Information correlation system
View Patent ↗A communication system receives a call to a called number. The called number includes a destination number and a correlation code. The communication system routes the call to a destination based on the destination number but not based on the correlation code. The communication system transfers the correlation code to the destination with the call. The communication system receives a query from the destination indicating the correlation code. In response to the query, the communication system retrieves information from a database using the correlation code and transfers the information to the destination.
1. A method of operating a communication system, the method comprising:
receiving a call to a called number that includes a destination number and a correlation code;
routing the call to a destination based on the destination number but not based on the correlation code;
transferring the correlation code to the destination with the call;
receiving a query from the destination indicating the correlation code; and
in response to the query, retrieving information from a database using the correlation code, and transferring the information to the destination.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the destination number comprises a ten digit telephone number and the correlation code comprises a number appended to the destination number.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the destination number comprises a ten digit telephone number and the correlation code comprises a four digit number appended to the destination number.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the destination number comprises an 800 number.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring the correlation code to the destination with the call comprises transferring Dialed Number Information Service (DNIS) digits to the destination over the call.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the destination comprises a live operator.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising collecting the information from a caller placing the call.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the information in the database in association with the correlation number.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the call comprises receiving the call from a calling system that comprises an interactive voice response unit.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the call comprises receiving the call from a prior destination that is transferring the call.
11. A communication system comprising:
a call processing and routing system configured to receive a call to a called number that includes a destination number and a correlation code, route the call to a destination based on the destination number but not based on the correlation code, and transfer the correlation code to the destination with the call; and
a data system configured to receive a query from the destination indicating the correlation code, and in response to the query, retrieve information from a database using the correlation code and transfer the information to the destination.
12. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the destination number comprises a ten digit telephone number and the correlation code comprises a number appended to the destination number.
13. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the destination number comprises a ten digit telephone number and the correlation code comprises a four digit number appended to the destination number.
14. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the destination number comprises an 800 number.
15. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the call processing and routing system is configured to transfer the correlation code to the destination with the call by transferring Dialed Number Information Service (DNIS) digits to the destination over the call.
16. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the destination comprises a live operator.
17. The communication system of claim 11 further comprising an interactive voice response unit configured to collect the information from a caller placing the call.
18. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the data system is configured to store the information in the database in association with the correlation number.
19. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the call processing and routing system is configured to receive the call from a calling system that comprises an interactive voice response unit.
20. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the call processing and routing system is configured to receive the call from a prior destination that is transferring the call.