MULTIMODAL USER INTERFACE

• US 20010047263A1
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: SMITH, COLIN DONALD, BEATON, BRIAN FINLAY
• Application Number:
  US08/992,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20010047263A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/253 where a visual mode is used instead of a voice mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems

Abstract

A telecommunications system with multiple modes of interfacing with users. The device accepts, for example, speech or key input and outputs both graphical display data and vocal data. A display at the user site displays various communication options to the user such to call a number, call by name, or look at a directory of names. The user site also includes a voice processor that speaks information reflecting the status of the telecommunication system or reflecting the information on the display.

Claims

1. A communication unit comprising:

means for displaying communication information prompting a caller for input;

means for speaking audio communications reflecting the displayed information; and

means for receiving vocal or manual data input from a caller providing a communication request.

2. The unit according to

claim 1

, wherein the means for displaying includes:

means for showing a plurality of communication options on a visual display; and

wherein the means for speaking includes

means for vocally identifying the plurality of options.

3. The unit according to

claim 2

further including

means for receiving a selection of one of the displayed options;

and

means for vocally repeating the plurality of selections when no selection is received within a predetermined amount of time.

4. The unit according to

claim 2

wherein the means for receiving vocal or manual data includes

means for recognizing a vocal command;

and

means for requesting the caller to repeat the vocal command when the recognizing means does not recognize the vocal command.

5. The unit according to

claim 4

, further including

means for maintaining a directory of potential called parties, the directory maintaining both a vocal version of the name, the text of the name, and the telephone number associated with the name.

6. The unit according to

claim 5

further including

means for adding a name to the directory.

7. The unit according to

claim 6

further including

means for receiving a command to call a party with a specific name;

means for searching the directory for the specific name and calling a number associated with the specific name in the directory.

8. The unit according to

claim 7

further including

means for maintaining in the directory a plurality of telephone numbers associated with a single name, each of the telephone numbers corresponding to a different identified location;

and

means for receiving a name and location of a called party.

9. The unit according to

claim 2

further including

means for receiving a name of a party to call;

and

means for dialing a number associated with the received name.

10. The unit according to

claim 9

further including:

means for displaying a name of a called party currently being dialed;

means for receiving an indication to end the current call; and

means for disconnecting the telephone in response to receiving the indication.

11. The unit according to

claim 2

further including

means for receiving a number to call;

and

means for dialing the number.

12. The unit according to

claim 11

further including

means for displaying a number currently being dialed;

means for receiving an indication to end the current call; and

means for disconnecting the telephone in response to receiving the indication.

13. A method of interfacing with a communication unit comprising the steps of

displaying communication information prompting a caller for input;

speaking audio communications reflecting the displayed information; and

receiving vocal or manual data input from a caller providing a communication request.

14. The method according to

claim 13

, wherein the step of displaying includes the step of showing a plurality of communication options on a visual display;

and wherein the step of speaking includes the step of vocally identifying the plurality of options.

15. The method according to

claim 14

further including the steps of

receiving a selection of one of the displayed options;

and

vocally repeating the plurality of selections when no selection is received within a predetermined amount of time.

16. The method according to

claim 14

wherein the step of receiving vocal or manual data includes the steps of

recognizing a vocal command;

and

requesting the caller to repeat the vocal command when the command is not recognized.

17. The method according to

claim 16

, further including the step of

maintaining a directory of potential called parties, wherein the directory maintains both a vocal version of the name, the text of the name, and the telephone number associated with the name.

18. The method according to

claim 17

further including the steps of

receiving a command to call a party with a specific name;

searching the directory for the specific name and calling a number associated with the specific name in the directory.

19. The method according to

claim 18

further including the step of maintaining in the directory a plurality of telephone numbers associated with a single name, wherein each of the telephone numbers corresponds to a different identified location;

and

receiving a name and location of a called party.

20. The method according to

claim 14

further including the steps of

receiving a name of a party to call;

and

dialing a number associated with the received name.

21. The method according to

claim 20

further including the steps of

displaying a name of a called party currently being dialed;

receiving an indication to end the current call; and

disconnecting the telephone in response to receiving the indication.

22. The method according to

claim 14

further including the steps of

receiving a number to call;

and

dialing the number.

23. The method according to

claim 22

further including

displaying a number currently being dialed;

receiving an indication to end the current call; and

disconnecting the telephone in response to receiving the indication.

24. A communication network comprising:

user communication site including

means for displaying communication information prompting a caller for input;

means for speaking audio communications reflecting the displayed information; and

means for receiving vocal or manual data input from a caller providing a communication request; and

network communication site including

means for performing the communication request.

25. The network according to

claim 24

, wherein the means for displaying includes:

means for showing a plurality of communication options on a visual display; and

wherein the means for speaking includes

means for vocally identifying the plurality of options.

26. The network according to

claim 25

wherein the network site further includes

means for receiving a selection of one of the displayed options;

and

means for performing the selected option.

27. The network according to

claim 24

, said user site further including

means for maintaining a directory of potential called parties, the directory maintaining both a vocal version of the name, the text of the name, and the telephone number associated with the name.

28. The network according to

claim 24

, said network site further including

means for maintaining a directory of potential called parties, the directory maintaining both a vocal version of the name, the text of the name, and the telephone number associated with the name.

29. The network according to

claim 28

further including

means for receiving a command to call a party with a specific name;

means for searching the directory for the specific name and calling a number associated with the specific name in the directory.

30. The network according to

claim 28

further including

means for maintaining in the directory a plurality of telephone numbers associated with a single name, each of the telephone numbers corresponding to a different identified location;

and

means for receiving a name and location of a called party.