Method and system for directory assistance services

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.

1 - 56 . (cancelled).  
     
     
         57 . A method for providing a directory assistance service, comprising: 
 receiving a call from a first communication device associated with a caller, the call including a directory assistance request;    in response to the directory assistance request, searching a database for contact information concerning a destination party;    attempting to connect the call to a second communication device associated with the destination party based on the contact information, the contact information including an identifier of the second communication device;    presenting a menu to the caller through the first communication device during the call, the menu including an option for obtaining the identifier; and    providing the identifier to the caller through the first communication device upon a receipt of a selection by the caller of the option.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the first communication device includes a telephonic device.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the second communication device includes a telephonic device.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the identifier includes a telephone number associated with the telephonic device.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the menu is presented to the caller using a voice device.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the selection is made by the caller initiating a signal using the first communication device.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the selection is made by voice command.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the menu is presented when the attempt to connect the call to the second communication device over a connection is unsuccessful.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the attempt is unsuccessful when a busy signal is detected from the connection.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65  wherein the attempt is unsuccessful when a ring-no-answer condition is detected from the connection.  
     
     
         68 . A method for providing a directory assistance service, comprising: 
 receiving a call over a connection from a caller, the call including a directory assistance request;    in response to the directory assistance request, locating contact information concerning a party desired by the caller;    attempting to connect the call to a communication device associated with the desired party based on the contact information, the contact information including an identifier of the communication device;    announcing an option to the caller for obtaining the identifier during the call;    detecting a signal initiated by the caller to select the option; and    in response to a detection of the signal, announcing the identifier to the caller over the connection.    
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the communication device includes a telephonic device.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69  wherein the identifier includes a telephone number associated with the telephonic device.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the option is announced to the caller using a voice device.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the identifier is announced to the caller using a voice device.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the signal is initiated using a second communication device associated with the caller.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the signal includes a DTMF signal.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the signal contains a voice command.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the option is announced to the caller when the attempt to connect the call to the communication device over a second connection is unsuccessful.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the attempt is unsuccessful when a busy signal is detected from the second connection.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the attempt is unsuccessful when a ring-no-answer condition is detected from the second connection.