Telephonic communications – Special services – Automatic directory service
Reexamination Certificate
2006-11-28
2006-11-28
Tieu, Benny Quoc (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Special services
Automatic directory service
C455S414100, C379S088220
Reexamination Certificate
active
07142659
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 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. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). This feature can be disabled, manually or automatically, if the destination number makes its own use of the DTMF signals.
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Cox Patrick M.
Filliger Paul W.
Kepler Michael A.
Powell Adrian P.
Kaye Scholer LLP
Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
Tieu Benny Quoc
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