Abstract: A system and method for measuring the efficiency of social media campaigns. The system collects searchable activity data of members of a social network and processes this data locally to extract interaction data happening on the profile page of the social media campaign on the social network. The interaction data is then weighed in accordance with its type. The system may also determine an effort score representing a monetary value of the profile page based on the volume of contribution by the owners of the social media campaign. The efficiency score may then be determined based on a relationship between the number of interactions, the weight associated with each interaction, and the effort score.

Abstract: Management and dissemination of information from a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a method may include receiving an identification of each of a plurality of non-residents of a controlled-environment facility with whom a resident of the controlled-environment facility is allowed to communicate, contacting a selected one of the plurality of non-residents and, during the contact, allowing the selected non-resident to establish or fund an account associated with the resident. In another embodiment, a system may be configured to receive identification of a plurality of non-residents of the controlled-environment facility, determine, among the plurality of non-residents, a set of non-residents with whom the resident is allowed to communicate, contact at least one non-resident from the set of non-residents, and provide information to the at least one non-resident during the contact about how to release the resident from the controlled-environment facility.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a message to a recipient is provided. The system includes a network communication system for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device. The network communication system includes a communication system operatively connected to at least one communication device. The network communication system further includes an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a signal media server operatively connected to at least one message server, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient through the communication device, the communication system determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database, the message server determining the message, the message server retrieving at least one message, wherein the signal media server forwards the message to the recipient via the communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proactively establishing a third-party payment account for services rendered to a resident of a controlled-environment facility (“CEF”). A campaign-triggering event is detected, which triggers contact of prospective third-party (“3rd-party”) payers for a resident of a CEF in order to encourage such prospective 3rd-party payers to establish 3rd-party payment accounts for the resident. In this manner, the prospective 3rd-party payers are proactively contacted prior to an expected future demand for service by the resident. A method thus comprises identifying at least one prospective third-party payer for a resident of a controlled-environment facility, and proactively contacting the identified at least one prospective third-party payer prior to demand for service by the resident to encourage the identified at least one prospective third-party payer to establish a third-party payment account for payment for future service expected for the resident.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sharing state information using a web-enabled system and a phone service system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a presence module is used to identify a currently accessed web page to an agent during an on-line session. In some embodiments, documents are delivered to a user through a web browser concurrent with an audio message delivered by phone. Concurrent delivery of documents configured to accept an electronic signature is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for effective utilization of call idle time, including detecting by the processor of a phone, that a first person using the phone has initiated a phone call to a second person, and that the second person has not yet answered the call, wherein the phone is operative in an idle mode to present content pre-designated by the first person, and is operative in a normal mode to send and receive voice communications to and from the second person and to not present the pre-designated content, activating the idle mode of the phone in response to the detecting, subsequently detecting, by the processor of the phone, that the second person has answered the call, and subsequently activating the normal mode of the phone in response to the subsequently detecting.

Abstract: A directory assistance service includes a database and an interface module. The database stores a set of audio advertisements, and the audio advertisements are priced based on a tiered pricing model. The interface module is in communication with the database and receives a directory assistance request from a caller, plays the caller one or more audio advertisements from the database, and charges an advertiser for playing the audio advertisements based on the tiered pricing model.

Abstract: A directory assistance service includes a database and an interface module. The database stores a set of audio advertisements, and the audio advertisements are priced based on a tiered pricing model. The interface module is in communication with the database and receives a directory assistance request from a caller, plays the caller one or more audio advertisements from the database, and charges an advertiser for playing the audio advertisements based on the tiered pricing model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to dynamically determine the performance event of a listing based on the progress levels of responses received in response to a presentation of the listing. One embodiment includes: providing a listing on behalf of an entity for presentation to a user; identifying an event from a set of predetermined events based on communications made by the user responsive to a presentation of the listing; and charging the entity a fee per the event identifying from the set of predetermined events.

Abstract: Information, such as advertising, is presented to VoIP users via a combination of telephone and data streams during session initiation via an IP phone or a personal computer. A proxy server that receives the call request coordinates with a media server to transmit targeted advertising to the caller during the post dial delay interval. After the advertisement concludes, the call continues normally.

Abstract: Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party. Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list. A party to a call may be offered one or more payment mechanisms for completing a purchase in an on-line or real-world transaction.

Abstract: The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.

Abstract: A platform service that is used by an application may be linked to an advertising service. A cost of using the platform service may be reduced based on the linking.

Abstract: Systems and methods to collect information over a connection with a caller just in time for further connecting the caller to a callee. In one embodiment, a connection server is configured to provide to a caller a reference associated with the first criterion, to identify the first criterion based on the reference used to establish a connection with the caller for real time communications, to obtain a second criterion from the caller over the connection established for real time communications, to identifying a callee based at least in part on the first criterion and the second criterion, and to connect the caller from the established connection to the callee for real time communications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide communication connections at a cost reduced via advertising. One embodiment includes: receiving a request from a first user over a data communication network; response to the request, initiating a first telephonic connection to the first user and a second telephonic connection to a second user to provide a telephonic connection between the first and second users; presenting an advertisement to at least one of the first and second users; and reducing a communication fee for the telephonic connection between the first and second users using a portion of an advertisement fee charged for the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, and a web-based advertisement is served for an advertiser that includes the first telephone number. A call placed to the first telephone number is received, and the call is routed to the second telephone number based on the association of the second telephone number with the first telephone number. A determination as to whether a call-through event in response to receiving the call placed to the first telephone number has occurred, and an advertiser associated with the second telephone number is charged a cost-per-call amount if the call-through event is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.

Abstract: A system is provided to manage distribution of ring back multimedia content. The system includes a data store component to store the multimedia content and to associate the multimedia content with a called system. The system includes a distribution component operable when a caller system calls the called system to provide the multimedia content as ring back to the caller system. The content may be non-ring tone content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a relevant content delivery service on networks such as packet networks, e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. For example, the present method receives a request to initiate a call from a calling party to a called party. The method then establishes a communication connection between the calling party and the called party and a communication connection to a speech recognizer. The method monitors a conversation between the calling party and the called party using the speech recognizer for detecting one or more verbal triggers. Finally, the method delivers relevant content that is associated with any detected verbal triggers to the calling party and/or the called party.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing information associated with voice calls placed during a telephone number advertising campaign is described. The system receives information characterizing voice calls to advertiser telephone numbers and information from advertisers such as information about the outcome of the voice call (e.g., conversion information). The system correlates the voice call information with the advertiser information and generates reports based on the correlated information. The system can perform or enable the performance of other actions based on the correlated information. For example, the system may modify an ongoing advertising campaign based on an analysis of the correlated information.

Abstract: A call receiving device includes an identification information acquisition part configured to acquire identification information by receiving calls each made based on identification information that is explicitly or implicitly provided in a web page and that identifies a call receiver. An information associating part is configured to associate the acquired identification information with discrimination information to discriminate each of the calls. A call connection part is configured to connect each of the calls to the call receiver. A discrimination information sending part is configured to send the discrimination information to the call receiver through the call connected to the call receiver. A discrimination information receiving part is configured to receive the discrimination information input into a predetermined device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, advertising campaigns can be defined that incorporate technologies such as two-dimensional bar codes or embedded links in electronic material, for directing a user to communicate with a call center. For instance, in particular embodiments, the reading of a two-dimensional bar code may cause a communication to be sent to, and received at, the call center, where a calling campaign associated with an advertising campaign is identified using information associated with the communication. Likewise, in particular embodiments, the activation of an embedded link may cause a communication to be sent to a publisher, who sends a communication to the call center. Upon determining the calling campaign, an appropriate agent is selected and a communication, such as a voice call, is initiated to the user. In particular instances, if a no-answer condition is reached as a result of the communication, another communication may be scheduled for a later time.

Abstract: System of subsidized phone calls, is essentially a system (S) made possible by means of telecommunication networks in general to be used with great efficiency, using the existent technical resources that, organized of new way, allows the execution of calls with part or all of the chargeable time subsidized by a sponsor through the sending of advertising and/or institutional messages to the calling subscriber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications via optional advertisements presented via directory assistance. One embodiment includes: receiving a directory assistance request from a user over a telephonic connection with the user; providing directory assistance information responsive to the directory assistance request; presenting an option related to an advertisement to the user; if the user declines the option, charging the user a fee for providing the directory assistance information; and if the user accepts the option, reducing the fee for providing the directory assistance information.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a call from a caller and interacting with the caller, via an interactive voice response (IVR) unit, to identify first information associated with a reason for the call. The method may also include accessing a database storing second information associated with the caller, identifying third information to be provided to the caller based on the stored second information and providing the third information to the caller prior to forwarding the call to an agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications to access diverse categories of information. One embodiment includes; storing data representing a privilege of a user during a predetermined period of time; responsive to a first request made via a presentation of a listing of the first entity for a service of the first entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the first entity to deliver the service of the first entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the first request; and responsive to a second request made via a presentation of a listing of the second entity for a service of the second entity, establishing a connection for real time communications between the user and the second entity to deliver the service of the second entity, if the user has the privilege at a time of the second request.

Abstract: A call tracking system and method that estimates a number of calls associated with a publication channel. The system uses a sampling algorithm to perform the estimation. The sampling algorithm selects a group of advertisements to serve as a sample group, and determines a distribution of calls for each of the publication channels associated with the sample group. The distribution of calls from the publication channels is assumed to be the same for all advertisements, and the data from the sample group is used to model the performance across all advertisements. The selected advertisements may be associated with one or more advertisers. Pooled or dynamic signal processing methods may also be used to estimate a number of calls associated with a publication channel. The number of calls associated with a publication channel may be utilized to determine the efficiency of, or calculate the revenue share associated with, an advertising campaign.

Abstract: A method for providing continuity over a series of transactions is provided, comprising the steps of (a) creating a Portable Continuity Object (PCO) as a defined digital package by an instance of PCO software executing on a computerized appliance also capable of communication transaction; (b) providing identity of a person, an address of a communication device and a continuity context in the PCO; (c) sharing the PCO in related transactions, with the PCO updated with information concerning individual transactions by digital equipment enhanced with an instance of PCO software; and (d) providing context continuity in succeeding transactions by accessing the PCO by one or both parties to a transaction.

Abstract: A method for effective utilization of call idle time, including automatically detecting that a first person using a phone has initiated a phone call to a second person, and that the second person has not yet answered the call, wherein the phone is operative in an idle mode to present content pre-designated by the first person, and is operative in a normal mode to send and receive voice communications to and from the second person and to not present the pre-designated content, activating the idle mode of the phone in response to the automatically detecting, further automatically detecting that the second person has answered the call, and automatically activating the normal mode of the phone in response to the further automatically detecting. A cell phone is also described and claimed.

Abstract: Dissemination of information from a controlled environment facility employs facility information management functionality managing resident information and facility information, and call manager functionality selectively providing at least a portion of the resident information and/or the facility information to an outside party and/or professionals associated with the facility in an automated manner. The invention may employ outgoing IVR functionality to provide select portions of the resident information to appropriate professionals at the time of intake of a new resident. The invention may conduct a reverse auction among professionals offering a particular good or service, manage information related to providers of services or goods for residents of a facility, provide an outside party this information including results of a reverse auction, and notify a selected provider of selection of that provider by the outside party to provide goods or services for a resident.

Abstract: A call tracking system and method that uses a pooling algorithm to manage a pool of telephone numbers that are utilized in advertisements. The pooling algorithm allows adjustments to be made to the pool in order to achieve a desired degree of call tracking accuracy performed by the system. The pooling algorithm may adjust the pool in terms of size, quality, or other metric, and assign phone numbers so as to meet the desired accuracy requirements. While additional numbers in a pool may increase accuracy, fewer numbers result in lower cost, and a balance may be struck based on the requirements of an advertiser. When a phone number is to be provided for an advertising campaign, the phone number may be selected from the pool randomly, in round-robin fashion, or according to criteria related to expected accuracy.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for advertising-supported call service are disclosed. According to one method, a SIP call setup message associated with a first call from a calling subscriber to a called subscriber is received. It is then determined whether the calling subscriber subscribes to a play advertisement pay less (PAPL) service. In response to determining that the calling subscriber subscribes to the PAPL service, an advertisement is presented to the calling subscriber via the subscriber's telephone, the call is connected to the called subscriber, and a reduced charge is effected for the call based on the PAPL service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list. Calls to or from certain parties or numbers may be screened or filtered.

Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, computer program code, and means are provided to receive a broadcast request and a message from a first mobile device where the first mobile device is associated with a first user, compare information in the message to information in a preferences database to match the message with at least a first recipient of the message, and to transmit the message to a second mobile device associated with at least the first recipient.

Abstract: An advertising-effectiveness determination method includes receiving a call made based on identification information provided to an information-providing medium in association with advertisement information. The call is connected to a call receiver indicated by the identification information. Input information input into a calling equipment of the call receiver and sent from the calling equipment is received. An effectiveness of the advertisement information is determined based on the received input information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for sponsoring a communication service, wherein said communication service is made available directly, in particular to a user of said communication service, and wherein a rule, in particular applicable for charging a sponsor of said communication service, is determined dynamically.

Abstract: A voice call network node communicates advertisements to user terminals of a telecommunications system. The voice call network node includes a voice call handling component and an advertisement insertion component. The voice call handling component responds to a voice call from a caller user terminal by identifying characteristics of the caller user terminal and/or the callee user terminal. The advertisement insertion component communicates voice call profile information through a network to an advertisement service offering node. The voice call profile information identifies characteristics of the caller user terminal and/or the callee user terminal The advertisement insertion component also receives an advertisement from the advertisement service offering node responsive to the communicated voice call profile information, and communicates the advertisement to the caller user terminal and/or to the callee user terminal Related advertisement service offering nodes and user terminals are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, and allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and software application for providing a promotion to a user on a phone. The software application resides on a user's phone and “listens” for phone numbers dialed by a user. In response to the user dialing a phone number, the software determines whether a promotion or an offer for a promotion should be provided to the user. In response to determining to play or offer to play a promotion to the user, the software application on the phone effectively “intercepts” the call and plays to the user either a promotion or an offer to hear about a promotion prior to placing an outbound voice call. The software application may retrieve the promotion from local memory or may connect with a remote server to download an applicable promotion.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing relevant information to users (e.g., information that is at least potentially of interest to the users). Relevant information for a user may be automatically determined based on a determined context of the user and/or on a request for that information from the user. For example, voice-based information may be obtained from a user in one or more ways, and then analyzed to identify requests or other indications of information of interest and/or to otherwise determine a context of the user that corresponds to potential information of interest. Relevant information for a user may be provided to the user in various ways, such as via a voice-based response during a telephone call and/or via one or more electronic messages sent to the user (e.g., via emails, instant messages, paging messages, SMS or other text messages, etc.).

Abstract: A method for operating a directory assistance process adapted to provide a targeted message to incoming callers totally or substantially free of one or more 411-type directory assistance calling charges. The method includes receiving a phone call from an incoming caller and receiving a voice based request for information associated with directory assistance from the caller. The method also includes determining phone number information in response to the request through one or more first databases and identifying a phone number associated with the incoming caller using a caller identification process. The method further includes querying at least one database to ascertain a match between the phone number associated with the incoming caller and at least one of a plurality of identifiers in the at least one database, determining at least one message, transmitting the determined message to the incoming caller, and transmitting the phone number information to the incoming caller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to present communication references to connect people for real time communications via concurrent calls. One embodiment includes: responsive to a search request, identifying information of an entity according to the search request; associating a telephonic reference with the information of the entity; providing the telephonic reference for presentation with the information of the entity to a user; and responsive to a request made via the telephonic reference for a telephonic connection between the user and the entity, initiating a plurality of concurrent calls to a plurality of telephonic references of the entity or a plurality of concurrent calls to a plurality of telephonic references of the user.

Abstract: In various embodiments, advertising campaigns can be defined that incorporate technologies such as two-dimensional bar codes or embedded links in electronic material, for directing a user to communicate with a call center. For instance, in particular embodiments, the reading of a two-dimensional bar code may cause a communication to be sent to, and received at, the call center, where a calling campaign associated with an advertising campaign is identified using information associated with the communication. Likewise, in particular embodiments, the activation of an embedded link may cause a communication to be sent to a publisher, who sends a communication to the call center. Upon determining the calling campaign, an appropriate agent is selected and a communication, such as a voice call, is initiated to the user. In particular instances, if a no-answer condition is reached as a result of the communication, another communication may be scheduled for a later time.

Abstract: Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing enhanced telecommunications services are provided. Example embodiments provide a Enhanced Telecommunications System ETS, which provides less expensive calling and other services by initiating telephone requests using data request packets. In one embodiment, the ETS comprises a client communications device with client code, an ETS portal, an API server, one or more PABX servers, and various billing, payment, and accounting systems. Other systems, such as quality assurance and logging systems may also be available. These components cooperate to provide various telecommunications services. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method of operating a directory assistance system is provided. The method includes receiving a number of directory assistance requests for information regarding at least one of a number of businesses. The number of directory assistance requests comes from a group of callers. The method also includes tracking a frequency with which information regarding the at least one of the number of businesses is requested, defining a number of business categories, and providing a business database comprising a listing of a number of businesses associated with at least one of the number of business categories. The method further includes receiving a directory assistance request including a business category from a caller and presenting a listing of businesses to the caller. An order of presentation is based on the frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to present information to sellers/advertisers/advisors for connections to customers for real time communications. One embodiment includes: responsive to a request from a customer, determining a telephonic reference of the customer; presenting to at least one entity an option to be connected to the customer; responsive to a first entity selecting the option, initiating a telephonic connection to the customer using the determined telephonic reference of the customer to provide a telephonic connection between the customer and the first entity; and charging the first entity a fee for a lead to the customer in response to establishing the telephonic connection between the customer and the first entity.

Abstract: An advertisement delivery system for publishing a voice-enabled advertisement chosen among multiple voice-enabled advertisements to a specific voice application version chosen among multiple voice application versions available to the system has a telephony interface for enabling voice interactive access to at least one running version of the chosen voice application; and a matching service application for determining selection of the advertisement, the voice application version to host the advertisement, and at least one advertisement position in the voice application version for presenting the advertisement.