ELECTRONIC TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

• US 20100104084A1
• Filed: 12/29/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Masih, Meena Michelle
• Granted Patent: US 8,468,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/218.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/45 Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/554 Data synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment

Abstract

A system for providing directory information is disclosed. The system includes a computer and a directory device connected to the computer. The directory device includes a memory storage device for storing directory information and telecommunications information obtained from the computer. The telecommunications services information includes information on establishing telephone service.

Claims

1. A method for receiving directory information, comprising:

receiving a URL address entered by a user as an instruction to obtain the directory information from a directory server;

displaying a menu with selectable options for selecting telecommunications services information, wherein the telecommunications services information includes information on establishing telephone service, billing information, repair information, and operator services information;

dialing an access number to access a network via a gateway;

establishing a connection with the directory server; and

receiving, over the network, the directory information and telecommunications services information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing search functionality for searching information via a keyword.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the directory information and the telecommunications services information received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet, or an internet

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory server includes a web server.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting instructions corresponding to the URL address entered by the user from a directory device to a local device, wherein the local device dials the access number, establishes the connection, and receives the directory information and telecommunications services.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the local device is a computer configured to retrieve and transfer directory information from at least one of a storage medium or from the directory server via the network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the local device stores compressed telecommunications services information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the directory device receives the compressed telecommunications services information from the local device and selectively decompresses the telecommunications services information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving directory information and telecommunications information from a storage medium wherein the directory information and the telecommunications information is pre-stored in the storage medium.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information received over the network updates the information pre-stored in the storage medium

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the URL address is a URL address of a page of information stored on the directory server.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless network in communication with a wireless gateway.

14. A processor comprising:

an input/output portion configured to;

receive a URL address entered by a user as an instruction to obtain directory information from a directory server;

a display portion configured to display a menu with selectable options for selecting telecommunications services information;

a communications portion configured to;

dial an access number to access a network via a gateway;

establish a connection with the directory server; and

receive, over a network, directory information and telecommunications service information stored in the directory server; and

a memory portion configured to store the received information,

wherein the telecommunications services information includes information on establishing telephone service, billing information, repair information, and operator services information.

15. The processor of claim 14, further comprising transmitting instructions corresponding to the URL address entered by the user from a directory device to a local device, wherein the local device dials the access number, establishes the connection, and receives the directory information and telecommunications services.

16. The processor of claim 15, wherein the local device is a computer configured to retrieve and transfer directory information from at least one of a storage medium or from the directory server via the network.

17. The processor of claim 15, wherein the input/output portion receives compressed telecommunications services information from the local device and selectively decompresses the telecommunications services information.

18. The processor of claim 14, wherein the information received over the network updates information pre-stored in a storage on the processor

19. The processor of claim 14, wherein the URL address is a URL address of a page of information stored on the directory server.

20. The processor of claim 14, wherein the network is a wireless network in communication with a wireless gateway.

21. A system for providing directory information, comprising:

a computer;

a directory device that interfaces with the computer via a cable or a radio frequency wireless link,

wherein the directory device comprises a display interface displays a menu with selectable options for selecting telecommunications services information,

wherein the system, via the computer or the directory device, is adapted to receive a URL address entered by a user as an instruction to obtain the directory information from a directory server,

wherein the computer is configured to establish a connection with the directory server by dialing an access number to access a network via a gateway and receive, over a network, directory information and telecommunications services information stored in the directory server,

wherein the computer is configured to transmit the directory information or telecommunications services information to the directory device via the interface between the computer and directory device, and

wherein the telecommunications services information includes information on establishing telephone service;

billing information;

repair information; and

operator services information.