SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIATING A TEXT MESSAGE COMMUNICATION SESSION BETWEEN A MERCHANT AND A CONSUMER
A system and method are provided for initiating a text message communication session between a merchant and a consumer. A two-way communication session may be facilitated between the consumer and the merchant, a mobile telephone number disclosed by the consumer during the two-way communication session may be detected, and a text message communication session between the consumer and the merchant may be initiated if a mobile telephone number was detected.
1 . A method for initiating a text message communication session between a merchant and a consumer, comprising:
facilitating a two-way communication session between the consumer and the merchant;
detecting whether the consumer disclosed a mobile telephone number during the two-way communication session; and
if a mobile telephone number is detected, initiating a text message communication session between the consumer and the merchant.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-way communication session comprises an instant messaging session.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting step may be performed using pattern recognition.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile telephone number is identified as a mobile number by transmitting the mobile telephone number to an information services provider, and receiving a response from the information services provider indicating whether the mobile telephone number is associated with a mobile device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an alert window to the merchant with a transcript of the two-way communication session.
6 . A system for initiating a text message communication session between a merchant and a consumer, comprising:
a communication device for communicating with the consumer; and
a processor for:
facilitating a two-way communication session between the consumer and the merchant;
detecting whether the consumer disclosed a mobile telephone number during the two-way communication session; and
if a mobile telephone number is detected, initiating a text message communication session between the consumer and the merchant.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the two-way communication session comprises an instant messaging session.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the detecting step may be performed using pattern recognition.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the mobile telephone number is identified as a mobile number by transmitting the mobile telephone number to an information services provider, and receiving a response from the information services provider indicating whether the mobile telephone number is associated with a mobile device.
10 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing an alert window to the merchant with a transcript of the two-way communication session.
11 . A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for initiating a text message communication session between a merchant and a consumer, wherein execution of the program instructions by one or more processors performs the steps of:
facilitating a two-way communication session between the consumer and the merchant;
detecting whether the consumer disclosed a mobile telephone number during the two-way communication session; and
if a mobile telephone number is detected, initiating a text message communication session between the consumer and the merchant.
12 . The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the two-way communication session comprises an instant messaging session.
13 . The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the detecting step may be performed using pattern recognition.
14 . The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the mobile telephone number is identified as a mobile number by transmitting the mobile telephone number to an information services provider, and receiving a response from the information services provider indicating whether the mobile telephone number is associated with a mobile device.
15 . The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing an alert window to the merchant with a transcript of the two-way communication session.