Multiple format telephonic interface control system

• US 5,917,893 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Original Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/485,113
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• Field of Search: 379/92, 379/95, 379/97, 379/96, 379/94, 379/93, 379/91, 379/142, 379/88, 379/89, 379/91.01, 379/91.02, 379/92.01, 379/92.03, 379/93.02, 379/93.12, 379/93.13
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 : Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 : Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13178 : Control signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13214 : Clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1328 : Call transfer, e.g. in PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1333 : Random systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/002 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 : Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/5455 : Multi-processor, parallelism, distributed systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54591 : Supervision, e.g. fault localisation, traffic measurements, avoiding errors, failure recovery, monitoring, statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/665 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/74 : Identification of subscriber calling from a party-line

Abstract

Call data signals actuated by a telephone terminal are provided from a telephone communication system to indicate call data as the called number, the calling number and the calling equipment. The call data signals address related control functions for selectively interfacing a live operator terminal or a multiple format multiple port data processing system. The interface connection involves providing a specific format as for automated processing or to prompt an operator. Screening tests and format selection are performed to make a determination. Individual telephone terminals and individual data formats are arranged and interfaced under controlled conditions specified by the call data. Time tests, history tests and demographic tests may be executed in addition to basic selection and qualification tests. Control may be executed from active data storage for assembled control words and record words. Record words for individual calls may be stored along with developed data.

Claims

1. An interface control system for use with, (1) a communication facility including remote terminals for individual callers to make calls, wherein said remote terminals comprise a telephone capability including voice communication means and some of said remote terminals comprise digital input means for providing data, (2) a multiple port, multiple format processor for concurrently processing data from a substantial number of callers in any one of a plurality of formats, said communication facility automatically providing call data signals, as to indicate called data (DNIS), to select a specific format from said plurality of formats, and (3) a plurality of live operator attended terminals, for a plurality of formats, said interface control system comprising:

call data means for receiving call data signals from said communication facility for a calling remote terminal indicative of calling number identification signals automatically provided by said communication facility and call data signals to indicate called data (DNIS) to select a specific format from said plurality of formats;

interface means for providing automated voice messages relating to said specific format to certain of said individual callers, wherein said certain of said individual callers digitally enter data, including at least caller information data, through said digital input means;

means for directly forwarding, under control of said specific format, a call coupled to said interface means from any one of said remote terminals to one of said plurality of live operator attended terminals for inputting of caller identification data and caller information data when said remote terminals do not have capability to digitally provide data;

qualification means coupled to said live operator attended terminals for controlling access by at least certain of said callers to at least a portion of said system, said qualification being based at least in part on caller identification data entered through said digital input means by at least certain of said callers having digital input means and at said live operator attended terminal when said remote terminals do not have capability to digitally provide data,

means for processing coupled to said live operator attended terminals for processing caller information data entered by an operator at said live operator attended terminal; and

means for storing coupled to said interface means and said processing means for storing certain select data from said caller information data entered by said operator and data entered digitally by said individual callers to update records on said individual callers.

2. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said call data signals automatically provided from said communication facility for a calling remote terminal indicative of calling number identification signals are used to access a positive file of data with respect to said individual callers stored in said means for storing.

3. An interface control system according to claim 2, wherein said access is subject to a use history test.

4. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said call data signals automatically provided from said communication facility for a calling remote terminal indicative of calling number identification signals are used to access a negative file to test for prohibited use status with respect to individual callers.

5. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said calling number identification signals at least in part control processing of said data entered through said digital input means by said individual callers.

6. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said calling number identification signals are used to test for a limit on use with respect to said individual callers.

7. An interface control system according to claim 6, wherein said limit on use is a use history test.

8. An interface control system according to claim 7, wherein said use history test is based on a limited dollar amount.

9. An interface controls system according to claim 7, wherein said use history test is based on a limited dollar amount for a limited period of time.

10. An interface control system according to claim 7, wherein said use history test is based on a limited number of accesses.

11. An interface control system according to claim 7, wherein said use history test is based on a limited number of accesses during a limited period of time.

12. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said call data signals.

13. An interface control system according to claim 12, wherein said call data signals include said calling number identification signals.

14. An interface control system according to claim 13, wherein said calling number identification signals include Automatic Number Identification (ANI).

15. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said digitally entered data entered by said caller.

16. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon data entered by an operator.

17. An interface control system according to claim 16, wherein said data entered by a operator is subject to a use history test.

18. An interface control system according to claim 17, wherein said use history test is based on a limited dollar amount.

19. An interface controls system according to claim 17, wherein said use history test is based on a limited dollar amount for a limited period of time.

20. An interface control system according to claim 17, wherein said use history test is based on a limited number of accesses.

21. An interface control system according to claim 17, wherein said use history test is based on a limited number of accesses during a limited period of time.

22. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said means for storing further receives and stores said calling number identification signals.

23. An interface control system according to claim 22, wherein said calling number identification signals control at least a part of the operation of the system.

24. An interface control system according to claim 1, further including means for transferring certain of said calls from said live operators to an automated system to receive processed data via a voice generator.

25. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said digitally entered data entered by said caller when said remote terminals do have capability to digitally provide data and upon said data entered by said operator when said remote terminals do not have capability to digitally provide data.

26. An interface control system according to claim 25, wherein said qualification means controls access for a predetermined period of time.

27. An interface control system according to claim 25, further including means for transferring certain of said calls from said line operators to the interface means to receive processed data via a voice generator.

28. An interface control system according to claim 25, wherein said calling number identification signals control at least in part the processing of data.

29. An interface control system according to claim 28, wherein said control includes a use history test.

30. An interface control system according to claim 29, wherein said use history test includes a dollar limit.

31. An interface control system according to claim 29, wherein said use history test includes a dollar limit and a limit to a predetermined period of time.

32. An interface control system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of formats includes a plurality of sales formats.

33. An interface control system for use with, (1) a communication facility including remote terminals for individual callers to make calls, wherein said remote terminals comprise a telephone capability including voice communication means and some of said remote terminals comprise digital input means for providing data, (2) a multiple port, multiple format processor for concurrently processing data from a substantial number of callers in any of a plurality of formats, said communication facility automatically providing call data signals, as to indicate called data (DNIS), to select a specific format from said plurality of formats, and (3) a plurality of live operator attended terminals, for a plurality of formats, said interface control system comprising:

interface means for receiving calling number identification signals and called data (DNIS) signals automatically provided from said communication facility, and for providing automated voice messages relating to a specific format to certain of said individual callers, wherein said certain of said individual callers digitally enter data through said digital input means;

means for directly forwarding a call coupled to said interface means from any one of said remote terminals to one of said plurality of live operator attended terminals under control of said call data signals when said remote terminals do not have capability to digitally provide data;

qualification means coupled to said live operator attended terminals for controlling access by at least certain of said callers to at least a portion of said system, said qualification being based at least in part on caller identification data entered through said digital input means by at least certain of said callers having digital input means and at said live operator attended terminal when said remote terminals do not have capability to digitally provide data,

means for processing coupled to said live operator attended terminals for processing caller information data entered by an operator at said live operator attended terminal; and

means for storing coupled to said interface means and said processing means for storing certain select data from said caller information data entered by said operator and data entered digitally by said individual callers to update records on said individual callers.

34. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals are used to access a positive file of data relating to said individual callers.

35. An interface control system according to claim 34, wherein said system further includes a use history test for said individual callers.

36. An interface control system according to claim 35, wherein said use history test is based on dollar amount.

37. An interface control system according to claim 35, wherein said use history test is based on number of uses.

38. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals are used to access a negative file and test for prohibited use status relating to said individual callers.

39. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals at least in part control processing of said data entered through said digital input means by said certain individual callers.

40. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals are used to test for a limit on use with respect to said individual callers.

41. An interface control system according to claim 40, wherein said limit on use is based on time.

42. An interface control system according to claim 40, wherein said limit on use includes a use history test.

43. An interface control system according to claim 42, wherein said use history test limits based on dollar amount.

44. An interface control system according to claim 43, wherein said use history test limits based on a dollar amount for a predetermined period of time.

45. An interface control system according to claim 42, wherein said use history test limits based on number of uses.

46. An interface control system according to claim 45, wherein said use history test limits based on a number of uses during a predetermined period of time.

47. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said qualification means controls at least in part based upon said digitally entered data entered by said caller when said remote terminals do have capability to digitally provide data and upon data entered by an operator when said remote terminals do not have the capability to digitally provide data.

48. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals control at least in part the processing of said data.

49. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said qualification means controls access for a dollar amount for a predetermined period of time.

50. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said plurality of formats includes a plurality of sales formats.

51. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said call data signals.

52. An interface control system according to claim 51, wherein said call data signals include said calling number identification signals.

53. An interface control system according to claim 52, wherein said calling number identification signals include Automatic Number Identification (ANI).

54. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said digitally entered data entered by said caller.

55. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon data entered by an operator.

56. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said means for storing stores said calling number identification signals.

57. An interface control system according to claim 33, wherein said calling number identification signals control at least a part of the operation of the system.

58. An interface control system according to claim 33, further including means for transferring certain of said calls from said live operators to the interface means to receive processed data via a voice generator.

59. An interface and process control system of a multiple port, multiple format processor for concurrently processing data from a substantial number of callers in one of a plurality of formats for use with a telephonic communication facility including remote terminals for individual callers, wherein said remote terminals comprise a telephone capability including voice communication means and digital input means for providing data, said interface and process control system comprising:

call data means for receiving signal-represented call data from said remote terminals indicative of called number identification signals (DNIS) automatically provided by said telephonic communication facility;

selection means coupled to said call data means for selecting a select data format from said plurality of formats under control of said signal-represented call data indicative of called DNIS, said select data format having an imposed condition to execute certain operations of said select data format, one of said formats having an imposed condition for verifying an instant call from a remote terminal against a file to limit or prevent access in accordance with said DNIS signals to said one format from callers listed on said file and at least one of said plurality of formats having an imposed condition with respect to time in accordance with said DNIS signals;

test means coupled to said selection means for testing said imposed condition to provide approval signals; and

processing means coupled to said test means for executing certain operations of said select format under control of said approval signals.

60. An interface control system according to claim 59, wherein said file is a negative file and wherein said call data means also receives calling number identification signals automatically provided by said telephonic communication facility, which are used to access said file.

61. An interface control system according to claim 60, wherein said negative file limits access based on a use history test.

62. An interface control system according to claim 61, wherein said use history test is a dollar test.

63. An interface control system according to claim 62, wherein said use history test is a dollar test for a predetermined period of time.

64. An interface control system according to claim 61, wherein said use history test is based on the number of accesses.

65. An interface control system according to claim 64, wherein said use history test is based on the number of accesses for a predetermined period of time.

66. An interface and process control system according to claim 59, wherein said processing means performs certain preliminary processing operations before testing of said imposed condition.

67. An interface control system according to claim 59, wherein said plurality of formats includes a plurality of sales formats.

68. An interface control system for use with, (1) a communication facility including remote terminals for individual callers to make calls, wherein said remote terminals comprise a telephonic instrument including voice communication means and some of said remote terminals comprise digital input means for providing data, and (2) a multiple port, multiple format processor for concurrently processing data from a substantial number of callers in any of a plurality of formats, said communication facility automatically providing call data signals, as to indicate called data (DNIS), to select a particular format from said plurality of formats, and (3) a plurality of live operator attended terminals, for a plurality of formats, said interface control system comprising:

call data means for receiving signal-represented call data from said remote terminals indicative of called number identification signals (DNIS) automatically provided by said telephonic communication facility;

interface means for providing automated voice messages relating to a specific format to certain of said individual callers, wherein said certain of said individual callers digitally enter data through said digital input means;

means for directly forwarding certain of said calls coupled to said interface means from any one of said remote terminals to one of said plurality of live operator attended terminals under control of said call data signals when necessary;

qualification means for controlling access by at least certain of said callers to at least a portion of said system,

means for processing coupled to said live operator attended terminals for processing caller information data entered by an operator at said live operator attended terminal; and

means for transferring certain of said calls from said live operators to said interface means to receive processed data via a voice generator.

69. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said call data means further receives calling number identification signals automatically provided by said telephonic communication facility.

70. An interface control system according to claim 69, wherein said means for processing controls processing of said caller information data based at least in part on said calling number identification signals.

71. An interface control system according to claim 69, wherein said qualification means operates at least in part on said calling number identification signals.

72. An interface control system according to claim 71, wherein said system further includes a use history test for said individual callers.

73. An interface control system according to claim 72, wherein said use history test is based on dollar amount.

74. An interface control system according to claim 72, wherein said use history test is based on number of uses.

75. An interface control system according to claim 74, wherein said use history test is based on the number of accesses for a predetermined period of time.

76. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said means for processing also processes said data entered by said certain of said individual callers through said digital input means to control certain operations based on a limit on use.

77. An interface control system according to claim 76, wherein said system further includes a use history test for said individual callers.

78. An interface control system according to claim 77, wherein said use history test is based on dollar amount.

79. An interface control system according to claim 78, wherein said use history test is a dollar test for a predetermined period of time.

80. An interface control system according to claim 77, wherein said use history test is based on number of uses.

81. An interface control system according to claim 80, wherein said use history test is based on a number of uses for a predetermined period of time.

82. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said plurality of formats includes a plurality of sales formats.

83. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said call data signals.

84. An interface control system according to claim 83, wherein said call data signals include said calling number identification signals.

85. An interface control system according to claim 84, wherein said calling number identification signals include Automatic Number Identification (ANI).

86. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon said digitally entered data entered by said caller.

87. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said qualification means controls access at least in part based upon data entered by an operator.

88. An interface control system according to claim 68, wherein said means for storing stores said calling number identification signals.

89. An interface control system according to claim 88, wherein said calling number identification signals control at least a part of the operation of the system.