Method for providing directory assistance services via an alphanumeric page

Patent 6473612 Issued on October 29, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 12, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

837894

1589444

1714303

3585598

3668317

Comprehensive automatic mobile radio telephone system
Patent #: 4112257
Issued on: 09/05/1978
Inventor: Frost

Coated structural component for a high temperature nuclear reactor
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Inventor: Yee

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Comprehensive automatic directory assistance apparatus and method thereof
Patent #: 4608460
Issued on: 08/26/1986
Inventor: Carter , et al.

Mobile radio communication system
Patent #: 4640986
Issued on: 02/03/1987
Inventor: Yotsutani , et al.

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Inventors

Assignee

Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Application

No. 249417 filed on 02/12/1999

US Classes:

455/414.2, User location independent information retrieval379/88.01, Voice activation or recognition379/90.01, TELEPHONE LINE OR SYSTEM COMBINED WITH DIVERSE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR SIGNALLING (E.G., COMPOSITE)379/93.07, To plural lines or networks379/144.06, Special circuitry for processing accounting data379/201.01, SPECIAL SERVICES379/213.01Intercept (e.g., dead or changed number)

Examiners

Primary: Cumming, William

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Scholer LLP; Kaye

Foreign Patent References

2-17752 JP. 01/13/1990

International Classes

H04M 003/42
H04M 001/64
H04M 011/00
H04M 017/00

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.

Other References

Guiard, Le Moign, Marchand, "The Electronic Directory Within the Company", Commutation & & Transmission #2--1983, pp. 53-66
"Directory Assistance System," British Telecommunications Engineering, vol. 5, Jan. 1987, pp. 294-295
Bell Atlantic, "White Pages Northern Virginia", p. 37, Jan. 1995
IBM Technical Disclosure, "Method and Apparatus for Automatic Contextual Call Return, Calendaring, and Address Book Search", vol. 37, No. 04A, Apr. 1994
IBM Technical Disclosure, "Mechanism to Automate Updating Obsolete Telephone Numbers", vol. 37, No. 04A, Apr. 1994
America Online, "Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Technology and the Cellular Phone Network", Apr. 1995
America Online, "GPS at the Fingertips of Car Owners", Apr. 1995
America Online, "Combines the Cellular Network with Global Positioning", Apr. 1995
"Directory Assistance System", British Telecommunications Engineering, vol. 5, Jan. 1987
"The Electronic Directory Within the Company," Guiard, Le Moign, Marchand, Communication & Transmission #2-1983,53-6