Enhanced directory assistance service providing individual or group directories

• US 6,944,279 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• 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: Elsey, Nicholas J., Kepler, Michael A., Essex, Michael, Stafford, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad
• Assistant Examiner(s): AGDEPPA, HECTOR A
• Application Number:
  US10/263,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20030026405A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 379/218.01, 379/201.01, 379/223, 379/265.01
• 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 method for providing information assistance, comprising:

maintaining at least one record which contains contact information concerning a party, the contact information being provided for the record by a user having a first access right with respect to the record, the user granting a second access right with respect to the record to one or more selected users and selecting an option not to disclose the contact information to the selected users;

storing identifying information concerning the selected users and the selected status of the option in association with the record;

receiving a voice communication from a caller and identifying information concerning the caller, the voice communication including a request for obtaining the contact information concerning the party in the record;

retrieving the stored selected status of the option associated with the record;

determining, based on the received identifying information and the stored identifying information, whether the caller has the second access right with respect to the record; and

offering to establish a voice connection between the caller and the party based on the contact information without disclosing the contact information to the caller when it is determined that the caller has the second access right with respect to the record.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data communication includes a communication via the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the voice communication includes a telephone communication.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number associated with the party.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first access right includes right to edit content of the record.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second access right includes right to read content of the record only.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the party is different from the user having the first access right.

8. A method for providing information assistance, comprising:

maintaining at least one record containing contact information concerning a party, the contact information being provided for the record by a user having a first access right with respect to the record, the user granting a second access right with respect to the record to one or more selected users and selecting an option to deny access to the contact information by the selected users;

storing identifying information concerning the selected users and the selected status of the option in association with the record;

receiving signals in establishing a communication connection initiated by an initiator using a communication apparatus, and a request from the initiator for accessing the contact information concerning the party;

deriving from the signals an identifier;

retrieving the record based on the identifier, and the selected status of the option stored in association therewith;

determining whether the initiator has the second access right with respect to the record based on the identifier and the stored identifying information; and

offering to connect the initiator to the party based on the contact information without disclosing the contact information to the initiator when it is determined that the initiator has the second access right with respect to the record.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the communication apparatus includes a telephonic device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the identifier includes an automatic number identification (ANI).

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number associated with the party.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first access right includes right to edit content of the record.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the second access right includes right to read content of the record only.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the party is different from the user having the first access right.

16. A system for providing information assistance, comprising:

a mechanism for maintaining at least one record which contains contact information concerning a party, the contact information being provided for the record by a user having a first access right with respect to the record, the user granting a second access right with respect to the record to one or more selected users and selecting an option not to disclose the contact information to the selected users;

storage for storing identifying information concerning the selected users and the selected status of the option in association with the record;

an interface for receiving a voice communication from a caller and identifying information concerning the caller, the voice communication including a request for obtaining the contact information concerning the party in the record, the stored selected status of the option being retrieved from the storage; and

a device for determining, based on the received identifying information and the stored identifying information, whether the caller has the second access right with respect to the record, an establishment of a voice connection between the caller and the party based on the contact information being offered without disclosing the contact information to the caller when it is determined that the caller has the second access right with respect to the record.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the data communication includes a communication via the Internet.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the voice communication includes a telephone communication.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number associated with the party.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the first access right includes right to edit content of the record.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the second access right includes right to read content of the record only.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the party is different from the user having the first access right.