Technique for providing information assistance while maintaining connection information anonymity
First Claim
1. A method for providing information assistance to a caller, comprising:
- receiving a call from a caller, the call including a request for connection information concerning a researched party, wherein the connection information relates to the identification of a communications device associated with the researched party;
retrieving the connection information and access information in response to the request, wherein the access information enables the caller to effectuate a connection between the caller and the researched party through a provider of the information assistance;
transmitting to the caller the access information;
withholding from the caller the connection information;
storing the connection information in a record associated with the caller; and
providing to the caller an option for selection of at least one of the record and any other records associated with the caller when the caller communicates using the access information.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the invention, an indication of connection information anonymity is stored for each individual or entity that wants to have access information made available in response to a request for directory assistance respecting such individual or entity, but does not want their actual telephone number disclosed. The information assistance service may be accessed by a user using a wireline telephone, wireless telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other communications device seeking information assistance. An operator (or automated unit) who attends to such an information assistance service receives a request for information assistance respecting a researched party whose connection information is designated anonymous, and transmits to the user an access telephone number which enables the user to call a researched party, without however providing the user with the actual telephone number of the researched party. Such information may be transmitted to the user via a short message service (SMS) or a wireless application protocol (WAP). It may also be transmitted by facsimile, email, paging, instant messaging, web connection or other communications.
34 Citations
60 Claims
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1. A method for providing information assistance to a caller, comprising:
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receiving a call from a caller, the call including a request for connection information concerning a researched party, wherein the connection information relates to the identification of a communications device associated with the researched party;
retrieving the connection information and access information in response to the request, wherein the access information enables the caller to effectuate a connection between the caller and the researched party through a provider of the information assistance;
transmitting to the caller the access information;
withholding from the caller the connection information;
storing the connection information in a record associated with the caller; and
providing to the caller an option for selection of at least one of the record and any other records associated with the caller when the caller communicates using the access information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for connecting a user to a researched party through a provider of information assistance, comprising:
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providing, to the user, data concerning one or more researched parties whose connection information was previously requested by the user and undisclosed thereto by the provider;
receiving an identifier associated with the user, and a request from the user to establish a communications connection with one of the researched parties selectable by the user based on the data;
identifying connection information associated with a selected researched party, based on the identifier and the request; and
attempting to connect the user with the selected researched party, using the connection information associated with the selected researched party. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 55, 56, 57)
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28. A system for providing information assistance to a caller, comprising:
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an interface for receiving a call from a caller, the call including a request for connection information concerning a researched party, wherein the connection information relates to the identification of a communications device associated with the researched party; and
a processor programmed to retrieve the connection information and access information in response to the request, wherein the access information enables the caller to effectuate a connection between the caller and the researched party through a provider of the information assistance;
an output device for transmitting to the caller said access information, with said connection information withheld from the caller; and
storage for storing the connection information in a record associated with the caller, the caller being provided with an option for selection of at least one of the record and any other records associated with the caller when the caller communicates using the access information. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A system for connecting a caller user to a researched party through a provider of information assistance, comprising:
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an output device for providing, to the user, data concerning one or more researched parties whose connection information was previously requested by the user and undisclosed thereto by the provider;
an interface for receiving an identifier associated with the user and a request from the user to establish a communications connection with one of the researched parties selectable by the user based on the data; and
a processor programmed to identify connection information associated with a selected researched party, based on the identifier and the request; and
a mechanism for attempting to connect the caller with the researched party, using the connection information associated with the selected researched party. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification