Telephone-television interface statistical analysis system

• US 6,449,346 B1
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Original Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US08/478,922
• Time in Patent Office: 2,652 Days
• Field of Search: 379/92, 379/93, 379/94, 379/95, 379/96, 379/97, 379/98, 379/142, 379/90, 379/110, 379/88, 379/89, 379/201, 379/91.01, 379/91.02, 379/92.01, 379/92.02, 379/92.03, 379/92.04, 379/93.01, 379/93.12, 379/93.13, 379/93.14, 379/93.17, 379/93.28, 348/13, 348/6, 348/7, 348/12, 455/2, 455/3.1, 455/5.1, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 379/93.12
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/04 related to queuing systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• 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 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• 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 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 : Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13136 : Collect call information service H04Q2213/13376
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 : Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13178 : Control signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1328 : Call transfer, e.g. in PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/002 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 : Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/5455 : Multi-processor, parallelism, distributed systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54591 : Supervision, e.g. fault localisation, traffic measurements, avoiding errors, failure recovery, monitoring, statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/665 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/74 : Identification of subscriber calling from a party-line

Abstract

A system D interfaces with a multiplicity of individual telephone-television terminals T1-Tn of a telephone-television network facility C, at the terminals callers are prompted by voice-generated instructions to provide digital data that is identified for positive association with a caller and is stored for processing. The caller'"'"'s identification data is confirmed using various techniques and callers may be ranked and accounted for on the basis of entitlement, sequence or demographics. Callers are assigned random designations that are stored along with statistical and identification data. A break-off control circuit may terminate the computer interface aborting to a terminal for direct communication with an operator. Real-time operation processing is an alternative to stored data. The accumulation of stored data (statistical, calling order sequence, etc.) is variously processed and correlated as with developed or established data to isolate a select group or subset of callers who can be readily identified and reliably confirmed. Different program formats variously control the processing of statistical data as for auction sales, contests, lotteries, polls, commercials and so on.

Claims

1. An analysis control system for use with a telephonic-communication facility and a plurality of terminal apparatus for individual callers including a television receiver and a digital-audio telephone instrument whereby said individual callers are cued via the television receiver to provide data via the digital-audio telephone instrument, said analysis control system comprising:

television means for communicating television data to said television receiver and caller communication apparatus including telephonic-interface means coupled to said telephonic communication facility to interface digital-audio telephone instruments for voice and digital communication including means to provide signals representative of caller data and to receive called terminal digital data signals (DNIS) automatically provided by said telephonic-communication facility to identify a select operating format from a plurality of different operating formats;

means to control said television means and said telephonic interface means to cue said individual callers at said terminal apparatus;

analysis means for processing said signals representative of said caller data to provide resultant data and including storage of certain of said caller data or said resultant data or both; and

qualification means for controlling access by said individual callers to said analysis means in accordance with said caller data.

2. An analysis control system according to claim 1, wherein said signals representative of caller data include signals indicative of calling terminal digital data automatically provided by said telephonic-communication facility.

3. An analysis control system according to claim 1, wherein said analysis means processes said signals representative of said caller data by comparing answer data provided by said callers with external data to isolate a select subset of said callers.

4. An analysis control system according to claim 1, wherein said caller data includes caller entered credit card number data and card expiration date data.

5. An analysis control system according to claim 1, further comprising:

credit verification structure wherein said caller data includes caller entered credit card number data and card expiration date data.

6. A controlled interface system for use with a telephonic-communication facility and a plurality of terminal apparatus for individual callers including a television receiver and a digital-audio telephone instrument whereby said individual callers are cued via the television receiver, and wherein said telephonic-communication facility automatically provides digital signals including called terminal DNIS signals, comprising:

function unit structure for supplying information of various formats, at least one of said formats actuating a television initiated mail order operation;

interface structure for interfacing said telephonic-communication facility with said function unit structure for voice and digital communication including receiving structure to receive digital signals from said individual callers and voice generator to provide signals representative of vocal communication to said individual callers; and

coupling structure for coupling a caller at a terminal through said interface structure to said function unit structure for selected communication in accordance with a specific one of said formats under control of said called terminal DNIS signals.

7. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, wherein said coupling structure includes at least one call distributor.

8. A controlled interface system according to claim 7, wherein said call distributor receives said called terminal DNIS signals.

9. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, further comprising qualification structure for qualifying calls and wherein said coupling structure is further controlled by said qualification structure.

10. A controlled interface system according to claim 9, wherein said qualification structure qualifies based upon individual digital identifying data entered by the public, prior to participation.

11. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, wherein said function unit structure comprises a multiple-port multiple-format processor structure.

12. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, further comprising memory structure for storing representations of terminal-formed signals.

13. A controlled interface system according to claim. 6, wherein at least certain of said digital signals from said individual callers provide caller billing identification data.

14. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, further comprising a consumable key test to restrict access by said individual callers to a single use.

15. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, wherein said controlled interface system receives calls for a plurality of different numbers.

16. A controlled interface system according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of different numbers are controlled by said called terminal DNIS signals.

17. A controlled interface system according to claim 16, wherein each of said plurality of called numbers is indicative of a particular geographic area.

18. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, wherein said format associated with said television initiated mail order utilizes means for actuating an audio broadcast from a source thereof, thereby interconnecting said individual callers to said audio broadcast.

