Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing a message, which is being delivered from one mobile network to another. A request to send routing instructions of the message to a store-and-forward center of a transmitting mobile network is received at a moderator server of a receiving mobile network. The routing instructions are generated in the moderator server, so that the routing instructions instruct the store-and-forward center to route the message to a gateway server of the receiving mobile network. The routing instructions are transmitted from the moderator server to the store-and-forward center. Then the message, which has been sent according to the routing instructions from the store-and-forward center of the transmitting mobile network, is received at the gateway server. From the gateway server the message is forwarded for modifying and archiving purposes of the message.

Abstract: A cordless telephone which allows a user to play MP3 digital audio bit stream music, a video game, either alone or with a user of another cordless telephone, using the remote handset of a cordless telephone to control the functions of the MP3 player. The cordless telephone remains usable as a typical cordless telephone with all the features and conveniences of a cordless telephone including, but not limited to, connection of a telephone call between a calling party and a called party, caller ID information, voice messaging features, etc. MP3 digital audio bit stream music may be downloaded from a remote source through, e.g., the Internet and a PC.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for indexing and organizing voice mail message by the speaker of the message. One or more speaker models are created from voice mail messages received. As additional messages are left, each of the new messages are compared with existing speaker models to determine the identity of the callers of each of the new messages. The voice mail messages are organized within a user's mailbox by caller. Unknown callers may be identified and tagged by the user and then used to create new speaker models and/or update existing speaker models.

Abstract: A quality evaluation device for quality evaluation of an audio signal transmitted via an audio signal channel includes a unit for providing contacting information to a remote user, wherein the contacting information includes a contact address. A measurement server includes an interface designed to be a final point of the audio signal channel after an access with the contact address by the remote user, wherein a starting point of the audio signal channel is the remote user, and wherein the measurement server is further designed to subject the signal provided by the remote user via the audio signal channel to the quality measurement. The quality evaluation device further includes a unit for sending a quality evaluation result generated by the measurement server from the measurement server to the remote user. This allows any user able to access the measurement server, for example per internet, to evaluate and compare qualities with any terminals, any transmission channel settings, various telephone providers.

Abstract: A method and system for automating the analysis of performance data includes an analysis system automatically analyzing a plurality of performance data sets, a task engine, and a score engine. The task engine allows for the matching of each performance data set with an assigned task for each performance data set and the retrieval of a correct key sequence for each performance data set. The score engine compares the correct key sequence with a recorded key sequence of the performance data set to determine if the assigned task is successfully accomplished. The score engine further calculates one or more response times for each performance data set. The automated analysis of performance data allows for a cost savings, more efficient use of time, and more reliable and consistent performance data analysis results.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to monitoring performance of interactive automated customer applications and more particularly to monitoring performance of an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The present invention monitors IVR state changes in an IVR application. The present invention appends IVR state changes to a history log to allow performance monitoring. Specifically, the present invention logs successful goal completion states (in addition to other information) in the history log where successful goal completion states are associated with a plurality of events associated with said IVR application.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for ensuring quality of a media message is provided. The method includes receiving information for a media message. At least a portion of the media is analyzed to determine a media quality for the media message. The method then determines if the media quality is acceptable. If the media quality is not acceptable, then an alert may be sent regarding the media quality of the media message. For example, a caller may be prompted to re-record a media message.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for evaluating the performance of a network interface sub-system of an inter-messaging network of voice mail systems. This preferred embodiment includes a network query device that connects to the inter-messaging network and requests a test data file to be retrieved from a particular voice mail network interface sub-system in the inter-messaging network. The requests for the test data file are generated according to user command. Accordingly, the performance of a network interface sub-system in the inter-messaging network, as represented by the result of the request attempt, is evaluated according to a defined level of performance, such as a preferred time limit. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing and automatically updating a greeting on a voice mail system comprising receiving a call to a voice mailbox, selecting a greeting template based on one or more conditions, identifying greeting parameters present within the greeting template, retrieving values for the greeting parameters, and generating a greeting using the values of the greeting parameters in accordance with the greeting template. The method allows the voice mailbox user to better manage incoming calls when the user is not available to accept them. The method further provides a benefit to the caller by providing a greeting that contains information tailored to benefit the caller, thereby helping the caller to decide, for example, whether or not to leave a voice mail message in the user's voice mailbox.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing access to stored audio data include a convenient syntax that facilitates control of an audio server. The methods and systems are capable of playing provisioned sequences of audio data to end users, where the provisioned sequences are identifiable using a unique audio identifier. A set data structure provides access to stored audio data using a unique audio identifier and a selector for choosing a member within a set. Function and navigation keys allow end users to control playback of audio, recording of speech, and collection of digits.

Abstract: A system receives a condition for an interactive voice response (IVR) application, automatically tests the IVR application based on the received condition, and generates a test result based on the automatic testing of the IVR application.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for filtering various voice protocols. A plurality of voice protocols is initially displayed. Next, an indication is received from a user as to the selection of the voice protocols. It is further determined as to a particular filtering mode that is currently operating. Next, the selected voice protocols are filtered in the determined filtering mode.

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: An invention is provided for testing a quality of communication data received from a SUT. The invention includes storing reference test data comprising a plurality of data segments, and receiving degraded test data also comprising a plurality of data segments, from the SUT. The data segments are located in the degraded test data, and data segments in the degraded test data are matched to related data segments in the reference test data. Further, the data segments in the degraded test data are compared to corresponding data segments in the reference test data using a fixed point operation. In one aspect, the degraded test data can be normalized prior to locating the data segments, for example, utilizing a fixed point Fourier transform. Also, a receive filter can be applied to the normalized test data utilizing a fixed point operation.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for evaluating the performance of an inter-messaging network of voice mail systems. This preferred embodiment includes an evaluation test unit that connects to the inter-messaging network and requests a test data file to be retrieved from a particular voice mail system in the inter-messaging network. The requests for the test data file are generated according to a schedule of operation so that the requests are repeated within a defined time span. Accordingly, the performance of the inter-messaging network, as represented by the result of the request attempt, is evaluated according to a defined level of performance, such as a preferred time limit. Other systems and methods are also provided.

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: A system operatively connected to a network and method thereof includes a voice quality tester (VQT) to generate a calling signal and an automated voice responder unit (VRU) to receive the calling signal. The autonomous VRU and the VQT include a first task list and a second task list, respectively, allowing the autonomous VRU to synchronize with the VQT and perform a series of voice quality tests of the network without any external I/O control.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for storing received voicemail messages to alternate storage locations. A subscriber to voicemail services provides a voicemail system with an address or a number of addresses to which the subscriber may forward voicemail messages for extended storage. The subscriber may provide an electronic mail address, facsimile device number, a forwarding telephone directory number, or the address of a wireless electronic device, such as a hand-held computer, personal digital assistant, or pager. After receiving and reviewing a voicemail message left for the subscriber at the voicemail system, the subscriber may select an alternate storage address to have the voicemail message forwarded to that address for extended storage and for subsequent review and use. The message may be converted from speech-to-text at the voicemail system prior to forwarding the message.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses an continuous analytical function representing mapping data relating object voice connection measurements to likely user perception of the quality of a voice connection. The device is compact and inexpensive. It can be implemented on a single integrated circuit, or on a single printed circuit board. CPU processing time is significantly reduced. The device obtains a real-time estimate of likely user perception of a given connection in terms of a user perception rating system. The device is reprogrammable, enabling it to be updated as more accurate mapping data is obtained.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for checking the performance of sub-systems in an inter-messaging network of voice mail systems. This preferred embodiment includes a network diagnostic device that connects to the inter-messaging network and requests a test data file to be retrieved from all the voice mail sub-systems in the inter-messaging network. The requests for the test data file are generated without user interaction. Accordingly, the performance of the inter-messaging network in its entirety, as represented by the results of the request attempts, is assessed according to a defined level of performance, such as a preferred time limit. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time perceptual quality measurements of an audio signal (12) in which a quality test signal, including an audio test signal, is received by equipment under test. Playback of a pre-stored representation of the audio signal is coarsely synchronized (20) to the received audio test signal, for example, utilizing a synchronizing pulse in a header of the quality test signal. The playback is then finely synchronized (24) to the received audio signal, for example, by comparing data in a windowed portion of the received audio test signal and a windowed portion of the pre-stored representation of the audio test signal and by adjusting a windowed portion of the pre-stored representation of the audio test signal in accordance with results of the comparison. A window of the received audio test singal is then compared (14) to a portion of the finely synchronized play back of the pre-stored representation of the audio test signal to output a quality measurement of the received audio test signal.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to monitoring performance of interactive automated customer applications and more particularly to monitoring performance of an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The present invention monitors IVR state changes in an IVR application. The present invention appends IVR state changes to a history log to allow performance monitoring. Specifically, the present invention logs successful goal completion states (in addition to other information) in the history log where successful goal completion states are associated with a plurality of events associated with said IVR application.

Abstract: A test application allows configuration of test parameters and launches a voice processing engine and a timing object. The voice processing engine outputs data to the timing object. The timing object receives data, regularly removes data, and tracks the amount of data remaining in the timing object. The timing object reports an underflow if there is no data in the timing object and the voice processing engine has not signaled end of processing.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated testing of a telecommunications system. In operation, the automated test system may be used to test the functionality of telephony applications residing on telecommunications equipment and to validate the data contained within related databases. In an exemplary embodiment, the automated test system is used to test the functionality of an automated messaging system and the accuracy of associated call detail records (CDR) located within a CDR database. A capture/playback tool is preferably used to emulate the interaction of a test person on a workstation of the test system to thereby automate the testing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying voice mail messages uses speaker identification to identify a voice mail message. The method preferably includes comparing the voice mail message to existing voice samples in order to determine a matching coefficient. If the matching coefficient is within an allowed range, the voice mail message is categorized as a matched voice mail message and a name indicator is coupled to the voice mail message. The apparatus includes a user interface, a processing unit, and a storage media. The user interface receives the voice mail message and allows access to the voice mail message by a voice mail recipient. The processing unit compares the voice mail message to the existing voice samples, determines the matching coefficient, and assigns the name indicator. The storage media stores the voice mail message.

Abstract: A system and method of testing voice signals in a telecommunication system, such as a voice messaging system (VMS), are provided. A test signal is generated to elicit a response from the telecommunication system, and a voice signal produced by the telecommunication system in response to the test signal is detected. To evaluate the detected voice signal, the system accesses stored reference phrases, where one or more designated reference phrases can be combined to form an expected voice signal. The detected voice signal is compared with at least one designated reference phrase to determine if the detected voice signal substantially corresponds to the expected voice signal. In a preferred embodiment, the voice signal and reference phrases are divided into component frames of substantially equal time durations, then compared frame by frame to determine if the detected voice signal and the expected voice signal substantially correspond.

Abstract: A prepaid service assurance system provides service assurance for a prepaid telecommunication system by generating a call to the prepaid telecommunication system. In response to the call, the prepaid service assurance system then receives an actual response from the prepaid telecommunication system and automatically compares the actual response with an expected response for the prepaid telecommunication system. In other embodiments, the prepaid service assurance system determines whether a modification action is needed based on the comparison of the actual response and the expected response. If the modification action is needed, the prepaid service assurance system identifies the modification action based on the determination that the modification is needed. Once the modification action is identified, the prepaid service assurance system transmits an instruction to provide the modification action for the prepaid telecommunication system.

Abstract: A Perceptual Speech Distortion Metric (PSDM) generates perceptual distortion values for voice prompts received from a voice response system by comparing the received voice prompts with reference signals associated with the same states in the voice response system. The perceptual distortion values identify the voice prompts as either correct or incorrect responses to signal generator inputs and also quantify an amount of perceptual distortion in the voice prompts.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that uses an continuous analytical function representing mapping data relating object voice connection measurements to likely user perception of the quality of a voice connection. The device is compact and inexpensive. It can be implemented on a single integrated circuit, or on a single printed circuit board. CPU processing time is significantly reduced. The device obtains a real-time estimate of likely user perception of a given connection in terms of a user perception rating system. The device is reprogrammable, enabling it to be updated as more accurate mapping data is obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to bulk testing of voice messaging applications by playing back an interaction from a recorded script. During development of a voice response system and application it is necessary to simulate a plurality of calls to the system so that the performance under strain can be monitored. Such a simulation can be performed by a bulk call generator which makes real telephone calls to the IVR through a private branch switch. However with bulk call testing some problems occur which rigorous functional and/or performance testing does not find. This is because real callers behave in unpredictable ways which were not expected or assumed by the creators of the functional and/or performance tests.

Abstract: A communications system is tested to simulate a realistic conversation. A first measurement device make a call, through the system it is testing, to a second measurement device and the two devices converse using predetermined speech generated dynamically by each device in response to the signals received from the other, to simulate aspects of conversation over non-perfect communications system link. The progress of the conversation will therefore take different courses according to the quality of the link. For example, if an expected signal is detected by one device, it transmits an appropriate predetermined response to the other device. However, if the expected signal is corrupted, or not received at all, different predetermined responses (or no response at all) are transmitted to the other device. This in turn may cause the other device to repeat the original signal.