US6501956B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Providing blended interface for wireless information services
Assignee: Intervoice LP
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Filing: 2000-10-17
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2020-10-17
Abstract
Abstract The inventive system provides a user interface between a wireless communication device and an information service provider. The interface allows for a blended presentation of information and calling services for implementing an information service to a user of a wireless communication device. The user establishes an initial connection with a data network server to receive a particular service. The data network server sends a set of wireless protocol instructions to the user's mobile device. Based on these instructions, the mobile device will display information to the user which can be used to select a particular service. While preferably presenting a continuous display to the user, the wireless protocol instructions initiate a communication connection between the mobile device and a voice server with speech recognition capabilities. Depending on the service selected and identification of the user by whatever means, including call signals, the voice will run a particular voice application which interacts verbally with the user to perform the desired service allowing the user to control the service without the necessity of entering data or information using the keypad on the mobile device. After receiving the necessary input data from the user, the voice application will obtain the information responsive to the service request. The information is translated into a wireless application protocol and sent to the data network server where it is then available to be sent to the user's mobile device to complete the service. The communication connection is then terminated after which the data network connection will be reestablished to facilitate receiving the requested information. The user's mobile device can then display the resulting information to the user. As seen by the user, there is a continuous connection with the selected service from the initial receipt of the wireless protocol instructions to the final receipt of the requested information. Thus, the user is presented a blended data and voice interface for access to the information service.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Weeren
- 👤 Mike Watson
- 👤 Daren Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/04; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M3/4938; G; G10; G10L; G10L15/00; G10L15/22; H04L65/00; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72445; H04M2207/00; H04M2207/18; H04M2207/20; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A blended interface between a communication device and an information service comprising: a data network server having at least one service application accessible by said communication device; wherein said communication device establishes a data link with said data network server responsive to a request to access said information service; and wherein said at least one service application downloads application instructions operable by said communication device to a memory on said communication device for accessing said information service; a multimedia server (MMS) having at least one interactive voice application accessible by said communication device; wherein at least one of said application instructions initiates a multimedia connection between said communication device and said MMS to execute said interactive voice application responsive to data provided to said MMS; and wherein said interactive voice application retrieves information responsive to executing said information service; wherein said MMS and said data network server exchange said retrieved information responsive to executing said information service, said voice application, and said service application; and wherein said data network communicates said exchanged information responsive to said information service to said communication device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A blended interface between a communication device and an information service comprising: a data network server having at least one service application accessible by said communication device; wherein said communication device establishes a data link with said data network server responsive to a request to access said information service; and wherein said at least one service application downloads application instructions operable by said communication device to a memory on said communication device for accessing said information service; a multimedia server (MMS) having at least one interactive voice application accessible by said communication device; wherein at least one of said application instructions initiates a multimedia connection between said communication device and said MMS to execute said interactive voice application responsive to data provided to said MMS; and wherein said interactive voice application retrieves information responsive to executing said information service; wherein said MMS and said data network server exchange said retrieved information responsive to executing said information service, said voice application, and said service application; and wherein said data network communicates said exchanged information responsive to said information service to said communication device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interface of claim 1 wherein said MMS has speech recognition capability.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The interface of claim 2 further comprising: a data storage unit for storing said information retrieved or processed by said interactive voice application; and a protocol converter for translating said information into a protocol compatible with said communication device, wherein said protocol converter forwards said translated information to said data network server.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface of claim 3 wherein said data storage unit provides repeated access by a user to said information retrieved until one of said user and an information service provider deletes said information retrieved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said data provided to said MMS is chosen from the group consisting of: information provided directly by a user of said communication device; signals provided by said communication device; information and signals provided by said application instruction information provided by a host application server; and call data signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said host application server is disposed remote to said system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said call data signals are chosen from the group consisting of: automatic number identification (ANI) signals; mobile identification number (MIN) signals; and dialed number identification service (DNIS) signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said application instructions automatically initiates said communication connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 : wherein operation of said application instructions is suspended during said interactive voice application and is reactivated on suspension of said interactive voice application; and wherein said interactive voice application is suspended to allow said communication device to operate certain of said application instructions and receive said retrieved or processed information from said service application.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said MMS comprises a voice response unit (VRU).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for providing a blended interface between a communication device and an information service comprising the steps of: establishing a data connection between said communication device and a data network; providing said communication device at least one data application from said data network allowing access to said information service; displaying visual information from said data application on a display connected to said communication device; establishing a voice communication connection between said communication device and a voice server responsive to execution of said at least one data application; selectively providing at least one voice application to said communication device associated with said data application and responsive to information provided to said voice server; retrieving information by said at least one voice application using said information provided to said voice server; establishing communication between said voice server and said data network; communicating said retrieved information from said voice server to said data network; and forwarding said communicated retrieved information from said data network to said communication device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for providing a blended interface between a communication device and an information service comprising the steps of: establishing a data connection between said communication device and a data network; providing said communication device at least one data application from said data network allowing access to said information service; displaying visual information from said data application on a display connected to said communication device; establishing a voice communication connection between said communication device and a voice server responsive to execution of said at least one data application; selectively providing at least one voice application to said communication device associated with said data application and responsive to information provided to said voice server; retrieving information by said at least one voice application using said information provided to said voice server; establishing communication between said voice server and said data network; communicating said retrieved information from said voice server to said data network; and forwarding said communicated retrieved information from said data network to said communication device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: converting speech received by said voice server into useable electronic data for executing said voice application.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: storing information obtained and processed by said voice application; converting said information obtained by said voice application into a format compatible with said communication device; and forwarding said converted data to said data network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: providing a user multiple accesses to said stored information; and deleting said store information responsive to a command issued by said user or an information service provider.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: suspending said data application during said voice communication connection; suspending said voice application; and reactivating said suspended data application when said voice application is suspended.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The user interface of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: displaying an option on said communication device executable by a user for activating said forwarding step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said forwarding step is automatic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: reactivating said voice application when said reactivated data application reestablishes said voice communication connection between said communication device and said voice server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said voice server comprises a voice response unit (VRU).
