Abstract: A system and machine-implemented method for automated communication is presented. Outbound communication time window groups associated with one or more ranges of time valid are identified for initiating an outbound communication. A set of outbound communication time window groups for each of which the current time is within its associated ranges of time is identified. Subsequently, a call record associated with one of the outbound communication time window groups in the set is obtained, and an outbound communication session is initiated to a communication address included in the obtained call record. After an outbound communication session is established, it may be transferred to a live agent. If the outbound communication session has failed however, another outbound communication session may be initiated to the communication address within a later time range.

Abstract: A method is described herein which enables a person to use their mobile phone to establish a voice connection with a central server, then send call control information in-band in the voice channel (via a voice user interface (VUI), digital tone multi-frequency (DTMF) or Multi-Frequency (MF) signaling) to setup a call between a convenient phone (e.g., land-line phone or mobile phone which has a better tariff structure) and one or more destination phone(s). Once the call is setup, the mobile phone can be hung-up to save on mobile connection costs and then a person can use the convenient phone to talk to a person using the destination phone.

Abstract: Methods for enabling enhanced call return in a communications network is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a subscriber as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the network. Some embodiments of the methods include allowing the subscriber to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. In some embodiments, the subscriber subscribes to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of a service plan. The ECR feature allows the subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A system for implementing inquiry callback and information update services including a computer system having a miss call solution database. The computer system is configured to intercept an incoming call from a caller inquiring about a service, identify and log information corresponding to the caller, terminate the incoming call without interacting with the caller, and provide a miss call solution from the miss call solution database to the identified caller. The miss call solution including information corresponding to the service.

Abstract: An independent communication system (ICS) used in a transaction between a waiting party and a queuing party is adapted to connect to a particular node in an interactive voice response (IVR), wherein the queuing party has the IVR and the IVR has a plurality of nodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for operating a voice dialog system and a voice dialog system which can be controlled over a telecommunications link by a communications terminal, a speech element transmitted by the communications terminal being received by a receiving unit of the voice dialog system and being analyzed for statement content in a processing unit, the speech element being filed in a memory assigned to the processing unit and after the telecommunications link is broken being analyzed by the processing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating communications. User selection of multiple contacts from an address book are received. The user selection of multiple contacts are added to a contact schedule. The multiple contacts listed in the contact schedule are automatically called. A voice communication is initiated in response to a receiving party answering a call. A message specified by a user is sent to the receiving party in response to the receiving party not answering the call.

Abstract: Information processor 1 includes display unit 30 for displaying an interface screen having function execution key unit 23 indicating a prescribed function for each function type, and interface screen change key unit 22 for switching each function type; interface screen control unit 20 for controlling display switching of the screen on the display unit 30 in response to an input operation signal; interface screen operation history recording unit 110 for recording, as continuous operation information, operation time and operation contents of the function execution key unit 23 or interface screen change key unit 22 in response to the input operation signal; likelihood value providing unit 120 for calculating and adding, to each function the function execution key unit 23 indicates, a likelihood value indicating a degree of a user desire from the continuous operation information recorded; priority recognition word setting unit 130 for outputting word information corresponding to the function whose likelihood valu

Abstract: System and method to revoke call-back requests, the method including: transmitting a plurality of communication requests from a caller to one or more callees; determining mootness of a request for a call-back from at least some of the callees; initiating, by use of a single command, a plurality of call-back cancellation requests to the at least some of the callees; and transmitting one or more call-back cancellation requests to the at least some of the callees. The method may further include determining a characteristic shared by the communication requests to the at least some of the callees. Determining a characteristic may include determining subject matter from message content, metadata, or sending time of the communication requests. The request for a call-back is determined by the caller or inferred by a callee. Call-back cancellation may include removal of a call indication from a notification list of the callee.

Abstract: An incoming call relaying status identifying unit determines whether or not a call receiving request from an incoming call forwarding system is delivered through a preset forward source terminal apparatus based on incoming call relaying status identifying information included in the call receiving request. Next, when a determination based on the incoming call relaying status identifying information brings about a positive result, a display unit displays information for a call-back including forward source terminal information representing the forward source terminal apparatus utilized for relaying the incoming call based on the incoming call relaying status identifying unit. This makes it possible for a user of a forward destination to recognize from which forward source the incoming call is forwarded.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible call processing. In one embodiment, a first call from a calling party intended for a called party is received at a call processing system. The call processing system places a second call to a telephonic device associated with the called party. The calling party and called party communicate via the first and second calls. A determination is made that the first call has been terminated. A call-back instruction is received from the called party while the second call is still in place. At least partly in response to receiving the call-back instruction, a third call is placed to a terminal associated with the calling party. The calling party and the called party can communicate via the second call and the third call.

Abstract: A system, method and non-transitory computer readable medium including computer-executable instructions for handling calls. In an exemplary method of the disclosure, it may be determined whether a call should be transferred from the VSS to an agent based on, for example, agent availability or queue wait times. When it is determined to transfer the call to the agent, it may be determined whether a callback call should be offered to the caller. When it is determined to offer the callback call, one or more time blocks may be provided to which the caller can initiate the callback call to receive higher priority routing. Upon calling back into the system within one of the time blocks, the call may receive preferential routing treatment.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media provide presenting a customized message to an incoming calling party and for allowing the calling party to save or forward the customized message. A called party submits a customized message to an intelligent network component of her telecommunications service provider along with identifiers for specified incoming callers who are to receive the customized message upon calling the called party. After the customized message is prepared, incoming callers who have been associated with the customized message are presented with the customized message before being connected to the called party. If the incoming call is not from a telephone directory number associated with the customized message, the incoming call is processed according to normal call processing methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing interruptions in a multiple communication mode environment are provided herein. For example, a method may include receiving at least first and second instances of communication data associated with first and second communication modes; obtaining first and attribute data related to the first and second instances of communication data; classifying the first and second instances of communication data into first and second categories based on the first and second attribute data using the interruption management device; and determining whether to interrupt a user by delivering the first instance of communication data or the second instance of communication data based on the first and second categories, respectively. The first category and the second category may be selected from a plurality of predetermined categories using a classification algorithm. The first communication mode may be different than the second communication mode.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing call connection notification. In order to provide a call connection notification service, a telephone number of a callee may be received when a caller transmits a call connection request to the callee. Based on the telephone number of the callee, public relations (PR) information may be searched for. A result of the searching may be provided to a user equipment of the caller.

Abstract: A method, device and system for implementing a customized ring back tone service and a customized ring tone service are disclosed. The method includes: a second server receives a first early media response returned by a terminal comprising a first media negotiation result which is obtained by the terminal performing media negotiation with a first server according to a first early media request; the second server generates a second early media request according to the received first early media response comprising a second attribute identification for identifying the second early media request, and sends the first early media response and the second early media request; the first server completes the media negotiation with the calling terminal according to the first early media response and a called terminal completes the media negotiation with the second server according to the second early media request.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications. A call processing system receives a first call from a caller intended for a first person. A notification regarding the first call is transmitted over a network to a terminal associated with the first person. A user interface is displayed on the terminal via which the first person can indicate that a callback message is to be transmitted to the caller. The callback message is transmitted to the caller, wherein the callback message includes an identification of the first person, a callback control, and text indicating that the caller is to activate the control to initiate another call to the first person. At least partly in response to the caller activating the control, A second call to be placed via which the first person and caller are connected.

Abstract: An independent communications system (ICS) is used in a transaction between a waiting party and a queuing party, with the queuing party having a interactive voice response (IVR). The IVR includes multiple nodes and the ICS is adapted to connect to a particular node in the IVR.

Abstract: System and method for handling a transaction between a waiting party and queuing party include an independent communication system (ICS) managing calls between the waiting party and calling party for handling sensitive data as well as call-attached data. The ICS manages the transaction in different stages and with different levels of sensitivity. Either party is allowed to modify the call or call preferences during the transaction. The ICS works independently from the queuing party calling system.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a proactive scheduler having a controller element to determine a scheduling conflict between a called party and a calling party according to calendar information of the called party and presence information of the called party. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Targeted content is provided to at least one communication device responsive to a notification of a missed communication. Responsive to a notification of the missed communication, a selection of one of a plurality of different pricing options is received for a return communication. Targeted content is provided, in addition to content of the return communication, based on the selected pricing option.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding communications, such as telephone calls over a voice network, are provided. A user accesses a data network to specify one or more rules for forwarding telephone calls. For example, the user may use an electronic calendar to specify patterns for forwarding their telephone calls. These patterns may include one or more rules for determining a forwarding pattern, and one or more time periods specifying when the pattern is effective. The rules are provided to a service center which provides configuration information to the voice network. The voice network then forwards calls based on the configuration information for the time periods specified by the user.

Abstract: A telephone call processing arrangement establishes a path between a called switching center and call feature server in response to receipt of an incoming call to a subscriber. A predetermined message is transmitted from the call feature server, and the incoming call is disconnected with out extending a call leg to the subscriber. Such provision may be employed for a mobile or landline subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.

Abstract: A call reminder functionality is provided by an arrangement that is operable with a network-enabled communication device in which a reminder to return a phone call can be generated in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a call event. When the call event occurs, an option is displayed on a user interface (“UI”) on the device to create a link between the call and the user's schedule application. If the user selects the option, a callback task is added to the user's task list maintained by the schedule application, and a reminder to make the callback is generated and then displayed on the UI at a future time. The reminder includes pertinent call information and also includes a button that enables the user to place the callback through the UI (i.e., a “one-click call back”).

Abstract: A system and method for providing call-back options is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a call in a call routing system, providing at least one call-back option for a caller to receive a call-back, re-allocating resources in the call routing system based at least in part on the at least one call-back option, and calling the caller based on the at least one call-back option. The caller may specify a specific time, a relative time, or a time range when a call-back is preferred. The caller may also specify one or more telephone numbers in combination with the time preferences. The call-back may be initiated by a voice response unit (VRU) and additional call-back options may be presented to the customer who responds to the call-back.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating emergency callbacks are provided. A request to permit the connection of a telephone call originated by a user device may be received by a call processing system. The call processing system may include any number of computers or computing devices. The telephone call may be identified by the call processing system as an emergency call. Based upon the identification, the call processing system may override one or more incoming call parameters to permit connection of a return call to the user device.

Abstract: A method for accessing a CCBS service based on an identity comprises: when receiving a call invite and determining that the call invite includes a call completion indicator, a Terminating Application Server (T_AS) authenticates the identity of a caller initiating the call invite, allows the access of the caller when the identity authentication is passed; and rejects the access of the caller when the identity authentication is failed.

Abstract: A method for callback processing in telecommunication capability opening, a telecommunication capability opening server, a client, and a telecommunication capability opening service system are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a telecommunication capability application programming interface (API) call request sent by a client, where the telecommunication capability API call request includes a callback information parameter; performing callback processing according to the telecommunication capability API call request, and generating a callback message according to the callback information parameter; and pushing the callback message to the client.

Abstract: An approach is provided for facilitating the delivery of content to a device through activation of an indicator executable on the device. One or more user devices are determined to receive the content from a content delivery platform using an electronic directory service. An application to provide an indicator representing the content is pushed to the device for initiating a request for the content from the device. In response to the request, a determination is made as to whether to grant the request for delivery of the content to the device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates using a non-signaling network, such as a global computer network. This can be accomplished without additional specialized telephone equipment or any modifications to switches and databases in either country. Also, the telephone call can be established without any manipulations of signaling information transmitted by a carrier in the high traffic country. Such an approach provides flexible allocation of charges for originating a telephone call from a country with low telephone rates to a country with high telephone rates.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a caller to specify a condition of availability for a return call when the caller is unable to reach the called user. A condition might indicate a time interval in which the caller is willing to accept a return call, a location, or some other constraints. In the illustrative embodiments, when a caller places a call and is unable to reach the called user, the caller is prompted via an interactive voice response (IVR) system for one or more conditions of availability for a return call. As soon as the called user's terminal becomes available, a software application checks whether the condition of availability is satisfied, and if so, establishes a call between the caller's terminal and the called user's terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments are configured to provide reminders associated with communications and other events. In an embodiment, components of a communication system can operate to generate, maintain, and implement reminders associated with communications and other events. A reminder can be automatically generated and scheduled for one or more users of the communication system when a user is unavailable or unable to take a call. Reminders can be generated to include information which can be used to establish a communication event for a subsequent communication associated with each reminder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing a call center to accept and schedule callback appointments for the service of inbound calls at times which are convenient for the inbound caller as well as automatically placing an outbound call at the scheduled callback time. The system collects information from the caller when scheduling a callback time which assists the agent with servicing the scheduled callback more efficiently than the original incoming call. The system also uses algorithms and various system parameters to determine how many agents are needed to service all scheduled callbacks at a given time while maximizing the efficiency of the agents by avoiding having agents service callbacks which fail to reach the person to be serviced for various reasons. When not enough agents are available to handle the scheduled callbacks and current incoming calls the called back individual is automatically connected to the next available agent avoiding the line of incoming calls entirely.

Abstract: In various embodiments, advertising campaigns can be defined that incorporate technologies such as two-dimensional bar codes or embedded links in electronic material, for directing a user to communicate with a call center. For instance, in particular embodiments, the reading of a two-dimensional bar code may cause a communication to be sent to, and received at, the call center, where a calling campaign associated with an advertising campaign is identified using information associated with the communication. Likewise, in particular embodiments, the activation of an embedded link may cause a communication to be sent to a publisher, who sends a communication to the call center. Upon determining the calling campaign, an appropriate agent is selected and a communication, such as a voice call, is initiated to the user. In particular instances, if a no-answer condition is reached as a result of the communication, another communication may be scheduled for a later time.

Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to determining, with a computing device, an amount of time that has elapsed since the computing device was last utilized for processing an outgoing or an incoming phone call. The computing device may determine that the amount of time that has elapsed exceeds a threshold time value. Responsive to the determination, the computing device may identify a phone number to call with the computing device, may establish a voice connection using the identified phone number, and may output a message using the voice connection.

Abstract: A callback system and method are provided. The callback method includes steps as followed: determining whether or not a phone number of a call request is one of the predetermined phone numbers in the list when the communication terminal receives the call request, hanging up the call request and dialing back the phone number of the call request when the phone number of the call request is one of the predetermined phone numbers in the list. A communication terminal with a callback function is also provided.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a proactive scheduler having a controller element to determine a scheduling conflict between a called party and a calling party according to calendar information of the called party and presence information of the called party. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for call processing. By way of example, a first call control is visually provided via a Web page in association with search results transmitted to a user computer system, wherein the user submitted to search request to a search engine. An indication is received that the user activated the first call control. A first call is placed to a telephonic address selected by the user. A second call is placed to a telephonic address associated with the first call control. Progress information related to the second call is transmitted to the user computer system in substantially real-time.

Abstract: Methods for enabling enhanced call return in a communications network is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a subscriber as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the network. Some embodiments of the methods include allowing the subscriber to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. In some embodiments, the subscriber subscribes to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of a service plan. The ECR feature allows the subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for redirecting a call via centralized bridges comprises a first conferencing platform based in a first country, a second conferencing platform based in a second country, and a third conferencing platform based in a third country, wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform.

Abstract: A call setup process (28) in a telecommunication device (10) is controlled, wherein the telecommunication device (10) receives a user command (22) to set up a call, initiates the call setup process (28), determines that the call is likely to reach a voicemail system (14), and, in response to the determination that the call is likely to reach the voicemail system (14), automatically terminates the call setup process (28). A telecommunication device (10) comprises related features. A telecommunication network (12) is adapted to support or implement a determination whether or not an incoming call is forwarded to the voicemail system (14). The invention improves the user experience if a called party does not personally answer a telephone call.

Abstract: A system and method employed in a call center provide a memory structure for use in maintaining a call queue including data representing a plurality of calls to be serviced, and the data is structured so as to represent an order in which the plurality of calls are to be serviced. The call queue data further indicates whether each call is to be handled as an inbound or an outbound call. When an incoming call is received by the call center and no service representative is currently available to service the call, the caller is prompted to elect to either wait on-line for a next available service representative or to disconnect the call and receive a call back at a later time. An aspect of this technology is that the caller does not lose his or her place in the queue and is not stuck on hold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy and Do-Not-Disturb capable telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: An apparatus has a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to schedule a communication between a contact center and a communication device associated with a user, prompt the user to configure a geographic location for the communication device, track geographic location for the communication device, and initiate the communication in response to determining that the geographic location of the communication device appliance is the configured geographic location.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for redirecting a call via centralized bridges comprises a first conferencing platform based in a first country, a second conferencing platform based in a second country, and a third conferencing platform based in a third country, wherein the first conferencing platform dials the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform to provide a conference call between the second conferencing platform and the third conferencing platform.

Abstract: A system and method for automated connection triggered by availability status. The present invention includes a method of determining whether a connection request is pending to connect to a previously unavailable party and automatically making the connection now that the party is available. An alternate method includes generating a request to automatically connect to a party when the party becomes available. Application of embodiments of the present invention includes a telephony and/or an internet system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications. A call processing system receives a first call from a caller intended for a first person. A notification regarding the first call is transmitted over a network to a terminal associated with the first person. A user interface is displayed on the terminal via which the first person can indicate that a callback message is to be transmitted to the caller. The callback message is transmitted to the caller, wherein the callback message includes an identification of the first person, a callback control, and text indicating that the caller is to activate the control to initiate another call to the first person. At least partly in response to the caller activating the control, A second call to be placed via which the first person and caller are connected.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing debit card service based on callback. The method is applied to a mobile terminal set with an automatic dialing function unit, automatic dialing function of the automatic dialing function unit is activated, and a number corresponding to the mobile terminal is bound with one debit card. The method includes the following steps: a preset callback access number is dialed before the called number by the automatic dialing function unit in the mobile terminal to connect the call to a debit card service platform when the mobile terminal calls the called number; the debit card service platform releases the call and calls back the mobile terminal; the called number is continued by the debit card service platform after the mobile terminal answers the callback; the debit card service based on callback is implemented.