System and method for real-time, personalized, dynamic, interactive voice services for book-related information

• US 6,788,768 B1
• Filed: 12/07/1999
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Microstrategy Incorporated
• Inventors: Saylor, Michael J., Richards, Frederick III, Zirngibl, Michael, Patnaik, Anurag
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US09/455,530
• Time in Patent Office: 1,736 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.01, 379/88.04, 379/88.11, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.17, 379/88-9-, 379/88.2, 379/91.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.12, 379/265.01, 379/265.02, 379/265.09, 379/266.07, 707/2, 707/4, 707/5, 707/510, 704/260, 704/270, 704/271, 704/275, 705/7, 705/14, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/105 Financial transactions and auctions, e.g. bidding auctioneering devices in packet switching networks H04L12/1804
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1058 Shopping and product ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/355 Interactive dialogue design tools, features or methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• 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 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42136 Administration or customisation of services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 : via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 : Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4872 : Non-interactive information services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 : Advertisement messages
• 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 3/4938 : comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 : in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 : Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 : Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53375 : Message broadcasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

Abstract

A system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic, and interactive voice services relating to subscriber books, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems is described. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method that enable personalized delivery of book-related information in real-time, via natural language voice communication with a voice enabled terminal device.

Claims

1. A method for providing personalized, interactive real-time transmissions of book information to one or more users, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) creating at least one service to which a user can subscribe to enable personalized book information to be selectively output to the user;

(b) enabling the user to subscribe to the at least one service, and provide user information and identify information about books of interest to the user, and to specify how book information personalized for the user is to be output to the user;

(c) processing the at least one service to identify at least one book of interest to the user;

(d) generating personalized content relating to the at least one book, wherein the personalized content includes information about the at least one book and user inputs to enable the user to interact with the personalized content;

(e) initiating communication with the user to deliver the personalized content to a user-specified device when a predetermined condition has been met, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a triggering event which further comprises at least one of publication of a new book from a favorite author, publication of a reprint of a book, publication of a book in paperback, or a reduction in price of a book; and

(f) receiving instructions from the user in response to the delivery of the personalized content.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the user information based on received user instructions.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of converting the personalized content to speech output;

and

wherein the step of initiating communication comprises initiating voice communication.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of delivering the personalized content comprises delivering the speech output.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein initiating voice communication includes initiating telephone communication.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein user inputs comprise user prompts and user options.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying at least one book comprises identifying from a previous book purchase history.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input personal information, the personal information comprising at least one of a user name, address, or occupation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input book information, the book information comprising at least one of preferred subjects, previous book purchases, or price ranges.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input parameter information, the parameter information comprising at least one of title, cost, or author.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input financial information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the financial information comprises credit card account information.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein user information may be weighted based on user information weighting algorithms.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein user information may be weighted according to specific user instructions.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is specified by at least one of a user, or an administrator.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the personalized content comprises information derived from an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-specified device comprises a voice-enabled device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating communication with the user further comprises initiating a telephone communication.

83. The method of claim 1, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to purchase or decline to purchase one or more books.

84. The method of claim 1, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to receive information about books.

19. A method for providing personalized, interactive real-time transmissions of book information to one or more users, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) creating at least one service to which a user can subscribe to enable personalized book information to be selectively output to the user;

(b) enabling the user to subscribe to the at least one service, and provide user information and identify information about books of interest to the user, and to specify how book information personalized for the user is to be output to the user;

(c) processing the at least one service to identify at least one book of interest to the user;

(d) generating personalized content relating to the at least one book;

(e) initiating communication with the user to deliver the personalized content to a user-specified device, wherein the personalized content delivered to a user-specified device comprises user inputs to enable the user to interact with the personalized content, wherein the user inputs further comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to receive information about books and which enable a user to choose to do at least one of hearing one or more reviews about a book, hearing a reading of one or more book jackets, sending one or more books as a gift, or hearing other titles by a particular author; and

(f) receiving instructions from the user in response to the delivery of the personalized content.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein user information may be weighted based on user information weighting algorithms.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein user information may be weighted according to specific user in instructions.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of initiating communication with the user occurs when a predetermined condition has been met.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined condition is specified by at least one of a user, or an administrator.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a scheduled event.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a triggering event.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the triggering event comprises at least one of publication of a new book from a favorite author, publication of a reprint of a book, publication of a book in paperback, or a reduction in price of a book.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input personal information, the personal information comprising at least one of a user name, address, or occupation.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input book information, the book information comprising at least one of preferred subjects, previous book purchases, or price ranges.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input parameter information, the parameter information comprising at least one of title, cost, or author.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of enabling users to subscribe further comprises the step of enabling users to input financial information.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the financial information comprises credit card account information.

32. The method of claim 19, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to purchase or decline to purchase one or more books.

33. The method of claim 19, wherein the personalized content comprises information derived from an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system.

34. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of initiating communication with the user further comprises initiating a telephone communication.

35. The method of claim 19, wherein the user-specified device comprises a voice-enabled device.

36. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of updating the user information based on received user instructions.

37. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of converting the content to speech output;

and

wherein the step of initiating communication comprises initiating voice communication.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of delivering the personalized content comprises delivering the speech output.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein initiating voice communication includes initiating telephone communication.

40. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying at least one book comprises identifying from a previous book purchase history.

41. A system for providing personalized, interactive real-time transmissions of book information to one or more users, comprising:

means for creating at least one service to which a user can subscribe to enable personalized book information to be selectively output to the user;

means for enabling the user to subscribe to the at least one service, and provide user information and identify information about books of interest to the user, and to specify how book information personalized for the user is to be output to the user;

service processing means for processing the at least one service to identify at least one book of interest to the user;

means for generating personalized content relating to the at least one book, wherein the personalized content includes information about the at least one book and user inputs to enable the user to interact with the personalized content;

means for initiating communication with the user to deliver the personalized content to a user-specified device when a predetermined condition has been met, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a triggering event which further comprises at least one of publication of a new book from a favorite author, publication of a reprint of a book, publication of a book in paperback, or a reduction in price of a book; and

means for receiving instructions from the user in response to the delivery of the personalized content.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the user information is updated based on received user instructions.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the personalized content is converted to speech output.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for initiating communication further comprises means for initiating voice communication.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone communication.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein user inputs comprise user prompts and user options.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein identifying at least one book comprises identifying from a previous book purchase history.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input personal information, the personal information comprising at least one of a user name, address, or occupation.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input book information, the book information comprising at least one of preferred subjects, previous book purchases, or price ranges.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input parameter information, the parameter information comprising at least one of title, cost, or author.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input financial information.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein the financial information comprises credit card account information.

53. The system of claim 41, wherein user information may be weighted based on user information weighting algorithms.

54. The system of claim 41, wherein user information may be weighted according to specific user instructions.

55. The system of claim 41, wherein the predetermined condition is specified by at least one of a user, or an administrator.

56. The system of claim 41, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to purchase or decline to purchase one or more books.

57. The system of claim 41, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to receive information about books.

58. The system of claim 41, wherein the personalized content comprises information derived from an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system.

59. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for initiating communication with the user further comprises means for initiating a telephone communication.

60. The system of claim 41, wherein the user-specified device comprises a voice-enabled device.

61. A system for providing personalized, interactive real-time transmissions of book information to one or more users, comprising:

means for creating at least one service to which a user can subscribe to enable personalized book information to be selectively output to the user;

means for enabling the user to subscribe to the at least one service, and provide user information and identify information about books of interest to the user, and to specify how book information personalized for the user is to be output to the user;

service processing means for processing the at least one service to identify at least one book of interest to the user;

means for generating personalized content relating to the at least one book;

means for initiating communication with the user to deliver the personalized content to a user-specified device, wherein the content delivered to a user-specified device comprises user inputs to enable the user to interact with the personalized content, wherein the user inputs further comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to receive information about books and which enable a user to choose to do at least one of hearing one or more reviews about a book, hearing a reading of one or more book jackets, sending one or more books as a gift, or hearing other titles by a particular author; and

means for receiving instructions from the user in response to the delivery of the personalized content.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input personal information, the personal information comprising at least one of a user name, address, or occupation.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe farther comprises means for enabling users to input book information, the book information comprising at least one of preferred subjects, previous book purchases, or price ranges.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input parameter information, the parameter information comprising at least one of title, cost, or author.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for enabling users to subscribe further comprises means for enabling users to input financial information.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the financial information comprises credit card account information.

67. The system of claim 61, wherein user information may be weighted based on user information weighting algorithms.

68. The system of claim 61, wherein user information may be weighted according to specific user instructions.

69. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for initiating communication with the user occurs when a predetermined condition has been met.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition is specified by at least one of a user, or an administrator.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a scheduled event.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a triggering event.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the triggering event comprises at least one of publication of a new book from a favorite author, publication of a reprint of a book, publication of a book in paperback, or a reduction in price of a book.

74. The system of claim 61, wherein the user inputs comprise user options and prompts for enabling a user to purchase or decline to purchase one or more books.

75. The system of claim 61, wherein the personalized content comprises information derived from an on-line analytical processing (OLAP) system.

76. The system of claim 61, wherein the means for initiating communication with the user further comprises means for initiating a telephone communication.

77. The system of claim 61, wherein the user-specified device comprises a voice-enabled device.

78. The system of claim 61, wherein the user information is updated based on received user instructions.

79. The system of claim 61, wherein the personalized content is converted to speech output.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the means for initiating communication further comprises means for initiating voice communication.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone communication.

82. The system of claim 61, wherein identifying at least one book rises identifying from a previous book purchase history.