Collect callback for web-based access

• US 20050163296A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DX/DY Voice Processing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DX/DY Voice Processing Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey B., Eberle, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US11/087,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20050163296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet

Abstract

Collect callback for Web-based access is described. In an embodiment, a Web-based resource provides a collect callback option via which a call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource. A switch receives callback data from the Web-based resources and utilizes the callback data to establish a collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider that provides the access code to the call source. In an alternate embodiment, the switch establishes the collect call between the call source and the switch which provides the access code to the call source.

Claims

1. A collect callback system, comprising:

a Web-based resource configured to provide a collect callback option via which a call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource; and

a switch configured to receive callback data from the Web-based resource, the switch further configured to establish a collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider that provides the access code to the call source.

2. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to route the collect call between the call source and the access code provider through the switch.

3. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web-based resource is further configured to provide the collect callback option via a Web site associated with the Web-based resource.

4. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Web-based resource is implemented as a component of the switch.

5. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to notify the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

6. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is further configured to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

7. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, and wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source.

8. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to maintain a Web-based resource identifier, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the Web-based resource identifier and a call source identifier; and

utilize the call source identifier to establish the collect call via the telephone-based communication link between the call source and the access code provider.

9. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to:

maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, the call source data including call limits for the call source;

maintain call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit; and

wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed the call limit standards.

10. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call between the call source and the access code provider, the recorded data including a recorded name of the call source and a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

wherein the switch is further configured to;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name of the call source; and

transfer at least a portion of the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

11. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call between the call source and the access code provider, the recorded data including at least one of a call source identifier, a date of the collect call, a time of the collect call, a duration of the collect call, call source touchtone inputs, a recorded name of the call source, or a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

wherein the switch is further configured to;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name of the call source; and

transfer at least a portion of the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

12. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to:

maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, the call source data including call limits for the call source;

maintain call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit;

maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call between the call source and the access code provider, the recorded data including a recorded name of the call source and a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

wherein the switch is further configured to;

query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call;

obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed the call limit standards;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name of the call source; and

transfer at least a portion of the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

13. An Internet-based system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 1.

14. A collect callback system, comprising:

a switch configured to receive callback data from a Web-based resource that provides a collect callback option via which a call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource;

a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with a collect call between the call source and an access code provider, the recorded data including a recorded name of the call source and a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

the switch further configured to;

establish the collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and the access code provider;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name of the call source; and

transfer at least the portion of the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

15. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the Web-based resource and the database are implemented as components of the switch.

16. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the switch is further configured to route the collect call between the call source and the access code provider through the switch.

17. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the database is further configured to maintain associated recorded data that includes at least one of a call source identifier, a date of the collect call, a time of the collect call, a duration of the collect call, or call source touchtone inputs.

18. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the switch is further configured to notify the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

19. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the switch is further configured to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

20. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the database is further configured to maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, and wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source.

21. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the database is further configured to maintain a Web-based resource identifier, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the Web-based resource identifier and a call source identifier; and

utilize the call source identifier to establish the collect call via the telephone-based communication link between the call source and the access code provider.

22. A collect callback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the database is further configured to:

maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, the call source data including call limits for the call source;

maintain call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit; and

wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed the call limit standards.

23. An Internet-based system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 14.

24. A collect callback system comprising a Web-based resource configured to:

establish an Internet-based communication link with a call source;

provide a collect callback option via which the call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource;

receive an authorization input for collect call payment from the call source;

communicate callback data to a switch that initiates a collect call between the call source and an access code provider via a telephone-based communication link that is routed through the switch; and

receive the access code from the call source via the Internet-based communication link.

25. A collect callback system comprising a switch configured to:

receive callback data that includes a Web-based resource identifier and a call source identifier from a Web-based resource that provides a collect callback option via which a call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource;

utilize the call source identifier to initiate a collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate a recorded name of the call source; and

generate a recording of at least a portion of the collect call.

26. A collect callback system comprising a billing entity configured to:

receive a billing dispute from a caller that disputes charges for a collect call to access a Web-based resource that provided a collect callback option via which the caller authorized the collect call to obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource; and

communicatively link the caller to an archive of recorded data corresponding to the collect call to which the charges apply, the recorded data including a recording of at least a portion of the collect call and further including a recorded name of the caller verbalized by the caller.

27. A collect callback system, comprising:

a Web-based resource configured to (1) establish an Internet-based communication link with a call source, (2) provide a collect callback option via which a call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource and (3) receive an authorization input for the collect call from the call source;

a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call, the recorded data including a recorded name of the caller and a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

a switch configured to (1) receive callback data from the Web-based resource, (2) establish the collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider, (3) communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name, and (4) transfer the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the at least a portion of the collect call.

28. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the switch is further configured to route the collect call via the telephone-based communication link through the switch.

29. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the database is further configured to maintain associated recorded data that includes at least one of a caller identifier, a date of the collect call, a time of the collect call, a duration of the collect call, or caller touchtone inputs.

30. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the switch is further configured to notify the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

31. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the database is further configured to maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call;

obtain the call source data from the database; and

authorize the collect call for the call source.

32. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the database is further configured to maintain a Web-based resource identifier, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the Web-based resource identifier and a call source identifier; and

utilize the call source identifier to establish the collect call via the telephone-based communication link between the call source and access code provider.

33. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, wherein the database is further configured to:

maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, the call source data including call limits for the call source;

maintain call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit; and

wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed the call limit standards.

34. A collect callback system as recited in claim 27, further comprising a billing entity configured to:

bill the call source for the collect call;

receive a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call to obtain access to the Web-based resource;

communicatively link the call source to the archive of recorded data associated with the collect call to which the charges apply; and

playback the recorded name of the call source and the recording of the collect call to the call source such that the charges for the collect call can be sustained.

35. An Internet-based system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 27.

36. A method for collect callback, comprising:

receiving callback data from a Web-based resource that receives a collect callback authorization from a call source to which the Web-based resource has provided a collect callback option to obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource;

establishing a collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider;

communicating an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name;

recording the name of the call source; and

recording at least a portion of the collect call.

37. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising providing the call source with the access code to access the Web-based resource.

38. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising maintaining recorded data that includes at least one of the recording of the call source name, the recording of the portion of the collect call, a call source identifier, a date of the collect call, a time of the collect call, a duration of the collect call, or call source touchtone inputs.

39. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising notifying the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

40. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

41. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, wherein receiving the callback data includes receiving a call source identifier and a Web-based resource identifier that corresponds to the access code for the Web-based resource.

42. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising:

obtaining call limits for the call source; and

authorizing the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit.

43. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising:

receiving a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call to obtain the access code; and

communicatively linking the call source to an archive of recorded data corresponding to the collect call to which the charges apply, the recorded data including the recording of the call source name and the recording of the portion of the collect call.

44. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 36, further comprising:

receiving a request from a billing entity for recorded data corresponding to the collect call, the recorded data including the recording of the call source name and the recording of the portion of the collect call; and

communicating the recorded data to the billing entity such that the billing entity can utilize the recorded data to sustain the charges for the collect call.

45. A method for collect callback, comprising:

providing a collect callback option for a call source as a form of payment to obtain an access code;

receiving authorization for a collect call from the call source; and

establishing a telephone-based communication link as the collect call between the call source and an access code provider that provides the access code.

46. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 45, further comprising communicating callback data to a switch that utilizes the callback data to establish the collect call as the telephone-based communication link through the switch.

47. A method for collect callback, comprising:

establishing an Internet-based communication link between a call source and a Web-based resource;

initiating a collect callback option for the call source as a form of payment to obtain an access code for access to the Web-based resource;

receiving an authorization input for the collect call from the call source;

establishing the collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider;

maintaining an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call, the recorded data including a recording of at least a portion of the collect call; and

recording the portion of the collect call.

48. A method for collect as recited in claim 47, further comprising communicating an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate a recorded name of the call source that is maintained in the archive as a additional recorded data associated with the collect call.

49. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 47, further comprising maintaining associated recorded data that includes at least one of a caller identifier, a date of the collect call, a time of the collect call, a duration of the collect call, or caller touchtone inputs.

50. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 47, further comprising notifying the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

51. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 47, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

52. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 47, further comprising:

maintaining call source data that corresponds to the call source, the call source data including call limits for the call source;

maintaining call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit; and

authorizing the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed the call limit standards.

53. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 47, comprising:

receiving a billing dispute from the call source to dispute charges for the collect call to obtain access to the Web-based resource;

communicatively linking the call source to the archive of recorded data associated with the collect call to which the charges apply; and

playing back the recorded name of the call source and the recording of the portion of the collect call to the call source such that the charges for the collect call can be sustained.

54. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a telecommunications switch to:

receive callback data from a Web-based resource that receives a collect callback selection from a call source;

establish a collect call between the call source and an access code provider, the collect call established as a communication link through the switch;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name;

record the name of the call source; and

record at least a portion of the collect call.

55. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 54, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to notify the Web-based resource that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

56. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 54, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

57. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 54, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to:

obtain call limits for the call source; and

authorize the collect call for the call source if the call limits for the call source do not exceed call limit standards that identify at least one of a day limit, a week limit, or a month limit.

58. A collect callback system, comprising a Web-based resource configured to:

establish an Internet-based communication link with a call source to provide a collect callback option via which the call source can obtain an access code to access the Web-based resource;

receive an authorization input for collect call payment from the call source; and

establish a collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the call source and an access code provider that provides the access code.

59. A collect callback system as recited in claim 58, wherein the Web-based resource is further configured to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

60. A collect callback system as recited in claim 58, wherein the Web-based resource is an integrated component of a telecommunications switch.

61. A collect callback system as recited in claim 58, wherein the Web-based resource is further configured to obtain call source data from a database and authorize the collect call for the call source.

62. A collect callback system as recited in claim 58, wherein the Web-based resource is further configured to record the authorization input for the collect call payment.

63. A collect callback system, comprising:

a Web-based resource configured to provide a collect callback option via which a call source can authorize payment to access the Web-based resource; and

a switch configured to;

receive callback data from the Web-based resource;

establish a collect call with the call source via a telephone-based communication link;

receive a payment authorization from the call source via the collect call; and

notify the Web-based resource that the call source is authorized such that the Web-based resource can allow the call source access to the Web-based resource.

64. A collect callback system as recited in claim 63, wherein the Web-based resource is further configured to provide the collect callback option via a Web site associated with the Web-based resource.

65. A collect callback system as recited in claim 63, wherein the Web-based resource is implemented as a component of the switch.

66. A collect callback system as recited in claim 63, wherein the switch is further configured to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

67. A collect callback system as recited in claim 63, further comprising a database configured to maintain call source data that corresponds to the call source, and wherein the switch is further configured to obtain the call source data from the database and authorize the collect call for the call source.

68. A collect callback system as recited in claim 63, further comprising a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call, the recorded data including a recorded name of the call source and a recording of at least a portion of the collect call;

wherein the switch is further configured to;

communicate an instruction to the call source to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name of the call source; and

transfer at least a portion of the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

69. A method, comprising:

providing a collect callback option via which a call source can authorize payment to access a Web-based resource;

receiving callback data from the Web-based resource;

establishing a collect call with the call source via a telephone-based communication link;

receiving a payment authorization from the call source via the collect call; and

notifying the Web-based resource that the call source is authorized such that the Web-based resource can allow the call source access to the Web-based resource.

70. A collect callback system as recited in claim 69, wherein providing the collect callback option includes providing the collect callback option via a Web site associated with the Web-based resource.

71. A collect callback system as recited in claim 69, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

72. A collect callback system as recited in claim 69, further comprising maintaining call source data that corresponds to the call source, obtaining the call source data from the database, and authorizing the collect call for the call source.