Call routing apparatus
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.
1. A method of placing a call, comprising:
receiving information over a network related to a user's online purchase request, wherein the request is made via a website; and
at least partly in response to receiving the information related to the user's online purchase request, causing a call to be placed by an electronic system to a pay-per-call type telephone service via a public communications network, wherein the pay-per-call type telephone service is not the subject of the online purchase request and the call is not connected to a telephone of the user while the user is on the telephone,
wherein the call provides billing information associated with the user to the pay-per-call type telephone service and wherein the user is billed for a purchase price associated with the online purchase request at least partly in response to the call placed to the pay-per-call type telephone service.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the billing information includes at least a phone number associated with the user.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the pay-per-call type telephone service bills the user for the purchase price based on a flat rate charge.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising selecting a pay-per-call type telephone service telephone number based at least in part on the purchase price.
5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the call to the pay-per-call type telephone service is automatically placed by the user's computer in response to a command received over a computer network from a processing system.
6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the call to the pay-per-call type telephone service is placed at least partly in response to determining that a computer associated with the user has ceased accessing a first computer network.
7. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising determining if at least one user's phone line is blocked from placing pay-per-call type calls.
8. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least partly in response to determining that the at least one user's phone line is blocked, notifying the at least one user that another form of payment is to be provided.
9. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising causing a plurality of calls to the pay-per-call service spaced out in time in response to a second purchase request.
10. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the online purchase is for goods.
11. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the online purchase is for a service.
12. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the call placed to the pay-per-call type telephone service is answered by an interactive voice response system.
13. A method of placing a call, comprising:
receiving information over a network related to a user's purchase request, wherein the purchase request is made via an email or via a network site; and
at least partly in response to receiving the information related to the user's purchase request, causing a call to be placed by an electronic system to a pay-per-call type telephone service over a communications network, wherein the pay-per-call type telephone service is not the subject of the purchase request,
wherein the user is billed for an amount associated with the purchase request at least partly in response to the call placed to the pay-per-call type telephone service,
wherein the call is not connected to a telephone of the user while the user is on the telephone.
14. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the call provides billing information including at least a phone number associated with the user.
15. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the pay-per-call type telephone service bills the user for the amount based on a flat rate charge.
16. The method as defined in claim 13 , further comprising selecting a pay-per-call type telephone service telephone number based at least in part on the amount.
17. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the call to the pay-per-call type telephone service is automatically placed by the user's computer in response to a command received over a computer network from a processing system.
18. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the call to the pay-per-call type telephone service is placed at least partly in response to determining that a computer associated with the user has ceased accessing a first computer network.
19. The method as defined in claim 13 , further comprising determining if a first user's phone line is blocked from placing pay-per-call type calls.
20. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein at least partly in response to determining that a first user's phone line is blocked, notifying the first user that another form of payment is to be provided.
21. The method as defined in claim 13 , further comprising causing a plurality of calls to the pay-per-call service spaced out in time in response to a second purchase request.
22. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the purchase request is for goods.
23. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the purchase request is for a service.
24. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the call placed to the pay-per-call type telephone service is answered by an interactive voice response system.
25. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the email to the user includes an offer of a good or service, and the purchase request is made by activating a link in the email.
26. The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein the network site in a website.