Telecommunication technique for providing information assistance services

Abstract

A cellular telephone 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 in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. However, 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 back to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). Billing information for the calls originated by the directory assistance operator on the subscriber's behalf is logged in a database at the directory assistance center. This data is thereafter provided to the cellular carrier, permitting it to bill the subscriber for calls originated by the directory assistance operator.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service comprising the steps: 
 (a) receiving a customer call;    (b) connecting the calling customer to a directory assistance operator;    (c) determining a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the customer;    (d) initiating a telephonic connection between the customer and the destination telephone number;    (e) continuously monitoring said telephonic connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer;    (f) detecting said predetermined DTMF signal; and    (g) reconnecting the customer to a directory assistance operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  in which step (a) comprises receiving a customer call originated with a cellular telephone.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  which includes providing a voiced recitation of the destination telephone number to the customer only if explicitly requested by the customer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  which includes maintaining the directory assistance operator as a conferenced party to the initiated telephonic connection to monitor whether the connection is completed satisfactorily.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  which includes reattempting to establish connection between the customer and the destination telephone party upon request by the customer following detection of the DTMF tone.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  which includes repeating steps (c) through (e) for a different desired party following step (g).  
     
     
         7 . A directory assistance service method comprising the steps: 
 receiving a directory assistance call from a customer, the customer using a cellular telephone and a cellular carrier service;    establishing a connection between the customer and a desired destination number;    logging in a billing database: 
 a customer identification number;  
 the destination number;  
 the date, time, and duration of connection between the customer and the desired destination number; and  
   providing to the cellular carrier the data logged in the billing database so the customer can be billed by the cellular carrier accordingly.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  in which the receiving and establishing steps comprise: 
 (a) receiving a customer call;  
 (b) connecting the calling customer to a directory assistance operator;  
 (c) determining a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the customer;  
 (d) initiating a telephonic connection between the customer and the destination telephone number;  
 (e) continuously monitoring said telephonic connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer;  
 (f) detecting said predetermined DTMF signal; and  
 (g) reconnecting the customer to a directory assistance operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  which includes reconnecting the customer to a directory assistance operator without terminating the telephonic connection between the customer and the destination telephone number.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  which includes providing a voiced recitation of the destination telephone number to the customer only if explicitly requested by the customer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  which includes maintaining the directory assistance operator as a conferenced party to the initiated telephonic connection to monitor whether the connection is completed satisfactorily.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  which includes reattempting to establish connection between the customer and the destination telephone party upon request by the customer following detection of the DTMF tone.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  which includes repeating steps (c) through (e) for a different desired party following step (g).  
     
     
         14 . In a method of providing assistance to a cellular telephone subscriber, the assistance taking the form of spoken directions guiding the subscriber in travelling from a present location to a desired location, an improvement comprising: 
 connecting the subscriber to an operator;    determining a route from the present location to the desired location;    voicing to the subscriber directions corresponding to a first part of the route;    placing the subscriber on hold;    monitoring the subscriber connection for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the subscriber;    detecting said predetermined DTMF signal;    reconnecting the subscriber to an operator upon said detection of the DTMF signal; and    voicing to the subscriber directions corresponding to a second part of the route;    wherein the subscriber can summon operator assistance as needed while travelling along the route.