Data processing

• US 20070202881A1
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SMS Card Limited
• Original Assignee: SMS Card Limited
• Inventors: Dervan, Eden
• Application Number:
  US11/644,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20070202881A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

In a system and method for automatically handling an incoming inquiry related to an object item. Object data relating to the object item is stored in a database, and an inquiry telephone number to which the inquiry is made is linked to the object item in the database. The inquiry telephone number is identified, allowing the object item to which the inquiry relates to be identified. A data connection with a data receiver is opened, and object data relating to the object item is provided for viewing on a display associated with the data receiver. The inquiry is then connected to an inquiry receiver associated with the data receiver.

Claims

1. A method for handling an incoming inquiry related to an object item wherein:

object data relating to said object item is stored in a database, and an inquiry telephone number to which the inquiry is made is linked to said object item in said database;

and wherein the method comprises;

identifying said inquiry telephone number;

deriving from said inquiry telephone number the object item to which the inquiry relates;

opening a data connection with a data receiver;

providing at least part of said object data relating to said object item for viewing on a display associated with said data receiver;

connecting said inquiry to an inquiry receiver associated with said data receiver.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said display, said data receiver, and said inquiry receiver are integrated into a portable communications device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inquiry receiver is separate to said display, and said data receiver.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data connection is maintained during said inquiry.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said data connection is suspended during said inquiry.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein said data connection is re-established on said inquiry being terminated.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein, on termination of said inquiry, data entry means are provided via said data connection for entry of data relating to said inquiry.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein data entry means are provided via said data connection for entry of data relating to said inquiry.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises deriving an inquirer number from said inquiry.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises automatically sending at least part of said object item data to said inquirer number.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises providing said inquirer number for viewing on said display.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a forwarding number is stored in said database in association with said object item;

and wherein said method comprises connecting said inquiry to said forwarding number.

13. A method for handling an incoming inquiry related to an object item the method comprising:

allowing a data connection with a data provider to be established with data receiver;

displaying data relating to said object item on a display associated with said data receiver;

allowing connection of said inquiry to an inquiry receiver associated with said data receiver whilst maintaining said display.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said method is implemented in an applet on a portable communications device.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said display, said data receiver, and said inquiry receiver are integrated into a portable communications device.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said inquiry receiver is separate to said display, and said data receiver.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said data connection is maintained during said inquiry.

18. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said data connection is suspended during said inquiry.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein said data connection is re-established on said inquiry being terminated.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein, on termination of said inquiry, data entry means are provided via said data connection for entry of data relating to said inquiry.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein data entry means are provided via said data connection for entry of data relating to said inquiry.

22. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises providing an inquirer number for viewing on said display.

23. A method for managing the contents of a database for inquiries relating to an object item:

providing a plurality of inquiry telephone numbers;

allowing object item data for said object item to be stored in said database;

allowing at least one of said inquiry telephone numbers to be assigned to said object item;

linking each assigned inquiry telephone number to said object item in said database.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

allowing at least one forwarding telephone number to be stored in association with said object item data for each said object item.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23 further comprising:

allowing each inquiry telephone number to be associated with a different media channel.

26. A system for handling an incoming voice call related to an object item, for forwarding said voice call, and for providing information related to said object item, said system comprising:

a database, wherein object data relating to said object item is stored in said database, and an inquiry telephone number to which the inquiry is made is linked to said object item in said database;

call interface means for identifying said inquiry telephone number and for deriving from said inquiry telephone number the object item to which the inquiry relates;

data connection means for opening a data connection with a data receiver;

data transfer means for providing at least part of said object data relating to said object item for viewing on a display associated with said data receiver;

voice call connection means for connecting said inquiry to an inquiry receiver associated with said data receiver.

56. A method according to claim 55 as dependent on claim 26 wherein said, report classifies inquiries by channel.

27. A method for automatically providing object item data in response to a user request comprising the steps of:

storing in a database object item data for a first object item and a first object item telephone number;

receiving from a user an inquiry addressed to said first object item telephone number;

deriving from said inquiry a user number for said user;

retrieving from said database said first object item data corresponding to said first object item telephone number; and

automatically sending said first object item data to said user number.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein said user inquiry is a voice call to said first object item telephone number.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein said first object item data is sent to said user without further action.

30. A method according to claim 27 wherein said first object item data is sent to said user as one or more of:

SMS message, WAP push, flash message or video stream

31. A method according to claim 27 wherein said user number is the Caller Line Identification (CLI) number of said user inquiry.

32. A method according to claim 27 wherein said database includes said user number, and a corresponding email address, and wherein said first object item data is sent to that email address.

33. A method according to claim 27 wherein user inquiry data including the user number is stored in said database.

34. A method according to claim 27 wherein said object item is a property and wherein said object item data comprises property details.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein a plurality of telephone numbers are stored for each property, each telephone number corresponding to a single property.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein a number of channels are defined, each telephone number corresponding to a single property and a single channel.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said telephone numbers are displayed on advertising media, each channel corresponding to a different advertising media.

38. A method according to claim 27 wherein said database additionally includes first object item call handling agent data, and wherein said method additionally includes the step of automatically forwarding said user inquiry to said first call handling agent using said agent data.

39. A method for managing object item inquiries comprising the steps of:

storing in a database object item data for a first object item, a first object item telephone number, and a first object item call handling agent data;

receiving from a user an inquiry addressed to said first object item telephone number;

retrieving from said database said call handling agent data and said object item details corresponding to said first object item telephone number;

automatically forwarding said user inquiry to said first call handling agent using said agent data; and

automatically making available to said call handling agent said first object item details corresponding to said user inquiry.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein the making available of said first object item details and forwarding of the user inquiry are performed substantially simultaneously.

41. A method according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of deriving from said inquiry a user number for said user and making available to said call handling agent said user number.

42. A method according to claim 39 wherein said database includes said user number, and a corresponding user details, and making available to said call handling agent said user details.

43. A method according to claim 39 wherein said object item is a property for sale and wherein said object item data comprises property details.

44. A method according to claim 39 wherein a plurality of enquiries can be forwarded to said call handling agent simultaneously.

45. A method according to claim 39 wherein said plurality of enquiries can be simultaneously displayed to said call handling agent.

46. A method according to claim 39 wherein a corresponding plurality of object item details and/or user numbers and/or user details are also displayed to said call handling agent.

47. A method according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of deriving from said inquiry a user number for said user, and automatically sending said first object item data to said user number.

48. A method of creating an object item management database for automatically processing user inquiries comprising the steps of:

allowing a vendor to input object item details to said database;

allocating to each object item one or more object telephone numbers, to which inquiries can be addressed;

deriving for each user inquiry a user number; and

storing for each inquiry said user number and said object telephone number.

49. A method according to claim 48 wherein inquiries comprise voice calls addressed to said one or more object telephone numbers.

50. A method according to claim 48 wherein said user number is the Caller Line Identification (CLI) number of said user inquiry.

51. A method according to claim 48 further comprising assigning to each object item call handling agent data and in response to an inquiry addressed to an object telephone number, retrieving the call handling agent data assigned to said object telephone number and automatically forwarding said user inquiry to said call handling agent using said agent data.

52. A method according to claim 48 further comprising providing to said call handling agent a report of inquiries addressed to one or more of said object telephone numbers.

53. A method according to claim 52 wherein said report includes all inquiries made in a specified time period.

54. A method according to claim 48 wherein a plurality of telephone numbers are stored for each object item, each telephone number corresponding to a single object item.

55. A method according to claim 54 wherein a number of channels are defined, each object telephone number corresponding to a single object item and a single channel.

57. A method according to claim 48 further comprising monitoring and storing whether an enquiry is connected to said call handling agent.

58. A method of creating an object item management database for automatically processing user inquiries comprising the steps of:

allowing a vendor to input object item details to said database;

defining a plurality of channels allocating to each object item a plurality of object telephone numbers, to which inquiries can be addressed, each object telephone number corresponding to a single object item and a single channel

deriving for each user inquiry a user number; and

storing for each inquiry said user number, the object item and the channel corresponding to said object telephone number.

59. A method according to claim 58 wherein said object items comprise properties.

60. A method of assigning to property locations telephone numbers for display at said property locations to which telephone numbers property inquiries can be addressed, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a series of unallocated telephone numbers for displaying at property locations;

displaying at a first property location one of said unallocated telephone numbers; and

subsequently allocating said displayed telephone number to said first property location such that each location is assigned a different one of said series of telephone numbers.

61. A method according to claim 60 wherein said assigning is performed by an allocation call addressed to said displayed telephone number

62. A method according to claim 60 wherein said assigning comprises receiving from said allocation call a code identifying said first property.

63. A method according to claim 60 wherein said assigning comprises receiving from said allocation call a voice message identifying said first property.

64. A method according to claim 60 further comprising deriving an allocation number from said assignment call and verifying said allocation number against a list of known allocation numbers.

65. A method according to claim 60 further comprising sending to said allocation number an image of said first property identified.

66. A method of labelling object items with telephone numbers to which telephone numbers object inquiries can be addressed, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a series of unallocated telephone numbers

printing a plurality of labels with said unallocated telephone numbers

displaying on a first object item a first one of said labels; and

subsequently allocating the number on said first label to said first object item, such that each object item is assigned a different one of said series of telephone numbers.

67. A method for providing contact information in response to a request, the method comprising the steps of:

storing in a contact information database contact information corresponding to a first user, and a first user telephone number;

receiving from a second user, a request addressed to the first user telephone number;

deriving from said request, a destination number for said second user;

retrieving from the contact information database contact information assigned to said first user telephone number; and

automatically making available said retrieved contact information to said second user using the derived destination number.

68. A method according to claim 67, wherein said request is a voice call to said first user number.

69. A method according to claim 67, wherein said contact information can be made available without further action by the second user.

70. A method according to claim 67, wherein said retrieved contact information is sent to said second user destination number.

71. A method according to claim 67, wherein said retrieved contact information is sent to said second user in a format to permit direct electronic input into a memory device.

72. A method according to claim 70, wherein said retrieved contact information is sent to said second user as an SMS message.

73. A method according to claim 70, wherein said retrieved contact information is sent to said second user as one of:

an electronic business card, a Vcard, flash message, or MMI/MMS.

74. A method according to claim 67, wherein said retrieved contact information includes picture data.

75. A method according to claim 74, wherein said picture information is sent to said second user as a picture message.

76. A method according to claim 67, wherein said contact information is made available in an assigned default format.

77. A method according to claim 70, wherein said second user can select from a list of available formats the format in which the contact information is sent.

78. A method according to claim 67, wherein said retrieved contact information is provided by voice announcement.

79. A method according to claim 67, wherein said retrieved contact information is provided by SMS message if the caller line identification (CLI) number of the request is SMS capable, and wherein said retrieved contact information is optionally announced by voice to said second user otherwise.

80. A method according to claim 67, wherein said destination number for said second user is derived automatically from the request received from said second user.

81. A method according to claim 80, wherein said destination number for said second user is the caller line identification (CLI) number of the request of the second user.

82. A method according to claim 80, wherein said contact information database includes the caller line identification (CLI) number of the request of the second user, and wherein said second user destination number is retrieved from said database, said retrieved number corresponding to the CLI number.

83. A method according to claim 67, further including playing a prompt for the second user destination number, wherein said destination number for said second user is input by the second user in response to the prompt.

84. A method according to claim 67, wherein said destination number for said second user is the CLI number of the request if said number is message enabled, and a voice prompt is played to said second user requesting a destination number otherwise.

85. A method according to claim 67, wherein said contact information database includes a telephone number for said first user, the method further comprising, at the time of making a request, connecting said second user to said first user'"'"'s telephone number.

86. A method according to claim 85, wherein said contact information database includes more than one telephone number for said first user, and wherein said second user can be connected to an alternative telephone number if said first user'"'"'s first telephone number is not answered within a certain time period.

87. A method according to claim 67, wherein said contact information database comprises a plurality of categories of contact information.

88. A method according to claim 67, further comprising allowing said first user to enter or update the contact information assigned to said first user number in the contact information database.

89. A method according to claim 67, wherein the first user can select from a supported format a default format in which to send requested contact information.

90. A method according to claim 67, wherein the destination number for said second user is stored in a request database.

91. A method according to claim 90, further comprising automatically providing said first user with details of destination numbers stored in said request database.

92. A method according to claim 91, wherein the destination numbers for requests received in one day is provided to said first user.

93. A method according to claim 90, wherein said details of said destination numbers is automatically sent to said first user by email.

