Method for providing enhanced directory assistance upon command using out-of-band signaling

• US 20050129208A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Inventors: Timmins, Timothy A., McGrath, Adam J., Elsey, Nicholas J., Cox, Patrick M., Powell, A. Peter, Kepler, Michael A., Filliger, Paul W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,031,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/424 Arrangements for automatic redialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4935 Connection initiated by DAS system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/58 Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party substation line holding circuits H04M1/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/60 Semi-automatic systems, i.e. in which the numerical selection of the outgoing line is under the control of an operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A user calls a directory assistance service provider to search for a desired telephone number and be connected to a party at the desired number. In one such connection, the user is afforded enhanced directory assistance upon a user command in the form of an out-of-band signaling message, e.g., SS7 signaling message. For example, the user may be afforded further operator assistance by pressing on the user telephone a predetermined key (e.g., “*” key), which is detectable by the directory assistance service provider as an SS7 signaling message.

Claims

1-76. -76. (canceled)

77. A method for facilitating voice communications between a caller and a called party, comprising:

attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and the called party;

receiving from an information channel a first message concerning a non-answering condition of the voice communication;

indicating to the caller the non-answering condition;

sending via an information channel at least one second message for determining whether the non-answering condition persists while the caller is being offered a service; and

allowing the caller to communicate with the called party via a voice channel if it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein the information channel comprises an SS7 signaling channel.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein at least one of the first and second messages comprises an SS7 signaling message.

81. The method of claim 77 wherein the service includes directory assistance.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the directory assistance is provided by an operator.

83. A method for providing a directory assistance service comprising:

receiving, from a caller, a call including a directory assistance request;

searching for contact information in response to the directory assistance request;

based on the contact information, attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a called party;

monitoring an information channel for a first message concerning a non-answering condition of the voice communication; and

when the first message is detected,

(a) indicating to the caller the non-answering condition;

(b) sending via an information channel at least one second message for determining whether the non-answering condition persists before the call is terminated; and

(c) allowing the caller to communicate with the called party through a voice channel when it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

85. The method of claim 83 wherein the information channel comprises an SS7 signaling channel.

86. The method of claim 85 wherein at least one of the first and second messages comprises an SS7 signaling message.

87. The method of claim 83 further comprising providing the caller with a plurality of options after the non-answering condition is indicated to the caller.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein the plurality of options include an option to be connected to a directory assistance provider.

89. The method of claim 88 wherein the directory assistance provider includes an operator.

90. The method of claim 87 wherein the plurality of options include an option to receive the contact information.

91. The method of claim 83 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number.

92. A system for facilitating voice communications between a caller and a called party, comprising:

a device for attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and the called party;

an interface for receiving from an information channel a first message concerning a non-answering condition of the voice communication, the non-answering condition being indicated to the caller;

a processor programmed to send via an information channel at least one second message for determining whether the non-answering condition persists while the caller is being offered a service; and

a mechanism for allowing the caller to communicate with the called party via a voice channel if it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists.

93. The system of claim 92 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

94. The system of claim 92 wherein the information channel comprises an SS7 signaling channel.

95. The system of claim 94 wherein at least one of the first and second messages comprises an SS7 signaling message.

96. The system of claim 92 wherein the service includes directory assistance.

97. The system of claim 96 wherein the directory assistance is provided by an operator.

98. A system for providing a directory assistance service comprising:

an interface for receiving, from a caller, a call including a directory assistance request;

a server for searching for contact information in response to the directory assistance request;

a device for attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a called party based on the contact information;

a processor programmed to monitor an information channel for a first message concerning a non-answering condition of the voice communication; and

when the first message is detected, a mechanism for;

(a) indicating to the caller the non-answering condition;

(b) sending via an information channel at least one second message for determining whether the non-answering condition persists before the call is terminated; and

(c) allowing the caller to communicate with the called party through a voice channel when it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists.

99. The system of claim 98 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

100. The system of claim 98 wherein the information channel comprises an SS7 signaling channel.

101. The system of claim 100 wherein at least one of the first and second messages comprises an SS7 signaling message.

102. The system of claim 98 wherein the caller is provided with a plurality of options after the non-answering condition is indicated to the caller.

103. The system of claim 102 wherein the plurality of options include an option to be connected to a directory assistance provider.

104. The system of claim 103 wherein the directory assistance provider includes an operator.

105. The system of claim 102 wherein the plurality of options include an option to receive the contact information.

106. The system of claim 98 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number.