Abstract:
A user may utilize a communication device to contact an information/call center (21-27) where an operator provides personalized information and communication services such as listing, contacts and appointements information. 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 over the Internet. Additionally, appointments information is delivered to the user via a voice connection, SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. Also, a calendaring service helps the user plan a future event and an appointment record concerning the future event is automatically incorporated into the user's calendar. At least, one profile associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and 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.
Abstract:
A search-routing database in used to direct database search requests to only those databases that may contain results to the search request. The search-routing database contains a subset of the data fields from the other databases in the network, along with a field indicating the database to which the search request should be routed. When a database search request is received, a modified search request is generated based on the overlap between the type of information contained in the search request and the type of information contained in the data-fields of the search routing database. This modified search request is submitted to the search-routing database, which returns a list of database candidates which could produce results to the original search request. The original search request is then submitted to those database candidates, and the results are returned to the user.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A user may utilize a communication device to contact an information/call center (21-27) where an operator provides personalized information and communication services such as listing, contacts and appointements information. 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 over the Internet. Additionally, appointments information is delivered to the user via a voice connection, SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. Also, a calendaring service helps the user plan a future event and an appointment record concerning the future event is automatically incorporated into the user's calendar. At least, one profile associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and 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.
Abstract:
A cellular telephone 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 in the prior art, the operator then initiate a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. However, 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 back to a directory assistance operator, who can than provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). Billing information for the calls originated by the directory assistance operator on the subscriber's behalf is logged in a database at the directory assistance center. This data is thereafter provided to the cellular carrier, permitting it to bill the subscriber for calls originated by the directory assistance operator.
Abstract:
A user may utilize a communication device to contact an information/call center (21-27) where an operator provides personalized information and communication services such as listing, contacts and appointements information. 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 over the Internet. Additionally, appointments information is delivered to the user via a voice connection, SM S, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. Also, a calendaring service helps the user plan a future event and an appointment record concerning the future event is automatically incorporated into the user's calendar. At least, one profile associated with the user is used which specifies the subscribed services and preferred ways of receiving them. For example, the profile may specify use o f a special skilled operator, methods of delivery of information to the user, etc.
Abstract:
A method of monitoring call center attendants' assistance to callers is provided in which a call monitor is configured to record interaction between attendants and callers. Such interaction may be recorded for all, or substantially all, calls received at a call center. The reviewer optionally specifies criteria concerning calls that are to be recorded. The call monitor connects to a call center switch after a call attendant logs in. When the attendant receives a call matching the specified criteria, if any, the call monitor records interaction the attendant and the caller to create a call record. In a present embodiment of the invention, the call record is stored on the call monitor in compressed digital format. To replay a call record, the reviewer connects to a web server or other interface through an internetwork connection. From the web server the supervisor selects a call record to be played. The call monitor plays the call recording via streaming audio, across the internetwork connection, on the reviewer's computer.
Abstract:
A cellular telephone 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 in the prior art, the operator then initiate a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. However, 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 back to a directory assistance operator, who can than provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). Billing information for the calls originated by the directory assistance operator on the subscriber's behalf is logged in a database at the directory assistance center. This data is thereafter provided to the cellular carrier, permitting it to bill the subscriber for calls originated by the directory assistance operator.
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.