ABSTRACT
Enhanced communication device
Embodiments of the invention provide an enhanced communication device and a method for providing enhanced telephony. The enhanced communication device comprises a processor, and the enhanced communication device further comprises a memory. The memory comprises a database. The database comprises one or more destination phone numbers. Further, the database comprises at least one property associated with one or more destination phone numbers. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for identifying a dialed phone number of a destination. The memory also comprises instructions for determining a location code associated with the current location of the communication device. Further, the memory comprises instructions for comparing the dialed phone number to one or more destination phone numbers. Furthermore, the method comprises instructions for displaying at least one property associated with one or more destination phone numbers based on the comparison.
Providing enhanced telephony
An Inventor: Dr. Tal Lavian
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to telecommunications and more specifically relates to providing enhanced telephony on a communication device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems allow a user to interact with an audio response system.
The IVR systems can provide prompts to a user and receive touch tone and/or spoken responses on the prompts from the user. Through such IVR dialogue, the system collects sufficient information about the user to direct the call to the most appropriate resource, information processing system or the like. Various organizations such as banks, insurance companies, and other service providers use the IVR systems to manage calls from their customers. Typically, IVR systems are used by organizations that have high call volumes. An objective for implementing the IVR systems is to provide the users or customers with a quick and good experience. Moreover, or the cost of providing the services is reduced.
An audio IVR menu
Typically, in the case of an audio IVR menu, the user calling the destination may have to listen and follow instructions on the menu to get the desired response or a function performed. Therefore, the process can be time-consuming. Moreover, in case the user provides an incorrect input, the complete process may have to be repeated. Furthermore, the IVR menu for an organization may be updated or changed regularly. For example, extension numbers inside an organization may be altered, and correspondingly, the extension numbers associated with the IVR menu may be updated. As a result, a frequent user may not be able to reach the desired end by remembering a combination of numbers. Therefore, the user may become frustrated with the IVR systems.
Usually, the IVR menus are the same for all the users. Therefore, the customer has to listen to them carefully to select the appropriate option. Some existing techniques try to address this problem by providing a visual form of IVR. U.S. Pat. No. 7,215,743 assigned to International Business Machines Corporation and a published U.S. patent application with Ser. No. 11/957,605, filed Dec. 17, 2007, and assigned to Motorola Inc., provides the IVR menu of the destination in a visual form to the user. Therefore, the user can select the options from the IVR menu without listening to the complete audio IVR menu.
Multiple stores or outlets in and around a particular geographical area
Various service providers that implement IVR systems may have multiple stores or outlets in and around a particular geographical area. Further, each outlet may have a different phone number but have the same IVR menu. Therefore, the user may not be aware of all the phone numbers. Moreover, some outlets may be located relatively farther than other outlets from the caller’s geographical location. Further, some outlets may not provide the services desired by the user. Generally, more than one provider may provide similar products or services. For example, various banks may provide similar banking services, or multiple pizzerias may offer similar pizzas. Therefore, the user may prefer to call or use an outlet near for better services and time management.
In the light of the above discussion, techniques are desired for providing enhanced telephony.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the invention provide an enhanced communication device. The enhanced communication device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor.
The memory comprises a database including one or more destination phone numbers and at least one property associated with the destination phone numbers. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for identifying a dialed phone number of a destination, determining a location code associated with a current location of the communication device, comparing the dialed phone number to one or more destination phone numbers stored in a database, and displaying at least one property associated with the one or more destination phone numbers based on the comparison.
An enhanced communication device
Embodiments of the invention provide an enhanced communication device. The enhanced communication device comprises a database including one or more destination phone numbers and at least one property associated with the destination phone numbers. Further, the enhanced communication device comprises means for identifying a dialed phone number of a destination, means for determining a location code associated with a current location of the communication device, means for comparing the dialed phone number to one or more destination phone numbers stored in a database, and means for displaying at least one property associated with the one or more destination phone numbers based on the comparison.
Embodiments of the invention provide a method for providing enhanced telephony. The method includes identifying a phone number of a destination dialed from a communication device, determining a location code associated with the current location of the communication device, and comparing the dialed phone number to one or more destination phone numbers stored in a database. The database may include at least one property associated with the destination phone numbers. Further, the method comprises displaying, at the communication device, at least one property associated with one or more destination phone numbers based on the comparison.
Visual IVR menu of a destination
An aspect of the invention is to provide a visual IVR menu of a destination according to the location of the communication device of a user and/or a location of the dialed destination phone number.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide the position-based visual IVR menus in a communication network.