Automated system and method for distinguishing audio signals received in response to placing and outbound call

A system for detecting audio content ring back in response to placing an outbound call, the system comprising:

• an audio signal analysis system directing the portion of an audio signal that comprises audio content to an audio content analysis system in response to detecting such audio content before detecting a portion of an audio signal that comprises binary ring back cadence;
• and
• the audio content analysis system:
• receiving portions of the audio signal comprising audio content;
• and
• identifying the portion of the audio signal comprising audio content as audio content ring back if a characteristic of the audio content is associated with recorded audio content.

A method for directing handling of an outbound telephone call based on distinguishing audio content in an audio signal received in response to placing the outbound call, the method comprising:

• identifying a portion of the audio signal representing one of a plurality of audio events from a group of audio events consisting of:
• i) binary ring cadence;
• ii) binary busy cadence;
• iii) an “off hook” transition click;
• iv) audio below a silence threshold;
• and v) audio content;
• directing a portion of an audio signal that comprises audio content to an audio content analysis system;
• analyzing the audio content and generating a content direction identifying a characteristic of the audio content;
• directing handling of the outbound call based on a combination of both a sequence of events and the characteristic of the audio content, wherein the characteristic of the audio content is interpreted as audio content ring back.