Enhanced directory assistance service providing individual or group directories

• US 6,870,921 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
• Inventors: Essex, Michael, Stafford, John S., Elsey, Nicholas J., Kepler, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AGDEPPA, HECTOR A
• Application Number:
  US09/441,656
• Time in Patent Office: 1,957 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/10, 707/200, 379/200, 379/201, 37921801-21802
• US Class Current: 379/218.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• 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

Abstract

Individuals and groups of individuals, such as corporations, are provided access to one or more private directories. The private directories can be edited by an administrator. Access to the private directories may be limited by administrators of the private directories. Access to private directories is provided via a connection to directory assistance providers. Directory service providers are capable of facilitating the administration of the private directories as well as connecting users of private directories to contacts in the private directories. Access to the private directory may be obtained via an internet connection.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining data sources through a directory assistance provider comprising:

an interface for receiving signals in establishing a communication connection with the directory assistance provider, the communication connection being initiated by an initiator using a communications apparatus, one or more data sources which are associated with the initiator being identified to the directory assistance provider based on an identifier in the received signals which identifies the communications apparatus;

a receiver for receiving from the initiator a request for taking an action concerning a selected one of the data sources on behalf of the initiator, the initiator being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the selected data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the selected data source, the request being communicated to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the initiator, the agent being accorded a level of access to the selected data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being as a function of the level of access allocated to the initiator; and

a processor for determining that the agent is allowed to take the action on behalf of the initiator when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected data source includes information concerning an individual.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected data source includes information concerning a group.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the selected data source includes contact information.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the action includes revising data elements in the data source.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the action includes deleting data elements in the data source.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the action includes adding data elements to the data source.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the level of access allocated to the initiator allows the initiator to only view selected data elements in the data source.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the agent includes an operator.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the agent includes a voice server.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the identifier includes a telephone number.

13. A system for use by a provider of a communications service comprising:

at least one data source associated with a user, the data source being searchable for contact information concerning a desired party based on which the provider establishes a communication connection to the desired party for the user, the user being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the data source;

an interface for receiving a call by the user to the provider, the call including a request for taking an action concerning the data source on behalf of the user, based on at least an identifier associated with the call the data source being identified to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the user, the agent being accorded a level of access to the data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the user; and

a controller for allowing the agent to take the action on behalf of the user when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the communications service includes a voice communications service.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the data source includes a directory.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the communications service includes a directory assistance service.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the identifier includes a telephone number from which the call originates.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the action includes revising data elements in the data source.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the action includes deleting data elements in the data source.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein the action includes adding data elements to the data source.

21. The system of claim 13 wherein the level of access allocated to the user allows the user to only view selected data elements in the data source.

22. The system of claim 13 wherein the agent includes an operator.

23. The system of claim 13 wherein the agent includes a voice server.

24. The system of claim 13 wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.

25. A method for maintaining data sources through a directory assistance provider comprising:

receiving signals in establishing a communication connection with the directory assistance provider, the communication connection being initiated by an initiator using a communications apparatus, one or more data sources which are associated with the initiator being identified to the directory assistance provider based on an identifier in the received signals which identifies the communications apparatus;

receiving from the initiator a request for taking an action concerning a selected one of the data sources on behalf of the initiator, the initiator being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the selected data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the selected data source, the request being communicated to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the initiator, the agent being accorded a level of access to the selected data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the initiator; and

determining that the agent is allowed to take the action on behalf of the initiator when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the selected data source includes information concerning an individual.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the selected data source includes information concerning a group.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the selected data source includes contact information.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein the identifier includes a telephone number.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein the action includes revising data elements in the data source.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein the action includes deleting data elements in the data source.

33. The method of claim 25 wherein the action includes adding data elements to the data source.

34. The method of claim 25 wherein the level of access allocated to the initiator allows the initiator to only view selected data elements in the data source.

35. The method of claim 25 wherein the agent includes an operator.

36. The method of claim 25 wherein the agent includes a voice server.

37. A method for use by a provider of a communications service comprising:

maintaining at least one data source associated with a user, the data source being searchable for contact information concerning a desired party based on which the provider establishes a communication connection to the desired party for the user, the user being allocated one of a plurality of levels of access to the data source, the plurality of levels of access being associated with respective sets of allowed actions concerning the data source;

receiving a call by the user to the provider, the call including a request for taking an action concerning the data source on behalf of the user, based on at least an identifier associated with the call the data source being identified to an agent for taking the action on behalf of the user, the agent being accorded a level of access to the data source, the level of access accorded to the agent being a function of the level of access allocated to the user; and

allowing the agent to take the action on behalf of the user when the action is within the set of actions associated with the level of access accorded to the agent.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the communications service includes a voice communications service.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the data source includes a directory.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the communications service includes a directory assistance service.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.

42. The method of claim 37 wherein the agent includes an operator.

43. The method of claim 37 wherein the agent includes a voice server.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein the identifier includes a telephone number from which the call originates.

45. The method of claim 37 wherein the action includes revising data elements in the data source.

46. The method of claim 37 wherein the action includes deleting data elements in the data source.

47. The method of claim 37 wherein the action includes adding data elements to the data source.

48. The method of claim 37 wherein the level of access allocated to the user allows the user to only view selected data elements in the data source.