Technique for effectively providing a personalized information assistance service
First Claim
1. A method for providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
- maintaining preference data associated with the user;
selecting information having content in accordance with the preference data;
receiving an information assistance call from the user, the call including a request for connection information;
searching a database in response to the request;
obtaining the requested connection information;
connecting the call to a destination device based on the requested connection information;
monitoring for a status of the call;
providing the selected information to the user during the call after the status is determined; and
providing the selected information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
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maintaining preference data associated with the user; selecting information having content in accordance with the preference data; receiving an information assistance call from the user, the call including a request for connection information; searching a database in response to the request; obtaining the requested connection information; connecting the call to a destination device based on the requested connection information; monitoring for a status of the call; providing the selected information to the user during the call after the status is determined; and providing the selected information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
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storage for storing preference data associated with the user; a server for selecting information having content in accordance with the preference data; an interface for receiving an information assistance call from the user, the call including a request for connection information; a database from which the requested connection information is obtained; a mechanism for connecting the call to a destination device based on the requested connection information; a processor for monitoring for a status of the call; a device for providing the selected information to the user during the call after the status is determined; and a second server for providing the selected information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
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maintaining preference data associated with a user; receiving an information assistance call from the user; selecting promotional information having content in accordance with the preference data; providing the selected promotional information to the user during the call; and providing the selected promotional information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method for providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
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maintaining preference data associated with the user; providing to the user an option to opt out of receiving promotional information; receiving an information assistance call from the user; and if the user has not selected the option to opt out of receiving promotional information; selecting promotional information having content in accordance with the preference data; providing the selected promotional information to the user during the call; and providing the selected promotional information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification