Apparatus Pertaining to Identifying Information, Corresponding Characterizing Information, and Corresponding Modification of a Presentation that is Commonly Shared by a Plurality of End Users, and a Corresponding Method
A control circuit serves to receive data messages in conjunction with a corresponding source identifier from each of a plurality of sources (wherein the plurality of sources each have, at the time of sourcing their respective data message, a corresponding end user who is presently sharing a common presentation with others of the end users). The control circuit uses the source identifier to determine additional identifying information for at least a substantial number of these end users and then uses that additional identifying information to determine characterizing information for at least a substantial number of the end users. This characterizing information can then be used to modify the common presentation (for example, by controlling particular items of promotional content that comprise a part of the presentation).
1 . A method comprising:
at a control circuit:
receiving a data message in conjunction with a corresponding source identifier from each of a plurality of sources, wherein the plurality of sources each have, at the time of sourcing their respective data message, a corresponding attending end user, wherein the end users are all presently sharing a common presentation;
using the source identifier to determine additional identifying information for at least a substantial number of the end users;
using the additional identifying information to determine characterizing information for at least a substantial number of the end users; at the control circuit or elsewhere:
using the characterizing information to modify the common presentation.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the data message comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) data message sent in conjunction with the corresponding source identifier.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the common presentation comprises a presentation at a presentation venue at which the end users are physically present.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the common presentation comprises a broadcast presentation that the end users are each receiving.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the source identifier comprises a 10 digit telephone number presently assigned to the corresponding source.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the characterizing information comprises information regarding at least one of:
at least one category of demographic information;
at least one category of psychographic information; for the end users.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein using the source identifier to determine additional identifying information comprises using a telephone number as corresponds to each of the sources to query a reverse-directory lookup database.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein using the characterizing information to modify the common presentation comprises selecting at least one item of promotional content as a function, at least in part, of the characterizing information.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein selecting at least one item of promotional content comprises selecting the at least one item from amongst a plurality of candidate items of promotional content.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein using the characterizing information to modify the common presentation comprises customizing at least a portion of the presentation as a function, at least in part, of the characterizing information.
11 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
presenting, as a part of the presentation, an instruction to the end users to transmit the data messages.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the instruction includes an incentive to motivate the end users to transmit the data messages.
13 . An apparatus comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive a data message in conjunction with a corresponding source identifier from each of a plurality of sources, wherein the plurality of sources each have, at the time of sourcing their respective data message, a corresponding attending end user, wherein the end users are all presently sharing a common presentation;
a control circuit configured to:
use the source identifier to determine additional identifying information for at least a substantial number of the end users;
use the additional identifying information to determine characterizing information for at least a substantial number of the end users;
use the characterizing information to modify the common presentation.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data message comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) data message sent in conjunction with the corresponding source identifier.
15 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the common presentation comprises at least one of:
a presentation at a presentation venue at which the end users are physically present;
a broadcast presentation that the end users are each receiving.
16 . The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the source identifier comprises a 10 digit telephone number presently assigned to the corresponding source.
17 . A digital computer storage medium having stored therein computer instructions which, when executed by a digital computer, facilitate the digital computer:
receiving a data message in conjunction with a corresponding source identifier from each of a plurality of sources, wherein the plurality of sources each have, at the time of sourcing their respective data message, a corresponding attending end user, wherein the end users are all presently sharing a common presentation;
using the source identifier to determine additional identifying information for at least a substantial number of the end users;
using the additional identifying information to determine characterizing information for at least a substantial number of the end users; such that at least one of the digital computer and another enabler can use the characterizing information to modify the common presentation.
18 . The digital computer storage medium of claim 17 wherein the data message comprises a Short Message Service (SMS) data message sent in conjunction with the corresponding source identifier.
19 . The digital computer storage medium of claim 18 wherein the source identifier comprises a 10 digit telephone number presently assigned to the corresponding source.