Dial by specialty services and management thereof

• US 8,676,169 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Erb, Paul Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAHEED, KHALID W
• Application Number:
  US12/800,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20110281563A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 379/218.01, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/466, 455/457, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.6
• 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 search criteria from a communication device;

search for providers in the data repository which match the criteria;

provide a set of plural relevant providers resulting from the search to said communication device;

receive a selection of a provider from the set;

direct a call from said communication device to said provider when authorized by said provider; and

remove said provider from said list of providers for a specified time when said provider fails to connect with said phone system a predetermined number of times.

2. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said search criteria is received through speech recognition software on said communication device.

3. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said search criteria is received through a softkey on said communication device.

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

13. The phone system of claim 1, wherein said list of providers comprises vendors or employees.

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

computer-implemented programming for;

contacting a provider within said directory services;

determining whether to delist said provider as a result of said contacting; and

removing said provider from said directory services based on said determination and delisting said provider for a specified time,

wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises identifying a number of times said provider was contacted.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises using an interactive voice response system.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein determining whether to delist said provider comprises receiving a request from said provider.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein said provider is one of either an employee within an organization or a vendor.

14. A computer-implemented method for connecting a user with an entity in a phone system environment, the method comprising:

the phone system having computer-implemented programming for;

storing a list of entities in a data repository, the entities comprising vendors, providers or employees;

receiving a search criteria from a communication device;

finding entities in the data repository which match the search criteria;

providing a set of plural relevant entities to said communication device, wherein a relevant entity comprises

a provider or employee which matches said search criteria;

receiving a selection of an entity from the set;

allowing a user to connect a call from said communication device to said selected entity when authorized by said entity; and

removing an entity from said list for a specified time when said entity fails to connect with said user a predetermined number of times.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising receiving said search criteria through speech recognition software on said communication device and/or through a softkey on said communication device.

16. The method of claim 14, comprising connecting with said entity using an automated voice system for receiving said authorization from said entity.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said entity is associated with a location near said communication device.