Call notification system, method, computer program and advertising method

Abstract

A call notification system method, computer program and advertising method are disclosed. A call notification is generated at a recipient system ( 2 ) in response to receipt of initiation data on a call from an originating system ( 3 ). At least aspects of the call notification are controllable by the originating system ( 3 ).

1 . A call notification system arranged to generate a call notification at a recipient system in response to receipt of initiation data on a call from an originating system, wherein at least aspects of the call notification advertise goods or services and are controllable by the originating system, wherein the advertising system is arranged to establish a call between the recipient system and a representative for the goods or services upon acceptance of the call notification by the recipient system. 
   
   
       2 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recipient system is one of:
 a mobile telephone, an application running on a computer, an IP telephony client, a fixed line telephone, a video phone, or a teleconferencing system.   
   
   
       3 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the initiation data is arranged to trigger the recipient system to obtain call notification data for use in generating the call notification. 
   
   
       4 . A call notification system according to  claim 3 , wherein the recipient system is arranged to open a separate connection to the originating system to obtain the call notification data from the originating system. 
   
   
       5 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a remote repository arranged to store call notification data associated with the originating system, at least one of the recipient system and the originating system being arranged to obtain call notification data associated with the originating system from the remote repository for generating the call notification data. 
   
   
       6 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the initiation data includes one or more of: call notification data, encoded call notification data, a link to call notification data or a unique identifier referencing call data stored at a predetermined location, the recipient system being arranged to generate the call notification in dependence on the call notification data. 
   
   
       7 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the call notification data includes one or more of:
 a ringtone, a link to call notification data, a definition of the call notification to be generated at the recipient system, an image, contact data, instructions on an action to be taken by the recipient system, a reference to a source from which data must be obtained, instructions on how to generate at least aspects of the call notification, or data requiring encoding, decoding, translating or rendering by the recipient system prior to output.   
   
   
       8 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recipient system is arranged to store at least aspects of the call notification on demand. 
   
   
       9 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the call notification comprises a sample version of digital content available for purchase. 
   
   
       10 . A call notification system according to  claim 9 , wherein the digital content comprises one or more of:
 a ringtone, a mobile phone wallpaper, a music track or a video.   
   
   
       11 . A call notification system according to  claim 19 , wherein the sample version comprises a shortened or down-sampled version of the digital content. 
   
   
       12 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , wherein the call notification system is arranged to persist the call notification for a predetermined amount of time on said recipient system if said notification is not accepted. 
   
   
       13 . A call notification system according to  claim 12 , wherein the call notification has a number of predetermined phases in which the call notification differs, the call notification system being arranged to transition the call notification between phases while it is persisted. 
   
   
       14 . A call notification system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a location detection system arranged to trigger a call notification at the recipient system in dependence on location of the recipient system. 
   
   
       15 . A method of advertising goods or services comprising:
 generating a call notification at a recipient system in response to receipt of initiation data on a call from an originating system, wherein at least aspects of the call notification advertise the goods or services; and,   connecting a call from a representative of the goods or services to the recipient system in the event of acceptance of the call notification at the recipient system.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising opening a separate connection from the recipient system to the originating system and obtaining the call notification data from the originating system. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 storing call notification data in a remote repository; and,   at least one of the recipient system and the originating system obtaining the call notification data associated with the originating system from the remote repository.   
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the call notification data includes one or more of:
 a ringtone, a link to call notification data, a definition of call notification data to be generated at the recipient system, an image, contact data, instructions on an action to be taken by the recipient system, a reference to a source from which data must be obtained, instructions on how to generate at least aspects of the call notification, or data requiring encoding, decoding, translating or rendering by the recipient system prior to output.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the call notification comprises a sample version of digital content available for purchase. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the digital content comprises one or more of:
 a ringtone, a mobile phone wallpaper, a music track or a video.   
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the sample version comprises a shortened or down-sampled version of the digital content. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising persisting the call notification for a predetermined amount of time on said recipient system if said notification is not accepted. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the call notification has a number of predetermined phases in which the call notification differs, the method further comprising transitioning the call notification between phases during said persisting step.