Technique for providing personalized interaction for users of an information assistance service

• US 20050047560A1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
• Inventors: Mostad, Matthew A.
• Application Number:
  US10/654,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20050047560A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.190
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6054 Biometric subscriber identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

An information assistance service center receives a user'"'"'s call, and the user'"'"'s profile is examined to identify the user'"'"'s preferred call handling style. A greeting personalized to the user'"'"'s preferred call handling style is generated, and delivered to the user. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the greeting may be dynamic which contains one or more variable parameters representing, e.g., time-sensitive information. One or more items of information pertinent to the variable parameters are obtained and inserted into the dynamic greeting, and the dynamic greeting is delivered to the user.

Claims

1. A method for handling a call from a user, comprising:

obtaining information identifying the user;

obtaining, based on the information, a record containing data concerning a call handling style preferred by the user;

generating, based on the call handling style, a message for greeting the user; and

delivering the message to the user during the call.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes an automatic number identifier (ANI) associated with call.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes a voiceprint.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes a PIN.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes a password.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises one or more variable parameters whose representations are determined when the call is received.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the variable parameters are time-sensitive.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the call handling style includes humor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the call handling style relates to a lifestyle.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the lifestyle relates to a businessperson lifestyle.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the lifestyle relates to a skier lifestyle.

12. A method for greeting a caller, comprising:

receiving a call from the caller;

obtaining data concerning a call handling style preferred by the user;

selecting, based on the data, a message for greeting the user, the message including at least one variable parameter;

determining information represented by the variable parameter;

inserting the information in place of the variable parameter in the message; and

providing the resulting message to the user during the call.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the variable parameter is time-sensitive.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the call handling style includes humor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the call handling style relates to a lifestyle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lifestyle relates to a businessperson lifestyle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the lifestyle relates to a skier lifestyle.

18. A system for handling a call from a user, comprising:

an interface for obtaining information identifying the user;

a device for obtaining, based on the information, a record containing data concerning a call handling style preferred by the user; and

a server for generating, based on the call handling style, a message for greeting the user, the message being delivered to the user during the call.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the information includes an ANI associated with call.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the information includes a voiceprint.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the information includes a PIN.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the information includes a password.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the message comprises one or more variable parameters whose representations are determined when the call is received.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the variable parameters are time-sensitive.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the call handling style includes humor.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the call handling style relates to a lifestyle.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the lifestyle relates to a businessperson lifestyle.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the lifestyle relates to a skier lifestyle.

29. A system for greeting a caller, comprising:

an interface for receiving a call from the caller;

a device for obtaining data concerning a call handling style preferred by the user;

a server for selecting, based on the data, a message for greeting the user, the message including at least one variable parameter; and

a mechanism for determining information represented by the variable parameter, the information being inserted in the message in place of the variable parameter, the resulting message being provided to the user during the call.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the variable parameter is time-sensitive.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the call handling style includes humor.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the call handling style relates to a lifestyle.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the lifestyle relates to a businessperson lifestyle.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the lifestyle relates to a skier lifestyle.