User invoked directed outdial method and apparatus

• US 6,931,112 B1
• Filed: 08/31/2000
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aspect Communications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aspect Communications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Inventors: LeBlanc, Louis, McFarland, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADDY, THJUAN KNOWLIN
• Application Number:
  US09/652,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,811 Days
• Field of Search: 379/265.02, 379/88.21, 379/88.09, 379/67.1, 379/92.01, 379/202, 379/309, 704/3, 717/115
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method including making a plurality of outbound calls to a plurality of called parties from a single device and detecting each called party that answers the call is described.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

making a plurality of outbound calls to a plurality of called parties from a single device, wherein the plurality of called parties includes at least a first called party and a second called party;

detecting which called parties answer the call;

playing a first message to the second called party;

determining a second message to send to the first called party responsive to receiving information that is associated with the second called party; and

playing the second message to the first called party, wherein information that is associated with the second called party includes information regarding a user action of the second called party.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the second called party includes answer information regarding whether the second called party answered the outbound call to the second called party.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the second called party includes customer input from the second called party.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the second called party includes database information concerning the second called party.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the second called party includes responses to requests for information from the second called party.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the response to requested information includes an answer to a personal question.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is a question.

8. The method of claim 1, further including connecting the first called party to a conference call.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining includes executing an instance of a first script for the first called party that operates independently of a second script for the second called party.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the first script communicating with the second script.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining includes executing a first computer program for the first called party that operates independently of a second computer program for the second called party.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the first computer program communicating with the second computer program.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a first means to make a plurality of outbound calls to a plurality of called parties from a single device, wherein the plurality of called parties includes at least a first called party and a second called party;

a second means to detect which called parties answer the call;

a third means to play a first message to the second called party

a fourth means to determine a second message to send to the first called party responsive to receipt of information that is associated with the second called party;

a fifth means to play the second message to the first called party, wherein information that is associated with the second called party includes information regarding a user action of the second called party.

14. A machine readable medium storing a set of instructions that, when executed by the machine, cause the machine to:

make a plurality of outbound calls to a plurality of called parties from a single device, wherein the plurality of called parties includes at least a first called party and a second called party;

detect which called parties answer the call;

play a first message to the second called party;

determine a second message to send to the first called party responsive to receipt of information that is associated with the second called party; and

play a second message to the first called party, wherein information that is associated with the second called party includes information regarding a user action of the second called party.