Method for monitoring telephone call progress

• US 5,023,906 A
• Filed: 04/24/1990
• Issued: 06/11/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Imaginex Fund I, LLC
• Original Assignee: The Telephone Connection
• Inventors: Novas, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHREYER, STAFFORD
• Application Number:
  US07/513,857
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 379/112, 379/372, 379/386, 379/418, 379/457
• US Class Current: 379/372
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/26 Devices for calling a subscriber H04M1/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/82 Line monitoring circuits for call progress or status discrimination for detecting caller identity H04M1/573
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A call progress monitor and algorithm for placing a phone call over the phone lines. The algorithm is hierarchically arranged having three major routines or portions: tone detection, signal recognition and situation recognition. Based upon the definitions stored in a memory and the commands, the call progress monitor algorithm is applied to the telephone audio data. The call progress monitor algorithm is controlled by a host computer which sends a Recognize Situation Command and expects to receive some time later, a Recognize Command Termination Report. The tone detection portion of the algorithm measures the power at each of a predetermined number of frequencies of interest. The signal recognition portion of the algorithm detects the presence of a particular signal. A signal is a particular tone or set of tones that are uniquely present (while all other tones are absent). Furthermore, a signal has qualifying requirements of signal to noise ratio (SNR), twist, and noise variance, that must be met to define a particular signal. The situation recognition portion of the algorithm determines that a certain sequence or pattern of signals has occurred with a particular timing or cadence. When a match to a particular desired condition specified in a situation definition is made, a success is reported in the Recognize Command Termination Report. Otherwise, a failure is reported, together with the condition detected which elicited the failure response.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed over the phone lines comprising the steps of:

detecting audio signals on a phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of simple signal definitions corresponding to possible simple signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said simple signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible simple signal from said plurality of simple signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible simple signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of possible simple signals for preset time durations or predetermined sequences of said possible simple signals, each for preset time durations;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list according to said commands periodically at said predetermined period of time;

identifying which of said possible simple signals or predetermined sequence of possible simple signals match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list in said preset durations; and

reporting the possible simple signal or sequence of possible simple signals that match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list.

2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of timing out if none of said possible simple signals nor said predetermined sequence of possible simple signals matches the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list after a preset time-out period of time.

3. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising preset commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals for preset time durations and select sequences of said possible signals for preset time durations, each situation definition being dedicated to detecting a particular one of said possible simple signals or a particular sequence of said possible simple signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining a power spectrum further comprises the steps of:

recursively evaluating the discrete fourier transform of said audio signals at said predetermined number of select frequencies;

detecting voice energy by measuring the amount of power in said audio signals below 300 Hz;

normalizing the values of power at said predetermined number of select frequencies and of said voice energy to unity;

providing a normalized tone power vector having components corresponding to the normalized power at said predetermined number of select frequencies and said voice energy; and

providing a normalized tone reference power quantity equal to the sum of the values of the power at each of said predetermined number of select frequencies and of said voice energy.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of comparing said simple power spectrum with each of said signal definitions further comprises the steps of:

comparing said normalized tone power vector with each of said simple signal definitions; and

generating a signal fit vector having components indicating the measure of fit between the normalized tone power vector and each of said simple signal definitions.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of identifying further comprises the steps of:

examining the total power of said audio signals and declaring the possible signal as silence if said total power is less than a preset value;

declaring the possible simple signal having the greatest measure of fit with said normalized tone power vector based upon said signal first vector, the best matched possible simple signal; and

providing a measure of confidence in declaring said possible simple signal the best matched possible signal.

7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible simple signals; and

each of said situation definitions comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns.

8. The method of claim 7, and further comprising the steps of:

comparing the duration of each possible simple signal of a complex pattern found in said signal meld list with the corresponding possible simple signal of a complex pattern definition;

determining the matching time with a complex pattern definition by summing the amount of time that each possible simple signal found in said signal meld list overlaps with the corresponding possible simple signal of a complex pattern definition;

determining a measure of fit with a complex pattern definition by dividing the matching time by a total time duration of said complex patter definition;

issuing a match to a particular complex pattern if said measure of fit with said particular complex pattern exceeds a preset threshold value.

9. A method for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed over the phone lines comprising the steps of:

detecting audio signals on a phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of possible simple signal definitions corresponding to possible simple signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies, said possible simple signals including silence, dialtone, ringing, busy, voice, special information tones, and high energy at no particular frequency;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said possible simple signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible simple signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible simple signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched simple signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns, each situation definition being dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

issuing a Situation Recognize Command specifying a particular situation definition dedicated for detecting a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list according to said particular situation definition periodically at said predetermined period of time;

identifying which of said possible simple signals, said complex patterns, and said continuing patterns match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list; and

reporting the possible simple signal, the complex pattern, or the continuing pattern that matches with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list.

10. The method of claim 9, and wherein said step of reporting issues a flag unique to each possible simple signal, complex pattern or continuing pattern.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions comprises the step of defining a ringing continuing pattern as the infinite repeating transition between a ringing signal for a preset duration and silence for a preset duration, and a noisy ringing continuing pattern as the infinite repeating transition between a high energy signal of no particular frequency for a preset duration and silence for a preset duration, and wherein said step of providing a plurality of situation definitions further comprises the step of providing a termination ringing command for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting a deviation from said ringing continuing pattern and said noisy ringing continuing pattern, and wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of reporting each occurrence of said ringing signal for said preset duration or said high energy signal for said preset duration and reporting the termination of said ringing continuing pattern or said noisy ringing continuing pattern.

12. The method of claim 9, and further comprising the step of timing out if none of said possible simple signals, none of said complex patterns, or none of said continuing patterns matches the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list after a preset time-out period of time.

13. The method of claim 10, and further comprising the step of placing said phone line off-hook, and wherein said step of issuing a Situation Recognize Command comprises the step of issuing a first particular Situation Recognize Command specifying the recognition of dialtone signal and including a signal command for examining said signal meld list to detect said dialtone signal, said busy signal, said ringing signal, and said special information tones, said step of reporting reports the match of dialtone upon detecting said dialtone signal, and said step of issuing a flag issues a flag upon detecting said busy signal, said ringing signal, or said special information tones.

14. The method of claim 13, and further comprising the step of dialing a telephone number on said phone line if said step of reporting reports a match to dialtone;

said step of issuing a Situation Recognize Command further comprises the step of issuing a second particular Situation Recognize Command if said step of reporting reports that a match to dialtone has occurred;

said step of providing complex pattern definitions comprises the step of defining special information complex patterns comprising preset sequences of said special information tones, said special information complex patterns being indicative of special information signals in said audio data, said step of providing continuing pattern definitions comprises the step of defining ringing, noisy ringing, and pickup continuing patterns, said ringing continuing pattern being defined by repeating transitions between said ringing signal at a preset frequency for a preset duration to silence for a preset duration, said noisy ringing continuing pattern being defined by repeating transitions between said high energy signal at no particular frequency for a preset duration and silence for a preset duration, said pickup continuing pattern being defined by said voice signal for a preset duration followed by silence for a preset duration;

said second particular Situation Recognize Command specifying the recognition o pickup of said phone line and including signal commands for detecting said dialtone and said busy signals, complex pattern commands for detecting each of said special information complex patterns, and continuing pattern commands for detecting each of said ringing, noisy ringing, and pickup, continuing patterns;

said step of declaring declares a success upon detecting said pickup continuing pattern; and

said step of issuing a flag issues a flag upon detecting any of said special information complex patterns, said busy signal, said dialtone signal, or the absence of said ringing or noisy ringing continuing patterns.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of issuing a flag specifies an identity of the possible simple signal, the complex pattern, or the continuing pattern.

16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising the step of redialing said telephone number upon receiving a flag indicating that a busy signal is detected.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said step of issuing a flag specifies an identity of the possible simple signal, the complex pattern, or the continuing pattern.

18. The method of claim 17, and further comprising the step of again placing said phone line off-hook if said step of issuing a flag issues a flag specifying the presence of a busy signal, ringing signal or special information tone.

19. The method of claim 17, and further comprising the step of checking the operation of the phone line if said step of issuing a failure flag issues a failure flag specifying the presence of a busy signal, ringing signal, or special information tone.

20. The method of claim 9, and further comprising the steps of:

comparing the duration of each possible simple signal of a complex pattern found in said signal meld list with the corresponding possible signal of a complex pattern definition;

determining the matching time with a complex pattern definition by summing the amount of time that each possible simple signal found in said signal meld list overlaps with the corresponding possible simple signal of a complex pattern;

determining a measure of fit with a complex pattern definition by dividing the matching time by a total time duration of said complex pattern definition; and

issuing a match to a particular complex pattern when said measure of fit with said particular complex pattern exceeds a preset threshold value.

21. The method of claim 9, and further comprising the steps of:

comparing the duration of each possible simple signal of a complex pattern found in said signal meld list with the corresponding possible simple signal of a complex pattern definition;

determining the deviation time with a complex pattern definition by summing the amount of time that each possible simple signal found in said signal meld list does not overlap with the corresponding possible simple signal of complex pattern;

determining a measure of fit with a complex pattern definition by dividing the deviation time by a total time duration of said complex pattern definition;

determining the measure of nonfit by subtracting the measure of fit from unity;

issuing a nonmatch to a particular complex pattern when said measure of fit with said particular complex pattern exceeds a preset threshold value.

22. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of determining a power spectrum further comprises the steps of:

recursively evaluating the discrete fourier transform of said audio signals at said predetermined number of select frequencies;

detecting voice energy by measuring the amount of power in said audio signals below 300 Hz;

normalizing the values of power at said predetermined number of select frequencies and of said voice energy to unity;

providing a normalized tone power vector having components corresponding to the normalized power at said predetermined number of select frequencies and said voice energy; and

providing a normalized tone reference power quantity equal to the sum of the values of the power at each of said predetermined number of select frequencies and of said voice energy.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of comparing said power spectrum with each of said signal definitions further comprises the steps of:

comparing said normalized tone power vector with each of said signal definitions;

an

generating a signal fit vector having components indicating the measure of fit between the normalized tone power vector and each o said signal definitions.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein said step of identifying further comprises the steps of:

examining the total power of said audio signals and declaring the possible simple signal silence if said total power is less than a preset value;

declaring the possible simple signal having the greatest measure of fit with said normalized tone power vector based upon said signal fit vector, the best matched possible signal; and

providing a measure of confidence in declaring said possible simple signal the best matched possible signal.

25. A system for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed by a host or other automated device, the system comprising:

a host for placing a phone call over the phone lines and issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying a particular situation to be detected;

call progress monitor means responsive to said Recognize Situation Command and generating a Recognize Command Termination Report; and

means for communicating said Recognize Situation Command from said host to said call progress monitor means and for communicating said Recognize Command Termination Report from said call progress monitor means to said host;

said call progress monitor means;

detecting audio signals on a phone line, determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of signal definitions corresponding to possible signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible signals, each situation definition dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one or ones of said possible signals in said audio data in preset patterns or for preset time durations;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list periodically at said predetermined period of time according to said particular situation specified in said Recognize Situation Command which corresponds to a particular situation definition;

identifying which of said possible signals or preset patterns of possible signals match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list; and

reporting to the host the possible signal or preset pattern of possible signals that match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list in said Recognize Command Termination Report.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said call progress monitor means times-out if none of said possible simple signals nor said predetermined sequence of possible simple signals matches the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list after a preset time-out period of time.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said call progress monitor means further:

provides a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible signals;

provides a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible signals; and

each of said situation definitions comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible signals, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns.

28. A method for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed by a host over the phone lines, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting audio signals on a phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of signal definitions corresponding to possible signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies, said possible signals including a dialtone signal, a pickup signal, and voice signals;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible signals, each situation definition dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one or ones of said possible signals in said audio data in preset patterns or for preset time durations;

placing the phone line off hook;

issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying the recognition of the presence of a dialtone signal for a preset time duration on the phone line after the host has placed the phone line off hook;

examining said signal meld list periodically at said predetermined period of time;

reporting that dialtone is detected as soon as the dialtone signal is detected for said preset time duration and dialing the telephone number to be called;

reporting that a signal other than dialtone is detected as soon as one of said possible signals other than dialtone is detected;

dialing a telephone number on said phone line if a dialtone signal is reported;

issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying the recognition of the presence of a pickup signal on the phone line and voice signals subsequent to the pickup signal if a dialtone signal is reported;

examining the signal meld list and the power meld list periodically at said predetermined period of time;

reporting that pickup occurred as soon as the pickup and voice signals are detected; and

reporting that one of said possible signals other than pickup and voice is detected a preset period of time subsequent to dialing the telephone number.

29. A system for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed by a host over the phone lines comprising:

a host for placing a phone call over the phone lines and issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying a particular situation to be detected;

call progress monitor means connected to said host and responsive to said Recognize Situation Command and generating a Recognize Command Termination Report; and

means for communicating said Recognize Situation Command from said host to said call progress monitor means and for communicating said Recognize Command Termination Report from said call progress monitor means to said host;

said call progress monitor means;

detecting audio signals on a phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of possible simple signal definitions corresponding to possible simple signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies, said possible simple signals including silence, dialtone, ringing, busy, voice, special information tones, and high energy at no particular frequency;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible simple signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible simple signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched simple signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns, each situation definition being dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

issuing a Situation Recognize Command specifying a particular situation definition dedicated for detecting a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list according to said particular situation definition periodically at said predetermined period of time; and

reporting in said Recognize Command Termination Report when the particular one of said possible simple signals, the particular one of said complex patterns, or the particular one of said continuing patterns, corresponding to a particular situation definition, is detected.

30. A method for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed over the phone lines comprising the steps of:

detecting audio signals on a phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of possible simple signal definitions corresponding to possible simple signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible simple signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible simple signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched simple signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals in predetermined sequences, each situation definition being dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one or ones of said possible signals in said predetermined sequences;

issuing a Situation Recognize Command specifying a particular situation definition dedicated for detecting a particular one or ones of said possible simple signals;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list according to said particular situation definition periodically at said predetermined period of time; and

reporting that the particular one or ones of said possible simple signals is detected and the identity of the possible simple signals other than said particular one or ones of said possible simple signals are detected if the particular one or ones of said possible simple signals are not detected.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said step of providing a plurality of possible simple signal definitions comprises providing definitions corresponding to DTMF and MF signals.

32. The method of claim 30, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible simple signals;

said step of providing plurality of situation definitions further comprises the steps of providing for each situation definition, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns, each of said situation definitions being further dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one of said complex patterns or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

said step of issuing a Recognize Situation Command further comprises the step of specifying a particular one of said continuing patterns or a particular one of said complex patterns; and

said step of reporting reports that the particular one or ones of said possible simple signals, the particular one of said complex patterns or the particular one of said continuing patterns are detected, and the identity of the complex pattern other than said particular complex pattern detected, the identity of the continuing pattern other than said particular continuing pattern detected, if a complex pattern other than said particular complex pattern is detected or a continuing pattern other than said particular continuing pattern is detected.

33. A system for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed by a host over the phone lines comprising:

at least one phone line for supporting telephone communication;

a host for placing a phone call over said phone line and issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying a particular situation to be detected, said host including means for dialing a phone number;

call progress monitor means responsive to said Recognize Situation Command and generating a Recognize Command Termination Report;

means for communicating s id Recognize Situation Command from said host to said call progress monitor means and for communicating said Recognize Command Termination Report from said call progress monitor means to said host; and

means for placing said phone line off hook in attempt to receive a dialtone on said phone line;

said call progress monitor means;

detecting audio signals on said phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of signal definitions corresponding to possible signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies, said possible signals including a dialtone signal, a pickup signal, and voice signals;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum;

storing data corresponding to the possible signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in a signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time;

accumulating data of matched signals in said signal meld list over time;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible signals each situation definition dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one or ones of said possible signals in s id audio data in preset patterns or for preset time durations;

said host activating said means for placing the phone line off hook and issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying the recognition of the presence of a dialtone signal for preset time duration on the phone line after the host has placed the phone line off hook;

said call progress monitor means examining said signal meld list periodically at said predetermined period of time and reporting that dialtone is present as soon as the dialtone signal is detected for said preset time duration and dialing the telephone number to be called, or reporting the identity of the possible signal other than dialtone that is detected;

said host activating said means for dialing a telephone number on said phone line if a dialtone signal is reported in said Recognize Command Termination Report and issuing a Recognize Situation Command specifying the recognition of pickup of the phone line if a dialtone signal is reported;

said call progress monitor means examining the signal meld list and the power meld list periodically at said predetermined period of time and reporting in said Recognize Command Termination Report that pickup is detected as soon as pickup is detected, or reporting that one of said possible signals other than pickup is detected a preset period of time subsequent to dialing the telephone number.

34. A method for monitoring the progress of a phone call placed over the phone lines comprising the steps of:

detecting digital data representative of telephone audio signals on each channel of a multiple channel digital phone line;

determining a power spectrum of said audio signals on each of said channels periodically over a predetermined period of time, said power spectrum being defined by the presence of power at each of a predetermined number of select frequencies from the detected audio signals;

determining the total power of said audio signals on each of said channels periodically over said predetermined period of time;

providing a plurality of possible simple signal definitions corresponding to possible simple signals to be recognized each of which being defined by the presence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies and the absence of power at a unique combination of said predetermined number of select frequencies, said possible simple signals including silence, dialtone, ringing, busy, voice, special information tones, and high energy at no particular frequency;

comparing the power spectrum with each of said signal definitions on each of said channels periodically over said predetermined period of time;

identifying the possible simple signal from said plurality of signal definitions which most closely matches the power spectrum on each of said channels;

storing data corresponding to the possible simple signal which most closely matches the power spectrum in signal meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time for each of said channels;

storing the power of said audio data in a power meld list at the end of said predetermined period of time for each of said channels;

accumulating data of matched simple signals in said signal meld list over time for each of said channels;

accumulating data of the total power of said audio signals over time for each of said channels;

providing a plurality of complex pattern definitions, each complex pattern definition defining a complex pattern comprising a preset sequence and cadence of a plurality of possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions, each continuing pattern definition defining a continuing pattern comprising predetermined transitions between at least two possible simple signals;

providing a plurality of situation definitions, each situation definition comprising signal commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting select ones of said possible simple signals, complex pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said complex patterns, continuing pattern commands for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list and detecting select ones of said continuing patterns, each situation definition being dedicated to detecting the presence of a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

issuing a Situation Recognize Command specifying a particular situation definition dedicated for detecting a particular one of said possible simple signals, a particular one of said complex patterns, or a particular one of said continuing patterns;

examining said signal meld list and said power meld list according to said particular situation definition periodically at said predetermined period of time;

identifying which of said possible simple signals, said complex patterns, and said continuing patterns match with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list; and

reporting the possible simple signal, the complex pattern, or the continuing pattern that matches with the contents of said signal meld list and said power meld list.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions comprises the step of defining a ringing continuing pattern as the infinite transition between a ringing signal for a preset duration and silence for a preset duration, and a noisy ringing continuing pattern as the infinite transition between a high energy signal of no particular frequency for a preset duration and silence for a preset duration.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of providing a plurality of situation definitions further comprises the step of providing a termination ringing command for examining said signal meld list and said power meld list for detecting a deviation from said ringing continuing pattern and said noisy ringing continuing pattern, and wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of reporting each occurrence of said ringing signal for said preset duration or said high energy signal for said preset duration and reporting the termination of said ringing continuing pattern or said noisy ringing continuing pattern.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of providing a plurality of continuing pattern definitions comprises the step defining a pickup continuing pattern as the transition from a voice signal for a preset duration to silence for a preset duration.