Communications network interface for user friendly interactive to online services

Abstract

A method and a system for connecting a service provider and a user at a remote location relative to the service provider, via a network based telecommunications device, are provided. The method includes utilizing a network operable terminal for transmitting communications between the service provider and the user, employing a display screen depicting a user selectable options menu, corresponding with service functions offered by the service provider, and enabling the user to choose an option from the user selectable options menu to initiate a corresponding communication to the service provider. The system includes a user operable terminal including a user interface display screen with user selectable menu options that are changeable in accordance with differing modes of operation, an internal processing unit configured for providing at least one selectable menu option; and a gateway service platform configured for transmitting an option selected from the at least one selectable menu option to and from one of the user or the provider.

1 . A method for connecting a service provider and a user at a remote location relative to the service provider, via a network based telecommunications device, said method comprising:
 utilizing a network operable terminal for transmitting communications between the service provider and the user;   employing a display screen depicting a user selectable options menu, corresponding with service functions offered by the service provider;   enabling the user to choose an option from the user selectable options menu to initiate a corresponding communication to the service provider; and   sending a responsive corresponding communication from the service provider to the user in response to the corresponding communication.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the service provider relates to at least one of banking, bill paying, shopping, travel, flowers or gifts information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selectable options menu comprises at least one of accessing an account, conducting a transaction, transmitting data, requesting information, obtaining a service receiving information, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the transaction is identified by at least one of (1) a user identification number; (2) a secret code; (3) a serial number encoded in a transmission protocol from a user interface; or any combination thereof 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communications are protected from unauthorized users of the network operable terminal by at least one layer of security. 
     
     
         6 . A system for a user to communicate with at least one service provider over a network, said system comprising:
 a user operable terminal including a user interface display screen with user selectable menu options that are changeable in accordance with differing modes of operation;   an internal processing unit configured for providing at least one selectable menu option, wherein the at least one selectable menu option includes an option for connecting a user with a service provider representative;   a gateway service platform configured for transmitting an option selected from the at least one selectable menu option to and from one of the user or the provider, wherein selection of the option prompts a message including user/provider voice communication in response to the selection; and   a device configured to enable the user to communicate with the at least one service provider upon connection therewith by a switch initiating an interconnection with and data communication between the user operable terminal and the at least one service provider through the gateway service platform wherein, upon connection of the user to the at least one service provider, display of the user selectable menu options on the user operable terminal is ended and the user operable terminal becomes interconnected with the selected service provider representative;   wherein the gateway service platform is configured to provide a back-up customer service, when the at least one service provider cannot directly resolve a customer inquiry while the user operable terminal is connected via a link to the selected option through the gateway service platform, said link being invisible to the user who thus perceives the service provider as offering the selected option.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user interface display screen comprises touch screen images that allow for the user to select the option by touching an image to initiate a communication to the at least one service provider. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the selection of the option prompts a message including at least one of transaction confirmation, error explanation, transaction repetition, or any combination thereof 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal is configured to receive and send electronic data communications, the user operable terminal including a combined telephone and modem device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the gateway service platform includes an application processor for user selection of a category of services from a predetermined menu. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one selectable menu option comprises at least one of account information, stop payment information, personalized account, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal comprises at least one of audible read-out, voice-recognition, optical remote control technologies, or any combination thereof 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one service provider has customized a particular selectable option provided to the user. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal includes a telephone handset for voice communications. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal includes an internally programmable microprocessor configured for providing the user interface display screen. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microprocessor is configured for interacting with the gateway service platform through modem communications according to protocol determined by a network provider for the gateway service platform. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal includes a permanent and active memory configured for storage of operating programs and displays configured for recording user input data comprising at least one of names, account identification, security codes or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 6 , further including a user interface configured for automated voice response applications. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the automated voice response applications are accessed using conventional telephone networks. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a bill paying system configured for the user at least one of: (1) to establish a personalized subtitle for each payee; (2) to establish a new participating payee and immediately authorize payment; (3) to view a master list of participating payees in pre-defined service/industry categories; (4) to access present and future scheduled payments through either a terminal display or voice response listening system; (5) to debit any of the user's accounts, even at different financial institutions to fund payments; or (6) any combination thereof 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user operable terminal comprises a customized application development software package. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the software package is configured for the user at least one of (1) to access particular services; (2) to optimally match financial institution's banking service features and functionalities; or (3) any combination thereof.