Abstract: A method for providing an information assistance service includes receiving a call from a caller, the call including a request for a suggestion of one or more suppliers of desired goods or service, searching at least one database in response to the request and obtaining search results responsive to the request. The search results including connection data associated with at least one supplier of the desired goods or service, and a promotional offer made by the at least one supplier. A profile associated with the caller is received. The promotional offer is conveyed to the caller via a communication, the format of which is specified in the profile as defined by the caller. The method includes offering to connect the caller to a communication device based on the connection data.

Abstract: A method for providing a communication assistance service by a communication assistance service provider includes receiving a communication at the communication assistance service provider from a first person seeking a contact information to communicate with a second person and receiving from the first person identifying information associated with the second person. A profile of the second person is retrieved including at least one contact information and at least one contact preference associated with the contact information. Communication is provided between the first person and the second person in accordance with the contact preferences.

Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.

Abstract: A system for providing an information assistance service includes a communication interface for receiving a request for information. A search facility conducts a search using a first search criterion in response to the request, a second search criterion being provided in lieu of the first search criterion in conducting the search based on a correlation between the first search criterion and the second search criterion. The correlation is a function of the number of searches prior to the search where use of the first search criterion is followed by use of the second search criterion. The use of the second search criterion, but not the first search criterion, produces the desired results.

Abstract: A system for evaluating performance of an information assistance service includes a mechanism for processing communication calls which involve a call activity; one or more devices for generating data in processing the communication calls, and a processor for deriving information from the data, the information being used to evaluate a performance of the call activity.

Abstract: In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms.

Abstract: In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms.

Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.

Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.

Abstract: A method for providing a communication assistance service by a communication assistance service provider includes receiving a communication at the communication assistance service provider from a first person seeking a contact information to communicate with a second person and receiving from the first person identifying information associated with the second person. A profile of the second person is retrieved including at least one contact information and at least one contact preference associated with the contact information. Communication is provided between the first person and the second person in accordance with the contact preferences.

Abstract: A service providing information assistance may maintain for a subscriber contacts folders comprising private directories of the subscriber, and a personal profile containing the subscriber's preferences. When a user calls the service to attempt to communicate with a desired party through the service, the service can ascertain whether the desired party has a personal profile and/or a contacts folder associated with him/her. If so, the caller is allowed to communicate with the desired party on the terms and conditions defined by the desired party in his/her personal profile and/or contacts folder. For instance, the desired party may have defined therein who should be allowed to contact him/her, when he/she should be contacted, by what communication means, and whether the caller can be told any of the desired party's communication addresses (e.g., telephone number, email address, etc.).

Abstract: In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms.

Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.

Abstract: A user of information assistance may request, in a call, information about desired goods or service, e.g., suppliers of the desired goods or service in a given area. An operator who answers the call may search a database for the requested information. The search results may include not only the identities of the relevant goods or service suppliers but also special offers made thereby. The operator presents the search results to the user, and may connect the user to the telephone number of a selected goods or service supplier. In accordance with the invention, the operator may also transmit any special offer of the selected supplier to the user via a communication method(s) specified by the user in the call or a user profile previously established with the information assistance service. In addition, the participating goods or service suppliers may communicate with the information assistance service to initiate their special offers or to modify the same in real time.

Abstract: In an information/call center where calls are received, requesting information concerning entities, goods and services, directions to a given destination, etc., data is collected in processing such calls. In accordance with the invention, the collected data is analyzed to generate dynamic data to supplement and/or improve the traditional databases, typically searched by an operator for responses to the information requests. In providing a public information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., the most popular movies, restaurants, requested categories, etc. In providing a personalized information assistance service, such dynamic data may concern, e.g., previous telephone connections made for a subscriber, the most popular telephone connections requested by a subscriber, etc. In addition, based on the past search behavior, “fuzzy” logic is developed for correlating between search terms.

Abstract: A blend of melamine resin fibers, aramid fibers and/or modacrylic fibers produces compositions and products having superior fire blocking characteristics, as well as superior strength, manufacturing and end-user comfort characteristics.

Abstract: A process for improving the ultraviolet stability of aramid and aramid-blend fabrics by pigment printing or padding the fabrics. The pigment printing process comprises the steps of supplying an aramid textile fabric free of highly polar solvents and dye diffusion promoting agents; pigment printing the fabric by applying onto the fabric a print paste comprising pigment, binder, print paste thickener, and water, the print paste being substantially free of carriers; and drying, then curing the thus-treated fabric at a temperature and for a time sufficient to fix the pigment on the aramid fibers.

Abstract: Fabrics made of melamine fibers are made more comfortable by submerging them for at least 20 minutes in a dyebath or mock dyebath that is at least 70° C.

Abstract: Fabrics made of melamine fibers are made more comfortable by submerging them for at least 20 minutes in a dyebath or mock dyebath that is at least 70.degree. C.