System and method for voice activated signaling

• US 7,929,671 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Faith Mcgary
• Original Assignee: Faith Mcgary
• Inventors: McGary, Faith
• Primary Examiner(s): Sing; Simon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohammed; Assad
• Application Number:
  US11/506,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 379 8801- 8828, 704/275
• US Class Current: 379/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• 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 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects

Abstract

A system for facilitating communications with an automated response system includes a database for storing an address book entry. The address book entry includes a location name and contact number for a location that employs an automated response platform that does not accept voice commands. The address book entry also includes at least one stored voice command related to a navigation command of the automated response platform and one stored associated assigned keystroke for the command. A voice response signal digital signal processor receives a voice input from a user corresponding to the stored voice command. A telephonic signal generator is included, such that when the user utters the voice input corresponding to the stored voice command, the system recalls the stored associated assigned keystroke and delivers a signal corresponding to the keystroke as a telephonic signal to the automated response platform.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating communications with an automated response systems, said system comprising:

a database for storing address book entries, said address book entries each related to a different entity and including a location name and contact number for said entities, said entities each employing an automated response platform that accepts non-voice navigation commands,

said system configured to electronically receive one or more sets of available navigation commands for said entities for navigating each of said automated response platform to be stored in said database in connection with address book entries for each of said entities;

a voice interface for prompting a user to provide voice commands to be associated with one or more of said electronically received available navigation commands, wherein at least one user provided voice command is related to an assigned keystroke for said navigation command of said automated response platform of said entities;

said system implemented during a call between a user and one of said entities, where when said call is directed through said system to one of said entities, a corresponding address book entry is retrieved for the entity from said database;

a voice response signal digital signal processor configured to receive a voice input from a user corresponding to at least one of said stored voice commands, related to a navigation command of said automated response platform, stored in said retrieved entry; and

a telephonic signal generator, configured to receive voice input from said voice response signal digital signal processor, such that when said user utters said voice input corresponding to said stored voice command related to a navigation command, said system generates a keystroke signal for delivery to said entity for navigating said automated response of said entity.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said entities employing automated response platforms are selected from the group comprising voice mail systems and financial institutions.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact number includes both the telephone number of the location as well as a password for a user account.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assigned keystroke for said command related to a navigation command is a DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) signal.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system stores a plurality of stored voice commands each related to a different navigation command of said automated response platform and a plurality of stored associated assigned keystroke for said commands.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assigned keystroke for said command related to a navigation command is a multiple keystroke signal for navigating a hierarchical menu.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is employed on a mobile device.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of address book entries include similar voice commands for similar navigation command of said automated response platforms, wherein for each different address book entry, said associated assigned keystroke is different for said similar voice command.

9. A method for facilitating communications with an automated response systems, said method comprising the step of:

storing address book entries in a database, said address book entries each related to a different entity including a location name and contact number for said entities, said entities each employing an automated response platform that accepts non-voice navigation commands,

electronically receiving one or more sets of available navigation commands for said entities for navigating each of said automated response platform to be stored in connection with address book entries for each of said entities;

prompting a user via a voice interface to provide voice commands to be associated with one or more of said electronically received available navigation commands, wherein at least one user provided voice command is related to an assigned keystroke for said navigation command of said automated response platform of said entries;

receiving a call from said user to one of said entities, where when said call is directed through said system to one of said entities, a corresponding address book entry is retrieved for the entity from said database;

receiving a voice input from a user corresponding to at least one of said stored voice commands related to a navigation command of said automated response platform, stored in said retrieved entry processing said voice input into a digital signal; and

when said user utters said voice input corresponding to said stored voice command related to a navigation command, generating a keystroke signal for delivery to said entity for navigating said automated response platform, of said entity.