Enhanced directory assistance services in a telecommunications network
US7596218B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M3/4936
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Directory assistance provides telephone number look up services to callers based on the business or caller name as listed in a telephone directory. As such, directory assistance in the prior art provides a value-added service to telephone users and an expense that must be charged back to telephone subscribers or absorbed by telephone carriers. The present invention provides a method and system whereby directory assistance is enhanced to deliver a targeted advertising service to telephone listing owners and advertisers. The enhanced directory assistance (EDA) service of the present invention becomes an additional revenue source for carriers. The present invention also provides a method and system for dynamically ordering these directory listings and tracking subsequent telephone referrals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.