Interactive assistant for managing telephone communications

US8767925B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Verizon Data Services LLC · US

Inventors

• Ashutosh K. Sureka · Irving, US
• Craig L. Reding · Midland Park, US
• Shuchi Patel · Frisco, US
• Alin D'Silva · Waltham, US
• Paula Dromlewicz · Holden, US
• Sathish Subramanian · Erode, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 17, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 1, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2250/62
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.