Enhanced directory assistance service providing individual or group directories
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for maintaining data sources through a directory assistance provider comprising:
- an interface for receiving signals in establishing a communication connection with the directory assistance provider, the communication connection being initiated by an initiator using a communications apparatus, one or more data sources which are associated with the initiator being identified to the directory assistance provider based on an identifier in the received signals which identifies the communications apparatus;
a receiver for receiving from the initiator a request for taking an action concerning a selected one of the data sources on behalf of the initiator, the initiator being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the selected data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the selected data source, the request being communicated to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the initiator, the agent being accorded a level of access to the selected data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being as a function of the level of access allocated to the initiator; and
a processor for determining that the agent is allowed to take the action on behalf of the initiator when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Individuals and groups of individuals, such as corporations, are provided access to one or more private directories. The private directories can be edited by an administrator. Access to the private directories may be limited by administrators of the private directories. Access to private directories is provided via a connection to directory assistance providers. Directory service providers are capable of facilitating the administration of the private directories as well as connecting users of private directories to contacts in the private directories. Access to the private directory may be obtained via an internet connection.
212 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A system for maintaining data sources through a directory assistance provider comprising:
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an interface for receiving signals in establishing a communication connection with the directory assistance provider, the communication connection being initiated by an initiator using a communications apparatus, one or more data sources which are associated with the initiator being identified to the directory assistance provider based on an identifier in the received signals which identifies the communications apparatus;
a receiver for receiving from the initiator a request for taking an action concerning a selected one of the data sources on behalf of the initiator, the initiator being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the selected data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the selected data source, the request being communicated to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the initiator, the agent being accorded a level of access to the selected data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being as a function of the level of access allocated to the initiator; and
a processor for determining that the agent is allowed to take the action on behalf of the initiator when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for use by a provider of a communications service comprising:
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at least one data source associated with a user, the data source being searchable for contact information concerning a desired party based on which the provider establishes a communication connection to the desired party for the user, the user being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the data source;
an interface for receiving a call by the user to the provider, the call including a request for taking an action concerning the data source on behalf of the user, based on at least an identifier associated with the call the data source being identified to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the user, the agent being accorded a level of access to the data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the user; and
a controller for allowing the agent to take the action on behalf of the user when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for maintaining data sources through a directory assistance provider comprising:
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receiving signals in establishing a communication connection with the directory assistance provider, the communication connection being initiated by an initiator using a communications apparatus, one or more data sources which are associated with the initiator being identified to the directory assistance provider based on an identifier in the received signals which identifies the communications apparatus;
receiving from the initiator a request for taking an action concerning a selected one of the data sources on behalf of the initiator, the initiator being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the selected data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the selected data source, the request being communicated to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the initiator, the agent being accorded a level of access to the selected data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the initiator; and
determining that the agent is allowed to take the action on behalf of the initiator when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for use by a provider of a communications service comprising:
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maintaining at least one data source associated with a user, the data source being searchable for contact information concerning a desired party based on which the provider establishes a communication connection to the desired party for the user, the user being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the data source;
receiving a call by the user to the provider, the call including a request for taking an action concerning the data source on behalf of the user, based on at least an identifier associated with the call the data source being identified to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the user, the agent being accorded a level of access to the data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the user; and
allowing the agent to take the action on behalf of the user when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification