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BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Recent years have seen a considerable growth in the use of telephonic
communications. For example, in various applications, telecommunications
applications have expanded to accommodate voice-digital interfaces between
computer apparatus and callers at remote telephone terminals. For example,
by actuating the push buttons at a remote telephone terminal, a caller
controls a computer apparatus to provide various entertainment or
information. In using such a system, a caller might telephone a financial
service and selectively actuate the telephone key panel to receive
information on specific stocks or bonds.
Digital interface systems also have been implemented to utilize digital
signals provided independently of the caller's actions. For example, the
so-called "ANI" telephone equipment provides digital signals indicating a
caller's telephone number. Equipment designated "IDNIS" is similarly
available to indicate the called number. Thus, digital signals may be
provided telephonically to a system associated with individual calling
terminals as for identification or other use.
Telephonic games and contests are among the various applications that have
been recognized for implementation with telephone interface systems. Such
games and contests may be variously presented, as in cooperation with an
advertising program for a product or in a lottery format. Generally with
respect to such applications, various call modes might be utilized.
Essentially, three telephonic calling modes or services are in widespread
use. Specifically, caller-charge or "900" service (including "976" calls)
involves a charge to the caller for each call. The "900", calling mode is
useful for implementing games and contests with telephone interface
systems; however, certain problems are encountered. Specifically, certain
telephone terminals, e.g. pay phones, do not accommodate "900" service.
Also, with respect to certain forms of games and contests, it is important
to offer members of the public an alternative "free" method of
participation. In general, the system of the present invention may be
employed to implement "900" calling modes while accommodating "free"
participation with reasonable control.
Telephone calls may be accommodated without charge using "800" service or
calling mode. Generally, the "800", calling mode accommodates free calls
by callers in various areas to a particular station incurring the charges.
In most applications, it is important to regulate the use of the "800"
calling mode. Another calling mode is the traditional method of calling,
involving area-code numbers which also includes calls placed within a
given area code which do not usually involve a specific charge and usually
do not require dialing the area code. One of the problems associated with
using the area-code calling mode for interface systems is the vast number
of calls. For example, even in association with an advertising campaign,
inviting members of the general public to participate in a free contest or
game by telephone may prompt an overwhelming response. Accordingly, a need
exists for a practical system to control and limit calls to an
interface-service in the traditional free area-code number mode.
Another aspect of telephonic-interface contests involves zealous or
obsessive participants. For example, in a quiz contest, a zealous person
might call repeatedly, researching answers to given questions until
ultimately a question is repeated. At that time, the caller is ready with
an answer and has an unfair advantage in the contest. Thus, a need exists
for control within the interface system.
In general, the system of the present invention involves a telephone call
processing system for receiving calls from a multitude of terminals in
different call modes and for processing calls, as to a game or contest
format, with means to limit repeat-call advantages. In a disclosed form,
the system implements three calling modes to facilitate various formats
while accomplishing certain protection both with regard to the calling
mode and contest formats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, exemplary
embodiments exhibiting various objectives and features hereof are set
forth, specifically:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system constructed in accordance with the
present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an operating format of the system of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT
As required, a-detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is
disclosed herein. However, telephone techniques, physical communication
systems, data formats and operating structures in accordance with the
present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes,
some of which may be quite different from those of the disclosed
embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are
deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure and to
provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the
present invention.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a series of remote terminals TL-TN
(telephone instruments) are represented (left). The terminals TL-TN may be
functionally similar and accordingly only the terminal T1 is shown in any
detail. The indicated terminals TL-TN represent the multitude of telephone
terminals existing in association with a communication facility CO which
may comprise a comprehensive public telephone network.
The communication facility CO, accommodating the individual terminals
TL-TN, is coupled to a central processing station CS generally indicated
within a dashed-line block. In the station CS, to illustrate operating
aspects of the present invention, calls are selectively accepted and
interfaced so as to accomplish a desired operating format, for example a
contest or game.
Generally, calls from the individual terminals TL-TN might be in any of
three modes, i.e. the "800" mode, the "900" mode or the area-code mode
(traditional area code plus number or local number dialing). In the
disclosed illustrative system, depending on individual calling modes,
calls are selectively accepted for interface processing. Generally, the
interface format accommodates "900" calls with supplemental "800" calls to
accommodate both "free" access and all types of telephone terminals. In
the disclosed embodiment, calls in the "800" mode are restricted in
accordance with prearranged limitations. Furthermore, calls in the
area-code mode (from all areas), the 800 mode and 900 mode may be limited
to callers having a station number containing a predetermined digit
sequence. For example, calls might be restricted to those from terminals
having a telephone number ending in the digits "234".
The processing station CS also is controlled to limit the effectiveness of
zealous callers. For example, in a contest format, callers may be quizzed
with questions randomly drawn from an inventory. In accordance herewith,
questions are not repeated to individual telephone terminals T1-TN. Thus,
some control is imposed on an aggressive caller who might otherwise be
given two opportunities to answer the same question.
Considering the system of FIG. 1 in greater detail, the exemplary telephone
terminal T1 includes a handpiece 10 (microphone and earphone) and a panel
12 provided with a rectangular array of individual push buttons 14 in a
conventional configuration. Of course, the handpiece 10 accommodates
analog signals while the panel 12 is a digital apparatus. During an
interface operation, as disclosed in detail below, the caller is queued or
prompted vocally through the handpiece 10 (earphone) to provide digital
responses using the buttons 14.
At this stage, some specific aspects of the communication interface are
noteworthy. Essentially, as a result of telephonic dialing at one of the
terminals TL-TN, the communication facility CO couples the select terminal
to an audio response unit. Specifically, to illustrate various aspects,
three separate audio response units are provided in the station CS to
accept calls in the three distinct modes. That is, an audio response unit
18 receives calls in the "800" mode. An audio response unit 20 receives
calls in the area-code dialing mode, and an audio response unit 22
receives calls in the "900" dialing mode.
It will be understood that although three separate audio response units are
illustrated, systems incorporating the principles of the present invention
may well incorporate various numbers of audio response units for each
calling mode, with each audio response unit having the capability to
accommodate a substantial number of calls as indicated by the lines from
the communication facility CO in FIG. 1. Alternatively, a single composite
unit might be utilized. Also, the mode or aspects of the described
embodiment might well be implemented singly or in various combinations.
Herein, for purposes of explanation, calls are treated individually and
processed accordingly through the three audio response units 18, 20 and
22.
Generally, the audio response units 18, 20 and 22 connect callers at remote
terminals TL-TN from the communication facility CO through a coupler 24
(FIG. 1, station CS, center) to an interface processor 26. Both the
coupler 24 and the processor 26 are connected to a control unit 28 that is
also connected to the audio response units 18, 20 and 22. Accordingly,
with overall supervision by the control unit 28, the audio response units
18, 20 and 22 answer and preliminarily qualify callers from the terminals
TL-TN for connection through the coupler 24 to the interface processor 26.
Upon completion of an interface connection in the disclosed embodiment, a
contest format is executed by vocally prompting callers to respond with
digital data. At this point, it is noteworthy that the communication
facility CO also provides identification signals to the audio response
units 18, 20 and 22. Specifically, digital identification signals
representing numbers associated with the calling terminals TL-TN are
provided by "ANI" equipment independent of any action by the caller. In
the event "ANI" equipment is not available, callers may be vocally
prompted to provide the digital representations by selectively depressing
the buttons 14.
The telephone communication facility CO also may provide digital signals
indicating the called number. Generally, such a capability involves
equipment designated "DNIS". The capability may be useful in various
embodiments of the present system, as to distribute calls from a single
equipment as mentioned above.
Pursuing the exemplary structure of FIG. 1 in still greater detail, the
communication facility CO provides three sets of trunks or lines LA1, LA2
and LA3 respectively coupled to the audio response units 18, 20 and 22.
From the audio response units 18, 20 and 22, sets of lines LB1, LB2 and
LB3 are connected to the coupler 24. Under control of the control unit 28,
the coupler 24 connects individual lines 37 of the sets LB1, LB2 and LB3
to the processor 26 through lines 39.
Generally, the audio response units 18, 20 and 22 may take the form of well
known telephonic structures with the capability to "answer" calls and
interface callers in a preliminary way. Each of the units 18, 20 and 22
incorporate a voice generator along with some basic programmable logic
capability.
The audio response unit 18 is coupled to a free-call memory 32. Generally,
the unit 18 in cooperation with the memory 32 operates with the control
unit 28 to qualify acceptable calls in the "800" mode.
The audio response unit 20 is connected to a select-number coincidence
detector 34. These structures along with the control unit 28 test
area-code mode calls. The audio response unit 22 accepts calls without
initial qualification.
The system of the disclosed embodiment selectively qualifies callers
depending on their calling mode. Additionally, the system responds to
caller identification to enhance contest equity. Generally, the interface
processor 26 poses questions to calling contestants and stores the
resulting answers in a result memory 36. Questions given to contestants
are selected from a memory 38 by a random number generator 40.
Essentially, the memory 38 contains an inventory of questions addressable
by numbers provided by the random number generator 40. The address numbers
from the generator 40 are also supplied to a coincidence detector 42 that
also receives the address numerals of questions previously presented to a
specific caller from a record 44. Thus, before a question is presented to
a caller, the number of the calling terminal is checked to assure that the
same question has not previously been posed to a caller at that terminal.
If the coincidence-detector 42 clears the current question as not being
repetitive, a gate 46 is qualified and the question is supplied from the
memory 30 to the interface processor 26. A voice generator within the
interface processor 26 then provides signals through a designated line 39,
the coupler 24, a line 37, one of the audio response units and the
communication facility CO to the connected remote terminal. As a result,
the caller hears a simulated voice question. The answer is provided by the
caller actuating the buttons 14 at the calling terminal. In that regard,
the question may be in a multiple choice or true-false format to
accommodate simple push button actions at the terminal.
In view of the above description of structural elements in the disclosed
embodiment, a comprehensive understanding of the system may now best be
accomplished by assuming certain operating conditions and describing the
resulting operations. Accordingly, assume that the system CS is programmed
to accommodate a relatively simple game format, that is, a sponsored
contest for the promotion of a product, e.g. the XYZ Widget. Further
assume the contest is of limited participation based either upon: the
payment of a token fee ("900" calling mode), prearranged participation
("800" calling mode), lottery selection (area-code calling mode) or
lottery selection in combination with either 800 or 900 calling modes.
Considering exemplary possibilities of the format, the XYZ Widget might be
advertised with an invitation to participate via the "900" calling mode.
Alternatively, participants might be variously qualified as by select
notification; however, in the exemplary format, such participants would
incur a token charge imposed through "900" telephonic service. To consider
an example, an offering might be stated: "If your last three phone digits
are 972 you may call, 1) if you wish, call 1 900 XXXX972 ($0.95 service
charge) provided your last three phone digits are 972; 2) if you have
written in for a `free to enter` you can use the one-time PIN number
provided your last three phone digits are 972. In this case you can use
the `free` 800 number provided to you with your PIN number."
As indicated above, some telephone terminals do not accommodate "900"
calling mode. Also, under certain circumstances, it is important to afford
members of the public "free" access to participate in various games or
contests. For example, such participation might be arranged by mail or
other communication to provide a participant with a limited-use (i.e. One)
qualification number. With use, the numbers are stored in the memory 32
and the list is checked subsequently to avoid repeat use.
A third class of contest participants might be considered lottery winners.
For example, the sponsor might televise a drawing of three decimal digits
to provide a sequence of three numbers. The three numbers might identify
"winning" or "entitled" participants by corresponding to the last three
numbers (digits) of their telephone number. For example, the drawing of
the numbers "257" would entitle a single call participation from any of
the telephone terminals TL-TN designated by a number, the last three
digits of which are "257".
In an exemplary contest format, participants might be asked a-few test
questions (for minor prizes and the ability to participate in a lottery).
of course, a vast-variety of possibilities exist; and in that regard,
interim prizes may be awarded to participants as the format proceeds from
the initial call to the ultimate prize. At the present point, it is
important to appreciate that the system accommodates participants using
various telephone call modes with select qualification to participate in
an interface format utilizing voice prompt and push-button digital
communication. In accordance with the described example, the sponsor
invites participants to enter using "900" calling mode service. As a part
of such an invitation, persons are advised that "free" entry or
participation may be gained by sending a self-addressed envelope to
receive an entry number, e.g. eight digits, for use via "800" calling mode
service. In the disclosed embodiment, the eight-digit numeral is coded for
verification. Of course, numerous possibilities exist. As a simple example
the second and sixth digits of the number might have a specific sum, e.g.
seven or seventeen. That is, the second and sixth digits might be: three
and four, five and two, six and one, seven and zero, nine and eight and so
on. A qualifying number would be: "34726313", the second and sixth digits
being four and three, respectively.
With the arrangements completed for calling entries in the "900" and "800"
mode, the contest might operate for several days before being opened to
area-calling participants. That is, the area-calling mode might be
available only after a televised drawing entitling participation from a
select group of telephone numbers for a limited period of time.
In view of the above assumptions and descriptions, consider now the
operation of the system as depicted in FIG. 1 in relation to the process
diagram of FIG. 2. That is, assume the system of FIG. 1 is implemented and
programmed to accommodate the exemplary operations as will now be
described with reference to the process diagram of FIG. 2.
First, suppose a caller at the terminal T1 places a call in the "900" mode
in response to an advertisement by a sponsor promoting XYZ Widgets.
Perhaps the caller will receive at least a token gift and might qualify
for a major lottery prize.
The assumed call involves the caller actuating the buttons 14 as for
example to input: "1 900 5558945". As a result, signals are provided to
the communication facility co resulting in a connection from the remote
terminal T1 to the audio response unit 22. With the connection, the
communication system co also provides the audio response unit 22 with
digital identification signals representative of the designation for
remote terminal T1 ("212 627 2222"). The identification signals are
provided by the ANI equipment within the communication facility CO and are
registered by the audio response unit 22. The operation is illustrated as
a process step in FIG. 2 by the block 50 (upper right) for "900" mode
calls.
As suggested above, it may be desirable for a format to provide a token
award to all callers in the "900" mode. Recognizing such particulars as
possibilities, in the disclosed embodiment, calls in the "900" mode are
passed through the audio response unit 22 (FIG. 1) and the coupler 24 to
the interface processor 26. Accordingly, the interface processor 26
receives the calling number and processes the contest format as described
in detail below.
The initial step of the format common to all call modes is represented by
the block 52 in FIG. 2. However, as calls in all modes are processed
similarly from that point, before proceeding with the explanation, the
preliminary operations attendant other calling modes first will be
explained.
As explained above, certain accommodations are made for participation in
the "800" (caller free) mode. Accordingly, assume a caller at the terminal
T1 has been given an identification number: "34726313" for use in the
"800" mode. Accordingly, the caller dials a number, e.g. "800 555 3478",
actuating the terminal Ti and the communication facility Co to provide a
connection with the audio response unit 18. With communication, the audio
response unit actuates an internal voice generator prompting the caller to
key in his assigned number, "34726313". As the digits of the number are
keyed in by the caller, they are supplied from the audio response unit 18
to the control unit 28 and the free-call memory 32.
Within the control unit 28, logic is provided for verifying the
identification number as proper. In accordance with the simple example
explained above, the control unit 28 would simply sum the second and sixth
digits to test for a total of "7". The coincidence test is represented by
the query block 56 in FIG. 2. As indicated above, various codes and
verification techniques are well known along with the apparatus for
verifying assigned numbers.
If the control-unit 28 validates the qualification number "34726313", it is
recorded in the free-call memory 32 for future checking against repeat
use. Accordingly, each call in the "800" mode also involves a check or
test from the audio response unit 18 to the memory 32 to determine whether
or not the assigned qualification number has been previously used. The
previous-use test is illustrated as a process step by the query block 58
in FIG. 2.
If the control unit 28 determines the qualification number to be invalid or
the memory 32 reveals the number has been previously used,- the
communication is aborted by the audio response unit 18. For example, the
audio response Unit 18 may be actuated to provide simulated audio signals
carrying a message terminating the communication. For example, the caller
might be advised: "The number you have provided is not valid.
Consequently, your participation cannot be accepted on that basis."
If the entered number is valid and has not been previously used, the tests
indicated by the query blocks 56 and 58 (FIG. 2) are positive and the
process again proceeds to the common step as indicated by the block 52,
e.g. as to receive a token gift.
As indicated above, a third possibility for contest participation involves
calling in the area-code mode. While numerous format possibilities exist,
as suggested above, access for callers in the area-code mode might be
limited to a relatively short period of time. For example, a television
program advertising the XYZ Widget might include a drawing to select the
telephone terminals from which callers may participate for a period of
twenty-four hours. As indicated above, the drawing might identify the last
three digits of telephone numbers for the approved terminals.
Following a relatively short time (e.g. One day) during which area-code
callers may enter the contest, the contest might be concluded with the
ultimate winner or winners determined. In any event, assume the presence
of a caller at the terminal T2 with an approved telephone number, i.e.
"212 627 2257". Somewhat as explained above with respect to other calling
modes, keying operations by the caller at the remote terminal T2 result in
a connection through the communication system CO to the audio response
unit 20. As previously, the communication facility CO provides digital
signals to the audio response unit 20 indicating the calling number (ANI).
Thus, the calling number is registered as indicated by the block 62 in
FIG. 2. As previously, in the event ANI equipment is not operative to
serve the remote terminal T2, then the caller may be asked to key in his
telephone number for subsequent verification.
From the audio response unit 20, the caller's number is supplied to the
coincidence detector and storage unit 34 for a two-stage test. A first
test simply seeks a coincidence between the approved number sequence
(three digits) and the last three digits of the calling number. In the
example, the last three digits of the calling number ("257") are compared
with the select digit sequence, "257". The test is indicated by the query
block 64 in FIG. 2.
As a secondary test, the unit 34 may check a record of previous use. Thus,
the unit 34 simply implements test logic to-accomplish these
comparison-step operations with structures as well known in the prior art.
If the tests are negative, as indicated by the query block 64, the
communication is aborted as indicated by the block 60. Alternatively, a
favorable test again directs the system to proceed to the step of block 52
at which the process enters a common phase for all calling modes.
With the entry of a call into the common phase, the line carrying the call
is connected through the coupler 24 (FIG. 1) to the interface processor
26. That is, depending on the call mode, the call is passed through one of
the audio response units 18, 20 or 22 and the coupler 24 to the interface
processor 26. Note that as indicated above, each of the audio response
units 18, 20 and 22 is capable of accommodating a large number of
asynchronous calls. Similarly, the coupler 24 is capable of connecting
lines from the audio response units 18, 20 and 22 (LB1, LB2 and LB3
respectively) to the interface processor on an individual basis through
lines 37 and 39.
The interface processor 26 may comprise a relatively substantial computing
capability for processing many individual calls with programmed
variations. The processing operation is illustrated in FIG. 2 beginning
with the block 52. However, note that as the interface processor 26
receives the telephone number identifying a calling terminal (ANI)
reference may be made to a data bank. Therefore, the operation might
involve reference to substantial data on a caller. Accordingly, a basis
exists for several process variations accommodated by data from a bank.
The block 52 represents such possibilities as well as-further informing or
processing callers.
With the receipt of a call at the interface processor 26, a voice generator
may be actuated to specifically inform a caller, depending upon the
specific format employed. Essentially, digital signals are provided to
actuate a voice generator within the processor 26. Accordingly, an audio
message is provided through the coupler 24, the associated audio response
unit, and the communication facility CO to the connected remote terminal.
Thus, the caller may be further informed or cued.
In the disclosed embodiment, concurrently with the operation of further
informing the caller, the interface processor 26 actuates the random
number generator 40 to provide a random address for the question memory
38. The process step is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the block 66.
The random number (identifying a question in the memory 38) is also
provided to the coincidence detector 42 to test for the previous use of
the question to the calling terminal. In that regard, the interface
processor 26 provides the caller telephone number (ANI) to the caller
record 44 which may simply take the form of a look-up table addressed by
calling numbers and revealing the identification of previous questions
propounded. The addresses of questions previously recorded for a calling
number are supplied to the coincidence detector 42 for comparison with the
current tentative question identification number. The process step is
illustrated by the query block 68 in FIG. 2.
If the tentative question has been previously used for the calling
terminal, a signal is provided from the coincidence detector 42 to the
interface processor prompting a repeat operation by the random number
generator 40 to select another question.
Alternatively, if the tentative question is not a repeat, then the
coincidence detector 42 qualifies the gate 46 and the tentative question
is supplied to the interface processor 26 for actual use. Note that upon
the occurrence of an approved question, the coincidence detector also
supplies a signal to the call record 44 which records the identification
number of the question. The process step is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the
block 70.
With the provision of signals representing a question through the gate 46
to the interface processor 26, the internal voice generator is actuated to
propound the question to the caller. Recognizing the vast possibilities
for contest formats, one or more rather difficult questions might be
prepounded to isolate lottery participants. Alternatively, a relatively
easy question may be propounded as a minor obstacle to participation in
the final phase of the contest. In any event, as prompted or cued, the
caller responds using the buttons 14 and the response is registered for
testing within the interface processor 26. The process steps are indicated
by the block 72 and the query block 74 in FIG. 2. The results of the tests
are then stored in the interface result memory 36. Note that in the
interests of human perception, a printed record may be developed
concurrently with the qualification of lottery participants.
Final processing to determine a winner or winners may involve any of
various operations as a drawing, an event, and so on. Accordingly, as
indicated by the blocks 76 and 78, final determinations are made of
winners and losers with predetermined prize allocations. Thus, the system
of the present invention enables effective regulation and control of
interfaces between persons at telephone stations and a central processing
apparatus. Calls in various modes are accommodated with appropriate tests,
and interface data (e.g. test questions) are qualified.
In view of the above descriptions, it will be apparent that the disclosed
embodiment is susceptible to considerable modification in the
implementation of the present invention in conjunction with a telephone
system to accommodate caller interface operations. Although the disclosed
embodiment is directed to a contest, it will be apparent that aspects of
the system may be variously embodied to accommodate any of a variety of
telephone interface operations. Furthermore, it will be apparent that
while the disclosed embodiment comprises specific elements and
configurations, any of a variety of structures might well be utilized.
Accordingly, the scope hereof is deemed to be as set forth in the claims
below.
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