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® 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.
1 - 18 (cancelled).
19 . A directory system comprising:
an interface for locating contact information concerning a party in a directory;
a processor for verifying whether the contact information is valid, and generating a selectable option of initiating a communication connection with the party based on the contact information when the contact information is verified to be valid; and
a device for selecting the option to initiate the communication connection.
20 . The system of claim 19 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number of the party.
21 . The system of claim 20 wherein the communication connection includes a voice connection.
22 . The system of claim 21 wherein the voice connection includes a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) connection.
23 . The system of claim 19 wherein the interface includes a graphic user interface (GUI), and the selectable option includes an icon.
24 . The system of claim 19 comprising a personal computer (PC).
25 . The system of claim 24 wherein the device includes a mouse device connected to the PC.
26 - 96 (cancelled).
97 . A method for use in a directory system comprising:
locating contact information concerning a party in a directory;
verifying whether the contact information is valid;
generating a selectable option of initiating a communication connection with the party based on the contact information when the contact information is verified to be valid; and
selecting the option to initiate the communication connection.
98 . The method of claim 97 wherein the contact information includes a telephone number of the party.
99 . The method of claim 97 wherein the communication connection includes a voice connection.
100 . The method of claim 99 wherein the voice connection includes a VoIP connection.
101 . The method of claim 97 wherein the selectable option includes an icon.
102 - 153 (cancelled).