Method and system for providing quick directions

• US 6,765,998 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Bruce, Les, Sinder, Michael Jay, Mullarkey, Michael F., Berry, Joseph Jamal
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US10/336,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20030152200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 379/671, 379/72, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.23, 379/201.08, 379/207.12, 379/201.06, 379/201.07, 379/201.18, 379/88.17, 455/406, 455/456, 455/961, 700/201, 700/209, 700/208, 700/211, 700/212
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing

Abstract

A method and system for providing a telephone caller information assistance such as driving directions from a starting location to a destination location. To obtain information assistance, the caller places a telephone call to access the system. If the geographical location of the caller can be determined by an automatic location identification system it is displayed on an operator console where the caller'"'"'s request is transferred to be handled by a live operator. The operator receives the caller'"'"'s destination request and queries the system for the street route driving instructions to the requested destination. After obtaining the street route driving instructions, the call can be transferred to an audio box having an interactive user interface capable of replaying the desired information to the caller. In an illustrative embodiment, the interactive user interface is capable providing functions to stop, start, pause, and replay the information to the caller.

Claims

1. A method for communicating route instructions from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

providing route instructions from a first location to a second location, wherein the route instructions comprise a plurality of demarcated points; and

with an interactive user interface, providing a user with commands at each demarcated point to manipulate, during playback, playback of the route instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location is identified by a calling party telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the commands are activated by depressing keys on a DTMF keypad.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the commands are activated by the user'"'"'s voice.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the commands comprises pausing playback of the route instructions at a demarcated point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the commands comprises repeating the route instructions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the route instructions comprise a plurality of segments, and wherein one of the commands comprises repeating a segment.

8. A system for communicating route instructions from a first location to a second location, the system comprising:

a database comprising route instructions from a first location to a second location, wherein the route instructions comprise a plurality of demarcated points; and

a processor operative to provide a user with commands at each demarcated point to manipulate, during playback, playback of the route instructions.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first location is identified by a calling party telephone number.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the commands are activated by depressing keys on a DTMF keypad.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the commands are activated by the user'"'"'s voice.

12. A method for communicating route instructions from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

communicating route instructions from a first location to a second location to a user;

while the route instructions are being communicated to the user, receiving a command from the user to manipulate playback of the route instructions; and

manipulating, during playback, playback of the route instructions in accordance with the command.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the command is activated by depressing keys on a DTMF keypad.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the command is activated by the user'"'"'s voice.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the command pauses playback of the route instructions.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the command repeats the route instructions.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the route instructions comprise a plurality of segments, and wherein the command repeats a segment.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the route instructions are communicated to the user using an interactive user interface.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the route instructions comprise a plurality of demarcated points, and wherein the method further comprises providing the user with commands at each demarcated point.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first location is identified by a calling party telephone number.