Dial by specialty services and management thereof

• US 20110281563A1
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Erb, Paul Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1058 Shopping and product ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42144 by service provider
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4935 Connection initiated by DAS system

Abstract

A phone system for providing dial by specialty features that can dynamically update providers within the system. A dial by specialty service can be provided on a user'"'"'s mobile device. The dial by specialty service can prompt the user to enter in specialty information, which can represent specific services or goods the user is looking for. The dial by specialty service can then search an augmented directory to find the telephone number of a provider who best satisfies the search criteria. In one embodiment, the service can place a call on behalf of the user to transfer the user to the telephone number. The providers at the time of being called can decline to accept the call from the dial by specialty service. The selected provider can also choose to be removed from the augmented directory altogether.

Claims

1. A phone system comprising:

a data repository storing a list of providers;

at least one processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said memory storing program instructions that when executed by said processor, causes said processor to;

receive a call from a communication device;

connect with a provider within said list of providers; and

direct said call from said communication device to said provider when authorized by said provider.

2. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said memory storing program instructions, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to receive search criteria from said communication device to identify said provider within said list of providers.

3. The phone system of claim 2, wherein said search criteria is received through speech recognition software on said communication device.

4. The phone system of claim 2, wherein said search criteria is received through a softkey on said communication device.

5. The phone system of claim 1, wherein connecting with said provider comprises using an automated voice system for receiving said authorization from said provider.

6. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said memory storing program instructions, when executed by said processor, further causes said processor to:

connect with a second provider within said list of providers; and

direct said call from said communication device to said second provider when authorized by said second provider.

7. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said memory storing program instructions, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to remove said provider from said list of providers when directed by said provider.

8. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said memory storing program instructions, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to remove said provider from said list of providers when said provider fails to connect with said phone system a predetermined number of times.

9. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said list of providers within said data repository is updated through a website connected to said phone system.

10. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said provider is associated with a location near said communication device.

11. In a communication system, a computer-implemented method for dynamically managing directory services comprising:

contacting a provider within said directory services;

determining whether to delist said provider; and

removing said provider from said directory services based on said determination.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises using an interactive voice response system.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises receiving a request from said provider.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises identifying a number of times said provider was contacted.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein removing said provider from said directory services comprises delisting said provider for a specified time.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein said provider is an employee within an organization.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein said provider is a vendor.

18. A system comprising:

a phone having a positioning system and an input device, said positioning system determining a location of said phone and said input device receiving search criteria;

wherein said phone provides said location and said search criteria to a communication service provider, said communication service provider identifying a set of relevant businesses around or at said location using said search criteria, said communication service provider verifying whether a business within said set of relevant businesses accepts calls and if not, said communication service provider removes said business from said set of relevant businesses.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said set of relevant businesses are provided to said phone.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein set of relevant businesses are connected with said phone through said communication service provider.