Method and apparatus for monitoring telephonic members and providing directory assistance
First Claim
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1. A method of providing directory assistance services to a caller comprising:
- receiving a call from the caller;
establishing a telephonic connection between the caller and a destination party;
detecting that the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection;
before automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider, determining whether the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within a predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection; and
automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider if it is determined that the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within the predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help.
40 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of providing directory assistance services to a caller comprising:
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receiving a call from the caller;
establishing a telephonic connection between the caller and a destination party;
detecting that the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection;
before automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider, determining whether the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within a predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection; and
automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider if it is determined that the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within the predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of providing directory assistance services to a caller comprising:
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receiving a call from the caller;
establishing a telephonic connection between the caller and a destination party;
detecting that the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection before connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider; and
automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider if the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within a predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for providing directory assistance services to a caller comprising:
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an interface for receiving a call from a caller;
a device for establishing a telephonic connection between the caller and a destination party;
a first signal processor for determining that the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection;
a second signal processor for, before automatically connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider, determining whether the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within a predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection; and
whereby the device automatically connects the caller to a directory assistance provider if it is determined that the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within the predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22)
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17. An apparatus for providing directory assistance services to a caller comprising:
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an interface for receiving a call from the caller;
a device for establishing a telephonic connection between the caller and a destination party;
a signal processor for, before connecting the caller to a directory assistance provider, detecting that the destination party has disconnected from the telephone connection; and
whereby the device automatically connects the caller to a directory assistance provider if the caller has not disconnected from the telephonic connection within a predetermined period after the destination party has disconnected from the telephonic connection. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 23)
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Specification