Technique for providing personalized information and communications services

Abstract

A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing listing information, contacts information, appointments information, etc. To provide effective connectivity, for example, when a user locates a phone number in his/her private directory using a web browser, the user may utilize a direct connect feature of the invention to initiate a phone call to the desired number over the Internet. In addition, the invention allows for delivery of the appointments information to the user not only via voice connection, but also SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. It also allows for rendering a calendaring service in combination with such services as a TeleConcierge® service which helps the user to plan a future event, e.g., making a restaurant reservation. An appointment record concerning the future event is automatically incorporated into the user's calendar once it is successfully planned. To personalize the services, at least one profile associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving them. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, methods of delivery of information to the user, etc.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for managing information sources for a user comprising: 
 an interface for receiving data concerning the user;    a processing element responsive to the data for identifying at least one information source associated with the user and determining an access right of the user to the information source; and    an output element for providing at least one option to perform an action on the information source, the option being provided as a function of the access right to the information source.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the information source includes a folder containing contacts information.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the information source includes a folder containing appointments information.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the data is received in establishing a telephone connection with the interface, and the data contains an automatic number identifier (ANI).  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the telephone connection includes a wireless telephone connection, and the ANI includes a wireless telephone number.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one option being selected by an agent on behalf of the user, the agent being granted the access right to the information source.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the agent includes an operator to whom the user calls to access the information source.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the access right includes a right to view information in the information source.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the access right includes a right to edit information in the information source.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the access right includes a right to grant others rights to access the information source.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the information source includes a telephone number kept confidential from the user limited by the access right, the system further comprising a telecommunication facility for connecting the user to the telephone number through an agent.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the agent is an operator from which the telephone number is also kept confidential.  
     
     
         13 . A system for managing at least first and second information sources comprising: 
 a memory for storing data concerning an association of the first information source with the second information source;    a device for selecting at least one direction of a flow of information between the first information source and the second information source;    an interface for accessing at least one of the first information source and the second information source through a communication connection; and    a processor for updating at least the first information source with information in the second information source in accordance with the direction.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first and second information sources contain contacts information.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first and second information sources contain appointments information.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the communication connection includes an Internet connection.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the first information source is updated while the system is idle.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a battery power source, wherein an update of the first information source is halted while the system is drawing power from the battery power source.  
     
     
         19 . A directory system comprising: 
 an interface for locating contact information concerning a party in a directory;    a processor for verifying whether the contact information is valid, and generating a selectable option of initiating a communication connection with the party based on the contact information when the contact information is verified to be valid; and    a device for selecting the option to initiate the communication connection.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the contact information includes a telephone number of the party.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the communication connection includes a voice connection.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the voice connection includes a voice over Internet protocol (VIP) connection.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the interface includes a graphic user interface (GUI), and the selectable option includes an icon.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19  comprising a personal computer (PC).  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the device includes a mouse device connected to the PC.  
     
     
         26 . A directory system for use by a user associated with a selected telephone number comprising: 
 an interface for locating a second telephone number associated with a party in a directory;    a device for initiating communications between the user and the party; and    a switching subsystem for establishing a first communication connection to the second telephone number, and a second communication connection to the selected telephone number, and for bridging the first communication connection to the second communication connection to realize the communications between the user and the party.    
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the second communication connection includes a wireless connection.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the directory is identified by the selected telephone number.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the interface includes a GUI.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26  further comprising a second device for causing the party to be on hold after the first communication connection is established.  
     
     
         31 . A calendaring system comprising: 
 a first device for providing a service concerning a future event for a user;    a processor for generating an appointment record containing information concerning the future event for incorporation into a calendar associated with the user; and    a second device for providing a notification containing at least part of the information prior to the future event.    
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the service involves making a reservation for the user.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the service involves purchasing a ticket for the user.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the service involves conducting an electronic transaction for the user.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided via voice connection.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided via email.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided via SMS.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the first device generates data when the service is provided, and the information in the appointment record includes at least part of the data.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the future event is to be attended by an invitee, and the second device provides a second notification concerning the future event to the invitee prior to the future event.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the second notification includes at least part of the information.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the second notification is provided via email.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the processor generates a second appointment record concerning the future event for incorporation into a second calendar which is associated with the invitee.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided a predetermined period prior to the future event.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided a period prior to the future event whose length varies with the information in the appointment record.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 31  wherein the notification is provided a period prior to the future event whose length varies with a category of the appointment record.  
     
     
         46 . A calendaring system comprising: 
 a database for containing a plurality of appointment calendars;    an interface for receiving from a user a request for selected access to a selected one of the appointment calendars;    a processor for identifying an access level associated with the user with respect to the selected calendar, and determining whether the access level permits the selected access; and    a server for meeting the request when it is determined that the access level permits the selected access.    
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the request is met by an operator's performing the selected access for the user.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the request is received via voice connection.  
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the access level accords read-only rights to the user.  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the access level accords administrative rights to the user.  
     
     
         51 . A communications system for providing a service comprising: 
 an interface for receiving signals in establishing a communication connection, the signals containing an identifier;    a processor responsive to the signals for obtaining a profile based on the identifier, the profile including at least one preference for providing the service; and    a device for providing the service based on the at least one preference in the profile.    
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the at least one preference defines an option of the service.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53  further comprising a facility where a selected operator handles the telephone connection, the selected operator being selected based on a preference of a skill of an operator in the profile.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 53  wherein the identifier includes at least part of an ANI.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the service includes information assistance.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 51  wherein the service includes delivering selected information, and the at least one preference concerns a method of delivery of the selected information.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the method of delivery is via email.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the method of delivery is via short message service (SMS).  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the method of delivery is via facsimile.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the method of delivery is via voice connection.  
     
     
         62 . A system for providing a service in response to a communication comprising: 
 a device for providing the service based on at least one profile;    an interface for receiving a request for the at least one profile from the device, the request including an identifier associated with the communication, the at least one profile including one or more preferences for providing the service; and    a processor responsive to the identifier for producing a selected version of the at least one profile to the device.    
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 62  further comprising a memory which contains a second version of the at least one profile, wherein the selected version is produced in response to an indicator indicating applicability of the second version.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63  wherein the selected version is produced through a communications network.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64  wherein the communications network includes a wide area network.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 62  wherein the communication includes a telephone call to a facility where the service is provided.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 62  wherein the at least one profile includes a plurality of profiles, the plurality of profiles being accorded different priorities, the selected version being a reconciled version of the plurality of profiles in accordance with the different priorities thereof.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 62  wherein the one or more preferences are selected by a user of the service.  
     
     
         69 . A system for connecting a calling party to a called party comprising: 
 an interface for receiving through a first communication link communications to an agent, the communications including a request for connecting the calling party to the called party, the agent in response to the request causing an issuance of a call to the called party;    a processor for establishing a second communication link in issuing the call;    a device for inputting at least one message for transmission to the called party for the called party to consider before answering the call; and    a switch for bridging the first communication link to the second communication link.    
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the agent is an operator.  
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 69  wherein each of the first and second communication links is a telephone connection.  
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes a display message.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a telephone number of a calling station from which the communications are sent, and an identity of a subscriber to the telephone number.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning an identity of the calling party different from the subscriber.  
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a telephone number for the called party to call back the calling party.  
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a facsimile number.  
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning an email address.  
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a content of the call.  
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 69  wherein the at least one message is derived from the communications.  
     
     
         80 . A method for managing information sources for a user comprising: 
 receiving data concerning the user;    in response to the data, identifying at least one information source associated with the user;    determining an access right of the user to the information source; and    providing at least one option to perform an action on the information source, the option being provided as a function of the access right to the information source.    
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the information source includes a folder containing contacts information.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the information source includes a folder containing appointments information.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the data is received in establishing a telephone connection with the interface, and the data contains an ANI.  
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the telephone connection includes a wireless telephone connection, and the ANI includes a wireless telephone number.  
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the at least one option being selected by an agent on behalf of the user, the agent being granted the access right to the information source.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the agent includes an operator to whom the user calls to access the information source.  
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the access right includes a right to view information in the information source.  
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the access right includes a right to edit information in the information source.  
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the access right includes a right to grant others rights to access the information source.  
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the information source includes a telephone number kept confidential from the user limited by the access right, the method further comprising connecting the user to the telephone number through an agent.  
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the agent is an operator from which the telephone number is also kept confidential.  
     
     
         92 . A method for use in a system for managing at least first and second information sources comprising: 
 storing data concerning an association of the first information source with the second information source;    selecting at least one direction of a flow of information between the first information source and the second information source;    accessing at least one of the first information source and the second information source through a communication connection; and    updating at least the first information source with information in the second information source in accordance with the direction.    
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the first and second information sources contain contacts information.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the first and second information sources contain appointments information.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the communication connection includes an Internet connection.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 92  wherein the first information source is updated while the system is idle.  
     
     
         97 . A method for use in a directory system comprising: 
 locating contact information concerning a party in a directory;    verifying whether the contact information is valid;    generating a selectable option of initiating a communication connection with the party based on the contact information when the contact information is verified to be valid; and    selecting the option to initiate the communication connection.    
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the contact information includes a telephone number of the party.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the communication connection includes a voice connection.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99  wherein the voice connection includes a VoIP connection.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the selectable option includes an icon.  
     
     
         102 . A method for providing a directory for a user associated with a selected telephone number, the method comprising: 
 locating a second telephone number associated with a party in the directory;    initiating communications between the user and the party;    establishing a first communication connection to the second telephone number, and a second communication connection to the selected telephone number; and    bridging the first communication connection to the second communication connection to realize the communications between the user and the party.    
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102  wherein the second communication connection includes a wireless connection.  
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 102  wherein the directory is identified by the selected telephone number.  
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 102  further comprising causing the party to be on hold after the first communication connection is established.  
     
     
         106 . A method for use in a calendaring system, the method comprising: 
 providing a service concerning a future event for a user;    generating an appointment record containing information concerning the future event for incorporation into a calendar associated with the user; and    providing a notification containing at least part of the information prior to the future event.    
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the service involves making a reservation for the user.  
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the service involves purchasing a ticket for the user.  
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the service involves conducting an electronic transaction for the user.  
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided via voice connection.  
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided via email.  
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided via SMS.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 106  further comprising generating data when the service is provided, and the information in the appointment record includes at least part of the data.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the future event is to be attended by an invitee, and the second device provides a second notification concerning the future event to the invitee prior to the future event.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 114  wherein the second notification includes at least part of the information.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 114  wherein the second notification is provided via email.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 114  further comprising generating a second appointment record concerning the future event for incorporation into a second calendar which is associated with the invitee.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided a predetermined period prior to the future event.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided a period prior to the future event whose length varies with the information in the appointment record.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 106  wherein the notification is provided a period prior to the future event whose length varies with a category of the appointment record.  
     
     
         121 . A method for use in a calendaring system comprising: 
 storing a plurality of appointment calendars;    receiving from a user a request for selected access to a selected one of the appointment calendars;    identifying an access level associated with the user with respect to the selected calendar;    determining whether the access level permits the selected access; and    meeting the request when it is determined that the access level permits the selected access.    
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121  wherein the request is met by an operator's performing the selected access for the user.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 121  wherein the request is received via voice connection.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 121  wherein the access level accords read-only rights to the user.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 121  wherein the access level accords administrative rights to the user.  
     
     
         126 . A method for providing a service, the method comprising: 
 receiving signals in establishing a communication connection, the signals containing an identifier;    in response to the signals, obtaining a profile based on the identifier, the profile including at least one preference for providing the service; and    providing the service based on the at least one preference in the profile.    
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126  wherein the at least one preference defines an option of the service.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 126  wherein the communication connection includes a telephone connection.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 128  further comprising handling the telephone connection by a selected operator, the selected operator being selected based on a preference of a skill of an operator in the profile.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 128  wherein the identifier includes at least part of an ANI.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 126  wherein the service includes information assistance.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 126  wherein the service includes delivering selected information, and the at least one preference concerns a method of delivery of the selected information.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the method of delivery is via email.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the method of delivery is via SMS.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the method of delivery is via facsimile.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the method of delivery is via voice connection.  
     
     
         137 . A method for providing a service in response to a communication, the method comprising: 
 providing the service based on at least one profile;    receiving a request for the at least one profile, the request including an identifier associated with the communication, the at least one profile including one or more preferences for providing the service; and    in response to the identifier, producing a selected version of the at least one profile.    
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137  further comprising storing a second version of the at least one profile, wherein the selected version is produced in response to an indicator indicating applicability of the second version.  
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the selected version is produced through a communications network.  
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139  wherein the communication includes a telephone call to a facility where the service is provided.  
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 137  wherein the at least one profile includes a plurality of profiles, the plurality of profiles being accorded different priorities, the selected version being a reconciled version of the plurality of profiles in accordance with the different priorities thereof.  
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 137  wherein the one or more preferences are selected by a user of the service.  
     
     
         143 . A method for use in a system for connecting a calling party to a called party, the method comprising: 
 receiving through a first communication link communications to an agent, the communications including a request for connecting the calling party to the called party, the agent in response to the request causing an issuance of a call to the called party;    establishing a second communication link in issuing the call;    inputting at least one message for transmission to the called party for the called party to consider before answering the call; and    bridging the first communication link to the second communication link.    
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the agent is an operator.  
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 143  wherein each of the first and second communication links is a telephone connection.  
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes a display message.  
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a telephone number of a calling station from which the communications are sent, and an identity of a subscriber to the telephone number.  
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 147  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning an identity of the calling party different from the subscriber.  
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a telephone number for the called party to call back the calling party.  
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a facsimile number.  
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning an email address.  
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message includes information concerning a content of the call.  
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 143  wherein the at least one message is derived from the communications.