Technique for continually providing directional assistance over a communication network to a user
First Claim
1. A method for use in a system for communicating to a user directions to a location through successive communication connections, at least one of the communication connections includes a telephone call, the method comprising:
- planning a route to reach the location;
dividing the planned route into a plurality of segments thereof in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion;
communicating a first segment of the planned route to the user through a first communication connection; and
carrying out the following (a)-(e) with or without repetition thereof;
(a) establishing a second communication connection with the user;
(b) retrieving from a memory a reference indicating a segment of the planned route lastly communicated to the user;
(c) selecting a second segment of the planned route based on the reference;
(d) communicating the selected segment of the planned route to the user through the second communication connection; and
(e) updating the reference.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless telephone subscriber who wishes directory assistance in the form of directions from one specified location to another is connected to a directory assistance agent. The subscriber identifies a destination location and any requested travel criteria. The directory assistance agent collects the subscriber'"'"'s travel parameters and a routing algorithm on the server draws upon geographic, transportation, and related information stored on the server to generate an appropriate route to the destination location. The selected route may be divided into multiple segments. Directions according to each segment are provided to the subscriber. The subscriber may remain connected to the directory assistance center for all or any portion of the travel, may disconnect and reconnect as necessary, or may receive the entire route of travel in a single communication. Upon reconnection to a directory assistance agent while travelling, the subscriber is recognized as a travelling subscriber based on his MIN, ESN, or unique traveller identification number, and the agent is furnished with the subscriber'"'"'s travel information and current location. The route of travel may be updated or amended as desired or as made necessary due to closed routes of travel, congestion, etc.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for use in a system for communicating to a user directions to a location through successive communication connections, at least one of the communication connections includes a telephone call, the method comprising:
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planning a route to reach the location;
dividing the planned route into a plurality of segments thereof in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion;
communicating a first segment of the planned route to the user through a first communication connection; and
carrying out the following (a)-(e) with or without repetition thereof;
(a) establishing a second communication connection with the user;
(b) retrieving from a memory a reference indicating a segment of the planned route lastly communicated to the user;
(c) selecting a second segment of the planned route based on the reference;
(d) communicating the selected segment of the planned route to the user through the second communication connection; and
(e) updating the reference. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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2. A method for use in a system for communicating to a user directions to a location through successive communication connections, the method comprising:
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planning a route to reach the location;
dividing the planned route into a plurality of segments thereof in accordance with at least one predetermined criterion, wherein the planned route is stored in association with an identifier for identifying the user;
communicating a first segment of the planned route to the user through a first communication connection; and
carrying out the following (a)-(e) with or without repetition thereof;
(a) establishing a second communication connection with the user;
(b) retrieving from a memory a reference indicating a segment of the planned route lastly communicated to the user;
(c) selecting a second segment of the planned route based on the reference;
(d) communicating the selected segment of the planned route to the user through the second communication connection; and
(e) updating the reference. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification