Verizon Services Corporation

Telesector Resources Group, Inc.

Nynex Science & Technology, Inc.

Jayant M Naik

John R Reformato

Barry Paul Pershan

Kay Lynn Bechtel

William F Diede

Craig L Reding

Scott Alexander McAlily

Vijay R Raman

Robert C Baruch

George J Vysotsky

David M Lubensky

Loren Swingle

Ayman O Asadi

Eugene Lubchenko

Euguene Lubchenko

Edgar Martinez

Robert H Haines

Srinivasan X Gopalaswamy

Jane Cheng

Scott Alexander McAliley

Methods and apparatus for controlling and retrieving messages from multiple voice mail systems used by a single individual are described. A voice messaging retrieval and forwarding (VMRAF) system checks a subscriber's voice message systems for messages, retrieves the messages and forwards them to the subscriber as attachments to E-mail files. E-mail replay messages are used to control deleting of the messages from the original systems. Prompt messages played to callers by different voice messaging systems before they leave a message can be updated automatically. This is done by indicating to the VMRAF system when one or more prompt messages are to be updated and which messages, from a set of prerecorded messages, are to be loaded into the voice message systems to replace the existing prompt messages. Accordingly, the VMRAF system facilities message retrieval and the updating of prompt messages, e.g., on a preselected schedule or at preselected times.

Methods and apparatus for implementing voice messaging using E-mail

SMDI messages are used by the SMDI message server to generate either E-mail notifications of received messages which are forwarded to a user of the VMS or to supply VMS message status information to a voice message retrieval and forwarding system using IP messaging instead of SMDI FSK or PSK signaling. SMDI messages between a stored program controlled switching system, e.g., C.O. switch, and a voice message system are monitored by the SMDI message server of the present invention, e.g., by inserting a Tee into the SMDI link between the C.O. switch and VMS. The SMDI message server uses the directory number information and/or a message line identifier included in a received SMDI message to identify a subscriber or voice message retrieval and forwarding system which should be notified of the received SMDI message information.

Methods and apparatus for obtaining and distributing voice mail information

Method and apparatus for implementing voice messaging using E-mail

Interfacing to and controlling POTS line conditioning devices using a Voice Interface Unit (VIU) are described. Technicians perform tests and checks while a POTS line is in a conditioned state. The VIU provides a centralized voice input/voice output interface allowing technicians to identify and request various conditioning options using speech. The VIU identifies a line conditioning unit to be used to test a line corresponding to a phone number via a database lookup. The VIU controls the identified line conditioning unit to connect to the POTS line. The VIU provides the technician with an easy to use voice input/output universal interface irrespective of the particular manufacturer/model of line conditioning device by performing conversions to the various protocols and instruction sets used by different manufactures. The VIU includes individual security controls and multiple access levels. The VIU may include load/simulator, call back, and keypad test capability.

Voice interface unit for line conditioner control

Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used. When a calling entry is created via the Internet the text of the name is processed to generate a corresponding speech recognition model there from. When an entry is created via speech obtained over the telephone, a speech recognition model is generated from the speech and a text name is generated is generated using speech to text technology. To avoid having to hang-up and initiate a new voice dialing call the outcome of a voice dialing call is monitored and the subscriber is provided the opportunity to initiate another call using voice dialing if the first call did not complete successfully e.g., goes unanswered.

Voice dialing using text names

Voice dialing methods and apparatus implemented using AIN techniques

Voice dialing using speech models generated from text and/or speech

Methods and apparatus for performing sequential voice dialing operations

Methods and apparatus for activating telephone services in response to speech are described. A directory including names is maintained for each customer. A speaker dependent speech template and a telephone number for each name, is maintained as part of each customer's directory. Speaker independent speech templates are used for recognizing commands. The present invention has the advantage of permitting a customer to place a call by speaking a person's name which serves as a destination identifier without having to speak an additional command or steering word to place the call. This is achieved by treating the receipt of a spoken name in the absence of a command as an implicit command to place a call. Explicit speaker independent commands are used to invoke features or services other than call placement. Speaker independent and speaker dependent speech recognition are performed on a customer's speech in parallel. An arbiter is used to decide which function or service should be performed when an apparent conflict arises as a result of both the speaker dependent and speaker independent speech recognition step outputs. Stochastic grammars, word spotting and/or out-of-vocabulary rejection are used as part of the speech recognition process to provide a user friendly interface which permits the use of spontaneous speech. Voice verification is performed on a selective basis where security is of concern.

Methods and apparatus for performing speaker independent recognition of

Methods and apparatus for activating telephone services in response to

An apparatus and accompanying methods for preventing telephone toll fraud that relies on the use of centralized voice verification to authenticate a party claiming a particular identity and requesting service, i.e. access to a telephone network. A voice verification intelligent peripheral (VVIP) (300) is interposed between, e.g., a tandem switch (40) and a voice service node (VSN) (250) both used to provide alternate automated billing service (AABS). The VVIP intercepts all call processing messages that occur between these two components and, at a pre-defined point during the processing of an AABS call, holds a call processing message, specifically a successful line information database (LIDB) query response message, until a voice verification of a caller is complete. While the message is held, the VVIP prompts the caller, who is claiming to be a subscriber, to speak a pre-defined password, obtains a voice template of the resulting speech and attempts to match this template against a template previously stored, within the VVIP, for the subscriber, during a prior enrollment process and for the same password. If the templates match and hence the identity claimed by the caller is confirmed, the VVIP simply passes the message, then being held, onward to its destination, such as the VSN, to then allow the normal processing for this call to proceed and eventually result in the call being extended through public switching network to a dialed destination number.

Apparatus and accompanying methods for preventing toll fraud through use

Growing community of inventors

Stamford, CT, United States of America

Jayant M Naik