Telecommunications call time slicing system and method
First Claim
1. A method of time slicing a telecommunications call, comprising:
- connecting a caller to a subscriber of a time slicing service;
then;
determining if the subscriber is available to continue the call from the caller;
connecting the caller to an alternate device that provides alternate services when the subscriber is not available to continue the call;
terminating the alternate services and resuming communication between the caller to the subscriber when the subscriber is available to continue the call; and
determining a portion of total call charges associated with the call that is attributable to at least one entity other than the subscriber based on the alternate services provided by said alternate device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A telecommunications system and method provides a time slicing capability whereby alternate services, such as advertising, can be provided to a party while being kept on hold. Thus, charges associated with portions of the call during which alternate services are provided can be billed to other parties, such as advertisers, and the cost for the call to the caller or the called party can be reduced. The connection between the caller and the called party is maintained during the time that alternate services are being provided so that when either the caller or the called party is available to accept or resume a call, the alternate services are terminated and the caller and called party are reconnected.
44 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of time slicing a telecommunications call, comprising:
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connecting a caller to a subscriber of a time slicing service;
then;determining if the subscriber is available to continue the call from the caller; connecting the caller to an alternate device that provides alternate services when the subscriber is not available to continue the call; terminating the alternate services and resuming communication between the caller to the subscriber when the subscriber is available to continue the call; and determining a portion of total call charges associated with the call that is attributable to at least one entity other than the subscriber based on the alternate services provided by said alternate device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of time slicing a telecommunications call, comprising:
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connecting a caller to a called party;
then;determining that one of the caller and the called party is not available for communication with the other of the caller and the called party; connecting the other of the caller and the called party to a device that provides alternate services while the caller or called party is not available; terminating the alternate services and resuming communication between the caller and the called party when both the caller and the called party are available for communication; and determining a portion of total call charges that are attributable to at least one of the caller, the called party and another entity based on the alternate services provided by said device.
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15. A telecommunications system having a time slicing capability, comprising:
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connecting means for connecting a caller to a called party; availability determining means for determining that one of the caller and the called party after being connected is not available for communication with the other of the caller and the called party; alternate services means for providing alternate services to the caller when the caller or called party is not available; terminating means for terminating the alternate services and resuming communication between the caller and the called party when both the caller and the called party are available for communication; and charge determining means for determining a portion of total call charges that are attributable to at least one of the caller, the called party and another entity based on the alternate services provided by said alternate services means.
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16. A telecommunications system having a time slicing capability, comprising:
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an originating switch that receives a signal from a caller indicating a desire to be connected with a called party; a controller that provides information regarding how the signal from the caller should be handled; a destination switch that connects to the called party based on information from the controller; a switching network that interconnects the originating switch with the destination switch; a sensing device that detects that one of the caller and the called party after being connected is not available for communication; and an alternate services device that provides alternate services to the other of the caller and the called party while the caller or called party is unavailable; wherein portions of the call during which alternate services are provided are charged to entities based on the alternate services provided by said alternate services device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification