Method for providing enhanced directory assistance upon command using out-of-band signaling

• US 8,031,855 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Inventors: McGrath, Adam J., Elsey, Nicholas J., Cox, Patrick M., Powell, A. Peter, Kepler, Michael A., Filliger, Paul W., Timmins, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEANE JR, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US11/046,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20050129208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,437 Days
• Field of Search: 37926501-26514, 37926601-2661, 379/309, 379/210, 379/215, 379/218.01
• US Class Current: 379/218.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/424 Arrangements for automatic redialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• 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 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4935 Connection initiated by DAS system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/58 Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party substation line holding circuits H04M1/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/60 Semi-automatic systems, i.e. in which the numerical selection of the outgoing line is under the control of an operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A user calls a directory assistance service provider to search for a desired telephone number and be connected to a party at the desired number. In one such connection, the user is afforded enhanced directory assistance upon a user command in the form of an out-of-band signaling message, e.g., SS7 signaling message. For example, the user may be afforded further operator assistance by pressing on the user telephone a predetermined key (e.g., “*” key), which is detectable by the directory assistance service provider as an SS7 signaling message.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating voice communications between a caller and a called party, comprising:

attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a desired called party, said attempt includes sending an Initial Address Message signal via a signaling channel;

during said connection attempt to said desired called party, receiving from said signaling channel a first signal concerning a non-answering condition of the desired party;

indicating to the caller the non-answering condition of said desired party;

offering a service to said caller;

during the step of offering a service to said caller sending via said signaling channel, at least one second Initial Address Message signal for determining whether the non-answering condition persists; and

if said non-answering condition no longer exists as indicated by a received Answer Call Message signal, ceasing said offer to said caller and establishing a voice channel with said desired party, allowing the caller to communicate with said desired party.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the service includes directory assistance.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the directory assistance is provided by an operator.

5. A method for providing a directory assistance service comprising:

receiving, from a caller, a call including a directory assistance request;

searching for contact information in response to the directory assistance request;

based on the contact information, attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a called party, said attempt includes sending an Initial Address Message signal via a signaling channel;

during said connection attempt to said desired called party;

monitoring an signaling channel for a first SS7 signal concerning a non-answering condition of the desired party; and

when the first message is detected,

(a) indicating to the caller the non-answering condition of said desired party;

(b) sending via said signaling channel, at least one second Initial Address Message signal for determining whether the non-answering condition persists before the call is terminated; and

(c) if said non-answering condition no longer exists as indicated by a received Answer Call Message signal, establishing a voice channel with said desired party, allowing the caller to communicate with the desired party.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising providing the caller with a plurality of options after the non-answering condition is indicated to the caller.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the plurality of options include an option to be connected to a directory assistance provider.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the directory assistance provider includes an operator.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the plurality of options include an option to receive the contact information.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number.

12. A system for facilitating voice communications between a caller and a called party, comprising:

a device for attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a desired called party, said attempt includes sending an Initial Address Message signal via a signaling channel;

an interface for receiving from said signaling channel during said connection attempt to said desired called party, a first signal concerning a non-answering condition of the desired party, the non-answering condition being indicated to the caller;

a processor programmed to send via said signaling channel, at least one second initial Address Message signal for determining whether the non-answering condition persists while the caller is being offered a service; and

a mechanism for ceasing the offered service and establishing a voice channel with said desired party, allowing the caller to communicate with said desired party if it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists as indicated by a received Answer Call Message signal.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the service includes directory assistance.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the directory assistance is provided by an operator.

16. A system for providing a directory assistance service comprising:

an interface for receiving, from a caller, a call including a directory assistance request;

a server for searching for contact information in response to the directory assistance request;

a device for attempting to establish a voice communication between the caller and a called party based on the contact information said attempt includes sending an Initial Address Message signal via a signaling channel;

a processor programmed to monitor said signaling channel for a first signal concerning a non-answering condition of the voice communication, during said connection attempt to said desired called party; and

when the first message is detected, a mechanism for;

(a) indicating to the caller the non-answering condition;

(b) sending via said signaling channel, at least one second Initial Address Message signal for determining whether the non-answering condition persists before the call is terminated; and

(c) establishing a voice channel with said desired party allowing the caller to communicate with said desired party when it is determined that the non-answering condition no longer exists as indicated by a received Answer Call Message signal.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the non-answering condition includes a busy condition.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the caller is provided with a plurality of options after the non-answering condition is indicated to the caller.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of options include an option to be connected to a directory assistance provider.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the directory assistance provider includes an operator.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of options include an option to receive the contact information.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number.