Advanced Directory Services

• US 20080071554A1
• Filed: 09/05/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LYFT Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miles, Alvin Charles, Decker, John Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,335,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Included are embodiments for providing advanced directory services. One embodiment of a method includes receiving categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address. Other embodiments include receiving sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category. Still other embodiments include sending a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data.

Claims

1. A method for providing advanced directory services, the method comprising:

receiving categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address;

receiving sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category; and

sending a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving at least one listing, the at least one listing including data associated with the search request, wherein the listing includes at least one communications address.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising facilitating display of the at least one listing to an operator.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving operator input indicating a selection of at least one listing to provide the caller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the categorical data includes data related to a type of business.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a request for creation of a listing key.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving the listing key, wherein the listing key is associated with at least one selected listing.

8. A computer readable medium for providing advanced directory services, the method comprising:

logic configured to receive categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address;

logic configured to receive sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category; and

logic configured to send a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising logic configured to receive at least one listing, the at least one listing including data associated with the search request.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, further comprising logic configured to facilitate display of the at least one listing to an operator.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising logic configured to receive operator input indicating a selection of at least one listing to provide the caller.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the categorical data includes data related to a type of business.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising logic configured to send a request for creation of a listing key.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, further comprising logic configured to receive the listing key, wherein the listing key is associated with at least one selected listing.

15. A method for providing advanced directory services, the method comprising:

prompting a caller for categorical information related to a desired listing, wherein the desired listing includes a communications address;

prompting the caller for sub-categorical information related to the categorical information of the desired listing;

receiving data related to the desired listing; and

providing data related to the desired listing to the caller.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending a search request for the desired listing.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending the caller to an operator for determining the desired listing.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving a listing key, wherein the listing key is configured to facilitate access to the desired listing.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising requesting information related to the desired listing using the listing key.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether the caller desires advanced directory services.