Abstract: Described is a system and method for communicating using a telecommunications device which includes an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. The ASR system which is capable of recognizing at least one prestored command from a voice input to the telecommunication device is activated. The ASR system compares the voice input to the at least one prestored command. When at least a first portion of the voice input matches the prestored command, the ASR system reviews a second portion of the voice input to determine a parameter value. A tone system generates a tone frequency corresponding to the parameter value.

Abstract: An interactive voice response method and system comprising a VoiceXML browser for processing an interaction with a user. A music score (for example a MIDI file) describing background music for playing during the interaction, and a music synthesizer for generating background music from the music score and from acoustic parameters are included. Acoustic parameters are generated whereby the music synthesizer may be controlled independently of the music score to change the audio environment during an interaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering a personal interactive voice response service. A personalized greeting is retrieved that is associated with a calling party and with a called party. The calling party's response to the greeting is received, and stored information is retrieved that is associated with the calling party's response and with the called party. The stored information is presented to the calling party.

Abstract: A voice processing system comprises a processing device that processes and receives a stream of voice input as a user is speaking. A software program executes program steps for determining a predetermined pattern of speech and silence during processing of stream of voice input so as to play or present the predetermined backchannel response to the user. A method provides an audible backchannel response between the voice processing system and the user, while the user is speaking, in particular, recording a message. The method includes monitoring the message to determine a predetermined pattern of speech and silence based on timing between the speech and silence periods. Then, the method produces the audible backchannel response based on the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to selectively provide communication connections based on an automated procedure to test whether a caller is a human or a machine. One embodiment includes: receiving at a connection server a telephone call from a caller; presenting a message to the caller in response to the telephone call; receiving from the caller a response to the message; and comparing the received response with a predetermined response to determine whether the caller is a human or a machine.

Abstract: In an emergency backup telephone system, members of an enterprise use their personal computers to log into an emergency communications web page. Upon logging in, software that enables the personal computer to act as a webphone is automatically downloaded. This software allows a person to initiate a call from personal computer to a conventional PSTN number destination using a PSTN gateway, or to another party's computer at a specified URL using VoIP telephony. Upon logging in, an authoritative index of employees reachable via the backup system updated to include information such as a phone number and/or IP address where the member can be reached in order to allow calls originating from the PSTN to be routed to the member's computer. The index is made available to other members of the enterprise via the enterprise's intranet, and, in some embodiments, to the public via a web page on the internet and/or email.

Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.

Abstract: A voice interaction system is configured to analyze an utterance and identify inherent attributes that are indicative of a demographic characteristic of the system user that spoke the utterance. The system then selects and presents a personalized response to the user, the response being selected based at least in part on the identified demographic characteristic. In one embodiment, the demographic characteristic is one or more of the caller's age, gender, ethnicity, education level, emotional state, health status and geographic group. In another embodiment, the selection of the response is further based on consideration of corroborative caller data.

Abstract: The present application discloses a call routing system and a method of communicating with a call originator. The call routing system includes a voice converted data module having an input to receive an incoming call, an interactive voice response dialog module responsive to the voice converted data module; and a call routing module responsive to the voice converted data module. The call routing module is to route the incoming call to a destination. The method of communicating with an originator of a call includes receiving a call at an automated call handling system; performing an evaluation of the call based on a set of business rules; routing the call to an interactive voice response unit based on the evaluation, and in response to the call, automatically scheduling and sending an email to the originator of the call. The email includes a targeted communication message relating to the subject matter of the call.

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 and system for creating automated voice response menus for telecommunications services includes the creation of a task for the menu. The menu includes a group of pre-recorded messages assembled in manner to complete the task. The menu retrieves certain required inputs and certain optional inputs from a subscriber of the telecommunications service. The menu does not permit the user to provide other inputs or to select other menus. Instead, the menu uses straight-line processing to direct the user towards task completion. Once the task is complete, the user is immediately exited from the system.

Abstract: A method of presenting instructions to a user sending an incoming communication to a service center includes presenting a menu to the user. The menu includes a plurality of procedure descriptors to the user. The user is presented, according to a selection of one of the procedure descriptors by the user, a sequence of instructions which enable completion of a procedure described by the selected procedure descriptor. The incoming communication is transferred at a position in the sequence of instructions to a representative. The incoming communication is also transferred back to the same position in the sequence of instructions.

Abstract: A method and system for call answer while connected to voice mail includes generating real-time packets for transmission of a message toward a voice mail system. Generation of the real-time packets is interrupted upon a call answer by a party generating the message. Generation of the real-time packets for transmission of the message toward the voice mail system is resumed after a delay associated with the call answer. An indication is provided to the voice mail system that the real-time packets generated subsequent to the delay follow the real-time packets generated prior to the delay in the message by a time amount less than the delay.

Abstract: A system and process for enabling a communication device having computing capability, a user interface and display, to conduct two-way voice communications between a user and a remote party over a communication link in such a manner that the remote party speaks but the user does not, is presented. In general, a series of menus listing potential responses is displayed on the display of the communication device. In addition, there are a plurality of backchanneling responses provided that the user can select. These responses are employed by the user to communicate with the remote party, rather than speaking. This is accomplished by the user selecting one of the available responses. Once a selection has been made, a pre-recorded voice snippet corresponding to the selected response is accessed. The accessed voice snippet is then played back and transmitted to the remote party over the communication link.

Abstract: A system provides redundant telephone call processing. A gateway receives a call and identifies a first server as having primary responsibility for servicing the call and a second server as having secondary responsibility for servicing the call. The gateway communicates the call to both the first server and the second server. The first server initiates recording of a voice message. The first server and the second server record the voice message. If the first server fails to indicate it has completed and stored the voice message in a timely manner, the second server stores the recorded voice message.

Abstract: A voicemail system includes logic to convert a personal greeting or personal announcement received to a corresponding automated voice communication, logic to associate the corresponding automated voice communication to a call situation, and logic to play the corresponding automated voice communication when the call situation occurs.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidated message notification in a voice command platform. The platform maintains, for each user, a summary of counts of messages waiting for the user at multiple message portals. The platform receives update messages from the message portals, indicating updates of the counts of messages waiting, and the platform revises its summary accordingly. During a voice command session with the user, such as at the initiation of the session, the platform then presents an indication of the summary of message counts to the user, such as by sending to the user a speech signal indicating the summary.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: A system and method for voicemail delivery is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail system having a controller element to initiate a communication session with a communication device of a called party to supply one or more recorded voicemail messages. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation can be provided for interactive gaming via a Regional/Access Network (RAN). The RAN can provide end-to-end transport between a Gaming Application Service Provider (GASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation can be provided by determining different levels of subscription service for different subscribers to an interactive game between a plurality of participants. Different QoS and/or bandwidth allocations can be provided to different gaming traffic flows associated with the different subscribers to the interactive game based on the different levels of subscription service of the different subscribers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controlling progress of a dialogue session. The dialogue session is initiated by a calling Interactive Voice Response (IVR) either with a called IVR or with a called Voice Mail System (VMS). Various progress detectors are provided at the calling IVR to detect the progress at one or more steps of the dialogue session. Further, appropriate actions are executed based on the detected progress, for controlling the progress of the dialogue session. The detected progress is reported to a master application connected to the calling IVR. The master application controls the dialogue session based on the reported progress.

Abstract: An improved approach to failover voice messaging services is provided. In one example, a method includes detecting a network communication interruption between a branch office and a main office, provisioning a mailbox of a failover voice messaging system of the branch office, and receiving an incoming call at the branch office. The method also includes routing the incoming call to the mailbox, storing a message associated with the incoming call in the mailbox, and detecting a restored network connection between the branch office and the main office. The method further includes synchronizing the message between the mailbox of the failover voice messaging system of the branch office and a corresponding mailbox of a voice messaging system of the main office in response to the restored network connection. Failover voice messaging systems supporting such features are also provided.

Abstract: A method (and system) of requesting help includes connecting a user to a help request generator, accessing, by the help request generator, a database including a list of helpers, selecting at least one helper from the list of helpers, and transmitting a help request from the help request generator to the at least one helper.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.

Abstract: An electronic record is stored of an agreement between first and second parties for provision of voice mailboxes. An electronic voice mailbox configuration message for configuration of a voice mailbox for a third party is then received. The voice mailbox is automatically configured responsive to the received voice mailbox configuration message based on the stored electronic record of the agreement. For example, the voice mailbox may be configured to control access to the voice mailbox by the third party and/or configure a voice mailbox feature, such as a mailbox type, a pager notification feature, an operator zero out feature, a child mailbox feature, or a line sharing feature. The voice mailbox configuration message may be a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message that is received over a data communications network.

Abstract: A framework is provided to offer composite voice applications and services. A composite application and service begins from the user dialing in via phone and ends by the user hanging up the phone. The composite interactive voice services architecture includes a session initiation protocol session service unit is in the loop of session signaling all the time starting from the time the user first dials in, during the user roaming across various voice servers, and until the end of the composite service when user hangs up the phone. This unit accepts a command and login instruction of the next interactive voice service from the previous interactive voice service. The unit has knowledge of DTMF sequences required for the user to login to next interactive voice service. The session service unit automatically accomplishes a roaming process such that composite applications and services can be achieved across various voice servers.

Abstract: A converged services platform based on a hybrid switching architecture in which either a traditional switching model or a soft-switching model may be selected on a call-by-call basis. In addition, the assigned switching model may be dynamically changed while a call is in progress in order to gain access to desired media services while avoiding network latencies and undesirable service delays.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of processing enterprise information system data for use by a voice activated auto-attendant service network is disclosed. The method includes provisioning a network-based voice activated auto-attendant service via a web interface including downloading a platform independent business to business (B2B) connector package, interacting with the connector package via a sequence of data modeling steps, selecting a connector based on an enterprise information system data source, and configuring the selected connector.

Abstract: A money transfer system where a sender can authorize an escrow agent computer system electronically by touch-tone telephone, computer modem, P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal, live operators, and the like, to send a money transfer such as a cash transfer from their card account such as their credit card, debit card, bank card, ATM card, or a bank checking account, bank savings account, and the like, to a recipient that can access the money transfer at any remote ATM type location or P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal by using magnetic cards such as a specialized magnetic (Cash Magic) card, credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machine(ATM) card, at anytime and anywhere that the ATM or P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal is located worldwide. The system can be used to quickly and easily send another party cash for pickup at any ATM location or P.O.S.(point of sale) terminal worldwide without having pre-existing relationships between the parties.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for making an automated telephone call more interactive and intelligent by saving responses gathered from a previous call and using that information to build more personal and engaging subsequent interactions. An initial telephone call can be designed with data needs in mind. Relevant responses from the initial calls can be captured and stored and a follow-up call can be created that includes dialogs that reference specific information from the previous interactions with the system. Such build call techniques can be utilized on outbound, as well as inbound calls, and can simulate a human being's ability to listen, remember and refer to past conversations, making the automated telephone calls more interactive and effective.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling two computer systems to communicate over an audio communications channel, such as a voice telephony connection. Such a system includes a software application that enables a user's computer to call, interrogate, download, and manage a voicemail account stored on a telephone company's computer, without human intervention. A voicemail retrieved from the telephone company's computer can be stored in a digital format on the user's computer. In such a format, the voicemail can be readily archived, or even distributed throughout a network, such as the Internet, in a digital form, such as an email attachment. Preferably a computationally efficient audio recognition algorithm is employed by the user's computer to respond to and navigate the automated audio menu of the telephone company's computer.

Abstract: A method for delivering person to person services to a telephone subscriber. An embodiment of the present invention may be implemented on an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). A telephone number of a buddy of the subscriber is associated with a buddy rule on a buddy list. The buddy list is accessible by a service control point. When a call intended the subscriber is received by a service switching point from a calling party, a query is launched by the service switching point to the service control point. The query comprises the calling number of the calling party and the called number of the subscriber. Using the called number, the service control point retrieves and reviews the buddy list. If the calling number matches the telephone number on the buddy list, the service control point instructs the service switching point to terminate the call using the buddy rule.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing announcement messages provide for receiving a first announcement message, where the first announcement message is compatible with a first platform protocol of a first messaging server. The first announcement message is translated into a second announcement message, where the second announcement message is compatible with a second platform of a second messaging server. By enabling announcement messages such as voice mail greetings and email “out-of-office” messages to be created and updated with a single interface, more efficient messaging is achieved.

Abstract: A method for facilitating incoming and outgoing calls in a mobile communication system using a server or software located on a third-party server is provided. An electronic attendant allows users to perform various tasks using one or more speech terminals coupled to the server through a public and private communications network. The method also provides for access to a corporate information system (“CIS”) using the one or more speech terminals. The server recognizes both voice and digital signals from the speech terminals. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A computer workstation-associated call handler uses hooking and sub-classing techniques to modify actions executed by an underlying call handler application program to automatically trigger various call handler actions. These actions may include playback of pre-recorded personal response type phrases or other pre-defined actions at various instances during a call, in response to the call agent's interactions with personalized response system-based, and forms-based software in the course of servicing telephone calls. This obviates the need to change the source code of the target application.

Abstract: A call routing test and verification system for an interactive voice response (IVR) system including an automated test driver (ATD) for connecting to a IVR system over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) configured to provide signals representative of content of utterances appropriate for responding to prompt signals of an IVR menu and a test module to enable a test mode of the IVR system in response to the connection by ATD, wherein the test mode allows the IVR system to transmit a call routing string to the ATD prior to transfer of the connection to one of a plurality of agent terminals in response to reaching a call routing point of the IVR menu, where the ATD is further configured to compare at least a portion of the transmitted call routing string to an expected routing string for the call routing point.

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 and system for automating the creation of customer-centric interfaces includes a customer-centric interface system automatically creating a customer-centric interface, a collection engine, a customer language engine, a task frequency engine, a customer structure engine, and a customer performance engine. The collection engine collects a plurality of customer intention information. The customer language engine utilizes the customer intention information to create customer-centric menu prompts using the customers own terminology and action specific object words. The task frequency engine determines a frequency of occurrence for the tasks for which the customers contact the customer-centric interface and orders the tasks within the customer-centric interface. The customer structure engine determines how the customers relate the tasks together and groups the tasks according to task relationships.

Abstract: A system for providing voice mail backup on a secondary server including two or more distributed voice mail servers. Each distributed voice mail server includes a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a voice mail control module, a call status module, a call transfer module, a voice mail migration module, a storage module, an audio encoding/decoding module, a configuration module, an extension library module, and a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) interface module. Each server is capable of storing a voice message for an extension serviced by a remote server if the remote server is unavailable.

Abstract: A message is received that a call has been made to a destination. It is determined that the destination is not available. A menu of options is provided for receiving content while the destination is not available. A selection of one of the menu options is received. Content is provided according to the selection.

Abstract: PBX-integrated unified messaging capabilities are provided via a switched backbone (such as the Internet) without having to install or deploy on-premise unified messaging equipment. A Corporate Communication Platform (“CCP”) typically located within a corporate subscriber's premises is integrated with the corporate subscriber's private branch exchange (“PBX”) system and coupled to a switched backbone, such as the network commonly referred to as the Internet. The CCP comprises a local mailbox database that temporarily stores voice messages and/or facsimile transmissions for and transmits messages to individual subscribers associated with the corporate subscriber. A CCP forms part of a wide-area unified messaging system, and connects to this wide-area unified messaging system via the switched backbone. The wide-area unified messaging system also comprises one or more System Communication Platforms (“SCP”).

Abstract: A voice-mail annotation system and method that enables callers to annotate the messages they leave at the time they leave them. Annotation may be performed using a touch screen or a telephone key-pad. In addition to allowing the caller to more clearly specify the intent of their message and the location of crucial information within the message, the annotations of this invention then allow the person retrieving the message flexibility in how they listen to the message. These choices include prioritizing the messages by the importance of subject, listening to summaries of the message and having random access to embedded information such as names and call back numbers.

Abstract: In an embodiment of selectable prompts, selectable identifiers can be selected to describe a commodity via parsed voice prompts that correspond to selected ones of the selectable identifiers. A description of the commodity can then be generated from the parsed voice prompts that correspond to the selected ones of the selectable identifiers, and the description of the commodity can be provided when requested.

Abstract: A method of collecting information is provided. The method includes sending an interactive text markup programming language script, using a session initiation protocol (SIP) message, to a communications device. The interactive script includes a first query and a second query that depends on a response to the first query. The method also includes receiving the response from the communications device. The response is based upon input from a user of the communications device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, information processing system, and computer storage program product for providing communication between a user electronic device and an Interactive Voice Response (“IVR”) system. At least one selection from a user corresponding to at least one menu in an IVR system is received. The selection comprises an instruction selection sequence. At least one voice message and at least one visual message associated with the voice message, each corresponding to the instruction sequence are generated in response to the receiving. The voice message and visual message are transmitted to the electronic device associated with the user. The visual message is to be displayed to the user on an electronic device associated with the user while the voice message is being played to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for interactively synthesizing responses to a caller's queries includes using a text to speech synthesizer in a call center environment. A telephone network capable of receiving one or more telephone calls distributes calls to at least one or more call handlers. An interactive voice recognition platform having at least one database identifies an phone number associated with an incoming call and matches the phone number with the local language of the caller and provides this information in a signal to a media splitter. The call handler responds to the caller's queries by typing response information to the caller through a graphical unit interface at a workstation. A voice server receives the response information sends a signal to a text to speech synthesizer for conversion into speech. The produced speech from the text to speech synthesizer is sent back to the caller via the network and the caller is able to hear the answer to the caller's queries in the caller's local language.

Abstract: A method and system for testing voice applications, such as VoiceXML applications, is provided. The system provides a run-time simulation environment for voice applications that simulates and automates user interaction. A user simulation script is provided in a customized mark-up language. The voice application is processed to derive a nominal output of the voice application. The user simulation script is processed to generate a simulated output for the voice application corresponding to the nominal output. The user simulation script is also processed to generate a simulated input for the voice application corresponding to a pre-determined user input to the voice application. The simulated inputs and outputs are executed in conjunction with the voice application in real-time to test the application. Execution time rates for text based input and output are calculated based on empirical speaking rates of human users.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting demographic information from a contact is disclosed. The method discloses: initiating a dialog between a contact and a call handling system; selecting a set of demographic characteristics; assigning a set of acoustic confidence scores; assigning a set of substantive confidence scores; combining the acoustic and substantive confidence scores; and tailoring information presented to the contact using the set of combined confidence scores. The system discloses: an Interactive Voice Response module for initiating a dialog between a contact and a call handling system, and selecting a set of demographic characteristics; an acoustic classifier for assigning a set of acoustic confidence scores; a substantive classifier for assigning a set of substantive confidence scores; and a data combiner for combining the acoustic and substantive confidence scores. The Interactive Voice Response module also tailors information presented to the contact using the set of combined confidence scores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing voicemail messages in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Call Processing System (CPS) having a processing element that receives a redirected call initiated by a calling party attempting to communicate with at least one among a plurality of users sharing one or more terminal devices associated with a targeted communication identifier, presents the calling party an option to select one or more among the plurality of users, and directs the calling party to a voicemail system for storing a voicemail message in one or more voicemail accounts associated with the one or more users selected. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically alerting calling parties of menu structure changes in a telephone prompting system. In a telephone prompting system, a menu structure change alert method can include determining whether a menu structure change has occurred for the telephone prompting system in response to the receipt of an incoming call from a calling party. Subsequently, the calling party can be selectively alerted of the menu structure change. In this regard, an alert message can be played to the calling party.