US20110161204A1 - Call routing apparatus - Google Patents
Call routing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110161204A1 US20110161204A1 US13/042,368 US201113042368A US2011161204A1 US 20110161204 A1 US20110161204 A1 US 20110161204A1 US 201113042368 A US201113042368 A US 201113042368A US 2011161204 A1 US2011161204 A1 US 2011161204A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- user
- call
- phone
- purchase
- item
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2854—Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0641—Shopping interfaces
Landscapes
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- Marketing (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.
Description
- This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/861,171, filed Sep. 25, 2007, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/212,536, filed Aug. 26, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,841, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/106,517, filed Mar. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,174, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/278,570, filed Mar. 22, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/309,142, filed Jul. 30, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- The conventional public switched telephone network (PSTN) provides for pay-per-call network services via one or more designated numbers, such as a 900 or 976 number, whereby consumers can call such a designated number and be charged a flat rate or per minute charge for a service. For example, the service may be providing entertainment information, sports information, or the like. The fee associated with calling such designated numbers is greater than the cost of simply transmitting the call. However, conventional commerce systems fail to provide an automated apparatus that places or routes calls to such pay-per-call numbers or services as part of an online purchase transaction. Thus, consumers are deprived of making secure online purchases using the pay-per-call service.
- The present invention is related to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. Embodiments of the present invention provide consumers with a reliable, secure, and convenient method of utilizing a telecommunications network to pay for goods or services on a one-time or recurring basis.
- In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for a system connected to the PSTN to place an authorized call to a pay-per-call number, such as a 900 or 976 number, or the like, on behalf of a user to purchase a good or service. Advantageously, embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods optionally eliminate the need for a consumer to place a call to a pay-per-call service directly. This is in contrast to conventional systems wherein a consumer uses a home telephone to directly call a 900 or 976 pay-per-call telephone number.
- Optionally, in one embodiment a user does not have to communicate private billing information, such as credit card or checking account information, to pay the provider of the good or service. The resulting security and convenience of this payment method can further encourage transactions involving the purchase or lease of goods or services, benefiting both the user and the service provider or merchant. In addition, the offer and/or payment options can be specifically tailored to the consumer. In addition, embodiments of the present invention enable a merchant or service provider to discover whether a user has blocked pay-per-call services and to disallow this payment method or instruct the user in ways to unblock these services.
- In one embodiment, when a user is transacting an online purchase transaction using a computer terminal and wants to charge the purchase price to the user's phone bill, a message is transmitted to a remote call manager system. The message can include information related to the purchase price and an ANI associated with a phone line of the user. The remote call manager system sets an ANI of a call service phone line be the same as the user ANI. The call manager system then calls a pay-per-call service via the call service phone line using the user ANI. Thus, the call manager is in effect making the call on behalf of the user by appearing to be the user, even if the call placed by the call manager system is originating from a network location out of the user's local calling area or state. The user is then billed for the call on the user's phone bill in an amount corresponding to the purchase price.
- In another embodiment, in response to a user initiating an online purchase via a client terminal, a call manager system transmits over a computer network, such as the Internet, instructions to the client terminal to schedule an outcall from the client terminal to a pay-per-call phone number. The client terminal will then place a call to the pay-per-call phone number in accordance with the instructions.
- Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
- The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example system that can be used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates an example method of routing calls. -
FIG. 3 illustrates another example method of routing calls. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of detecting whether a user has pay-per-call blocking. - The present invention is related to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. As will be described in greater detail below, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for initiating a telephone call using the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a pay-per-call number on behalf of a user in response to a user operation received over a computer network, such as the Internet.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , atelecommunications system 10 is shown utilizing an example embodiment of the present invention. In this example embodiment, a subscriber or other user employs a networked terminal, such as a personal computer (PC) 12, an interactive television, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone equipped with a browser, or the like, to access acomputer network 16, such as the Internet or the like. - Thus, for example, the
terminal 12 and/or acall manager system 18 discussed below, can correspond to a uniprocessor or multiprocessor machine. Additionally, theterminal 12 and/or acall manager system 18 discussed below, can include an addressable storage medium or computer accessible medium, such as random access memory (RAM), an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), masked read-only memory, one-time programmable memory, hard disks, floppy disks, laser disk players, digital video devices, Compact Disc ROMs, DVD-ROMs, other optical media, video tapes, audio tapes, magnetic recording tracks, electronic networks, and other techniques to transmit or store electronic content such as, by way of example, programs and data. - In one embodiment, the
terminal 12 and/or acall manager system 18 discussed below, is equipped with a network communication device such as a network interface card, a modem, Infra-Red (IR) port, a wireless network interface, or other network connection device suitable for connecting to a network. For example, theterminal 12 and/or thecall manager system 18, can include a dial-up, narrow-band, modem or a dedicated, broadband, modem that connects to a data communication service, such as that provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Commercial OnlineService 14. Furthermore, theterminal 12 and/or thecall manager system 18 can execute an appropriate operating system, such as Linux, Unix, Microsoft® Windows® 3.1, Microsoft® Windows® 95, Microsoft® Windows® 98, Microsoft® Windows® NT, Microsoft® Windows® 2000, Microsoft® Windows® Me, Microsoft® Windows® XP, Apple® MacOS®, IBM® OS/2®, Microsoft® Windows® CE, Palm OS®, or Sun Solaris®. The appropriate operating system may advantageously include a communications protocol implementation, which handles incoming and outgoing message traffic passed over the network. In other embodiments, while the operating system may differ depending on the type of terminal, the operating system may continue to provide the appropriate communications protocols necessary to establish communication links with the network. - While online to the Internet 16 or other network, the user may be presented with one or more offers to purchase a product or a service transmitted over the Internet to the user. The phrase “purchase” as used herein includes a lease or licensing of a good or service. The offers may come in a plurality of forms such as via an email, a banner ad, a web page, and/or a collection of some or all of these forms. By way of example, the offers may be provided in response to a user visiting a specific Web site or by accessing a given network resource or URL. A user may initiate a purchase of a product or service by filling in purchase data, activating a purchase link or other command, by accessing a specific network resource, or by otherwise authorizing a purchase.
