Method for providing directory assistance services via an alphanumeric page
First Claim
1. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
- locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status, wherein the at least one option includes returning the caller to information assistance;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the at least one option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile telephone, or personal communication services subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As known in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. In a preferred embodiment, the operator locates a desired destination telephone number in a computer database, and can select automatic dialing of the located number. Further, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the “*” button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g., providing further directory assistance). If a busy signal or non-answering party is detected, a customer is given a plurality of options including leaving a recorded message or page, or a predetermined alphanumeric message or page for the called party. In this case, the system automatically tries, repeatedly, to deliver the recorded message or page and, optionally, confirms successful or failed message delivery to the calling party.
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Citations
63 Claims
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1. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status, wherein the at least one option includes returning the caller to information assistance;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the at least one option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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2. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status, wherein the call status is a busy signal;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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3. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status, wherein the call status is a ring-no answer condition;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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4. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status, wherein the call status indicates a connection between the caller and the desired party;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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5. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, wherein the page includes an alphanumeric message and contains information relating to the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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6. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party, wherein the information includes the destination telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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7. A method of providing information assistance, comprising:
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locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by a caller;
initiating a telephone call between the caller and the destination telephone number;
monitoring the telephone call for a predetermined call status;
providing at least one option to the caller based on the call status;
taking action relating to the telephone call based on a selection of the option; and
sending a page to the caller in response to the predetermined call status, the page containing information relating to the desired party, wherein the information includes a name associated with the desired party. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification