Automated calling system with database updating by callee
First Claim
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1. An automated phone calling system for placing outgoing phone calls, comprising:
- a first database comprising a plurality of phone numbers and one or more geographic information data fields associated with each of the plurality of phone numbers;
means for selecting a subset of phone numbers from the plurality of phone numbers of the first database based on the selection of at least one of the geographic information data fields associated with at least one of the plurality of phone numbers;
means for recording a voice message to be transmitted over at least one outgoing phone line;
means for connecting to at least one outgoing phone line, the connection means operatively connected to the voice recording means;
means for initiating at least one phone call to a callee via a callee phone number over the at least one outgoing phone line with the callee'"'"'s phone number being one of the subset of phone numbers stored in the first database as selected by the selecting means;
means for prompting the callee by placing the voice message recorded with the voice recording means, after the outgoing phone call connection has been established, to enter a zip code by making a dial code response;
means for recording the zip code entered by a callee; and
means for automatically updating at least one of the geographic information data fields in the first database for the callee'"'"'s phone number based on the entered zip code, the at least one updated geographic information data field used by the selecting means for selecting a future subset of phone numbers.
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Abstract
An automated calling system includes a database comprising phone numbers and one or more data fields associated with each phone number. Phone numbers (callees) in the database are selected based on the data fields associated therewith. A recorded voice message is transmitted to callees through a plurality of outgoing phone lines, and callees are prompted to enter one of several TOUCH TONE codes, which is recorded. The database record for the callee is automatically updated based on the TOUCH TONE response code, so that the updated field may be used to select whether to send a future call to the callee.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An automated phone calling system for placing outgoing phone calls, comprising:
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a first database comprising a plurality of phone numbers and one or more geographic information data fields associated with each of the plurality of phone numbers; means for selecting a subset of phone numbers from the plurality of phone numbers of the first database based on the selection of at least one of the geographic information data fields associated with at least one of the plurality of phone numbers; means for recording a voice message to be transmitted over at least one outgoing phone line; means for connecting to at least one outgoing phone line, the connection means operatively connected to the voice recording means; means for initiating at least one phone call to a callee via a callee phone number over the at least one outgoing phone line with the callee'"'"'s phone number being one of the subset of phone numbers stored in the first database as selected by the selecting means; means for prompting the callee by placing the voice message recorded with the voice recording means, after the outgoing phone call connection has been established, to enter a zip code by making a dial code response; means for recording the zip code entered by a callee; and means for automatically updating at least one of the geographic information data fields in the first database for the callee'"'"'s phone number based on the entered zip code, the at least one updated geographic information data field used by the selecting means for selecting a future subset of phone numbers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for automatically placing outgoing phone calls, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first database having a plurality of phone numbers stored therein; for each of the plurality of phone numbers in the first database, placing an initial call to the phone numbers over at least one outgoing phone line; monitoring the at least one outgoing phone line for an answer by a callee to the initial call; playing a first prerecorded message upon receipt of an answer, the first prerecorded message including a prompt for the callee to enter a zip code by making a dial code response; recording the zip code response entered by a callee; automatically updating information in the first database for the phone number based on the zip code response recorded; selecting, based on the updated information in the first database from the automatic updating step, a subset of phone numbers in the first database; and placing a second phone call to each of the phone numbers in the selected subset of phone numbers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification