Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-24
2001-06-12
Korzuch, William R. (Department: 2641)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
C345S215000, C379S088140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246989
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The existing prior art uses a scripting tool and an execution environment for interactive voice mail audio text that defines scripts in a very linear fashion. For instance, a script definition could be “wait for a telephone ring.” When the phone the rings, then answer; prompt the caller with a predefined set of choices; receive the selected choice via either DTMF or voice recognition, and then perform the selected function.
FIG. 7
is a diagram of flow of typical prior art interactive voice recognition/DTMF program
700
, i.e., “for information regarding . . . speak or press
1
now”. Typical programs follow a sequence of events: telephone ring and answer
701
, prompt and greet the caller
702
, present some finite number of choices or functions
704
in a predetermined fashion
703
, and receive the user input
705
either through a DTMF input or a voice command. Then perform the selected function
706
, and so forth.
Whether the system uses a voice recognition choice or a numeric DTMF input, some function is invoked, and again in a very predetermined manner, the caller is returned to the prompt
702
at the beginning of the program. The prior art system is very inflexible in that the flow of the choices or functions, and the presentation of those choices, are tied very tightly to the functions in the function definition.
The limitation of the prior art is that it is very rigid and only able to present a finite number of options to the caller in a predetermined fashion. Moreover, the logic of the presentation to the caller is preset, and thus is limited by the creativity of the system programmer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is to decouple the invocation and execution of functions from the manner in which they are selected. For instance, in a listing of twenty-five functions in a voice menu, via DTMF, no more than three or four choices are presented to the caller using DTMF at any given menu step in the call. This is because of ergonomic or human limitations. However, if the same functions are displayed on a screen to the caller, for example via an internet session, there is no reason that all twenty-five of the functions could not be presented at the same time. By decoupling the functions from the method by which those functions are invoked, the functions can be leveraged across many different access devices and technologies.
For example, a twenty-five function system can be invoked from voice menus by grouping certain sets of the functions through a choice engine or choice selection mechanism. However, a graphical interface allows the presentation of many more options, if not all options, to the caller.
Another advantage is that both natural language voice recognition and screen based interfaces allow the user to exit to the top level choices in the choice engine once the user completes a function. While in the prior art, the user is very restricted as to allowable navigation through functions because of how functions are nested. Specifically, a user may only move up one level at a time. Thus, all possible navigation paths must be pre-defined by the programmer. The invention allows for dynamic addition and deletion of both function and access methods. Decoupling of the functions allows for a fully webbed navigation of the system. The user can go from function
1
, directly to function
2
, then to function
3
without necessarily having to return to the top level menu or choice engine. This provides more efficient navigation to desired functions.
A technical advantage of the present invention is to promote re-use of defined functions.
Another technical advantage of the present invention is to allow the addition of new access methods independent of functions.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to allow the addition of new functions independent of defined functions.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to have a device specific variable state transition model that formats the different functions into function choices based upon a device of the user.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to have a key word data base comprising key words used to describe each function in the system, and to have a plurality of permutation lists comprising expanded lists of phrases that are synonymous with the key words.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to have a dialogue engine for parsing voice input from the user into segments and examining each segment for key words and expanded phrases for identifying the requested function.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to have a learning operation for ascertaining the meaning and the function association for an unknown phrase received from the user, and amending the key word data base and permutation lists to include the unknown phrase.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to have the permutation lists predefined by applying thesaurus and lexicon applications to the key word data base.
A further technical advantage of the present invention is to use a format controller for determining characteristics of the device, and arranging the functions into function choices based upon limitations of the device.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the sabject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5261042 (1993-11-01), Brandt
patent: 5524137 (1996-06-01), Rhee
patent: 5524142 (1996-06-01), Lewis et al.
patent: 5539661 (1996-07-01), Nordenstam
patent: 5680511 (1997-10-01), Baker
patent: 5754111 (1998-05-01), Garcia
patent: 5802526 (1998-09-01), Fawcett et al.
patent: 5822404 (1998-10-01), Cave
patent: 5825856 (1998-10-01), Porter et al.
patent: 5912952 (1999-06-01), Brendzel
patent: 0 949571 A2 (1999-10-01), None
patent: 0949571 A3 (1999-10-01), None
PCT Search Report mailed Nov. 16, 2000 (PCT/US99/28004).
Paul Resnick, “Phone-Based CSCW: Tools and Trials,” ACM Transactions on Information Systems, vol. 11, iss. 4 (1993), pp. 401-424.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
InterVoice Limited Partnership
Korzuch William R.
Storm Donald L.
LandOfFree
System and method for providing an adaptive dialog function... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for providing an adaptive dialog function..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for providing an adaptive dialog function... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2449230