Apparatus and Method for Ensuring a Real-Time Connection Between Users and Selected Service Provider Using Voice Mail

• US 20080049917A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thryv, Inc. (Mudrick Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: UTBK, Inc.
• Inventors: FABER, Scott, LURIE, Steven, VAN DER LINDEN, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 7,657,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.05
• 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 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/805 Bidding
• 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 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/018 On-line real-time billing, able to see billing information while in communication, e.g. via the internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7457 Biding

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system'"'"'s software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a selection from a user for a selected service provider;

initiating a first connection between the user and the selected service provider for a live conversation via a real-time communications link;

in response to a failure to establish the first connection, recording a message from the user to the selected service provider;

initiating a second connection between the selected service provider and the user via the real-time communications link in response to the service provider reviewing the message; and

collecting a premium fee for a connection initiation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein information corresponding to the selected service provider is stored in a service provider database.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the service provider database stores information corresponding to a plurality of service providers from a wide array of fields of service.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request from a service provider of a field of service for inclusion in the service provider database; and

when the service provider is approved for inclusion in the service provider database, generating a record in the service provider database, the record including provider information contained in the request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the provider information includes one or more of a service price, real-time service provider availability, specific expertise of the service provider, languages spoken by the service provider, voice message capability and a quality rating for the service provider.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

billing the user for the live conversation with the selected service provider; and

compensating the selected service provider for the live conversation with the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the billing the user further comprises:

measuring a duration of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider; and

calculating a billing amount for the user based on the duration of the live conversation and a time-based price charged by the selected service provider.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the premium fee is predetermined as a percentage of a billing amount.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the premium fee is about ten percent of a billing amount.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the real-time communications is not established due to selected service provider unavailability, deducting a predetermined amount from the selected service provider; and

if the selected service provider is connected with a user following review of a message, refunding the predetermined amount deducted from the selected service provider.