System and method for directory services and e-commerce across multi-provider networks

• US 20040132433A1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Context Connect LLC
• Inventors: Stern, Robert A., Drury, Rodney Kenneth, Ahn, Sunny K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,340,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

The present invention solves the problem of cross-provider access proprietary information between unaffiliated and competing network providers, but not allow that information to be disclosed to competing providers. The invention provides a system that allows increased utilization and revenue by allowing information from one provider to be accessed and used to complete a transaction or make a connection with subscribers in another carrier or network system without that information being disclosed. The description of the invention for use in wireless or cellular directory assistance is for convenience and illustration of the features of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention has many embodiments and can be applied to any system where confidential and secure access to an entity or services are needed.

Claims

6. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

establishing a contextual listing where a subscriber or a provider network manage subscriber contexts that are used to identify the subscriber in the listing;

associating the contexts in the contextual listing with a secure identity key;

searching the contextual listing when a context is given and determining the secure identity key associated thereto;

identifying at least one subscriber with the determined secure identity key; and

providing information or access to the identified subscriber.

11. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

establishing a contextual listing by pre-paid subscriber selection;

associating the contextual listing with a secure identity key using at least one predetermined context of the contextual listing;

identifying at least one subscriber with the secure identity key; and

providing information or access to the pre-paid subscriber.

12. The method according to claim 11, including verifying the identity of the pre-paid telephone subscriber.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pre-paid telephone subscriber is identified by means of a magnetic-strip card, SIM, password, or pre-determined context.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the pre-paid telephone subscriber is verified by means of a magnetic-strip card, SIM, password, or pre-determined context.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the directory listing information is input by telephone key-pad, voice command, operator assistance, or internet connection.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the directory listing information includes pre-determined subscriber data.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pre-determined subscriber data includes predetermined context, names, street addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, banking information, personal data, business data, or messaging.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the pre-paid telephone subscriber is identified by means of a magnetic-strip card, SIM, password, pre-determined context, telephone key- pad, voice command, operator assistance, or internet connection.

21. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

searching a contextual listing where at least one subscriber, or at least one network provider, or both select the contexts in the listing;

associating the contextual listing to one of said network provider with a secure identity key using at least one predetermined context of the contextual listing;

identifying at least one subscriber with the secure identity key; and

providing information or access to the subscriber using one of said network provider.

22. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

establishing a call center with access to a plurality of provider networks;

placing a call by a calling party to a call center having a database of predetermined contextual listings that are associated with a unique secure identity key, the contextual listings containing contextual references that have been created by a subscriber or a provider network in order to uniquely identify at least one subscriber, and requesting a search by giving at least one contextual reference that is used to match at least one contextual reference within the database of contextual listings;

matching the contextual reference given to the call center with a contextual reference to determine the associated secure identity key which identifies one provider network; and

passing the call placed at the call center to the identified provider network, and the provider network connecting the call to at least one subscriber.

42. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of placing a call is requested over the internet and the call is delivered over an existing voice network.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the step of creating placing a call creates a revenue generating event.

24. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

establishing a contextual listing by subscriber selection;

associating the contextual listing with a secure identity key using at least one predetermined context of the contextual listing;

identifying at least one subscriber with the secure identity key; and

providing information or access to the subscriber.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one context includes at least one subscriber fact.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one context includes a context key that is used to locate the at least one subscriber.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the context key includes a domain of predetermined conventions that is used to associate the subscriber with at least one entity, service or other individual, or a combination thereof.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the context key is a private protection key for use by users having discrete knowledge about a predetermined individual or predetermined service.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the context key is a private protection key for use by an organization for providing access to members of the organization.

32. A method for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the method having the steps:

establishing a list of subscribers at a provider network;

associating a secure identity key at the provider network for each subscriber;

receiving a request for a secure identity key search from at least one call center having a contextual directory;

performing a secure identity key search and identifying a subscriber; and

providing access to the identified subscriber.

33. A system for wireless directory service and e-commerce across multi-provider networks, the system comprising:

transaction equipment that acquires and captures context information from a telecommunication subscriber or prepaid phone user;

a network connected to the transaction equipment;

a processing system that is connected or connectable to the network, wherein the processing system comprises a computer;

a telecommunication subscriber database; and

a context information database.

34. A system according to claim 33 further comprising:

a goods or service database, wherein the processing system provides goods or service information to the telecommunications user upon demand.

35. A system according to claim 33 further comprising a demographic database wherein the process system requires demographic information for the telecommunications user.

36. A method for an electronic directory system having a transaction device, a plurality of business connection services and a network which connects said transaction device in order to perform a commercial transaction, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a consumer operable transaction device;

obtaining information concerning a business transaction between said transaction device and said plurality of business connection service through said network; and

identifying the user of the that transaction device by means of a includes predetermined context, names, street addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, banking information, personal data, business data, or messaging data.

44-1. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing information or access is an e-commerce purchase by a caller.