Patent ID: 6928157

Claim:
An automated calling system, for allowing an operator to place a series of telephone calls to a plurality of customers, wherein the operator uses a telephony device to communicate with customers, the calling system comprising: a switching device connected to a public switched telephone network, wherein the switching device is configured to selectively connect the operator's telephony device to one of a plurality of telephone lines; and a processor coupled to and controlling the switching device, wherein the processor is configured to: (a) automatically place a telephone call to a customer using a telephone line, and to cause the switching device to connect the operator's telephony device to the telephone line as the telephone call is being placed, in response to an operator's command selecting the customer; (b) automatically place a new telephone call to a new customer using a new telephone line, and to cause the switching device to connect the operator's telephony device to the new telephone line as the new telephone call is being placed, in response to an operator's command selecting the new customer, and (c) repeat (a) and (b) to allow the operator to place a series of telephone calls to a plurality of customers; wherein the operator can listen as the calls are placed so that the operator can immediately talk to a customer if the customer answers a call.