Technique for effectively providing a personalized information assistance service

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 individual listing information items on a restrictive basis, caller identification service, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving information. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, personal interests, methods of delivery of targeted information to the user, etc.

1 . A method for-providing information targeted to a user, comprising:
 maintaining preference data associated with the user;   selecting information having content in accordance with the preference data;   receiving an information assistance call from the user, the call including a request for connection information;   searching a database in response to the request;   obtaining the requested connection information;   connecting the call to a destination device based on the requested connection information; monitoring for a status of the call;   providing the selected information to the user during the call after the status is determined; and   providing the selected information to the user via a communication method different from the call, the communication method being specified in the preference data.