System and method for consumer-initiated business solicitation calling system

• US 6,993,122 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2002
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A., Malik, Dale W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bing Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/135,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20050213741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/211.03, 379/201.01, 379/210.01, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/230, 379/265.02, 379/218.01
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2027 Live party detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/254 where the visual mode comprises menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• 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 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4935 Connection initiated by DAS system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a telecommunications system initiating telephone connections between, for example, a consumer and a service provider based on the criteria provided by the consumer and the services available from the service provider. The system is suitable for consumers requiring direct communication with a staff member of a service provider capable of meeting the consumer'"'"'s service requirements. The system compiles a prioritized list of service providers matching the consumer'"'"'s criteria. Starting with the first service provider on the list, the system rings the service provider and determines whether or not a staff member answers the call. If the line is busy or the call is not answered by a staff member, the system moves on to the next service provider on the list until a service provider having a staff member is located. Once such a service provider is located, the system rings the consumer and connects the two parties. If the system cannot locate such a service provider, the consumer is given an opportunity to repeat or modify the search.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a call between a customer and a service provider comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a customer;

routing the call to a communications device, the communications device receiving information related to a service requested by the customer;

creating a list of entries, the entries including information related to at least one potential service provider and telephone number associated with the service provider, wherein the potential service provider on the list is related to the service requested by the customer; and

wherein the entries are retrieved from a database in communication with the communications device;

the communications device initiating a first telephone call to a first service provider that is among one of the entries, and using a first telephone number associated with the first service provider; and

determining if the first telephone call is answered by a machine or by a human being, wherein said step of determining if the first call is answered by a machine or human being comprises;

generating a random set of digits;

providing the random set of digits to an answeror and requesting the answeror to enter a response based on the random set of digits that have been provided; and

comparing said random set of digits provided to the answeror to the response entered by said answeror, wherein a match of said random set of digits provided to said answeror to said response entered by said answeror indicates a human answeror.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of completing the first telephone call between the customer and the first service provider if the first telephone call is answered by a human being.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a geographic location associated with the caller is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the entries also include information related to the geographical location of the caller.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the geographic location of the caller is determined by querying an SCP.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the list is created prior to the initiation of a telephone call.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communications device is an AIN device.

8. A method of connecting a call between a customer and a service provider comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a customer;

sending the call to a communications device, the communications device receiving information from the customer related to a service requested by the customer;

creating a list of entries, the entries including information related to a plurality of service providers and corresponding telephone numbers for those service providers, wherein the plurality of service providers on the list are related to the service requested by the customer;

ordering the list according to at least one pre-selected criteria;

selecting a first service provider that is one of the plurality of service providers, a first telephone number being associated with the first service provider; and

initiating a first telephone call to the first service provider by using the first telephone number; and

determining if the first telephone call is answered by a machine or by a human being, wherein said step of determining if the first call is answered by a machine or human being comprises;

generating a random set of digits;

providing the random set of digits to an answeror and requesting the answeror to enter a response based on the random set of digits that have been provided; and

comparing said random set of digits provided to the answeror to the response entered by said answeror, wherein a match of said random set of digits provided to said answeror to said response entered by said answeror indicates a human answeror.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is related to a geographic location associated with the caller.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is associated with cost.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is associated with a geographic location associated with the service provider.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is associated with the plurality of service providers'"'"' hours of operation.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is associated with the success rate of establishing contact with a human being.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the criteria is associated with customer feedback.

15. The method according to claim 8, wherein the list is created prior to the initiation of a telephone call.

16. The method according to claim 8, wherein the communications device is an AIN device.