserted mto calls made by the same subscπber Third, the Wireless Mobile Location Data of the Ad Selection Code is compared to the target locations of the Ad Target Data 25 to eliminate from further consideration those advertisements which have a wireless mobde location requirement that is not satisfied by the Ad Selection Code Fourth, the Date and Time Code of the Ad Selection Code is compared to the target dates and times of the Ad Target Data 25 to eliminate from further consideration advertisements which have a date and or time requirement that is not satisfied by the Ad Selection Code

Fifth, the subsidy level for the subscnber is determined so that the CaU Routine Generator wdl obtam the appropnate number of advertisements to be inserted mto the cad to generate the desired subsidy

Sixth, the Subscnber Profile Data 26 pertaining to the subscnber identified by the Subscnber

Identification Code of die Ad Selection Code is compared against the acceptable subscπber profile protocols, such as the demographic, psychographic and personal preference charactenstics defined m each of die remaining advertisement Since the Subscnber Profile Data 26 of the Ad Selection Code wdl compnse a number of charactenstics, each charactenstic is compared hierarchicaUy to the protocols of the remaining advertisements m a predetermmed order When an advertisement is eliminated, it is placed mto the secondary pool of rejected advertisements which may be caUed upon if the primary selection pool is not suffiαentlv large to satisfy subsidy level requirement of the subscπber identified by the Subscπber

Identification Code of the Ad Selection Code The multiple-step process of the algonthm of the CaU Routine Generator 27 continues until

(1) The required number of advertisements remain m the primary pool which meet the geographical location, date and/or time and histoncal response cntena for the subscπber,

(2) A number of advertisements m excess of the required number remain m the primary pool which meet the geographical location, date and or time and histoncal response cntena for the subscπber remain m the primary pool In this instance, the advertisements with the highest urgency ratings are selected If a number of advertisements in excess of the required number stdl remain, then the advertisements with the largest account balance are selected Fmady, if a number of advertisements m excess of the required number stdl remain, then the required number of advertisements are selected by other predetermmed means, such as at random, from the primary pool,

(3 ) A number of advertisements less than the required number remain m the primary pool In this instance, the Cad Routine Generator 27 of the Cad Management System 20 reviews the advertisements m die secondary pool to determme whether any meet predetermmed reduced cπtena for insertion estabbshed by the sponsors of the advertisements, or

(4) No advertisement is acceptable for insertion mto the caU on the basis of either the oπgmal or the reduced cntena estabbshed by the sponsors of the advertisements In this instance, the Call Routine Generator 27 of the Ca Management System 20 will insert a pre- recorded announcement to die subscπber stating that no sponsored advertisements are avadable to subsidize the cad

For subscnbers who agree to receive one or more advertisements only at the beginning of a call, the CaU Routine Generator 27 creates a cad routine algonthm providmg for a few minutes of subsidy, after which the caU is no longer subsidized For subscπbers who agree to accept mterruptions during a call, the CaU Routine Generator 27 creates a caU routine algonthm for managing the cad which mcludes an appropnate number of advertisements, and identifies the intervals upon which the advertisements are to be inserted, such that the entire caU may be subsidized The CaU Routine Generator 27 may also be programmed to insert a key element of the Subscnber Profile Data, such as the subscnber's name, age or a particular mterest of die subscnber, mto the targeted advertisement so as to provide an advertisement that is personal to the subscπber Once generation of the caU routine is complete, the cad routine is either

(1) Forwarded to the Switch 18, along with the targeted advertisements, and die cad proceeds,

(2 ) Forwarded to the Switch 18 without the targeted advertisements, which are held m the Ad Content Data 24 electronic database, and made avadable upon request of the Switch, or (3) Held m the CaU Management System 20, which manages subscnber's cads on a real time basis for the Switch 18 (e g , if the Switch is not capable of lntelhgent caU management)

Regardless, the Call Management System 20 continues to monitor the caU throughout it duration Monitoring may be necessary for example, so that advertisements are inserted at the appropnate time for caUs which mclude advertisement mterruptions (e g , if the Switch is not capable of mtelbgent caU management), and for reporting purposes

Subscπbers who are charged air time fees for inbound calls likewise may have their inbound calls subsidized In such cases, the CaU Management System 20 wdl foUow the procedure set forth above once an advertisement is selected for inclusion mto the call routine, except that after the call has been connected, the subscπber wdl be warned that an advertisement insertion is pending and wdl be given an opportunity to cancel the advertisement insertion by pressmg a key on die keypad, or bv making a voice command if the system is capable of recognizing such a command

The Call Record Generator, mdicated at 29 m FIG 3, records on a real time or penodic basis information such as the Subscnber Identification Code, SIM or Smart Card number, the wireless mobde location of the wireless mobde termmal 12 at the ongmation and/or termmation of the cad, the date and/or time at the ongmation and/or termmation of the cad, each targeted advertisement inserted mto the cad, an indication whedier the targeted advertisement was inserted before cad connection or during the caU, the sponsor of the targeted advertisement, and thus, the subsidy, whether a response, a request for further information, or a request for connection to a telemarketing representative was made, and the length of the cad The length of the cad information wdl adow the CaU Management System 20 to determme whether the targeted advertisement was inserted fuUy, or whedier the cad termmated during the targeted advertisement Other information specificaUy requested by the operator of the service or the sponsor of die advertisement may also be provided

Once the CaU Record Generator 29 gathers the desired information, referred to herem as Ad Insert Records, it is forwarded to the Operator Bdlmg System 32 The Operator Billing System 32 utilizes the

Ad Insert Records to compute the appropnate subsidy, referred to herem as the Subscnber Biding Subsidy 30 to be credited against the subscnber's account The Subscnber Billing System 32 then appbes the Subscπber Bdlmg Subsidy 30 to the subscnber's account and mvoices the subscnber or appbes the credit to the subscnber's future air time Alternately, for subscnbers paying a predetermmed monthly charge, which mcludes a certain number of minutes without charge, the monthlv charge is reduced appropnately The operator of the service then bdls the subscnber the appropnate amount including any subsidy earned by the subscnber

The CaU Record Generator 29 also forwards the Ad Insert Records data to the Subscnber Support Module, mdicated at 31 in FIG 3 The Subscnber Support Module 31 processes mqurnes responses and requests from the subscnber Immediately foUow g completion of a targeted advertisement a group of targeted advertisements or a call which mcluded a targeted advertisement of particular mterest to the subscnber, the Subscnber Support Module 31 can insert a related advertisement to provide additional information to the subscnber The inquiry, response or request from the subscnber may be received and answered by a subscπber support representative or may be transmitted to the Subscπber Support Module 31 for processing by a keypad or voice command from the subscπber The information provided to the subscπber may vary based on the geographical location of the subscnber at the time that the inquiry, response or request is made Alternately, customer mqurnes, responses and requests from the subscnber may be addressed externaUy by a subscnber support representative usmg information provided to the representative by the Subscπber Support Module 31 The Subscπber Support Module 31 may also be programmed to forward die cad to an external destination, such as a telemarketing representative Additional information or forwarded cads may occur during the caU immediately upon request immediately after the cad is completed or by a programmed cad back In addition, the Subscnber Support Module 31 may have the abibtv to provide information relating to the targeted advertisements previously provided to the subscnber For example, when caUed by a subscπber, the Subscπber Support Module 31 may have the abibty to provide the subscπber with information about a predetermmed number of the most recent targeted advertisements inserted mto a cad, when each advertisement was inserted, the geographical location of the subscπber at the time the advertisement was inserted, die amount of the subsidy earned by the subscnber for the targeted advertisement, a contact number for the sponsor of the advertisement and any additional which the subscnber support representative can provide to the subscπber

The CaU Record Generator 29 may also be programmed to generate vanous reports for use b the operator of the service for subscπber bdlmg and for progress and effectiveness review by the operator of the service or the sponsor of the advertisement The Cad Record Reports may bst information such as the amount of subsidy earned by the subscπber, the geographical location for which an advertisement was inserted, the date and time at the location for which the advertisement was inserted, the order m which the advertisement was inserted m the cad, an indication of whether the advertisement was fully inserted or partiallv inserted, the entire Subscπber Profile Data of the subscnber for whom the advertisement was inserted (possibly mcludmg address, name and home telephone number), whether the advertisement was a perfect match or mvolved a lower hierarchy match, the charge credit against the subscπbers account and the balance of the subscnber's account on the report date

The actual process of inserting targeted advertisements mto a cad may differ somewhat for each C/PCS and GMPCS based on specific architecture and mtegration requirements For GMPCS, the information processmg system may actuaUy integrate with the network at the land earth station or gateway, which mav or may not mclude the GMPCS Mobde ToU Switch Alternately, the system could process the caU informaπon and link the appropnate call routine at die central network control or operations center where the satedite cad is recognized and routed to the land earth station Accordmgly, it is to be understood that the foregomg descnption of the preferred embodiments and the specific example provided herem are merely lUustrative of the best mode of the invention and the pπnαples thereof, and that vanous modifications and additions may be made to the system and method by those sk led m the art, without departing from the sprnt and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS

1 A wireless mobde telephony system for providmg a message to a subscπber of a wireless mobde communications service that is targeted to the subscnber on the basis of wireless mobde location. said system compnsmg a wireless mobde termmal for initiating and receivmg a wireless mobde communication compnsmg a caU signal and Wireless Mobde Location Data mcluded with said cad signal, said terminal compnsmg a first transceiver for transmitting and receivmg said cad signal and said Wireless Mobde Location Data, a Base Transceiver Station m radio frequency communication with said wireless mobde terminal, said Base Transceiver Station compnsmg a second transceiver for transmitting and receivmg said caU signal and said Wireless Mobde Location Data, a CaU Management System m communication with said Base Transceiver Station, said Cad Management System compnsmg an Ad Chooser Server for choosmg the message to be targeted to the subscnber, a first electronic data mput, storage and retneval device m electncal communication with said Ad Chooser Server of said CaU Management System, said first electronic data mput, storage and retneval device compnsmg means for storing and selectively retnevmg pre-selected Ad Content Data and for storing and selectively retnevmg pre-selected Ad Target Data, said Ad Content Data compnsmg a plurabty of messages and said Ad Target Data compnsmg predetermmed cπtena for choosmg the message to be provided to the subscnber from said plurabty of messages of said Ad Content Data, wherein said Ad Chooser Server chooses the message to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of said cntena of said Ad Target Data and said Wireless Mobde Location Data

2 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless mobde termmal is assigned a unique Subscπber Identification Code for identifying the subscπber, said CaU Management System further compnses a second electronic data mput, storage and retneval device m electncal communication with said Ad Chooser Server, said second electronic data mput storage and retneval device compnsmg means for stormg and selectively retnevmg predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data pertaining to the subscnber identified by the unique Subscnber Identification Code, and wherein said Ad Chooser Server further chooses the message to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of said predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data

3 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless mobde termmal is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber, said CaU Management System further compnses a third electronic data mput, storage and retneval device m electncal communication with said Ad Chooser Server of said CaU Management System, said third electronic data mput, storage and retneval device compnsmg means for stormg and selectively retnevmg Histoπcal Response Data relating to the responses made to the previous messages provided to the subscnber identified by the unique Subscnber Identification Code, and wherein said Ad Chooser Server further chooses the message to be provided to the subscnber on die basis of said Histoncal Response Data

4 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 wherein said wireless mobde termmal is assigned a unique Subscnber Identification Code for identifying the subscnber, said CaU Management System further compnses a third electronic data mput storage and retneval device m electπcal communication with said Ad Chooser Server of said CaU Management System, said third electronic data mput storage and retneval device compnsmg means for stormg and selectively retnevmg Histoncal Response Data relating to the histoncal movement patterns of the subscnber identified by the unique Subscπber Identification Code, and wherein said Ad Chooser Server further chooses the message to be provided to the subscnber on the basis of said Histoncal Response Data

5 A wireless mobile telephony system according to claim 1 further compnsmg a Base Station ControUer m electncal communication with said Base Transceiver Station and wherein said Base Station ControUer is m radio frequency communication with said CaU Management System 6 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 further compnsmg a Mobde Switching Center m electπcal communication with said Base Transceiver Station, said CaU Management System and a Local Landhne Network, said Mobile Switching Center acquiring and routing said call signal between said termmal and said Local Landhne Network

7 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 wherem said Call Management System further compnses a Voice Response Unit m electπcal communication with said Ad Chooser Server, said Voice Response Unit compnsmg a plurabty of ports and voice cards, said ports for receiving the wireless mobde communication, parkmg the wireless mobde communication and redirecting the wireless mobile communication to its final destination, said voice cards for inserting the message targeted to the subscπber of the wireless mobde communications service mto the wireless mobde communication

8 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 1 wherem said caU signal further compnses a CaU Identification Code and Date and Time Data

9 A wireless mobde telephony system according to claim 2 wherem said predetermmed Subscπber Profile Data is selected from the group consisting of demographic and personal preference data pertaining to the subscnber of the wireless mobile communications service

10 A method for providmg a message to a subscπber of a wireless mobile communications service that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of wireless mobde location, said method compnsmg the steps of

(a) compiling a first electronic database compnsmg a plurabty of pre-selected messages and predetermmed cπtena for choosmg the message to be provided to the subscnber from the plurabty of preselected messages,

(b) providmg a wireless mobde termmal compnsmg a first transceiver for initiating and receiving a wireless mobde communication compnsmg a cad signal and Wireless Mobde Location Data mcluded with the cad signal, (c) extracting the Wireless Mobile Location Data from the wireless mobile communication initiated or received by the wireless mobde termmal,

(d) providmg the Wireless Mobile Location Data to a Cad Management System compnsmg an Ad Chooser Server for choosmg the message to be provided to the subscπber,

(e) utilizing the cπtena of the first electronic database to choose a message from the plurabtv of pre-selected messages that is targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Wireless Mobile Location Data and

(f) providing the message to the subscπber

11 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of (g) assignmg a unique Subscnber Identification Code to die wireless mobde termmal for identifying the subscnber,

(h) compiling a second electronic database compnsmg predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data pertaining to the subscπber identified by the Subscnber Identification Code,

(I) utilizing the cntena of the first electronic database and the unique Subscπber Identification Code to choose a message from the plurabty of pre-selected messages that is further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of die predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data, and (j) providmg the further targeted message to the subscnber

12 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of (g) assignmg a unique Subscπber Identification Code to the wireless mobde termmal for identifying the subscnber,

(h) compiling a third electronic database compnsmg Histoπcal Response Data relating to the responses made to the previous messages provided to the subscπber identified by the unique Subscnber Identification Code, (I) utilizing the cntena of the first electronic database and the unique Subscπber Identification

Code to choose a message from the plurabty of pre-selected messages that is further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Histoncal Response Data, and

0) providmg the further targeted message to the subscnber 13 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of

(g) assignmg a unique Subscnber Identification Code to the wireless mobde termmal for identifying the subscπber,

(h) compiling a third database compnsmg Histoncal Response Data relating to the histoncal movement patterns of the subscπber identified by the unique Subscnber Identification Code,

(l) utilizing the cntena of the first database and the unique Subscπber Identification Code to choose a message from die plurabty of pre-selected messages that is further targeted to the subscπber on the basis of the Histoπcal Response Data, and

(j) providmg the further targeted message to the subscnber

14 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further step of

(g) providmg a Base Transceiver Station m radio frequency communication with the wireless mobile termmal and m communication with the CaU Management System, said Base Transceiver Station compnsmg a second transceiver for transmitting and receivmg the wireless mobde communication

15 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of

(g) providmg a Base Transceiver Station m radio frequency communication with the wireless mobde terminal, said Base Transceiver Station compnsmg a second transceiver for transmitting and receivmg the wireless mobde communication, and (h) providmg a Base Station Controder m electπcal communication with the Base Transceiver

Station and m communication with the CaU Management System for acquiring and routing the wireless mobde communication

16 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of (g) providmg a Base Transceiver Station m radio frequency communication with the wireless mobde termmal, said Base Transceiver Station compnsmg a second transceiver for transmitting and receivmg the wireless mobde communication,

(h) providmg a Base Station ControUer m electπcal communication with ie Base Transceiver Station, and (I) providmg a Mobde Switching Center m electncal communication with the Base Station Controller and a Local Landhne Network and m communication with the CaU Management System for acquiring and routing the wireless mobde communication

17 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of (g) providmg a Base Transceiver Station m radio frequency communication with d e wireless mobde termmal, said Base Transceiver Station compnsmg a second transceiver for transmitting and receivmg the wireless mobde communication,

(h) providmg a Base Station ControUer m electπcal communication with the Base Transceiver Station, and (l) providmg a Mobde Switching Center m electπcal communication with the Base Station

ControUer, a Local Landhne Network and a Voice Response Unit of the CaU Management System for acquiring and routing the wireless mobde communication, said Voice Response Unit compnsmg a plurabty of ports and voice cards, said ports for receivmg the wireless mobde communication, parkmg the wireless mobde communication and redirecting the wireless mobde communication to its final destination, said voice cards for inserting the message targeted to the subscnber of the wireless mobde communications service mto the wireless mobde communication

18 A method according to claim 17 wherem the Voice Response Unit of the CaU Management System is m electncal communication with the Mobde Switchmg Center and the Ad Chooser Server of the CaU Management Svstem

19 A method according to claim 10 compnsmg the further steps of

(g) querying the subscnber of the wireless mobde communication to respond to the targeted message provided to the subscnber with a request, (h) monitoring the request made by the subscπber m response to the query, and

(l) fulfilling the request made by die subscπber, wherem the request is selected from the group consisting of inserting a second targeted message mto the wireless mobde communication, providmg a wπtten record of the targeted message to the subscnber and providmg a direct communication link with a representative of the wireless communications service or the sponsor of the message to the subscnber 20 A method accordmg to claim 11 wherem the predetermmed Subscnber Profile Data is selected from the group consisting of demographic and personal preference data pertaining to the subscnber of the wireless mobde communications service