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 a pre-recorded supplementary image using a telecommunications network during the establishment of a telephone call between a caller using caller equipment and a recipient using recipient equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a connection request signal by the recipient equipment prior to establishing a connection between the caller and the recipient;
selecting a pre-recorded supplementary image unrelated to the caller;
displaying on the recipient equipment the pre-recorded supplementary image to replace conventional connection messages, upon receiving the connection request signal, the prerecorded supplementary image being relayed prior to connection between the caller and the recipient being effected;
if the recipient does not answer during a predetermined time period, then replacing the pre-recorded supplementary image by connection message text; and
if, during displaying of the pre-recorded supplementary image, a connection is established between the caller and the recipient, transmission of the pre-recorded supplementary image is terminated.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-recorded supplementary image has at least one of an advertising and information content.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying on the caller equipment the pre-recorded supplementary image prior to connection between the caller and the recipient being established.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein pre-recorded supplementary images are conveyed only to telecommunications system users who have indicated a willingness to receive such pre-recorded supplementary images.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein pre-recorded supplementary image insertion is available to all network service providers.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting act includes randomly selecting a pre-recorded supplementary image unrelated to the caller.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein the pre-recorded supplementary image displayed on the recipient equipment and the pre-recorded supplementary image displayed on the caller equipment is the same pre-recorded supplementary image.