Compensating recipients of calls

US6996216B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael Wayne Brown · Georgetown, US
• Joseph Herbert McIntyre · Austin, US
• Michael A. Paolini · Round Rock, US
• James Mark Weaver · Austin, US
• Scott Lee Winters · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 7, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/3674
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method, system, and program for compensating recipients of calls are provided. A request to bill a caller a tariff for a call is initiated, wherein the caller originates the call. The caller is prompted to accept payment of the tariff to receive access to a destination line during the call. Responsive to negotiating for the payment of the tariff from the caller, the caller is connected with the destination line, such that the caller pays for access to the destination line. In particular, the caller may pay for access to a particular callee at the destination line.