Technique for returning calls in response to received messages

Abstract

When a caller calls a called party through an information assistance system, the caller is afforded an option to leave a message for the called party in the event that the call cannot be successfully completed. The system creates a data file associated with the message which contains, among others, the caller's and called party's telephone numbers. The system then establishes from time to time a first connection to the called party's number to attempt to deliver the message thereto. When the called party receives the message through the first connection, in accordance with the invention, the called party is afforded an option to call the caller back, without first terminating the first connection. Once the called party selects the option, e.g., by pressing a predetermined key on the keypad, in response the system establishes a second connection to the caller's number, which is stored in the associated data file. The system then bridges the first connection to the second connection, thereby connecting the called party to the caller.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for facilitating communications between a caller and a called party, the apparatus comprising: 
 storage for storing a message for the called party from the caller, and a telephone number for contacting the caller;    a switch interface for causing an establishment of a first connection to deliver the message therethrough to the called party; and    a device for detecting a signal generated by the called party, which indicates an initiation of a call to the caller, the switch interface, in response to the detected signal, causing an establishment of a second connection to the telephone number, the first connection being bridged to the second connection.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the message is recorded by the caller.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a message identification is assigned to the message for association with the telephone number.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the telephone number is derived from an automatic number identifier (ANI).  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising a voice response unit (VRU).  
     
     
         8 . A messaging system comprising: 
 storage for storing a message for a called party from a caller whose call to a called station associated with the called party was previously unanswered, and a telephone number for contacting the caller;    an interface for eliciting from the caller at least one preference concerning delivery of the message;    a switch for establishing a first connection to the called station to deliver therethrough the message in accordance with the preference; and    a device for detecting a predetermined signal from the called station, the switch, in response to the detected predetermined signal, establishing a second connection to a calling station associated with the stored telephone number, the first connection being bridged to the second connection.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the preference includes a time range within which the message is delivered.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the number of attempts to deliver the message is not greater than a predetermined maximum limit.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the call was unanswered due to a busy condition.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the call was unanswered due to a ring-no-answer condition.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the call was unanswered due to a communication problem.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the telephone number is derived from an ANI.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         17 . A communications system accessible by a customer for obtaining information about a desired party, the system comprising: 
 a server for providing a destination telephone number for contacting the desired party;    a switch for establishing a first connection to a destination station associated with the destination telephone number;    a processor for monitoring signals on the first connection;    an interface for prompting the customer to leave a message when a signal from the first connection indicating that the destination station is not answering is detected;    storage for storing the message and a calling telephone number for contacting the customer, the switch establishing a second connection to the destination station to deliver the message therethrough; and    a device for detecting a predetermined signal from the destination station, the switch, in response to the detected predetermined signal, establishing a third connection to a calling station associated with the calling telephone number, the second connection being bridged to the third connection.    
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the monitored signals include a busy signal.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the monitored signals include a signal indicative of a ring-no-answer condition.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the monitored signals include a signal indicative of a communication problem.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising an operator assisting the customer to obtain the information.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the calling telephone number is derived from an ANI.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the calling telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         25 . A method for facilitating communications between a caller and a called party, the method comprising: 
 storing a message for the called party from the caller, and a telephone number for contacting the caller;    causing an establishment of a first connection to deliver the message therethrough to the called party;    detecting a signal generated by the called party, which indicates an initiation of a call to the caller;    in response to the detected signal, causing an establishment of a second connection to the telephone number; and    bridging the first connection to the second connection.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the message is recorded by the caller.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising assigning a message identification to the message for association with the telephone number.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the telephone number is derived from an ANI.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         31 . A method for use in a messaging system, comprising: 
 storing a message for a called party from a caller whose call to a called station associated with the called party was previously unanswered, and a telephone number for contacting the caller;    eliciting from the caller at least one preference concerning delivery of the message;    establishing a first connection to the called station to deliver therethrough the message in accordance with the preference;    detecting a predetermined signal from the called station;    in response to the detected predetermined signal, establishing a second connection to a calling station associated with the stored telephone number; and    bridging the first connection to the second connection.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the preference includes a time range within which the message is delivered.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the number of attempts to deliver the message is not greater than a predetermined maximum limit.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the call was unanswered due to a busy condition.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the call was unanswered due to a ring-no-answer condition.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the call was unanswered due to a communication problem.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the telephone number is derived from an ANI.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the predetermined signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         40 . A method for use in a communications system accessible by a customer for obtaining information about a desired party, the method comprising: 
 providing a destination telephone number for contacting the desired party;    establishing a first connection to a destination station associated with the destination telephone number;    monitoring signals on the first connection;    prompting the customer to leave a message when a signal from the first connection indicating that the destination station is not answering is detected;    storing the message and a calling telephone number for contacting the customer;    establishing a second connection to the destination station to deliver the message therethrough;    detecting a predetermined signal from the destination station;    in response to the detected predetermined signal, establishing a third connection to a calling station associated with the calling telephone number; and    bridging the second connection to the third connection.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the monitored signals include a busy signal.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the monitored signals include a signal indicative of a ring-no-answer condition.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the monitored signals include a signal indicative of a communication problem.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising assisting the customer to obtain the information using an operator.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the calling telephone number is derived from an ANI.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the calling telephone number is provided by the caller.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the predetermined signal includes a DTMF signal.