Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing subscriber services. The system can include a service renewal system configured to renew service subscriptions based upon identifying information associated with the service subscriptions. The system also can include one or more subscribers calling a service renewal system over a PSTN to renew respective service subscriptions. Finally, the system can include logic disposed within the PSTN to obtain the identifying information and to provide the obtained identifying information to the service renewal system.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing delivery service instructions. A method for managing delivery service instructions can include receiving a telephone call from a customer through a PSTN linkage. Identifying information for the customer can be retrieved through a data communications network linkage without identifying said customer using data derived from the telephone call. As such, the retrieved identifying information can be correlated with the telephone call. Finally, access to apply delivery service management instructions received over the PSTN linkage can be authenticated based upon the identifying information.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for service management. A service management system can include a name resolution adapter disposed in a PSTN. The name resolution adapter can be communicatively linked to a LIDB also disposed within the PSTN. Notably, an enterprise application can be configured to manage service subscriptions and can enjoy communicative couplings both to the name resolution adapter over a data communications network and also to a switch disposed in the PSTN. Finally, service renewal logic can be associated with the enterprise application and programmed to renew service subscriptions for calling ones of subscribers to the service subscriptions based upon identifying data for the calling ones of the subscribers as received in the enterprise application over the data communications network from the name resolution adapter.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for managing delivery instructions for delivering goods to a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a delivery center. A method for managing delivery service instructions can include prompting a customer through an established telephone call to manage delivery instructions without first prompting the customer for identifying information. The method also can include managing the delivery instructions without accessing customer information derived through the phone call.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for service management. In accordance with the present invention, a service management method can include the steps of receiving a telephone call from a service subscriber over a PSTN and identifying the service subscriber through identifying information received externally to the received telephone call. Importantly, a service term for a subscription associated with the service subscriber can be modified only if payment can be resolved on behalf of the service subscriber.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for activating a credit card held by a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a credit card activation authority. In accordance with the present invention, a credit card activation management method can include activating a credit card through an established telephone call with a credit card customer using information derived from outside of the established telephone call without first prompting the credit card customer for identifying information. Also, the method can include the step of transferring the telephone call to a customer service representative responsive to a request for live help by the credit card customer.

Abstract: A method of testing a voice response system can include establishing a communications link between a test system and the voice response system, sending a signal to the test system over the voice link indicating that a voice prompt is to follow, and sending the voice prompt to the test system over the voice link. A system having means for performing the various steps disclosed herein and a machine readable storage for causing a machine to perform the steps described herein are also provided. The present invention relieves a tester or test system from having to know or be programmed with the operational details of a VRS to adequately test the functionality of the VRS, as the VRS itself can provide the necessary test data to the test system.

Abstract: An digital audio file can include first digitized information specifying at least two types of audio content and second digitized information specifying a set of tags. The set of tags can include an opening tag indicating a beginning location within the audio file of a type of content and a closing tag indicating an ending location within the audio file of the type of content. The set of tags is associated with the type of audio content for which the set of tags indicates a beginning and an end.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus for permitting a user to remain in contact with at least one other person. The present invention provides a method, a system, and an apparatus that is capable of enabling a user to remain in contact with others through a service that checks contacts set up in a predetermined contact list. The contact list is then contacted and the user is contacted with the results. As such, the present invention permits the user to remain in contact with a significant number of entities while saving time and effort by ensuring the user is only contacted with certain information. The system and method also permits the user to remain in contact even when the user is unavailable.

Abstract: A method of providing a translation within a voice stream can include receiving a speech signal in a first language, determining text from the speech signal, translating the text to a second and different language, and encoding the translated text within the speech signal.

Abstract: A method of testing path a voice response system can include establishing a voice link between a test system and a voice response system and playing voice prompts to the test system over the voice link. The method also can include sending execution information to the test system over the voice link.

Abstract: A method of providing a video game that tracks events in an actual sporting event can include generating a virtual environment, generating one or more first virtual characters in the virtual environment, receiving event data specifying events of a sporting event, coordinating actions of the first virtual character according to the event data, and generating one or more user-controlled second virtual characters. A system for providing a video game experience that tracks events in an actual sporting event is also provided. The system includes one or more gaming systems for receiving event data containing events of a sporting event, and one or more gaming engines for generating a virtual environment having one or more first virtual characters where the actions of the first virtual character are based on the event data.

Abstract: A method of automatically resolving a Digital Subscriber Line failure can include detecting a failure of the Digital Subscriber Line and establishing a call over a public switched telephone network with an administrative system for the Digital Subscriber Line. The method further can include notifying the administrative system for the Digital Subscriber Line of the failure over the established call. The administrative system then can cause the Digital Subscriber Line to be reset.

Abstract: A method (100) of dynamically assigning a plurality of voice ports and arranging a plurality of menu choice prompting sequences for at least one application includes the step of receiving (102) a plurality of incoming calls and monitoring (104) at least one among a recognition error rate for each menu option and execution path, a success rate for completing a desired transaction and an associated origination number, and monitoring frequently used menu options. In response to the monitoring steps, at least one of the menu choice prompting sequences among the plurality of menu choice prompting sequences can be rearranged (110) and at least one voice port among the plurality of voice ports can be reassigned (114).

Abstract: A method of providing caller information can include receiving a voice signal, detecting portions of the voice signal that are inaudible using a perceptual audio processor, replacing the inaudible portions of the voice signal with digital caller information, and transmitting the resulting voice signal specifying the digital caller information.

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: 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: Within an interactive voice response system, a method of aggregating conference calls can include registering a caller with the interactive voice response system, accessing a calendar system used by the registered caller to determine teleconference data specifying at least a telephone number for a scheduled conference call, and, at approximately a time of the conference call, automatically calling the telephone number for the conference call. The method also can include establishing contact with the registered caller and joining the registered caller with the conference call.

Abstract: A testing method can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated within the ghost agent. At least one test routine can be loaded into the ghost agent. The test routine can be executed within the ghost agent. Moreover, the executing step can utilize data gathered from the replicated actions. Test output can be generated from the test routine.

Abstract: A method for restricting resources consumed by a ghost agent can include the step of registering a ghost agent within a domain. The ghost agent can move across domains of a grid environment responsive to movements of an associated host. Once registered, a containment policy for the domain can be received by the ghost agent. The ghost agent can be configured according to the received containment policy. The containment policy can be utilized to restrict resources that are available to the ghost agent.