Graphical user interface (GUI) based call application system

• US 7,117,447 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Santa, Phyllis, Gilbert, Paul D., Cobb, Dale L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/878,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20030030671A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 345/771, 345/762, 345/763, 345/764, 345/772, 715/762, 715/763, 715/764, 715/771, 715/772, 717104-108, 717124-127, 717/131, 379188-192, 415/418, 415/423, 415/446
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/355 Interactive dialogue design tools, features or methods

Abstract

An approach for providing self-service call plan application development is disclosed. A graphical system includes a computing system that is configured to cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be present for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic. The application supports a predefined feature set. Additionally, the system includes a database that is coupled to the server and configured to store the application. The server is further configured to determine whether the application is valid and to initiate deployment of the application. The deployment may be performed on a real-time basis.

Claims

1. A method for providing self-service call plan application development, the method comprising:

causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented by a remote host associated with a customer for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

determining whether the application is valid by testing the application;

informing the customer via the GUI that the application is valid; and

initiating deployment of the application if the application is valid.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of initiating is performed real-time.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined feature set includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

6. A method for controlling call processing via a client host by a customer of a service provider, the method comprising:

interfacing with a server of the service provider via a graphical user interface (GUI) to create an application, the server being configured to provide automated creation of the application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set, wherein the server is further configured to test the application for validation; and

receiving an indication from the server that the application is valid, wherein the valid application is deployed.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

submitting the application for testing;

receiving a message that contains error information in response to a failed test; and

selectively modifying the application based upon the error message.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

12. A system for providing self-service call plan application development by a subscriber, the system comprising:

a computing system configured to cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be present for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set, wherein the subscriber via a remote host creates the application and submits the application for validation by the computing system; and

a database coupled to the computing system and configured to store the application, wherein the computing system is further configured to determine whether the application is valid and to initiate deployment of the application.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the computing system informs the customer via the GUI that the application is valid.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

18. A graphical system for providing self-service call plan application development, the graphical system comprising:

means for causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented by a remote host associated with a customer for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

means for determining whether the application is valid by testing the application;

means for informing the user via the GUI that the application is valid; and

means for initiating deployment of the application if the application is valid.

19. The graphical system according to claim 18, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

20. The graphical system according to claim 18, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

21. The graphical system according to claim 18, wherein the application is deployed in real-time.

22. The graphical system according to claim 18, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.

23. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of one or more instructions for providing self-service call plan application development, the one or more sequences of one or more instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented by a remote host associated with a customer for automated creation of an application for controlling call flow logic, the application supporting a predefined feature set;

determining whether the application is valid by testing the application;

informing the customer via the GUI that the application is valid; and

initiating deployment of the application if the application is valid.

24. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the application is associated with toll-free calls.

25. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the application is executed by a service node that includes an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform.

26. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the step of initiating is performed real-time.

27. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the predefined feature set further includes at least one of audio play, database access, take back and transfer (TNT), logic branching, logical comparison, call extension, multiple entry points, exits, DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) input, jump, menu routing, recording audio, provisioning audio, manipulating data, and service independent voice recognition.