Systems, methods, and devices for a callback/callback reminder feature

• US 7,145,998 B1
• Filed: 07/29/2002
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meadows, Vernon, Holder, Maleike C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US10/207,586
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201.01, 379/201.12, 379/210.01, 379/266.01, 455/414.1, 455/445
• US Class Current: 379/210.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48

Abstract

A telecommunications device. The device includes a receiver for receiving an incoming call and a processor in communication with the receiver. The processor has a callback/callback reminder module for automatically calling back a calling party of an incoming call or for sending a user a reminder to callback the calling party.

Claims

1. A hand-held telecommunications device, comprising:

a receiver in the hand-held communications device for receiving an incoming call from a first party to a second party; and

a processor in communication with said receiver, said processor having a callback module, said callback module configured to automatically call back said first party and to connect the first party and the second party, the callback being independent of any second party input received after the call is received, said

callback module further configured to offer an option to interrupt the automatic callback and enter an alternative callback number.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of a wireless telephone and a wireline telephone.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said receiver includes an RF transceiver unit.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor includes a digital signal processor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor includes a microcontroller.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to send a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.

6. A method for calling back a first party of an incoming call to a telecommunications device, the method comprising:

detecting in a hand-held communications device said incoming call;

detecting in a hand-held communications device whether a second party has enabled a function that provides a callback to said first party for an unanswered call;

storing information regarding said incoming call in a hand-held communications device; and

automatically calling back said first party with a hand-held communications device to connect the first party and the second party, the calling back by the hand-held communications device being independent of any second party input received after the detection of the incoming call; and

offering with a hand-held communications device an option to a second party to interrupt the step of automatically calling back and to enter an alternative callback number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said information comprises the number of said incoming call, name of said incoming call, the time of said incoming call, and the date of said incoming call.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing one of said first party and said second party an option to enter an alternative callback number.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising setting a timer to initiate said callback to said first party.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising connecting said second party to said first party when the first party answers the call.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing said second party with selection options, said options comprising selecting a callback function, resetting said callback function, and canceling said callback function.

12. The method of claim 6, further comprising alerting said second party of said incoming call.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has pressed a button on said telecommunications device to enable a callback function.

14. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has globally enabled a callback function for all said incoming calls.

15. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has enabled a callback function for a group of predetermined call-in numbers.

16. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has enabled a callback function on a call-by-call basis.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has answered said callback to said first party.

18. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has reset a callback function.

19. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether said second party has canceled a callback function.

20. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether a call was received from the first party within a predetermined time period.

33. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

means in a hand-held apparatus for detecting an incoming call from a first party;

means in a hand-held apparatus for detecting whether a second party has enabled a function that provides an automatic callback to a first party for an unanswered call;

means in a hand-held apparatus for storing information regarding said incoming call; and

means in a hand-held apparatus for automatically calling back said first party and connecting said first party to said second party, the calling back being independent of any second party input received after the detection of the incoming call; and

means in a hand-held apparatus for interrupting means in a hand-held apparatus for automatically calling back and for entering an alternative callback number.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for sending a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.

22. A telecommunications system, comprising:

a server; and

a services node in communication with a hand-held telecommunications device and said server, wherein said services node determines whether a second party has enabled a function on a hand-held communications device that provides an automatic callback to connect a first party and a second party after an unanswered call, the callback by the hand-held communications device being independent of any second party input received after a call is received; and

wherein the service node offers an option to interrupt the automatic callback and enter an alternative number.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said services node is configured to function as a gateway to allow a landline network to access an Internet service provider.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said gateway is configured to function as a voice/web gateway.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said services node is configured to send one of a voice message and text message to said telecommunications device when a callback function is enabled.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said services node is configured to call said telecommunications device and the first party when a callback function is enabled.

35. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for sending a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.

27. A telecommunications system, comprising:

a network server;

a gateway; and

a services node that is in communication with a hand-held telecommunications device, said network server, and said gateway, wherein said services node determines whether a second party has enabled a function on a hand-held communications device that provides an automatic callback to connect a first party to a second party after an unanswered call, the callback being independent of any second party input received after the unanswered call; and

wherein the service node offers an option to interrupt the automatic callback and enter an alternative number.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said services node is configured to send one of a voice message and text message to said telecommunications device when a callback function is enabled.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein said services node is configured to call said telecommunications device and first party when a callback function is enabled.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein said gateway is in communication with an Internet service provider.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein said gateway is configured to function as a voice/web gateway.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the service node sends a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.