Automated callback system

Abstract

A seamless automated callback system is disclosed. The system utilizes first and second telecommunication nodes connected to each other by a data line and additionally connected to a conventional telephone network. When a call is placed via the callback system, the first node transmits to the caller an appropriate ring tone for the called location and concurrently requests a callback from the second node via the data line. The second node places the callback which is not immediately answered by the first node. Concurrently, or after a suitable delay, the second node places a call to the called telephone. If the called party answers the call, the second node signals the first node via the data line to answer the callback and connect the caller to the called party. If, however, the call results in a busy signal, an operator intercept, or a ring no answer, the callback is terminated before any telephone toll charges are incurred. In a second preferred embodiment, the system may comprise a network of telecommunications nodes and a server node for coordinating calls between any two nodes in the network. When a call is placed, the system calculates a cost-efficient routing path for the call, and connects the calling telephone to the called telephone via that route. In a third preferred embodiment, one or more transit nodes are predesignated to handle all calling traffic between a first and second node.