US5557658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications marketing system
Assignee: MARSHALL COMMUNICATIONS LLC
•
Filing: 1994-08-11
•
Granted: 1996-09-17
•
Expires: 2014-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A communications marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software permits transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which has been temporarily disconnected from a called network station and placed on hold within the network. The network is adapted for allowing an identified called station connected to a first call from a first party at a first network address to receive a second call from a second party at a second network address. The network interrupts the called station and signals the called station of the second call. The called station can then choose to connect to the second call and temporarily disconnect the first party, placing the first party on hold within the network, and thereafter, the called station may switch between the first and second calls. The system plays at least one generally continuous announcement to the party placed on hold by the called station until the called station signals the network to reconnect the called station to the party on hold, at which time the playing of the announcement is terminated. The system further provides a custom audio and/or visual message and/or menu in lieu of a dial tone signal to a party initiating a connection with the communications network.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark R. Gregorek
- 👤 Jeffrey C. Dillow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/58; H04M3/42017; H04M3/428; H04M3/4283; H04M3/4285; H04M3/487; H04M3/4872; H04M3/4878; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04707; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04744; H04M15/00; H04M19/00; H04M19/02; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/38; H04M3/48; H04M7/00; H04M7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network to permit transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with an identified called station, wherein an identified called station connected to a first call with a first party at a first station at a first network address can receive another call from another party at another station at a separate network address, the identified called station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the first station and place the first station on hold within the network and to connect the identified called station to the other station, and thereafter the identified called station being able to reconnect to the first station, the system comprising: means for placing a first call by a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address; means for connecting the first call to the second station; means for placing a second call from a third station having a third network address to a selected one of the first and second stations; means for notifying the one selected station of the second call and transmitting a call progress signal to the third station; means for the one selected station to temporarily disconnect from the nonselected station and place the nonselected station on hold within the network and for connecting the one selected station to the third station; means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the nonselected station while the nonselected station is on hold within the network; and means for the one selected station to temporarily disconnect from the third station and reconnect to the nonselected station, thereby terminating the playing of the announcement to the nonselected station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network to permit transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with an identified called station, wherein an identified called station connected to a first call with a first party at a first station at a first network address can receive another call from another party at another station at a separate network address, the identified called station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the first station and place the first station on hold within the network and to connect the identified called station to the other station, and thereafter the identified called station being able to reconnect to the first station, the system comprising: means for placing a first call by a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address; means for connecting the first call to the second station; means for placing a second call from a third station having a third network address to a selected one of the first and second stations; means for notifying the one selected station of the second call and transmitting a call progress signal to the third station; means for the one selected station to temporarily disconnect from the nonselected station and place the nonselected station on hold within the network and for connecting the one selected station to the third station; means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the nonselected station while the nonselected station is on hold within the network; and means for the one selected station to temporarily disconnect from the third station and reconnect to the nonselected station, thereby terminating the playing of the announcement to the nonselected station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the third station is placed on hold within the network when the nonselected station is reconnected to the one selected station, and the means for playing plays at least one generally continuous announcement to the third station while the third station is on hold within the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for notifying the station on hold within the network that the one selected station has abandoned the call if the one selected station abandons the call.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the third station in lieu of transmitting a call progress signal to the third station, until the third station abandons the second call or the one selected station answers the second call.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the playing means plays a sequence of announcements and wherein the system repeatedly generates additional announcements at predetermined intervals until the station on hold is reconnected to the one selected station or the station on hold abandons the call.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising interaction means for permitting a party at the station on hold within the network to interact with the means for playing an announcement, during the playing of the announcement, by initiating a predetermined response.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising selecting means for allowing a party at the station on hold to select a type of announcement to be played.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the announcement includes audio and video components.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the announcement is digitally stored within the playing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the playing means determines the announcement to play based upon criteria established by the marketing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means remotely located from the playing means for changing, updating or deleting the announcement.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
306 words
