Integrated disparate intelligent peripherals

• US 7,792,270 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2009
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rakuten Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Novack, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Harry S
• Application Number:
  US12/391,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20090154683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.01, 379 8816- 8817, 379/207.01, 379/212.01, 379/221.11, 37926501-2661
• US Class Current: 379/221.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A method for providing a service includes monitoring, by a first networked communications apparatus, interaction between a second networked communications apparatus and a remote requesting party over a first communications network. The method also includes interacting, by the first networked communications apparatus, with the remote requesting party over the first communications network upon detecting a predetermined action in monitoring the interaction between the second networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party over the first communications network.

Claims

1. A method for providing a service, comprising:

monitoring, by a first networked communications apparatus, interaction between a second networked communications apparatus and a remote requesting party over a first communications network; and

automatically interacting, by the first networked communications apparatus, with the remote requesting party over the first communications network upon detecting a predetermined action in monitoring the interaction between the second networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party over the first communications network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

interacting, by the first networked communications apparatus, with the second networked communications apparatus over a second communications network.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party according to a script.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein the second networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party according to the script.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the second networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party according to a script.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacts with the second networked communications apparatus by exchanging audible signals.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

interacting, by the first networked communications apparatus, with the remote requesting party over the first communications network prior to interacting with the second networked communications apparatus over the second communications network.

8. The method of claim 7,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus begins interacting with the remote requesting party when the first networked communications apparatus receives a call from the remote requesting party over the first communications network.

9. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party based on instructions from an external controller.

10. The method of claim 1,

wherein the second networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party based on instructions from an external controller.

11. The method of claim 2,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus begins interacting with the second networked communications apparatus when the first networked communications apparatus determines to contact the second networked communications apparatus based on information received from the remote requesting party.

12. The method of claim 7,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacting with the second networked communications apparatus comprises providing, from the first networked communications apparatus, information received by the first networked communications apparatus from the remote requesting party.

13. The method of claim 2,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacting with the second networked communications apparatus comprises establishing a three-party communications session so that the second networked communications apparatus interacts with the remote requesting party.

14. The method of claim 2,

wherein the first networked communications apparatus interacting with the second networked communications apparatus comprises an exchange of signals.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

suspending interaction between the first networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party over the first communications network prior to the interacting, by the first networked communications apparatus, with the second networked communications apparatus over the second communications network.

16. The method of claim 1,

wherein the remote requesting party comprises a computer processor.

17. The method of claim 1,

wherein the interaction between the remote requesting party and the first networked communications apparatus or the second networked communications apparatus comprises receiving a request for information from the remote requesting party and providing a response to the request for information to the remote requesting party.

18. The method of claim 1,

wherein the interaction between the remote requesting party and the first networked communications apparatus or the second networked communications apparatus comprises providing a request for information to the remote requesting party and receiving a response to the request for information from the remote requesting party.

19. The method of claim 1,

wherein interaction between the second networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party is selectively initiated by the first networked communications apparatus to authenticate the remote requesting party.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program, executable by a first networked communications apparatus, for providing a service, the computer readable medium comprising:

a monitoring code segment, recorded on the computer readable medium, that monitors interaction between a second networked communications apparatus and a remote requesting party over a second communications network; and

an interacting code segment, recorded on the computer readable medium, that enables the first networked communications apparatus to automatically interact with the remote requesting party over the second communications network upon detecting a predetermined action in monitoring the interaction between the second networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party over the second communications network.

21. A first networked communications apparatus for providing a service over a communications network, comprising:

a monitor that monitors interaction between a second networked communications apparatus and a remote requesting party over a second communications network; and

an interactor that automatically interacts with the remote requesting party over the second communications network upon detecting a predetermined action in monitoring the interaction between the second networked communications apparatus and the remote requesting party over the second communications network.