Abstract: A method of processing calls received at an interactive voice response (IVR) server is provided and includes receiving a telephone call at the IVR. Caller identity data that is associated with the telephone call is received and a customer profile that includes a list of individual names associated with the caller identity data is received. Each of the individual names is mapped to a speech recognition grammar pattern. Further, a caller of the telephone call is prompted to speak their name. A spoken name from the caller is received and recorded. Moreover, the spoken name is converted into a speech recognition grammar pattern. Thereafter, the speech recognition grammar pattern associated with the spoken name is compared to each of the speech recognition grammar patterns associated with the individual names retrieved from the customer profile.

Abstract: The application server includes means for commanding a voice resource server to set up a dialogue with a user for the user to agree or refuse to supply personal data, for example location data, to a service provider.

Abstract: A security method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a telephone call from a user. The computing system comprises an existing password/passphrase and a pre-recorded voice sample associated with the user. The computing system prompts the user to enter a password/passphrase using speech. The computing system receives speech data comprising a first password/passphrase from the user. The computing system converts the speech data to text data. The computing system first compares the text data to the first password/passphrase and determines a match. The computing system compares the speech data to the pre-recorded voice sample to determine a result indicating whether a frequency spectrum associated with the speech data matches a frequency spectrum associated with the pre-recorded voice sample. The computing system transmits the result to the user.

Abstract: An accent compensative speech recognition system and related methods for use with a signal processor generating one or more feature vectors based upon a voice-induced electrical signal are provided. The system includes a first-language acoustic module that determines a first-language phoneme sequence based upon one or more feature vectors, and a second-language lexicon module that determines a second-language speech segment based upon the first-language phoneme sequence. A method aspect includes the steps of generating a first-language phoneme sequence from at least one feature vector based upon a first-language phoneme model, and determining a second-language speech segment from the first-language phoneme sequence based upon a second-language lexicon model.

Abstract: A communication network is disclosed that uses voice authentication to provide call control. The communication network includes a call control function, a voice collection system, a voice authentication system, and a permission system. The voice collection system collects voice samples of a first party during the call to a second party, and transmits the collected voice samples to the voice authentication system. The voice authentication system compares the collected voice samples to stored voice samples to determine the identity of the first party. The permission system determines whether the first party is authorized for the call based on the identity of the first party. The permission system generates results based on the determination and transmits the results to the call control function. The call control function then processes the results, and interrupts the call if the first party is not authorized.

Abstract: A presence device operable in a first mode and a second mode is associated with a communication device. In the first mode, a user using the presence device is biometrically authenticated and a presence confirmation input is received from the communication device. In the second mode, a user-entered log-in input is received from the communication device. A central presence database is updated to indicate that the communication device is active for the user. A received message which is to be routed to the user is sent to the active device indicated by the central presence database.

Abstract: A method and a system for person/speaker verification via different communications systems. The system may include a control logic (SL) having access to a voice-controlled dialog system (DS) having verification dialogs stored for querying, a biometrics customer profile (BK), in which the personal biometric data of customers are stored and a provider database (PD), which contains information regarding protected database areas and services in conjunction with the biometric methods authorized for verification. The method for person/speaker verification is designed to ascertain, transmit, analyze and evaluate via telecommunications systems the different personal biometric data that are suitable to establish unequivocally the access authorization of a customer.

Abstract: A method of supporting a secure caller ID service (22) is provided in connection with a telecommunications network (30). The method includes: processing a call from a calling party to a called party, the called party employing an end user terminal (10) served by a facility (20) of the telecommunications network (30) to receive the call; maintaining a voice sample database (28) containing a plurality of voice samples; sampling the calling party's voice; comparing the sampled voice of the calling party to a voice sample selected from the voice sample database (28); and, communicating to the called party a result based upon an outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A computer program product, for performing data determination from medical record transcriptions, resides on a computer-readable medium and includes computer-readable instructions for causing a computer to obtain a medical transcription of a dictation, the dictation being from medical personnel and concerning a patient, analyze the transcription for an indicating phrase associated with a type of data desired to be determined from the transcription, the type of desired data being relevant to medical records, determine whether data indicated by text disposed proximately to the indicating phrase is of the desired type, and store an indication of the data if the data is of the desired type.

Abstract: A dialogue system and a speech dialogue operation method are provided. In the system, an inquiry speech signal is generated according to data for specific person and is transferred to a receiver. In response to the inquiry speech signal, a reply speech signal is generated by the receiver, and after the reply speech signal is recognized, a speech correspondence signal is obtained. A ID recognition procedure is performed according to the speech correspondence signal, and a dialogue control signal is generated according to the result of the ID recognition procedure, and accordingly, a response speech signal is generated and transferred to the receiver to continue or terminate the dialogue. When the receiver is recognized to be matched with the specific person, a message delivering procedure is performed to deliver a message to be transferred to the specific person to the receiver.

Abstract: In communications systems where multiple users may be associated with the same account, the voiceprint of a user is used to identify a profile of the user, facilitating identification of the user's preferences without requesting additional information from the user. The system may also monitor messages played to individual users, to control the playing of the messages to users. Calls made by users associated with the same account may be allocated to the caller initiating the call in bills, based on voiceprints. Voiceprints may be collected for use in deriving voiceprint samples during registration of a user with the system and during conversations between the user and the system. A voiceprint comparison threshold may be set based on the type of phone calling the system, to compensate for noise. Changes in phone numbers and/or addresses of users are monitored and the threshold is adjusted if changes are found.

Abstract: A system and method of call-routing and caller-screening that employs voice recognition to automatically recognize a caller's voice and then screen a caller, if appropriate; all without forcing the caller to identity himself/herself, which may be perceived as rude or offensive by some callers. Instead, a synthesized voice automatically asks the caller to identify who the caller wishes to speak with. Caller's response to this query is used to identify the callee as well as to optionally identify the caller. Thus, the screening of the caller takes place in a manner that the caller perceives as a more natural way of telephone communication. Caller's speech is used to generate digital voice samples therefrom and the caller's voice samples are directly compared with other voice samples stored in a database without converting the voice samples into digital text files.

Abstract: A client identity verification system and method which includes receiving a spoken voice sample from a client. Identifying the match of the client, verifying client information, changing parameters in a conditional database and communicating alerts based on the results. The method also includes matching the received spoken voice sample against a stored voiceprint and voiceprint template of random phrases. The method then also includes verifying the phone number of the client.

Abstract: A method for enabling enhanced call return in a wireless network comprising receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a mobile subscriber (MS) as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the wireless network. The method further comprises allowing the MS to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. The present invention thus allows the mobile subscriber (MS) to subscribe to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of the mobile telephone service plan. The ECR feature allows the mobile subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.

Abstract: A method for tracking the location of an individual can include selecting a first audio clip from a plurality of audio clips, wherein each audio clip comprises a different question for the individual and wherein a correct answer corresponds to each audio clip. The method can further include initiating a telephone call to a telephone of the individual at a desired location and playing the first audio clip for the individual via the telephone call. The method can further include receiving an oral response to the first audio clip from the individual via the telephone call and executing a speech recognition process upon the oral response. The method can further include comparing the oral response to a voice print of the individual and storing a record indicating that the individual is compliant if the oral response matches the correct answer and the oral response matches the voice print.

Abstract: A speech processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a conversion-source-speaker speech-unit database; a voice-conversion-rule-learning-data generating means; and a voice-conversion-rule learning means, with which it makes voice conversion rules. The voice-conversion-rule-learning-data generating means includes a conversion-target-speaker speech-unit extracting means; an attribute-information generating means; a conversion-source-speaker speech-unit database; and a conversion-source-speaker speech-unit selection means.

Abstract: A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client—server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic voice call connection service method using a personal phone book database constructed through voice recognition, which includes the steps of allocating personal databases corresponding to phone number to each service user; storing name text, speaker verification feature, speaker-dependent voice recognition name feature and called phone number to the personal database; extracting the speaker verification feature when the speaker requires a phone call and then sending the feature to a voice recognition server/database; verifying the speaker with the feature and searching a name text and a called phone number with the speaker-dependent voice recognition name feature; checking the searched name text and sending the text as a voice to the user; and connecting the call through a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A voice-based classification method authenticates a user for a service which is reserved for a predetermined user group and is provided via a communication link in response to a request received from the user over a first communication link in an access control unit for access to the service. Over a second communication link a voice connection between the user and a speech processing unit is established. In the speech processing unit the voice of the user is recorded using a speech sample and at least a first criterion is checked, with the first criterion being fulfilled if the user is assigned to the predetermined user group. An age and or gender classification method may be used, with the predetermined user group being specified by its age and its gender. The service may be Internet-based, for example a chat room, in which persons of a specific age group interact.

Abstract: A system for providing access to data via a voice interface. In one embodiment, the system includes a voice recognition unit and a speech processing server that work together to enable users to interact with the system using voice commands guided by navigation context sensitive voice prompts, and provide user-requested data in a verbalized format back to the users. Digitized voice waveform data are processed to determine the voice commands of the user. The system also uses a “grammar” that enables users to retrieve data using intuitive natural language speech queries. In response to such a query, a corresponding data query is generated by the system to retrieve one or more data sets corresponding to the query. The user is then enabled to browse the data that are returned through voice command navigation, wherein the system “reads” the data back to the user using text-to-speech (TTS) conversion and system prompts.

Abstract: There is provided a system for facilitating a conference call. The system includes a module to generate a real-time voiceprint from a voice input of a participant in the conference call, and a module to provide information indicative of the participant based on the real-time voiceprint.

Abstract: A voice based multimodal speaker authentication method and telecommunications application thereof employing a speaker adaptive method for training phenome specific Gaussian mixture models. Applied to telecommunications services, the method may advantageously be implemented in contemporary wireless terminals.

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 personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client-server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Abstract: A method for providing access to data via a voice interface. In one embodiment, the system includes a voice recognition unit and a speech processing server that work together to enable users to interact with the system using voice commands guided by navigation context sensitive voice prompts, and provide user-requested data in a verbalized format back to the users. Digitized voice waveform data are processed to determine the voice commands of the user. The system also uses a “grammar” that enables users to retrieve data using intuitive natural language speech queries. In response to such a query, a corresponding data query is generated by the system to retrieve one or more data sets corresponding to the query. The user is then enabled to browse the data that are returned through voice command navigation, wherein the system “reads” the data back to the user using text-to-speech (TTS) conversion and system prompts.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system authenticates a caller before providing the caller with access to one or more secured resources. Identification and verification data is stored during system enrollment of known persons. A processing system, in a current call initiated by a caller and prior to identification of the caller, receives voice-based information for the caller including a digital representation of a telephone number spoken by the caller in the current call, the received information including voice-based identification information and voice-based verification information for the caller. The processing system automatically compares the received identification information and the received verification information for the caller with the stored identification and verification data for known persons, respectively, to uniquely identify and verify the identity of the caller as a particular known person. The processing system authenticates the caller for access to the one or more secured resources in response.

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, system, and program for origin device initiated callee identification are provided. At an origin device, a voice utterance of a callee is detected from a destination device. A callee identity associated with the voice utterance is identified at the origin device, such that the callee identity is transmittable as an authenticated identity of the callee for a call. A caller may select whether to continue a call dependent upon whether the callee identity is preferable. In addition, an intermediary device may receive the callee identity and specify services available during the call according to the callee identity.

Abstract: A method of providing voice dialing assistance includes providing a first input to a speech recognition engine, with the first input corresponding to a speech sample provided by a caller attempting to reach an intended call recipient. A speech recognition output is generated in response to the first input. A potential call recipient is identified based upon the speech recognition output. A confirmation that the potential call recipient is the intended call recipient is implemented using a personal recording made by the potential call recipient.

Abstract: An automated method comprises receiving a telephone call from a user, providing a voice prompt for a unique identifier associated with a reservation, receiving the unique identifier and looking up reservation information associated therewith, receiving a voice identification of change desired, and changing reservation information in response to the voice identification of change desired.

Abstract: Encrypting sensitive information sent using an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The systems and methods may include an HSM that provides a secure platform to encrypt the sensitive information. They may also include interfaces with IVR systems and transaction processing hosts. The systems and methods may interact directly with a customer using an IVR to receive the sensitive information. They may also provide for a secure platform to validate the strength of the information, such as a PIN or password, prior to further processing of the sensitive information.

Abstract: A voice signature system includes a data store, an interface code segment operable to receive identification of information to be signed and a phone number, and a signature process code segment operable to place an outbound telephone call to the phone number and capture a voice recording. The voice signature system is operable to create a voice signature using the voice recording and the identification of information to be signed. A method for creating voice signatures includes receiving an identification of information to be signed, receiving a phone number, placing an outbound call to the phone number, creating a voice recording of at least a portion of the outbound call, and creating a voice signature using the identification of information to be signed and the voice recording.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced call return in a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a call placed to a mobile subscriber from a caller, determining whether the mobile subscriber is a subscriber to an enhanced call return service, loading a mobile subscriber mailbox with caller-specific information, establishing a connection between the mobile subscriber and the mobile subscriber mailbox, retrieving caller-specific information from the mobile subscriber mailbox, and placing a return call to the caller.

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, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Abstract: A method for detecting intrusions that employ messages of two or more protocols is disclosed. Such intrusions might occur in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, as well as in systems in which two or more protocols support some service other than VoIP. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a stateful intrusion-detection system is capable of employing rules that have cross-protocol pre-conditions. The illustrative embodiment can use such rules to recognize a variety of VoIP-based intrusion attempts, such as call hijacking, BYE attacks, etc. In addition, the illustrative embodiment is capable of using such rules to recognize other kinds of intrusion attempts in which two or more protocols support a service other than VoIP. The illustrative embodiment also comprises a stateful firewall that is capable of employing rules with cross-protocol pre-conditions.

Abstract: A method of handling an incoming call from a first communication device addressed to a second communication device, the first and second communication devices being operative in a communication network, wherein the second communication device or the communication network comprises an answering unit. The answering unit includes a privacy data unit comprising a privacy code message for bypassing the answering unit. The method comprises receiving, by means of the answering unit, the incoming call intended for and addressed to the second communication device. Furthermore, the method comprises determining whether also a code message is received by the answering unit. If so, the method comprises comparing the received code message with the privacy code message stored in the privacy data unit to determine whether the incoming call should bypass the answering unit and, thereby, be directly forwarded to the second communication device being addressed by the first communication device in the incoming call.

Abstract: A method and system for an automated departure strategy from an automated system includes a track engine and an error engine. The track engine allows for the tracking and storing of one or more utterances spoken by a caller in response to one or more prompts. In addition, the track engine classifies each of the utterances with a confidence level. The error engine determines when one of the utterances initiates an error condition and transfers the caller to an operator on the occurrence of the error condition. In addition to transferring the caller to the operator, the error engine plays to the operator an error utterance, causing the error condition, and a preceding utterance, preceding the error utterance. Furthermore, the error engine populates an operator screen with information provided by the caller in the utterances for utterances classified with a high level of confidence.

Abstract: Digital process for authentication of a user of a telecommunications or data network for access to protected data or a service reserved for a defined circle of users or for the use of data currently entered by the user, wherein a voice sample currently enunciated during an access attempt by the user on a telecommunications or VoIP terminal device is routed to a voice analysis unit and, herein, a current voice profile is computed and this is compared in a voice profile comparison unit against a previously stored initial voice profile and, in response to a positive comparison result, the user is authenticated and a first control signal enabling access, but in response to a negative comparison result a second control signal disabling access or triggering a substitute authentication procedure is generated.

Abstract: A telephonic authentication system, method and program product. An authentication system is provided for authenticating a user of a telephonic device that includes a setup system for capturing and storing an authentic user speech pattern sample; a comparison system that compares the authentic user speech pattern sample with an inputted speech pattern sample and generates a comparison result; and a control system for controlling access to the telephonic device. The control system analyzes the comparison result for an initial inputted speech pattern sample received when a telephone call is initiated and periodically analyzes comparison results for ongoing inputted speech pattern samples received during the telephone call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying call waiting information in a communication system is particularly well suited for correcting mispronunciation of caller identification information provided for a call waiting call. A current pronunciation of the call waiting information is provided to the calling party who is prompted to change the current pronunciation. The system receives a new pronunciation of the call waiting information and stores information about the new pronunciation for subsequent retrieval.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for confirmation and verification of shipping address data associated with a transaction. The invention as described herein provides a method of verifying first and at least second shipping address information associated with transactions conducted over a telecommunications network. The first and second shipping address information can be stored respectively in a first format and a second format, such as respective speech and text formats. The method functions by accessing address information pertaining to a specific transaction by extracting the respective address information as stored in both formats. The address information is then compared to each other to ensure that they are consistent. If the address information as stored in the two respective formats are sufficiently inconsistent, the underlying transaction may be dispositioned in various ways according to the difference.

Abstract: Verification of Caller identification, used independently of caller ID or as an adjunct to caller ID for caller verification by matching caller voice samples to voice samples previously stored. Verification algorithms can be implemented as a stand alone device connected to the telephone line or the interne, in software which can be a resident on a PSTN phone, mobile phone or an IP phone or resident on a computer. Voice samples of the current caller are recorded and compared a database of previously recorded voice samples. When a call is received for the first time, the caller records the caller's name which is stored into a database and correlated with the received caller ID information of the present caller, if such information was received. If no caller ID information is received, the voice sample is stored in the database with an indication of a lack of caller ID information. The collection and storage of voice samples allows the use of such samples for voice authentication if the caller calls again.

Abstract: A system and method enrolls a speaker with an enrollment utterance and authenticates a user with a biometric analysis of an authentication utterance, without the need for a PIN (Personal Identification Number). During authentication, the system uses the same authentication utterance to identify who a speaker claims to be with speaker recognition, and verify whether is the speaker is actually the claimed person. Thus, it is not necessary for the speaker to identify biometric data using a PIN. The biometric analysis includes a neural tree network to determine unique aspects of the authentication utterances for comparison to the enrollment authentication. The biometric analysis leverages a statistical analysis using Hidden Markov Models to before authorizing the speaker.

Abstract: A method with an information processing system manages a user transaction request associated with a domain name based on an authentication status of a user. The method comprises receiving a request from a user for a transaction associated with a domain name. A voice confirmation user interface is presented to the user and user authentication information, such as spoken user authentication information from the user, is collected. The user authentication information is communicated to an information processing system. An authentication status associated with the user is received from the information processing system. The method also includes determining to allow the request from the user for the transaction associated with the domain name based at least in part on the received authentication status.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method that generate a user profile and verify the authorship of a second message against the user profile. As such, messages inconsistent with the user profile, which may be indicative of authorship by another user, may be detected primarily from one side of a communication, generally resulting in safer instant messaging and/or emailing. Additionally, reauthentication and/or blocking capabilities may be utilized to handle messages inconsistent with the user profile.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service involves the following steps: (a) dialing a service number (172); (b) speaking a number of digits to form a first utterance (174); (c) recognizing the digits using speaker independent speaker recognition (176); (d) when a user has used the dial-up service previously, verifying the user based on the first utterance using a speaker verification system (178); (e) when the user cannot be verified, requesting the user enter a personal identification number (182); and (f) when the personal identification number is valid (184), providing access to the dial-up service (186).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for storing directory assistance information in a subscriber's electronic address book for future use. If a directory number associated with the desired called party is not in the subscriber's address book, a voice services node initiates a call to a directory assistance service to obtain a directory number for the called party. If the subscriber would like to have the obtained number added to the subscriber's address book, the directory number, name and address associated with the requested directory assistance may be added to the subscriber's address book for future use by the subscriber when the subscriber needs the directory number associated with the called party.

Abstract: A system and method of providing voice authentication to institutional customers having consumers or users. The system includes an enrollment module, a verification module, and a database. Each institutional customer has an authentication profile on the system that includes both i) instructions indicating which one or more of the voice biometric engines are to be used for a given consumer's enrollment and/or authentication, and ii) variables for implementing those instructions. A given institutional customer may have more than one set of instructions or variables for different classes of users. Vocal information is received from a user, and a baseline voiceprint is constructed therefrom for enrollment. Subsequently, more vocal information is received from the user to construct a temporary voiceprint. The temporary voiceprint is compared to a corresponding baseline voiceprint in accordance with the institutional customer's authentication profile.

Abstract: A centralized biometric system is provided for verifying an individual's identity over a communications network. The centralized biometric system includes a receiver that receives, from a remote communications system, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service using the remote communications system. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The system also includes a processor that compares the biometric sample to biometric information obtained from a storage to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual. The receiver and the processor are within a centralized system in the communications network.