US6154527A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive voice response system
Assignee: Citibank NA
•
Filing: 1998-10-16
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Granted: 2000-11-28
•
Expires: 2018-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An interactive voice response system provides voice prompts that supply information to a user, request data from the user, and present the user with a plurality of selectable options. The user can first select one or more options by providing one or more letters of the alphabet corresponding to one or more of the selectable options. If the letter or letters that are provided correspond to more than one selectable option, the user further selects one of the options from among the selectable options corresponding to the one or more letters.
Inventors
- 👤 Donna Porter
- 👤 Lawrence D. Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/108; G07F19/201; G07F9/00; G07F9/02; H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/25; H04M2203/251; H04M2203/253; H04M2203/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of operating an automated voice response system comprising: prompting for input data comprised of a user identifier and an identification code; receiving the input data; determining whether the input data corresponds to a first host network or a second host network; coupling the automated voice response system to the first host network or the second host network based on the input data; and providing a plurality of services when the automated voice response system is coupled to a financial institution via the first host network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of operating an automated voice response system comprising: prompting for input data comprised of a user identifier and an identification code; receiving the input data; determining whether the input data corresponds to a first host network or a second host network; coupling the automated voice response system to the first host network or the second host network based on the input data; and providing a plurality of services when the automated voice response system is coupled to a financial institution via the first host network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the services include transactions involving money in the financial institution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the services include securities assistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the service includes loan assistance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the transactions involving the money in the financial institution are further comprised of: transferring the money within the financial institution; and making payments with the money within the financial institution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the making payments is further comprised of: providing a list of potential payees to receive payments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the making payments is further comprised of: selecting one from the list of potential payees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the selecting is further comprised of: entering one or more signals indicative of at least a first letter of the one from the list of potential payees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the selecting is further comprised of: entering one or more signals indicative of at least a second letter of the one from the list of potential payees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein: the first letter is a beginning letter of a name associated with the one from the list of potential payees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the services includes credit card assistance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the services include customer service.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the input data is generated by the use of a communications device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the communications device is a touch-tone telephone.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of exchanging first data from an automated voice response system for second data from a user and a telephone comprising: transmitting a first prompt, as part of the first data, from the automated voice response system to the telephone wherein the first prompt is a request for the user to enter a user identifier; using the telephone, by the user, to generate the user identifier, as part of the second data; transmitting the user identifier to the automated voice response system; receiving the user identifier by the automated voice response system; transmitting a second prompt, as part of the first data, from the automated voice response system to the telephone wherein the second prompt is a request for the user to enter an identification code; using the telephone, by the user, to generate the identification code, as part of the second data; transmitting the identification code to the automated voice response system; determining if the user should be coupled to a first network or a second network via the automated voice response system and the telephone based on the user identifier and the identification code; and coupling the user to a financial institution via the first network, automated voice response system and the telephone.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of exchanging first data from an automated voice response system for second data from a user and a telephone comprising: transmitting a first prompt, as part of the first data, from the automated voice response system to the telephone wherein the first prompt is a request for the user to enter a user identifier; using the telephone, by the user, to generate the user identifier, as part of the second data; transmitting the user identifier to the automated voice response system; receiving the user identifier by the automated voice response system; transmitting a second prompt, as part of the first data, from the automated voice response system to the telephone wherein the second prompt is a request for the user to enter an identification code; using the telephone, by the user, to generate the identification code, as part of the second data; transmitting the identification code to the automated voice response system; determining if the user should be coupled to a first network or a second network via the automated voice response system and the telephone based on the user identifier and the identification code; and coupling the user to a financial institution via the first network, automated voice response system and the telephone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the user is presented with an option of selecting one from a plurality of financial services associated with the financial institution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of financial services includes making transactions with money within the financial institution.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of financial services includes making transactions with respect to loans.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of financial services includes making transactions with respect to a credit card.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of financial services include customer service.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the transactions relating to money within the financial institution include making payments.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 21 wherein making payments is further comprised of: transmitting to the telephone by the automated voice response system a third prompt asking for a letter within a potential payee's name; receiving a user inputted letter; providing to the user a list of payees that share that letter with the potential payee; and receiving a signal from the user indicative of one of those payees.
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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) | 2003-11-28 | 2004-05-29 | 2004-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-28 | 2008-05-29 | 2008-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-28 | 2012-05-29 | 2012-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |