DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service comprising the steps:
- (a) receiving a customer call;
(b) connecting the calling customer to a directory assistance operator;
(c) determining a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the customer;
(d) initiating a telephonic connection between the customer and the destination telephone number;
(e) continuously monitoring said telephonic connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer;
(f) detecting said predetermined DTMF signal; and
(g) reconnecting the customer to a directory assistance operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cellular telephone subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. However, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the “*” button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred back to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). Billing information for the calls originated by the directory assistance operator on the subscriber'"'"'s behalf is logged in a database at the directory assistance center. This data is thereafter provided to the cellular carrier, permitting it to bill the subscriber for calls originated by the directory assistance operator.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service comprising the steps:
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(a) receiving a customer call;
(b) connecting the calling customer to a directory assistance operator;
(c) determining a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the customer;
(d) initiating a telephonic connection between the customer and the destination telephone number;
(e) continuously monitoring said telephonic connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer;
(f) detecting said predetermined DTMF signal; and
(g) reconnecting the customer to a directory assistance operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A directory assistance service method comprising the steps:
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receiving a directory assistance call from a customer, the customer using a cellular telephone and a cellular carrier service;
establishing a connection between the customer and a desired destination number;
logging in a billing database;
a customer identification number;
the destination number;
the date, time, and duration of connection between the customer and the desired destination number; and
providing to the cellular carrier the data logged in the billing database so the customer can be billed by the cellular carrier accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In a method of providing assistance to a cellular telephone subscriber, the assistance taking the form of spoken directions guiding the subscriber in travelling from a present location to a desired location, an improvement comprising:
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connecting the subscriber to an operator;
determining a route from the present location to the desired location;
voicing to the subscriber directions corresponding to a first part of the route;
placing the subscriber on hold;
monitoring the subscriber connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the subscriber;
detecting said predetermined DTMF signal;
reconnecting the subscriber to an operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal; and
voicing to the subscriber directions corresponding to a second part of the route;
wherein the subscriber can summon operator assistance as needed while travelling along the route.
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Specification