Phone App Intercepts Calls to Deliver Third-Party Promotions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing promotions to phone users are limited, as they only allow for advertisements from the owner of the dialed phone number's IVR system, preventing competitors from offering promotions, and lack flexibility in targeting users until a voice call is made.
Innovation Solution
A software application on the user's phone listens for dialed phone numbers and determines whether to play or offer promotions based on the number, user profile, and location, intercepting the call to provide promotions before connecting to the dialed number, either automatically or with user opt-in, using local or remote promotion retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If promotions are played through IVR systems, then promotions can be delivered to users, but only the phone number owner can offer promotions and competitors cannot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-party promotion delivery system that acts as an intermediary between advertisers and users. This system receives promotion requests from advertisers, matches them with users based on dialed numbers, and delivers promotions through the user's existing phone without requiring control over the IVR system. This resolves the contradiction by enabling competitor promotions while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the promotion delivery function from the phone number ownership. Instead of requiring the IVR system owner to control promotions, the system segments promotion delivery as an independent service that can be offered by any advertiser. This allows multiple promoters to operate independently while using the same phone infrastructure.
2Loss of time
If promotions are played after voice call is placed, then IVR system can control promotion timing, but promotion delivery is delayed and less relevant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by delivering promotions before the user completes their call. The system intercepts the call setup process, identifies the dialed number, and presents the promotion opportunity beforehand. This timing optimization ensures promotions are relevant and timely while reducing the delay inherent in post-call delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates user feedback mechanisms where users can choose to hear or skip promotions during the call setup process. This feedback loop allows users to control their experience while the system maintains automated promotion delivery based on dialed numbers, resolving the contradiction between timing optimization and operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If the phone automatically plays promotions, then user engagement increases, but user choice and control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by offering promotions as optional rather than mandatory. The system presents promotion opportunities but allows users to choose whether to hear them or proceed directly to the call. This partial implementation of automation maintains efficiency while preserving user control, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
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.