Communication assistance system and method
First Claim
1. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, the system comprising:
- a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring access to said information corresponding to subscriber listings;
a database configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscriber listings, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and
a billing record database coupled to said switch, configured to store information corresponding to amount of time caller was connected to each one of said subscriber listings, wherein said communication assistance system further provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A billing system is provided for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers. The billing system and communication assistance system include a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to the information corresponding to subscribers. A database stores the information corresponding to each of the subscribers, including their phone numbers. A billing record database is coupled to the switch and configured to store information corresponding to amount of time the requester was connected to each one of the subscribers. The communication assistance system provides instructions to the subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that the subscriber is not billed for the call.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring access to said information corresponding to subscriber listings; a database configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscriber listings, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and a billing record database coupled to said switch, configured to store information corresponding to amount of time caller was connected to each one of said subscriber listings, wherein said communication assistance system further provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring access to said information corresponding to subscriber listings, wherein said switch is configured to generate an incoming call information record containing a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said callers; a database accessible by an operator terminal and configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscriber listings, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and a billing record database coupled to said switch, configured to store information corresponding to amount of time caller was connected to each one of said subscriber listings, wherein said communication assistance system further provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring access to said information corresponding to subscriber listings, wherein said switch is configured to generate an incoming call information record containing a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said callers; and a database directory listing storing information corresponding to each one of said subscriber listings including their phone number, said information said information in said subscriber listings including a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of said subscribers; and a billing record database coupled to said switch, configured to store information corresponding to amount of time caller was connected to each one of said subscriber listings, wherein said communication assistance system further provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber.
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20. A method of operating a billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving calls from a plurality of a callers desiring to access said information corresponding to subscriber listings, at a telephone switch; accessing a first database and retrieving said information corresponding to a subscriber listing, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; storing information corresponding to said caller accessing said information and an amount of time said caller was connected to each one of said subscribers in a billing record database; and instructing said subscriber'"'"'s service provider not to bill said subscriber for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber.
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21. A method of operating a communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving calls from a plurality of a callers desiring to access said information corresponding to subscriber listings, at a telephone switch; generating an incoming call information record containing a Feature Code field, said feature code field containing a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said callers; accessing a first database and retrieving said information corresponding to each of said subscriber listings, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and storing information corresponding to said caller accessing said information and an amount of time said caller was connected to each one of said subscribers in a billing record database; and instructing said subscriber'"'"'s service provider not to bill said subscriber for said call when said caller is connected to said subscriber.
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Specification