Directory Assistance System with Caller ID Database Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current directory assistance systems often fail to provide requested information, leading to unnecessary billing for users, and wireless subscribers lack access to caller ID information, which limits the usefulness of directory assistance services.
Innovation Solution
A directory assistance call center system that queries both a directory assistance database and a caller ID database for reverse lookup requests, providing caller identification information and allowing mobile devices to transmit numbers for lookup and store retrieved information in address books.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If directory assistance systems query only the directory assistance database, then the system structure remains simple, but the information completeness deteriorates leading to null results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two previously separate databases (directory assistance database and caller ID database) into a unified query system. The directory assistance processing system now queries both databases simultaneously or sequentially to retrieve comprehensive information, merging the functionalities to eliminate null results while providing complete caller identification information.
Solution Approach 2:
The directory assistance system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can query the directory assistance database for traditional listing information and simultaneously query the caller ID database for caller identification information. This multi-functional approach allows the single system to serve both traditional directory assistance and caller ID lookup purposes.
2Productivity
If directory assistance services are pay-per-use, then the service provider generates revenue, but users are billed even when no information is found causing user dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary queries to both databases before finalizing the service transaction. By proactively checking both the directory assistance database and the caller ID database before completing the lookup, the system ensures information is found in advance, reducing null results and ensuring users only pay when information is successfully retrieved.
3Loss of information
If wireless subscribers rely on device-stored caller ID information, then the system remains simple, but the information accuracy deteriorates when contacts are not in the address book
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized directory assistance processing system as an intermediary between wireless subscribers and caller ID information. Instead of relying solely on device-stored contacts, the system acts as a mediator that queries both the directory assistance database and caller ID database to retrieve accurate caller information, even for numbers not stored in the user's address book.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided to operate a directory assistance call center based upon data stored in a directory assistance database and a line information database (LIDB). A caller can access a directory assistance call center to request phone listing information about a particular party. The directory assistance call center can send a query to a directory assistance database for the requested information. Moreover, if the requested information is not found, then the directory assistance call center can send a query to a LIDB or CNAM database provider. The LIDB or CNAM database provider can forward the query to a local LIDB or CNAM database and to other remote LIDB or CNAM database providers to find the requested information.