Abstract: A method of providing identifying information over a voice communications link can include receiving, from a call participant, a personal identification code over the voice communications link, determining identifying information for the call participant using the personal identification code, and encoding the identifying information of the call participant within a voice stream carried by the voice communications link. The voice stream and identifying information can be sent to a subscriber.

Abstract: A security method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a telephone call from a user. The computing system comprises an existing password/passphrase and a pre-recorded voice sample associated with the user. The computing system prompts the user to enter a password/passphrase using speech. The computing system receives speech data comprising a first password/passphrase from the user. The computing system converts the speech data to text data. The computing system first compares the text data to the first password/passphrase and determines a match. The computing system compares the speech data to the pre-recorded voice sample to determine a result indicating whether a frequency spectrum associated with the speech data matches a frequency spectrum associated with the pre-recorded voice sample. The computing system transmits the result to the user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving audio electronic business card data during a conference; comparing said audio electronic business card data with voices of conference speakers to confirm identities of said speakers; performing an acoustic triangulation to determine a position of speakers; correlating a position of said speakers with said identities; and displaying locations of said speakers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and programs for generating an authorized profile for a text communication device or account, may sample a text communication generated by the text communication device or account during communication and may store the text sample. The systems, methods, and programs may extract a language pattern from the stored text sample and may create an authorized profile based on the language pattern. Systems, methods, and programs for detecting unauthorized use of a text communication device or account may sample a text communication generated by the device or account during communication, may extract a language pattern from the audio sample, and may compare extracted language pattern of the sample with an authorized user profile.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for confirmation and verification of address data associated with a data communication. The invention provides a method of obtaining at least one of the first address information and the second address information, converting by a processor one of the first address information and the second address information to a format compatible for comparison with the other of the first address information and the second address information, performing a field-by-field comparison of the converted one of the first address information and the second address information to the other of the first address information and the second address information, and quantifying a difference between the converted one of the first address information and the second address information and the other of the first address information and the second address information.

Abstract: A method of authentication is disclosed. When a user registers with an enterprise, the enterprise instructs the user to select sounds from a selection of sounds. Any sound that the user selects is designated as a “type-A” sound and any sound that is not so designated is deemed a “type-B” sound. To authenticate the user, the enterprise combines type-A sounds and type-B sounds into a temporal series of sounds and constructs questions about the series that can only be answered by someone who can recognize and distinguish type-A sounds from type-B sounds. The series of sounds and the questions are then transmitted to the user. If the user is able to answer the questions, then he or she is authenticated, and if not, then he or she is not authenticated.

Abstract: A method of initiating a call includes receiving an identifier associated with a called party, the identifier being generated by a telephone handset. The method further includes determining a network category associated with the called party and generating an instruction to initiate a call by the telephone handset on one of at least two networks accessible for communication by the telephone handset. The one of at least two networks is selected by the instruction in response to the determined network category associated with the called party.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for automated distribution and indexing of prepaid calling card information comprises a central terminal operable to receive a request to purchase prepaid telephone services from an initiating terminal. The request comprises an identifier of a financial account to be used to purchase the prepaid telephone services. The central terminal is operable to electronically seek authorization for the request, initiate electronic debiting of the financial account using the identifier, and log a transaction indicating a purchase of prepaid telephone services in response to receipt of the authorization. The central terminal is operable to initiate electronic transmission, according to purchaser contact information, of calling card information from the central terminal to at least one electronic storage medium for access by a purchaser.

Abstract: A unique recording system and method that facilitates recording live meetings, discussions or conversations whereby such recordings are available for immediate or near immediate playback is provided. As a result, a user who has momentarily become distracted or inattentive during the meeting can quickly re-listen to what was missed or misunderstood in order to readily catch up to the current discussion. The current discussion can continue to be recorded during playback of any previously recorded data. User behavior can be monitored to estimate when the user has started to become inattentive and likely segments or time points of the recordings can be suggested for playback. One or more portions of the recordings can be filtered or selected for playback so that any desired content can be eliminated or skipped in the playback version.

Abstract: The present invention allows for dynamic association of a computational device, such as a personal computer or personal digital assistant, with a telephone terminal. A computer-telephone adaptor or like function implemented in a telephony switch or other telephony device will receive authentication indicia. The authentication indicia may be provided by the computational device that is to be associated with the telephone terminal, or through other means. The authentication indicia may be provided by a user or generated by the computational device or by other means. To confirm the association, the user must enter confirmatory authentication indicia corresponding to the original authentication indicia through the telephone terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a phone is provided and includes receiving input to set a phone in a do-not disturb mode and to set a time period during which the do-not-disturb mode is activated and setting the phone accordingly, upon reception of an incoming call from a caller during the time period, activating a caller ID function of the phone, detecting a caller ID of the caller and searching for the caller ID in black- and white-lists. In an event the caller ID of the caller is stored in the blacklist, the voicemail function is activated or the incoming call is ended. In an event the caller ID of the caller is stored in the whitelist, an input of the password associated with the caller ID is requested, and, in an event the caller inputs the password, the ringing function is activated.

Abstract: A security method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a telephone call from a user. The computing system comprises an existing password/passphrase and a pre-recorded voice sample associated with the user. The computing system prompts the user to enter a password/passphrase using speech. The computing system receives speech data comprising a first password/passphrase from the user. The computing system converts the speech data to text data. The computing system first compares the text data to the first password/passphrase and determines a match. The computing system compares the speech data to the pre-recorded voice sample to determine a result indicating whether a frequency spectrum associated with the speech data matches a frequency spectrum associated with the pre-recorded voice sample. The computing system transmits the result to the user.

Abstract: A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product retrieves a voice print of a caller to a call network. A processor generates a first voice print, a second voice print, and a third voice print of a caller who makes a call to a call network. The first voice print, the second voice print, and the third voice print are consolidated into a consolidated voice print. In response to a request for a particular voice print, the requested voice print is selectively retrieved from first voice print, the second voice print, and the third voice print in the consolidated voice print, and then sent to the requester.

Abstract: One-to-many comparisons of callers' voice prints with known voice prints to identify any matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customers and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a customer voice print, and it formats the segmented voice print for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's voice print with multiple known voice prints to determine any matches, meaning that the customer's voice print and one of the known voice prints are likely from the same person. The identification of any matches can be used for a variety of purposes, such as determining whether to authorize a transaction requested by the customer.

Abstract: An approach for providing speech recognition is disclosed. A name is retrieved from a user based on data provided by the user. The user is prompted for a name of the user. A first audio input is received from the user in response to the prompt. Speech recognition is applied to the first audio input using a name grammar database to output a recognized name. A determination is made whether the recognized name matches the retrieved name. If no match is determined, the user is re-prompted for the name of the user for a second audio input. Speech recognition is applied to the second audio input using a confidence database having entries less than the name grammar database.

Abstract: Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. For example, the system can detect the signature block or privacy notice tags and not render the signature block or privacy notice as speech. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message. Preferably, an email server that receives and stored the email message inserts the tags into the email. Alternatively, the tags could be inserted by an email client application.

Abstract: An interactive voice response (IVR) system which allows a caller to barge-in on all prompts, yet still allows the caller to receive important information contained in the prompts. When a caller barges-in on a prompt that contains important information, the IVR system interrupts the prompt to play a short announcement with the goal of re-enforcing the importance of listening to the entire prompt. The IVR system then resumes playback of the prompt, from the beginning or of a modified version.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for routing a call. A server receives a call from a client. A routing engine captures a voice print from the call. In response to the routing engine capturing the voice print from the call, the routing engine compares the voice print to a database that includes a collection of voice prints. In response to the routing engine matching the voice print to at least one voice print among the collection of voice prints, an interactive voice response (IVR) module routes the call to an appropriate call queue based on the matching of the voice print. The appropriate queue routes the call from the appropriate call queue to a call center corresponding to the appropriate call queue.

Abstract: A method of linking recognized emotions to non-visual representations includes receiving at a first location information corresponding to demonstrative behaviors of individuals. The behaviors of the individuals may be analyzed during a dynamic session, in which the information is used to determine emotional states of one or more of the individuals. The information about the emotional state may then be used at the first location to determine an action for improving the dynamic session.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies a voice mailbox subscriber of the receipt of a message at a voicemail server using instant messaging. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an enhanced notification server that receives a notification of the message from the voicemail server, queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging client via the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In preferred embodiments, provisions are made to forward the message to the subscriber via instant messaging.

Abstract: Approaches for provisioning phones in packet voice networks are disclosed. One approach includes determining that an Internet Protocol (IP) phone has registered in a network; receiving a unique identifier of the IP phone; receiving identifying information about a user to be associated with the IP phone; determining, based on the information provided, a user identifier; generating a configuration for the IP phone based on the user identifier that includes information such as phone number, feature sets, and other configuration parameters; and providing the configuration to the IP phone. Various approaches for determining a user identifier based on information provided by the user are disclosed.

Abstract: A voice authentication system using a removable voice ID card comprises: at server side, a voiceprint database for storing the voiceprints of all authorized users; a voiceprint updating means for updating the voiceprints in said voiceprint database; and a voiceprint digest generator for generating a voiceprint digest according to a request from a client; at client side, a voice ID card for storing the voiceprint of an authorized user; a validation means for validating the voiceprint in the voice ID card on the basis of the voiceprint digest from the server; an audio device for performing voice interaction with a user; and a voice authentication means for determining whether the voiceprint from said voice ID card is of the same speaker as the voice from said audio device. The present invention can significantly avoid the abuse of a voice ID card when it is lost or stolen by using the voiceprint digest stored at server side to verify the voiceprint in the voice ID card.

Abstract: A system is presented for logging and recording a call to a call network. The system comprises a voice print logic for generating a voice print of a caller who is making a call to a call network. A telecom routing switch generates a correlated telecom router switch log file by appending the voice print of the caller to a telecom router switch log file for the call. A telecom software system generates a correlated telecom software system log file by appending the voice print of the caller to a telecom software system log file for the call. A contact center agent generates a correlated contact center agent log file by appending the voice print of the caller to a contact center agent log file for the call. The voice print is utilized to retrieve and to consolidate the correlated telecom router switch log file, the correlated telecom software system log file, and the correlated contact center agent log file into a single correlated file for the call.

Abstract: In those transactions requiring the approval of two or more users, users can perform verification of identity and then completion of desired transaction using an IVR system. The combination of two or more user voice prints previously collected during an enrollment phase can be used for verification of parties to the transaction. During a subsequent verification phase of the IVR system, the users can speak their own password phase when prompted to do so during a defined period of time and the IVR system captures them in a captured mixed voice print. Verification can then be provided by comparing the captured mixed voice print with a joined voice reference model built from stored voice reference models.

Abstract: A voiceprint of a calling party, and identifying information, are obtained during a call. One or more voiceprint samples stored in association with the identifying information are selected, and the calling party's identity is verified based on a comparison of the voiceprint to at least one of the selected voiceprint samples. For example, the voiceprint samples may be derived from a verbal utterance by the calling party before the call, mixed with different background noises likely corrupting the calling party's utterance during the call. If the comparison fails to determine the calling party's identity, an attempt to verify the calling party's identity is made based on additional information received during the call. In another example, if the calling party's identity is verified based on the additional information, the voiceprint may be stored in association with the identifying information as a voiceprint sample for use in future verification of the calling party's identity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for authenticating a user attempting to establish a service which uses SIP. The user registers with the SIP server by providing the digital otoacoustic signature of the user. Thereafter, when the user attempts to initiate a session through the SIP server, the SIP server sends an Authorization Request message to the SIP client of the user. The SIP client reads the user's digital otoacoustic signature, generates a response based on the digital otoacoustic signature, and embeds the response in a second Invite message sent back to the SIP server. Meanwhile, the SIP server determines an expected response, based on the digital otoacoustic signature registered by the user. If the response provided by the SIP client matches the response expected by the SIP server, the SIP server allows establishment of the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for verifying that a consumer seeking to conduct a transaction with a merchant is authorized to use an associated account. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus may include a voice response unit, a storage medium, and a voice print comparator The voice response unit may be configured to obtain a test voice print during a transaction between the consumer and the merchant. The storage medium may be configured to store an account number associated with the consumer, and a control voice print associated with the account number. Also, the voice print comparator may be configured to receive the control voice print associated with the account number, compare the test voice print to the control voice print, and to return a match level signal indicating a degree of match therebetween. From the match, the merchant may decide whether the consumer is authorized to use the account.

Abstract: Digital process for authentication of a user of a database for access to protected data or a service reserved for a defined circle of users or for the use of data currently entered by the user, wherein a voice sample currently enunciated during an access attempt by the user is routed to a voice analysis unit and, herein, a current voice profile is computed and this is compared in a voice profile comparison unit against a previously stored initial voice profile and, in response to a positive comparison result, the user is authenticated and a first control signal enabling access, but in response to a negative comparison result a second control signal disabling access or triggering a substitute authentication procedure is generated.

Abstract: A telephony system (100) includes a user device (110, 130) configured to enable a user of the telephony system (100) to place and receive telephone calls, and a service node (180, 185) configured to communicate with the user device (110, 130) and to thereby provide the user with an automated voice interface to the telephony system (100) upon the user's initiating access to the telephony system (100) via the user device (110, 130). The automated voice interface permits the user to verbally specify a desired objective corresponding to any one of a number of predefined objectives, the predefined objectives including directory assisted call placement and at least one form of information retrieval. Upon receiving the desired objective from the user, the service node (180, 185) acts to implement the desired objective.

Abstract: A method and system for an automated departure strategy from an automated system includes a track engine and an error engine. The track engine allows for the tracking and storing of one or more utterances spoken by a caller in response to one or more prompts. In addition, the track engine classifies each of the utterances with a confidence level. The error engine determines when one of the utterances initiates an error condition and transfers the caller to an operator on the occurrence of the error condition. In addition to transferring the caller to the operator, the error engine plays to the operator an error utterance, causing the error condition, and a preceding utterance, preceding the error utterance. Furthermore, the error engine populates an operator screen with information provided by the caller in the utterances for utterances classified with a high level of confidence.

Abstract: A tangible storage medium stores code which permits handling of unwanted calls from callers such as telemarketers, when caller identification is provided. In one embodiment, the called party adds the caller identification information for the telemarketer to a personal list after receiving the unwanted call. Subsequent calls from the telemarketer are intercepted. In a second embodiment, the called party identifies the telemarketer by detecting the caller identification information before answering the call. By providing a screen listing indication, the caller identification information is added to the called party's personal list before the call is completed, permitting the call to be intercepted and while future calls from the telemarketer to be intercepted.

Abstract: A user of a conversational biometrics based voice mail system sets a user profile of the user that defines one or more biometric parameters of received voice mail intended for the user. A conversational biometrics device analyzes the voice mail in accordance with the one or more biometric parameters of the user profile set by the user and generates a biometric analysis result of the voice mail. The conversational biometrics device assigns a priority for delivery of the voice mail compared with a plurality of voice mails received by the conversational biometrics based voice mail system in accordance with the biometric analysis result and places the voice mail in a sequence in a delivery queue determined by the assigned priority. The delivery queue of the conversational biometrics based voice mail system delivers the voice mail to the user in the sequence determined by the assigned priority.

Abstract: A voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) caller verification method includes generating a challenge to be sent to a VoIP caller which needs a response from the VoIP caller prior to accepting a VoIP call, wherein the challenge includes a test pattern crafted to create a greater load at a spammer VoIP caller as compared to a human VoIP caller. A response or lack thereof is determined from the VoIP caller, and the response is analyzed relative to an acceptable response to determine whether the VoIP caller is acceptable to communicate with.

Abstract: Transparent voice registration of a party is provided in order to provide voice verification for communications with a service center. Verbal communication spoken by a party during interaction between the party and an agent of the service center is captured. A voice model associated with the captured communication is created and stored in order to provide voice verification during a subsequent call to the service center. When a requester contacts the service center, a comparison of the voice of the requester and a voice model of the person that the requester claims to be is performed, in order to verify the identity of the requester. Additionally, a voice model associated with a party is automatically updated after a subsequent communication between the party and the service center.

Abstract: A portable multimedia and communications device can include a transducive element for receiving sound. The device also can include a base unit having a plurality of multimedia units and a processor executing a speech recognition engine for recognizing user speech. Each of the plurality of multimedia units can be selectively enabled and operated responsive to user voice commands received via the transducive element and communicated to the base unit via a communication link.

Abstract: The certification system and method acquires, records and then authenticates a voice communication between communicating parties by a service provider in a telecommunication system. The system acquires, maintains custody over, controls access to, and permits modification, supplementation and deletion of recorded communications session, and distributes a reproduction of an authenticated recording. The authenticated record includes the authenticated identity AU-ID of the parties which is ascertained and documented at the time of acquisition, upon any access, modification or supplementation to the recording and at the time of authentication. AU-ID is adjunct data to the recording. The supplemented recording may include a translation, a transcription and an emotional characteristic.

Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for natural-language surveillance of packet-based communications. Speech data is received, representing at least part of a speech session. The speech data is compared with at least one speech-characteristics profile in an automated manner. The comparing step comprises using natural-language-processing (NLP) to compare the speech data with the profiles on at least one of a lexical level, a syntactic level, a semantic level, a discourse level, and a pragmatic level. It is determined in an automated manner whether the speech data matches any of the profiles. If the speech data matches at least one profile, an indication that the speech data matches the at least one matching profile is responsively stored.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium that facilitate verbal control of conference call features are provided. Automatic speech recognition functionality is deployed in a conferencing platform. Hot words are configured in the conference platform that may be identified in speech supplied to a conference call. Upon recognition of a hot word, a corresponding feature may be invoked. A speaker may be identified using speaker identification technologies. Identification of the speaker may be utilized to fulfill the speaker's request in response to recognition of a hot word and the speaker. Particular participants may be provided with conference control privileges that are not provided to other participants. Upon recognition of a hot word, the speaker may be identified to determine if the speaker is authorized to invoke the conference feature associated with the hot word.

Abstract: A method for accessing and browsing the internet through the use of a telephone and the associated DTMF signals is disclosed. The preferred embodiment provides a system that converts the information content of a web page from text to speech (voice signals), signals the hyperlink selections of a web page in an audio manner, and allows selection of the hyperlinks through the use of DTMF signals generated from a telephone keypad. Upon receiving a DTMF signal corresponding to a hyperlink, the corresponding web page is fetched and again delivered to the user via one of the available delivery methods such as voice, fax-on-demand, electronic mail, or regular mail.

Abstract: A system including a conferencing telephone coupled to or in communication with an identification service. The identification service is configured to poll user devices of conference participants to determine or confirm identities. In response, the user devices transmit audio electronic business cards, which can include user voice samples and/or preprocessed voice recognition data. The identification service stores the resulting audio electronic business card data. When the corresponding participant speaks during the conference, the identification service identifies the speaker.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable medium for providing third party verification data files to entities authorized to access the data files using a third party verification system. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes obtaining a data file identifier and retrieving a data file of the data files corresponding to the data file identifier. The data file may be stored in a verification system and contain a digitally stored voice recording of at least one response by an individual to at least one question. From there, the retrieved data file may be transmitted to the authorized entity.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling two computer systems to communicate over an audio communications channel, such as a voice telephony connection. Such a system includes a software application that enables a user's computer to call, interrogate, download, and manage a voicemail account stored on a telephone company's computer, without human intervention. A voicemail retrieved from the telephone company's computer can be stored in a digital format on the user's computer. In such a format, the voicemail can be readily archived, or even distributed throughout a network, such as the Internet, in a digital form, such as an email attachment. Preferably a computationally efficient audio recognition algorithm is employed by the user's computer to respond to and navigate the automated audio menu of the telephone company's computer.

Abstract: A method of providing voice metrics over an established telephone call between a user and a subscriber can include receiving voice information from the user over the call and determining biometric information from the voice information for the user. The method further can include encoding the biometric metric information and sending the biometric information to the subscriber over the call.

Abstract: An audible indication of a user's position within a given speech grammar framework is provided for a speech-enabled software application, and recognition of speech grammars are limited to use only when a software application that has requested a given set of speech grammars is in focus by a user of an associated mobile computing device.

Abstract: A system enables voice authentication via a network. The system may include an intelligent voice response engine operatively coupled to the network for receiving transaction or access requests from a plurality of telecommunications devices over the network. A speech recognition and verification services engine may be operatively coupled to the network and a database may be operatively coupled to the speech recognition and verification services engine for storing user voice print profiles. The speech recognition and verification services engine may receive a speaker verification call from the intelligent voice response engine and perform speaker verification on the received speaker verification call based on the stored user voice print profiles. The speech recognition and verification services engine may generate a verification score based upon results of the speaker verification.

Abstract: A system for automatically verifying an incoming telephone number. In response to detecting an incoming communication, a determination is made as to whether a telephone number associated with the incoming communication matches one of a plurality of telephone numbers in a storage unit. In response to determining that the telephone number associated with the incoming communication does not match one of the plurality of telephone numbers in the storage unit, telephone number verification rules are applied to determine whether to continue with the incoming communication. In response to a determination not to continue with the incoming communication based on the telephone number verification rules, an alert is provided.

Abstract: A method for a predictive interactive voice recognition system includes receiving a voice call, associating said voice call with a behavioral pattern, and invoking a service context responsive to said behavioral pattern. The system provides advantages of improved voice recognition and more efficient use of the voice user interface to obtain services.

Abstract: The audio signals associated with different co-located groups of talkers in a teleconference are detected (e.g., by comparing the voiceprint for the current talker group with stored voiceprints corresponding to all of the co-located teleconference participants) and processed using different and appropriate automatic gain control (AGC) levels, where each group has a corresponding stored AGC level. Depending on the embodiment, each group may have one or more participants.