Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

Grape Technology Group, Inc.

Nicholas J Elsey

Timothy A Timmins

Michael A Kepler

Michael T Samudio

Patrick M Cox

Paul W Filliger

A Peter Powell

Adam J McGrath

Christopher Alan Huey

Karen L Johnson

Corvin F Swick

Jonas S Reyes

Michael Essex

John S Stafford

A communications system for providing a service includes an interface configured to receive a directory assistance communication from a requester seeking a desired listing from among a plurality of available desired listings. A processor is configured to obtain a stored profile associated with the requester, the profile including at least one delivery preference set by the requester relating to the format in which said requester desires to have the desired listing delivered to them. A device configured to provide a communication listing associated with the desired listing to the requester, in response to the directory assistance request, in accordance with the preference proscribed by the requester in the profile and then connecting the requester to a second communication listing associated with the desired listing.

Technique for providing personalized information and communications services

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 listing information, contacts information, appointments information, etc. To provide effective connectivity, for example, when a user locates a phone number in his/her private directory using a web browser, the user may utilize a direct connect feature of the invention to initiate a phone call to the desired number over the Internet. In addition, the invention allows for delivery of the appointments information to the user not only via voice connection, but also SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. It also allows for rendering a calendaring service in combination with such services as a TeleConcierge&#xae; service which helps the user to plan a future event, e.g., making a restaurant reservation. An appointment record concerning the future event is automatically incorporated into the user's calendar once it is successfully planned. To personalize the services, at least one profile associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and the preferred ways of receiving them. For example, the profile may specify use of a special skilled operator, methods of delivery of information to the user, etc.

In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, 'fuzzy' logic is developed for correlating between search terms. When one search term is used in a search, the correlated search term may be suggested for adoption, in accordance with the fuzzy logic.

Technique for effectively collecting and analyzing data in providing information assistance services

A user calls a directory assistance service provider to search for a desired telephone number and be connected to a party at the desired number. In one such connection, the user is afforded enhanced directory assistance upon a user command in the form of an out-of-band signaling message, e.g., SS7 signaling message. For example, the user may be afforded further operator assistance by pressing on the user telephone a predetermined key (e.g., '*' key), which is detectable by the directory assistance service provider as an SS7 signaling message.

Method for providing enhanced directory assistance upon command using out-of-band signaling

A user while traveling may call an operator in an information/call center to request directions to a desired destination. In response, the operator obtains a directions file containing the requested directions. To facilitate the user receiving directions in installments in accordance with the invention, the directions file has an indicator associated therewith. The requested directions are read from the directions file to the user by an interactive voice response (IVR) unit via synthesized voice. The indicator is used to indicate in the file which direction is to be read to the user. The user may terminate the call after hearing a desired quantity of directions. When the user subsequently needs another installment of directions, the user may call back the IVR unit which then continues to read directions in the directions file from where the associated indicator indicates. The above process can be repeated, thereby enabling the user to controllably receive the directions in installments.

Text to speech conversion method

Individuals and groups of individuals, such as corporations, are provided access to one or more private directories. The private directories can be edited by an administrator. Access to the private directories may be limited by administrators of the private directories. Access to private directories is provided via a connection to directory assistance providers. Directory service providers are capable of facilitating the administration of the private directories as well as connecting users of private directories to contacts in the private directories. Access to the private directory may be obtained via an internet connection.

Enhanced directory assistance service providing individual or group directories

In an arrangement where calls are directed to different call centers, each call center based on selected metric measures determines whether an incoming call is an 'overflow' call to be rerouted to an alternate call center. These metric measures may include, e.g., the number of operators in the call center answering calls, the number of calls in queue to be answered, etc. Once an overflow call is identified, the call center reserves an outbound communication channel in anticipation of rerouting the call, and transmits a call rerouting request to a call routing server. In accordance with the invention, the server identifies an appropriate alternate call center for receiving the overflow call, and communicates routing information including an identity of the alternate call center to the overflow call center. The latter based on the received routing information transfers the call to the appropriate alternate call center.

Technique for effectively processing and dynamically routing communication calls

Technique for effectively communicating travel directions

Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help. In addition, a pool of operators/agents capable of receiving the request for concierge-like services generate an electronic ticket representing such request. A pool of fulfillment agents capable of receiving the electronic ticket engage in such action as necessary to fulfill the request. The agents are networked to directory assistance and concierge databases and to third-party providers of concierge services to facilitate the process.

Technique for effectively providing concierge-like services in a directory assistance system

A user calls a directory assistance service provider to search for a desired telephone number and be connected to a party at the desired number. In one such connection, the user is afforded enhanced directory assistance upon a user command in the form of an out-of-band signaling message, e.g., SS7 signaling message. For example, the user may be afforded further operator assistance by pushing on the user telephone a predetermined key (e.g., &ldquo;*&rdquo; key), which is detectable by the directory assistance service provider as an SS7 signaling message.

Growing community of inventors

West Linn, OR, United States of America

Nicholas J Elsey