Collect callback

• US 20050169456A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• 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:
  US11/087,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20050169456A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/265.90
• 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 is described. In an embodiment, a Web site associated with a call-in service provides that a call source can initiate a collect callback option to establish a communication link with the call-in service. A switch receives callback data corresponding to the call source via the Web site and utilizes the callback data to establish a collect call via the communication link between the call source and the call-in service.

Claims

1. A collect callback system, comprising:

a Web site via which a call source can initiate a collect callback option to establish a communication link with a call-in service that is associated with the Web site; and

a switch configured to receive callback data corresponding to the call source via the Web site, the switch further configured to establish a collect call via the communication link between the call source and the call-in service.

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 call-in service through the switch.

3. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the call-in service is implemented as a component of the switch.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. A collect callback system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a database configured to maintain a call-in service identifier and an associated access code that each correspond to the call-in service, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the call-in service identifier and a call source identifier;

obtain the access code associated with the call-in service identifier from the database; and

utilize the call source identifier and the access code to establish the collect call between the call source and the call-in service.

8. 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.

9. 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 call-in service, 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.

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 call-in service, 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.

11. 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 call-in service, 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.

12. A telecommunications system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 1.

13. A collect callback system, comprising:

a switch configured to receive callback data via a Web site that is associated with a call-in service, the callback data corresponding to a call source that initiates a collect callback option via the Web site, the switch further configured to establish a collect call via a communication link between the call source and the call-in service;

a database configured to maintain an archive of recorded data associated with the collect call between the call source and the call-in service, 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;

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.

14. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, wherein the call-in service and the database are implemented as components of the switch.

15. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch is further configured to route the collect call between the call source and the call-in service through the switch.

16. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, 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.

17. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch is further configured to notify the call-in service that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

18. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, 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.

19. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, 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.

20. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, wherein the database is further configured to maintain a call-in service identifier and an associated access code that each correspond to the call-in service, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the call-in service identifier and a call source identifier;

obtain the access code associated with the call-in service identifier from the database; and

utilize the call source identifier and the access code to establish the collect call between the call source and the call-in service.

21. A collect callback system as recited in claim 13, 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.

22. A telecommunications system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 13.

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

receive callback data that includes a call-in service identifier and a call source identifier via a Web site associated with a call-in service, the callback data corresponding to a call source that initiates a collect callback option via the Web site;

utilize the call source identifier to initiate a collect call for the call source;

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

utilize the call-in service identifier to establish the collect call via a communication link between the call source and the call-in service; and

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

24. A collect callback system, comprising:

an automated service having an associated Web site configured to (1) establish an Internet-based communication link with a caller, (2) receive a collect callback option initiated by the caller as a form of payment for a duration of a collect call, and (3) receive an authorization input for the collect call from the caller;

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; and

a switch configured to (1) receive callback data via the Web site, (2) communicate an instruction to the caller to verbalize a name to generate the recorded name, (3) establish the collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the caller and the automated service, and (4) transfer the collect call to the database to generate the recording of the collect call.

25. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, wherein the switch is further configured to route the collect call via the telephone-based communication link through the switch.

26. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, 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.

27. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, wherein the switch is further configured to notify the automated service that the collect call for the caller is authorized.

28. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, wherein the database is further configured to maintain caller data that corresponds to the caller, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

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

obtain the caller data from the database; and

authorize the collect call for the caller.

29. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, wherein the database is further configured to maintain a service identifier and an associated access code that each correspond to the automated service, and wherein the switch is further configured to:

receive the callback data which includes the service identifier and a caller identifier;

obtain the access code associated with the service identifier from the database; and

utilize the caller identifier and the access code to establish the collect call via the telephone-based communication link between the caller and the automated service.

30. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, wherein the database is further configured to:

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

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 caller data from the database and authorize the collect call for the caller if the call limits for the caller do not exceed the call limit standards.

31. A collect callback system as recited in claim 24, further comprising a billing entity configured to:

bill the caller for the collect call;

receive a billing dispute from the caller that disputes charges for the collect call to the automated service;

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

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

32. A telecommunications system comprising the collect callback system as recited in claim 24.

33. A method for collect callback, comprising:

receiving callback data via a Web site that is associated with a call-in service, the callback data corresponding to a call source that initiates a collect callback option via the Web site;

establishing a first communication link to the call source;

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

recording the name of the call source;

establishing a collect call via a second communication link between the call source and the call-in service; and

recording at least a portion of the collect call.

34. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, further comprising maintaining recorded data that includes at least one of the recording of the call source name, the recording 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.

35. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, further comprising notifying the call-in service that the collect call for the call source is authorized.

36. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

37. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, wherein receiving the callback data includes receiving a call source identifier and a call-in service identifier that corresponds to an associated access code for the call-in service.

38. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, 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.

39. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

receiving a billing dispute from the call source that disputes charges for the collect call to the call-in service;

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 collect call.

40. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 33, 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 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.

41. A method for collect callback, comprising:

establishing an Internet-based communication link between a caller and a Web site associated with an automated service;

initiating a collect callback option for the caller as a form of payment for a duration of a collect call to the automated service;

receiving via the Web site an authorization input for the collect call from the caller;

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;

establishing the collect call via a telephone-based communication link between the caller and the automated service; and

recording the portion of the collect call.

42. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, further comprising communicating an instruction to the caller to verbalize a name to generate a recorded name of the caller that is maintained in the archive as additional recorded data associated with the collect call.

43. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, 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.

44. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, further comprising notifying the automated service that the collect call for the caller is authorized.

45. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the caller can be billed for the collect call.

46. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, further comprising:

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

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 caller if the call limits for the caller do not exceed the call limit standards.

47. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 41, comprising:

receiving a billing dispute from the caller to dispute charges for the collect call to the automated service;

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

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

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

receive callback data via a Web site that receives a collect callback selection from a caller, the Web site being associated with a service;

communicate an instruction to the caller to verbalize a name;

record the name of the caller;

establish a collect call via a communication link between the caller and the service; and

record at least a portion of the collect call.

49. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 48, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to notify the service that the collect call for the caller is authorized.

50. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 48, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to query a Line Information Database to verify that the caller can be billed for the collect call.

51. One or more computer-readable media as recited in claim 48, further comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct the telecommunications switch to:

obtain call limits for the caller; and

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

52. A collect callback system, comprising an automated call-in device configured to:

establish an Internet-based communication link with a call source that initiates communication with the automated call-in device;

initiate a collect callback option for the call source;

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

establish a collect call for the call source via a telephone-based communication link.

53. A collect callback system as recited in claim 52, wherein the automated call-in device is further configured to query a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

54. A collect callback system as recited in claim 52, wherein the automated call-in device is an integrated component of a telecommunications switch.

55. A collect callback system as recited in claim 52, wherein the automated call-in device is further configured to obtain call source data from a database and authorize the collect call for the call source.

56. A collect callback system as recited in claim 52, wherein the automated call-in device is further configured to establish the collect call between the call source and a call-in service.

57. A collect callback system as recited in claim 52, wherein the automated call-in device is further configured to record the authorization input for the collect call payment.

58. A method for collect callback, comprising:

establishing an Internet-based communication link with a call source that initiates communication;

initiating a collect callback option for the call source;

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

establishing a collect call for the call source via a telephone-based communication link.

59. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 58, further comprising querying a Line Information Database to verify that the call source can be billed for the collect call.

60. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 58, further comprising communicating collect callback data to a telecommunications switch that establishes the collect call for the call source, the collect callback data including a call source identifier and a call-in device identifier.

61. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 58, further comprising communicating collect callback data to a telecommunications switch that establishes the collect call via the telephone-based communication link between the call source and a call-in service.

62. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 58, further comprising obtaining call source data from a database to authorize the collect call for the call source.

63. A method for collect callback as recited in claim 58, further comprising recording the authorization input for the collect call payment.