US 12,407,776 B2
Methods and apparatus for bypassing holds
Cassandra Xia, Atherton, CA (US); and Luis Carlos Cobo Rus, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to GOOGLE LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by GOOGLE LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/745,469.
Application 18/745,469 is a continuation of application No. 18/199,711, filed on May 19, 2023, granted, now 12,015,736.
Application 18/199,711 is a continuation of application No. 17/743,126, filed on May 12, 2022, granted, now 11,677,871, issued on Jun. 13, 2023.
Application 17/743,126 is a continuation of application No. 17/120,956, filed on Dec. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,336,767, issued on May 17, 2022.
Application 17/120,956 is a continuation of application No. 16/610,169, granted, now 10,897,535, issued on Jan. 19, 2021, previously published as PCT/US2018/040065, filed on Jun. 28, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0340373 A1, Oct. 10, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04M 3/428 (2006.01); H04M 1/72436 (2021.01); H04M 1/82 (2006.01)
CPC H04M 3/4286 (2013.01) [H04M 1/72436 (2021.01); H04M 1/82 (2013.01); H04M 3/4285 (2013.01); H04M 2201/40 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method implemented by one or more processors, the method comprising:
prior to initiating a voice communication session:
identifying a phone number provided by a calling user at a client device;
determining whether the identified phone number is associated with an entity known to place calling users on hold;
generating a predicted hold time associated the entity known to place calling users on hold;
in response to determining that the identified phone number is associated with the entity known to place calling users on hold:
causing user interface output to be rendered by the client device indicating the predicted hold time associated with the entity known to place calling users on hold;
initiating the voice communication session;
subsequent to initiating the voice communication session:
detecting that the voice communication session is in an on hold status;
determining to send, from the client device, a response solicitation signal as input to an audio stream of the voice communication session; and
in response to determining a response to the response solicitation signal indicates an actual end of the on hold status, causing further user interface output to be rendered, wherein the further user interface output is perceptible by the calling user, indicates an end of the hold status, and includes audio output, vibration output, and/or visual output.