Dynamically alerting callers of changes to menu structures in a telephone prompting system

• US 7,346,153 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lewis, James R., Sadowski, Wallace J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US10/988,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20060104424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.09, 379/88.18, 379/265.02, 379/265.06, 379/202.01, 455/456.1, 717/125, 704/275
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/36 Memories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/254 where the visual mode comprises menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• 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 3/53391 dependent on calling party

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for dynamically alerting calling parties of menu structure changes in a telephone prompting system. In a telephone prompting system, a menu structure change alert method can include determining whether a menu structure change has occurred for the telephone prompting system in response to the receipt of an incoming call from a calling party. Subsequently, the calling party can be selectively alerted of the menu structure change. In this regard, an alert message can be played to the calling party.

Claims

1. A call processing system comprising:

a telephone prompting system having a menu structure;

call statistics storage configured to store call statistics for callers; and

,

dynamic alerting logic configured for coupling to said telephone prompting system and said call statistics storage to selectively alert callers of changes to said menu structure based upon call statistics for said callers stored in said call statistics storage.