Graphical user interface (GUI) based call application system

• US 20030030671A1
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Paul D., Santa, Phyllis, Cobb, Dale L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,117,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/355 Interactive dialogue design tools, features or methods

Abstract

An approach for providing self-service call plan application development is disclosed. A graphical system includes a computing system that is configured to cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be present for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic. The application supports a predefined feature set. Additionally, the system includes a database that is coupled to the server and configured to store the application. The server is further configured to determine whether the application is valid and to initiate deployment of the application. The deployment may be performed on a real-time basis.

Claims

1. A method for providing self-service call plan application development, the method comprising:

causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

determining whether the application is valid; and

initiating deployment of the application in response to the determining step.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises testing the application, the method further comprising:

informing the customer via the GUI that the application is valid.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of initiating is performed real-time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined feature set includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

7. A method for controlling call processing, the method comprising:

interfacing with a server via a graphical user interface (GUI), the server being configured to provide automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set; and

receiving an indication from the server that the application is valid, wherein the valid application is deployed.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

submitting the application for testing;

receiving a message that contains error information in response to a failed test; and

selectively modifying the application based upon the error message.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

13. A system for providing self-service call plan application development, the system comprising:

a computing system configured to cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be present for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set; and

a database coupled to the server and configured to store the application, wherein the server is further configured to determine whether the application is valid and to initiate deployment of the application.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the computing system initiates testing of the application and informs the customer via the GUI that the application is valid.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

19. A graphical system for providing self-service call plan application development, the graphical system comprising:

means for causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

means for determining whether the application is valid; and

means for initiating deployment of the application in response to the determination that the application is valid.

20. The graphical system according to claim 19, further comprising:

means for initiating testing of the application; and

means for informing the customer via the GUI that the application is valid.

21. The graphical system according to claim 19, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

22. The graphical system according to claim 19, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

23. The graphical system according to claim 19, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

24. The graphical system according to claim 19, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

25. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing self-service call plan application development, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

determining whether the application is valid; and

initiating deployment of the application in response to the determining step.

26. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the determining step comprises testing the application, the one or more processors further performing the step of:

informing the customer via the GUI that the application is valid.

27. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

28. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

29. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the step of initiating is performed real-time.

30. The computer-readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.