Patent ID: 6792094
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: H04M,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for establishing a telephone connection between a caller and a callee, said method comprising:receiving a first telephone call from said caller, wherein said first telephone call identifies a first telephone number for said callee; placing a second telephone call to said callee at said first telephone number; identifying whether one of the following conditions is present at a first telephone associated with said first telephone number: said first telephone remains on-hook after receiving said second telephone call, and said first telephone has been off-hook prior to receiving said second telephone call; prompting said caller to indicate whether said caller wishes to continue calling said first telephone number despite said one of the conditions; allowing said caller to disconnect after indicating said caller's desire to continue calling said first telephone number at a time specified by the caller; beginning at the specified time, placing one or more phone calls to said first telephone number until a predetermined time period runs out, wherein two consecutive phone calls from said one or more phone calls are spaced a predetermined interval apart; requesting said callee to remain on line after said callee answers one of said one or more phone calls; and placing a third telephone call to said caller using a reach list to establish said telephone connection between said caller and said callee, wherein said reach list includes a plurality of caller-specific telephone numbers that provides options for contacting said caller at more than one telephone number.