Enhanced directory assistance system with ENUM based features

• US 20070121879A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Faith Mcgary, Michael Bates
• Original Assignee: Faith Mcgary, Michael Bates
• Inventors: Bates, Michael, McGary, Faith
• Application Number:
  US11/494,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121879A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/71 Modifying recharging resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7018 Modify recharging resources, e.g. banking, credit, debit or phone account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0075 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables

Abstract

An ENUM services system includes a server module configured to support an ENUM account for a subscriber. The ENUM account has a single incoming contact number for the subscriber and one or more preferred outbound contact addresses, such that when a caller calls the single incoming contact number the call is connected to the subscriber on one or more preferred outbound contact addresses. A supplemental ENUM services platform is coupled to the server module to allow the subscriber of the ENUM account to map additional internet ready devices to the ENUM account, so that the subscriber may contact the system using the ENUM account to remotely control the additional internet ready devices.

Claims

1. ) An ENUM services system comprising:

a server module configured to support an ENUM account for a subscriber, said ENUM account having a single incoming contact number for said subscriber and one or more preferred outbound contact addresses, such that when a caller calls said single incoming contact number said call is connected to said subscriber on one or more preferred outbound contact addresses; and

a supplemental ENUM services platform coupled to said server module configured to allow said subscriber of said ENUM account to map additional internet ready devices to said ENUM account, such that said subscriber may contact said system using said ENUM account to remotely control said additional internet ready devices.

2. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an automated response module and live operator module allowing said subscriber to contact said system for mapping said internet ready devices to said ENUM account.

3. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said subscriber contacts said system via the internet for mapping said internet ready devices to said ENUM account.

4. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mapped devices are addressed using either one of the group consisting of MAC address and IP address.

5. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system identifies said mapped devices and obtains instructions for remote operation of said devices.

6. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 1, wherein for said ENUM account said system maintains an enhanced ENUM account profile, for storing information related to said mapped devices.

7. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 6, wherein when said subscriber contacts said system for remote control of said mapped devices said system presents said subscriber with a menu of mapped devices stored in said enhanced ENUM account profile.

8. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 7, wherein when said subscriber contacts said system for remote control of said mapped devices and selects a device from the provided menu of mapped devices, said system presents said subscriber with a menu of remote applications that may be carried out for said selected mapped device.

9. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said enhanced ENUM account profile includes an instructions sub-field that includes pre-defined instructions and password/account information necessary for remotely controlling said attached devices.

10. ) An ENUM services system comprising:

a server module configured to support an ENUM account for a subscriber, said ENUM account having a single incoming contact number for said subscriber and one or more preferred outbound contact addresses different than said single incoming contact number, such that when a caller calls said single incoming contact number said call is connected to said subscriber on one or more preferred outbound contact addresses different than said single incoming contact number; and

a supplemental ENUM services platform coupled to said server module configured to allow said subscriber of said ENUM account to couple financial data to said ENUM account, such that said subscriber may conduct financial transactions using only said single incoming contact number.

11. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an automated response module and live operator module allowing said subscriber to contact said system for adding said financial data to said ENUM account.

12. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said subscriber contacts said system via the internet for adding said financial data to said ENUM account.

13. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said financial data coupled to said ENUM account includes security means.

14. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said security means includes biometric data of said subscriber.

15. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said financial transaction includes said subscriber accessing their bank accounts either on-line or telephonically, using only said single contact number as identification.

16. ) The ENUM services system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said financial transaction includes said subscriber performing online or telephonic bill payments with either their financial institution or a commercial entity using only said single contact number to affect payment.

17. ) An ENUM directory assistance system comprising:

a platform for receiving incoming communications from a caller requesting an incoming contact information of an individual having an ENUM account;

an ENUM directory assistance query platform configured to receive request from said platform for receiving incoming communications such that said ENUM directory assistance query platform searches for said requested incoming contact information from said ENUM account and provides it to said caller.

18. ) The ENUM directory assistance system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a server for maintaining ENUM accounts for subscribers.

19. ) The ENUM directory assistance system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said ENUM directory assistance query platform searches for said requested incoming contact information from said ENUM account in said server for maintaining ENUM accounts.

20. ) The ENUM directory assistance system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said ENUM directory assistance query platform searches for said requested incoming contact information from said ENUM account in third party ENUM databases.

21. ) The ENUM directory assistance system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said platform for receiving incoming communications is either one of an automated response module or a live operator module.

22. ) The ENUM directory assistance system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said platform for receiving incoming communications can receive communications from callers in either one of electronic or telephonic (voice) format.