Method and apparatus to provide enhanced directory assistance information in a communication network
First Claim
1. A method of providing enhanced directory assistance, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a request from a requestor for directory information about a listed party;
determining if enhanced directory information for the listed party is available in an enhanced information database;
retrieving the enhanced directory information associated with the listed party, from the enhanced information database, as a first script that incorporates the enhanced directory information; and
providing the enhanced directory information using a second script, wherein the second script is accessible via a telephone connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus that provide enhanced directory assistance information. An operator receives a request for directory information about a listed party over a telephone connection. It is then determined if enhanced directory information for the listed party is available in an enhanced information database. The enhanced directory information associated with the listed party is retrieved, from the enhanced information database, as a script that incorporates the enhanced directory information. The enhanced directory information can then be provided using the script. The enhanced directory information can be stored, for example, on a Web server that is updated by the listed party and the information can be transferred using a Phone Markup Language script.
46 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method of providing enhanced directory assistance, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request from a requestor for directory information about a listed party;
determining if enhanced directory information for the listed party is available in an enhanced information database;
retrieving the enhanced directory information associated with the listed party, from the enhanced information database, as a first script that incorporates the enhanced directory information; and
providing the enhanced directory information using a second script, wherein the second script is accessible via a telephone connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
interacting with the requestor to provide additional information about the listed party through an interactive voice response system.
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27. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
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receiving information about the requester; and
providing the information about the requestor to the listed party.
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28. A method of providing enhanced directory assistance, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request from a requestor, for enhanced directory information, the request including an identifier associated with a listed party;
retrieving a phone markup language script associated with the listed party, the phone markup language script incorporating the enhanced directory information from an enhanced information database, which is also referenced by a hypertext markup language script to be transferred over the Internet;
converting the phone markup language script into an audio format; and
providing to the requester the audio format enhanced directory information. - View Dependent Claims (29)
interacting with the requestor to provide additional information about the listed party through an interactive voice response system.
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30. An enhanced directory assistance information platform, comprising:
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a first communications port configured to receive a request from a requester, for enhanced directory information, the request including an identifier associated with a listed party;
a processor coupled to said first communications port configured to retrieve a phone markup language script associated with the listed party, the phone markup language script incorporating the enhanced directory information from an enhanced information database which is also referenced by a hypertext markup language script to be transferred over the Internet. said processor being further configured to convert the phone markup language script into an audio format; and
a second communications port coupled to said processor and configured to provide to the requester, the audio format enhanced directory information. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. An apparatus to provide enhanced directory assistance, comprising:
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means for receiving a request for directory information about a listed party;
means for determining if enhanced directory information for the listed party is available in an enhanced information database; and
means for retrieving the enhanced directory information associated with the listed party, from the enhanced information database, as a script that incorporates the enhanced directory information; and
means for providing the enhanced directory information if the enhanced directory information is available.
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33. An apparatus to provide enhanced directory assistance, comprising:
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means for receiving a request from a requester, for enhanced directory information, the request including an identifier associated with a listed party;
means for retrieving a phone markup language script associated with the listed party, the phone markup language script incorporating the enhanced directory information from an enhanced information database, which is also referenced by a hypertext markup language script to be transferred over the Internet;
means for converting the phone markup language script into an audio format; and
means for providing to the requester the audio format enhanced directory information.
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34. A method of providing access to a directory database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving over a telephone connection, a request from a requestor, for directory information about a listed party;
retrieving directory information associated with the listed party, the listed party being able to directly update the directory information, such that the updated information is available to the requester at substantially the same time that the information is updated; and
Providing the directory information to the requestor over the telephone connection.
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35. A method of providing a directory database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving from a listed party updates to directory information associated with the listed party;
updating the directory information in the directory database; and
automatically makingthe updated directory information available to a party seeking directory information over a telephone connection. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification