Systems and methods for arranging a call
View Patent ↗According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of arranging a call with a service provider is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether the service provider accepts arranged calls; if it is determined that the service provider does not accept arranged calls, contacting the service provider to request arranged calls from the service provider; and if it is determined that the service provider accepts arranged calls, requesting an arranged call.
1. A method of arranging a call for a session for real-time communication with a service provider, the method comprising:
a data processing system displaying a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection;
in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, the data processing system determining whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session;
in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, the data processing system determining whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication;
in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the data processing system, the data processing system permitting the consumer to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and
in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, the data processing system making an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the arrangement for the arranged session for real-time communication includes provision of one or more items selected from a list comprising a contact type, and a deposit.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein one or more of the items are predetermined by the service provider.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein one or more of the items are predetermined by the service provider's calendar.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein one or more of the items are provided by the consumer.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the contact type corresponds to a telephone number.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the deposit reserves the arranged session for real-time communication with the service provider.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider is contacted to enable the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication by an act selected from a group comprising sending an email, placing a phone call, sending a page, and sending a piece of mail.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the arranged session for real-time communication includes an option selected from a group comprising taking a call now, taking a call within a requested period of time, and making an appointment.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the option is selected by one or more of the service provider or and the consumer.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the option is signaled through one or more devices selected from a group comprising telephone, computer, PDA, and pager.
12. A computer system comprising:
a unit to display a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection;
a unit, in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, to determine whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session;
a unit, in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, to determine whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication;
a unit, in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the computer system, to permit the consumer to request the service provider to allow the computer system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and
a unit, in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, to make an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer.
13. The computer system of claim 12 further including a unit to contact the consumer once the arrangement is successful.
14. The computer system of claim 13 wherein the consumer is contacted by an act selected from a group comprising sending an email, placing a phone call, and sending a piece of mail.
15. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause the data processing system to perform operations comprising:
displaying a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection;
in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, the data processing system determining whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session;
in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, determining whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication;
in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the data processing system, permitting the consumer to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and
in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, making an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the operations further include contacting a consumer once the arrangement for the arranged session for real-time communication is successfully made.
17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the operations further include joining a service prior to the arrangement.
18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein the joining includes receiving from the consumer at least one item selected from a group comprising an email address, a password, phone number, and selection of a plurality of optional services.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the immediate session for real-time communication with the selected service provider comprises an immediate call for telephone conversation between the consumer and the selected service provider; and the service provider is requested to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider via a phone call to the service provider.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the data processing system places the phone call to the service provider to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining of whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session comprises a voice call to the selected service provider.