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

• US 8,000,461 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Holder, Maleika C., Meadows, Vernon
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Harry S
• Application Number:
  US12/123,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20080226055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 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 device comprising:

a processor configured to perform a callback module, said callback module configured to;

detect whether settings stored in said device prior to receipt by said device of an incoming call indicate a callback function has been enabled; and

automatically call back a first party for a second party when the settings indicate the callback function has been enabled, the call back being independent of any input from the second party after receipt of the incoming call.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is one of a wireless telephone and a wireline telephone.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an RF transceiver unit.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor comprises at least one of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor.

5. 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 received on a telecommunications device associated with a second party, the method comprising:

detecting, via the telecommunication device, whether a function that provides a callback to said first party for an unanswered call has been enabled based on settings stored in the telecommunication device prior to receipt by the device of the incoming call; and

automatically calling back said first party, via the telecommunication device, to connect the first party and the second party when the function has been enabled, the calling back being independent of any input from the second party after receipt of the incoming call.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising storing information regarding said incoming call in the telecommunications device.

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 providing said second party with selection options, said options comprising at least one of selecting a callback function, resetting said callback function, and canceling said callback function.

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

12. 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.

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

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

15. A telecommunications system, comprising:

a processor configured to execute an application module, wherein said application module is in communication with a telecommunications device, and wherein said application module determines whether a second party has enabled a function on the telecommunications device that provides an automatic callback to connect a first party and the second party, the function being enabled prior to receipt by the telecommunications device of an incoming call, and the function enabling the automatic callback to connect the first party and the second party without any input from the second party after receipt of the incoming call.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said application module is configured to function as a gateway to allow a landline network to access an Internet service provider.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said gateway is configured to function as a voice/web gateway.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said application module is configured to send one of a voice message and text message to said telecommunications device when a callback function is enabled.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to send a text message to the second party for notification that an automatic callback is occurring.