Abstract: A method for automatically routing a telephonic communication to at least one of a plurality of communication destination addresses is provided. The method is implemented by a computer readable medium having a plurality of code segments. The method comprises the step of receiving customer identifier and communicating with a customer history database configured to store historic data. The method also includes determining whether the received customer identifier corresponds to a stored customer identifier in the customer history database. Historic data corresponding to the stored customer number is identified based on the comparison of the received customer identifier and the stored customer identifier. The telephonic communication is associated with a predetermined communication destination based on the identified historic data. The associated communication data is transmitted to a switching signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for determining a phone number from a spoken alphabetic phone number are disclosed. Embodiments may include a method for determining a phone number that includes receiving spoken alphanumeric content from a user, the spoken alphanumeric content having one or more alphabetic characters, such as letters, numbers or words. The spoken alphanumeric content may include termination words or separation words in addition to alphabetic characters. The method may also include parsing the received spoken alphanumeric content to determine equivalent numbers for alphabetic characters in the alphanumeric content, such as by parsing spoken received spoken letters, numbers and/or words to determine their equivalent numbers. The method may also include determining the phone number based on the received spoken alphanumeric content and the determined equivalent numbers. Further embodiments may include dialing the determined phone number after determining the phone number.

Abstract: A technique for producing speech output in a text-to-speech system is provided. A message is created for communication to a user in a natural language generator of the text-to-speech system. The message is annotated in the natural language generator with a synthetic speech output style. The message is conveyed to the user through a speech synthesis system in communication with the natural language generator, wherein the message is conveyed in accordance with the synthetic speech output style.

Abstract: Voice-activated telephone call connection method and corresponding voice server. According to the invention, the voice server (SV) comprises customised directories (A1, A2, A3, . . . ) associated with voice recognition patterns (M1, M2, M3, . . . ). These directories are continually updated. The request from the user (U1, U2, . . . ) is processed, firstly, by the voice server using the customised directory and, if the request is not successful, secondly, using the public directory (30), with the same dialog.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize voice recognition to process voice messages in an automated manner to detect spoken numbers contained therein. Detected spoken numbers can then be analyzed to automatically determine whether such numbers are telephone numbers, and thus enable such numbers to be automatically dialed.

Abstract: A voice-enabled user interface includes a first user interface. A voice extension module is associated with the first user interface and is configured to voice-enable the first user interface. The voice extension module includes a speech recognition engine, an XML configuration repository, a preprocessor, and an input handler. The XML configuration repository includes one or more XML files specifying one or more voice commands for signaling for execution of one or more semantic operations that may be performed using the first user interface. The preprocessor is configured to register with the speech recognition engine the one or more voice commands. The input handler is configured to receive a first voice command and to communicate with the preprocessor to execute a semantic operation from the one or more semantic operations that may be performed using the first user interface.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a secure, integrated and hierarchical database to store phone numbers of services, along with personal protected information required by the service. This hierarchical data is stored for an individual or a group of individuals and will be made available when they place a call to one of the service phone numbers stored in the application. One of the solutions described in this disclosure allows a user to register frequently-used phone numbers, and any personal data required by the associated services, on a web site under a password protected account associated with the user. The user(s) can access this information by dialing a phone number. This way, the enrolled users can place a call to any registered phone number by first calling a predetermined number and then navigating to the desired number.

Abstract: A computer system and method is disclosed that includes a telephony server that receives a spoken dialing command, sends the command to a speech recognition server, and dials a command based on the result. A computer system and method is disclosed that improves audio message delivery reliability. A computer system and method is disclosed that improves audio message manipulation. A computer system and method is disclosed that manages memory when audio messages are received. A system and method is disclosed that supports multiple speech recognition engines.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing a call based on voice activated dialing (VAD). A VAD device module may respond to a VAD instruction, or to a call received with a VAD instruction with a corresponding call destination number obtained from a personal VAD directory. If the personal VAD directory fails to include the call destination number, the VAD device module may route the call or initiate a call through a gateway to a VAD network module. The VAD network module may obtain call destination information from the VAD instruction, and may use the call destination information obtain the call destination number. The VAD network module may obtain additional information from the call or other source, and use the additional information to obtain the call destination number. The call then is routed to the call destination number. The call destination number may be added to the personal VAD directory.

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: System access modules and a method of enabling a communication session. In one embodiment, a system access module includes a call manager that establishes a communications path through the system access module from a telecommunications switch and maintains the communications path therethrough for a duration of a call and a call coordinator, coupled to the call manager, configured to extend a portion of the communications path from the system access module to at least one intelligent peripheral and release the portion before the duration of the call.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a position setting module, a voice receiving module and a beamforming module. The position setting module sets a group of position parameters, and the voice receiving module receives a voice to generate at least one voice datum. The beamforming module adaptively adjusts a gain of the voice datum according to the position parameters so as to obtain a beamforming voice datum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating through a phone having a voice recognition function are provided. The method of performing communication using a phone having a voice recognition function includes converting to an incoming call notification and voice recognition mode when a phone call is received; converting to a communication connection and speakerphone mode when voice information related to a communication connection instruction is recognized; performing communication using a speakerphone; and ending communication when voice information related to a communication end instruction is recognized during communication using the speakerphone. Therefore, when a phone call is received, a mode of a phone is converted to a speakerphone mode with a voice instruction using a voice recognition function, and thus communication can be performed without using a hand.

Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting a call using a name or series of characters are disclosed. A user provides data pertaining to a call from the user to a called party. The data includes name information that corresponds to the called party. A query may be sent to a global name database to search for a telephone number that corresponds to the name information. During the search, a determination may be made as to whether the global name database has multiple telephone numbers that correspond to the name information. When the name information corresponds to multiple telephone numbers, one of the telephone numbers is selected based on preference information associated with the user. Thereafter, the call is routed to a device associated with the selected telephone number.

Abstract: A call is processed in a public switched telephone network (PSTN), in accordance with at least one advanced intelligent network (AIN) telephony service associated with one of a calling party number and a called party number. The call is initially connected to a voice markup language platform in response to preliminary routing instructions from a service control point, in accordance with the telephony service. Data relating to the telephony service is retrieved and at least one caller query is formulated based on the retrieved data. The caller query is verbally provided to the calling party. Additional data is then received through voice communication from the calling party, including a response to the caller query. The call is routed in accordance with the additional data provided by the caller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for an end user to customize a speech-based user interface, such as those used in status and control for such applications as messaging, unified communications, automobile control, and many others. The invention consists of two major components: a graphical configuration component, and a run-time component. The graphical configuration component allows a user to quickly and efficiently: specify the information they wish to be included in spoken summaries; restructure command menus or vocabulary structures to meet their personal requirements, moving commonly-used commands to the “top” of a hierarchy or vocabulary structure, and rarely-used commands to the bottom layers; create additional commands to access information relating to functions external to the system, e.g. access data from the web, or control another device or system, via the web; and save the customization for use by the run-time program.

Abstract: The invention allows improving the control of transmission of the silence detection (SID) frames to prevent annoying effects in the music sent to the calling terminal instead of ringback tones. This can be achieved by disabling the discontinuous transmission functionality during the period of call establishment. There are many different ways to accomplish the idea behind the present invention.

Abstract: A service includes verbally editing at least one parameter of a subscriber's advanced intelligent network (AIN) service using speech recognition functionality of an intelligent peripheral. A call is received from the subscriber at a switch, including a dialed number for editing the AIN service. A connection is established with the intelligent peripheral in response to the dialed number. Call service data, including the parameter, is retrieved from a database. The intelligent peripheral plays a voice announcement identifying the parameter to the subscriber, receives a voice instruction from the subscriber in response to the voice announcement and translates the voice instruction into digital command data relating to a change to the parameter. The digital command data and the change to the parameter are stored in the database for near real-time implementation. The intelligent peripheral and the database are likewise accessible by the subscriber through a packet switched data network.

Abstract: The present invention provides for efficient monitoring of operator services calls. A packet gateway is provided in association with a telephony switch, such that circuit-switched connections through a switching fabric of the telephony switch are supported by the packet gateway. The packet gateway provides an interface between the switching fabric and a packet network, which supports operator terminals as well as monitor terminals from which interactions between operators and callers may be monitored. Upon setting up the circuit-switched connection for the operator services call, the gateway will establish voice sessions with both the operator terminal and the monitor terminal. The voice sessions with the operator terminal facilitate bi-directional communications with the caller via the circuit-switched connection over the packet fabric. The voice interaction between the caller and operator is provided to the monitor terminal over another voice session for monitoring by the monitor.

Abstract: A cellular system for handling outgoing calls from a mobile station (1) including a network element (8) being capable of recognizing voiced commands and names, and has in memory a database of telephone numbers corresponding to an array of names. The mobile station (1) connects to the network element (8) and the mobile station user communicates the desired outgoing call function to the network element (8) by voice. This desired outgoing call function may be communicated while the mobile station (1) is engaged in using supplementary services provided by the network element (8), at any operation point in those services. The network element (8) evaluate the voice communication, retrieves any corresponding information, including telephone numbers, and communicates the necessary information need by the mobile station (1) to carry out the desired function to the mobile station (1).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a voice-activated communication device. A voice input that includes a plurality of spoken numbers is received, a sequence of digits based on the plurality of spoken numbers is determined, and the sequence of digits is compared to a list of stored phone numbers. At least one proposed dialing number is presented based on the comparison. The invention also provides a system and computer usable medium including a program to operate a voice-activated communication device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for exposing complete call flow speech components to users via Web services that are called by converged voice-Web server applications. The Web service call flow speech components may be accessed by application server pages resident on a Web server and accessible through either a telephony environment or a data network environment, such as the Internet. The Web service call flow speech objects automatically generate the appropriate speech access formatting into the corresponding server application page. By removing the speech component programming from development of the application server page, the representative embodiments expand the potential use of multimodal and or converged voice-Web applications and devices.

Abstract: A voice response unit (VRU) includes a silent prompt feature in the form of an intentional delay inserted after a message is given to a caller, during which delay the caller may invoke alternative processing or interrupt current processing. If appropriate alternative or interrupt commands are not received during the delay period, then processing continues as provided in accordance with the previously played message. The duration of this silent prompt delay is carefully selected to provide sufficient response time for the caller to request alternative processing, while avoiding a perceptible or objectionable delay to the average caller not requiring alternative processing. Optimally, this delay period should be within a range of one to two and one-half seconds and, preferably, within a range of 1.2 to 2.3 seconds, an optimal time being 1.8 seconds.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing a call by receiving caller input in a speech format and utilizing phonemes to convert the speech input into word strings. The word strings are then converted into at least one object and at least one action. A synonym table is utilized to determine actions and objects. Objects generally represent nouns and adjective-noun combinations while actions generally represent verbs and adverb-verb combinations. The synonym table stores natural language phrases and their relationship with actions and objects. The actions and objects are utilized to determine a routing destination utilizing a routing table. The call is routed based on the routing table.

Abstract: Systems and method for providing voice-activated presence information are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system includes a voice gateway in communication with a presence server. The presence server is for determining presence information of an individual. The voice gateway is for voicing the presence information to a caller after receiving the presence information from the presence server. The voice gateway may also place an outgoing communication to the individual. The presence server may determine whether the individual is present and available on a communication network.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a user to interface to an interactive voice response system via natural language commands. The system plays a prompt that initiates user interaction. In certain embodiments, the system detects initial user speech, wherein the initial user speech begins during the prompt or during a silence after the prompt. Then, the system determines whether the user speech restarts (second user speech) within a predetermined time period, wherein the predetermined time period is dependent upon whether the initial user speech began during the prompt or during the silence. If the user speech does restart, then the system uses the second user speech for recognition purposes. If the user speech does not restart, then the system uses the initial user speech for recognition purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to automated reception systems that may receive voice information indicating action to be taken by the system. The automated reception system may receive a call and transmit a speech message to the caller identifying actions that the caller may ask the system to take. The caller may verbally select an action for the system to execute. Possible actions may depend upon the system context and information about possible actions may be provided to the caller through dynamically generated messages. The caller may also access voicemail or electronic mail messages using embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a caller may be able to control a separate communication session using voice or other commands input during a telephone session.

Abstract: A speech recognition system includes a user profile to store acoustic data and a corresponding text transcript. A speech recognition (“SR”) server downloads the acoustic data and the corresponding text transcript that are stored in the user profile. A speech recognition engine is included to adapt an acoustic model based on the acoustic data.

Abstract: A mobile phone which incorporates an audio recorder to record a telephone number and a voice recognition system for converting the recorded telephone number into a dialing command. The mobile phone includes a transmitter/receiver unit for transmitting and receiving voice signals within a radio telecommunications network. The mobile phone also includes an audio recorder for recording audio messages from a user of the mobile phone. The recorded audio messages are preferably telephone numbers which are converted by a voice recognition system into dialing commands.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved efficiency and accuracy in voice dialing and directory lookup applications. A voice dialing module receives an input from a user and examines a directory to identify recognition results matching the voice input. A list of recognition results matching the voice input is constructed, the entries being ranked by confidence. A called party cache for each user includes entries for parties the user is likely to call. Once the result list has been constructed, the voice dialing module compares the list with the called party cache in order to determine if entries in the list appear in the cache. If an entry in the result list appears in the cache, the result list is reordered in order to take into account the increased likelihood that an entry appearing in the called party cache will be an entry the user wishes to call.

Abstract: A method of facilitating interaction between a user and an automated system is provided. The method includes generating a graphical user interface on a display, with the graphical user interface inviting the user to provide an input to initiate execution of an operation. Upon receipt of an input from the user, a telephone call is automatically generated or initiated from the automated system to the user. The automated system can then prompt the user as required to execute the operation.

Abstract: System and method for deriving call routing information utilizing a network control data base system and voice recognition for matching spoken word sound patterns to routing numbers needed to set up calls. Public access is provided to a common database via a common access number or code. Terminating parties sponsor the call and originating parties need not be pre-subscribed to use the service. The common access number is used to initiate or trigger the service. The system advantageously operates under the direction of a service control point, which combines technologies for switching, interactive voice response, and voice recognition with the data base to automate the processes of assisting callers in making calls for which they do not know the phone number. Usage information is gathered on completed calls to each terminating party for billing. Three alternative deployments in the U.S.

Abstract: A method for routing calls in a telecommunication system includes detecting data for a call from a calling party to a called party, providing a menu of options to the calling party and routing the call in accordance with information about the calling party, information about the called party or a menu selection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an answering machine for a new voice message delivery method and system. The invention detects the presence of an existing answering machine or voicemail system of a Recipient by listening for talk-over during playback of the message or initial prompts. The method and system will also restart playback of the prompts and/or message if talk-over is detected to ensure that the message is properly recorded on the answering machine.

Abstract: A hands-free, telephone system for a vehicle includes a vehicle appliance configured to read over vehicle speakers and display on a vehicle radio display a voice tag associated with a call incoming to a cell phone paired with the appliance for an operator to hear and view. The appliance uses text-to-speech (TTS) to transfer phonebook entries from the cell phone to memory of the appliance. The appliance uses TTS to read and display text messages incoming to the cell phone for the operator to hear and view. The appliance initiates connecting and disconnecting of the cell phone with the appliance in response to voice commands of the operator. The appliance wirelessly communicates vehicle diagnostic information to another device. The appliance controls vehicle functions in accordance with voice commands of the operator. The appliance receives music files from a device and plays the music files in accordance with operator voice commands.

Abstract: A voice recognition unit recognizes a recognition word code corresponding to a speech uttered by a user along with a command code for executing a function of a control object. A function execution unit executes a function corresponding to the command code from the voice recognition unit. A message outputting unit extracts a recognition word corresponding to the recognition word code from a recognition word storing unit, and generates a message properly utilizing the extracted recognition word. The generated message is notified to the user via a display or a speaker, so that the user can confirm that the uttered speech is adequately recognized.

Abstract: Authentication of voice message recipient network addresses employs generating (102) and storing (104) a “network file” that includes “voice clips” and associated network addresses that are extracted from voice messages received across a network (10) from voice message systems (16, 18). A voice clip is the first one to three seconds of voice extracted from each received voice message. Over time, the network file will grow to contain multiple voice clips and associated network voice message addresses. When a voice message originator subsequently enters a recipient's network address (106), the originating voice message system searches (114) the network file for the network address, retrieves the associated voice clip (116), and plays it for the voice message originator to authenticate the recipient's network address.

Abstract: A system and method granting permission to transmit interactive voice broadcasts of a voice service over a voice network, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems is disclosed. The system and method include a call server and a method for generating interactive voice pages related to product and service offerings, and for transmitting the voice pages to a user based on the user's permission. A permission module is provided for receiving user permission information from the user indicating the user's permission for telephone-based marketing.

Abstract: A method is provided of setting the voice personality of a voice service site. A user browsing a voice web visits a voice site where the voice output of the site is presented using a set of voice personality characterisers with which the user is particularly comfortable. The user, in subsequently transferring to another voice service site, opts to have the voice personality that was embodied in the set of voice personality characterisers used by the site being left, transfer with the user to the new site. This transfer will typically be subject to permissions set by both the site being left and the site about to be visited.

Abstract: A system and method of directing calls is disclosed for a telephone network having remote locations. The remote locations receive incoming calls and attempt to route the calls using a basic call director. If the remote location cannot route the call, then data, such as a recorded spoken utterance, is provided to a central system. The central system then attempts to automatically determine how to route the call using the data from the remote location. If the central system is unable to automatically determine the routing information, then the data is provided to an operator who attempts to determine how to route the call. Finally, a caller can be connected directly to the operator, if the operator is not able to determine routing information from the provided data alone.

Abstract: Updating of VAD directory relating to a call by or to a subscriber and to or from a number not in the VAD directory, or relating to an update communication from subscriber. When the call ends, subscriber may be asked such as by data inquiry whether VAD directory is to be updated with the number. In response to the update communication, subscriber may be asked to identify number to be added to VAD directory. The number to be added may be the last dialed by the subscriber, or may be obtained from a call log relating to subscriber. Upon receipt of an update instruction, subscriber's profile may be checked for address(es) of VAD directory to be updated. A VAD dialing command for the number is obtained. The VAD directory is updated with VAD dialing command and number. Subscriber may be notified of update, and may be asked whether to further update VAD directory.

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: Accordingly, there is provided, a method of connecting users of a telecommunications system, the method comprising, receiving a call, playing a prompt in response to the call, receiving voice data, processing voice data to extract keyword information from the voice data, determining signaling information from the keyword data, and connecting the call based on the signaling information.

Abstract: A telecommunication system incorporates individual station instruments simplified by wireless operation, voice dialing, prepaid accounting and out-call operation, all enabled by cooperative system operation including supporting central equipment. Wireless operation of the central equipment involves a multiple port wireless platform along with other units for interfacing a multitude of mobile station instruments simultaneously for interactive audio communication to, regulate control, monitor and record operations of the instruments, and bridge communication with selected remote terminals through the public switched telephone network. Message capability, emergency abort to an operator station and security features supplement the basic system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.

Abstract: A system access module and method of enabling a communication session for use with a platform having a voice activated front-end and associated with a telecommunications central office switch. In one embodiment, the system access module includes a call coordinator, coupled to the platform and said telecommunications central office switch, configured to establish, and later release, a voice command link between the voice integrated platform and a remote device. The call coordinator is further configured to direct the telecommunications central office switch to establish a voice communication path associated with the remote device employing the platform. The system access module also includes a call manager, coupled to the call coordinator, configured to allow reuse of at least a portion of the voice communication path as directed by the remote device.

Abstract: A speech enabled automatic name dialer dialing system for connection to a telephone system, includes a user computer with a computer-based address book program for retrieval of name-telephone number data for creation of speech enabling phoneme sets for auto dialing by speaking a name, and utilizing telephone application programming interface (TAPI), for use with a telephone systems having telephones with private branch exchanges. There is at least one user computer having a microphone and a speaker; a telephone application programming interface provider installed in the user computer; and at least one loaded address book program or equivalent name-telephone number data base contained in the user computer. The software for the user computer, which accesses the data base, creates the phonemes from names of data sets, receives voice inputs, matches the voice input phonemes to the data and signals to a router and PBX to initiate dialing.

Abstract: The invention provides a system, method, and business model for an information system and service having business self-promotion, promotion and promotion tracking, loyalty or frequent participant rewards and redemption, audio coupon, ratings, and other features. A business or organization in which consumers call into a service using ordinary telephone, PC, PDA, or other information appliance, and make requests in plain speech for information on goods and/or services, and the service provides responses to the request in plain speech in real-time.

Abstract: A method for improving the recognition confidence of alphanumeric spoken input, suitable for use in a speech recognition telephony application such as a voice response system. An alphanumeric candidate is determined from the spoken input, which may be the best available representation of the spoken input. Recognition confidence is compared with a preestablished threshold. If the recognition confidence exceeds the threshold, the alphanumeric candidate is selected to represent the spoken input. Otherwise, present call data associated with the spoken input is determined. Call data may include automatic number identification (ANI) information, caller-ID information, and/or dialed number information service (DNIS) information. Information associated with the alphanumeric candidate and information associated with the present call data are correlated in order to select alphanumeric information that best represents the spoken input.

Abstract: Techniques for providing an automated conversational name dialing system for placing a call in response to an input by a user. One technique begins with the step of analyzing an input from a user, wherein the input includes information directed to identifying an intended recipient of a telephone call from the user. At least one candidate for the intended recipient is identified in response to the input, wherein the at least one candidate represents at least one potential match between the intended recipient and a predetermined vocabulary. A confidence measure indicative of a likelihood that the at least one candidate is the intended recipient is determined, and additional information is obtained from the user to increase the likelihood that the at least one candidate is the intended recipient, based on the determined confidence measure.