Method of telephone access to internet secretarial services

• US 6,542,589 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas M. Baskin
• Original Assignee: Douglas M. Baskin
• Inventors: Baskin, Douglas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BINH KIEN
• Application Number:
  US09/711,765
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114.01, 379/114.19, 379/114.24, 379/114.25, 379/115.01, 379/121.01, 379/143, 379/144.01, 379/153, 379/155, 379/900, 379/114.052, 379/201.01, 707/3, 707/10, 704/270.1, 704/271, 704/275
• US Class Current: 379/114.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/103 using SIMs (USIMs) or calling cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/106 using commercial credit or debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/12 using calling, telephone credit/debit cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2017/14 using commercial credit/debit cards, e.g. VISA, AMEX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/90 Internet, e.g. Internet phone, webphone, internet-based telephony

Abstract

A method of telephone access to internet secretarial services. A client makes a telephonic information request to the internet secretary, who is in contact with the internet via high-speed internet connection. The internet secretary sends an internet search query, and forwards the resultant search results to the client. In one embodiment of the instant invention, the client uses toll telephone lines (such as a “900”) number. A telephone company receives call rate and time information, and forwards secretarial services charges to the internet secretary. The client pays the telephone company for secretarial services charges and telephone service costs. In an alternate embodiment of the instant method the client calls the internet secretary via toll-free lines, and supplies the internet secretary credit card information and/or debit card information to pay the secretarial services charges. The internet secretary pays the telephone communications costs. In either embodiment, the client may request that the internet secretary transmit information to one or more third parties, and pay for this service via credit card and/or debit card.

Claims

1. A method of telephone access to internet secretarial services comprising the following steps:

A. Sending verbal client information request from a human client to a human internet secretary, using toll telephone lines;

B. Sending an internet search query from said internet secretary to an internet;

C. Sending search results from said internet secretary;

D. Sending search results from said internet secretary to said client;

E. Tracking call rate and time information by a telephone company;

F. Remitting telephone services costs and secretarial services charges from said client to said telephone company; and

G. Remitting secretarial services charges from said telephone company to said internet secretary.

2. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

H. Sending a request from said client to said internet secretary requesting that said internet secretary send information to one or more third parties;

I. Sending client credit card information and/or debit card information from said client to said internet secretary; and

J. Using said client credit card information and/or debit card information to charge said client for said information sent by said internet secretary to said one or more third parties on behalf of said client.

3. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 2 wherein said information comprises e-mail transmissions.

4. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 2 wherein said information comprises facsimile transmissions.

5. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 2 wherein said information comprises transmission of pager messages.

6. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 2 wherein said information comprises mailed copies of text and/or web pages.

7. An alternate embodiment method of telephone access to internet secretarial services comprising the following steps:

A. Sending a verbal client information request from a human client to a human internet secretary, using toll-free telephone lines;

B. Sending an internet search query from said internet secretary to an internet;

C. Sending search results from said internet to said internet secretary;

D. Sending search results from said internet secretary to said client;

E. Tracking call rate and time information by a telephone company;

F. Remitting telephone services costs from said internet secretary to said telephone company;

G. Sending client credit card information and/or debit car information from said client to said internet secretary and;

H. Using said client credit car information and/or debit card information to charge said client for secretarial service charges.

8. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 7 comprising the further steps of:

I. Sending a request from said client to said internet secretary requesting that said internet secretary send information to one or more third parties; and

J. Using said client credit card information and/or said client debit card information to charge said client for said information sent by said internet secretary to said one or more third parties on behalf of said client.

9. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 8 wherein said information comprises e-mail transmissions.

10. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 8 wherein said information comprises facsimile transmissions.

11. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 8 wherein said information comprises transmission of pager messages.

12. The method of telephone access to internet secretarial services of claim 8 wherein said information comprises mailed copies of text and/or web pages.