Directory assistance with advertisement from category related to request category
First Claim
1. A method for providing directory assistance information in a public telecommunication network, the network comprising a customer station and a call processing station, the method comprising:
- at the customer station;
dialing a telephone number used for accessing the call processing station;
setting up a call connection from the customer station to the call processing station;
providing a request for information relating to a specific provider of goods or services;
at the call processing station;
receiving the request for information from the customer station;
examining the request for information to identify a category associated with the specific provider of goods or services;
selecting an advertisement categorized within a category related to the identified category;
retrieving the selected advertisement from a stored media;
forwarding the selected advertisement to the customer station; and
at the customer station, receiving the selected advertisement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement selected from a category related to the requested service. The advertisements are selected from a databank, which may include any number advertisements, according to selection criteria. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes.
84 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for providing directory assistance information in a public telecommunication network, the network comprising a customer station and a call processing station, the method comprising:
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at the customer station; dialing a telephone number used for accessing the call processing station; setting up a call connection from the customer station to the call processing station; providing a request for information relating to a specific provider of goods or services; at the call processing station; receiving the request for information from the customer station; examining the request for information to identify a category associated with the specific provider of goods or services; selecting an advertisement categorized within a category related to the identified category; retrieving the selected advertisement from a stored media; forwarding the selected advertisement to the customer station; and at the customer station, receiving the selected advertisement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for providing access to directory assistance information for a public network via a toll-free number, the system comprising:
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a customer station including call connection circuitry; and a call processing station that operates to receive a request for directory assistance information from the customer station, examine the request for directory assistance information to identify a category associated with a specific provider of goods or services, select an advertisement categorized within a category related to the identified category and selectively forward the selected advertisement to the customer station. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification