GB2360167A

GB2360167A - A system for contacting a provider of a good or service

Info

Publication number: GB2360167A
Application number: GB0005649A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Waters Alan
Original assignee: GOLDEN VALLEY Ltd
Current assignee: GOLDEN VALLEY Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-10
Filing date: 2000-03-10
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: GB0005649D0

Abstract

A system and method for contacting a provider of a good or service, said system comprising a database and a communicator, said database comprising a list of providers of goods and services, each provider having been assigned a location code wherein, in use, a user input specifying a good or service is sent from said communicator to said database and a location input is sent to said database, whereupon said database relates said inputs and provides a resultant provider of said goods or services which result is used to automatically provide a way of communicating with said resultant provider of said good or service. A location can be obtained from an area as STD code on a fixed line telephone, a triangulation of fixed aerials with a mobile telephone or GPS co-ordinates or map references.

Description

2360167 A SYSTEM FOR CONTACTING A PROVIDER OF A GOOD OR SERVICE The

present invention relates to a system for contacting a provider of a good or service, and more particularly but not exclusively, to a system for contacting a local provider of a good or service, or with a provider of a good or service in a specified area using a telephone.

Heretoforth, if a telephone caller wishes to contact a provider of goods or services, the caller may:

1. use a paper telephone directory ordered alphabetically and by area and then dial a chosen number manually; 2. use a paper telephone directory ordered by class of goods or services provided and by area, such as YELLOW PAGESK and then dial a chosen number manually; 3. use an electronic directory, such as that found on the internet at http://www.bt.com/phonenetuk/ which uses a combination of location and name to locate a telephone number and then dial a chosen number manually or 'copy and pastel the chosen number into a computer automated dialling program; 4. use telephone directory enquiries, utilising the services of a telephone operator, who uses an electronic directory to locate the required telephone number and then uses that number to connect the user directly using the located number.

These systems may be slow or user unfriendly or unavailable, especially if the caller does not know or is not familiar with his location.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for contacting a provúder of a good or service, said system comprising a database and a communicator, said database comprising a list of providers of goods and servIces, each provider having been assigned a location code wherein, in use, a user input specifying a good or service is sent from said communicator to said database and a location input is sent to said database, whereupon said database relates said inputs and provides a resultant provider of said good or service which result is used to automatically provide a way of communicating with said resultant provider of said good or service.

Preferably, said location input is automatically sent to said database, without a user input.

Advantageously, said communicator comprises a land line telephone.

Advantageously, said location input is derived from the area or STD code.

Alternatively, said communicator comprises a mobile is telephone.

Preferably, said location input is derived from a triangulation of fixed aerials for transmitting and receiving signals from said mobile telephone. Alternatively, said location input is derived from single aerial.

Alternatively, said location input is derived from a GPS co-ordinate or map reference.

Preferably, said location code is a postal code.

Advantageously, said location code is an area name.

Preferably, said data accessing system includes an option to choose an area by postal code or STD code.

Advantageously, said providers of said goods or services are chosen by class from an aural menu or a text menu. It is advantageous to have a limited number of options in any menu, and a limited number of submenus, if appropriate to increase usability and decrease the duration of the call.

Preferably, said provider of said good or service required is chosen from said menu by a keypad input, or by voice input.

The present invention also provides a method of bringing a seeker of goods or services into contact with a provider thereof, the method comprising the steps of automatically identifying the location of the seeker, obtaining details of the goods and/or services required, interrogating a database containing details of said providers and providing the seeker with a local provider of the goods and/or services sought.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing a first embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2, divided Into five parts (I) to (v) and arranged on five sheets, Is a flow diagram showing a second embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an option menu of the second embodiment of the invention; and Figures 4a to 4e are schematic diagrams of submenus of the option menu of Figure 3; Reference will now be made to Figure 1, wherein the flow diagram is generally identified by reference numeral 1.

The flow diagram 1 comprises a cell 2 representing a step carried out by a telephone caller dialling into a system of the present invention. Cell 3 indicates that the caller's physical location is determined by at least one of the following means:

1. if the call is made from a land line, an area code, preferably a STD code, is detected by the system of the invention, in a known manner. The STD code is then compared in a database with a precompiled list of areas, preferably giving position result by postal code or grid reference; 2. if the call is from a mobile telephone, the caller's location can be determined by the local aerial dealing with the call or his proximity to or distance between or triangulation from aerials in the caller's locality, 3. a grid position found preferably by a Global Positioning Signal device; and/or 4. a manual input from the user, the input made by such means as a vocal input, numeric input from a menu, or from a text message, the character of the input giving an indication of a location which may be defined by postal code (or part thereof) or by town, city, county nam, or by STD code.

Once the location is determined, the user makes a choice of type of provider of a good or service, which step is represented by cell 4. This step may be carried out by one of the following:

1. a recorded (or voice synthesised) aural option menu, giving an option message such as "press 1 for public services, press 2 for.... this may lead into a submenu or go directly to the step indicate by cell 5; 2. a keyboard operated system, which may be sent to the is system by, for example, a text message sent via a mobile phone.

Cell 5 represents the step of accessing a database and using the two inputs of cells 3 and 4 to present results for a particular provider of good or service requested. If more than one result is obtained, the results list may be shortened to one by, for example 1. presenting the results in a menu, the user choosing one result; 2. the system automatically choosing a random result; or 3. the system automatically choosing the closest result in terms of location.

Once the result is limited to one provider of goods or services, the system dials the telephone number of that provider and the caller is automatically put through, without manual input. This is represented by cell 6. An additional option may be to request whether the user should be put through or for the system to read the telephone number to the user or to send the number by way of a text message or by e-mall. If the latter is 6 - is appropriate, the system may have an automated system whereby the user has a personal pin code or a recognition system using the number of the caller to deduce the user' s email address from a further database, which has been pre-programmed. A description of the provider of the good or service may also be sent in the e-mail.

Referring now to the embodúment of Figure 2. Cell 11 represents a caller dialling phone number (a) to access the system. Cell 12 represents the system requesting an Input from the user as to whether he would like to be put through to a provider of a good or service local to where he is calling from, or in a different, remote location. The caller's answer may be made by aural or numerical keypad means.

If the answer is 'remote', the user is requested to enter the STD code (or extended STD code incorporating the next digit or two) of the area in which he wishes to contact a provider of the good or service (cell 13) of the flow diagram of Figure 2 (li). This step can be bypassed by the caller dialling phone number (b) directly (cell 14). If the STD code is valid (cell 15), and specifies a small enough area (cell 16), the area code is sent to the main system database (cell 17). If the STD code is not valid, the caller may be put through to a help line (cell 18). If the STD code is not specific enough, the caller may be presented with a list of subareas to choose from (cell 19), a help line may be available for this (cell 20). This is particularly advantageous if for example the caller knows the STD code of a hotel he is going to be staying at and needs to contact a local supplier of a good or service in that area. In this case, it might be possible to enter one or more or all of the digits following the STD code in order to determine an exact location.

If the answer Is local' at cell 12 then the system 7 - automatically detects, or requests input from the user as to whether the caller is calling f rom a land line or a mobile phone (cell 21). If the answer is the former (Figure 2 (11i), the system can locate the exact position of the caller by the ID number assigned by the telecoms provider (cell 23). An area code is assigned to this location (cell 24) and is used in the main database (cell 17). This step can be obviated by the caller calling phone number (c) (cell 22). If the answer is the latter (Figure 2 (iv)), the system can locate the exact position of the caller (cell 25) by the aerial the mobile telephone is using and maybe by triangulating between the three closest aerials. An area code is assigned to this location (cell 26) and is used in the main database (cell is 17).

Referring now to figure 2(v), the area code is used to filter information in the database to that in the given area. The system provides the caller with a list of categories of goods or services (cell 27), such as the list set out in Figure 3, aurally. The caller chooses one of the options presented to him.

The database accesses information in response to the combination of the two inputs, location (cell 17) and good or service required (cell 27), the result is represented by cell 28. If the result is greater than one (cell 29) then sub menus such as those set out in Figures 4a to 4e may be used to determined more precisely the good or service required. The user interface for the submenus may be the same as the interface for the main menu. If there are no providers in the area for the required good or service (cell 30), the caller listens to a message explaining that there are no providers in this category (cell 31) and is then returned to the main menu (cell 27), or offered an adjacent area? If there is one result, the call is automatically put through to the provider of the requested good or service (cell 32), without manual intervention.

If, after the sub menu, there is still more than one provider in the results, the system may automatically put the caller through to the first provider. Or give caller the choice from a list of providers. If the telephone line of the provider is busy (cell 33) the system will put the caller through to any subsequent provider (not shown) or give the caller the option to:

1. return to the main menu (cell 34); 2. use call back, the telecoms provider will automatically ring both the caller and the provider as soon as both lines are free (cell 35); 3. send the number to the caller's telephone, for is example, by text message (cell 36); or 4. allow the caller to hold (cell 37).

The call may be charged (cell 38) according to a fixed fee, length of call using the system of the invention, the length of call including the time of the call to the provider of the good or service or by any other means.

Example 1

A call to the local police station using telephone number (c) for local public services could be:

Dial: Local public services number (c).

Resp: "Welcome to the One Number Public Service. You are calling from the Reigate area. Dial 1 for police, 2 for the fire service, 3 for health service or 4 for a helplúne.

Dial: 1 Resp: "Thank you. Your call is being put through to the police in Reigate. l' Example 2

A call to a 3 star hotel in Bath using telephone number (a) for all services and for both local and remote modes could be:

Dial: National number (a).

Resp: Velcome to the One Number Service. Youare calling from the Reigate area. Dial 1 to accept or enter the STD code if you wish to select a different area."

Dial: 10122511 Resp: "Thank you. You wish to reach a service in Bath. Dial 1 for a public service, 2 for travel, 3 for hotels and eating, 4 for entertainment, or 5 for professional assistance."

Dial: 3 Resp: Thank you. Dial 1 for a guest house, 2 for a 2 star hotel, 3 for a 3 star hotel, or 4 f or a 4 star or luxury hotel..' Dial: 3 "Thank you. Dial 1 for Central Bath or 2 for Resp: Outer Bath.

Dial: 1 Resp: "Thank you. Dial 1 for The Priory, 2 for The Queensbury Hotel, 3 for The Bath Hotel or 4 forThe Francis Hotel.

Dial: 3 Resp: "Thank you. Your call is being put through to The Bath Hotel in Bath.'t Example 3

A call to a local taxi f irm using telephone number (a) for all local services could be:

Dial: National number (a) plus 1.

Resp: "Welcome to the One Number Service. You wish to reach a service in Reigate. Dial 1 for a public service, 2 for travel, 3 for hotels and eating, 4 for entertainment, or 5 for professional assistance."

Dial: 2 Resp: Thank you. Dial 1 for taxis, 2 for trains, 3 for busses and coaches, 4 for air travel, or 5 for travel agents."

Dial:

Resp: "Thank you. Dial 1 for Bridge Taxi Service, 2 for Crest Cars, 2 for Eagle Express, 3 for M C D Cars, 4 for Park Lane Executive Travel, 5 for Ronsan Taxi & Private Hire, or 6 for Surrey County Taxis."

Dial: 5 Resp: ""Thank you. Your call is being put through to Ronsan Taxi & Private Hire. I'm sorry that line is busy.

Dial 1 to hold, 2 to use Callback, 3 to try another from the last selection, or 4 to be given the number."

Dial: 3 Resp: "'Thank you. Dial 1 for Bridge Taxi Service, 2 for Crest Cars, 2 for Eagle Express, 3 for M C D Cars, 4 for Park Lane Executive Travel, 5 for Ronsan Taxi & Private Hire, or 6 for Surrey County Taxis."

Dial: 1 Resp: 11Thank you. Your call is being put through to Bridge Taxi Service in Reigate.11 It should be noted that in Example 3, the number 25 dialled included a further single number which answers the first menu's options in advance. This may be useful for memorizing the telephone number of this service. For example 555 888 for general service, 555 8888 for the local service. A preferable way of advising the system of the area requested could be to dial the general number, for example 555 888 immediately followed by the STD area code which he would like to search, for example 01703 for the Southampton area.

It is envisaged that various alterations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed 0 herein, including:

the use of a GPS to locate the caller and to use a resultant grid position in the database (cell 17) of the system of the invention; as GPS devices become more popular, such as those used in Palm Top computers, the user interface for providing a location could be displayed as a map thereon and using a pointer to define a grid position which could then be forwarded from the communication device to the database (cell 17) of the system of the invention. A communicator such as a Palm Top utilises other user interfaces such as screens, which may be used to present menus, rather than the menus being read vocally.

It is also envisaged that databases dealing with each location could be located in that area, the choice of area being dealt with at a central location. Preferably, there is a separate database for each STD code area. A.1ternatively, a local number could be dialled, accessing a solely local database at the local telephone exchange holding data concerning solely local information, hence no further location information is needed as call automatically goes to correct database.

Each database could be given a readily identifiable number based on its STD code, for example 01737 999999 for access in remote mode, where this number could be found by directory enquires if the caller does not know the code for the area he wants.

It is also envisaged that a key, for example ll, on a caller's telephone could be used to go to the previous menu.

It is also envisaged that a brief description of the provider could be included in the database and presented to the caller.

It is also envisaged that the telephone numbers and details stored in the database could be updateable via the internet. It is envisaged that this feature can be used to direct calls to duty doctors, chemists, etc.

It is also envisaged that, for certain applicati,ons, a facsimile machine could automatically dial up the system, automatically be preset to enter, for example numeral 1 for Public services followed by 1 for police, the system could then recognise that a facsimile machine is calling by the facsimile machines audible protocol, the system then automatically putting the facsimile machine through to the local police station. This would be particularly, but not exclusively useful for mobile facsimile machines.

0

Claims

Claims:

1. A system for contacting a provider of a good or service, said system comprising a database comprising a list of providers of goods and services, each provider having been assigned a location code wherein, in use, a user input specifying a good or service is sent from said communicator to said database and a location input is sent to said database, whereupon said database relates said inputs and provides a resultant provider of said goods or services which result Is used to automatically provide a way of communicating with said resultant provider of said good or service.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said location input is automatically sent to said database, without a user intervention.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, comprising a communicator.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said communicator comprises a land line telephone.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said location input is derived from the area or STD code of said land line telephone.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said communicator comprises a mobile telephone.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said location input is derived from a triangulation of fixed aerials for transmitting and receiving signals from said mobile telephone.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said location input is derived from a GPS co-ordinate.

9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said location code is a postal code.

10. A system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said location code is an area name.

11. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein 1 said data accessing system includes an option to choose an area by postal code or STD code.

12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said providers of said goods or services is chosen by class from an aural menu.

13. A method of bringing a seeker of goods or services into contact with a provider thereof, the method comprising the steps of automatically identifying the location of the seeker, obtaining details of the goods and/or services required, interrogating a database is containing details of said providers and providing the seeker with a local provider of the goods and/or services sought.

13. A system as claimed In any Claim 12, wherein said communicator comprises a keypad and said provider of said good or service required is chosen from said menu by said keypad input of said communicator.