Patent ID: 6035190
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H04M,H04Q,H04W

Abstract:
An enhanced method of providing telephone directory assistance service from a directory assistance center having a directory assistance switch for monitoring a telephonic connection with a customer, the method comprising the steps:(a) receiving a customer call through a first network switch from a customer telephone in an external telephone network;(b) connecting the customer telephone through the first network switch to the directory assistance switch over a first link between the directory assistance switch and the first network switch;(c) maintaining the connection from the customer telephone through the first network switch to the directory assistance switch for the duration of the customer call;(d) connecting the customer telephone to a directory assistance operator;(e) determining a destination telephone number of a desired party wanted by the customer in a computer database;(f) initiating a telephonic connection between the customer telephone and the destination telephone over a second link between the directory assistance switch and a second network switch, said telephonic connection being responsive to operator selection of the destination telephone number and one of a plurality of connection options, at least one of the connection options including the following steps (g)-(i);(g) allocating one or more detectors in the directory assistance switch to monitor said customer call for a command to reconnect to an operator issued by the customer telephone;(h) detecting at the directory assistance switch one or more instances of the command; and(i) automatically reconnecting the customer to an operator upon said detection of one or more instances of the command.