US6016342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telecommunications apparatus for initiating calls based on past calling patterns
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-18
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Granted: 2000-01-18
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Expires: 2017-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties based on past calling patterns is characterized by the steps of monitoring telephone calls made over a period of time; identifying calling patterns based on the telephone calls; and placing a telephone call based on the calling patterns. The method thus learns and anticipates telephone calls based on monitoring the calling party's calling patterns over a given time period.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Ira Schwartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/2218; H04M3/42; H04M3/432; H04M3/44; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/27463; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2016; H04M3/424
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and prompting the calling party to determine whether the calling party wishes to proceed with placing a scheduled telephone call that is based on the calling pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and prompting the calling party to determine whether the calling party wishes to proceed with placing a scheduled telephone call that is based on the calling pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a signal not to proceed with placing the scheduled telephone call.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the signal not to proceed is a hang-up signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a signal to proceed with placing the scheduled telephone call.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the signal to proceed is a stay on the line of a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of prompting the calling party to leave a message for the called party if the scheduled telephone call cannot be completed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and removing a scheduled telephone call from a list that is based on the calling pattern if the calling party elects not to proceed with the scheduled telephone call x consecutive times.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and removing a scheduled telephone call from a list that is based on the calling pattern if the calling party elects not to proceed with the scheduled telephone call x consecutive times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of reinstating the scheduled telephone call if the calling party makes repetitive calls to that telephone number.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and placing a scheduled telephone call based on the calling pattern, wherein all of the method steps are implemented by one of a local switch, a tandem switch and a toll switch.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; identifying a repetitive calling pattern based on the monitored telephone calls; and placing a scheduled telephone call based on the calling pattern, wherein all of the method steps are implemented by one of a local switch, a tandem switch and a toll switch.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and adding a telephone call to the list of scheduled telephone calls based on a request from the calling party.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and adding a telephone call to the list of scheduled telephone calls based on a request from the calling party.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and deleting a telephone call from the list of scheduled telephone calls based on a request from the calling party.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and deleting a telephone call from the list of scheduled telephone calls based on a request from the calling party.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and wherein the scheduled telephone calls are placed according to a scheduled date and time.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties, comprising steps of: monitoring telephone calls placed by the calling party over a period of time; creating a list of scheduled telephone calls based on the monitored telephone calls; placing a telephone call based on the list of scheduled telephone calls; and wherein the scheduled telephone calls are placed according to a scheduled date and time.
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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) | 2003-01-17 | 2003-07-19 | 2004-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-17 | 2007-07-19 | 2008-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-17 | 2011-07-19 | 2012-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |