Computer-based method and system for facilitating voice consultations

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a collaboration system and methods are provided to enable consultants to efficiently collaborate with one another by engaging in system-facilitated voice consultations. As used herein, a voice consultation may generally refer to communications established between two or more users of the collaboration system. In general, the system and methods described herein provide the ability for users to establish voice consultations with other users at a mutually convenient time, whether or not there exists a prior relationship between the users. The system and methods automatically place a consultation call at a time requested by the caller and which the callee has previously announced as available. Called parties may determine whether to accept a consultation based on data that is visually perceptible with a mobile device at which the call is received.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving and storing in a data storage device, by an application server computer, from graphical user interfaces of each of a first client device and one or more second client devices, digital data input specifying a first user and one or more second users and an availability schedule stored in the data storage device and specifies two or more availability periods comprising two or more days of a week and one or more consultation types of a set of consultation types;   retrieving, by the application server computer, from the data storage device, for each second user of the one or more second users, the availability schedule associated with the one or more second users;   receiving, by the application server computer, from the first client device, a request to initiate a consultation with the one or more second users;   the request specifying a particular consultation type selected from the set of consultation types;   when the particular consultation type matches a consultation type associated with an availability period of the two or more availability periods, initiating the consultation between the first user and the one or more second users by the application server computer initiating a phone call between the first client device and the one or more second client devices using one or more of a phone connection or a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) connection and by sending to the first user and the one or more second users a notification message for display on the first client device and the one or more second client devices;   in response to completion of the phone call, creating and storing in the data storage device, by the application server computer, a consult history record for the phone call;   the consult history record including the particular consultation type and information shared between the first user and the one or more second users during the phone call.