System and method for message delivery for non-published directory numbers to voice mail boxes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number comprising the steps of:
- receiving a directory assistance call from a caller to a destination;
determining that the destination is a non-published directory number;
determining whether a voice mail box is associated with the non-published directory number;
routing the call to the associated voice mail box; and
screening the call to determine if the caller is eligible to use message delivery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for directing directory assistance calls allows a caller seeking a non-published number to access a voice mail box associated with the non-published number. If a caller calls directory assistance to request a telephone number determined to be non-published, the call may be routed to an automatic recording indicating that the caller may leave a message. The caller may then leave a voice mail message for delivery to the appropriate party.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number comprising the steps of:
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receiving a directory assistance call from a caller to a destination; determining that the destination is a non-published directory number; determining whether a voice mail box is associated with the non-published directory number; routing the call to the associated voice mail box; and screening the call to determine if the caller is eligible to use message delivery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. The method of claim I further including the step of
maintaining billing information.
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10. A method for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number comprising the steps of:
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receiving a directory assistance call from a caller to a destination; determining that the destination is a non-published directory number; determining whether a voice mail box is associated with the non-published directory number; routing the call to the associated voice mail box; and monitoring the call to the voice mail box for evidence of fraud.
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11. A system for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number, comprising
means for receiving a directory assistance call from a caller to a destination; -
means for determining that the destination is a non-published directory number; means for determining whether a voice mail box is associated with the non-published directory number; means for routing the call to the associated voice mail box; and means for screening the call to determine if the caller is eligible to use message delivery. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number, comprising
means for receiving a directory assistance call from a caller to a destination; -
means for determining that the destination is a non-published directory number; means for determining whether a voice mail box is associated with the non-published directory number; means for routing the call to the associated voice mail box; and means for monitoring the call to the voice mail box for evidence of fraud.
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21. A services computer for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number comprising the steps of:
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means for obtaining a non-published dialed number and an associated voice mail system number; means for accessing a voice mail system according to the voice mail system number; means for accessing a voice mail box according to the non-published dialed number; means for establishing a connection between a caller and the accessed voice mail box; and means for monitoring the connection for evidence of fraud. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. In a system for delivering a message to a voice mail box of a listed party with a non-published directory number, a database comprising:
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a list of names; a phone number associated with each name in the list; a first flag indicating whether the phone number is non-published; and a second flag associated with each non-published number indicating whether to route messages to an associated voice mail box a third flag indicating whether a caller is eligible to use message delivery.
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Specification