Method And Apparatus For Content Presentation In Association With A Telephone Call
Patent No. US11227303 (titled "Method And Apparatus For Content Presentation In Association With A Telephone Call") was filed by Vusura Technology Llc on Oct 9, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’303 is related to the field of telecommunications and computer systems, specifically addressing the enhancement of telephone calls by presenting multimedia content to callers and called parties. Traditionally, phone calls provide minimal visual information, limited to caller ID or contact names. This patent aims to enrich the calling experience by leveraging the display capabilities of modern mobile devices to present relevant information and interactive content before, during, and after calls.
The underlying idea behind ’303 is to insert multimedia content into the call flow, making the calling experience more interactive and informative. This is achieved by pausing the call setup process to allow for the delivery of content to the caller's or called party's device. The content can be related to the call itself, such as details of a previous transaction, or it can be advertising or other information relevant to the parties involved.
The claims of ’303 focus on a method, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and an apparatus for controlling the presentation of content on a communication device. The core process involves pausing the establishment of a communication connection upon notification of its initiation, transmitting selected content during this pause, and transmitting additional content after the connection is terminated. A key aspect is that the selected content relates to a previous transaction , while the additional content pertains to a new transaction conducted during the call.
In practice, the invention works by intercepting the call initiation signal and briefly delaying the actual connection. During this delay, a call server identifies and transmits relevant multimedia content to the caller's or called party's device. This content could be advertisements, account information, or even social media updates. After the call concludes, a summary of the call or related offers can be presented, creating a more engaging and potentially profitable experience.
This approach differentiates itself from prior solutions by actively integrating multimedia content into the call flow, rather than simply providing a basic caller ID or contact information. By pausing the call setup, the system ensures that the content is delivered before the conversation begins, maximizing its impact. Furthermore, the use of transaction-specific content adds a layer of relevance that enhances the user experience and provides opportunities for upselling or cross-promotion.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’303 was filed, mobile devices had evolved to include richer display capabilities, but applications that operated during a call were still limited. At a time when computer systems had transitioned to graphical operating systems, mobile phone call interfaces typically displayed minimal information such as the caller's number or name. There was a need to enrich the experience of making or receiving calls by leveraging the enhanced display capabilities of mobile phones.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art did not disclose or suggest the specific combination of features recited in the claims. Specifically, the prior art failed to disclose or suggest that the selected content comprises information regarding a previous transaction between the first and second parties, and that additional content comprises information regarding a new transaction conducted between the first and second parties during the communication connection, and that the first and/or second device displays the additional content after receipt. The examiner also stated that it would not have been obvious to modify the prior art to arrive at the claimed invention.
Claims
This patent includes 25 claims, with independent claims 1, 13, and 14. The independent claims are directed to a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus, respectively, for controlling content presentation on a communication device by pausing a communication connection and transmitting selected content. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the elements and features of the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Date
Description
Get instant alerts for new documents
US11227303
- Application Number
- US16597052
- Filing Date
- Oct 9, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 18, 2029
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents