Abstract: A script for an interactive communication is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication. The interactive communication is monitored over a communication network using a computer with a processor and memory for input during the interactive communication. Input incompatible with a script for the interactive communication is detected for the interactive communication. The incompatible input is categorized. The script is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication into a dynamically updated script in accordance with the categorizing. Information is provided over the communication network to the initiator in accordance with the dynamically updated script.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for generating a unified menu for multiple communication channels are provided. User interaction information received via the multiple communication channels are transmitted to a central server over a network. The central server also receives notification information or directive information from a source external to the central server. The central server weighs the received information and transforms the weighted information into unified menu options in a unified menu. The unified menu is transmitted to the multiple communication channels, such that same unified menu options are provided at each of the multiple communication channels.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for managing a data stream are provided. Data representing an input of an individual is received, with the individual being in an environment. Information of the environment is correlated with the data representing the input of the individual to determine a demographic descriptor. The demographic descriptor is correlated with a content of the data stream to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The content of the data stream is modified when the predetermined condition is satisfied to generate a modified data stream. The modified data stream is transmitted to a device disposed in the environment when the content of the data stream is modified.

Abstract: A system for managing a data stream that is transmitted to an environment is provided. The system includes a receiver that receives the data stream. The data stream includes a first program, with the first program configured to be displayed in the environment. An input receives information of an individual in the environment. A processor analyzes the information, determines a demographic descriptor of the individual based on the information, and correlates the demographic descriptor of the individual with a content of the first program to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The processor further determines a second program based on the demographic descriptor of the individual and modifies the first program based on the second program when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: A script for an interactive communication is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication. The interactive communication is monitored over a communication network using a computer with a processor and memory for input during the interactive communication. Input incompatible with a script for the interactive communication is detected for the interactive communication. The incompatible input is categorized. The script is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication into a dynamically updated script in accordance with the categorizing. Information is provided over the communication network to the initiator in accordance with the dynamically updated script.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for recognizing speech. The method includes receiving speech from a user, perceiving at least one speech dialect in the received speech, selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars based on at least one score associated with the perceived speech dialect and the perceived at least one speech dialect, and recognizing the received speech with the selected at least one grammar. Selecting at least one grammar can be further based on a user profile. Multiple grammars can be blended. Predefined parameters can include pronunciation differences, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Optimized dialect grammars can be domain specific. The method can further include recognizing initial received speech with a generic grammar until an optimized dialect grammar is selected. Selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars can be based on a certainty threshold.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: A script for an interactive communication is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication. The interactive communication is monitored over a communication network using a computer with a processor and memory for input during the interactive communication. Input incompatible with a script for the interactive communication is detected for the interactive communication. The incompatible input is categorized. The script is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication into a dynamically updated script in accordance with the categorizing. Information is provided over the communication network to the initiator in accordance with the dynamically updated script.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for recognizing speech. The method includes receiving speech from a user, perceiving at least one speech dialect in the received speech, selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars based on at least one score associated with the perceived speech dialect and the perceived at least one speech dialect, and recognizing the received speech with the selected at least one grammar. Selecting at least one grammar can be further based on a user profile. Multiple grammars can be blended. Predefined parameters can include pronunciation differences, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Optimized dialect grammars can be domain specific. The method can further include recognizing initial received speech with a generic grammar until an optimized dialect grammar is selected. Selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars can be based on a certainty threshold.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other multimedia receiver suitable for use in a multimedia distribution network includes a remote control interface operable to receive a signal from a remote control device and extract a remote control command from the signal, a processor coupled to the remote control interface and operable to detect the remote control command, and a machine readable storage resource containing computer executable instructions operable to: invoke an aural indication application that returns an audio stream suitable for processing by an audio output device, wherein the audio stream, when processed by the audio output device, causes the audio output device to produce an audibly detectable signal indicative of a function corresponding to the remote control command. The application may generate the audio stream by invoking a speech synthesis module or by retrieving an audio file.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for recognizing speech. The method includes receiving speech from a user, perceiving at least one speech dialect in the received speech, selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars based on at least one score associated with the perceived speech dialect and the perceived at least one speech dialect, and recognizing the received speech with the selected at least one grammar. Selecting at least one grammar can be further based on a user profile. Multiple grammars can be blended. Predefined parameters can include pronunciation differences, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Optimized dialect grammars can be domain specific. The method can further include recognizing initial received speech with a generic grammar until an optimized dialect grammar is selected. Selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars can be based on a certainty threshold.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.

Abstract: A system for managing a data stream that is transmitted to an environment is provided. The system includes a receiver that receives the data stream. The data stream includes a first program, with the first program configured to be displayed in the environment. An input receives information of an individual in the environment. A processor analyzes the information, determines a demographic descriptor of the individual based on the information, and correlates the demographic descriptor of the individual with a content of the first program to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. The processor further determines a second program based on the demographic descriptor of the individual and modifies the first program based on the second program when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A script for an interactive communication is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication. The interactive communication is monitored over a communication network using a computer with a processor and memory for input during the interactive communication. Input incompatible with a script for the interactive communication is detected for the interactive communication. The incompatible input is categorized. The script is dynamically adjusted during the interactive communication into a dynamically updated script in accordance with the categorizing. Information is provided over the communication network to the initiator in accordance with the dynamically updated script.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for recognizing speech. The method includes receiving speech from a user, perceiving at least one speech dialect in the received speech, selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars based on at least one score associated with the perceived speech dialect and the perceived at least one speech dialect, and recognizing the received speech with the selected at least one grammar. Selecting at least one grammar can be further based on a user profile. Multiple grammars can be blended. Predefined parameters can include pronunciation differences, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Optimized dialect grammars can be domain specific. The method can further include recognizing initial received speech with a generic grammar until an optimized dialect grammar is selected. Selecting at least one grammar from a plurality of optimized dialect grammars can be based on a certainty threshold.

Abstract: A method for managing a data stream that is transmitted from a stream transmitter to a stream receiver disposed in an environment that includes at least one individual is provided. The method includes detecting an action of the individual in the environment and determining a demographic descriptor of the individual based on the detected action. The method further includes correlating the determined demographic descriptor and a content of the data stream to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied, and, in response to the correlating the demographic descriptor of the individual and the content of the data stream satisfying the predetermined condition, automatically modifying the data stream.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing for intelligent switching of languages and/or pronunciations in a text-to-speech system. As the system receives text, the text is analyzed to identify portions which should have speech constructed using a pronunciation distinct from the remaining portions of the text. The text-to-speech system uses multiple pronunciation dictionaries to generate and produce speech corresponding to the text, where the identified portions of the text are in a different language or have a different accent from the remainder of the text. Having generated speech corresponding to the text in multiple languages, accents, or dialects, the system combines the portions, then communicates the speech to the text recipient.

Abstract: A method and a processing device for managing an interactive speech recognition system is provided. Whether a voice input relates to expected input, at least partially, of any one of a group of menus different from a current menu is determined. If the voice input relates to the expected input, at least partially, of any one of the group of menus different from the current menu, skipping to the one of the group of menus is performed. The group of menus is different from the current menu include menus at multiple hierarchical levels.