Telecoms
The invention concerns improvements to telecoms systems. In the proposed method and apparatus, an image (which may have advertising content) is displayed to a caller and a recipient prior to relaying a caller message. This supplementary image may take the place of conventional text such as CALLING. On audio/visual equipment, an audio message may take the place of a ringing tone.
1. A method for transmitting pre-recorded images using telecom networks comprising:
detecting when a telecommunications apparatus is used by a caller to send a message to a recipient;
establishing a connection with a telecommunications apparatus of the recipient;
thereafter, displaying a supplementary image at the telecommunications apparatus of the caller in addition to, or to replace, conventional connection messages,
if the recipient does not answer during a predetermined time period, then replacing the supplementary image by connection message text, and
if, during transmission of the supplementary image to the caller, a connection is established between the caller and the recipient, transmission of the supplementary image is terminated.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a message to be transmitted to the recipient from the caller comprises a mixed media audio/video message and, wherein the supplementary image is presented for viewing to the caller prior to a connection between the caller and the recipient being established or prior to transmission of the message from the caller.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplementary image comprises at least one of an advertising content, an information content, or a combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplementary image is presented for viewing to the caller prior to a connection between the caller and the recipient being established.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplementary image is conveyed only to telecom system users who have indicated a willingness to receive the supplementary image.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the supplementary image insertion is available to all network service providers.
7. Apparatus for transmitting pre-recorded images using telecom networks, whereby when telecommunications apparatus is used by a caller to send a message to a recipient, a supplementary image is visually transmitted from messaging equipment to the caller in addition to, or to replace, conventional connection messages, wherein the apparatus comprises:
means for detecting a signal on a telecom system indicating that there is an incoming message transmission;
means for establishing a connection with a telecommunications apparatus of the recipient; and
means for responding to the detecting and the connection by conveying a supplementary image or images to the caller in addition to, or to replace, conventional connection messages,
if the recipient does not answer during a predetermined time period, then the means for responding to the detecting and the connection replacing the supplementary image by connection message text, and
if, during transmission of the supplementary image to the caller, a connection is established between the caller and the recipient, then the means for responding to the detecting and the connection terminating transmission of the supplementary image.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is arranged to insert the supplementary image or images into the message and relay the message with the inserted supplementary image(s) to the recipient.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein in the case of text messaging the supplementary image(s) is/are inserted in a part of a message from the caller and will be visible to the recipient on retrieval of the text message.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a message to be transmitted to the recipient from the caller is a mixed media audio/video message and, wherein the supplementary image is presented for viewing to the caller prior to connection between the caller and the recipient being established or prior to transmission of the message from the caller.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the apparatus comprises cellular/wired telecommunications systems and other terrestrial or satellite transmissions, or email transmission systems capable of receiving text messaging.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the telecommunications system is configured so as to convey the supplementary images only to system users who have indicated a willingness to receive the supplementary images.
13. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the supplementary image is associated with an audible message and transmitted to the caller during a predetermined time period.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined time period is selected by an advertising organization.