Claim 22
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for interfacing a communication device with an information service provider comprising: a server for providing at least one information application through a data connection to said communication device allowing access to said information service, wherein said communication device initiates a voice connection between said communication device and a multi-function server dependent on said provided information application; said multi-function server for providing at least one voice application to said communication device; wherein said voice application obtains information from a user of said communication device to execute said information service; wherein said multi-function server selectively runs said voice application, dependent on said obtained information, for retrieving and processing information responsive to said execution of said information service; and wherein said multi-function server exchanges said retrieved and processed information with said server; and wherein said server forwards said exchanged information to said communication device.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for interfacing a communication device with an information service provider comprising: a server for providing at least one information application through a data connection to said communication device allowing access to said information service, wherein said communication device initiates a voice connection between said communication device and a multi-function server dependent on said provided information application; said multi-function server for providing at least one voice application to said communication device; wherein said voice application obtains information from a user of said communication device to execute said information service; wherein said multi-function server selectively runs said voice application, dependent on said obtained information, for retrieving and processing information responsive to said execution of said information service; and wherein said multi-function server exchanges said retrieved and processed information with said server; and wherein said server forwards said exchanged information to said communication device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said multi-function server includes automatic speech recognition capability for translating speech signals into useable electronic data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 21 further including a memory for storing said information obtained and processed by said voice application; and a conversion unit for converting said information into a format compatible with said communication device, wherein said conversion unit forwards said converted information to said server.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said memory comprises a non-volatile memory for storing said information until deleted by one of said user or said information service provider.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said voice application suspends said voice connection between said communication device and said multi-function server.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said communication device suspends said voice connection between said communication device and said multi-function server.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said information application suspends said voice connection between said communication device and said multi-function server.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said information application is suspended while said communication device is connected to said multi-function server; and wherein said information application reactivates during said suspended voice connection between said communication device and said multi-function server.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said server forwards said exchanged information automatically.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said reactivated information application displays an option executable by said user to retrieve said converted information to said communication device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said information provided to said multi-function server is chosen from the group consisting of: information provided directly by a user of said communication device; signals provided by said communication device; information and signals provided by said information application; information and signal provided by an external information server; and call data signals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 30 wherein said call data signals are chosen from the group consisting of: automatic number identification (ANI) signals; mobile identification number (MIN) signals; and dialed number identification service (DNIS) signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said information application automatically initiates said voice connection between said communication device and said multi-function server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said multi-function server comprises a voice response unit (VRU).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
152 words
A user interface between a communication device and an information service provider comprising: means for establishing a data connection between said communication device and a data network; means for downloading at least one data application to said communication device allowing access to said information service; means for displaying visual information from said data application on a display connected to said communication device; means dependent on said data application for indicating a communication connection between said communication device and a voice response unit (VRU); means for selectively providing at least one voice application to said communication device associated with said data application and responsive to information provided to said VRU; means for retrieving information responsive to execution of said at least one voice application; means for exchanging said retrieved information between said VRU and said data network; and means for forwarding said exchanged retrieved information from said data network to said communication device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
152 words
A user interface between a communication device and an information service provider comprising: means for establishing a data connection between said communication device and a data network; means for downloading at least one data application to said communication device allowing access to said information service; means for displaying visual information from said data application on a display connected to said communication device; means dependent on said data application for indicating a communication connection between said communication device and a voice response unit (VRU); means for selectively providing at least one voice application to said communication device associated with said data application and responsive to information provided to said VRU; means for retrieving information responsive to execution of said at least one voice application; means for exchanging said retrieved information between said VRU and said data network; and means for forwarding said exchanged retrieved information from said data network to said communication device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user interface of claim 34 further comprising: means included in said VRU for converting speech signals into useable electronic data.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
62 words
The user interface of claim 34 further comprising: means for storing information obtained and processed by said voice application responsive to a request made by a user of said communication device; and means for converting said information obtained and processed by said voice application into a format compatible with said communication device, wherein said converted information is forwarded to said data network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user interface of claim 36 further comprising: means for providing said user repeated access to said stored information.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
The user interface of claim 36 further comprising: means for suspending said data application during said voice connection means for suspending said voice application; and means for reactivating said suspended data application when said voice application is suspended.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user interface of claim 38 further comprising: means for reactivating said voice application when said reactivated data application reestablishes said voice connection between said communication device and said VRU.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The user interface of claim 38 wherein said means for forwarding are automatic.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 38 wherein said means for forwarding are selectable by said user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |