Voice/data-formatted telephone information storage and retrieval system

Abstract

A synthesized message storage and retrieval .Iadd.system .Iaddend.generates response messages by concatentating a sequence of words that have been recorded in digital memory in the voice of the operator in accordance with prescribed inflection characteristics. By linking together phrases or words having selectively chosen inflections in the voice of the operator, the resulting vocalized message will more naturally simulate the manner of speech of the operator and thereby provide a more realistic verbalization of the message to the customer. In accordance with the communications functionality of the operator's voice message mechanism, the system performs a plurality of tasks for the operator, including automatically answering all incoming calls with a prerecorded phrase dependent on the type of call being serviced and, by means of an auxiliary audio interface with the call director, the output message can be delivered to the customer whether or not the operator is connected to the call. In addition, rather than audibly vocalizing the message out to the calling subscriber, when retrieved from memory the contents of the message are transmitted in digital format, so that they may be captured and visually indicated to the customer via a digital display provided in the calling subscriber's telephone equipment.

Claims