Communication assistance system and method

• US 20090190739A1
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Inventors: Pines, Robert, Baumeister, Christine, McGary, Faith
• Granted Patent: US 7,869,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/357 Autocues for dialog assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/551 Call history recording a computer conference H04L12/1831
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet

Abstract

A communication assistance system includes a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of the listings includes a least one contact name and a contact information. A means is provided for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing. A table stores past requested listings of the requesters, where the system reviews the table for storing past requested listings and, based on contents contained in the past requested listing table, develops a list of requesters to target a promotion to, whereupon when a requester who is among the list of requesters contacts the system, they are provided with the promotion.

Claims

1. A communication assistance system, said system comprising:

a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of said listings including a least one contact name and a contact information;

a means for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing among said plurality of listings;

a table for storing past requested listings of said requesters, wherein said system reviews said table for storing past requested listings and, based on contents contained in said past requested listing table developing a list of requesters to target a promotion to, whereupon when a requester among said plurality of requesters who is among said list of requesters contacts said system, they are provided with said promotion.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for receiving incoming communications from said plurality of requesters is a telephone switch for receiving incoming telephone calls from said requesters.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for receiving incoming communications from said plurality of requesters is an electronic communication interface for receiving electronic communications from said requesters.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic interface is cable of receiving communications from said requesters in an electronic format selected from the group consisting of iMode, SMS, HTTP, WAP and IM.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table for storing past requested listings of said requesters, further includes additional information about past requested listings selected from the group consisting of time and date of request, number of times that listing was requested, category of said listing, ranking for that requester for said category of said listing.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said past requested listing table further includes a personal data field that contains personal data about said requester selected from the group consisting of ex, age, name, geographic location (primary), occupation.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said past requested listing table further includes a current promotion field which tracks current promotions previously accepted by said requester.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said system further maintains a top requested listing sub-table that includes data regarding category preference information about said listings requested by said requester.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said system, when developing a list of requesters to target a promotion to, is based on contents contained in one or more of said past requested listing table, said to requested listing sub-table, said personal information field, and said current promotion field.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said promotion is read to said requester by a live customer service agent during said communication from said requester.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said promotion is delivered to said requester as a pre-recorded message delivered in a closing prompt upon call completion.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a requester among said plurality of requesters, who is among said list of requesters to receive a promotion, contacts said system, said system recognizes said caller using a caller identifier.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said caller identifier is selected from the group consisting of ANI and MIN.

14. A method for providing communication assistance, said method comprising the steps of:

maintaining a database having a plurality of listings therein, each of said listings including a least one contact name and a contact information;

receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters seeking a listing among said plurality of listings;

storing past requested listings of said requesters in a table;

reviewing said table for storing past requested listings;

developing a list of requesters to target a promotion to based on contents contained in said past requested listing table; and

provided said requester with said promotion when a requester among said plurality of requesters who is among said list of requesters contacts said system.