Abstract: A vocabulary management system for constraining speech recognition processing associated with text-to-speech and speech-to-text rendering associated with use of a voice application in progress between a user accessing a data source through a voice portal has a vocabulary management server connected to a voice application server and to a telephony server, and an instance of vocabulary management software running on the management server for enabling vocabulary establishment and management for speech recognition software. The system is characterized in that an administrator accessing the vocabulary management server uses the software to create unique vocabulary sets that are specific to selected portions of vocabulary associated with target data sources the vocabulary sets differing in content according to administrator direction.

Abstract: In an apparatus that creates and distributes voice advertisements to end users, the apparatus includes a voice advertising portal and a network coupled to the voice advertising portal. A voice application server determines which portions of a voice advertisement will be cached locally at the voice advertising portal for subsequent local retrieval during user interaction with the voice advertising portal.

Abstract: After receiving a call from a caller, the identity of the caller is determined. A method determines at least one caller behavior associated with the caller. This caller behavior is determined based on the caller's association with a social network. Next, multiple available advertisements are identified. An advertisement is selected based on the caller behavior associated with the caller.

Abstract: A method receives a request for information regarding a product or service from a user. The received request is provided to a speech processing system which attempts to generate an automated response to the received request. If the speech processing system generates a response to the received request, that response is provided to the user. However, if the speech processing system does not generate a response to the received request, the user is referred to an advisor to handle the received request.

Abstract: In a voice-extensible markup-language-enabled voice application deployment architecture, an application logic for determining which portions of a voice application for deployment are cached at an application-receiving end system or systems has a processor for processing the voice application according to sequential dialog files of the application, a static content optimizer connected to the processor for identifying files containing static content, and a dynamic content optimizer connected to the processor for identifying files containing dynamic content. The application is characterized in that the optimizers determine which files should be cached at which end-system facilities, tag the files accordingly, and prepare those files for distribution to selected end-system cache facilities for local retrieval during consumer interaction with the deployed application.

Abstract: A behavioral adaptation engine integrated with a voice application creation and deployment system has at least one data input port to receive XML-based client interaction data including audio files attached to the data; at least one data port to send data to and receive data from external data systems and modules; a logic processing component including an XML reader, voice player, and analyzer to process received data; and a decision logic component to process result data against one or more constraints. The engine intercepts client data including dialog from client interaction with a served voice application in real time and processes the received data for behavioral patterns and if attached, voice characteristics of the audio files whereupon the engine according to the results and one or more valid constraints identifies one or a set of possible enterprise responses for return to the client during interaction.

Abstract: In a voice-application creation and deployment architecture, a system for preprocessing text strings for VXML view generation and subsequent voice rendering has a text-to-speech preprocessing logic; a software table accessible to the preprocessing logic, the table for serving text dialog options related to one or more text entities; a rules base for serving dialog selection constraints; and a data store for storing the dialog options and text entities. In a preferred embodiment the preprocessing logic accesses the software table during client interaction with a deployed voice application and selects a specific dialog option from more than one dialog options related to a single text entity and inserts the selected option into the VXML page rendering process, the selection made according to the served constraints.

Abstract: A system for configuring and implementing changes to a voice application system has a first software component and host node for configuring one or more changes; a second software component and host node for receiving and implementing the configured change or changes; and a data network connecting the host nodes. In a preferred embodiment, a pre-configured change-order resulting from the first software component and host node is deployed after pre-configuration, deployment and execution thereof requiring only one action.

Abstract: After receiving a directory assistance request from a caller, an attempt is made to determine the identity of the caller. If the caller's identity cannot be determined, a sponsor advertisement is played prior to providing the directory assistance service to the caller. If the caller's identity is determined, multiple advertisements of possible interest to the caller are identified. Each of the multiple advertisements has an associated bid price. An advertisement is selected based on the highest associated bid price. The selected advertisement is then played to the caller.

Abstract: A behavioral adaptation engine integrated with a voice application creation and deployment system has at least one data input port for receiving XML-based client interaction data including audio files attached to the data; at least one data port for sending data to and receiving data from external data systems and modules; a logic processing component including an XML reader, voice player, and analyzer for processing received data; and a decision logic component for processing result data against one or more constraints. The engine intercepts client data including dialog from client interaction with a served voice application in real time and processes the received data for behavioral patterns and if attached, voice characteristics of the audio files whereupon the engine according to the results and one or more valid constraints identifies one or a set of possible enterprise responses for return to the client during interaction.

Abstract: A directory assistance request is received from a caller such that the caller requests a particular business. A process identifies at least one advertisement for a business that competes with the requested business. The advertisement for the competing business is played to the caller. The caller is then given the option of selecting the competing business or the requested business.

Abstract: A directory assistance request is received from a caller. A process attempts to determine the identity of the caller. If the caller's identity cannot be determined, a front-end sponsor advertisement is played prior to providing the directory assistance service to the caller. If the caller's identity is determined, the process identifies multiple advertisements of possible interest to the caller. Each of the multiple advertisements has an expected value. An advertisement having the highest expected value is selected and played to the caller.

Abstract: An audible utterance is received from a user. A procedure determines a user intent associated with the audible utterance and identifies multiple parameters associated with the user intent. The procedure then determines whether any of the multiple parameters associated with the user intent are missing from the audible utterance. If any parameters are missing, an audible response requesting the missing parameters is generated and communicated to the user. If all parameters associated with the user intent are contained in the audible utterance, a response to the user's request is generated and communicated to the user.

Abstract: A system for configuring and implementing changes to a voice application system has a first software component and host node for configuring one or more changes; a second software component and host node for receiving and implementing the configured change or changes; and a data network connecting the host nodes. In a preferred embodiment, a pre-configured change-order resulting from the first software component and host node is deployed after pre-configuration, deployment and execution thereof requiring only one action.

Abstract: An advertising network for selecting at least one pre-designed advertisement from a plurality of such advertisements, the selected advertisement made consumable in association with a podcast multimedia offering as a commercialized podcast to a consumer base includes a receiving node ported for receiving podcast multimedia files or indication of the locations thereof and for receiving advertisement multimedia files or indication of the locations thereof; a software interface supported by a processor for obtaining data about publishers of podcast multimedia and advertisement media; a software instruction resident in memory and supported by a processor for associating the received or located advertisements to the received or located podcasts; and a publishing node ported for facilitating access of the commercialized podcasts by a consumer base. In one embodiment, files are accessed for editing and republished using real simple syndicate protocol over hypertext transfer protocol.

Abstract: A system for voice-enabled location and execution for playback of media content selections stored on a media content playback device has a voice input circuitry for inputting voice-based commands into the playback device; codec circuitry for converting voice input from analog content to digital content for speech recognition and for converting voice-located media content to analog content for playback; and a media content synchronization device for maintaining at least one grammar list of names representing media content selections in a current state according to what is currently stored and available for playback on the playback device.

Abstract: A system is provided for enabling voice-enabled selection and execution for playback of media files stored on a media content playback device. The system includes a voice input circuitry and speech recognition module for enabling voice input recognizable on the device as one or more voice commands for task performance; a push-to-talk interface for activating the voice input circuitry and speech recognition module; and a media content synchronization device for maintaining synchronization between stored media content selections and at least one list of grammar sets used for speech recognition by the speech recognition module, the names identifying one or more media content selections currently stored and available for playback on the media content playback device.

Abstract: A software interface for validating components and resources used in one or more network-based voice applications has a portion for excepting s user input to select component or resource types to validate; a portion for compiling any errors or conflicts found relating to the component and resource types selected; and a portion for displaying a list of any errors or conflicts found. In a preferred embodiment the interface returns any errors found in a navigable list that is linked to another interface enabling navigation to and editing of individual errors or conflicts found.

Abstract: A system for analyzing natural language spoken through a voice recognition system comprising: a language separator for separating a natural language expression into multiple word segments; and a grammar module for creating XML-based description sets or binary sets using word segments as input. In a preferred embodiment, the word segments are further processed as class objects and then organized according to original spoken order and wherein content fields are created to contain the class objects for comparison during voice interaction using the voice recognition system.

Abstract: A system for dynamic advertisement selection and presentment within a speech application is provided. The system includes a user operable network browsing interface in communication with a server on a data network; at least one voice link to a voice application interface, the link or links accessible to the user working within the browsing interface; a pool of at least one advertisement for presentment; and a selection engine accessible to the voice application interface for receiving criteria originated from the server for advertisement ranking and for selecting an advertisement from the pool of at least one advertisement for placement based on the received criteria.