Automatic call completion in a directory assistance system
First Claim
1. A method for providing automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN;
first retrieving an address for said calling party from the PSTN and second retrieving an address for a telephone number produced by said directory assistance request;
computing prospective telephone charges based upon said retrieved addresses;
prompting said calling party with said computed prospective charges; and
, automatically completing a call between said calling party and said telephone number.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in concert with the PSTN. In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatic call completion in a directory assistance system can include receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN. An address for the calling party can be retrieved from the PSTN and an address for a telephone number produced by the directory assistance request can be second retrieved from within the directory assistance system. Prospective telephone charges can be computed based upon the retrieved addresses and the calling party can be prompted with the computed prospective charges. Finally, a call can be automatically completed between the calling party and the telephone number.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for providing automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN;
first retrieving an address for said calling party from the PSTN and second retrieving an address for a telephone number produced by said directory assistance request;
computing prospective telephone charges based upon said retrieved addresses;
prompting said calling party with said computed prospective charges; and
,automatically completing a call between said calling party and said telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for providing automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the system comprising:
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a telephone subscriber database disposed in a switch in the PSTN;
a name resolution adapter disposed in the PSTN and coupled to said telephone subscriber database;
a directory assistance system disposed externally to the PSTN and communicatively linked to said name resolution adapter over a data communications network; and
,a call billing computation process coupled to said directory assistance system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A machine readable storage having stored thereon a computer program for providing automatic call completion in a directory assistance system in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the computer program comprising a routine set of instructions which when executed by a machine cause the machine to perform the steps of:
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receiving and processing a directory assistance request from a calling party over the PSTN;
first retrieving an address for said calling party from the PSTN and second retrieving an address for a telephone number produced by said directory assistance request;
computing prospective telephone charges based upon said retrieved addresses;
prompting said calling party with said computed prospective charges; and
,automatically completing a call between said calling party and said telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification