Personal dial tone

Abstract

A telephone network provides personalized communication services based on a voice identification of the subscriber. When a person requests a service, the network executes a speaker identification/verification procedure to identify the person as a subscriber. A switching office utilizes profile data associated with the identified subscriber to control services over a predetermined communication link. For example, on an outgoing call over a telephone line, the speaker identification/verification process provides a virtual office equipment number corresponding the identified subscriber. The central office switch servicing the outgoing call receives the virtual office equipment number and uses that number to retrieve a service profile associated with the subscriber. The switch provides a personalized form of 'dial tone' like service to the subscriber by processing the outgoing call using the profile. The personalized services to several subscribers sharing a common line. The network may monitor ongoing speech during a call, to ensure use of the service only by the identified subscriber, for example in a prison application. The network also can provide the personalized services in response to dial-up access and activation.