Pre-qualifying call-back service

• US 6,408,062 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intervoice Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Intervoice Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Cave, Ellis K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/443,626
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 379/209.01, 379/210.01, 379/900
• US Class Current: 379/210.01
• 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 2215/0192 Sponsored, subsidised calls via advertising, e.g. calling cards with ads or connecting to special ads, free calling time by purchasing goods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

A system and method for administering Call Back service are disclosed which are capable of pre-qualifying such Call Back service. Such a system and method are capable of pre-qualifying a request for a Call Back service before returning a call back to the requesting customer. In this manner, the customer may not begin being charged at the lower call rate until after a connection is first established with the called number. A call back server may attempt to connect the customer requesting Call Back service with the called party by first attempting to establish a connection with the called party. Once a connection is established with the called party, the call back server may call the customer and connect the called party to the customer. In this manner, the customer may only be charged for a call back from the call back server if a connection is first established with the called number.

Claims

1. A method for administering Call Back service, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a customer for said Call Back service at an enhanced services platform that provides Call Back service, wherein said request includes a particular connection from a plurality of connection types said customer desires; and

upon receiving said request, pre-qualifying said Call Back service wherein said enhanced services platform first calls a telephone number to which said customer desires a connection and said enhanced service platform calling said customer via telephone to connect said customer to said telephone number only if said enhanced services platform has first established said particular connection at said telephone number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of connection types includes a connection at said telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of connection types includes a connection with a person, rather than an answering device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of connection types includes a connection with a specified person.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing notification to said customer of a result of performing said pre-qualifying based on a selected method of notification chosen from a set of methods of notification.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said set of methods of notification includes a switched packet network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said switched packet network is the Internet.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said set of methods of notification includes a web site.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said set of methods of notification includes email.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein said set of methods of notification includes telephone.

11. A method for pre-qualifying Call Back service, the method comprising:

receiving a request for Call Back service, wherein said request includes a particular method of notification selected from a set of methods of notification;

upon receiving said request, first attempting to establish a desired connection at a telephone number to which a customer desires a connection and calling said customer via telephone to connect said customer to said telephone number only if said desired connection has first been established at said telephone number; and

notification of the attempt result via the selected particular method of notification if the desired connection is not established.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said desired telephone connection is a connection selected from the group consisting of:

any type of connection at said telephone number, a connection with a person rather than a connection with an answering device, and a connection with a specified person.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving the type desired connection from a customer.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said result is communicated if said desired connection is not established.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said result is a result selected from the group consisting of:

no answer at telephone number, line busy at telephone number, telephone number is invalid, connection with an answering device at telephone number, and desired person not available.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said set of methods of notification includes a switched packet network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said switched packet network is the Internet.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said set of methods of notification includes a web site.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein said set of methods of notification includes email.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said set of methods of notification includes telephone.

21. A programmed computer for pre-qualifying Call Back service, comprising:

a storage device for storing computer executable program code;

a processor for executing said program code stored in said storage device;

means for receiving a request for Call Back service, wherein said request includes a particular connection selected from a plurality of connection types desired by a customer;

means for first attempting to establish the requested connection to which a customer requesting said Call Back service desires said connection upon receiving a request for Call Back service; and

means for calling a customer requesting said Call Back service via telephone to connect said customer to said specified telephone number only if said enhanced services platform has first established a desired telephone connection at said telephone number.

22. The programmed computer of claim 21, wherein said means for attempting to establish a desired connection at a telephone number comprises a call generator for generating a telephone call.

23. The programmed computer of claim 22, wherein said means for attempting to establish a desired connection at a telephone number further comprises program code for determining whether a desired connection has been established.

24. The programmed computer of claim 21, wherein said means for calling a customer requesting said Call Back service is a call generator for generating a telephone call.

25. The programmed computer of claim 21, wherein said plurality of connections consists of:

any type of connection at said telephone number, a connection with a person rather than a connection with an answering device, and a connection with a specified person.

26. The programmed computer of claim 21, further comprising:

means for notifying said customer of the result of attempting to establish a desired connection at said telephone number via a method of notification selected from a set of methods of notification.

27. The programmed computer of claim 26, wherein said result is a result selected from the group consisting of:

no answer at telephone number, line busy at telephone number, telephone number is invalid, connection with an answering device at telephone number, and desired person not available.

28. The programmed computer of claim 26, wherein said set of methods of notification includes telephone.

29. The programmed computer of claim 26 wherein said set of methods of notification includes a packet network.

30. The programmed computer of claim 29, wherein said set of methods of notification includes a web site and electronic mail.