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.
A method of providing personalized telephone directory assistance service at a directory assistance center, comprising: maintaining a database of telephone numbers, each telephone number being associated with a name of a customer having the telephone number; receiving a call from a customer telephone through a switching center from a customer; connecting the call from the customer telephone through the switching center to a directory assistance switch over a communication link established between the switching center and the directory assistance switch; receiving, from the switching center and through the communication link, a stream of data concerning the call; identifying an originating telephone number of the call from the stream of data; connecting the call to a directory assistance provider; retrieving a name associated with the originating telephone number from the database; and presenting a message to the customer, the message being personalized to include the retrieved name.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of providing personalized telephone directory assistance service at a directory assistance center, comprising: maintaining a database of telephone numbers, each telephone number being associated with a name of a customer having the telephone number; receiving a call from a customer telephone through a switching center from a customer; connecting the call from the customer telephone through the switching center to a directory assistance switch over a communication link established between the switching center and the directory assistance switch; receiving, from the switching center and through the communication link, a stream of data concerning the call; identifying an originating telephone number of the call from the stream of data; connecting the call to a directory assistance provider; retrieving a name associated with the originating telephone number from the database; and presenting a message to the customer, the message being personalized to include the retrieved name.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the personalized message comprises a greeting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the personalized message comprises a closing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said personalized message is played by a voice server.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said personalized message is voiced by a directory assistance operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said personalized message is presented in a language preferred by the customer.