A method for use with an existing communications network for playing one or more generally continuous announcements to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with an another network station, wherein a first party at a first station at a first network address on a call with a second station at a second network address can receive a call from a third station at a third network address, the first station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the second station and place the second station on hold within the network and to connect the first station to the third station, and thereafter the first station being able to reconnect to the second station, the method comprising: connecting a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address to complete a first call; a third station having a third network address placing a second call to a selected one of the first and second stations; notifying the one selected station of the second call and transmitting a call progress signal to the third station; the one selected station of the second call signalling the network to temporarily disconnect from the nonselected station and place the nonselected station on hold within the network; connecting the one selected station to the third station; playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the nonselected station while the nonselected station is on hold within the network; the one selected station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect from the third station and reconnect to the nonselected station; disconnecting the third station from the one selected station and reconnecting the nonselected station to the one selected station; and terminating the playing of the announcement to the nonselected station and reconnecting the nonselected station to the one selected station.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
306 words
A method for use with an existing communications network for playing one or more generally continuous announcements to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with an another network station, wherein a first party at a first station at a first network address on a call with a second station at a second network address can receive a call from a third station at a third network address, the first station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the second station and place the second station on hold within the network and to connect the first station to the third station, and thereafter the first station being able to reconnect to the second station, the method comprising: connecting a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address to complete a first call; a third station having a third network address placing a second call to a selected one of the first and second stations; notifying the one selected station of the second call and transmitting a call progress signal to the third station; the one selected station of the second call signalling the network to temporarily disconnect from the nonselected station and place the nonselected station on hold within the network; connecting the one selected station to the third station; playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the nonselected station while the nonselected station is on hold within the network; the one selected station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect from the third station and reconnect to the nonselected station; disconnecting the third station from the one selected station and reconnecting the nonselected station to the one selected station; and terminating the playing of the announcement to the nonselected station and reconnecting the nonselected station to the one selected station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of placing the third station on hold within the network in response to the one selected station signalling the network to temporarily disconnect from the third station; and playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the third station while the third station is on hold within the network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of notifying the station on hold within the network that the one selected station has abandoned the call if the one selected station abandons the call.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of playing at least one generally continuous prerecorded announcement to the third station in lieu of transmitting a call progress signal to the third station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of permitting the station on hold within the network to interact with the announcement, during the playing of the announcement, by initiating a predetermined response.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of allowing the station on hold within the network to select a type of announcement to be played.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
232 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network to permit transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with another network station, wherein a first station at a first network address is connected to a call with a second station at a second network address, a selected one of the first or second stations signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the other station and place the other station on hold within the network, the selected station being able to reconnect to the other station, the system comprising: means for placing a call by a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address; means for connecting the call to the second station; means for a selected one of the first and second stations to notify the network to temporarily disconnect from the other station and place the other station on hold within the network; means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to at least one of the one selected station and the other station while the other station is on hold within the network; and means for the one selected station to reconnect to the other station, thereby terminating the playing of the announcement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
232 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network to permit transmitting a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with another network station, wherein a first station at a first network address is connected to a call with a second station at a second network address, a selected one of the first or second stations signalling the network to temporarily disconnect the other station and place the other station on hold within the network, the selected station being able to reconnect to the other station, the system comprising: means for placing a call by a first party at a first station having a first network address to a second station having a second network address; means for connecting the call to the second station; means for a selected one of the first and second stations to notify the network to temporarily disconnect from the other station and place the other station on hold within the network; means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to at least one of the one selected station and the other station while the other station is on hold within the network; and means for the one selected station to reconnect to the other station, thereby terminating the playing of the announcement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the means for playing plays the announcement only to the one selected station while the other station is on hold.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the means for playing plays the announcement only to the other station while the other station is on hold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 18 further comprising means for notifying the station on hold within the network that the one selected station has abandoned the call if the one selected station abandons the call.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the playing means plays a sequence of announcements and wherein the system repeatedly generates additional announcements at predetermined intervals until the station on hold is reconnected to the one selected station or the station on hold or the one selected station abandons the call.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as recited in claim 18 further comprising interaction means for permitting the station to which the announcement is played to interact with the means for playing an announcement, during the playing of the announcement, by initiating a predetermined response.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 18 further comprising selecting means for allowing the station to which the announcement is being played to select a type of announcement to be played.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the announcement includes audio and video components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the announcement is digitally stored within the playing means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the playing means determines the announcement to play based upon criteria established by the marketing system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for use with an existing communications network for playing one or more generally continuous announcements to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with another network station, wherein a first station at a first network address is connected to a call with a second station at a second network address, a selected one of the first or second stations being temporarily disconnected from the other station and placed on hold within the network and prior to reconnecting the one selected station to the other station, the method comprising: the first station signalling the network to place the second station on hold within the network; temporarily disconnecting the first station from the second network address and placing the second station on hold within the network; playing at least one generally continuous announcement to at least one of the first station and the second station while the second station is on hold within the network; the first station signalling the network to reconnect to the second station; and terminating the playing of the announcement and reconnecting the second station to the first station.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for use with an existing communications network for playing one or more generally continuous announcements to a network station which is waiting to reconnect to a call with another network station, wherein a first station at a first network address is connected to a call with a second station at a second network address, a selected one of the first or second stations being temporarily disconnected from the other station and placed on hold within the network and prior to reconnecting the one selected station to the other station, the method comprising: the first station signalling the network to place the second station on hold within the network; temporarily disconnecting the first station from the second network address and placing the second station on hold within the network; playing at least one generally continuous announcement to at least one of the first station and the second station while the second station is on hold within the network; the first station signalling the network to reconnect to the second station; and terminating the playing of the announcement and reconnecting the second station to the first station.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the announcement is played only to the first station.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the announcement is played only to the second station.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 28 further comprising the step of playing a sequence of announcements at predetermined intervals until the first station signals the network to reconnect the call to the second station or the first station abandons the call.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 28 further comprising the step of permitting the station to which the announcement is played to interact with the announcement, during the playing of the announcement, by initiating a predetermined response.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 28 further comprising the step of allowing the station to which the announcement is played to select a type of announcement to be played.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the announcement is determined based upon criteria established by the marketing system independent of the identity of the network address of either the first station or the second station.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
148 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network and by replacing at least a portion of a dial tone signal generated by the communications network by a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement, the system comprising: means for placing a first call by a party at a first station at a first network address; means for connecting the first station at the first network address to a switch in the communications network, the switch transmitting a dial tone signal to the first station; means for signalling the switch to activate the marketing system; and means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the party at the first station in lieu of the dial tone signal for a predetermined period of time or until the party at the first station abandons the communication attempt.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
148 words
A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software of the existing communications network and by replacing at least a portion of a dial tone signal generated by the communications network by a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement, the system comprising: means for placing a first call by a party at a first station at a first network address; means for connecting the first station at the first network address to a switch in the communications network, the switch transmitting a dial tone signal to the first station; means for signalling the switch to activate the marketing system; and means for playing at least one generally continuous announcement to the party at the first station in lieu of the dial tone signal for a predetermined period of time or until the party at the first station abandons the communication attempt.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as recited in claim 35 further comprising interaction means for permitting the first station to interact with the means for playing an announcement by initiating a predetermined response.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 35 wherein the means for playing plays a custom announcement based upon the first network address.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the means for playing includes filters and agents that allow for the customization of the announcement, the custom announcement being based upon input by the party at the first station at the first network address.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system as recited in claim 35 further comprising; means for checking a subscription list to determine the presence of the first network address on the subscription list and providing a signal indicative thereof; and means for activating the marketing system in response to said signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 35 wherein the announcement includes audio and video components.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 35 wherein the playing means plays a sequence of announcements and wherein the system repeatedly generates additional announcements at predetermined intervals until the first station initiates a predetermined response.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as recited in claim 35 further comprising selecting means for allowing the first station to select a type of announcement to be played.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 35 wherein the announcement is digitally stored within the playing means.
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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) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-03-18 | 2000-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-17 | 2004-03-18 | 2004-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-17 | 2008-03-18 | 2008-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |