Automated call back request for a mobile phone

• US 8,498,634 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Starscriber Corp.
• Original Assignee: Starscriber Corp.
• Inventors: Kahn, Ari, Roach, Peter O. Jr., Fox, Scott, Kirk, Ellen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAGALLA, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/176,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/458, 455/455, 455/518, 379/207.02
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing automated call back requests are provided. In one method a signaling link in a telecommunications system is monitored for a transaction including a connection request containing a called address followed by a disconnection request within a first predetermined time period. Responsive to the transaction, the method determines if a trigger condition exists, and if so, communicates a call back request to a called party through a separate network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring, at a monitoring device, a signaling link between a mobile switching center and a service control point in a telecommunications network;

detecting, on the signaling link by the monitoring device, a connection request comprising a called address and a caller address;

detecting, on the signaling link by the monitoring device, a disconnection request comprising the called address and the caller address;

determining, at the monitoring device, that a first time period between the detection of the connection request and the detection of the disconnection request is greater than a predetermined time period and greater than a second predetermined time period that is greater than the predetermined time period;

determining content of a training message based on the determining that the first time period is greater than the predetermined time period and greater than the second predetermined time period; and

responsive to determining that the first time period is greater than the predetermined time period and greater than the second predetermined time period, transmitting the training message to the caller address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content of the training message comprises instructions requesting that a user shorten a second time period between a next connection request and a next disconnection request sent to a same called address.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period corresponds to a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period corresponds to a time period that is shorter than a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined time period corresponds to a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the training message is transmitted as a short message service message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, on the signaling link by the monitoring device, a second connection request comprising the called address and the caller address;

detecting, on the signaling link by the monitoring device, a second disconnection request comprising the called address and the caller address; and

determining, at the monitoring device, that a second time period between the detection of the second connection request and the detection of the second disconnection request is less than a predetermined time period.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, responsive to determining that the second time period is less than the predetermined time period, transmitting a callback request message to the called address.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first time period is greater than the second predetermined time period comprises determining that a telephony call has been connected between the caller address and the called address.

10. A system comprising:

a link monitor configured to;

monitor a signaling link between a mobile switching center and a service control point in a telecommunications network;

detect, on the signaling link, a connection request comprising a called address and a caller address;

detect, on the signaling link, a disconnection request comprising the called address and the caller address;

determine that a first time period between the detection of the connection request and the detection of the disconnection request is greater than a predetermined time period and greater than a second predetermined time period that is greater than the predetermined time period;

determine content of a training message based on the determining that the first time period is greater than the predetermined time period and greater than the second predetermined time period; and

responsive to determining that the first time period is greater than the predetermined time period and greater than the second predetermined time period, transmit the training message to the caller address.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the content of the training message comprises instructions requesting that a user shorten a second time period between a next connection request and a next disconnection request sent to a same called address.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time period corresponds to a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time period corresponds to a time period that is shorter than a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the second predetermined time period corresponds to a time period for establishing a telephony call between the caller address and the called address.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the training message is transmitted as a short message service message.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the link monitor is further configured to:

detect, on the signaling link, a second connection request comprising the called address and the caller address;

detect, on the signaling link, a second disconnection request comprising the called address and the caller address; and

determine that a second time period between the detection of the second connection request and the detection of the second disconnection request is less than a predetermined time period.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the link monitor is further configured to, responsive to determining that the second time period is less than the predetermined time period, transmit a callback request message to the called address.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the link monitor configured to determine that the first time period is greater than the second predetermined time period comprises determining that a telephony call has been connected between the caller address and the called address.

19. The system of claim 10 where the link monitor is further configured to transmit a notification message to the called address responsive to determining that the first time period is greater than the predetermined time period.

20. The system of claim 19 where content of the notification message comprises a request to place a call to the caller address.