Apparatus and method for providing and updating recorded audio messages for telecommunication systems

• US 6,529,873 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Focuspoint, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Focuspoint, Inc.
• Inventors: Owen, Creston M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks-Harold, Marsha D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARPER, V PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/571,660
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 704/260, 704/270, 704/270.1, 704/275, 705/14, 705/64, 705/26, 709/226
• US Class Current: 704/260
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold

Abstract

A method and system for, effecting production, approval and downloading of audio programs via the Internet. An order for an audio program is placed by a customer using a personal computer connected by the Internet to a server system. The server system receives the customer order and sends to the customer options for preparing a script and selecting music types that are to be dubbed into the audio program. A draft audio program is prepared by a service provider and downloaded to the server system. The customer accesses the server system and previews the draft audio program. If the customer wants the draft audio program changed, the customer inputs the changes to the server system. A redrafted audio program is prepared and loaded on the server system. This process is repeated until the customer approves an audio program for downloading to a memory device for later reproduction.

Claims

1. A method for ordering, approving and downloading an audio program for playback to telephone users, comprising:

a customer accessing an Internet Website;

the customer ordering production of an audio program at the Website;

the customer inputting data for a script to be prepared for the audio program by a service provider;

the service provider preparing a proposed audio program using the input data for the script and storing the proposed audio program;

the customer accessing and evaluating the stored proposed audio program;

the customer being capable of requesting that changes be made to the proposed audio program by the service provider; and

the customer approving an accepted audio program and ordering downloading of the accepted audio program to a recording device controlled by a key service unit for playback of the accepted audio program.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider uses artificial text-to-speech means for preparing a proposed audio program using the stored script and storing the proposed audio program.

3. A method for ordering, approving and downloading an audio program comprising:

a customer accessing an Internet Website;

the customer ordering preparation of a script by a service provider for production of an audio program by the service provider;

the service provider preparing a proposed script for the audio program and storing the proposed script;

the customer retrieving and reviewing the stored proposed script;

the customer being capable of requesting that changes be made to the proposed script by the service provider and the customer approving an accepted script that is stored by the service provider;

the service provider preparing a proposed audio program using the stored accepted script and storing the proposed audio program;

the customer retrieving and reviewing the stored proposed audio program;

the customer being capable of requesting that changes be made to the proposed audio program by the service provider; and

the customer approving an accepted audio program that is stored by the service provider for downloading to a recording device capable of reproducing the downloaded audio program.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the service provider uses artificial text-to-speech means for preparing a proposed audio program using the stored script and storing the proposed audio program.