Patents by Inventor Steven H Lewis

Steven H Lewis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8924215
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Pulz, Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140270117
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140244256
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar The database may comprise a directory of names.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry BLANCHARD, Steven H. Lewis, Sivaprasad Shankarnarayan, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8781098
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8725511
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar. The database may comprise a directory of names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Shankarnarayan Sivaprasad, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140114662
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory PULZ, Harry E. BLANCHARD, Steven H. LEWIS, Lan ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8689308
    Abstract: In one aspect, a disclosed portable authentication device (PAD) includes a processor, storage media, an interface for enabling communication with an external information handling system (IHS), e.g., a computer or a telephony device, and executable instructions embedded in the storage media, for automated authentication. The embedded instructions include instructions for enabling a user to store authentication information, e.g., use ID and password information, corresponding to an IHS destination, e.g., a telephone number of an interactive voice response system or an IP address of a web server. If the PAD recognizes the current destination, the PAD may respond to an assertion of a keypad control element by making authorization information corresponding to the current destination available to the user or providing the authorization information directly to the current destination. The PAD may include one or more telephony interface(s), e.g., RJ-11 jack(s) and one or more computer interfaces, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Lan Zhang, Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz
  • Patent number: 8635068
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Pulz, Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8594301
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reassignment of classifier probabilities based on dynamic events is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for dynamically detecting change in the rate and type of calls, reassigning the natural language classifier probabilities based on the dynamics of the change and routing calls according to the detected changes. The method enables the user to route calls efficiently and be more responsive to customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven H. Lewis, Kenneth H. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20130297315
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for recognizing speech. A method embodiment comprises comparing received speech with a precompiled grammar based on a database and if the received speech matches data in the precompiled grammar then returning a result based on the matched data. If the received speech does not match data in the precompiled grammar, then dynamically compiling a new grammar based only on new data added to the database after the compiling of the precompiled grammar The database may comprise a directory of names.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Harry Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Shankarnarayan Sivaprasad, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130266128
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8488771
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120148032
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8170880
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein use an annotation guide to label utterances and speech data with a call type. A system practicing the method embodiment monitors labelers of speech data by presenting via a processor a test utterance to a labeler, receiving input from the labeler that selects a particular call type from a list of call types and determining via the processor if the labeler labeled the test utterance correctly. Based on the determining step, the system revises the annotation guide, retrains the labeler, and/or alters the test utterance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Begeja, Richard Vandervoort Cox, Harris Drucker, David Crawford Gibbon, Allen Louis Gorin, Patrick Guy Haffner, Steven H. Lewis, Zhu Liu, Mazin G. Rahim, Bernard S. Renger, Behzad Shahraray
  • Publication number: 20120089683
    Abstract: An apparatus provides automated assistance to an agent. The apparatus includes a receiver that receives a client communication from a client terminal via a network. A processor processes the client communication and determines a plurality of agent statements based on the client communication. The plurality of agent statements is displayed on a display. An input receives an agent communication from the agent. The agent communication is selected from a custom statement input by the agent and one of the plurality of agent statements selected by the agent. A transmitter transmits the agent communication to the client terminal via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen J. GRIESMER, James Gordon BEATTIE, JR., Charles Richard COOKE, Monowar HOSSAIN, Steven H. LEWIS, Benjamin RUDMAN
  • Patent number: 8150020
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8023627
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving information from household appliances are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user of an appliance. The method then receives stored information from the appliance as one or more Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Harry Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Gregory Pulz, Lan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8024179
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamically interacting with a user through a spoken dialogue system. A method includes the steps of (1) receiving a user utterance, (2) analyzing the user utterance for a threshold determination of dialect, (3) generating a response that reflects an incremental implementation of the dialect, (4) further varying the perceived implementation of the dialect in subsequent responses by a process of: (a) receiving a subsequent user utterance, (b) determining a modified level of confidence in the dialect based at least in part from the subsequent utterance, (c) generating a subsequent response that implements an incremental variation according to the modified level of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory Pulz, Harry E. Blanchard, Steven H. Lewis, Lan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100316197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reassignment of classifier probabilities based on dynamic events is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for dynamically detecting change in the rate and type of calls, reassigning the natural language classifier probabilities based on the dynamics of the change and routing calls according to the detected changes. The method enables the user to route calls efficiently and be more responsive to customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: STEVEN H. LEWIS, Kenneth H. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20100217597
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using an annotation guide to label utterances and speech data with a call type are disclosed. A method embodiment monitors labelers of speech data by presenting via a processor a test utterance to a labeler, receiving input from the labeler that selects a particular call type from a list of call types and determining via the processor if the labeler labeled the test utterance correctly. Based on the determining step, the method performs at least one of the following: revising the annotation guide, retraining the labeler or altering the test utterance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property II, LP via a transfer from AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Lee Begeja, Richard Vandervoort Cox, Harris Drucker, David Crawford Gibbon, Allen Louis Gorin, Patrick Guy Haffner, Steven H. Lewis, Zhu Liu, Mazin G. Rahim, Bernard S. Renger, Behzad Shahraray