19. A controlled interface system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a command computer terminal for controlling intervals for said individual callers to provide digital data during said audio broadcast.

20. A controlled interface system according to claim 19, wherein said command computer terminal controls questions propounded to said individual callers.

21. A controlled interface system according to claim 6, wherein said digital signals provided by said telephonic-communication facility include signals indicative of calling terminal digital data automatically provided by said telephonic-communication facility.

22. A controlled interface system according to claim 21, further comprising:

memory for storing calling terminal digital data.

23. An analysis control system according to claim 6, wherein said caller data includes caller entered credit card number data and card expiration date data.

24. An analysis control system according to claim 6, further comprising:

credit verification structure wherein said caller data includes caller entered credit card number data and card expiration date data.

25. A control system for use with a telephonic-communication facility including remote terminals for individual callers including a television receiver and a digital-audio telephone instrument whereby said individual callers are cued via the television receiver, and wherein said telephonic-communication facility automatically provides called terminal DNIS signals, comprising:

function unit for supplying information in various formats, at least one of said formats being associated with a television initiated order system;

interface structure for interfacing said telephonic-communication facility to said function unit for voice communication including structure to receive terminal formed digital signals and voice generator structure to provide signals representative of vocal communication to said individual callers; and

call distribution structure for coupling a specific caller at a terminal through said interface structure to said function unit structure for communication in accordance with a specific one of said formats, further wherein said call distribution structure includes a multiplicity of inputs for selectively receiving calls to be coupled to said function unit structure through said interface structure in accordance with said called terminal DNIS signals.

26. A controlled interface system for use with a telephonic-communication facility and a plurality of terminal apparatus for individual callers including a television receiver and a digital-audio telephone instrument whereby said individual callers are cued via the television receiver, and wherein said telephonic-communication facility automatically provides called terminal DNIS signals, comprising:

function unit structure for supplying information of various formats, at least one of said formats being associated with automation of a television initiated mail order operation and identified by said called terminal DNIS signals to select said one format from said various formats;

interface structure for interfacing said telephonic-communication facility with said function unit structure for voice and digital communication including structure to receive digital signals from said individual callers and voice generator structure to provide signals representative of vocal communication to said individual callers; and

qualification structure for qualifying said individual callers based upon incrementing or decrementing to a predetermined limit based on dollar value.

27. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation utilizing a plurality of operating formats, said process for use with a telephonic communication facility and a television broadcast facility and a plurality of terminal apparatus for individual callers including a television receiver and a digital-audio telephone instrument whereby said individual callers are cued, and wherein said telephonic communication facility automatically provides called terminal DNIS signals, comprising the steps of:

broadcasting and displaying product item number data on said plurality of terminal apparatus;

coupling said individual callers to said television broadcast facility utilizing a telephonic interface through said telephonic communication facility;

receiving caller identification data from said individual callers such as a caller'"'"'s customer number;

receiving item number data from said individual callers as displayed on said plurality of terminal apparatus;

receiving caller credit card number data and card expiration number data for said individual callers; and

generating acknowledgement number data and providing said acknowledgement number data to said individual callers.

28. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

using said called terminal DNIS signals to identify a select operating format from said plurality of operating formats.

29. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 28, further comprising the step of:

receiving said called terminal DNIS signals via a call distributor.

30. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 28, wherein said step of broadcasting further comprises:

controlling questions propounded to said individual callers with a command computer terminal.

31. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

automatically providing calling terminal digital data with respect to at least certain of said plurality of terminal apparatus from said telephonic-communication facility.

32. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 31, further comprising the step of:

storing said calling terminal digital data in a memory.

33. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 31, further comprising the step of:

requesting and receiving PIN number data from said individual callers.

34. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

testing said caller'"'"'s customer number against a list of unacceptable numbers.

35. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

verifying said caller credit card number data on-line.

36. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, wherein said step of receiving said item number data from said individual callers includes receiving said item number data with respect to multiple items during a single transaction.

37. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

storing sequence number data with respect to transactions with said individual callers.

38. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, wherein said step of generating said acknowledgement number data includes generating calling order sequence data.

39. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, wherein said step of broadcastig includes audio communication via an audio unit.

40. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

qualifying said individual callers by imposing a limit on use.

41. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 40, wherein said step of qualifying further includes imposing a one time only limit on use.

42. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 40, wherein said step of qualifying further includes imposing a limited number of uses.

43. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 40, wherein said step of qualifying further includes imposing a limit on dollar value.

44. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

receiving and storing voice data from said individual callers.

45. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

switching calls from said individual callers to a live operator.

46. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 45, further comprising the step of:

providing a display with data on said individual callers to said live operator.

47. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

receiving PIN number data from said individual callers as further identification.

48. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

receiving additional data with respect to said item number data from said individual callers.

49. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 48, wherein said additional data includes color or size data or both with respect to an item ordered.

50. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, further comprising the step of:

accessing a databank with said caller'"'"'s customer number.

51. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 50, wherein said databank includes numbers and addresses for said individual callers.

52. A process for controlling a television initiated order operation according to claim 27, wherein said step of broadcasting further comprises:

controlling intervals for said individual callers to provide digital data during a broadcast with a command computer terminal.