US6208713B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for locating a desired record in a plurality of records in an input recognizing telephone directory
Assignee: Avaya Inc
•
Filing: 1996-12-05
•
Granted: 2001-03-27
•
Expires: 2016-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory involves associating a frequency field with each of the records, the frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric. A characteristic field is also associated with each of the records, the characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with the record. An input representation of a rendering purporting to identify the desired record is produced and the input representation is compared with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of the records and confidence metrics are assigned to the records respectively, each of the confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record. A determination is then made as to which of the records have the first and second highest confidence metrics. The frequency fields of the records having the first and second highest confidence metrics are then read and the record with the highest frequency metric is identified as the desired record. Instruction codes stored on a computer-readable memory medium may be used to configure a general purpose computer to effect the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy Joseph Rahrer
- 👤 Brian Finlay Beaton
- 👤 Colin Donald Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/56; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/271; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/27453; H04M1/2746; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4931; H04M1/27457; H04M1/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the method comprising: a) associating a frequency field with each of said records, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic field with each of said records, said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; c) producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; e) determining which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and f) selecting said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the method comprising: a) associating a frequency field with each of said records, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic field with each of said records, said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; c) producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; e) determining which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and f) selecting said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising increasing the contents of the frequency field of the desired record.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising determining whether at least one of said first and second highest confidence metrics has a value greater than a first pre-defined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising determining a difference between said first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value and said difference is greater than a second pre-defined value, selecting as said desired record the record associated with the first highest confidence metric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising including the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value, and said difference is less than a second pre-defined value, selecting as said desired record the record associated with the first highest frequency metric when said first highest frequency metric is greater than a third pre-defined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 comprising, where said first highest frequency metric is less than said third pre-defined value, prompting a user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein producing an input representation of a rendering comprises digitizing an utterance made by the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising receiving an oral utterance from said user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising, when said first highest confidence metric is not greater than a fourth pre-defined value or said difference between said confidence metrics is not greater than a fifth pre-defined value, and when said difference in confidence metrics is less than said fifth pre-defined value, determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics has the first highest frequency metric and prompting a user to confirm that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising, where the user confirms that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, selecting as the desired record, the record associated with the first highest frequency metric.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising, where the user denies that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to confirm that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising where the user confirms that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record, selecting as the desired record, the record which has the second highest frequency metric.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 further comprising where the user denies that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a) determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics has the highest value in its frequency field; b) determining a figure of merit based on a weighted sum of the confidence metric associated with the record having the frequency field with the highest value, the difference between the first and second highest confidence metrics and the contents of the frequency field of said record having the highest value in its frequency field; and c) determining whether said figure of merit is greater than a sixth pre-defined value and if so, selecting as said desired record said record having the highest value in its frequency field.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frequency field is further operable to store a frequency of success metric related to the number of times the related record is selected as the desired record.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the apparatus comprising: a) computer readable memory media operable to store said plurality of records, each of said records having a frequency field and a characteristic field, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; b) a digitizer for producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; c) a processor; and d) instruction codes operable to direct said processor to: i) compare said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and to assign confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; ii) determine which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and iii) read the frequency fields of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics and select said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the apparatus comprising: a) computer readable memory media operable to store said plurality of records, each of said records having a frequency field and a characteristic field, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; b) a digitizer for producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; c) a processor; and d) instruction codes operable to direct said processor to: i) compare said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and to assign confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; ii) determine which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and iii) read the frequency fields of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics and select said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct said processor to increase the contents of the frequency field of the desired record.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of determining whether at least one of said first and second highest confidence metrics have a value greater than a first pre-defined value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said frequency field is further operable to store a frequency of success metric related to the number of times the related record is selected as the desired record.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of where the user denies that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of, where the user confirms that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, selecting as the desired record, the record associated with the first highest frequency metric.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value, and said difference is less than a second pre-defined value, selecting as said desired record the record associated with the first highest frequency metric when said first highest frequency metric is greater than a third pre-defined value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of determining a difference between said first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value and said difference is greater than a second pre-defined value, select as said desired record the record associated with the first highest confidence metric.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value, and said difference is less than a second predefined value, selecting as said desired record the record associated with the first highest frequency metric when said first highest frequency metric is greater than a third pre-defined value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of, where said first highest frequency metric is less than said third pre-defined value, prompting the user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
102 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of, when said first highest confidence metric is not greater than a fourth pre-defined value or said difference between said confidence metrics is not greater than a fifth pre-defined value, and when said difference in confidence metrics is less than said fifth pre-defined value, determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics has the first highest frequency metric and prompting the user to confirm that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
131 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the steps of: a) determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics has the highest value in its frequency field; b) determining a figure of merit based on a weighted sum of the confidence metric associated with the record having the frequency field with the highest value, the difference between the first and second highest confidence metrics and the contents of the frequency field of said record having the highest value in its frequency field; and c) determining whether said figure of merit is greater than a sixth pre-defined value and if so, selecting as said desired record said record having the highest value in its frequency field.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of, where the user denies that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to confirm that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 further comprising instruction codes operable to direct the processor to perform the step of receiving an oral utterance from said user.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said frequency field is further operable to store a frequency of success metric related to the number of times the related record is selected as the desired record.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
210 words
A computer-readable storage medium operable to store codes operable to direct a computer to locate a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, by: a) associating a frequency field with each of said records, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic field with each of said records, said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; c) producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; e) determining which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and f) selecting said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
210 words
A computer-readable storage medium operable to store codes operable to direct a computer to locate a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, by: a) associating a frequency field with each of said records, said frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric representing the frequency of use of said record, based on incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic field with each of said records, said characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with said record; c) producing an input representation of a rendering purporting to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said records respectively, each of said confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record; e) determining which of said records have the first and second highest confidence metrics; and f) selecting said desired record from said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics, as a function of said first and second highest confidence metrics and the frequency metrics of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of increasing the contents of the frequency field of the desired record.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of determining whether at least one of said first and second highest confidence metrics has a value greater than a first pre-defined value.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of determining a difference between said first and second highest confidence metrics.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value and said difference is greater than a second pre-defined value, selecting as said desired record that record associated with the first highest confidence metric.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of when said first highest confidence metric is greater than said first pre-defined value, and said difference is less than a second pre-defined value, selecting as said desired record the record associated with the first highest frequency metric when said first highest frequency metric is greater than a third pre-defined value.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 38 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of, where said first highest frequency metric is less than said third pre-defined value, prompting the user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 39 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of digitizing an utterance made by the user.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 40 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of receiving an oral utterance from said user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
105 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 38 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of, when said first highest confidence metric is not greater than a fourth pre-defined value or said difference between said confidence metrics is not greater than a fifth pre-defined value, and when said difference in confidence metrics is less than said fifth pre-defined value, determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics is associated with the first highest frequency metric and prompting the user to confirm that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 42 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of, where the user confirms that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, selecting as the desired record, the record associated with the first highest frequency metric.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 43 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of, where the user denies that the record having the first highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to confirm that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
65 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 44 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of where the user confirms that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record, selecting as the desired record, the record which has the second highest frequency metric and incrementing the contents of the frequency field of said desired record.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 44 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the step of where the user denies that the record having the second highest frequency metric is the desired record, prompting the user to repeat the rendering.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
132 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 further comprising codes operable to direct the computer to perform the steps of: a) determining which of said records having the first and second highest confidence metrics has the highest value in its frequency field; b) determining a figure of merit based on a weighted sum of the confidence metric associated with the record having the frequency field with the highest value, the difference between the first and second highest confidence metrics and the contents of the frequency field of said record having the highest value in its frequency field; and c) determining whether said figure of merit is greater than a sixth pre-defined value and if so, selecting as said desired record said record having the highest value in its frequency field.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 33 wherein said frequency field is further operable to store a frequency of success metric related to the number of times the related record is selected as the desired record.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the method comprising: a) associating a frequency metric with each of said records, said frequency metric representing the incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic representation with each of said records, said characteristic representation identifying a rendering; c) receiving an input representation of a rendering to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the characteristic representation for at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said at least some of said records, each of said confidence metrics representing a probability that a respective record is the desired record; and e) selecting said desired record as a function of said confidence metrics and the frequency metrics.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory, the method comprising: a) associating a frequency metric with each of said records, said frequency metric representing the incoming and outgoing calls; b) associating a characteristic representation with each of said records, said characteristic representation identifying a rendering; c) receiving an input representation of a rendering to identify said desired record; d) comparing said input representation with the characteristic representation for at least some of said records and assigning confidence metrics to said at least some of said records, each of said confidence metrics representing a probability that a respective record is the desired record; and e) selecting said desired record as a function of said confidence metrics and the frequency metrics.
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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) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |