Abstract: A method of adjusting music length to expected waiting time while a caller is on hold includes choosing one or more media selections based upon their play duration and matching the selection(s) to the expected waiting time.

Abstract: A method for alleviating ambiguity issues of new user defined speech commands. An original command for a user-defined speech command can be received. It can then be determined if the original command is likely to be confused with a set of existing speech commands. When confusion is unlikely, the original command can be automatically stored. When confusion is likely, a substitute command that is unlikely to be confused with existing commands can be automatically determined. The substitute can be presented as an alternative to the original command and can be selectively stored as the user-defined speech command.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program for automatically generating call flow statistics in a voice application. Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to call flow statistics generation systems and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for automatically generating a call flow statistics-generating application and presenting updated statistics on a call flow representation. Various statistics collection points are identified on the visual representation. Upon running of the voice application, call flow statistics are gathered and presented for each statistics collection point. Call identifiers corresponding to each call path can be selected and call paths corresponding to the selected call identifier may be highlighted and their call statistics displayed.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for creating alternate-mode interactive applications is provided. A system for creating an alternate-mode interactive application includes a selection module for selecting a voice-mode element from a set of voice-mode elements defining a voice-mode interactive application for accomplishing a predetermined user-directed task The system also includes a generation module for generating an alternate-mode element corresponding to the selected voice-mode element, the alternate-mode element having a modality different than the voice-mode element. The system further includes a construction module for constructing an alternate-mode interactive application based upon the generated alternate-mode element.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus for efficiently presenting correction options. The present invention is capable of analyzing user voice commands and sorting multiple input requests based on user selection probability to determine whether a confirmation step should be presented and, if so, the manner in which the confirmation step should be presented. In particular, the method requests an information input from the user and then assigns a confidence level to the information input. If the confidence level is LOW, then the system performs an immediate confirmation step. If the confidence level assigned is MEDIUM or HIGH, then the information is placed into a data set that is confirmed in a batch confirmation step. The batch confirmation step presents the captured information to the user for confirmation. If any of the information is incorrect, then the method sorts the information in ascending order by confidence level and creates a menu of items that may be changed. The user then makes the change.

Abstract: A method (10) and system of adjusting a speech output rate to match a speech input rate can include the steps of receiving (12) speech input, computing (14) a speech input rate, and dynamically adjusting (18 or 26) a speech output rate to match the speech input rate. If the type of speech output is TTS, then a rate of TTS can be adjusted (18). If the type of speech output is recorded and alternate text is available, then steps (22 and 24) of counting alternate text available from a recorded output and determining an audio file length is used to compute a default output rate to adjust a recorded output rate. If the type is recorded and alternate text is unavailable, then steps (21 and 24) of obtaining an output word count from a transcription of a recorded speech output and determining an audio file length is used.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to interactive voice response (IVR) system session management and provide a method, system and computer program product for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system can include detecting a call interruption of a telephone call between a caller and an IVR system during an established IVR session for the caller. The method also can include saving state information for the established IVR session in connection with the caller in response to detecting the call interruption. The method further can include determining a call back number for the caller and initiating a call back of the caller from the IVR system using the call back number of the caller thereby re-establishing an IVR session for the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for automated code generation in a call flow builder (10) can include a display coupled to a processor. The processor can be programmed to select a real code (database connection) or a prototype code using a graphical interface (20) to provide a selected code and develop a call flow using the selected code. The processor can be programmed to select the prototype code as the selected code, test the call flow in a local development environment and further enable the switching of the selected code from the prototype to the real code to complete a database connection. The processor can be further programmed to enable specification of a default or range of values. Additionally, the processor can be programmed to use a database connection code that replaces a prototype assignment of values to variables when the real code is the selected code.

Abstract: A method of disambiguating database search results can include retrieving multiple database entries responsive to a database search. The retrieved database entries can include a plurality of common data fields. The retrieved database entries can be processed according to predetermined speech interface criteria. At least one data field can be selected from the plurality of common data fields for uniquely identifying each retrieved database entry. The data items corresponding to the selected data field for each retrieved database entry can be presented through a speech interface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are described for providing oral modification of an ASR lexicon of an ASR engine that include receiving, in the ASR engine from a user through a multimodal application, speech for recognition, where the ASR engine includes an ASR lexicon of words capable of recognition by the ASR engine, and the ASR lexicon does not contain at least one word of the speech for recognition; indicating by the ASR engine through the multimodal application to the user that the ASR lexicon does not contain the word; receiving by the ASR engine from the user through the multimodal application an oral instruction to add the word to the ASR lexicon, where the oral instruction is accompanied by an oral spelling of the word from the user; and executing the instruction by the ASR engine.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically alerting calling parties of menu structure changes in a telephone prompting system. In a telephone prompting system, a menu structure change alert method can include determining whether a menu structure change has occurred for the telephone prompting system in response to the receipt of an incoming call from a calling party. Subsequently, the calling party can be selectively alerted of the menu structure change. In this regard, an alert message can be played to the calling party.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus biasing a speech recognizer based on prompt context. The present invention is capable of analyzing the words used in the prompt given to the user. Then, a set of words the user is likely to say in response to the prompt is determined. The word set may be determined using a technology used by the speech recognition system, such as n-grams, grammars, or both. The speech recognition system boosts the probabilities of the analyzed words in the word set by a preconfigured amount. The preconfigured amount is selected based on collected data.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus for aiding a visual search in a list of learnable speech commands. The present invention is capable of making less commonly-used commands more salient and more commonly-used commands less salient. The present invention takes measurements of user interactions with a speech recognition interface and uses the measurements to aid in determining whether a user has learned or memorized more commonly-used commands. These more commonly-used commands are made less salient such that the unlearned commands are easier to find, thereby reducing the visual search time needed by a user.

Abstract: A method for providing help within an interactive voice response application can include the step of determining an interactive voice response event corresponding to a help menu request. The event can be classified as a default help request or a user initiated help request. If the event is classified as a default help request, a time for receiving user input can be set to a default value. If, however, the event is classified as a user initiated help request, the time for receiving user input can be set to a value less than the default value.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (50) for using a biometrically enabled password can include an input device (58) capable of entering a password entry and a processor (56) coupled to the input device. The processor can monitor (16 or 26) a cadence such as monitoring a keystroke signature, store the cadence of the password entry, compare (28) the cadence of a subsequent password entry with the cadence of at least one previous password entry, establish (30) a stability metric with respect to the cadences compared, and require (32) both the password entry and the cadence once the cadence meets the stability metric. The processor can require only the password entry until the stability metric for the cadence is achieved. The processor can also determine (14) if the password entry is new and optionally require (18) only the password entry to enter the system if determined as new.

Abstract: A method of adjusting music length to expected waiting time while a caller is on hold includes choosing one or more media selections based upon their play duration and matching the selection(s) to the expected waiting time.

Abstract: A method for providing help within an interactive voice response application can include the step of determining an interactive voice response event corresponding to a request for help. The event can be classified as a default help request, which can be a system initiated help request, or a user initiated help request. If the event is classified as a default help request, a time for receiving user input can be set to a default value. If, however, the event is classified as a user initiated help request, the time for receiving user input can be set to a value less than the default value. The interactive voice response application can take programmatic action upon expiration of the time for receiving user input.

Abstract: A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer and a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition system of the vehicle. The controller compares detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, and is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The controller also requires the vehicle operator to periodically take breath analyzer retests after vehicle ignition in order to allow vehicle operation to continue. The controller can reduce the frequency of periodic retests in response to one or more retests when the breath alcohol level of the vehicle operator is below a threshold value. The system may include a transdermal alcohol sensor, a mouth contamination sensor, a mouth contamination sensor, and redundant alcohol sensors.

Abstract: A method of adjusting music length to expected waiting time while a caller is on hold includes choosing one or more media selections based upon their play duration and matching the selection(s) to the expected waiting time.

Abstract: A method (10) and system of adjusting a speech output rate to match a speech input rate can include the steps of receiving (12) speech input, computing (14) a speech input rate, and dynamically adjusting (18 or 26) a speech output rate to match the speech input rate. If the type of speech output is TTS, then a rate of TTS can be adjusted (18). If the type of speech output is recorded and alternate text is available, then steps (22 and 24) of counting alternate text available from a recorded output and determining an audio file length is used to compute a default output rate to adjust a recorded output rate. If the type is recorded and alternate text is unavailable, then steps (21 and 24) of obtaining an output word count from a transcription of a recorded speech output and determining an audio file length is used.