System and method for modifying communication information (MCI)

#In certain forms of communication, the party being contacted (the “Target”) may have the opportunity to know information about the party attempting to originate a communication (the “Originator”) before the Target interacts with the Originator. Two notable forms of communication where this is true are telephone and e-mail. In each of those forms of communication, the Target may learn some information about the Originator, such as the Originator's telephone number or email address, before the Target agrees to accept data or create a two-way communication, i.e. a conversation. The information the Target receives may also be used to allow the Target to identify or contact the Originator.

#When an Originator, such as a telemarketing firm, wishes to contact a Target, such as an individual, via telephone, the Originator may insert into the caller ID field a telephone number where the Originator may be contacted. When making a call, the Originator inserts a telephone number used at the location from which the call originated, e.g. a call center. However, the Originator may call a Target in an area distant from the Originator. As a result, if the Target wishes to call back the Originator at the telephone number listed, e.g. to be put on a Do Not Call List (DNC) or to receive other information, the Target may have to pay long distance charges to do so. However, the Originator may operate telephone numbers that are a local call from the Target, or are at least closer to the Target, and therefore less expensive to call, than the Originator's telephone number that appears on the Target's caller ID.

#Therefore, it would be desirable to implement a system to modify a communication from an Originator to provide a callback number or other contact information to the Target that may be closer to or local to the Target, in order to reduce or eliminate the payment of long distance toll charges in the event the Target dials the callback number.

#FIG. 1 is a view of an end-to-end telecommunication connection according to an aspect of the system and method of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a view of an end-to-end telecommunication connection found in related art.

#FIG. 3 is a process flow of communication traveling from Originator to Target according to an aspect of the system and method of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a view of an end-to-end contact as would occur during standard communication between Originator 100 (e.g. call center, person or organization) and Target 140 (e.g. a person or organization) using Carrier Network 130 (e.g. telecommunication provider). Information, such as Target 140 telephone number, may be transmitted from Originator 100 to Carrier Network 130 via physical/virtual connection 110 (e.g. phone line, voice Ti, voice DS3) for an outbound call. Carrier Network 130 routes the call to Target 140 using, for example, a circuit switch, softswitch, or other routing intelligent system (not shown).

#FIG. 1 illustrates aspects of the system of the present disclosure and includes Originator 100 which may transmit a call (including, e.g. sound and other data) through physical/virtual connection 110 to Target 140 through Carrier Network 130. Originator 100 may transmit data including signaling messages of telecommunication protocols (e.g., SS7, C7, ISDN, SIP, H.323, MGCP, MEGACO, IAX, IAX2) that may be used to identify or contact Originator 100. This may include caller ID information such as telephone number and subscriber name associated with Originator 100 telephone number.

#Originator 100 may transmit Target Identifying Information, including Target 140 telephone number and other information via physical/virtual connection 110 to Carrier Network 130 for outbound calls. Target Identifying Information may include geographic location information about Target 140, which may be determined based on Caller ID of Target 140 in conjunction with telephone subscriber database information.