US 5,873,032 A · Method and system for providing directory assistance services during attempt to complete customer or after call termination via an alphanumeric page

Abstract

A mobile telephone, or personal communication services subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As known in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. In a preferred embodiment, the operator locates a desired destination telephone number in a computer database, and can select automatic dialing of the located number. Further, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the "*" button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g., providing further directory assistance). If a busy signal or non-answering party is detected, a customer is given a plurality of options including leaving a recorded message or page, or a predetermined alphanumeric message or page for the called party. In this case, the system automatically tries, repeatedly, to deliver the recorded message or page and, optionally, confirms successful or failed message delivery to the calling party.

Claims28

Dependent claims

An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service at a directory assistance center, comprising the steps:

(a) receiving a customer call from a calling customer using a customer telephone;
(b) connecting the calling customer to a directory assistance operator;
(c) locating a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the calling customer in a computer database;
(d) initiating a telephone call between the calling customer and a destination telephone having the destination telephone number responsive to operator selection of the destination telephone number;
(e) monitoring said telephone call for a ringing condition of a predetermined call status duration;
(f) after said predetermined call status duration of the ringing condition has been detected, muting the ringing signal for the calling customer while continuing to attempt to complete the telephone call between the calling customer telephone and the destination telephone;
(g) while the ringing signal is muted, playing a recorded menu of options for the calling customer, the recorded menu allowing the calling customer to select from a plurality of options with a predetermined caller input signal;
(h) monitoring said telephone call for either call completion or said predetermined caller input signal issued by the calling customer responsive to said recorded menu;
(i) if said predetermined caller input signal is detected, taking action based on said predetermined caller input signal issued by the calling customer;
and
(j) if call completion is detected, ceasing to play said recorded menu and allowing the call between the calling customer telephone and the destination telephone to proceed.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for providing directory assistance services during attempt to complete customer or after call termination via an alphanumeric page

Life of this patent

Method and system for providing directory assistance services during attempt to complete customer or after call termination via an alphanumeric page

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28