- If a user makes a purchase decision and authorizes the merchant or service provider to place the charge for the good or service on their phone bill, a message is sent over the Internet 16 to the
call manager system 18. As discussed above, the user can complete a web form or activate a link in an email message. The web form or form associated with the email link may ask the user if the user wants to pay for the purchase via their phone bill. If the user indicates that the purchase price is to be billed to the user's phone bill, a corresponding message is sent by the merchant or service provider to thecall manager system 18. In one embodiment, the web form requests that the user provide a telephone number or account number to which the purchase is to be billed. The merchant or service provider can verify via a merchant user database or the like that the user has permission to authorize a charge to the provided number. - The
call manager system 18 includes a user database that stores user registration information, identification information, account information, billing information and the like. In one embodiment, the call manager is implemented using one or more servers. Thecall manager system 18 is connected to the Public SwitchedTelephone Network 20 by means of atrunk interface 22 and to theInternet 16 via data connection 36. - In one example embodiment, the message sent in response to the purchase request can contain one or more billing attributes or parameters. For example, the message can contain an account identifier, such as a phone number, user identifier, password, or other identifier. Other information which may be passed in the message can include the amount of the charge, whether the charge is recurring, such as whether the charge is a daily, weekly, monthly, or a one-time charge, and the like. In one embodiment, the
call manager system 18 immediately, or at a scheduled or a delayed time, originates a call overtrunk connection 22 to the Public SwitchedTelephone Network 20 to a “900”, “976” or other pay-per-call number. As used herein, the terms “900 number”, “900 service”, “900/976 service”, and the like, denote all such pay-per-call numbers and services. Thus, the invention is not limited to a particular pay-per-call service, but is generally applicable to such services. - The call may be to a pay-per-call number that is associated with a specific cost that corresponds to the price of the good or service being purchased. For example, in response to a user's request to purchase a $10 item, the
call manager system 18 calls a number for which there is a $10 charge per call. Similarly, in response to a user's request to purchase a $15 item, thecall manager system 18 calls a number for which there is a $15 charge per call. Alternatively, in response to a user purchase instruction, thecall manager system 18 places a call to a pay-per-call number that can vary based on a database query and an interaction with the billing and rating system. Using still another process, in response to a user purchase instruction, thecall manager system 18 places a call to a pay-per-call number that is associated with a specific cost per minute. For example, in response to a user's request to purchase a $10 item, thecall manager system 18 places a call for 10 minutes to a number for which there is a $1 per minute charge. - By way of example, the
call manager system 18 delivers, over a signaling channel, such as an SS7 signaling channel, information identifying the origin of the call through a service known as Automatic Number Identification (ANI), or using other types of signaling information, such as a charge-to number. The ANI corresponds to the caller's phone number. ANI is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art of telephony systems and will not be described further here. - In one example embodiment, the
call manager system 18 modifies the ANI that would normally be associated with a call manager system phone line by setting the ANI to be the ANI (e.g., phone number) of the user who has authorized the purchase. Thus, in one embodiment, thecall manager system 18 is in effect making the call on behalf of the user by appearing to be the user, even if the call placed by thecall manager system 18 is originating from a network location out of the user's local calling area or state. - Optionally, as illustrated in
FIG. 1 , the present invention can be utilized with a Common Channel Signaling system, such as Signaling System 7 (SS7), having separate voice/user data and signaling channels. In addition, the present invention can be used with other signaling methods, such as ISDN, Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), and/or MF inband signaling. However, the invention is not limited to these methods and contemplates other methods in which ANI or similar signaling information can be passed. - The originated call initiated by the
call manager system 18 transits an Originating Local Exchange Network (OLEN) 24 to a pay-per-call services network 26 through an interconnectingtrunk 28, and eventually to a Terminating Local Exchange Network (TLEN) 30 through an interconnectingtrunk 32. TheTLEN 30 is optionally connected to a live operator or tocustomer premise equipment 34 operated by a service provider, a merchant, an online merchant, or a third party on behalf of the merchant or service provider. The process of a phone call or interworkings of a pay-per-call service network are well known to one of ordinary skill and will not be described here. - In one embodiment, rather then using a live operator to answer the call placed by the
call manager system 18, the call is answered by an Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) operated by a service provider or a merchant. The PSTN connects to the IVRS via a telephone trunk. The telephone trunk has an associated signaling channel. The signaling channel is provided to communicate the ANI to the IVRS to enable the IVRS to customize the interaction as described below. The IVRS, connected to the phone network, can collect and store the ANI information for the call. - The collected and stored ANI can be used to identify the user for post bill auditing, or to customize the interaction, such as to selectively restrict answered calls to known users, to identify the billed amount, play audio announcements, record voice messages, collect and store touch-tone responses, and transfer calls. Similarly, the ANI can be used to identify the user to determine what rate or price the user is entitled to for a good or service. For example, some users may be entitled to a discounted rate. The
IVRS system 34 can be included in thecall manager system 18 or can be a separate system from thecall manager system 18. - The pay-per-call service then bills the user for the purchased services or goods based on the length of the call, a flat rate charge, or using customized or proprietary signaling information as discussed above sent from the IVRS into the pay-per-
call services network 26. The charge may appear on the user's local or long distance carrier's bill for the user. The interworking of a pay-per-call service are well known and not described here. -
FIG. 2 illustrates oneexample process 200 of placing a call to a pay-per-call service. Starting atstart state 202, theprocess 200 proceeds tostate 204, wherein a user initiates a purchase and indicates that the purchase price is to be billed to the user's phone bill. At state 206 a message is sent to the call manager system, including the user's phone number and the purchase price amount to be charged to the user's phone bill. Atstate 208 the call manager sets an ANI associated with an outbound call to be the same as the user's ANI. Atstate 210 the call manager system selects and calls an appropriate pay-per-call number using the user's ANI. Thus, it will appear to the pay-per-call service that the user is placing the call. The pay-per-call number can be selected based on, or to correspond with the amount of the purchase price. Atstate 212 the pay-per-call services causes the purchase price amount to be charged to the user via the user's long distance or local phone bill. Theprocess 200 ends atstate 214. - In another embodiment, the
call manager system 18 directs a call to the pay-per-call network 28 via the PC orother terminal 12 without manual intervention by the user or other persons. In this embodiment, the user utilizes thenetworked computer 12 to connect to a data communication service via a dial-up or dedicated connection, such as that provided by theISP 14. If the user makes a purchase decision while online and authorizes the merchant or service provider to place the charge for the good or service on the phone bill of the user, this event is logged in thecall management system 18. For example, a user can complete a web form or activate a link in an email message, which causes a message to be sent to thecall manager system 18, or the user can engage in a direct interaction with thecall management system 18 database. For example, the user can make purchases directly from the operator of thecall management system 18 which will then arrange to have the corresponding charge appear on the user's phone bill. A message is then sent from thenetworked computer 12 to thecall manager system 18. - Upon receipt of the message or transaction event, the
call manager system 18 instructs a networkedcomputer client application 13 over the Internet to schedule an outcall to a pay-per-call phone number. Theclient application 13 can be a small software agent executing on theclient terminal 12 that monitors the user's online access. - The
call manager system 18 monitors the user's session or the presence of the user on the Internet. In one embodiment, theclient application 13 can make the user's online presence known to thecall manager system 18. In particular, thecall manager system 18 communicates with theclient application 13 to determine whether thecomputer 12 is online. Presence detection can be performed bycall manager system 18 polling or pinging thecomputer terminal 12 via theclient application 13, or by theclient application 13 transmitting an “I'm alive” message and subsequent periodic “keep alive” messages to thecall manager system 18. - The schedule for placing the call from a user could be immediate. In this case, if the
computer 12 is accessing theInternet 16 over the user's telephone line via a dial-up connection, the user'snetworked computer 12 is disconnected from the Internet and a call is placed from thenetworked computer 12 to thecall management system 18, as described in greater detail below. Alternatively, the call schedule can be set for when the user goes offline, when the user next goes back online, the next day, month, year, or at the occurrence of other specified time or event. - Thresholds on call retries and frequency are optionally established between the networked
computer client application 13 andcall management system 18 to reduce the impact on the availability of the user's phone line. For example, the client may be restricted to no more than one call attempt within a 24-hour period. In addition or alternatively, the networked computer-client application 13 can be restricted from making a call attempt if a user has received an incoming call within a predetermined amount of time. Thus, for example, a call may be placed by a caller to the user while the user's telephone line is being utilized to by the user's computer terminal. The call is then forwarded to thecall manager system 18 which transmits a notification to the user via email or theclient application 13 regarding the forwarded call. If the user then goes offline within a predetermined amount of time, such as within 5 minutes, it may be assumed that the user is calling the caller back. Therefore, in order to avoid tying up the user's phone line, the call to the pay-per-call number may be scheduled for another time, such as the next time the user goes online. - When the
client application 13 receives an instructional message from thecall manager system 18 to place a call for billing purposes, theclient application 13 uses dialer software and a modem associated with thenetworked computer 12 to place a call to the telephone number provided by thecall manager system 18 via a dial-up or always-on connection, or to place a call to a number pre-provisioned and stored on thecomputer 12 in conjunction with theclient application 13. - The call is switched at a local exchange switch, such as the
OLEN 24, and connects with the pay-per-call network 26, where after the amount and transaction request are processed according to a predetermined plan, such as charging for a good or service at a predetermined price by calling a corresponding pay-per-call number. The call origin or source is identified using ANI or a similar service that provides the user's telephone number. The ANI establishes a billing number from the identified telephone number, and passes this information to the pay-per-call network 28 for billing purposes. -
FIG. 3 illustrates anexample process 300 of placing a call to a pay-per-call service employing a user's computer. Starting atstart state 302, theprocess 300 proceeds tostate 304, wherein a user initiates a purchase and indicates that the purchase price is to be billed to the user's phone bill. At state 306 a message is sent to the call manager system, including the user's phone number or other account identifier, and the purchase price amount to be charged to the user's phone bill. Atstate 308 the call manager instructs the client application executing on the user's computer to call a pay-per-call number selected based at least in part on the purchase price. Atstate 310 the user's computer calls the selected pay-per-call number. Atstate 312 the pay-per-call services causes the purchase price amount to be charged to the user via the user's long distance or local phone bill. Theprocess 300 ends atstate 314. - In one embodiment, the
client application 13 is autonomous or semi-autonomous. That is, theclient application 13 detects or is directly informed by the merchant when the user is making a purchase. Theclient application 13 uses a look-up table stored on thecomputer 12 that lists a plurality of pay-per-call numbers and the corresponding charges for calls to those numbers to determine the appropriate pay-per-call number to call for the purchase. Theclient application 13 then initiates a call via thecomputer 13 to the appropriate pay-per-call number. The look-up table may periodically be updated by thecall manager system 18. - In some embodiments, optionally including the embodiments described above, the
call manager system 18 automatically checks the balance due for an account after the user logs in to thecall manager system 18 by accessing the user database. If thecall manager system 18 finds a balance due on the account, thecall manager system 18 passes a message to thenetworked computer 12. The message may notify the user of the outstanding balance, request payment of the outstanding balance or a portion of thereof, or other like actions prior to proceeding with the established session. Thecall manager system 18 may effect a payment transaction via the previously described billing systems and methods; update the user's account to reflect the payment transaction; and notify the user of the action taken on the account via a message to thenetworked computer 12. - In addition, the
call manager system 18 optionally determines if a user's phone line is blocked from pay-per-call services. In one embodiment, this is accomplished using the following example procedure. Assuming that theuser computer 12 is accessing the Internet using a broadband connection, thecall manager system 12 transmits a request to the networkedcomputer client application 13 to place a call in real-time while a user is transacting an order from a web site over the broadband connection. If it is determined that the user's line is blocked, then the user, while still transacting the order on the web, can be informed that another form of payment will be required. This should further improve the billing and collection conversion rates of the service provider or merchants. - The determination of whether the user's line is blocked from pay-per-call services can be performed using several different processes, and the response thereto can vary as well. For example, the
call manager system 12 may transmit a request to the networkedcomputer client application 13 to place a call to a pay-per-call number associated with thecall manager system 12. If thecall manager system 12 fails to receive the call after one or more attempts, a determination is made that the user's line is blocked from making such a call. Even is the call is received and the ANI read, thecall manager 12 may not answer the call to avoid billing the user. Optionally, the call may only be answered if there is a user balance due. A notation may be used in the user's account information that the user's line is blocked so further attempts will not be made. Instead, if the user in the future requests to make a purchase using a pay-per-call process, the user may automatically be requested to provide payment using an alternate method or instructions on how to unblock their line. In another embodiment, thecall manager system 12 may transmit a request to the networkedcomputer client application 13 to place a call to a pay-per-call number, and if an operator answers indicating that the call cannot be completed, a determination is made that the call was answered by a human voice and it is inferred that the user's line is blocked. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 used to detect whether a user's phone is blocked from calling a pay-per-call service. Beginning atstart state 402, the process proceeds tostate 404. Atstate 404, the call manager transmits an instruction to a client application to call a designated pay-per-call number, such as a 900 number, associated with the call manager system. Atstate 406, the client application instructs the user's computer or other terminal to call the designated pay-per-call number for the purpose of determining whether the user's line is blocked from placing a pay-per-call number. While the call is to a pay-per-call number, in the example process 400 the user is not charged for the call. - At
state 408, the call manager system monitors incoming calls on the pay-per-call number to determine if the user's computer succeeded in placing the call. Note that the call need not be answered to succeeded in placing the call. Success is defined in one embodiment by the user's ANI being received. The call manager can determine from which number a call is placed via the ANI transmitted along with the call. If a call is received from the user computer, the process 400 proceeds tostate 410 and then optionally can perform the purchase and callplacement process 300 illustrated inFIG. 3 . If instead a call is not received from the user's computer at the designated pay-per-call number, the user's account information stored in the user database is annotated to indicate that the user's phone line is blocked from calling pay-per-call phone numbers. Atstate 414, the call manager sends a request to the user's computer asking the user to provide an alternate form of payment, such as a credit card charge or a check. The process 400 ends atstate 416. - If the blocking determination is made in real-time, the user can be offered an alternative payment method while transacting the order. In one embodiment, the blocking determination could be made in advance, and the user could be offered other payment options automatically when the user attempts to make a transaction. Further, if an advance blocking determination is made, the user could be offered only those goods or services that do not require use of a pay-per-call type service. Additionally, the user is optionally offered a description on how to unblock pay-per-call type services on their phone line. The advance determination can be made by, for example, accessing the user database to determine if a pay-per-call blocking notation or indication has been provided.
