SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION REGARDING TELEPHONE CALLS
First Claim
1. On a telephone operating together with a display device on a communications network, a method for obtaining information regarding a telephone call comprising the steps of:
- (a) maintaining at least a first database in said network, said first database containing recorded information related to the identity of persons in a telephone address book, said information comprising one or more of a name or a telephone number;
(b) upon the occurrence of an event, searching said first database to determine whether a first telephone number is recorded in said first database;
(c) if said first telephone number is recorded in at least one database, retrieving a first set of information associated with said first telephone number;
(d) if a second database exists in said network, searching said second database to determine whether said first telephone number is recorded in said second database;
(e) if said first telephone number is recorded in said second database, retrieving a second set of information from said second database associated with said first telephone number;
(f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each additional database in said network;
(g) merging all retrieved sets of information in accordance with predetermined parameters for selecting, prioritizing and sorting said information;
(h) displaying said merged information to a user on said display device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for gathering and presenting relevant information about another party to a telephone call are provided to a user who is making or receiving a telephone call. The information is sufficient to assist the user in deciding whether or not to accept a call, or to provide the user with sufficient context information to discuss the subject of the telephone call. The system also permits a user to enter new information, such as an appointment or a new task for a to-do list, send an e-mail to the other party, or update contact or other information regarding the other party. In one embodiment, the system assists telemarketers to track advertisements and messages intended to be presented to the other party to a telephone call.
76 Citations
3 Claims
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1. On a telephone operating together with a display device on a communications network, a method for obtaining information regarding a telephone call comprising the steps of:
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(a) maintaining at least a first database in said network, said first database containing recorded information related to the identity of persons in a telephone address book, said information comprising one or more of a name or a telephone number; (b) upon the occurrence of an event, searching said first database to determine whether a first telephone number is recorded in said first database; (c) if said first telephone number is recorded in at least one database, retrieving a first set of information associated with said first telephone number; (d) if a second database exists in said network, searching said second database to determine whether said first telephone number is recorded in said second database; (e) if said first telephone number is recorded in said second database, retrieving a second set of information from said second database associated with said first telephone number; (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for each additional database in said network; (g) merging all retrieved sets of information in accordance with predetermined parameters for selecting, prioritizing and sorting said information; (h) displaying said merged information to a user on said display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification