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. The interactive voice response application can take programmatic action upon expiration of the time for receiving user input.

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 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: The present invention includes a telecommunication method. The method can include the step of a sending device operating in a first communication mode initializing a communication to a receiving device operating in a second communication mode. The receiving device can be queried to automatically determine that the receiving device is operating in the second communication mode. In one embodiment, the first and second communication modes can include a speech mode and a text mode. The communication can be established between the sending and receiving devices, where the sending device communicates in the first communication mode, and where the receiving device communicates in the second communication mode. During the communication, a format of messages conveyed between the sending device and the receiving device can be automatically changed in accordance with the first communication mode and the second communication mode.

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 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 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 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, 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: In a speech recognition system, a method of nonvisual enrollment comprising playing an audio representation of an enrollment script. As the enrollment is playing, shadowed speech from a user can be received, wherein the shadowed speech can lag the enrollment script. The received shadowed speech can be recorded for enrolling the user into the speech recognition system.

Abstract: A method of generating a grammar for recognizing headings in a speech recognition system can include identifying, within a data store, at least one heading selection associated with a content item. At least a first word from the identified heading selections can be extracted and a heading grammar automatically can be generated by including each extracted word of the identified heading selections within the heading grammar.

Abstract: A method of generating a grammar for recognizing headings in a speech recognition system can include identifying, within a data store, at least one heading selection associated with a content item. At least a first word from the identified heading selections can be extracted and a heading grammar automatically can be generated by including each extracted word of the identified heading selections within the heading grammar.

Abstract: In a speech recognition system, a method of nonvisual enrollment comprising playing an audio representation of an enrollment script. As the enrollment is playing, shadowed speech from a user can be received, wherein the shadowed speech can lag the enrollment script. The received shadowed speech can be recorded for enrolling the user into the speech recognition system.

Abstract: A categorized speech-based interface system includes structure for delivering user prompts to users. The prompts include at least full prompts and tapered prompts. The interface further includes structure for determining the quantity of at least one of correct and incorrect responses to the prompts. The system delivers tapered prompts in response to the determination of a quantity of at least one of the correct and incorrect responses. A method for operating a categorized speech-based interface system is also disclosed.