System and method for providing rules-based directory assistance automation
First Claim
1. A method of automatically mapping a caller'"'"'s voice request to one or more search listings in a directory assistance (DA) database, said method comprising the following steps:
- converting a caller utterance to at least one recognition string that is representative of the listing information spoken by a caller;
performing a rules table lookup to determine if any variable automation instructions exist for said at least one recognition string;
searching a DA database while implementing any variable automation instructions identified in the rules table via said performing step and while implementing any predefined automation instructions applicable to said at least one recognition grammar string; and
returning one or more identified search listings from the DA database.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing directory assistance automation to a caller in a telecommunications environment utilizes dedicated processors to convert caller utterances (e.g., corresponding to city, state and listing name) using automated speech recognition technology to grammar strings that are then employed in searching of a listing database. Automation instructions for guiding the database searches are provided via various mapping and rules tables or in separate predefined search logic. Selected rules tables can be programmed by a telecommunications provider to implement customized instructions. Such specialized access may be provided by way of a graphical user interface at the directory assistance automation system.
39 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of automatically mapping a caller'"'"'s voice request to one or more search listings in a directory assistance (DA) database, said method comprising the following steps:
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converting a caller utterance to at least one recognition string that is representative of the listing information spoken by a caller;
performing a rules table lookup to determine if any variable automation instructions exist for said at least one recognition string;
searching a DA database while implementing any variable automation instructions identified in the rules table via said performing step and while implementing any predefined automation instructions applicable to said at least one recognition grammar string; and
returning one or more identified search listings from the DA database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A directory assistance automation (DAA) system for interfacing with a telecommunications network, said DAA system comprising:
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memory for storing programmable rules tables and predefined search instructions;
at least one application processor in communication with said memory, said at least one application processor configured to reference the rules tables and process the predefined search instructions within said memory as associated with a process of searching a database of directory listings;
automated speech recognition software defining instructions to convert a caller utterance to a text string established for subsequent processing thereof; and
at least one speech recognition processor for implementing said automated speech recognition software, said at least one speech recognition processor coupled to said at least one application processor such that the text string obtained by said at least one speech recognition processor can be employed as a reference to the rules tables and predefined search instructions stored in said memory. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A directory assistance automation (DAA) system for interfacing with a telecommunications network to receive digital voice signals therefrom and provide directory assistance automation capabilities, said DAA system comprising:
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means for converting a digital voice signal to at least one recognition string that is representative of the listing information spoken by a caller;
means for performing a rules table lookup to determine if any variable automation instructions exist for said at least one recognition string;
means for implementing any variable automation instructions identified in the rules table for said at least one recognition string and also for implementing any predefined automation instructions applicable to said recognition string; and
means for searching a DA database in accordance with said variable automation instructions and said predefined automation instructions and identifying any search listings in the DA database that map to the at least one recognition string and that comply with the variable and predefined automation instructions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification