METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTERACTIVE AUTOMATED RECEPTIONIST

• US 20090189971A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Yoder
• Original Assignee: Michael Yoder
• Inventors: YODER, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/362,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189971A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for an interactive automated receptionist system according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a computer system configured to connect to a network. The computer system may control a user interface that responds an individual seeking assistance. The computer system may interactively prompt the individual to make a selection from a set of available assistance options. The computer system may receive a request from the individual to communicate with a party, and the computer system may accommodate the individual'"'"'s selections, such as by establishing a communicative link between the individual and the selected party.

Claims

1. An interactive visitor assistance system for assisting a visitor at an access point to contact a party, comprising:

a user interface adapted to be placed at the access point, comprising;

a display; and

an input adapted to receive input from the visitor; and

a controller connected to the display and the input and adapted to;

present multiple contact options to the visitor via the display;

receive a selection from the visitor via the input; and

establish a connection between the visitor and the party according to the selection from the visitor.

2. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor adapted to detect the presence of the visitor and provide a signal to the controller.

3. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a voice recognition system configured to process the selection from the visitor.

4. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the connection comprises a live two-way communication between the visitor and the party.

5. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 4, wherein the two-way communication comprises at least one of an audio and an audio/visual communication.

6. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a message for the party in the event that the connection is not established.

7. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to control a security access system.

8. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

9. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to establish the connection to at least one of a computer and a telephone.

10. An interactive visitor assistance system for assisting a visitor to contact a party, comprising:

a user interface adapted to be placed at an access point, comprising;

a display;

an input adapted to receive input from the visitor; and

a detector adapted to sense the visitor and generate a corresponding signal;

a controller connected to the display, the detector, and the input and adapted to;

present an animated receptionist video to the visitor in response to the signal;

present a list of selectable contact options to the visitor via the display;

receive a selection from the visitor via the input; and

establish a connection between the visitor and the party according to the selection from the visitor.

11. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the controller further comprises a voice recognition system configured to process the selection from the visitor.

12. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the connection comprises a live two-way communication between the visitor and the party.

13. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 12, wherein the two-way communication comprises at least one of an audio and an audio/visual communication.

14. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a message for the party in the event that the connection is not established.

15. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is adapted to control a security access system.

16. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

17. An interactive visitor assistance system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is adapted to establish the connection to at least one of a computer and a telephone.

18. A method for providing interactive directory assistance to an individual at an access point, comprising:

detecting the individual seeking assistance at the access point,

displaying an animated receptionist video to the individual in response to the detection of the individual;

displaying a list of selectable contact options to the individual in response to the detection of the individual;

receiving input information from the individual, wherein the input information comprises a selection from the list of selectable contact options; and

initiating a communicative link based on the input information.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising recording a message from the individual if the communicative link is not established.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the input information is presented to a client for processing prior to initiating the communicative link.