94. A system for providing contact information in response to a request comprising:

an input interface adapted to receive a request from a second user addressed to a first user number;

a processor adapted to derive from said request a destination number for said second user;

a database for storing contact information corresponding to user numbers; and

an output interface adapted to automatically send contact information corresponding to said first user number to said second user destination number.

95. A method according to claim 94, wherein said input interface is a voice based interface.

96. A method according to claim 95, wherein said input interface comprises an IVR interface.

97. A method according to claim 94, wherein said output interface is an SMS communicator.

98. A method according to claim 94, further comprising a user interface to allow said first user to input or update contact information corresponding to said first user number.

99. A method according to claim 98, wherein the user interface allows said first user to select a default format in which said contact information is sent.

100. A method according to claim 98 wherein said user interface allows a first user to select a telephone number to which a second user, on making a request, can be connected.

101. A method according to claim 98 wherein the user interface allows a third user to grant permissions to a first user for inputting or updating contact information corresponding to said first user number.

102. A method according to claim 98 wherein said user interface is web-based.

103. A method of creating a subscriber contact information database for automatically distributing contact information in response to requests, said method comprising:

allowing a subscriber to input or update contact information in said database; and

providing the subscriber with one or more subscription numbers to which requests for contact information can be addressed.

104. A method according to claim 103 wherein the contact information associated with a subscription number is automatically sent to a user in response to a request from said user addressed to that subscription number.

105. A method according to claim 103 wherein a subscriber can enter contact information manually.

106. A method according to claim 103 wherein a subscriber can download information to said database.

107. A method according to claim 103 wherein a subscriber can select a default format in which said contact information is distributed.

108. A method according to claim 103 wherein a subscriber is provided with a plurality of subscription numbers, and wherein the subscriber can grant permissions for the inputting or updating of contact information for selected subscription numbers to selected sub-subscribers.

109. A method according to claim 108 wherein a subscriber can download contact information for some or all of said plurality of subscription numbers.

110. A method according to claim 103 wherein subscribers can preview contact information as it will be distributed.

111. A method for monitoring use of a subscriber contact information system, said system including a subscriber database for storing a subscriber number and associated contact information for subscribers, and said system allowing users to make remote requests for said contact information from said database, the method comprising:

receiving from a user, a request addressed to a subscriber number;

deriving from said request a user destination number; and

creating in a usage database a record of said request including said requested subscriber number and the corresponding user destination number.

112. A method according to claim 111, wherein contact information assigned to said subscriber number is retrieved from the subscriber database and automatically sent to said derived user destination number.

113. A method according to claim 111, wherein said retrieved contact information is sent by SMS message.

114. A method according to claim 111, wherein requests for contact information comprise voice calls.

115. A method according to claim 111, wherein requests for contact information comprise SMS messages.

116. A method according to claim 111, wherein said derived user destination number is the number from which the request was received.

117. A method according to claim 111, further comprising providing to a subscriber a record of requests made to a particular subscriber number and optionally the user destination number corresponding to those requests.

118. A method according to claim 117, wherein the record of requests includes all requests received in a specified time period.

119. A method according to claim 117, wherein the record of requests is sent to said subscriber automatically at the end of a specified time period.

120. A method according to claim 117, wherein said record of requests is sent to said subscriber by email.

121. A method according to claim 111, further comprising providing to a user a record of requests which have been made from, or which relate to a particular user destination number, and the corresponding subscriber number to which those requests were made.

122. A method according to claim 121, wherein said record of requests includes contact information which was returned in response to those requests.

123. A method according to claim 121, wherein the record of requests includes contact information currently associated with those subscriber numbers in said subscriber database.

124. A method according to claim 121, wherein the record of requests is sent to said user by email.

125. A method according to claim 121, wherein the record of requests is sent to said user by SMS message.

126. A method according to claim 111, wherein subscribers are classified into groups, and wherein records from said usage database concerning a group of subscribers is provided to one or more members of said group.

127. A method according to claim 126, wherein a record of requests made to each subscriber number of a group of subscribers is provided to one or more members of said group.

128. A method of forwarding a message from a second user to a first user, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving from a second user, a voice call to a first user number;

recording a voice message from said second user;

retrieving from a user database an email address assigned to said first user number; and

automatically sending said recorded message to said first user via email.

129. A method according to claim 128, wherein said message is sent to said first user as a digitally coded audio file.

130. A method according to claim 128, wherein said message is processed using speech to text processing, and sent to said first user as text.