- Thus, as described above, embodiments of the present invention provide consumers with a reliable, secure, and convenient method of utilizing a telecommunications network to pay for goods or services using pay-per-call services.
- Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art.
Claims (20)
1. A method of processing a billing transaction from a user's mobile telephonic device comprising:
causing, at least in part, a first user interface to be presented on a mobile telephonic device via which the user can register for phone billing services;
receiving over a data network from the user's mobile telephonic device phone billing registration information;
receiving a purchase request for an item over the data network from the user's mobile telephonic device, wherein the item is other than a telephone service;
determining a phone number of the user;
determining if the user is authorized to purchase the item;
determining whether the purchase price is to be billed via a phone bill of the user associated with the phone number of the user; and
at least partly in response to:
receiving the purchase request-related information, and
determining the purchase price is to be paid via the user's phone bill,
causing, at least in part, the user to be billed on the user's phone bill a purchase price associated with the item purchase request.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mobile telephonic device includes a software application which presents the first user interface.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first user interface to be presented on the mobile telephonic device is a browser-based user interface.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the phone billing registration information includes the user's phone number.
5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the user does not place a call to a pay-per-call service using any telephonic device of the user in association with the purchase request.
6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the item is a tangible good.
7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the item is a service.
8. The method as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising denying authorization of the purchase request if the user has a balance due.
9. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.
10. A method of processing a billing transaction from a user's mobile device comprising:
receiving a purchase request for an item over a data network from a user's mobile telephonic device, wherein the item is other than a telephone service, and
wherein the offer to purchase the item is presented to the user via a user interface on the user's mobile telephonic device;
determining an account identifier of the user;
determining if the user is authorized to purchase the item; and
determining whether the purchase price is to be billed via a phone bill of the user associated with a phone number of the user; and
at least partly in response to:
receiving the purchase request-related information, and
determining the purchase price is to be paid via the user's phone bill,
causing, at least in part, the user to be billed on the user's phone bill a purchase price associated with the item purchase request.
11. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the mobile telephonic device includes a software application which presents the first user interface.
12. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the first user interface to be presented on the mobile telephonic device is a browser-based user interface.
13. The method as defined in claim 10 , the method further comprising receiving from the user phone billing registration information including the phone number of the user.
14. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the user does not place a call to a pay-per-call service using any telephonic device of the user in association with the purchase request
15. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the item is a tangible good.
16. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the item is a service.
17. The method as defined in claim 10 , the method further comprising denying authorization of the purchase request if the user has a balance due.
18. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein the mobile device is a cellular phone.
19. A system comprising:
a computing device:
nontransitory computer readable memory that stores program code that, when executed by the computing device, causes the computing device to perform operations comprising:
causing, at least in part, a first user interface to be presented on a mobile telephonic device of a user via which the user can register for phone billing services;
receiving over a data network from the user's mobile telephonic device phone billing registration information;
receiving a purchase request for an item over the data network from the user's mobile telephonic device, wherein the item is other than a telephone service;
determining a phone number of the user;
determining if the user is authorized to purchase the item;
determining whether the purchase price is to be billed via a phone bill of the user associated with the phone number of the user; and
at least partly in response to:
receiving the purchase request-related information, and
determining the purchase price is to be paid via the user's phone bill,
causing, at least in part, the user to be billed on the user's phone bill a purchase price associated with the item purchase request.
20. The system as defined in claim 19 , wherein the user does not place a call to a pay-per-call service using any telephonic device of the user in association with the purchase request
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/042,368 US20110161204A1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-03-07 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/339,748 US8374917B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-12-29 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/764,191 US8583508B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2013-02-11 | Call routing apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US27857001P | 2001-03-22 | 2001-03-22 | |
US30914201P | 2001-07-30 | 2001-07-30 | |
US10/106,517 US6968174B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2002-03-22 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/212,536 US7292841B2 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2005-08-26 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/861,171 US7907933B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2007-09-25 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/042,368 US20110161204A1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-03-07 | Call routing apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/861,171 Continuation US7907933B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2007-09-25 | Call routing apparatus |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/339,748 Continuation US8374917B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-12-29 | Call routing apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110161204A1 true US20110161204A1 (en) | 2011-06-30 |
Family
ID=35345018
Family Applications (6)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/106,517 Expired - Fee Related US6968174B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2002-03-22 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/212,536 Expired - Fee Related US7292841B2 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2005-08-26 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/861,171 Expired - Fee Related US7907933B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2007-09-25 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/042,368 Abandoned US20110161204A1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-03-07 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/339,748 Expired - Fee Related US8374917B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-12-29 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/764,191 Expired - Fee Related US8583508B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2013-02-11 | Call routing apparatus |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/106,517 Expired - Fee Related US6968174B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2002-03-22 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/212,536 Expired - Fee Related US7292841B2 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2005-08-26 | Call routing apparatus |
US11/861,171 Expired - Fee Related US7907933B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2007-09-25 | Call routing apparatus |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/339,748 Expired - Fee Related US8374917B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-12-29 | Call routing apparatus |
US13/764,191 Expired - Fee Related US8583508B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2013-02-11 | Call routing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (6) | US6968174B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030220866A1 (en) * | 2001-12-28 | 2003-11-27 | Findwhat.Com | System and method for pay for performand advertising in general media |
Families Citing this family (94)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6779358B2 (en) * | 1997-12-30 | 2004-08-24 | International Water Makers, Inc. | Water collection and dispensing machine |
US6223165B1 (en) | 1999-03-22 | 2001-04-24 | Keen.Com, Incorporated | Method and apparatus to connect consumer to expert |
CA2365420A1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 2000-10-12 | Callwave Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US7822188B1 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 2010-10-26 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US7103167B2 (en) | 2002-05-20 | 2006-09-05 | Callwave, Inc. | Systems and methods for call screening |
US7555110B2 (en) | 1999-04-01 | 2009-06-30 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US7688958B2 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2010-03-30 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US7580887B1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2009-08-25 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for facilitating purchase transactions across a network |
US7289623B2 (en) | 2001-01-16 | 2007-10-30 | Utbk, Inc. | System and method for an online speaker patch-through |
US8554617B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2013-10-08 | Ingenio Llc | Systems and methods to provide alternative connections for real time communications |
US20020133402A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-09-19 | Scott Faber | Apparatus and method for recruiting, communicating with, and paying participants of interactive advertising |
US6968174B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2005-11-22 | Callwave, Inc. | Call routing apparatus |
US6704403B2 (en) | 2001-09-05 | 2004-03-09 | Ingenio, Inc. | Apparatus and method for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service provider using voice mail |
US6879677B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2005-04-12 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for telephony call completion |
US8705710B2 (en) | 2001-11-01 | 2014-04-22 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for telephony call completion |
US7839987B1 (en) | 2001-11-01 | 2010-11-23 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for creating a dynamic call log and contact records |
US7580850B2 (en) | 2001-12-14 | 2009-08-25 | Utbk, Inc. | Apparatus and method for online advice customer relationship management |
US7937439B2 (en) | 2001-12-27 | 2011-05-03 | Utbk, Inc. | Apparatus and method for scheduling live advice communication with a selected service provider |
US20040110487A1 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2004-06-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Wireless network access system |
US7460653B2 (en) | 2003-03-07 | 2008-12-02 | Callwave, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for telecommunication authentication |
US7698183B2 (en) | 2003-06-18 | 2010-04-13 | Utbk, Inc. | Method and apparatus for prioritizing a listing of information providers |
US7886009B2 (en) | 2003-08-22 | 2011-02-08 | Utbk, Inc. | Gate keeper |
US8140389B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2012-03-20 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for pay for deal advertisements |
US8024224B2 (en) | 2004-03-10 | 2011-09-20 | Utbk, Inc. | Method and apparatus to provide pay-per-call advertising and billing |
US20070124207A1 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2007-05-31 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and Apparatuses to Provide Prompts in Connecting Customers to Advertisers |
US8837698B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2014-09-16 | Yp Interactive Llc | Systems and methods to collect information just in time for connecting people for real time communications |
US7424442B2 (en) | 2004-05-04 | 2008-09-09 | Utbk, Inc. | Method and apparatus to allocate and recycle telephone numbers in a call-tracking system |
US7428497B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2008-09-23 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for pay-per-call advertising in mobile/wireless applications |
US8140392B2 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2012-03-20 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for pay for lead advertisements |
US9208496B2 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2015-12-08 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | Systems and methods to provide a communication reference in a representation of a geographical region |
US9202217B2 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2015-12-01 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | Methods and apparatuses to manage multiple advertisements |
US9984377B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2018-05-29 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | System and method for providing advertisement |
US8121898B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2012-02-21 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for geographic area selections in pay-per-call advertisement |
US8027878B2 (en) * | 2003-10-06 | 2011-09-27 | Utbk, Inc. | Method and apparatus to compensate demand partners in a pay-per-call performance based advertising system |
US8069082B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2011-11-29 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses to determine prices of communication leads |
US7366683B2 (en) | 2003-10-06 | 2008-04-29 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for offline selection of pay-per-call advertisers |
US7295660B1 (en) | 2003-10-23 | 2007-11-13 | Aol Llc | Telemarketer screening |
US7480065B1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2009-01-20 | Callwave, Inc. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US7474432B1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2009-01-06 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for fax routing |
US7742586B1 (en) | 2004-06-14 | 2010-06-22 | Callwave, Inc. | Enhanced service levels for call-processing services |
US8107609B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2012-01-31 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for telephony call-back processing |
US8494504B2 (en) | 2004-12-06 | 2013-07-23 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for telephony processing, including location based call transfers |
US7409048B2 (en) | 2004-12-09 | 2008-08-05 | Callwave, Inc. | Call processing and subscriber registration systems and methods |
US8000455B1 (en) | 2004-12-09 | 2011-08-16 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for call processing |
US8094800B1 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2012-01-10 | Aol Inc. | Call treatment based on user association with one or more user groups |
US8538768B2 (en) | 2005-02-16 | 2013-09-17 | Ingenio Llc | Methods and apparatuses for delivery of advice to mobile/wireless devices |
US9202219B2 (en) | 2005-02-16 | 2015-12-01 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | System and method to merge pay-for-performance advertising models |
US7979308B2 (en) | 2005-03-03 | 2011-07-12 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for sorting lists for presentation |
US7852749B2 (en) | 2005-04-06 | 2010-12-14 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for routing telecommunications |
US7965825B1 (en) | 2005-05-02 | 2011-06-21 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for transferring voice messages and faxes over a network |
US7808936B2 (en) | 2005-05-09 | 2010-10-05 | J2 Global Communications, Inc. | Systems and methods for facsimile echo cancellation |
US8369311B1 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2013-02-05 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for providing telephony services to fixed and mobile telephonic devices |
US8855107B1 (en) | 2005-07-01 | 2014-10-07 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for call routing via a telephone number |
US8599832B2 (en) | 2005-09-28 | 2013-12-03 | Ingenio Llc | Methods and apparatuses to connect people for real time communications via voice over internet protocol (VOIP) |
US8761154B2 (en) | 2005-09-28 | 2014-06-24 | Ebbe Altberg | Methods and apparatuses to access advertisements through voice over internet protocol (VoIP) applications |
US8401163B1 (en) | 2005-10-18 | 2013-03-19 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for call processing and for providing call progress status over a network |
US7912039B1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2011-03-22 | At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. | Method and apparatus for blocking a pay-per use feature in a communications network |
US7644121B2 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2010-01-05 | Clickpath, Llc | Method and system for online session tracking |
US7720091B2 (en) | 2006-01-10 | 2010-05-18 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to arrange call back |
US8681778B2 (en) | 2006-01-10 | 2014-03-25 | Ingenio Llc | Systems and methods to manage privilege to speak |
US8125931B2 (en) | 2006-01-10 | 2012-02-28 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide availability indication |
US8077849B2 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2011-12-13 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to block communication calls |
US9197479B2 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2015-11-24 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | Systems and methods to manage a queue of people requesting real time communication connections |
US8185437B2 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2012-05-22 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication connections via partners |
US20070201684A1 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2007-08-30 | Altaf Boghani | Call center routing system and method |
US8165572B1 (en) | 2006-02-22 | 2012-04-24 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for call processing in a wireline and wireless network |
US8270582B1 (en) | 2006-04-05 | 2012-09-18 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for routing calls |
US8085922B1 (en) | 2006-05-01 | 2011-12-27 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for speed dialing |
US8121626B1 (en) | 2006-06-05 | 2012-02-21 | Callwave, Inc. | Method and systems for short message forwarding services |
US8548447B1 (en) | 2006-10-06 | 2013-10-01 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for blocking unwanted telecommunications |
US9317855B2 (en) | 2006-10-24 | 2016-04-19 | Yellowpages.Com Llc | Systems and methods to provide voice connections via local telephone numbers |
US8102986B1 (en) | 2006-11-10 | 2012-01-24 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for providing telecommunications services |
US8239325B2 (en) * | 2007-01-18 | 2012-08-07 | Paymentone Corporation | Method and system to verify the identity of a user |
US8451825B2 (en) | 2007-02-22 | 2013-05-28 | Utbk, Llc | Systems and methods to confirm initiation of a callback |
US8843107B2 (en) | 2007-02-08 | 2014-09-23 | Yp Interactive Llc | Methods and apparatuses to connect users of mobile devices to advertisers |
US8447285B1 (en) | 2007-03-26 | 2013-05-21 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for managing telecommunications and for translating voice messages to text messages |
US20080255976A1 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2008-10-16 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and Methods to Present Members of a Social Network for Real Time Communications |
US20080263459A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-10-23 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and Systems to Determine Availability for Real Time Communications via Virtual Reality |
US20080262911A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-10-23 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and Systems to Search in Virtual Reality for Real Time Communications |
US8601386B2 (en) | 2007-04-20 | 2013-12-03 | Ingenio Llc | Methods and systems to facilitate real time communications in virtual reality |
US20080263446A1 (en) * | 2007-04-20 | 2008-10-23 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and Systems to Connect People to Services via Virtual Reality |
US8583746B1 (en) | 2007-05-25 | 2013-11-12 | Callwave Communications, Llc | Methods and systems for web and call processing |
US20080313083A1 (en) * | 2007-06-18 | 2008-12-18 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and Methods To Manage Presentations of Advertisements |
US8320368B2 (en) | 2007-06-18 | 2012-11-27 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication references based on recommendations to connect people for real time communications |
US8681952B2 (en) | 2007-06-18 | 2014-03-25 | Ingenio Llc | Systems and methods to selectively provide telephonic connections |
US8532276B2 (en) | 2007-06-26 | 2013-09-10 | Ingenio Llc | Systems and methods to provide telephonic connections via concurrent calls |
US8280018B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2012-10-02 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide information via connections for real time communications between people |
US8724789B2 (en) | 2007-08-06 | 2014-05-13 | Yellow Pages | Systems and methods to connect people for real time communications via directory assistance |
US8295465B2 (en) | 2007-09-25 | 2012-10-23 | Utbk, Inc. | Systems and methods to connect members of a social network for real time communication |
US8284921B2 (en) * | 2007-10-01 | 2012-10-09 | Blackboard Connect Inc. | Method for dispersing the transmission of mass notifications |
US20090144068A1 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2009-06-04 | Utbk, Inc. | Methods and Apparatuses to Provide Connections for Real Time Communications |
US10157407B2 (en) | 2013-10-29 | 2018-12-18 | Elwha Llc | Financier-facilitated guaranty provisioning |
US9934498B2 (en) | 2013-10-29 | 2018-04-03 | Elwha Llc | Facilitating guaranty provisioning for an exchange |
US20150120502A1 (en) * | 2013-10-29 | 2015-04-30 | Elwha LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware | Supporting guaranty provisioning via user attribute proffering |
Citations (51)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4994926A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1991-02-19 | F-Mail Associates, L.P. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US5459548A (en) * | 1989-02-17 | 1995-10-17 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Information forming apparatus with mechanism for unsealing and sealing a cover of recording material |
US5459584A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1995-10-17 | Audiofax, Inc. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US5467388A (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 1995-11-14 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for selectively blocking incoming telephone calls |
US5533102A (en) * | 1993-09-22 | 1996-07-02 | Active Voice | Telephone auto attendant system for delivering chosen greetings to callers while on the phone |
US5533106A (en) * | 1994-06-27 | 1996-07-02 | Us West Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for processing calls wherein the display of calling party ID information has been inhibited |
US5577111A (en) * | 1993-11-19 | 1996-11-19 | Fujitsu Limited | Camp-on communication managing method and apparatus |
US5651054A (en) * | 1995-04-13 | 1997-07-22 | Active Voice Corporation | Method and apparatus for monitoring a message in a voice mail system |
US5668861A (en) * | 1993-12-23 | 1997-09-16 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Telecommunications system with notification hold |
US5805587A (en) * | 1995-11-27 | 1998-09-08 | At&T Corp. | Call notification feature for a telephone line connected to the internet |
US5809128A (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 1998-09-15 | Interactive Telecom Inc. | Method and apparatus permitting notification and control of blocked incoming calls over a data network |
US5825867A (en) * | 1984-09-14 | 1998-10-20 | Aspect Telecommunications Corporation | Enhanced call waiting |
US5835573A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1998-11-10 | At&T Corp | Method and system for call screening |
US5884032A (en) * | 1995-09-25 | 1999-03-16 | The New Brunswick Telephone Company, Limited | System for coordinating communications via customer contact channel changing system using call centre for setting up the call between customer and an available help agent |
US5963625A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-10-05 | At&T Corp | Method for providing called service provider control of caller access to pay services |
US5995603A (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 1999-11-30 | At&T Corp | Telephone call screening device |
US6023502A (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 2000-02-08 | At&T Corp. | Method and apparatus for providing telephone billing and authentication over a computer network |
US6031896A (en) * | 1998-10-23 | 2000-02-29 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Real-time voicemail monitoring and call control over the internet |
US6035031A (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2000-03-07 | At&T Corp | Method and apparatus automatic call-back |
US6169795B1 (en) * | 1998-03-30 | 2001-01-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Internet telephony callback system and method of operation |
US6175622B1 (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 2001-01-16 | Northern Telecom Limited | Virtual private network for a telephone network |
US6208638B1 (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 2001-03-27 | J 2 Global Communications, Inc. | Method and apparatus for transmission and retrieval of facsimile and audio messages over a circuit or packet switched network |
