Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet. Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering personal ad services which substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior systems that deliver such personal ad services. In the use of such services, the need is recognized for improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services. With the present invention, a personal ad published in a newspaper includes graphical icons which denote if an ad has additional text or multimedia files (a photograph or a video clip) available on the Internet. With respect to personal ad services, the present invention provides the needed improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering personal ad services which substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior systems that deliver such personal ad services. In the use of such services, the need is recognized for improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services. With the present invention, a personal ad published in a newspaper includes graphical icons which denote if an ad has additional text or multimedia files (a photograph or a video clip) available on the Internet. With respect to personal ad services, the present invention provides the needed improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention creates a means to select ads for publication in the newspaper based on past performance of individual personal ads, thus attempting to optimize the number of responses to the printed personal ad column as a whole. At the same time, all personal ads are published on the Internet so as to accommodate all advertisers regardless of the past performance of their ad. Finally, by fully integrating the Internet personal ads service with the audiotext personal ad service, advertisers whose ad only is published on the Internet are in no way disadvantaged by fewer features or options.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention creates a means to select ads for publication in the newspaper based on past performance of individual personal ads, thus attempting to optimize the number of responses to the printed personal ad column as a whole. At the same time, all personal ads are published on the Internet so as to accommodate all advertisers regardless of the past performance of their ad. Finally, by fully integrating the Internet personal ads service with the audiotex personal ad service, advertisers whose ad only is published on the Internet are in no way disadvantaged by fewer features or options.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering personal ad services which substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior systems that deliver such personal ad services. In the use of such services, the need is recognized for improved capability regrding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention provides a computer based direct connect system that is significantly more convenient and safer for the advertiser. In the present invention, when a person places a personal ad on the system, either via a telephone or via the Internet, the person inputs a telephone number that is stored in a database. Respondents can then direct connect and initiate a voice conversation by having the system call the advertiser's telephone number, whether the respondent's call initiates from a traditional telephone or from an Internet telephone. In addition, if the advertiser is on-line, respondents can direct connect and initiate a voice conversation with an advertiser, whether the respondent's call initiates from a traditional telephone or from an Internet telephone. If both the respondent and advertiser are on-line and both have a video capture device and camera, they can also have a video conference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet. Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering personal ad services which substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with prior systems that deliver such personal ad services. In the use of such services, the need is recognized for improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services. With the present invention, a personal ad published in a newspaper includes graphical icons which denote if an ad has additional text or multimedia files (a photograph or a video clip) available on the Internet. With respect to personal ad services, the present invention provides the needed improved capability regarding the features available to Internet users, and the integration of audiotex personal ad services and Internet personal ad services.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention provides a computer based psychographic matching system that is significantly more effective and convenient for the advertiser. In the present invention, when a person places a personal ad on the system, either via a telephone or via the Internet, the person creates a personal psychographic profile (a subjective makeup of preferences) of himself by selecting his preference for various items, such as musical pieces, environmental sounds, poetry selections, etc. At the conclusion of the profiling process, the system automatically finds other advertisers (whether they placed their ad via audiotext or the Internet) whose profiles match the new advertiser's profile. The system then gives the new advertiser information on how to contact all of the recorded matches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention creates a means to select ads for publication in the newspaper based on past performance of individual personal ads, thus attempting to optimize the number of responses to the printed personal ad column as a whole. At the same time, all personal ads are published on the Internet so as to accommodate all advertisers regardless of the past performance of their ad. Finally, by fully integrating the Internet personal ads service with the audiotext personal ad service, advertisers whose ad only is published on the Internet are in no way disadvantaged by fewer features or options.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention provides a computer based matching system that is significantly more convenient for the advertiser. In the present invention, when a person places a personal ad on the system, either via a telephone or via the Internet, the person creates a personal profile of himself by answering questions about himself and the type of person he wishes to meet. At the conclusion of the ad taking process, the system automatically finds other advertisers (whether they placed their ad via audiotext or the Internet) that match the new advertiser's profile, and the system gives the new advertiser information on how to contact his matches. Conversely, the system notifies existing advertisers when a new ad is placed that matches their profile. The system also assists users by automatically finding ads similar to those to which users respond.