CA2597142A1 - Method and system for directory assistance services - Google Patents

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.

Claims (3)

1. ~An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service which allows customers to use DTMF signals during their call to a destination number which accepts DTMF signals to access or provide information, 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) ~determining if the destination number makes use of a predetermined signal;

(f) ~only if the destination number is determined not to make use of said predetermined signal, reconnecting the customer to the directory assistance operator upon detection of the predetermined signal.

2. ~The method of claim 1 in which the determining step includes consulting a database.

3. ~In a directory assistance center that includes a plurality of operators, each having access to a database to obtain telephone number for a variety of destinations therefrom, an improvement wherein said database includes data indicating if one of said destinations makes its own use of at least one of the "*" or "#" DTMF signals, wherein other use of said signals should be limited.