Patent ID: 8447016
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for establishing interactive communications between a customer and a merchant, comprising: assigning a phone number to the merchant and physically associating the phone number with a third-party; the customer calling the phone number at a contact time; the third party utilizing Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or received caller-ID information to look up additional demographic information from a data source; the third party sending the additional demographic information to the merchant using an instant messaging client as a screen pop approximately at the contact time; if a rule has been established with the merchant that it will not take the call having characteristics of the call, then transferring the call to an answering machine or an attendant; otherwise the merchant reviewing the additional demographic information; the third party calling the merchant and asking if the merchant wishes to receive the call; if the merchant wishes to receive the call, then transferring the customer call to the merchant, otherwise, transferring the call to the answering machine or the attendant; and the merchant engaging in interactive communications with the customer approximately at the contact time.