Patent US6069939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6069939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Country-based language selection
Assignee: Nuance Communications Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-10
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2017-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing a called party with audio messages/prompts in a language selected by the caller or a language spoken in the called party's geographic location comprises the steps of determining the geographic location of the called party; selecting a language from a plurality of language selections by a calling party for delivery of audio prompts to the called party in response to the determined geographic location of the called party; and providing the called party with audio messages/prompts in a selected language. Alternatively, the called party may be provided with audio prompts/messages in a language selected by a calling party through a method comprising the steps of determining dialed digits that identify the called party; selecting a language from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts in response to determined dialed digits; and providing the called party with audio prompts in a language selected by the calling party.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth Y. Fung
- 👤 Shubert A. Hau
- 👤 Walter H. Hawkins
- 👤 A. Helen McGrath
- 👤 Christine Patricia Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04M3/487; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2061; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/30; H04M3/50; H04M3/527
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising the steps of determining a geographic location of said called party; selecting a language or dialect previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts to said called party based on a determined geographic location of said called party; and providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising the steps of determining a geographic location of said called party; selecting a language or dialect previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts to said called party based on a determined geographic location of said called party; and providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of analyzing a calling party's automatic number identification (ANI) and confirming that said ANI is eligible for language selection service prior to said steps of determining geographic location, selecting a language, and providing prompts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of prompting said calling party to activate said language selection service.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining geographic location step includes the step of analyzing received dialed digits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said received dialed digits include digits that alert a network that a calling party desires to make an international call, digits representing a dialed country code, and digits representing said called party's phone number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said received dialed digits further include digits representing a dialed city code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining geographic location step includes the step of determining a dialed country that corresponds to a dialed country code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said determining geographic location step includes the step of determining a dialed city that corresponds to said dialed country code and a dialed city code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of selecting a language that corresponds to a dialed country.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of selecting a language or dialect that corresponds to said dialed country and a dialed city.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising the steps of determining dialed digits that identify said called party; selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts in response to determined dialed digits; and providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising the steps of determining dialed digits that identify said called party; selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts in response to determined dialed digits; and providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of enabling said calling party to determine specific languages for delivery of audio prompts to specific countries prior to said steps of determining dialed digits, selecting a language, and providing prompts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said enabling step includes the step of recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said enabling step includes the step of enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of specific countries.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of enabling said calling party to select specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to specific city/regions prior to said steps of determining dialed digits, selecting a language, and providing prompts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said enabling step includes the step of recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said enabling step includes the step of enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of specific cities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of enabling said calling party to select specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to specific phone numbers prior to said steps of determining dialed digits, selecting a language, and providing prompts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said enabling step includes the step of recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 18, wherein said enabling step includes the step of enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of phone numbers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of analyzing said calling party's ANI and confirming that said ANI is eligible for language selection service prior to the steps of determining dialed digits, selecting a language, and providing prompts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of prompting said calling party to activate said language selection service.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said determining step includes the step of analyzing received dialed digits.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said received dialed digits include digits that alert a network that said calling party desires to make an international call, digits representing a dialed country code, and digits representing said called party's phone number.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said received dialed digits further include digits representing a dialed city.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said determining step includes the step of determining a dialed country corresponding to a dialed country code.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said determining step includes the step of determining a dialed city corresponding to said dialed country code and a dialed city code.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said determining step includes the step of determining said called party's identity corresponding to said dialed country code, said dialed city code, and a dialed phone number.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of determining whether said calling party determined a language for delivery of messages to a dialed country.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of selecting said language determined for said dialed country.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of determining whether said calling party determined a language or dialect for delivery of messages to a dialed city.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 31, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of selecting said language or dialect determined for said dialed city.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting language step includes the step determining whether said calling party determined a language or dialect for delivery of messages to a dialed phone number.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said selecting language step includes the step of selecting said language or dialect determined for said dialed phone number.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said providing prompt step includes the step of prompting said called party in said language determined by said calling party for a dialed country.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said providing prompt step includes the step of prompting said called party in a language or dialect determined by said calling party for a dialed city.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said providing prompt step includes the step of prompting said called party in a language or dialect determined by said calling party for a dialed phone number.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of said called party; means for selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts to said called party according to a determined geographic location of said called party; and means for providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of said called party; means for selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts to said called party according to a determined geographic location of said called party; and means for providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising means for analyzing a calling party's automatic number identification (ANI) and confirming that said ANI is eligible for language selection service.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising means for prompting said called party to activate said language selection service.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said means for determining geographic location includes means for analyzing received dialed digits.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said received dialed digits include digits that alert a network that a calling party desires to make an international call, digits representing a dialed country code, and digits representing said called party's phone number.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said received dialed digits further include the digits representing a dialed city code.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said means for determining geographic location includes means for determining a dialed country that corresponds to a dialed country code.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said means for determining geographic location includes means for determining a dialed city/region that corresponds to said dialed country code and a dialed city code.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for selecting a language that corresponds to a dialed country.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for selecting a language or dialect that corresponds to said dialed country and a dialed city.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: means for determining dialed digits that identify said called party; means for selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts in response to determined dialed digits; and means for providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: means for determining dialed digits that identify said called party; means for selecting a language previously determined by said calling party from a plurality of languages for delivery of audio prompts in response to determined dialed digits; and means for providing said called party with audio prompts in the selected language.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for enabling said calling party to determine specific languages for delivery of audio prompts to specific countries.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said means for enabling includes means for recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said means for enabling includes means for enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of specific countries.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for enabling said calling party to select specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to specific cities.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said means for enabling includes means for recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said means for enabling includes means for enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of specific cities.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for enabling said calling party to select specific languages or dialects for delivery of audio prompts to specific phone numbers.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said means for enabling includes means for recording said calling party's determinations.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 55, wherein said means for enabling includes means for enabling said calling party to determine a limited number of specific languages for delivery of audio prompts to a limited number of phone numbers.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for analyzing said calling party's ANI and confirming that said ANI is eligible for language selection service.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for prompting said calling party to activate said language selection service.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for determining includes means for analyzing received dialed digits.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 60, wherein said received dialed digits include digits that alert a network that said calling party desires to make an international call, digits representing a dialed country code, and digits representing said called party's phone number.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 61, wherein said received dialed digits further include digits representing a dialed city.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for determining further comprise means for determining a dialed city/region that corresponds to said dialed country code and a dialed city code.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 63, wherein said means for determining includes means for determining a dialed city/region corresponding to said dialed country code and a dialed city code.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 64, wherein said means for determining includes means for determining said called party's identity corresponding to said dialed country code, said dialed city code, and a dialed phone number.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for determining whether said calling party determined a language for delivery of messages to a dialed country.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for selecting said language determined for said country.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 67, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for determining whether said calling party determined a language or dialect for delivery of messages to a dialed city.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 68, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for selecting said language or dialect determined for said dialed city.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for determining whether said calling party determined a language or dialect for delivery of messages to a dialed phone number.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 70, wherein said means for selecting a language includes means for selecting said language or dialect determined for said dialed phone number.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for providing prompts includes means for prompting said called party in a language or dialect determined by said calling party for a dialed city.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for providing prompts includes means for prompting said called party in a language or dialect determined by said calling party for a dialed city.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for providing prompts includes means for prompting said called party in a language or dialect determined by said calling party for a dialed phone number.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
70 words
A network based system for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: an international phone network and a domestic phone network; a database management system for storing a table of country codes, city codes, and corresponding languages or dialects previously determined by said calling party; and an interactive voice system for providing prompts to said called party in the selected language.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
70 words
A network based system for providing a called party with audio prompts in a language selected by a calling party, comprising: an international phone network and a domestic phone network; a database management system for storing a table of country codes, city codes, and corresponding languages or dialects previously determined by said calling party; and an interactive voice system for providing prompts to said called party in the selected language.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |