Telephone directory information system with call placement capability
First Claim
1. A telephone directory information system with call completion capability comprising:
- a data network server located on a data network, said server being configured to cooperate in establishing a telephonic connection between a first communication device and a second communication device, said server having at least two modes of operation including a search mode and an establish-connection mode, said server being configured to transmit a search command signal in response to a search request received from a requesting source over said data network during said search mode, said server being configured to transmit an establish-connection command signal to said requesting source during said establish-connection mode in response to an establish-connection request received from said requesting source over said data network, said establish-connection command signal being specific to establishing said connection between said first communication device and said second communication device; and
memory connected to said server, said memory having stored telephone directory information including a first telephone number assigned to said first communication device, said memory being responsive to said search command signal transmitted from said server, said search command signal triggering transmission of data indicative of said first telephone number to said server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing directory information with a call completion feature includes a data network server located on a data network for establishing a connection between a first communication device and a second communication device. The network server is configured to transmit a search command signal in response to a search command request and to transmit an establish-connection command signal in response to an establish-connection request, the establish-connection command signal being necessary to establish the connection between the first and second communication devices. A database is connected to the network server and is configured to transmit a first telephone number to the server in response to the search command signal. In a preferred embodiment, the establish-connection command signal is transmitted to a computer connected to the server, causing the computer to dial the first telephone number, thereby establishing the connection between the first and second communication devices. In another preferred embodiment, the establish-connection command signal is transmitted from the server to a telephone switch, causing the telephone switch to establish the connection between the first and second communication devices. In alternative embodiments, the system may be implemented over an internet protocol (IP) telephony connection or via any known network.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A telephone directory information system with call completion capability comprising:
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a data network server located on a data network, said server being configured to cooperate in establishing a telephonic connection between a first communication device and a second communication device, said server having at least two modes of operation including a search mode and an establish-connection mode, said server being configured to transmit a search command signal in response to a search request received from a requesting source over said data network during said search mode, said server being configured to transmit an establish-connection command signal to said requesting source during said establish-connection mode in response to an establish-connection request received from said requesting source over said data network, said establish-connection command signal being specific to establishing said connection between said first communication device and said second communication device; and
memory connected to said server, said memory having stored telephone directory information including a first telephone number assigned to said first communication device, said memory being responsive to said search command signal transmitted from said server, said search command signal triggering transmission of data indicative of said first telephone number to said server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for providing telephone directory information comprising the steps of:
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receiving a data transmission from a computer via a data network, including receiving a search request for a first telephone number assigned to a first communication device;
accessing said telephone number from a generally accessed telephone directory database;
transmitting data related to said telephone number accessed from said database to said computer via said data network;
transmitting a command to said computer via said data network to establish a telephonic connection that includes said first communication device, said first communication device being remotely located from said computer, said command being specific to said telephone number; and
establishing said telephonic connection involving said first communication device as a response to said command to establish said connection, including utilizing said computer in initiating said telephonic connection. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A telephone directory information system with a call completion capability comprising:
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a data network server connected to a data network, said server being responsive to a telephone number search request, receipt of said search request from a requesting source triggering transmission of a search command signal from said server, said server including a control program enabling said server to transmit an establish-connection command signal to establish a connection between a first communication device and a second communication device, said server being configured to transmit partial search results to said requesting source while disabling detection of telephone numbers at said requesting source;
a database having memory storing generally accessible telephone directory information, including a first telephone number assigned to said first communication device, said memory being responsive to said search command signal transmitted by said server, receipt of said search command signal triggering transfer of said first telephone number to said server; and
a network interface having an input connected to said server and an output connected to a telephone switch, said input being configured to receive said establish-connection command signal, said establish-connection command signal having a format incompatible for processing by said telephone switch, said output being configured to transmit a reformatted establish-connection command signal having a format compatible for processing by said telephone switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification