MXPA97001837A - Method and apparatus for a prepag return call - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for allowing a calling subscriber to leave a message for a called party that is not reachable. The method and apparatus allow the calling subscriber to have an option for a prepaid return call that is invoiced to the calling subscriber. When the intended recipient of the call is not reached, the call is transferred to a message server from the subscriber calling the option for a pre-paid return call to the recipient. The recipient is then notified of the pre-paid return call available through periodic return calls to the intended recipient or by alerting the recipient the next time the recipient makes a call. The recipient of the message has the option to return the call immediately or at a later time within the speed of time established by the subscriber

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A TATT-AWAnA "PREPAID RETURN FOR THE INVENTION The present invention relates to telecommunications and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for allowing a calling party to place a voice message for a called party not available. , with a pre-paid callback option, which allows the unavailable party to return the pre-paid call to the calling party Background of the Invention Today's well-known telecommunications systems make it possible for a calling party to leave a message for a non-available recipient This is generally achieved with some type of automated telephone answering device, which is used by the intended recipient that allows the calling party to leave a recorded message In addition, the lines "1-800"Currently available or specialized subscriber services, allow the calling party that maintains this service to offer the calling party a callback is not available to the calling party that is free of charge. In the case of specialized subscriber service, the calling party returns the call as a "collect call" under a "preferred" calling party collect status. When this call is made, the subscriber service typically employs some type of operator assistance that verifies the source phone of the REF: 23512 calling party, security access code, and other data to verify its status as a party that call collect "preferred". These current and other similar methods require that the calling party and the called party both participate in a pre-determined subscriber service in order to obtain the benefits of the pre-paid telephone callback. Additionally, a subscriber status is fixed and can not be changed dynamically to allow pre-paid return calls on an ad-hoc basis. In this way, a subscriber who wishes both a pre-paid and pre-paid telephone return call, must purchase either a conventional line or a "1-800" line or "preferred" pre-paid calling services. determined. Therefore, there is a need for a simpler, ad-hoc method of returning a call free of charge, without the undue inconvenience associated with operator assistance and / or 1-800 lines that are acquired from as few as just one user. alleged. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically establishing a telecommunications connection between a calling party number and a receiving party number in a telephony network having a telecommunications switching system connected to a a message server and a billing system connected to both the switching system and the message server. The method comprises the steps of allowing to leave a message with the message server; supply the message to the recipient party number with the message server; and return a call to the calling party number, where the callback is initiated by the recipient party number in response to the message. • The stage of allowing to leave a message may include providing the calling party number with an option to prepaid charges for the return call from the recipient party number, where the billing system makes the charges for the call back to the calling party number. The stage of sending the message may include calling the recipient party number, with the message server, up to a pre-determined maximum number of times, until the recipient answers one of the calls, each of the calls is made to predetermined time intervals. Both the maximum number of calls and the time intervals are chosen by the calling party number. Also, according to the present invention, a telecommunications system for automatically establishing a telecommunications connection between a calling party number and a receiving party number. The system comprises telecommunication switching means for connecting the calling party number to the receiving party number and means for message services, connected to the switching means, for registering a message placed by the calling party and supplying the message to the destination party number, whereby the message causes the destination party number to return a call to the calling party number. Description of the Drawings A more complete understanding of the present invention can be obtained by considering the following description in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the system of the present invention; and Figures 2a and 2B are flow charts illustrating a preferred exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention. Detailed Description of Various Illustrative Modes The present invention makes it possible for an originating caller to leave a recorded voice message for an unavailable calling party and more importantly provides the originating caller with a call option of pre-paid return, which invoices the return call to the originating caller.

With reference to Figure 1, a system layout 10 of the components employed in the pre-paid callback option of the present invention is illustrated. The system 10 includes a telephony network 12 connecting a plurality of telephone equipment 20, 22 and 24. Included in the telephone network 12 is a telephone call origin switching system 14, which is connected to a server of paid response messages 18, and a billing system 16. The message server 18 is activated by the switching system 14 when an originating caller represented by the telephone equipment 20, is unable to reach a intended recipient at the destination represented by the telephone equipment 22. The message server 18 used in the present invention allows the originating caller to leave a recorded voice message for an unavailable called party and provide the calling subscriber 20 with a pre-paid return call option that invoices the intended recipient 22 the return call to the originating subscriber 20, if desired. The billing system 16 which also connects to the message server 18, operates in conjunction with the message server 18 to record the charges of any return call that is established by the message server 18. The system 10 of the present invention it is extremely flexible and will allow the intended recipient to return the pre-paid call at the site represented by the telephone equipment 22 or any other return call location as represented by the telephone equipment 24. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate as the payback return call method of the present invention, it is implemented in the system 10 described above. First with reference to Figure 2A, the method of the present invention is initiated when the originating caller subscribes a call 30 to the recipient. In response to placing the call, the switching system 14 determines whether the call is answered 32 by the recipient. If the call is answered, thereby establishing a telecommunications connection between the originating caller and the intended recipient, the message server 18 is not activated and the switching system 14 normally processes the call 34. However, if the call is not answered, the switching system then determines why the call is not answered 36. There are a number of conditions that will cause the originating caller 20 to be unable to reach the intended recipient 22. For example, if the network or the user is busy, the switching system 14 will withdraw the call and connect 38 to the message server 18. The message server 18 can also be triggered if the recipient does not respond after a pre-determined number of seconds. Under these circumstances, the switching system 14 will maintain the connection, attenuate the audible bell (so that the message server 18 can be heard by the calling subscriber) and then connect 40 to the message server 18. It will be understood that the activation conditions presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended as the only conditions that activate the message server 18 of the present invention. In any case, if the intended recipient can not be reached, the switching system 14 will connect to the message server 18. The message server 18 announces the status of the call 42 (recipient not available, etc.) and determines whether the subscriber calling source 20 wants to leave a recorded voice message 44 for the recipient. If the calling subscriber chooses to leave a message, the message server 18 will record the message of the originating caller 52 (and will also withdraw the call if the message server 18 was connected by the block 40). The message server 18 will then determine whether the calling party would like the option of paying a return call 54 of the recipient. If the calling party chooses to pay a return call from the recipient, the calling subscriber can achieve this by specifying this option using the telephone's numeric keypad, by voice activation or by some other similar method. When the pre-paid option is chosen, the message server 18 will alert the calling party for more information 56 to precisely place and bill the return call of the recipient. This information may include the name of the originator of the call, the number to answer the call of the originating caller, the number to be called to supply the message, the time and frequency of call to the recipient to deliver the message, the maximum number of attempts to send the message and the maximum time to allow pre-paid return calls, etc. The message server 18 will record and store this data according to step 56. Next, the message server 18 will create a record of the call request and store it on the message server 18 according to step 58. If the calling subscriber does not choose the pre-paid return call option in step 54, the message server 18 will create a fair record of the message and store it in the message server according to step 58. Returning to the stage 44, if the calling subscriber chooses not to leave a message, the message server 18 will then determine whether the calling subscriber wishes to pay for a return call 46 from the recipient. If the calling party chooses not to pay for the return call and the message server 18 is connected according to step 40 (without response conditions), the message server 18 will continue to call the recipient, announces a method for re-accessing the message server 18, and the control of the call 48 returns to the switching system 14. If the calling subscriber chooses not to pay for the return call and the message server 18 is connected according to step 38 (busy conditions ) the message server 18 will terminate the call 50. If on the other hand, the calling party does not wish to leave a message, chooses to pay for the return call according to step 46, the message server 18 will record the originating name of the message. the call will obtain and store information at the time and site for return call according to step 56 and record the call request according to step 58. Now with reference to Figure 2B, periodic attempts will be made after a delay interval specified by the calling subscriber (in accordance with the instructions of the originating caller) to call the intended recipient and provide the message and / or notification that the return call is pre-arranged. paid. This is implemented by the message server 18 as illustrated in steps 60, 62 and 64 up to the maximum number of attempts specified by the originating caller according to step 56. When the call is answered by the recipient, the message server 18 provides the message and / or the notification that the return call is pre-paid 66 to the recipient. If a pre-paid return call option is available to the recipient, the message server 18 signals the recipient 68 to choose or not to choose a pre-paid return call. The recipient chooses the desired option when using the telephone's numeric keypad by voice activation or other similar methods. If the recipient chooses not to return the pre-paid call, the message server then provides the recipient with an option to leave a message 94 for the originating caller. If the recipient chooses to leave a message, the message is written 80, and stored in the message server 18. Next, the message server 18 provides the message and a billing record is subsequently prepared 82 by the billing system 16 However, if the recipient chooses not to leave a message, the message server 18 will terminate the call and record the results. A billing record of this call will then be prepared 96 subsequently by the billing system 16. Returning to step 68if the recipient chooses to return the pre-paid call, the recipient can return the call immediately according to the instructions of the originator 70. In particular, the call will be immediately placed to the return call number specified by the originating caller. , thereby establishing a bridging telecommunications connection between the message server 18 and the recipient and the message server 18 and the originating caller 20, if the call is answered 72.

If the call is answered, a billing record is subsequently prepared 74 by the billing system 16. When the call is not answered, the message server will ask if the recipient wishes to re-attempt the return call later or leave a message of return 76. If the recipient does not choose either of these two options, the message server 18 will finish recording the results of the call and the billing record will be subsequently prepared 78 by the billing system 16. If the recipient chooses to leave the option of the return message of step 76, the message server 18 will register the message 80 and store it on the message server 18. Next, the message server 18 will provide messages to the originating caller and the billing system 16 will prepare the billing record 82. If the recipient chooses to retry the subsequent callback option in step 76 or step 8, and The message server 18 will ask the recipient at the time of the next call attempt (the time must be within the parameters of the originating caller) and place the call on the waiting list. After the delay specified by the recipient, the message server 18 will re-attempt the call to both the originating caller and the recipient 86 simultaneously. The message server will attempt simultaneous retry calls up to the maximum number of times specified by both the recipient and the originating caller. The message server 18 must then determine if the call 88 is answered. If the call is answered, the results of the call will be recorded and subsequently a billing record will be prepared by the billing system 16. If the call is not answered , the message server will re-adjust to the delay time and collect on the waiting list within the instruction parameters of both the recipient and the originating caller. As will now be apparent, the method and paid response apparatus of the present invention provides the calling party of the recipient with an easy and convenient method to respond to important messages without being billed by the response call or by responding to messages to a later time more convenient, according to the instructions of calling party of origin. In addition, the calling party can easily return the call without operator assistance or a pre-determined subscriber status. Numerous modifications and alternate embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description should be considered as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and exclusive use is reserved for all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1.- A method for automatically providing a telecommunications connection between a calling party number and the part number of the recipient in a telephony network, characterized by: having a telecommunications switching system connected to a message server and a billing system connected to both the switching system and the message server, the method includes the steps of: (a) allowing a message to be left with the message server, where the message is generated by the part number that call; (b) supplying the message to the recipient party number with the message server; (c) provide the return of a call to the calling party number, where the callback is initiated by the recipient party number, in response to the message.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of allowing to leave a message includes providing the calling party number with a pre-paid charge option for the return call from the part number. recipient, where the billing system charges for the call back to the calling party number.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of supplying the message includes storing a pre-determined maximum number of times in which the recipient party will be called to supply the message and a time interval to wait. between making each of the calls, with &1 message server, the predetermined maximum number and the time interval is chosen by the calling party number.
4. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the step of supplying the message also include calling the recipient party number, with the message server, up to the pre-determined maximum number of times, until the recipient responds One of the calls, each of the calls is made at time intervals.
5. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of returning a call includes establishing a bridge telecommunication connection between a first telecommunications connection and a second telecommunications connection, the first telecommunications connection is between the server messages and the recipient party, and the second telecommunications connection is between the message server and the calling party.
6. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of allowing a message to be left out includes the steps of: placing a call in the destination party number, the call is unable to reach the destination party number; and connect the calling party number to the message server with the switching system.
7. 7. - The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of supplying the message includes notifying the recipient party number that a return call is prepaid by the calling party number.
8. 8. A telecommunications system for automatically providing a telecommunications connection between a calling party number and a receiving party number, comprising: telecommunications switching means for connecting the calling party number to the receiving party number; and characterized by: means for message services, connected to the switching means, for recording a message placed by the calling party, and supplying the message to the destination party number, whereby the message causes the recipient part number return a call to the calling party number.
9. 9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for providing the message service provide the calling party number with an option to pre-paid charges for the return call from the receiving party number.
10. 10. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises billing means connected both to the switching means and to the means for receiving messages, to calculate a cost of the return call and to invoice the cost of the callback to the calling party.
11. 11. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for serving messages notify the recipient party number that the return call is paid for by the calling party number.
12. 12. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the message server means store data that is indicative of a pre-determined maximum number of times that the destination party number will be called to supply the message interval of time to wait between making each of the calls, the predetermined maximum number and the time interval are chosen by the calling party number.
13. 13.- The system in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the means for serving messages calls the destination party number up to the predetermined maximum number of times, until the recipient answers one of the calls, each of the calls is made in the time intervals.