Computer accounting method using natural language speech recognition

• US 20010032076A1
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Kursh
• Original Assignee: Steven Kursh
• Inventors: Kursh, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,110,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/257
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/705 Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0168 On line or real-time flexible customization or negotiation according to wishes of subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7009 Account settings, e.g. users, terminals, limits, numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML

Abstract

A computer method is disclosed for the capture, tracking, and management of accounting data using natural language speech recognition with landline or wireless telephones. Information is stored in a central or peer-to-peer database, which in addition to the speech recognition interface, may be accessed using touchtone telephone menus; Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs); WAP, RIM and other wireless protocol phones and devices; the Web; fax; email and other messaging protocols; synchronizable off-line applications; corporate financial systems; and distributed networks. In one form, the user initiates a telephone call and the invention confirms the user'"'"'s identification, prompts the user for accounting information, records the information provided by the user into the appropriate database and language if the user'"'"'s native tongue is different than that used by the accounting system, and provides to the user information in response to inquiries using natural language speech recognition. The user may choose both the voice the system uses to communicate with the user and the style or tone of voice with which the system speaks. The user may access and edit the accounting information stored in this database using any of the other mediums mentioned above.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining accounting data comprising the steps of:

providing a database for storing desired accounting data;

using an automated voice interface to the database over a communication line, prompting a user to enter accounting data by speaking, the voice interface receiving audible signals indicative of words spoken by the user in response to said prompting;

obtaining from the received audible signals certain accounting data corresponding to the words spoken by the user; and

storing the obtained certain accounting data in the database.

2. A method as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the communication line is a wrieless or land telephone network.

3. A method as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the automated voice interface is computer implemented.

4. A method as claimed in

claim 1

further comprising the step of automatically providing accounting data stored in the database to another user.

5. A method as claimed in

claim 4

wherein the step of automatically providing includes providing the accounting data as a function of predefined rules.

6. A method as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the desired accounting data includes length of time, dates, project identifier, type of expense, and the database stores desired accounting data in corresponding data fields.

7. A method as claimed in

claim 1

further comprising the step of retrieving accounting data from the database using the automated voice interface.

8. A method for maintaining accounting data of time and expenses on respective projects, comprising the steps of:

providing a database for storing desired accounting data;

using an automated voice interface to the database over a communication line, prompting a user to enter accounting data by speaking, the voice interface receiving audible signals indicative of words spoken by the user in response to said prompting;

obtaining from the received audible signals certain accounting data corresponding to the words spoken by the user; and

storing the obtained certain accounting data in the database to enable tracking and reporting of time, events and expenses corresponding to the obtained accounting data.

9. A method as claimed in

claim 8

wherein the communication line is a wireless or land telephone network.

10. A method as claimed in

claim 8

wherein the automated voice interface is computer implemented.

11. A method as claimed in

claim 8

further comprising the step of automatically providing accounting data stored in the database to another user.

12. A method as claimed in

claim 11

wherein the step of automatically providing includes providing the accounting data as a function of predefined rules.

13. A method as claimed in

claim 8

wherein the desired accounting data includes length of time, dates, project identifier, type of expense, and the database stores desired accounting data in corresponding data fields.

14. A method as claimed in

claim 8

further comprising the step of retrieving accounting data from the database using the automated voice interface.