US6282276B1 (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 2001-08-28 | David Felger | Method of billing a value-added call |
US6304565B1 (en) * | 1998-05-20 | 2001-10-16 | At&T Corp. | Method of completing long distance pots calls with IP telephony endpoints |
US6310939B1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2001-10-30 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for screening a call as the call is transmitted to voice mail |
US20010037264A1 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2001-11-01 | Dirk Husemann | Payment for network-based commercial transactions using a mobile phone |
US20020010616A1 (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2002-01-24 | Dani Itzhaki | System and method for dissemination of counseling and advice in a distributed networking environment |
US6345090B1 (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 2002-02-05 | Priceline.Com Incorporated | Conditional purchase offer management system for telephone calls |
US6350066B1 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 2002-02-26 | Bobo, Ii Charles R. | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US6353660B1 (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2002-03-05 | Ss8 Networks, Inc. | Voice call processing methods |
US6405035B1 (en) * | 2000-08-24 | 2002-06-11 | Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson | System and method for forwarding messages to a subscriber device |
US20020097710A1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-07-25 | Burg Frederick Murray | Method and system for processing a telephone call while on-line |
US6430274B1 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 2002-08-06 | Worldcomm Inc. | Validation query based on a supervisory signal |
US6477246B1 (en) * | 1999-04-01 | 2002-11-05 | Callwave, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US20020176558A1 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-11-28 | Christopher Tate | Modem and system with call waiting switching facilities and method of supporting customer access to a service provider |
US6505163B1 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-01-07 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Network and method for providing an automatic recall telecommunications service with automatic speech recognition capability |
US20030063731A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Woodring Larry D. | Systems and methods for recording and providing enhanced caller information in an advanced intelligent network |
US6549612B2 (en) * | 1998-05-06 | 2003-04-15 | Telecommunications Premium Services, Inc. | Unified communication services via e-mail |
US6564321B2 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 2003-05-13 | Bobo Ii Charles R | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US20030123629A1 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 2003-07-03 | Hussain Aamir M. | System and method for completing private calls made to private numbers |
US20030156700A1 (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2003-08-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Time based regulation of access to callees |
US6647256B1 (en) * | 1997-10-29 | 2003-11-11 | Sonera Oyj | Methods and system for remote access to and payment for products delivered from automated apparatus |
US6658100B1 (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2003-12-02 | Sbc Properties, L.P. | Method and apparatus for communicating information about a called party to a calling party |
US6661785B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2003-12-09 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing internet call waiting with voice over internet protocol |
US20040010472A1 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2004-01-15 | Hilby Robert T. | System and method for verifying information |
US6690785B1 (en) * | 2000-04-12 | 2004-02-10 | America Online, Inc. | System and method for providing called party information for centralized telephone service |
US6738461B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2004-05-18 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for returning a call over a telephony system |
US6751299B1 (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2004-06-15 | America Online, Incorporated | Voice messaging system |
US6785021B1 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 2004-08-31 | Audiofax, Ip, Llc | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US6879677B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2005-04-12 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for telephony call completion |
US20050265322A1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2005-12-01 | Rex Hester | Enabling quality voice communications from web page call control |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5668852A (en) * | 1995-01-18 | 1997-09-16 | Holmes; Terry M. | Automatic caller-associated information provision system, improvement and method for paging system |
EP1309163A3 (en) | 1996-01-15 | 2006-05-31 | Interactive Telecom Inc. | Method to provide voice call notification and control messaging over a data path |
US5872834A (en) * | 1996-09-16 | 1999-02-16 | Dew Engineering And Development Limited | Telephone with biometric sensing device |
US7103167B2 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2006-09-05 | Callwave, Inc. | Systems and methods for call screening |
US6981214B1 (en) * | 1999-06-07 | 2005-12-27 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Virtual editor and related methods for dynamically generating personalized publications |
JP2001168989A (en) | 1999-09-27 | 2001-06-22 | Ntt Comware Corp | Internet call waiting processing section, internet call waiting processing method, incoming call notice method and terminal |
US6621800B1 (en) | 2000-01-24 | 2003-09-16 | Avaya Technology Corp. | Message monitor application concept and implementation |
US7245612B2 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2007-07-17 | Nortel Networks Limited | Internet call waiting with voicemail system that provides monitoring during recording |
US7395212B2 (en) * | 2000-08-04 | 2008-07-01 | Aol Llc | Online reactivation of an account or service |
US6968174B1 (en) * | 2001-03-22 | 2005-11-22 | Callwave, Inc. | Call routing apparatus |
-
2002
- 2002-03-22 US US10/106,517 patent/US6968174B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2005
- 2005-08-26 US US11/212,536 patent/US7292841B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2007
- 2007-09-25 US US11/861,171 patent/US7907933B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2011
- 2011-03-07 US US13/042,368 patent/US20110161204A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-12-29 US US13/339,748 patent/US8374917B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2013
- 2013-02-11 US US13/764,191 patent/US8583508B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (57)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5825867A (en) * | 1984-09-14 | 1998-10-20 | Aspect Telecommunications Corporation | Enhanced call waiting |
US6643034B1 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 2003-11-04 | Audiofax Ip, Llc | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US5291302A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1994-03-01 | Audiofax, Inc. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US5459584A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1995-10-17 | Audiofax, Inc. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US6785021B1 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 2004-08-31 | Audiofax, Ip, Llc | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US4994926A (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1991-02-19 | F-Mail Associates, L.P. | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US4994926C1 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 2001-07-03 | Audiofax Ip L L C | Facsimile telecommunications system and method |
US4994926B1 (en) * | 1988-09-22 | 1998-08-18 | Audiofax Ip L L C | Fascimilie telecommunications system and method |
US5459548A (en) * | 1989-02-17 | 1995-10-17 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Information forming apparatus with mechanism for unsealing and sealing a cover of recording material |
US5533102A (en) * | 1993-09-22 | 1996-07-02 | Active Voice | Telephone auto attendant system for delivering chosen greetings to callers while on the phone |
US5577111A (en) * | 1993-11-19 | 1996-11-19 | Fujitsu Limited | Camp-on communication managing method and apparatus |
US5668861A (en) * | 1993-12-23 | 1997-09-16 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Telecommunications system with notification hold |
US5467388A (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 1995-11-14 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for selectively blocking incoming telephone calls |
US5533106A (en) * | 1994-06-27 | 1996-07-02 | Us West Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for processing calls wherein the display of calling party ID information has been inhibited |
US5651054A (en) * | 1995-04-13 | 1997-07-22 | Active Voice Corporation | Method and apparatus for monitoring a message in a voice mail system |
US6564321B2 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 2003-05-13 | Bobo Ii Charles R | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US6857074B2 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 2005-02-15 | J2 Global Communication, Inc. | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US6350066B1 (en) * | 1995-04-28 | 2002-02-26 | Bobo, Ii Charles R. | Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages |
US5884032A (en) * | 1995-09-25 | 1999-03-16 | The New Brunswick Telephone Company, Limited | System for coordinating communications via customer contact channel changing system using call centre for setting up the call between customer and an available help agent |
US5805587A (en) * | 1995-11-27 | 1998-09-08 | At&T Corp. | Call notification feature for a telephone line connected to the internet |
US6282276B1 (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 2001-08-28 | David Felger | Method of billing a value-added call |
US6430274B1 (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 2002-08-06 | Worldcomm Inc. | Validation query based on a supervisory signal |
US6345090B1 (en) * | 1996-09-04 | 2002-02-05 | Priceline.Com Incorporated | Conditional purchase offer management system for telephone calls |
US5963625A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1999-10-05 | At&T Corp | Method for providing called service provider control of caller access to pay services |
US5809128A (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 1998-09-15 | Interactive Telecom Inc. | Method and apparatus permitting notification and control of blocked incoming calls over a data network |
US5835573A (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1998-11-10 | At&T Corp | Method and system for call screening |
US6658100B1 (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2003-12-02 | Sbc Properties, L.P. | Method and apparatus for communicating information about a called party to a calling party |
US6208638B1 (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 2001-03-27 | J 2 Global Communications, Inc. | Method and apparatus for transmission and retrieval of facsimile and audio messages over a circuit or packet switched network |
US5995603A (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 1999-11-30 | At&T Corp | Telephone call screening device |
US6647256B1 (en) * | 1997-10-29 | 2003-11-11 | Sonera Oyj | Methods and system for remote access to and payment for products delivered from automated apparatus |
US6023502A (en) * | 1997-10-30 | 2000-02-08 | At&T Corp. | Method and apparatus for providing telephone billing and authentication over a computer network |
US6035031A (en) * | 1997-12-31 | 2000-03-07 | At&T Corp | Method and apparatus automatic call-back |
US6175622B1 (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 2001-01-16 | Northern Telecom Limited | Virtual private network for a telephone network |
US6169795B1 (en) * | 1998-03-30 | 2001-01-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Internet telephony callback system and method of operation |
US6549612B2 (en) * | 1998-05-06 | 2003-04-15 | Telecommunications Premium Services, Inc. | Unified communication services via e-mail |
US6304565B1 (en) * | 1998-05-20 | 2001-10-16 | At&T Corp. | Method of completing long distance pots calls with IP telephony endpoints |
US6310939B1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2001-10-30 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for screening a call as the call is transmitted to voice mail |
US6031896A (en) * | 1998-10-23 | 2000-02-29 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Real-time voicemail monitoring and call control over the internet |
US6438222B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-08-20 | At&T Corp. | Method and system for processing a telephone call while on-line |
US20020097710A1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-07-25 | Burg Frederick Murray | Method and system for processing a telephone call while on-line |
US6477246B1 (en) * | 1999-04-01 | 2002-11-05 | Callwave, Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing expanded telecommunications service |
US6751299B1 (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2004-06-15 | America Online, Incorporated | Voice messaging system |
US20030123629A1 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 2003-07-03 | Hussain Aamir M. | System and method for completing private calls made to private numbers |
US20050265322A1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2005-12-01 | Rex Hester | Enabling quality voice communications from web page call control |
US6661785B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2003-12-09 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing internet call waiting with voice over internet protocol |
US6353660B1 (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2002-03-05 | Ss8 Networks, Inc. | Voice call processing methods |
US6690785B1 (en) * | 2000-04-12 | 2004-02-10 | America Online, Inc. | System and method for providing called party information for centralized telephone service |
US20020010616A1 (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2002-01-24 | Dani Itzhaki | System and method for dissemination of counseling and advice in a distributed networking environment |
US20010037264A1 (en) * | 2000-04-26 | 2001-11-01 | Dirk Husemann | Payment for network-based commercial transactions using a mobile phone |
US6505163B1 (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2003-01-07 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Network and method for providing an automatic recall telecommunications service with automatic speech recognition capability |
US6405035B1 (en) * | 2000-08-24 | 2002-06-11 | Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson | System and method for forwarding messages to a subscriber device |
US20020176558A1 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2002-11-28 | Christopher Tate | Modem and system with call waiting switching facilities and method of supporting customer access to a service provider |
US20030063731A1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2003-04-03 | Woodring Larry D. | Systems and methods for recording and providing enhanced caller information in an advanced intelligent network |
US6738461B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2004-05-18 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for returning a call over a telephony system |
US6879677B2 (en) * | 2001-11-01 | 2005-04-12 | Callwave, Inc. | Methods and systems for telephony call completion |
US20030156700A1 (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2003-08-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Time based regulation of access to callees |
US20040010472A1 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2004-01-15 | Hilby Robert T. | System and method for verifying information |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030220866A1 (en) * | 2001-12-28 | 2003-11-27 | Findwhat.Com | System and method for pay for performand advertising in general media |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7907933B1 (en) | 2011-03-15 |
US8374917B1 (en) | 2013-02-12 |
US20060003735A1 (en) | 2006-01-05 |
US7292841B2 (en) | 2007-11-06 |
US8583508B1 (en) | 2013-11-12 |
US6968174B1 (en) | 2005-11-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8374917B1 (en) | Call routing apparatus | |
US8229844B2 (en) | Method of billing a purchase made over a computer network | |
AU709790B2 (en) | Interactive and information data services telephone billing system | |
US7555458B1 (en) | Method of billing a purchase made over a computer network | |
US6553108B1 (en) | Method of billing a communication session conducted over a computer network | |
US8630942B2 (en) | Method of billing a purchase made over a computer network | |
US8873738B2 (en) | Controlling hold queue position adjustment | |
US7340045B2 (en) | Method of billing a communication session conducted over a computer network | |
US5960069A (en) | Method of billing a multiple service representative conference call | |
US20150131789A1 (en) | Destination device billing according to call recipient | |
JPH1031634A (en) | Safety system for data network and its method | |
CA2390494A1 (en) | A method of billing a purchase made over a computer network | |
EP1014671A2 (en) | Arrangement for billing or billing authorization using a telecommunication network | |
US8260679B2 (en) | System and method of event triggered voice call origination | |
JP2002204309A (en) | Method and system for the leasing process of telephone numbers | |
AU6545299A (en) | Arrangement for billing or billing authorization using a telecommunication network |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |