US5854837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for providing interactive data exchange between an interactive platform and a caller
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
•
Filing: 1996-01-09
•
Granted: 1998-12-29
•
Expires: 2016-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for providing interactive data exchange between an interactive platform, a caller and at least one operator work associated with the interactive platform. A public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature connects the caller to the interactive platform and connects the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal. The interactive platform is operatively connected to the public switched telephone network and includes an audiotex subsystem for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals. The interactive platform further stores an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform. The at least one operator is operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals to and from the caller and for receiving at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record stored by the interactive platform in response to the operator assistance signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry F. Trader
- 👤 Leslie Darrell Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/50; H04M3/51
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for providing interactive data exchange between a caller and an interactive platform having at least one operator associated therewith, the method comprising: providing a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, the public switched telephone network for connecting the caller to the interactive platform and for utilizing the call transfer feature for connecting the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; providing the interactive platform operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and for facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals, the interactive platform further for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform and for generating the operator assistance signal in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator; and providing the at least one operator operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals to and from the caller and for receiving at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record stored by the interactive platform in response to the operator assistance signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for providing interactive data exchange between a caller and an interactive platform having at least one operator associated therewith, the method comprising: providing a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, the public switched telephone network for connecting the caller to the interactive platform and for utilizing the call transfer feature for connecting the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; providing the interactive platform operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and for facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals, the interactive platform further for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform and for generating the operator assistance signal in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator; and providing the at least one operator operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals to and from the caller and for receiving at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record stored by the interactive platform in response to the operator assistance signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein providing the public switched telephone network further includes providing the public switched telephone network for returning the caller to the interactive platform after the caller obtains assistance from the at least one operator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein providing the public switched telephone network for returning the caller to the interactive platform further includes providing the public switched telephone network for disconnecting the at least one operator from the caller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the interactive platform includes a plurality of operators and wherein providing the interactive platform for generating the operator assistance signal includes providing the interactive platform for determining an available operator from the plurality of operators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the interactive platform includes a host database containing telephone numbers of the plurality of operators who have logged in and wherein providing active platform for determining the available operator includes providing the interactive platform for determining which of the plurality of operators have logged in.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 4 wherein providing the interactive platform for determining the available operator includes providing the interactive platform determining the available operator based on a predetermined algorithm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein providing the interactive platform further includes providing the interactive platform for determining a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator, comparing the length of time with a predetermined time limit, and disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
236 words
For use with an interactive platform coupled to a public switched telephone network that provides access to the interactive platform via an incoming telephone line, and has a call transfer feature, a method for providing interactive data exchange between a caller accessing the interactive platform and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform and coupled to the public switched telephone network, the method comprising: providing interactive data exchange between the interactive platform and the caller; storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform; in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator, providing a first switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line utilizing the call transfer feature of the public switched telephone network so as to place the caller on hold and obtain a dial tone; utilizing the dial tone to connect the caller with the at least one operator while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; providing the at least one operator with at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record so as to assist the at least one operator in instructing the caller; determining a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator; comparing the length of time with a predetermined time limit; and disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
236 words
For use with an interactive platform coupled to a public switched telephone network that provides access to the interactive platform via an incoming telephone line, and has a call transfer feature, a method for providing interactive data exchange between a caller accessing the interactive platform and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform and coupled to the public switched telephone network, the method comprising: providing interactive data exchange between the interactive platform and the caller; storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform; in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator, providing a first switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line utilizing the call transfer feature of the public switched telephone network so as to place the caller on hold and obtain a dial tone; utilizing the dial tone to connect the caller with the at least one operator while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; providing the at least one operator with at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record so as to assist the at least one operator in instructing the caller; determining a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator; comparing the length of time with a predetermined time limit; and disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 8 wherein the step of disconnecting the caller includes the step of providing a second switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
232 words
For use with an interactive platform coupled to a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, a system for providing interactive data exchange between a caller and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform and coupled to the public switched telephone network, the system comprising: the public switched telephone network for providing access to the interactive platform on an incoming telephone line; and the interactive platform including: means for providing interactive data exchange with the caller; means for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform; means for providing a first switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line in response to the caller requesting operator assistance so as to place the caller on hold and obtain a dial tone and for connecting the caller with the at least one operator while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; means for providing the at least one operator with at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record so as to assist the operator in instructing the caller; means for determining a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator; means for comparing the length of time with a predetermined time limit; and means for disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
232 words
For use with an interactive platform coupled to a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, a system for providing interactive data exchange between a caller and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform and coupled to the public switched telephone network, the system comprising: the public switched telephone network for providing access to the interactive platform on an incoming telephone line; and the interactive platform including: means for providing interactive data exchange with the caller; means for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform; means for providing a first switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line in response to the caller requesting operator assistance so as to place the caller on hold and obtain a dial tone and for connecting the caller with the at least one operator while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; means for providing the at least one operator with at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record so as to assist the operator in instructing the caller; means for determining a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator; means for comparing the length of time with a predetermined time limit; and means for disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 10 wherein the means for disconnecting the caller from the interactive platform includes means for utilizing a second switchhook flash on the incoming telephone line.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for providing interactive data exchange between an interactive platform, a caller and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform, the system comprising: a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, the public switched telephone network for connecting the caller to the interactive platform and for utilizing the call transfer feature for connecting the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; the interactive platform operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and for facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals, the interactive platform further for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform and for generating the operator assistance signal in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator; and the at least one operator operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals to and from the caller and for receiving at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record stored by the interactive platform in response to the operator assistance signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for providing interactive data exchange between an interactive platform, a caller and at least one operator associated with the interactive platform, the system comprising: a public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature, the public switched telephone network for connecting the caller to the interactive platform and for utilizing the call transfer feature for connecting the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal while maintaining the connection between the caller and the interactive platform; the interactive platform operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and for facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals, the interactive platform further for storing an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform and for generating the operator assistance signal in response to the caller requesting assistance from the operator; and the at least one operator operatively connected to the public switched telephone network for transmitting and receiving telephone signals to and from the caller and for receiving at least a portion of the interactive data exchange record stored by the interactive platform in response to the operator assistance signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the public switched telephone network is further operative to return the caller to the interactive platform after the caller obtains assistance from the at least one operator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as recited in claim 13 wherein the public switched telephone network is farther operative to disconnect the at least one operator from the caller in return the caller to the interactive platform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the interactive platform includes a plurality of operators and wherein the interactive platform is further operative to determine an available operator from the plurality of operators in response to the caller requesting operator assistance.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the interactive platform includes a host database containing telephone numbers of the plurality of operators who have logged in and wherein the interactive platform, in determining the available operator, is further operative to determine the available operator based on which of the plurality of operators have logged in.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the interactive platform, in determining the available operator, is further operative to determine the available operator based on a predetermined algorithm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the interactive platform is an electronic classified interactive platform.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the interactive platform is further operative to determine a length of time the caller interacts with the at least one operator, compare the length of time with a predetermined time limit, and disconnect the caller from the interactive platform if the length of time exceeds the predetermined time limit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-06-29 | 2002-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | 2006-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-28 | 2010-06-29 | 2010-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |