Methods and systems for time-based delivery of calls
First Claim
1. A method for making a call that invokes a call-transfer function, wherein the call-transfer function enables a user to connect at least three endpoint devices to form a call on a network, the method comprising:
- provisioning, via a web interface, a call request in accordance with a schedule;
formulating the call request in accordance with the schedule, wherein the formulating includes identification of at least two endpoint devices for the network to establish a call using a call-transfer function;
establishing a first call leg to a first endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices;
establishing a second call leg to a second endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices;
sending a call-transfer signal to a server associated with the network to use the call-transfer function to bridge the first call leg and the second call leg, to connect the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device via a direct channel in accordance with the call request and the schedule and without an intermediary that maintains multiple outbound call connections forming an indirect channel between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device;
establishing a third call leg to a third endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices;
connecting at least the first, second, and third call legs in accordance with the call request and the schedule; and
rescheduling the call request based on one or more user preferences if the call request is not connected successfully,wherein the third call leg is established and connected automatically and independent of parties to the call at the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for managing the scheduling of calls and automating the process of making and delivering such calls. Any endpoint (e.g., telephony-enabled) device can be used with a PSTN, cellular, and VoIP network. Different types of devices and interfaces may be used for provisioning users, conferring calling events, scheduling events, and/or delivering calls. Among other things, this increases user mobility. Also, automated retrying and rescheduling of calls, which may use updated data, reduces the likelihood of missed calls.
-
Citations
41 Claims
-
1. A method for making a call that invokes a call-transfer function, wherein the call-transfer function enables a user to connect at least three endpoint devices to form a call on a network, the method comprising:
-
provisioning, via a web interface, a call request in accordance with a schedule; formulating the call request in accordance with the schedule, wherein the formulating includes identification of at least two endpoint devices for the network to establish a call using a call-transfer function; establishing a first call leg to a first endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices; establishing a second call leg to a second endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices; sending a call-transfer signal to a server associated with the network to use the call-transfer function to bridge the first call leg and the second call leg, to connect the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device via a direct channel in accordance with the call request and the schedule and without an intermediary that maintains multiple outbound call connections forming an indirect channel between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device; establishing a third call leg to a third endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices; connecting at least the first, second, and third call legs in accordance with the call request and the schedule; and rescheduling the call request based on one or more user preferences if the call request is not connected successfully, wherein the third call leg is established and connected automatically and independent of parties to the call at the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 41)
-
-
11. A method for establishing a call between at least three parties, the method comprising:
-
provisioning a call via a voice portal; scheduling the call; triggering the call by generating a trigger in accordance with a schedule; dispatching the call, wherein the dispatching comprises receiving the trigger and formulating a call request that invokes a call-transfer function; sending the call request to a server; delivering the call with the server at a delivery time upon the server receiving the request from the notification dispatcher using the call-transfer function; establishing a first call leg to a first party of the at least three parties; establishing a second call leg to a second party of the at least three parties, wherein the call-transfer function connects the first party and the second party via a call connection to bridge the first call leg and the second call leg, to establish a direct channel between the first party and the second party and does not connect the first party and the second party via an intermediary that maintains multiple outbound call connections forming an indirect channel between the first party and the second party; establishing a third call leg to a third party of the at least three parties; connecting at least the first, second, and third call legs in accordance with the call request and the schedule; and rescheduling the call based on one or more user preferences if the call is not connected successfully, wherein the third call leg is established and connected automatically and independent of the first party and the second party. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A method for making a call that invokes a call-transfer function, wherein the call-transfer function enables a user to connect at least three endpoint devices to form a call on a network, the method comprising:
-
provisioning, via a web interface, a call request in accordance with a schedule; formulating the call request, wherein the call request invokes a call-transfer function in accordance with the schedule; placing a call on the network in accordance with the call request; establishing a first call leg to a first endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices; and establishing a second call leg to a second endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices, wherein the call-transfer function connects the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device via a call connection by bridging the first call leg and the second call leg, to establish a direct channel between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device and without an intermediary that maintains multiple outbound call connections forming an indirect channel between the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device; establishing a third call leg to a third endpoint device of the at least three endpoint devices; connecting at least the first, second, and third call legs; and rescheduling the call request based on one or more user preferences if the call request is not connected successfully, wherein the third call leg is established and connected automatically and independent of parties to the call at the first endpoint device and the second endpoint device.
-
-
31. A system for scheduling services and delivering calls, wherein the system comprises:
-
a device for receiving, via a web interface, at least one scheduling entry relating to a call; a database for storing the information; a scheduler for generating a trigger for the at least one entry at a calling time; a notification dispatcher that formulates a call request in response to receiving the trigger, wherein the call request invokes a call-transfer function; and a server that establishes a first call leg to a first party of at least three parties, establishes a second call leg to a second party of the at least three parties, and establishes a third call leg to a third party of the at least three parties; wherein the notification dispatcher reschedules the call based on one or more user preferences if the call is not connected successfully, wherein the call-transfer function connects the first party and the second party via a call connection by bridging the first call leg and the second call leg, to establish a direct channel between the first party and the second party, and does not connect the first party and the second party via an intermediary that maintains multiple outbound call connections forming an indirect channel between the first party and the second party, and wherein the server connects the third party to the first party and the second party, automatically and independent of the first party and the second party. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification