System method and computer program product for transferring unregistered callers to a registration process

• US 20020184033A1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bevocal Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Fitzpatrick, John E., Smith, Monica E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,016,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/270.1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for handling unregistered callers in a voice recognition framework. Initially, it is determined whether a user is registered. If it is determined that the user is not registered, a registration process is executed. Once registered, utterances may be received from the user and recognized for the purpose of providing a service to the user.

Claims

1. A method for handling unregistered callers in a voice recognition framework, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether a user is registered;

(b) executing a registration process if it is determined that the user is not registered;

(c) receiving utterances from the user; and

(d) recognizing the utterances for the purpose of providing a service to the user.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the registration process includes collecting information.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes at least one phone number of the user.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes a gender of the user.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes billing information.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes an address of the user.

7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes preferences.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the preferences are selected from the group consisting of personalization information, data relating to a stock portfolio of the user, and sports of interest to the user.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the preferences include personalization information, data relating to a stock portfolio of the user, and sports of interest to the user.

10. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information is entered by the user utilizing a computer coupled to a network.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the network includes the Internet.

12. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information is entered verbally utilizing a telephone.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the information is entered verbally utilizing a telephone by way of an attendant.

14. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information is used when providing the service.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising the step of presenting promotion information to the user during the registration process.

16. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the information includes a city in which the user resides.

17. A computer program product for handling unregistered callers in a voice recognition framework, comprising:

(a) computer code for determining whether a user is registered;

(b) computer code for executing a registration process if it is determined that the user is not registered;

(c) computer code for receiving utterances from the user; and

(d) computer code for recognizing the utterances for the purpose of providing a service to the user.

18. A system for handling unregistered callers in a voice recognition framework, comprising:

(a) logic for determining whether a user is registered;

(b) logic for executing a registration process if it is determined that the user is not registered;

(c) logic for receiving utterances from the user; and

(d) logic for recognizing the utterances for the purpose of providing a service to the user.