Method for switching telephone calls to information service providers
First Claim
1. A method for transferring a telephone call between first and second telecommunications platforms, the method comprising the steps of:
- including with a telephone call transferred from the first telecommunications platform to the second telecommunications platform an identifier which uniquely identifies a telephone service account of a calling party;
returning the telephone call to the first telecommunications platform after an occurrence of a predetermined telephone event; and
using the identifier to continue processing of the telephone call at the first telecommunications platform.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Telephone calls are directed from a first telecommunications platform to a second telecommunications platform, together with an identifier which uniquely identifies the call and enables telecommunication switches to monitor and maintain control over the call. The unique identifier enables the call to be returned from the second platform to the first platform. Once returned to the first platform, the call can be directed to a third telecommunications platform (and, subsequently, back to the first platform), without requiring the caller to place another call or to re-verify the caller'"'"'s identity. The call identifier is used either to automatically return the call to the first platform after the occurrence of a predetermined event, or upon detecting predetermined, caller-dialed keystrokes indicating that the caller wishes to return to the interexchange carrier platform.
97 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for transferring a telephone call between first and second telecommunications platforms, the method comprising the steps of:
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including with a telephone call transferred from the first telecommunications platform to the second telecommunications platform an identifier which uniquely identifies a telephone service account of a calling party; returning the telephone call to the first telecommunications platform after an occurrence of a predetermined telephone event; and using the identifier to continue processing of the telephone call at the first telecommunications platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for use in an information services system which provides information to a subscriber in response to an information services request telephone call, the method comprising the steps of:
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transferring the telephone call from a telecommunications platform to an information service provider'"'"'s platform and including with the telephone call an identifier which uniquely identifies the telephone call; returning the telephone call to the telecommunications platform after an occurrence of a predetermined telephone event; and using the identifier to continue processing of the telephone call at the telecommunications platform. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification