METHOD FOR ROUTING A CUSTOMER CALL PLACED IN RESPONSE TO AN ADVERTISEMENT

• US 20110071910A1
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scott Dresden
• Original Assignee: Scott Dresden
• Inventors: DRESDEN, SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US12/899,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071910A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy

Abstract

The method is for routing a customer call placed in response to an advertisement. An advertisement including a telephone number is placed on the Internet to enable a customer to view the advertisement over the Internet. The customer may then place a telephone call via a telephone or the Internet. A routing device routes the telephone call to a particular vendor. The particular vendor, to which the call is routed, is selected based on a bid made to a provider of the phone number.

Claims

1. A method for routing a customer call placed in response to an advertisement, which comprises:

placing an advertisement including a telephone number on an Internet and enabling a customer to view the advertisement over the Internet;

placing a telephone call via a telephone or the Internet; and

routing the telephone call, wherein a routing device routes the telephone call to a particular vendor and the particular vendor is selected based on a bid made to a provider of the phone number.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the particular vendor is selected based at least on the bid and a geographical limitation parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the particular vendor is selected based at least on the bid, and a financial range provided by the customer.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the particular vendor is selected based at least on the bid, and an availability of the particular vendor in a database that is associated with a consumer category code displayed in the advertisement along with the telephone number.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the particular vendor is selected based at least on the bid, a geographical limitation parameter, a financial range provided by the customer, and an availability of the particular vendor in a database that is associated with a consumer category code displayed in the advertisement along with the telephone number.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the routing device selects the particular vendor based at least on the bid, a geographical limitation parameter, a financial range provided by the customer, and an availability of the particular vendor in a database that is associated with a consumer category code displayed in the advertisement along with the telephone number.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the customer places the telephone call by entering the telephone number into the telephone.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the telephone call is automatically placed over the Internet when the customer chooses the advertisement on the Internet.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the customer views the advertisement on a computer connected to the Internet.

10. A method for routing a customer call placed in response to an advertisement, which comprises:

placing an advertisement including a telephone number on an Internet and enabling a customer to view the advertisement over the Internet;

placing a telephone call over the Internet, wherein the telephone call is automatically placed over the Internet when the customer chooses the advertisement on the Internet,

routing the telephone call, wherein a routing device routes the telephone call to a particular vendor that is selected from a plurality of vendors based on a bid made to a provider of the phone number.