Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue

Details Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue

2007-06-12

2007-06-12

Tsang, Fan (Department: 2614)

Telephonic communications

Centralized switching system

Call distribution to operator

C379S309000, C379S265020

Reexamination Certificate

active

09973581

ABSTRACT:
One embodiment of the invention provides for receiving a call from a caller, the call being associated with a first merchant; placing the call in a queue; determining a second merchant; and establishing a connection, the connection enabling communication between the caller and the second merchant while the call is in the queue.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3997718 (1976-12-01), Ricketts et al.
patent: 4468528 (1984-08-01), Reece et al.
patent: 4577067 (1986-03-01), Levy et al.
patent: 4706275 (1987-11-01), Kamil
patent: 4788715 (1988-11-01), Lee
patent: 4893330 (1990-01-01), Franco
patent: 4953204 (1990-08-01), Cuschleg, Jr. et al.
patent: 4975942 (1990-12-01), Zebryk
patent: 5003584 (1991-03-01), Benyacar et al.
patent: 5020095 (1991-05-01), Morganstein et al.
patent: 5020152 (1991-05-01), Glista, Jr.
patent: 5058152 (1991-10-01), Solomon et al.
patent: 5146491 (1992-09-01), Silver et al.
patent: 5148474 (1992-09-01), Haralambopoulos et al.
patent: 5163086 (1992-11-01), Ahearn et al.
patent: 5166974 (1992-11-01), Morganstein et al.
patent: 5204894 (1993-04-01), Darden
patent: 5222121 (1993-06-01), Shimada
patent: 5249219 (1993-09-01), Morganstein et al.
patent: 5251252 (1993-10-01), Katz
patent: 5287403 (1994-02-01), Atkins et al.
patent: 5311574 (1994-05-01), Livanos
patent: 5353335 (1994-10-01), D'Urso et al.
patent: 5359642 (1994-10-01), Castro
patent: 5420926 (1995-05-01), Low et al.
patent: 5436967 (1995-07-01), Hanson
patent: 5444774 (1995-08-01), Friedes
patent: 5469497 (1995-11-01), Pierce et al.
patent: 5483588 (1996-01-01), Eaton et al.
patent: 5485510 (1996-01-01), Colbert
patent: 5488411 (1996-01-01), Lewis
patent: 5511112 (1996-04-01), Szlam
patent: 5513117 (1996-04-01), Small
patent: 5515421 (1996-05-01), Sikand et al.
patent: 5521631 (1996-05-01), Budow et al.
patent: 5528670 (1996-06-01), Elliot et al.
patent: 5537464 (1996-07-01), Lewis et al.
patent: 5546446 (1996-08-01), Tsunokawa et al.
patent: 5557109 (1996-09-01), Bidnyy et al.
patent: 5559871 (1996-09-01), Smith
patent: 5561707 (1996-10-01), Katz
patent: 5565908 (1996-10-01), Ahmad
patent: 5581270 (1996-12-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5592537 (1997-01-01), Moen
patent: 5603078 (1997-02-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 5608785 (1997-03-01), Kasday
patent: 5621787 (1997-04-01), McKoy et al.
patent: 5627884 (1997-05-01), Williams et al.
patent: 5638426 (1997-06-01), Lewis
patent: 5651058 (1997-07-01), Hackett-Jones et al.
patent: 5675637 (1997-10-01), Szlam et al.
patent: 5715298 (1998-02-01), Rogers
patent: 5729279 (1998-03-01), Fuller
patent: 5749075 (1998-05-01), Toader et al.
patent: 5767894 (1998-06-01), Fuller et al.
patent: 5784565 (1998-07-01), Lewine
patent: 5818512 (1998-10-01), Fuller
patent: 5818836 (1998-10-01), DuVal
patent: 5825863 (1998-10-01), Walker
patent: 5835126 (1998-11-01), Lewis
patent: 5867566 (1999-02-01), Hogan et al.
patent: 5872834 (1999-02-01), Teitelbaum
patent: 5875231 (1999-02-01), Farfan et al.
patent: 5884284 (1999-03-01), Peters et al.
patent: 5946378 (1999-08-01), Farfan
patent: 5946388 (1999-08-01), Walker et al.
patent: 5978467 (1999-11-01), Walker et al.
patent: 6002760 (1999-12-01), Gisby
patent: 6014439 (2000-01-01), Walker et al.
patent: 6049603 (2000-04-01), Schwartz et al.
patent: 6139431 (2000-10-01), Walker et al.
patent: 6178240 (2001-01-01), Walker et al.
patent: 6208729 (2001-03-01), Agraharam et al.
patent: 6301354 (2001-10-01), Walker et al.
patent: 6366668 (2002-04-01), Borst et al.
patent: 6400804 (2002-06-01), Bilder
patent: 6614783 (2003-09-01), Sonesh et al.
patent: 6665396 (2003-12-01), Khouri et al.
patent: 6724885 (2004-04-01), Deutsch et al.
patent: 6801620 (2004-10-01), Smith et al.
patent: 6820260 (2004-11-01), Flockhart et al.
patent: 6925161 (2005-08-01), Burg et al.
patent: 6940962 (2005-09-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 6959081 (2005-10-01), Brown et al.
patent: 2002/0191775 (2002-12-01), Boies et al.
patent: 2003/0031309 (2003-02-01), Rupe et al.
patent: 2003/0161464 (2003-08-01), Rodriguez et al.
patent: 2004/0174980 (2004-09-01), Knott et al.
patent: 2005/0074108 (2005-04-01), Dezonno et al.
patent: 2005/0195961 (2005-09-01), Pasquale et al.
patent: WO 98/10558 (1998-12-01), None
“Audio.Com (North Miami, Florida) is Working to Turn Telephone Hold Time into a Prime Promotional Opportunity”, Advertising Age, Dec. 20, 1982, pg. 24MW1.
“Callers Don't Mind Hearing Helpful Ads When on Hold”, Telecommunication Alert, Dec. 1990, vol. 8, No. 12.
Doyle, T.C., Wordperfect's Mix Deejays Offer Users Toll-free Easy Listening, Computer Reseller News, Jan. 6, 1992, pg. 114.
“Acquistion: US West Marketing Resources Acquires Please Hold Promotions.”, Edge, on & about AT&T, Mar. 7, 1994, vol. 9, No. 293, pg. 25(1).
Valenz, Shari, “Going Past the Tip of the Iceberg: Unified Messaging and Multimedia Apps are Voice Mail's Future.”, Teleconnect, Apr. 1994, vol. 12, No. 4, pg. 66(28), ISSN: 0740-9354.
Higgins, Terry, “Since we're Always on Hold, We might As Well Dance to it.”, Business Journal-Milwaukee, Apr. 9, 1994, vol. 11, No. 27, pg. 5A(1).
Day, Charles E., “New Technologies that Facilitate Integrated Inbound/Outbound Marketing”, Telemarketing, May 1994, vol. 12, No. 11, pg. 75(4).
Day, Charles E., “Call-blending Technology that Suits your Needs: Predictive Dialer Manufacturer's Perspective”, Telemarketing, Jan. 1995, vol. 13, No. 7 pg. 56(2).
Manrique, John, “Focus On: Options for On-Hold Messaging Equipment.”, Telemarketing, Mar. 1995, vol. 13, No. 9, pg. 53(3).
Ousey, Alison, “Voice Mail: New Directions.” Teleconnect, Apr. 1995, vol. 13, No. 4, pg. 63(25), ISSN: 0740-9354.
“Focus on: What to Expect from an On-hold Message Service Provider.”, Telemarketing, Aug. 1995, vol. 14, No. 2, pg. 38(3).
“US Call Center Hardware and Software Markets”, Frost & Sullivan, Feb. 1996.
Kidd, Joe, “Oregon's Symantec Hires Telephone ′QJS′ to Entertain Callers”, Register-Guard, Feb. 22, 1996.
Deixler, Lyle, “Teledata's Call Link for Windows.”, Teleconnect, Mar. 1996, vol. 14, No. 3, pg. 44(2).
Hall, Susan Bard, “Hotels Dialing Up ‘On Hold’ Promos”, Hotel & Motel Management, Mar. 18, 1996, vol. 211, No. 5, pg 10.
Anderson, J, “Microsoft Return of the Arcade.”, Computer Gaming World, May 1996, No. 142, pg. 54(1).
Ousey, Alison, “On-Hold Messaging.”, Teleconnect, Sep. 1996, vol. 14, No. 9, pg. 54(12).
Pulliam, Liz, “College Students May Learn the Hardest Accounting Lessons Outside the Classroom.”, The Orange County Register, Sep. 1, 1996, Business Section, pg. K01.
“Kids Phone Usage Another Way for Marketers to get Connected”, Phillips Business Information, Inc. Jan. 22, 1997.
“CollegeTalk: A must for any family with a student in college.”, (http//www adforce com/video/ctalk.htm), download date: May 21, 1997.
“US West, Qwest Create Phone Alliance”, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 11, 1998, Section: News, pg. D2.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for entertaining callers in a queue will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3835457