System and method for improved user interface in prompting systems

• US 6,370,238 B1
• Filed: 09/19/1997
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Del Prete, Edward Anthony, Hopla, Steven Duane, Howell, David Harmon, Reyes, Jose Garcia, Vallez, Bernie, Wilson, Steven Bryan, Carleton, Ronald Robert, Sansone, Elaine J., Beyda, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foster, Roland G.
• Application Number:
  US08/934,390
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.01, 379/88.04, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/88.25, 379/88.16, 379/917, 379/70-72, 379/74, 379/76, 379/214.01, 379/260.01, 379/266.02, 379/93.12
• US Class Current: 379/88.23
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/254 where the visual mode comprises menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/301 Management of recordings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/303 Marking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/355 Interactive dialogue design tools, features or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5335 Message type or catagory, e.g. priority, indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53358 Message preview
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

An improved prompting system for accessing specified functions. According to one embodiment, a particular user may identify himself to the system and thereafter preprogram one or more paths that lead directly to a desired function within the hierarchical menu prompting system. The next time the user needs to access the system the user can navigate directly to the desired function by pressing a predetermined key or sequence of keys on his or her Touch-Tone dial. Alternatively, the prompting system may present as an option a direct path to the desired function.

Claims

1. A method for accessing an interactive voice response system, comprising:

providing a predetermined sequence of prompts, each of said prompts having a coordinate associated therewith;

permitting a user to store a coordinate associated with a terminus, said permitting including learning a path based on a history of said user accessing said terminus; and

permitting access to said terminus defined by said sequence of prompts upon said coordinate being input directly by a user;

wherein a user can access one hierarchical level of said prompt sequence from another hierarchical level in predetermined increments, by said user directly inputting said increments.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said permitting access includes identifying a voice command.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said permitting access includes responding to a keypad input.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said permitting access includes identifying dual tone multi-frequency signals representative of said coordinates.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said corresponding coordinate may be input while a different prompt is being delivered.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said coordinate is indicative of a hierarchical level of said prompt.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said permitting includes permitting access from a lower hierarchial level of prompts to a higher hierarchical level.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein said permitting includes permitting access from a higher hierarchial level of prompts to a lower hierarchical level.

9. An interactive voice response system, comprising:

means for providing a predetermined sequence of prompts, each of said prompts having a coordinate associated therewith;

means for permitting a user to store a coordinate associated with a terminus, said permitting means including means for learning a path based on a history of said user accessing said terminus; and

means coupled to said providing means for accessing said terminus defined by said sequence of prompts upon said coordinate being input directly by said user;

wherein a user can access one hierarchical level of said prompt sequence from another hierarchical level in predetermined increments, by said user directly inputting said increments.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said accessing means includes means for identifying a voice command.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein said accessing means includes means for responding to a keypad input.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein said accessing means includes means for identifying dual tone multi-frequency signals representative of said coordinates.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein said corresponding coordinate may be input while a different prompt is being delivered.

14. A system according to claim 9, wherein said coordinate is indicative of a hierarchical level of said prompt.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said accessing means includes means for permitting access from a lower hierarchial level of prompts to a higher hierarchical level.

16. A system according to claim 14, wherein said accessing means includes means for permitting access from a higher hierarchial level of prompts to a lower hierarchical level.

17. An interactive voice response system, comprising:

means for providing a predetermined sequence of prompts, each of said prompts having a coordinate associated therewith;

means for permitting a user to store a coordinate associated with a terminus, said permitting means including means for learning a path based on a history of said user accessing said terminus;

means coupled to said providing means for accessing said terminus defined by said sequence of prompts upon said coordinate being input directly by said user; and

means for accessing a hierarchical level of said prompt sequence from another hierarchical level in predetermined increments by said user directly inputting said increments.

18. An interactive voice response system in accordance with claim 17, said coordinate comprising a sequence of one or more numbers corresponding to keypunches required at individual hierarchical levels.