Patent US6272115B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6272115B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interactive toll-free telephone service automation
Assignee: Sprint Communications Co LP
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Filing: 1998-01-28
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Granted: 2001-08-07
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Expires: 2018-01-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides methods and systems for implementing interactive toll-free telephone services by customers remotely communicating with a telephone service provider. The interactive toll-free telephone service can be designed by the customer and implemented by the telephone service provider without the immediate assistance of a salesperson. The methods/systems can be implemented over, e.g., the Internet, an intranet, or through a voice recognition system using the telephone.
Inventors
- 👤 Emmett Marion Elliott, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M15/00; H04M15/08; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M2215/00; H04M2215/01; H04M2215/0168; H04M2215/0176; H04M2215/62; H04M7/00; H04M7/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; and implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; and implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises a computer network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the computer network comprises an intranet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein the computer network comprises the Internet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises a telephone network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 6 , further comprising communicating the platform scripting logic to a telephone service platform, whereby the interactive toll-free telephone service can be implemented.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service comprises implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service for a limited period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising storing the interactive toll-free telephone service design.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving customer identification information from the customer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising communicating a telephone number for the interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer, wherein the communication network comprises the Internet; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic; communicating the platform scripting logic to a telephone service platform; implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service for a limited period of time with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer; and communicating a telephone number for the interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer, wherein the communication network comprises the Internet; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic; communicating the platform scripting logic to a telephone service platform; implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service for a limited period of time with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer; and communicating a telephone number for the interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising: a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; means for connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; means for providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; means for receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; means for implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service on a telephone service platform with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
132 words
A system for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising: a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; means for connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; means for providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design an interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location; means for receiving an interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer through the communication network; means for implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service on a telephone service platform with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 13 , wherein the communication network comprises a computer network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 14 , wherein the computer network comprises an intranet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 14 , wherein the computer network comprises the Internet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 13 , wherein the communication network comprises a telephone network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 13 , further comprising means for converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 18 , further comprising means for communication the platform scripting logic to the telephone service platform, whereby the interactive tool-free telephone service can be implemented.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 13 , further comprising means for storing the interactive toll-free telephone service design.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using an object-oriented programming language.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 21 , wherein the object-oriented programming language is HTML.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using a voice recognition system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using telephone keypad commands.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using an object-oriented programming language.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 25 , wherein the object-oriented programming language is HTML.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using an object-oriented programming language.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 27 , wherein the object-oriented programming language is HTML.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using a voice recognition system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 17 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using telephone keypad commands.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service without the assistance of a salesperson; receiving the interactive toll-free telephone service design and customer identification information from the customer through the communication network; creating a data record comprising the interactive toll-free telephone service design and customer identification information; converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic; communicating the platform scripting logic to a telephone service platform; implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service for a limited period of time on the telephone service platform with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer; communicating a telephone number for the interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can test the interactive toll-free telephone service without the assistance of a salesperson; and retaining the data record after the limited period of time for later implementation of the interactive toll-free telephone service on a permanent basis if desired by the customer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for providing interactive toll-free telephone service comprising the steps of: providing a service automation system for processing requests for interactive toll-free telephone service; connecting the service automation system to a communication network whereby a request for interactive toll-free telephone service can be communicated to the service automation system by a customer; providing design parameters for designing an interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service without the assistance of a salesperson; receiving the interactive toll-free telephone service design and customer identification information from the customer through the communication network; creating a data record comprising the interactive toll-free telephone service design and customer identification information; converting the interactive toll-free telephone service design received from the customer into platform scripting logic; communicating the platform scripting logic to a telephone service platform; implementing the interactive toll-free telephone service for a limited period of time on the telephone service platform with a call flow based on the interactive toll-free telephone service design from the customer; communicating a telephone number for the interactive toll-free telephone service to the customer, whereby the customer can test the interactive toll-free telephone service without the assistance of a salesperson; and retaining the data record after the limited period of time for later implementation of the interactive toll-free telephone service on a permanent basis if desired by the customer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 31 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service without knowledge of a code programming language from a remote customer-specific location.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 31 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using an object-oriented programming language.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 32 , wherein the object-oriented programming language is HTML.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 31 , wherein the communication network comprises a computer network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 34 , wherein the computer network comprises an intranet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 34 , wherein the computer network comprises the Internet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 31 , wherein the communication network comprises a telephone network.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 37 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using a voice recognition system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 37 , wherein the customer can design the interactive toll-free telephone service using telephone keypad commands.
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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) | 2004-08-06 | 2005-02-05 | 2005-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-06 | 2009-02-05 | 2009-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-06 | 2013-02-05 | 2013-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |