Enhanced directory assistance system with download features

• US 20060073815A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christine Baumeister, Michael Bates, Robert Pines
• Original Assignee: Christine Baumeister, Michael Bates, Robert Pines
• Inventors: Bates, Michael, Pines, Robert, Baumeister, Christine
• Application Number:
  US11/203,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions

Abstract

An enhanced directory assistance system has a directory assistance platform, configured to receive a verbal request from a requester for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items. A download features module coupled to the directory assistance platform, where the download features module is configured to retrieve information corresponding to the plurality of downloadable items in response to the verbal request, such that the download features module causes the desired downloadable item to be delivered to a telephone device of the requester.

Claims

1. An enhanced directory assistance system comprising:

a directory assistance platform, configured to receive a verbal request from a requester for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items; and

a download features module coupled to said directory assistance platform, wherein said download features module is configured to retrieve information corresponding to said plurality of downloadable items in response to said verbal request, such that said download features module causes said desired downloadable item to be delivered to a telephone device of said requester.

2. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directory assistance platform handles said verbal requests from said requester by either one of a CSR (Customer Service Representative) or a VRU (Voice Response Unit).

3. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said downloadable item is any one of a cellular ringtone, an audio file, a video file a video game or a map.

4. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a storage module for storing said plurality of download items.

5. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plurality of download items are retrieved by said storage module from two or more third party databases.

6. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said download features module provides instructions to third parties storing said downloadable item, to forward said downloadable item to said telephone device of said requester.

7. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said downloadable item is sent to said requester'"'"'s telephone device as an electronic message via any one of e-mail, SMS, WAP, and HTTP, including a link to said downloadable item.

8. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electronic message, further includes a link to be re-connected to said directory assistance platform in the event that the delivered downloadable item is incorrect.

9. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said download feature module further includes a top requested listing table configured to include the most requested download items based on recent requests.

10. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said top requested listing table is displayable and announcable via said directory assistance platform in order to shorten the time required to respond to said requester.

11. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said top requested listing table includes a category identifier, such that when a category is selected, said top requested listing table provides said most frequently requested download items for said category.

12. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said categories may be selected from any one of most requested download, most requested ring tone, most requested video game, most requested movie trailer, most requested music video, most requested sound (music) clip, most requested by type of music, most requested artists, most requested albums, most requested by time frame.

13. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said top requested listing table may provide multiple category results simultaneously.

17. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directory assistance platform handles said verbal requests from said requester by either one of a CSR (Customer Service Representative) or a VRU (Voice Response Unit).

14. An enhanced directory assistance system comprising:

a directory assistance platform, configured to receive a request from a requester for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items; and

a download features module coupled to said directory assistance platform, wherein said download features module is configured to interface with a plurality of third party databases in order to obtain said plurality of downloadable items.

15. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said download features module causes said desired downloadable item to be delivered to a telephone device of said requester.

16. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein 16 wherein when said desired download item is not among said plurality of stored items, said download features module delivers to requester information on how to obtain said desired listing.

18. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said downloadable item is sent to said requester'"'"'s telephone device as an electronic message via any one of e-mail SMS, WAP, and HTTP, including a link to said downloadable item.

19. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said electronic message, further includes a link to be re-connected to said directory assistance platform in the event that the delivered downloadable item is incorrect.

20. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said downloadable item is any one of a cellular ringtone, an audio file, a video file a video game or a map.

21. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said download feature module further includes a top requested listing table configured to include the most requested download listings based on recent requests.

22. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said top requested listing table is displayable and announcable via said directory assistance platform in order to shorten the time required to respond to said requester.

23. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said top requested listing table includes a category identifier, such that when a category is selected, said top requested listing table provides said most frequently requested download listings for said category.

24. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said categories may be selected from any one of most requested download, most requested ring tone, most requested video game, most requested movie trailer, most requested music video, most requested sound (music) clip, most requested by type of music, most requested artists, most requested albums, most requested by time frame.

25. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said top requested listing table may provide multiple category results simultaneously.

26. A method for providing enhanced directory assistance services said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a verbal request from a requester at a directory assistance platform for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items;

retrieving information corresponding to said plurality of downloadable items in response to said verbal request at a download features module coupled to said directory assistance platform; and

said download features module causing said desired downloadable item to be delivered to a telephone device of said requester.

27. A method for providing enhanced directory assistance services said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a requester at a directory assistance platform for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items;

interfacing, by a download features module coupled to said directory assistance platform, with a plurality of third party databases in order to obtain said plurality of downloadable items.