System and method for real-time, personalized, dynamic, interactive voice services for travel availability information

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services relating to subscriber travel, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method that enable personalized delivery of travel-related information in real-time, via natural language voice communication with a voice-enabled terminal device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various systems exist for enabling users to create travel schedules. One system for creating travel schedules comprises a user physically visiting or calling a travel agent. For example, a user may visit a travel agent to create a travel schedule, such looking airline flights, car reservations, hotel reservations and other travel arrangements. This system may suffer from the drawback of requiring a user to initiate a search. Further, such a system may not enable a user to achieve the lowest cost.

[0003] These and other drawbacks exist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks in existing systems and methods.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide systems and methods for providing real-time, interactive telephone communication of available travel components and options to schedule these travel components.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide systems and methods for determining that a travel component satisfies or triggers user defined traveler parameters.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide systems and methods for determining options to create a travel schedule based on a travel component that triggers travel parameters.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide systems and methods for receiving transmission from the user in response to the content, wherein the transmission comprises instructions to create the travel schedule.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide systems and methods for converting the content to a speech output, establishing telephone voice communication with the user, and transmitting the speech output.

[0010] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems and other data repositories. The system and method enables the ability to capture user selections to facilitate closed-loop transaction processing and processing of other requests. One aspect of the invention relates to an interactive voice broadcasting system and method that enables analytical reporting and advanced transactional services via the telephone or other voice-enabled terminal device. One advantage of the invention is that a voice service may leverage the power of OLAP or other data repository systems and provide critical information to the user, in a timely fashion, by phone. Another advantage of this method and system is that it provides a user with the opportunity to immediately act upon information received during a interactive voice broadcast.

[0011] A voice service is created and can have many users subscribed to the voice service. Each user can specify personal preferences for the content and presentation of the contents for a voice service. The specification of the elements of a voice service may be done using a set of interfaces (such as GUIs) that take the form of a voice service wizard.

[0012] A voice service includes one or more Dialog elements. Dialog elements may include one or more of Speech elements, Input elements and Error elements. An Input element may include a Prompt element and/or an Option element. An Input element enables the system to request input from the user, capture the input and direct the call flow based on the user's input. An Option element associates a key (e.g., on a telephone touch pad dial) with a destination Dialog that is executed when that number is pressed by a user during an interactive voice broadcast. A Prompt requests a user to enter numeric or other information. An Input element may enable a user to request, during an interactive voice broadcast, a transaction, a service or other requests. The term transactions, services and requests are to be interpreted broadly.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the user's responses to Input elements are stored during an interactive voice broadcast and, during or after the voice broadcast, the stored information is processed by the system or is passed to another system or application for processing. The transaction (or other request) processing can be accomplished either in real-time, during the voice broadcast, or after the interactive voice broadcast is completed. The results or confirmation of a transaction or other request can be provided to the user during the call or subsequently.

[0014] Once a voice service is created, the system monitors predetermined conditions to determine when the voice service should be executed. Each voice service is executed when one or more predetermined conditions are met as specified during creation of the voice service. For example, a voice service may be executed according to a predetermined schedule (time-based) or based on a triggering event (e.g. one or more conditions are met based on the output of an OLAP or other report).

[0015] When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the voice service is executed. Executing a voice service, includes the steps of generating the content specified by the voice service and the user preferences. Some users may have identical personalization options and, thus, a single call structure may be generated for a group of users with identical personalization options. The content of the voice service includes the information that is to delivered to users of that voice service, and the Input to be requested from the user, among other things. The content may include, for example, static text messages, dynamic content (e.g. text based on information output from an OLAP report, other database or other sources) or blended text (e.g. static text combined with dynamic content).

[0016] This and other content are formatted in an Active Voice Page (AVP). An AVP contains the call structure and data. The AVP contains data at various hierarchical levels that are defined by the Dialog elements defined for each voice service. The active voice pages are used to help govern the interaction between the call server and the user during an IVB. According to one embodiment, the content is formatted, into an AVP e.g., using XSL stylesheets so the AVP is in an XML-based language. According to one embodiment, the XML-based language used is a novel language referred to as TML (discussed below). The AVP is sent to a call server along with style properties for each user. The style properties of a user help determine the behavior of the call server during an interactive voice broadcast. A unique AVP is generated for each user scheduled to receive a voice service.

[0017] When a user is called by the call server, information is passed through a T-T-S engine and delivered to the user through a voice-enabled terminal device. Preferably, the structure of each call is dynamic, driven by current data values and is personalized based on a user profile established during subscription to a voice service. During a typical interactive voice broadcast, a synthesized, natural sounding voice greets the recipient by name, identifies itself, provides information relevant to the user and enables a user to provide input back to the system.

[0018] An IVB is a voice-enabled interaction with a user having a dynamic structure controlled by the AVP for the particular user. The IVB may be delivered using real-time, on-the-fly speech generation. During an IVB, information is exchanged between the call server and a user according to the AVP. The system executes dialogs by reading messages to the user and, eliciting input from the user. For example, the user may press buttons on a telephone touch pad dial to select an option or to provide numeric or alphanumeric input. Each response provided by a user may transfer control of the IVB to a different part of the AVP.

[0019] During or after the IVB, the user's responses may be processed by the system or other applications. The AVP may contain pointers to other applications and embedded statements such that when a user exercises an option, the system performs a requested operation and returns the results to the user during the IVB. For example, by exercising an option, a user may request that a real-time database query be performed. When the user selects such an option, control is shifted to a portion of the AVP that contains an embedded SQL statement that is made against a database.

[0020] When a user has worked through selected dialogs of the AVP, the IVB is terminated. That is, a user likely will not work through all of the available dialogs during an IVB. Rather, the user's inputs and option selections determine which the available dialogs are encountered during any given IVB.

[0021] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished according to various embodiments of the invention. Interactive, real-time travel information is presented to a user. Travel information may comprise information about travel components (e.g., airline flights, hotel reservations, etc.) and scheduling the travel components. A user may interact with information and create a travel schedule.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, a user may define various traveler parameters, including dates, times, costs, destinations, and other parameters to aid in creating a travel schedule. Information about travel components is reviewed. When the defined traveler parameters are triggered, a user is presented with options to select the travel component, as well as other, associated travel components. Options for selecting travel components are communicated to a user in a real-time, interactive format, thereby allowing a user to select travel components and create a travel schedule.

[0023] Other objects and advantages exist for the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1<i>a </i>is a flow chart of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 1<i>b </i>is a flow chart indicating a method of generating a voice service according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 1<i>c </i>is a flow chart indicating a method for interactive voice broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating a sequence of an interactive voice broadcast according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 3<i>a </i>is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 3<i>b </i>is a schematic block diagram of an intelligence server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 3<i>c </i>is a schematic block diagram of call server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a commercial transaction processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of using a voice service bureau according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 6<i>a </i>is a schematic block diagram of a voice service system incorporating a voice service bureau according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 6<i>b </i>is block diagram of a primary voice bureau according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 6<i>c </i>is a block diagram of a backup voice bureau according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method for integrating inbound and outbound voice services.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a call server configured to provide integrated inbound and outbound voice services.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for real-time, interactive transmission and creation of travel schedules

[0039]FIGS. 10<i>a</i>-<b>10</b><i>f </i>illustrate content and content menus presented to a user according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] The present invention is described in relation to providing interactive, real-time information modification related to travel schedules, and more particularly to real-time, interactive telephone communication of canceled airline flights and options to reschedule.

[0041] FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>8</b> depict a system and method relating to a telephone notification and execution system that may be used to implement the present invention. This system is described in detail below.

[0042] For purposes of explaining the present invention, a specific embodiment of the present invention is set forth. A user may be subscribed to a travel voice service. Information for a user may be specified, including specifying personal preferences to content and presentation of content. Traveler parameters may be defined as triggers to notify the user when the parameters are satisfied, including dates, times, costs, destinations, and other parameters. According to the specific embodiment of this example, a user may define Chicago as the origination, Florida as a destination, with a departure to Florida on February 5-7 and a departure from Florida on February 19-21, with flight times between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. A user may further define a cost not to exceed $250.00 for a round trip airline flight.

[0043] The voice service monitors predetermined conditions to determine when the voice service is executed. According to this example, the service may periodically compare (e.g., one every hour) the defined traveler parameters with the status of various airline flights from Chicago to O'Hare, and note when the defined traveler parameters are satisfied, e.g., a round-trip flight from Chicago to Florida on the dates and time specified for under $250.00 occurs. The voice service is then executed.

[0044] Content is generated by the voice service, including content based on user preferences. Content may include options for creating a travel schedule. According to the specific embodiment of this example, options for hotel reservations, car rental reservations, and other travel components may be determined based on the identified airline flight.

[0045] A call server accesses the call database for content, and places a call to the user. Information passes through a text-to-speech engine and then is delivered to a user. According to this example, a telephone call may be made to the user, and the static and dynamic content, including user inputs, may be communicated by speech output to the user. A user may be prompted to press number keys on the telephone keypad in response to the content. A user may be prompted to press one key to accept the airline flight that triggered the traveler parameters, press another key to reserve a hotel room, and press still another key to reserve a car rental.

[0046] User responses to information is stored and processed. A user may wait on the telephone while a response is processed, or may hang up and be informed later about the processing results.

[0047] The above discussion is directed to a specific embodiment of the present invention. A general description of the present invention will now be described below.

[0048] At step <b>910</b>, a travel voice service is created. A user is subscribed to the travel voice service at step <b>912</b>. At step <b>914</b>, the travel voice service monitors predetermined conditions. At step <b>916</b>, the travel voice service determines whether to execute. Content based on predetermined conditions is created at step <b>918</b>. At step <b>920</b>, a call structure is created, and at step <b>922</b>, the call structure is sent to a call database. At step <b>924</b>, a call server queries a call database. A call server places a call at step <b>926</b>. At step <b>928</b>, information passes through a text-to-speech engine, and information is delivered to a user at step <b>930</b>. At step <b>932</b>, user responses are stored and at step <b>934</b>, user responses are processed. The flowchart of FIG. 9 will now be described in more detail.

[0049] At step <b>910</b>, a travel voice service is created. A travel voice enables a user to receive real-time, personalized, dynamic voice services for travel-related information based on user defined traveler parameters for identifying travel components, and user personal information. Other information may also be used.

[0050] At step <b>912</b>, a user may be subscribed to a travel voice service. Traveler parameters may be received from a user. A user may define various parameters for one or more travel components of a travel schedule. Travel components may be various items normally associated with travel, including airline reservations, hotel reservations, car rentals, cruises, or other items. A travel schedule may include one or more travel components forming a travel itinerary, including, for example, a departing airline flight, a car rental, a hotel reservation, and a returning airline flight. Travel schedules may contain other combinations of travel components.

[0051] Traveler parameters may comprise variables selected by a user, including dates, times, cost, destinations, specific companies, types of travel components, and other variables. According to an embodiment of the invention, traveler parameters may be ranges of dates and times, specific days of the week, airline rates, hotel rates, car rental rates, weather in a particular area, the availability of vacation packages (e.g., skiing, cruises, sightseeing, etc.), train rates, the occurrence of special events, the applicability of a discount to a travel component or other parameters. A user may define when to look for travel components that satisfy other travel parameters and when to send the results. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user may indicate a search for traveler parameters for a specified amount of time (e.g., twenty-four hours, forty-eight hours, etc.), and that the best results should be sent to the user at a specified time (e.g., 9:00 AM on a specific day, etc.). Further, a user may indicate the importance of various traveler parameters. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user may ascribe relative weights to various traveler parameters. Relative weights may indicate the importance of traveler parameters.

[0052] By way of example only, a user may indicate traveler parameters for an airline flight. A user may indicate traveler parameters of an airline flight of a flight on Monday, September 13, a flight time between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and a cost under $250.00. In indicating these traveler parameters, a user may indicate that an airline flight must occur on Monday, September 13, that it is more important that the cost be under $250.00, and that it is least important that the flight time is between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM. If two flights are available on Monday, September 13, with one flight departing at 8:00 AM at a cost of $300.00, and another flight leaving at 1:00 PM at a cost of $200.00, the second flight will be selected. By way of an example, a user may select traveler parameters to define a trip to San Antonio to Chicago for a particular weekend for about $250.00. A user could specify Chicago as the place of departure, San Antonio as the destination, $250.00 as the cost, and the dates of the desired weekend. A user may select traveler parameters for leisure travel (e.g. a user wants to go somewhere on a specific date), required (e.g. a user needs to go somewhere on a specific date), spur of the moment travel (e.g. a user wants to go somewhere whenever the price is right) or other types of travel. By way of example only, a spur of the moment traveler may select traveler parameters that trigger whenever the cost of any airline flight from Chicago to Hawaii drops below $750.00. According to an embodiment of the invention, traveler parameters may be received from a user and stored in an OLAP data warehouse accessible by an automatic interactive, real-time, voice transmission system as described below in connection with FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>8</b>. Other manners for receiving a traveler parameters may also be used.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the invention, a search service may be associated with a particular travel business, including a travel agency, an airline, a hotel chain, or other business associated with travel. A user may, by way of example only, define traveler parameters with a travel agency, which may then establish a traveler parameter search service. According to an embodiment of the invention, subscribing to a search service may comprise entering traveler parameters into a database, thereby enabling a search service to be performed electronically. According to an embodiment of the invention, a search service may be established using the system as described below in connection with FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>8</b>. Other manners of establishing a search service may also be used.

[0054] A user may also designate how to receive a travel itinerary. A user may indicate that a travel itinerary should be sent by e-mail, fax, mail, courier, or other manner.

[0055] At step <b>914</b>, an airline voice service monitors predetermined conditions as set forth in travel information and personal information. Monitoring the status of potential travel components may comprise reviewing information about potential travel components, where information may comprise types of information similar to the types of information defined as traveler parameters. According to an embodiment of the invention, potential travel component(s) may be stored in a database(s) associated with the particular type of travel component. Various databases associated with a particular type of travel may include airline flight databases, rental car databases, hotel room databases, event databases, vacation package databases, cruise databases, bus databases, and other databases. According to an embodiment of the invention, one or more databases may be associated with a particular travel component. By way of example only, for airline flights, one database may contain information about all airline flights, or each airline may have its own database or group of databases for its flights. Other configurations for having information about potential travel components may also be used. According to an embodiment of the invention, traveler parameters may be compared to various databases, including weather databases, traffic databases, or other databases.

[0056] Comparing traveler parameters with the status of potential travel components may comprise using a database containing traveler parameters to compare to databases with information about the status of potential travel components. By way of example only, if, as noted in the example above, a user indicates travel parameters for an airline flight on Monday, September 13, a flight time between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and a cost under $250.00, a database(s) of airline flights may be reviewed to determine if traveler parameters are satisfied.

[0057] Traveler parameters may be compared to the status of potential travel components at predetermined time intervals, including every minute, every hour, every day, or other time intervals. According to an embodiment of the invention, traveler parameters may be compared whenever the status of potential travel components is updated. By way of example only, if a specific hotel updates the status of its rooms (e.g., announces availability or unavailability, changes rates, offers special packages, etc.) once per day, traveler parameters may be compared to the status of the rooms once per day. According to an embodiment of the invention, traveler parameters may be compared to the status of potential travel components each time the status is updated, thereby resulting in a number of comparisons a day. Other manners of comparing traveler parameters may also be used.

[0058] At step <b>916</b>, a travel voice service may determine whether to execute the voice system. If predetermined conditions are not satisfied, the travel voice system may return to monitoring predetermined conditions at step <b>916</b>. If predetermined conditions are met, content may be generated at step <b>918</b>.

[0059] At step <b>918</b>, content is generated based on travel parameters, user information, and identified travel component(s).

[0060] Options may be provided for a travel component(s) which is identified. According to an embodiment of the invention, after traveler parameters for a travel component have been satisfied, options for other travel components may be determined based on the travel component that satisfies the traveler parameters. By way of example only, if traveler parameters are satisfied for an airline flight, options may be determined for the number of tickets to purchase, where to send tickets, who is traveling, travel preferences (aisle or window seat, mid-size or large car, smoking or non-smoking, etc.), what dates to reserve, hotel reservations, car rentals, events, vacation packages (cruise, skiing, etc.), who to notify about the travel, who a user is meeting, and other travel components. By way of another example only, if a flight to Orlando, Fla. satisfied traveler parameters, options for hotel reservations in Orlando, car rental reservations, and tickets for Disney World™ and Sea World™ may be determined. Other manners of determining options may also be used.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the invention, content may include options for travel components that are most likely to be desired by a user. By way of example only, if an airline flight to Orlando, Fla. satisfies a traveler parameter(s), content may include tickets to Disney World™, but not tickets to a boat cruise from Key West, Fla.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the invention, content may include providing options for travel components that are of limited availability. By way of example only, a deal may be offered for a particular airline flight, where the deal is for a certain time period (i.e., three hours, two days, etc.). Content may inform a traveler about a deal and the limited time period associated with the deal, and may provide options for a traveler to accept the deal. According to another embodiment of the invention, content may include providing options for a user to participate in an auction, such as facilitating a user bidding on various travel components.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the invention, a user may be provided with options directed to specific travel component providers. Options for specific travel component providers may include advertisers for a travel parameter search service, providers with the lowest price, providers previously chosen by a user, providers allied with providers of other travel components (e.g., Hertz™ allied with American Airlines™, etc.) or other options. Other manners for generating content may also be used.

[0064] At step <b>920</b>, a call structure may be created. According to an embodiment of the invention, a call structure may comprise static content and dynamic content. Static content may comprise information that may be played for every user, such as a greeting. Dynamic content may present the results of a service output and user inputs for a user to interact. User inputs may comprise user options and user prompts. User options may define what information a user will receive when a user presses a particular touch pad number. A user prompt may be used to specify a question that a user will be asked to be prompted for user information.

[0065] At step <b>922</b>, call structure is sent to a call database. A call database may be any type of conventional database that can store information.

[0066] At step <b>926</b>, a call server may access a call database. A call server may access a call database for current call requests. According to an embodiment of the invention, an automatic, interactive, real-time, voice transmission system, as described below in connection with FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>8</b>, may access a call database.

[0067] At step <b>926</b>, a call server may place a call to a user. A call to a user may be established to allow a user to receive information in real-time and to interact with the information. According to an embodiment of the invention, communication may be established through a telephone or other device which allows interaction including voice interactive devices. Other types of communication may also be used.

[0068] At step <b>928</b>, information may pass through a text-to-speech engine. A text-to-speech engine permits information to be communicated to a user via a synthesized voice. Other manners for converting information may also be used.

[0069] At step <b>930</b>, content may be communicated to a user. Communication of content may allow a user to receive information in real-time and to interact with the information.

[0070] Communication of content may allow a user to receive content, including information about a travel component which satisfies a traveler parameter(s) and various options based on the travel component, and to select options. According to an embodiment of the invention, content communicated to a user may include prompting a user to select from various options to add a travel component(s) etc. Various manners of providing prompts will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 10<i>a</i>-<b>10</b><i>f</i>. By way of example only, an entire itinerary may be prompted to a user, such as by natural language. Additional prompts may be used for missing information.

[0071] At step <b>932</b>, user responses may be stored. User responses may be instructions received from a user in response to content and user inputs. A user may create a travel schedule by reserving a travel component that satisfies traveler parameters, and may further create a travel schedule by reserving other travel components. According to an embodiment of the invention, additional travel components reserved may be related to a travel component that satisfies traveler parameters. By way of example only, if an airline flight to Orlando, Fla. satisfies a traveler parameter(s), a user may respond to create a travel schedule by reserving a seat on the airline flight to Orlando, reserving hotel rooms in Orlando, and reserving tickets to Disney World™. Further, a user may receive information about vegetarian restaurants if a user selects a vegetarian meal on an airline flight. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user may be presented with a travel component that triggers traveler parameters, where triggering the traveler parameters is contingent on using one or more other travel components. By way of example only, a user may be offered an airline flight at a requested rate on the condition that the user reserve a room for two nights at a Sheraton™ Hotel. According to an embodiment of the invention, user responses may be stored and accessible by an automatic, interactive, real-time, voice transmission system, as described below in connection to FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>8</b>. Other manners for storing responses may also be used.

[0072] At step <b>934</b>, user responses may be processed. Based on responses received by a user, travel components may be purchased or reserved to create a travel schedule. According to an embodiment of the invention, responses received from a user may enable airline flights, car rentals, hotel rooms, event tickets, and other travel items to be purchased or reserved. By way of example only, as described in the example above, the user instructions may result in the flight to Orlando, Fla. being purchased, hotel rooms in Orlando being reserved, a rental car being reserved, and tickets to Disney World™ being purchased. Other manners of creating a travel schedules may also be used.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the invention, travel parameters may continue to be reviewed after a traveler has made appropriate reservations. If cheaper or more desirable travel components become available, a traveler may be informed and allowed to change the initial reservations, or keep the initial reservations.

[0074]FIGS. 10<i>a</i>-<b>10</b><i>f </i>illustrate examples of output delivered via real-time, interactive communication with a user using a system and method of the present invention. FIG. 10<i>a </i>illustrates an example of initial content communicated to a user. Content may include information about a user and traveler parameters determined by the user. According to an embodiment of the invention, where traveler parameters are directed toward an airline flight, initial content may outline the date, time, and costs parameters determined by the user. Other information may also be provided.

[0075]FIG. 10<i>b </i>illustrates an example of further content informing a user that one or more travel components have been identified that satisfy traveler parameters. Further content may provide various information about travel components, such as dates, times, costs, and other information. According to an embodiment of the invention, where traveler parameters are directed toward an airline flight, information may include a flight number, the departure airport, the arriving airport, the date and time of departure and arrival, and the cost of the flight. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 10<i>b</i>, a user may be informed that two airline flights satisfy traveler parameters. Information about each flight may be communicated to a user. Other information may also be communicated.

[0076]FIG. 10<i>c </i>illustrates an example of a content menu communicated to a user. A content menu may present user prompts to interactively select a travel component. According to an embodiment of the invention, where a traveler parameter(s) is directed to an airline flight, a user may be presented user prompts to select from the one or more travel components that satisfy traveler parameters. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 10<i>c</i>, a user may be prompted to press the “1” key to select the first airline flight that satisfies the traveler parameters, press the “2” key to select the second airline flight that satisfies the traveler parameters, or press the “3” key to await another airline flight that satisfies the traveler parameters.

[0077]FIG. 10<i>d </i>illustrates of a content menu communicated to a user after a user has selected a travel component. A content menu may provide options for selecting other travel components. As illustrated in FIG. 10<i>d</i>, a user may be presented user prompts to press the “1” key to reserve a car rental, press the “2” key to reserve a hotel room, press the “3” key to reserve a ticket at a special event, or press the “4” key to exit. Other user prompts may also be provided.

[0078]FIG. 10<i>e </i>illustrates an example of a content menu that may be presented to a user that pressed the “3” key from the content menu of FIG. 10<i>d</i>. A user may be presented user prompts to press the “1” key to purchase tickets to Disney World™, press the “2” key to purchase tickets to Sea World™, press the “3” key to purchase tickets to Bush Gardens™, or press the “4” key for other events. Other configurations may also be communicated to a user.

[0079]FIG. 10<i>f </i>illustrates content that may be presented to a user once all travel components have been selected. According to an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10<i>f</i>, content may comprise a travel schedule, with information about each travel component, including the airline flight number, the departure airport, the arrival airport, the date and time of departure and arrival, the name and date of special event.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the invention, content communicated to a user may comprise audio files regarding one or more travel components. Audio files may comprise commercials for specific travel components (e.g, Disney World™, United Airlines™, etc.), brief guides for destinations (e.g., cities, hotels, restaurants, sights, etc.) or other audio communications.

[0081] A system for enabling this technology is described. Specifically, the database information may populate an OLAP database with an interactive calling service being provided the call builder module.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for automatic, interactive, real-time, voice transmission of OLAP output to one or more subscribers. For example, subscribers may be called by the system, and have content delivered audibly over the telephone or other voice-enabled terminal device. During the IVB, information may be exchanged between the system and a subscriber. The system conveys content to the subscriber and, the subscriber may respond by pressing one or more buttons on a telephone touch pad dial (or other input mechanism) to hear more information, to exercise options, or to provide other responses. This interaction shapes the structure of a basic exchange between the system and the subscriber. During or after the call is terminated, the subscriber's responses may be stored and processed (e.g., by other applications).

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatic, interactive, real-time, voice transmission of OLAP output to one or more subscribers is provided. FIG. 1<i>a </i>depicts a flow chart of a method for automatic, interactive, real-time, voice transmission of OLAP output according to one embodiment. The method begins in step <b>110</b> with the creation of a voice service (e.g., by a system administrator or user). A voice service is created using, for example, a voice service wizard which may comprise a series of interfaces. One embodiment of a method for creating a voice service is explained in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 1<i>b</i>. One embodiment of a voice service wizard is explained below in conjunction with FIG. 3<i>b. </i>

[0084] After a voice service is created, users may subscribe or be subscribed to the voice service (step <b>120</b>), for example, by using a subscription interface. According to one embodiment, users may subscribe to an existing voice service over the telephone or by web-based subscription. A user may also be subscribed programmatically. In other embodiments, a user may subscribe to a voice service via electronic mail. Not every voice service created in step <b>110</b> is available for subscription. More specifically, according to another embodiment, only a user with appropriate access, such as the creator of the service, is allowed to subscribe himself or others to a service. Such a security feature may be set when the voice service is created.

[0085] In step <b>130</b>, a scheduling condition or other predetermined condition for the voice services is monitored to determine when they are to be executed. That is, when a voice service is created or subscribed to, the creator or user specifies when the voice service is to be executed. A user may schedule a voice service to execute according to the date, the time of day, the day of the week, etc. and thus, the scheduling condition will be a date, a time, or a day of the week, either one time or on a recurring basis. In the case of an alert service, discussed in more detail below, the scheduling condition will depend on satisfaction of one or more conditions. According to one embodiment, the condition(s) to be satisfied is an additional scheduling condition. According to another embodiment, to another embodiment, a service may be executed “on command” either through an administrator or programmatically through an API. Scheduling of voice services is discussed in more detail below.

[0086] The method continues monitoring the scheduling condition for voice services until a scheduling condition is met. When a scheduling condition is met, that voice service is executed. The execution of a voice service involves, inter alia, generating the content for the voice service, and structuring the voice service to be telecast through a call server. The execution of a voice service is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1<i>c. </i>

[0087] An example of a telecast is as follows.

[0088] PERSONALIZED GREETING

[0089] Hello Joe, this is your stock update.

[0090] PIN VERIFICATION

[0091] Please enter your six digit PIN number

[0092] (Joe enters his PIN, using the keypad dial on his telephone.)

[0093] MENU OPTIONS

[0094] Your portfolio was up by $1000 today.

[0095] Please select:

[0096] 1. To get a portfolio stock update

[0097] 2. To conduct a transaction

[0098] (Joe presses 2)

[0099] SUB MENU

[0100] Thank you, Joe! Please select a ticker.

[0101] 1. PQT

[0102] 2. TQP

[0103] 3. Listen to options again

[0104] 4. Return to main menu

[0105] (Joe presses 1.)

[0106] SUB MENU

[0107] Would you like to buy or sell stock? Please press:

[0108] 1. To sell stock

[0109] 2. To buy stock

[0110] (Joe presses 1.)

[0111] SUB MENU

[0112] How many shares of PQT would you like to sell today? Please press:

[0113] 1. To sell 50 shares

[0114] 2. To sell 100 shares

[0115] 3. To sell 200 shares

[0116] 4. To sell another quantity

[0117] (Joe presses 2.)

[0118] SUB MENU

[0119] You selected 2. You want to sell 100 shares of PQT. Please press:

[0120] 1. If this is correct

[0121] 2. If this is incorrect

[0122] 3. If you want to change the number of shares you want to buy.

[0123] (Joe presses 1.)

[0124] END VOICE SERVICE/TERMINATE TELECAST

[0125] Thank you for using our voice interactive broadcasting service, Joe. We will call you

[0126] back when your transaction is completed. Good-bye.

[0127] As can be seen from the above sample during an IVB, the user is presented with information, e.g., the status of his portfolio, and is presented options related to that report, e.g., the option to buy or sell stock.

[0128] According to one embodiment, a voice service is constructed using service wizard. A voice service is constructed using several basic building blocks, or elements, to organize the content and structure of a call. According to one embodiment, the building blocks of a voice service comprise elements of a markup language. According to one particular embodiment, elements of a novel markup language based on XML (TML) are used to construct voice services. Before explaining how a telecast is constructed, it will be helpful to define these elements.

[0129] The DIALOG element is used to define a unit of interaction between the user and the system and it typically contains one or more of the other elements. A DIALOG can not be contained in another element.

[0130] The SPEECH element is used to define text to be read to a user.

[0131] The INPUT element is used to define a section of a DIALOG that contains interactive elements, i.e., those elements that relate to a response expected from a user and its validation. An INPUT element may contain OPTION, PROMPT and ERROR elements.

[0132] An OPTION element identifies a predefined user selection that is associated with a particular input. According to one embodiment, OPTION elements are used to associate one or more choices available to a user with telephone keys.

[0133] A PROMPT element defines a particular input that is expected. According to one embodiment, a PROMPT element defines that a sequence or number of key presses from a telephone keypad is expected as input. Unlike an OPTION Element, a PROMPT Element is not associated with predefined user selections.

[0134] The PROMPT and OPTION elements may also be used to request user input using natural language. According to one embodiment, speech recognition technology is used to enable a user to respond to a PROMPT element or to select an OPTION element verbally by saying a number, e.g., “one.”. The verbal response is recognized and used just as a keypress would be used. According to another embodiment, the user may provide a free form verbal input. For example, a PROMPT element may request that a user enter, e.g., the name of a business. In response the user speaks the name of a business. That spoken name is then resolved against predetermined standards to arrive at the input. Word spotting and slot filling may also be used in conjunction with such a PROMPT to determine the user input. For example, a PROMPT may request that the user speak a date and time, e.g., to choose an airline flight or to make a restaurant reservation. The user's spoken response may be resolved against known date and time formats to determine the input. According to another embodiment, a PROMPT is used to request input using natural language. For instance, in conjunction with a voice service to be used to make travel plans, instead of having separate PROMPT elements request input for flight arrival, departure dates and locations, a single natural language PROMPT may ask, “Please state your travel plan.” In response, the user states ‘I'd like to go from Washington D.C. to New York city on the 3^rdof January and return on the 3^rdof February. This request would be processed using speech recognition and pattern matching technology to derive the user's input.

[0135] The ERROR element is used to define the behavior of the system if a user makes an invalid response such as touching a number that has not been associated with an OPTION element, or entering input that does not meet the criteria of a PROMPT element. A SYS-ERROR element defines a handler for certain events, such as expiration of the waiting time for a user response.

[0136] The FOR-EACH element is used to direct the system to loop through a list of variables e.g., variables contained in a database report, or variables from a user input, to dynamically generate speech from data.

[0137] In addition to the elements described above, there are two features that maximize an administrator's ability to design voice services. Call Flow Reports enable an administrator to generate the structure of a call based on the content of an report e.g., from an OLAP system or other data repository. For example, the options presented to a user in a PROMPT element may be made to correspond to the row of a data report. According to one embodiment, report data is converted into options by application of an XSL (extensible style sheet language) style sheet. The result of this application is inserted into the static call structure when the voice service is executed.

[0138] The use of an XSL style sheet is a feature that maximizes an administrator's voice service building ability. As discussed above, they are used to create dynamic call structure that depends on data report output. They may also be used to generate a text string that comprises the message to be read to a user at any point in a call.

[0139] A method for creating a voice service according to one embodiment will now be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2. The method begins in step <b>210</b> by naming the voice service. Then, in step <b>220</b> various scheduling parameters of the voice service are defined. In step <b>250</b> the service content is defined. And, in step <b>260</b>, the personalization modes, or style properties are selected for the voice service.

[0140] According to one embodiment, in step <b>210</b>, a voice service is named and a description of the voice service provided. By providing a name and description, a voice service may be uniquely identified. An interface is provided for prompting input of the name of the service to be created or edited. An input may also be provided for a written description. An open typing field would be one option for providing the description input. According to another embodiment, if an existing call service has been selected to edit, the service name field may not be present or may not allow modification.

[0141] In step <b>220</b>, conditions for initiating the service are selected. This may include selecting and defining a service type. At least two types of services may be provided based on how the services are triggered. A first type of service is run according to a predetermined schedule and output is generated each time the service is run. A second type of service, an alert service, is one that is run periodically as well, however, output is only generated when certain criteria is satisfied. Other service types may be possible as well. In one embodiment the administrator is prompted to choose between a scheduled service or an alert service. An interface may provide an appropriate prompt and some means for selecting between a scheduled service and an alert service. One option for providing the input might be an interface with a two element toggle list.

[0142] In one embodiment, a set of alert conditions is specified to allow the system to evaluate when the service should be initiated if an alert type service has been selected. In one embodiment, a report or a template/filter combination upon which the alert is based is specified. Reports and template/filter combinations may be predefined by other objects in the system including an agent module or object creation module. According to one embodiment, an agent module, such as DSS agent™ offered by MicroStrategy, may be used to create and define reports with filters and template combinations, and to establish the alert criteria for an alert service. According to another embodiment, an interface is be provided which includes a listing of any alert conditions presently selected for the voice service. According to this embodiment, the interface may comprise a display window. A browse feature may take the user to a special browsing interface configured to select a report or filter-template combination. One embodiment of an interface for selecting reports and filter-template combinations is described below. Once a report or filter and template combination is chosen, the alerts contained in the report or filter and template combination may be listed in the display window of the interface.

[0143] In stop <b>220</b>, the schedule for the service is also selected. According to one embodiment, predefined schedules for voice services may be provided or a customized schedule for the voice service may be created. If a new schedule is to be created, a module may be opened to enable the schedule name and parameters to be set. Schedules may be run on a several-minute, hourly, daily, monthly, semi-annual, annual or other bases, depending upon what frequency is desired. According to one embodiment, an interface is provided that allows the administrator to browse through existing schedules and select an appropriate one. The interface may provide a browsing window for finding existing schedule files and a “new schedule” feature which initiates the schedule generating module. In one embodiment, schedules may not be set for alert type services. However, in some embodiments, a schedule for evaluating whether alert conditions have been met may be established in a similar manner.

[0144] In step <b>220</b>, the duration of the service is also set. Service duration indicates the starting and stopping dates for the service. Setting a service duration may be appropriate regardless of whether a scheduled service or alert type service has been selected. The start date is the base line for the scheduled calculation, while the end date indicates when the voice service will no longer be sent. The service may start immediately or at some later time. According to one embodiment, interface is provided to allow the administrator to input start and end dates. The interface may also allow the administrator to indicate that the service should start immediately or run indefinitely. Various calendar features may be provided to facilitate selection of start and stop dates. For example, a calendar that specifies a date with pull-down menus that allow selection of a day, month and year may be provided according to known methods of selecting dates in such programs as electronic calendar programs and scheduling programs used in other software products. One specific aid that may be provided is to provide a calendar with a red circle indicating the present date and a blue ellipse around the current numerical date in each subsequent month to more easily allow the user to identify monthly intervals. Other methods may also be used.

[0145] In step <b>220</b>, a voice service may also be designated as a mid-tier slicing service. In one embodiment, mid-tier slicing services generate content and a dynamic subscriber list in a single query to an OLAP system. According to one embodiment, in a mid-tier slicing service a single database query is performed for all subscribers to the service. The result set developed by that query is organized in a table that contains a column that indicates one or more users that each row of data is applicable to.

[0146] In step <b>250</b>, the content of the voice service is defined. Defining the content of the voice service may include selecting the speech to be delivered during the voice service broadcast (content), the structure of dialogs, menus, inputs, and the background procedures which generate both content and structure. In one embodiment, defining voice service content establishes the procedures performed by the vss server to assemble one or more active voice pages in response to initiation of the voice service. According to one embodiment, defining service content involves establishing a hierarchical structure of TML elements which define the structure and content of a voice service. All of the elements in a given service may be contained within a container.

[0147] The personalization type is selected in step <b>260</b>. Personalization type defines the options that the administrator will have in applying personalization filters to a voice service. According to one embodiment, a personalization filter is a set of style properties that can be used to determine what content generated by the service will be delivered to the individual user and in what format it will be delivered. In one embodiment, personalizing the delivery format may include selection of style properties that determine the sex of the voice, the speed of the voice, the number of call back attempts, etc. Personalization filters may exist for individual users, groups of users, or types of users. According to one embodiment, personalization filters may be created independent of the voice service. According to this embodiment, a voice service specifies what filters are used when generating IVBs. Some personalization type options may include: allowing no personalization filters; allowing personalization filters for some users, but not requiring them; and requiring personalization filters for all interactive voice broadcasts made using the service.

[0148] According to one embodiment, specifying personalization type is accomplished by administrator input through an interface. The interface may offer a toggle list with the three options: required personalization, optional personalization, and no personalization.

[0149] The voice service may be stored in a database structure to enable users to retrieve predefined voice services and to subscribe to these services, for example, through subscription interfaces explained in conjunction FIGS. 3<i>a</i>-<b>3</b><i>c </i>or otherwise. An interface informing the administrator that creation of the voice service is complete may also be provided.

[0150] According to one embodiment, the method of FIG. 1<i>b </i>also comprises an error condition step. An error condition step may be used to enable administrators to specify “error” conditions and the handling of those conditions. For example, an “error” condition may comprise a notification that a server is “down” or that there is no data to be returned. An administrator may specify particular actions to be performed by the system in response to one or more error conditions. For example, an administrator may specify an “addressing” error (e.g., disconnected number) and indicate a particular action to be performed in response to an “addressing” error (e.g., notify system administrator). Other error conditions might include: an alert report encountering an error and returning no data; a subscriber lacking the required personalization filter for the service; errors occurring in the generation of one or more reports; or reports returning no data. Various other conditions and actions may be specified. Certain error conditions may be predetermined for the system, but an administrator may have reasons for supplementing or diverging from the predetermined error conditions. According to one particular embodiment, error conditions are specified using the ERROR and SYS-ERROR elements.

[0151] In one embodiment, setting error conditions may be accomplished using an error handling interface. The interface may allow the administrator to select either default error handling, or to customize error handling using a module for defining error handling. If default handling is selected, the system uses established settings. If customized handling is chosen, the user may use a feature to access the appropriate interface for the error handling module.

[0152] Servers may have limited capacity to perform all of the actions required of them simultaneously, the method of FIG. 1<i>b </i>comprises a step for prioritizing the execution and delivery of voice services. Prioritization may establish the order in which the voice service system allocates resources for processing voice service and delivering the IVB. According to one embodiment, assigning priority to a voice service establishes priority for queries to the database system, formatting the voice service, or IVBs. Any criteria may be used for establishing priority . According to one embodiment, priority is established based on service content. According to another embodiment, priority is based on service destination. According to another embodiment, priority may be established based on the type of voice service, i.e., alert vs. scheduled. Any number of procedures or criteria for denoting relative importance of service delivery may be established.

[0153] In one embodiment, an interface is provided for defining the priority of the voice service being created or edited. According to one embodiment, the interface comprises a screen including option boxes with pull down menus listing the number of different prioritization options.

[0154] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for executing a voice service. FIG. 1<i>c </i>depicts one example of a flow chart for executing a voice service. In step <b>310</b>, the content of a voice service is generated. In step <b>320</b>, the call structure of a telecast is created via Active Voice Pages. In step <b>330</b>, the AVPs are put in a call database for processing e.g., in a call queue. In step <b>340</b>, the call request is processed and an interactive voice broadcast with the user is implemented. In step <b>350</b>, user's responses are written back to the voice service system (e.g., the Active Voice Page). Each of these steps will be explained in more detail below.

[0155] According to one embodiment, content is created in step <b>310</b> as follows. A voice service execution begins by running scheduled reports, queries or by taking other action to determine whether the service should be sent. The subscribers for the service are then resolved. Datasets are generated for each group of subscribers that has unique personalization criteria.

[0156] Call structure may be created (step <b>320</b>) as follows. An AVP contains data at various hierarchical content levels (nodes) that can be either static text or dynamic content. Static text can be generated e.g., by typing or by incorporating a text file. Dynamic content may be generated e.g., by inserting data from a data report using a grid an/or an XSL stylesheet. Moreover, content is not limited to text based information. Other media, such as, sound files, may be incorporated into the AVP. The call data (for example, at a particular level) may be the text that is converted to speech and played when the recipient encounters the node.

[0157] According to another embodiment, call content may include “standard” active voice pages that are generated and inserted into a database or Web Server where the pages are periodically refreshed. According to one particular embodiment, the active voice page that is generated for a user contains links to these standard active voice pages. The links may be followed using a process similar to web page links.

[0158] The call structure may comprise either a static structure that is defined in the voice service interfaces e.g., by typing text into a text box and/or a dynamic structure generated by grid/XSL combinations. The dynamic structure is merged with static structure during the service execution. A single call structure is created for each group of users that have identical personalization properties across all projects because such a group will receive the same content.

[0159] After a call structure is generated, in step <b>330</b>, it is sent to a call database e.g., call database <b>1811</b> shown in FIG. 3<i>c </i>along with the addresses and style properties of the users. The style properties govern the behavior of a call server <b>18</b> in various aspects of the dialog with a user. Call server <b>18</b> queries call database <b>1811</b> for current call requests and places new call requests in its queue.

[0160] In step <b>340</b>, a call request is processed. A call is implemented on call server <b>18</b> using one of several ports that are configured to handle telephone communication. When a port becomes available, the call request is removed from the queue and the call is made to the user. As the user navigates through an active voice page, e.g., by entering input using the key pad or by speaking responses, call/content is presented by converting text to speech in text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b>. User input during the call may be stored for processing. According to another embodiment, user responses and other input may also be used to follow links to other active voice pages. For example, as explained above, “standard” active voice pages may be generated and inserted into a database or Web Server. Then, when a user's voice service is delivered, that voice service may contain links to information that may be accessed by a user. A user may access those standard active voice pages by entering input in response to OPTION or PROMPT elements.

[0161] In step <b>350</b>, user responses are stored by the system. According to one embodiment, user responses are stored in a response collection defined by the active voice page. A voice service may specify that a subscriber return information during an IVB so that another application may process the data. For instance, a user may be prompted to purchase a commodity and be asked to enter or speak the number of units for the transaction. During or after an IVB, the subscriber's responses are written to a location from which they can be retrieved for processing (e.g., by an external application).

[0162]FIG. 2 is an example of an IVB with interactive call flow. An IVB usually contains a greeting message that addresses the targeted user, identifies the name of the calling application, and states the purpose of the call and/or presents summary metrics. The voice service system can also implement a PIN verification protocol, if this layer of security is required. The main menu structure of an IVB can contain a number of options that lead to sub-menu structures. A menu can also contain prompts for the user to enter numerical information using a telephone touch pad dial. A node along the hierarchical menu structure may have options to return the user to a higher level.

[0163]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the system comprises database system <b>12</b>, a DSS server <b>14</b>, voice service server <b>16</b>, a call server <b>18</b>, subscription interface <b>20</b>, and other input/files <b>24</b>.

[0164] Database system <b>12</b> and DSS server <b>14</b> comprise an OLAP system that generates user-specified reports from data maintained by database system <b>12</b>. Database system <b>12</b> may comprise any data warehouse or data mart as is known in the art, including a relational database management system (“RDBMS”), a multidimensional database management system (“MDDBMS”) or a hybrid system. DSS server <b>14</b> may comprise an OLAP server system for accessing and managing data stored in database system <b>12</b>. DSS server <b>14</b> may comprise a ROLAP engine, MOLAP engine or a HOLAP engine according to different embodiments. Specifically, DSS server <b>14</b> may comprise a multithreaded server for performing analysis directly against database system <b>12</b>. According to one embodiment, DSS server <b>14</b> comprises a ROLAP engine known as DSS Server™ offered by MicroStrategy.

[0165] Voice service server (VSS) <b>16</b>, call server <b>18</b> and subscription interface <b>20</b> comprise a system through which subscribers request data and reports e.g., OLAP reports through a variety of ways and are verbally provided with their results through an IVB. During an IVB, subscribers receive their requested information and may make follow-up requests and receive responses in real-time as described above. Although the system is shown, and will be explained, as being comprised of separate components and modules, it should be understood that the components and modules may be combined or further separated. Various functions and features may be combined or separated

[0166] Subscription interface <b>20</b> enables users or administrators of the system to monitor and update subscriptions to various services provided through VSS <b>16</b>. Subscription interface <b>20</b> includes a world wide web (WWW) interface <b>201</b>, a telephone interface <b>202</b>, other interfaces as desired and a subscriber API <b>203</b>. WWW interface <b>201</b> and telephone interface <b>202</b> enable system <u><b>100</b></u> to be accessed, for example, to subscribe to voice services or to modify existing voice services. Other interfaces may be used. Subscriber API <b>203</b> provides communication between subscription interface <b>20</b> and VSS <b>16</b> so that information entered through subscription interface <b>20</b> is passed through to VSS <b>16</b>.

[0167] Subscription interface <b>20</b> is also used to create a subscriber list by adding one or more subscribers to a service. Users or system administrators having access to VSS <b>16</b> may add multiple types of subscribers to a service such as a subscriber from either a static recipient list (SRL) (e.g., addresses and groups) or a dynamic recipient list (DRL) (described in further detail below). The subscribers may be identified, for example, individually, in groups, or as dynamic subscribers in a DRL. Subscription interface <b>20</b> permits a user to specify particular criteria (e.g., filters, metrics, etc.) by accessing database system <b>12</b> and providing the user with a list of available filters, metrics, etc. The user may then select the criteria desired to be used for the service. Metadata may be used to increase the efficiency of the system.

[0168] A SRL is a list of manually entered names of subscribers of a particular service. The list may be entered using subscription interface <b>20</b> or administrator console <b>161</b>. SRL entries may be personalized such that for any service, a personalization filter (other than a default filter) may be specified. A SRL enables different personalizations to apply for a login alias as well. For example, a login alias may be created using personalization engine <b>1632</b>. Personalization engine <b>1632</b> enables subscribers to set preferred formats, arrangements, etc. for receiving content. The login alias may be used to determine a subscriber's preferences and generate service content according to the subscriber's preferences when generating service content for a particular subscriber.

[0169] A DRL may be a report which returns lists of valid user names based on predetermined criteria that are applied to the contents of a database such as database system <b>12</b>. Providing a DRL as a report enables the DRL to incorporate any filtering criteria desired, thereby allowing a list of subscribers to be derived by an application of a filter to the data in database system <b>12</b>. In this manner, subscribers of a service may be altered simply by changing the filter criteria so that different user names are returned for the DRL. Similarly, subscription lists may be changed by manipulating the filter without requiring interaction with administrator console <b>161</b>. Additionally, categorization of each subscriber may be performed in numerous ways. For example, subscribers may be grouped via agent filters. In one specific embodiment, a DRL is created using DSS Agent™ offered by MicroStrategy.

[0170] VSS <b>16</b> is shown in more detail in FIG. 3<i>b</i>. According to one embodiment, VSS <b>16</b> comprises administrator console <b>161</b>, voice service API <b>162</b> and backend server <b>163</b>. Administrator console <b>161</b> is the main interface of system <b>100</b> and is used to view and organize objects used for voice broadcasting. Administrator console <b>161</b> provides access to a hierarchy of additional interfaces through which a system administrator can utilize and maintain system <b>100</b>. Administrator console <b>161</b> comprises system administrator module <b>1611</b>, scheduling module <b>1612</b>, exceptions module <b>1613</b>, call settings module <b>1614</b>, address handling module <b>1615</b>, and service wizard <b>1616</b>.

[0171] System administrator module <b>1611</b> comprises a number of interfaces that enable selection and control of the parameters of system <b>100</b>. For example, system administrator module <b>1611</b> enables an administrator to specify and/or modify an email system, supporting servers and a repository server with which system <b>100</b> is to be used. System administrator <b>1611</b> also enables overall control of system <b>100</b>. For example, system administrator module is also used to control the installation process and to start, stop or idle system <b>100</b>. According to one embodiment, system administrator <b>1611</b> comprises one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

[0172] Scheduling module <b>1612</b> comprises a number of interfaces that enable scheduling of voice services. Voice services may be scheduled according to any suitable methodology, such as according to scheduled times or when a predetermined condition is met. For example, the predetermined condition may be a scheduled event (time-based) including, day, date and/or time, or if certain conditions are met. In any event, when a predetermined condition is met for a given service, system <b>100</b> automatically initiates a call to the subscribers of that service. According to one embodiment, scheduling module <b>1612</b> comprises one or more GUIs.

[0173] Exceptions module <b>1613</b> comprises one or more interfaces that enable the system administrator to define one or more exceptions, triggers or other conditions. According to one embodiment, exceptions module <b>1613</b> comprises one or more GUIs.

[0174] Call settings module <b>1614</b> comprises one or more interfaces that enable the system administrator to select a set of style properties for a particular user or group of users. Each particular user may have different options for delivery of voice services depending on the hardware over which their voice services are to be delivered and depending on their own preferences. As an example of how the delivery of voice services depends on a user's hardware, the system may deliver voice services differently depending on whether the user's terminal device has voice mail or not. As an example of how the delivery of voice services depends on a user's preferences, a user may chose to have the pitch of the voice, the speed of the voice or the sex of the voice varied depending on their personal preferences. According to one embodiment, call settings module <b>1614</b> comprises one or more GUIs.

[0175] Address handling module <b>1615</b> comprises one or more interface that enable a system administrator to control the address (e.g., the telephone number) where voice services content is to be delivered. The may be set by the system administrator using address handling module <b>1615</b>. According to one embodiment, address handling module <b>1615</b> comprises one or more GUIs.

[0176] Voice service wizard module <b>1616</b> comprises a collection of interfaces that enable a system administrator to create and/or modify voice services. According to one embodiment, service wizard module <b>1616</b> comprises a collection of interfaces that enable a system administrator to define a series of dialogs that contain messages and inputs and determine the call flow between these dialogs based on selections made by the user. The arrangement of the messages and prompts and the flow between them comprises the structure of a voice service. The substance of the messages and prompts is the content of a voice service. The structure and content are defined using service wizard module <b>1616</b>.

[0177] Voice service API <b>162</b> (e.g., MicroStrategy Telecaster Server API) provides communication between administrator console <b>161</b> and backend server <b>163</b>. Voice Service API <b>162</b> thus enables information entered through administrator console <b>161</b> to be accessed by backend server <b>163</b> (e.g., MicroStrategy Telecaster Server).

[0178] Backend server <b>163</b> utilizes the information input through administrator console <b>161</b> to initiate and construct voice services for delivery to a user. Backend server <b>163</b> comprises report formatter <b>1631</b>, personalization engine <b>1632</b>, scheduler <b>1633</b> and SQL engine <b>1634</b>. According to one embodiment, backend server <b>163</b> comprises MicroStrategy Broadcast Server. Report formatter <b>1631</b>, personalization engine <b>1632</b>, and scheduler <b>1633</b> operate together, utilizing the parameters entered through administrator console <b>161</b>, to initiate and assemble voice services for transmission through call server <b>18</b>. Specifically, scheduler <b>1633</b> monitors the voice service schedules and initiates voice services at the appropriate time. Personalization engine <b>1632</b> and report formatter <b>1631</b> use information entered through service wizard <b>1616</b>, exceptions module <b>1613</b>, call settings module <b>1614</b>, and address module <b>1615</b>, and output provided by DSS server <b>14</b> to assemble and address personalized reports that can be sent to call server <b>18</b> for transmission. According to one embodiment, report formatter <b>1631</b> includes an XML based markup language engine to assemble the voice services. In a particular embodiment, report formatter includes a Telecaster Markup Language engine offered by MicroStrategy Inc. to assemble the call content and structure for call server <b>18</b>.

[0179] SQL engine <b>1634</b> is used to make queries against a database when generating reports. More specifically, SQL engine <b>1634</b> converts requests for information into SQL statements to query a database.

[0180] Repository <b>164</b> may be a group of relational tables stored in a database. Repository <b>164</b> stores objects which are needed by system <b>100</b> to function correctly. More than one repository can exist, but preferably the system <b>100</b> is connected to only one repository at a time.

[0181] According to one embodiment, a call server <b>18</b> is used to accomplish transmission of the voice services over standard telephone lines. Call server <b>18</b> is shown in more detail in FIG. 3<i>c</i>. According to one embodiment, call server <b>18</b> comprises software components <b>181</b> and hardware components <b>182</b>. Software components <b>181</b> comprise call database <b>1811</b>, mark-up language parsing engine <b>1812</b>, call builder <b>1813</b>, text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b>, response storage device <b>1815</b> and statistic accumulator <b>1816</b>.

[0182] Call database <b>1811</b> comprises storage for voice services that have been assembled in VSS <b>16</b> and are awaiting transmission by call server <b>18</b>. These voice services may include those awaiting an initial attempt at transmission and those that were unsuccessfully transmitted (e.g., because of a busy signal) and are awaiting re-transmission. According to one embodiment, call database <b>1811</b> comprises any type of relational database having the size sufficient to store an outgoing voice service queue depending on the application. Call database <b>1811</b> also comprises storage space for a log of calls that have been completed.

[0183] Voice services stored in call database <b>1811</b> are preferably stored in a mark-up language. Mark-up language parsing engine <b>1812</b> accepts these stored voice services and separates the voice services into parts. That is, the mark-up language version of these voice services comprises call content elements, call structure elements and mark-up language instructions. Mark-up language parsing engine <b>1812</b> extracts the content and structure from the mark-up language and passes them to call builder <b>1813</b>.

[0184] Call builder <b>1813</b> is the module that initiates and conducts the telephone call to a user. More specifically, call builder dials and establishes a connection with a user and passes user input through to markup language parsing engine <b>1812</b>. In one embodiment, call builder <b>1813</b> comprises “Call Builder” software available from Call Technologies Inc. Call builder <b>1813</b> may be used for device detection, line monitoring for user input, call session management, potentially transfer of call to another line, termination of a call, and other functions.

[0185] Text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b> works in conjunction with mark-up language parsing engine <b>1812</b> and call builder <b>1813</b> to provide verbal communication with a user. Specifically, after call builder <b>1813</b> establishes a connection with a user, text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b> dynamically converts the content from mark-up language parsing engine <b>1812</b> to speech in real time.

[0186] A voice recognition module may be used to provide voice recognition functionality for call server <b>181</b>. Voice recognition functionality may be used to identify the user at the beginning of a call to help ensure that voice services are not presented to an unauthorized user or to identify if a human or machine answers the call. This module may be a part of call builder <b>1813</b>. This module may also be used to recognize spoken input (say “one” instead of press “1”), enhanced command execution (user could say “transfer money from my checking to savings”), enhanced filtering (instead of typing stock symbols, a user would say “MSTR”), enhanced prompting, (saying numeral values).

[0187] User response module <b>1815</b> comprises a module that stores user responses and passes them back to intelligence server <b>16</b>. Preferably, this is done within an AVP. During a telephone call, a user may be prompted to make choices in response to prompts by the system. Depending on the nature of the call, these responses may comprise, for example, instructions to buy or sell stock, to replenish inventory, or to buy or rebook an airline flight. User response module <b>1815</b> comprises a database to store these responses along with an identification of the call in which they were given. The identification of the call in which they were given is important to determining what should be done with these responses after the call is terminated. User responses may be passed back to intelligence server <b>16</b> after the call is complete. The responses may be processed during or after the call, by the system or by being passed to another application.

[0188] Statistics accumulator <b>1816</b> comprises a module that accumulates statistics regarding calls placed by call builder <b>1813</b>. These statistics including, for example, the number of times a particular call has been attempted, the number of times a particular call has resulted in voice mail, the number of times a user responds to a call and other statistics, can be used to modify future call attempts to a particular user or the structure of a voice service provided to a particular user. For example, according to one embodiment, statistics accumulator <b>1816</b> accumulates the number of times a call has been unsuccessfully attempted by call builder <b>1813</b>. This type of information is then used by call server <b>18</b> to determine whether or not the call should be attempted again, and whether or not a voice mail should be left.

[0189] Call server <b>18</b> also comprises certain hardware components <b>182</b>. As shown in FIG. 1<i>c</i>, hardware components <b>182</b> comprise processor <b>1821</b> and computer telephone module <b>1822</b>. According to one embodiment; processor <b>1821</b> comprises a Pentium II processor, available from Intel, Inc. Module <b>1822</b> provides voice synthesis functionality that is used in conjunction with Text to Speech engine <b>1814</b> to communicate the content of voice services to a user. Module <b>1822</b> preferably comprises voice boards available from Dialogic, Inc. Other processors and voice synthesizers meeting system requirements may be used.

[0190] The system and method of the present invention may form an integral part of an overall commercial transaction processing system.

[0191] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method that enable closed-loop transaction processing are provided. The method begins with the deployment of an IVB by executing a service. As detailed above, this includes generating the content and combining this with personalization information to create an active voice page. Call server <b>18</b> places a call to the user. During the call, information is delivered to the user through a voice-enabled terminal device (e.g., a telephone or cellular phone).

[0192] During the IVB, a user may request a transaction, service, further information from the database or other request, e.g., based on options presented to the user. These will generically be referred to as transactions. The request may be, but is not necessarily, based on or related to information that was delivered to the user. According to one embodiment, the request comprises a user response to a set of options and/or input of information through a telephone keypad, voice input or other input mechanism. According to another embodiment, the request can be made by a user by speaking the request. Other types of requests are possible.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the user responses are written to a response collection, which along with information stored in the active voice page, can be used to cause a selected transaction to be executed. According to one embodiment, the active voice page comprises an XML-based document that includes embedded, generic requests, e.g., a request for a transaction, or a request for additional information (a database query). These embedded requests are linked with, for example option statements or prompts so that when a user enters information, the information is entered into the generic request and thus completes a specific transaction request. For example, in the example if a user exercises an option to buy a particular stock, that stock's ticker symbol is used to complete a generic “stock buy” that was embedded in the active voice page.

[0194] According to one embodiment, tokens are used to manage user inputs during the IVB. A token is a temporary variable that can hold different values during an IVB. When a user enters input, it is stored as a token. The token value is used to complete a transaction request as described above. According to one embodiment, the system maintains a running list of tokens, or a response collection, during an IVB.

[0195] In order to complete the requested transaction, the user responses (and other information from the active voice page) may need to be converted to a particular format. The format will depend, for example, on the nature and type of transaction requested and the system or application that will execute the transaction. For example, a request to purchase goods through a web-site may require the information to be in HTML/HTTP format. A request for additional information may require and SQL statement. A telephone-based transaction may require another format.

[0196] Therefore, the transaction request is formatted. According to one embodiment, the transaction is formatted to be made against a web-based transaction system. According to another embodiment, the transaction request is formatted to be made against a database. According to another embodiment, the transaction is formatted to be made against a telephone-based transaction system. According to another embodiment, the transaction is formatted to be made via e-mail or EDI. Other embodiments are possible.

[0197] In one embodiment, the formatted transaction request comprises an embedded transaction request. The system described in connection with FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> provides interactive voice services using TML, a markup language based on XML. Using TML active voice pages are constructed that contain the structure and content for a interactive voice broadcast including, inter alia, presenting the user with options and prompting the user for information. Moreover in connection with OPTION and PROMPT elements, active voice pages also can include embedded statements such as transaction requests. Therefore, the formatting for the transaction request can be accomplished ahead of time based on the particular types of transactions the user may select.

[0198] For example, in connection with an exemplary stock purchase, an active voice page can include an embedded transaction request to sell stock in the format necessary for a particular preferred brokerage. The embedded statement would include predefined variables for the name of the stock, the number of shares, the type of order (market or limit, etc.), and other variables. When the user chooses to exercise the option to buy or sell stock, the predefined variables are replaced with information entered by the user in response to OPTION or PROMPT elements. Thus, a properly formatted transaction request is completed.

[0199] In the system of FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b>, TML parsing engine in call server <b>18</b> includes the functionality necessary to generate the properly formatted transaction request as described above. For example, in connection with the embodiment described above, the TML parsing engine shown in FIG. 3<i>c </i>reads the active voice pages. When the TML parsing engine reads an OPTION element that includes and embedded transaction request, it stores the transaction request, and defines the necessary variables and variable locations. When the user exercises that OPTION, the user's input is received by the TML parsing engine and placed at the memory locations to complete the transaction request This technique could be used, for example, to generate a formatted transaction request for web-site.

[0200] According to another embodiment, where the transaction request is made via a natural language, voice request, a formatted transaction request can be generated in a number of ways. According to one embodiment, speech recognition technology is used to translate the user's request into text and parse out the response information. The text is then used to complete an embedded transaction request as described above. According to another embodiment, speech recognition software is used to translate the request to text. The text is then converted to a formatted request based on a set of known preferences.

[0201] A connection is established with the transaction processing system. This can be accomplished during, or after the IVB. According to one embodiment, the transaction processing system comprises a remotely located telephone-based transaction site. For example, in the system shown in FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b>, call server <b>18</b>, through the TML parsing engine <b>1812</b>, establishes a connection with a telephone-based transaction processing site.

[0202] According to another embodiment, the transaction processing system comprises a remotely based web-site. According to this embodiment, the formatted request includes a URL to locate the web-site and the system accesses the site through a web connection using the formatted request. Alternatively, the formatted request includes an e-mail address and the system uses any known email program to generate an e-mail request for the transaction.

[0203] After the connection is established, the transaction is processed by the transaction processing site and the user is notified of the status of the transaction. If the transaction is completed in real-time, the user may be immediately notified. If the transaction is executed after the IVB, the user may be called again by the system, sent an e-mail, or otherwise notified when the transaction has been completed.

[0204] According to one particular embodiment, the system comprises the interactive voice broadcasting system shown and described in FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>3</b> and the transaction is accomplished in real-time. In this embodiment, confirmation of the transaction is returned to TML parsing engine <b>1812</b> shown in FIG. 3 and translated to speech in text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b> and presented to the user during the IVB. More specifically, and similar to the process described with respect to embedded formatted transaction requests, TML also enables embedding of a response statement. Thus, when the transaction is processed and confirmation of the transaction is returned to the system, an embedded confirmation statement is conveyed to the user through TML parsing engine <b>1812</b> after being converted to speech in text-to-speech engine <b>1814</b>.

[0205]FIG. 4 schematically depicts one example of how the system and method of the present invention would fit into such a commercial transaction processing system. Working from left to right in FIG. 4, the system begins and ends with information stored in relational databases. One of the primary purposes of information is in making decisions. Thus, the information in the databases is most useful if provided to someone who desires it in a timely fashion.

[0206] A voice service system is provided to enable access to the information in the databases. The voice service system utilizes personalization information and personalized menus to construct AVPs pages that enable the information to be delivered to a user verbally. Moreover, the AVPs pages, not only enable information to be presented to the user. But, they also enable the user to provide information back to the voice service system for additional processing.

[0207] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, once the AVPs are constructed by voice service system, they are processed and the content is delivered to a user verbally in an IVB. Thus, call processing and text-to-speech technology are used to establish a telephone connection with a user and convert the active voice pages to speech for presentation to the user. As shown in FIG. 4, the IVB may be delivered to a user in many devices, including a telephone, a mobile phone, voice mail, an answering machine or any other voice-enabled device.

[0208] During the IVB, depending on the content that is being delivered, control may be passed to an e-commerce application for the user to complete a transaction based on the information presented. For example, if the user has requested information about sales on a particular brand of merchandise, the user may be connected with a particular retailer in order to complete a transaction to buy a particular good or service. Information about this transaction is then added to the databases and thus may be advantageously accessed by other users.

[0209] It may not be economical for some potential users of a voice broadcasting system to buy and/or maintain their own telephony hardware and software as embodied in call server <b>18</b>. In such a case, a voice service bureau may be maintained at a remote location to service users voice service requests. A voice service bureau and a method of using a voice service bureau according to various embodiments of the present invention is described in conjunction with FIGS. <b>5</b>-<b>6</b>.

[0210] In one embodiment, a voice service bureau may comprise one or more call servers and call databases that are centrally located and enable other voice service systems to generate a call request and pass the call request to the VSB to execute a call. In this way the other voice service systems do not need to invest in acquiring and maintaining call data bases, call servers, additional telephone lines and other equipment or software. Moreover, the VSB facilitates weeding out usage of illegal numbers and spamming by number checking implemented through its web server.

[0211] A voice service bureau and a method of using a voice service bureau according to one embodiment are described in conjunction with FIGS. <b>5</b>-<b>6</b>. FIG. 5 depicts a method of utilizing a voice service bureau according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method begins in step <b>810</b> with a request to place one or more telephone calls received through a computer network.

[0212] According to one embodiment, the voice service bureau is maintained at a location distant from the voice service system. Therefore, in order for a voice service to be processed by the voice service bureau, in step <b>810</b> the voice service is sent to the voice services bureau, preferably over some secure line of communication. According to one embodiment, the request is sent to the voice service bureau through the Internet using secure HTTPS. HTTPS provides a secure exchange of data between clients and the voice service bureau using asymmetric encryption keys based on secure server certificates. In another embodiment, SSL HTTP protocol is used to send a call request to the voice service bureau. Both of these protocols help ensure that a secure channel of communication is maintained between the voice service system and the voice service bureau. Other security techniques may be used.

[0213] When a request for a call or telecast is received, by the VSB, the request is authenticated by the voice service bureau in step <b>820</b>. According to one embodiment, the authenticity of the request is determined in at least two ways. First, it is determined whether or not the request was submitted from a server having a valid, active server certificate. More specifically, requests may be typically received via a stream of HTTPS data. Each such request originating from a server with a valid server certificate will include an embedded code (i.e., server certificate) that indicates the request is authentic. In addition to the use of server certificates, each request may also be authenticated using an identification number and password. Therefore, if the request submitted does not include a valid server certificate and does not identify a valid I.D./password combination, the request will not be processed. The step of authenticating also comprises performing any necessary decryption. According to one embodiment, any errors that are encountered in the process of decrypting or authenticating the call request are logged an error system and may be sent back to the administrator of the sending system. Other methods of authenticating the request are possible.

[0214] Each properly authenticated request is sent to a call server (step <b>830</b>) and processed (step <b>840</b>). According to one embodiment, the voice service bureau comprises a number of call servers. According to one embodiment, the calls are sent to a call database, and processed as set forth herein in conjunction with the explanation of call server <b>18</b>.

[0215] One embodiment of a voice service bureau will now be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 6<i>a</i>-<b>6</b><i>c</i>. FIG. 6<i>a </i>depicts a system comprising a plurality of client side installations <b>91</b>, a primary voice bureau <b>92</b>, a system administrator <b>93</b>, a backup voice service bureau <b>94</b>, and a plurality of users <b>95</b>. Client side installations <b>91</b> communicate with voice service bureau <b>92</b> through a computer network. Voice service bureau <b>92</b> communicates with users <b>95</b> through a voice network. According to one embodiment, the computer network comprises the internet and client side installations <b>91</b> communicate with voice service bureau <b>92</b> using HTTPS as described above, and the voice network comprises a public telephone network.

[0216] According to one embodiment, client side installations <b>91</b> are substantially identical to the system shown in FIG. 4 except for the elimination of call server <b>18</b>. In the system of FIG. 6<i>a</i>, the functionality of call server <b>18</b> is performed by VSB <b>92</b>. As shown in this embodiment, VSB <b>92</b> can service multiple client side installations <b>91</b><i>l </i>to <b>91</b><i>n</i>. According to another embodiment, client-side installation functionality may be included within VSB <b>92</b>. According to this embodiment VSB <b>92</b> constitutes a filly functional voice service that is accessible through email, telephone or other interfaces.

[0217] According to this embodiment, when voice services have been assembled by intelligence server <b>16</b>, a request to have the voice services transmitted is sent via a secure network connection through the computer network shown to primary voice bureau <b>92</b> and backup voice service bureau <b>94</b> as described above. According to one embodiment, the request comprises a mark-up language string that contains the voice service structure and content and personal style properties and other information. As described above, voice bureau <b>92</b> authenticates the request, queues the voice services and sends telecasts to users <b>95</b> through the voice network.

[0218] A block diagram of one embodiment of primary voice bureau <b>92</b> is shown in FIG. 6<i>b</i>. According to this embodiment, primary voice bureau comprises routers <b>921</b>, dual-homed servers <b>922</b>, database servers <b>923</b>, call database <b>924</b>, backup storage <b>925</b>, call servers <b>926</b>, internal switch <b>927</b>, and system administrator <b>928</b>. Routers <b>921</b> receive call requests via a computer network and pass them along to one of the two dual-homed servers <b>922</b>. Router <b>921</b> monitors activity on servers <b>922</b> and forwards call requests to one of the two depending on availability.

[0219] Dual-homed servers <b>922</b> comprise servers configured to receive and send HTTPS email. As part of their receiving function, dual-homed servers <b>922</b> are configured to perform the authentication processing described above. According to one embodiment, dual-homed servers <b>922</b> determine whether the incoming request originated from a server with an active server certificate and also determine if the request contains a valid I.D./password combination. Once dual-homed servers <b>922</b> have authenticated the incoming request, they forward the request to be queued in call database <b>924</b>. As part of their sending function, dual-homed servers <b>922</b> are configured to format and send HTTPS email. As discussed above, during a telecast a user may request that further information be accessed from a database or that some transaction be performed. According to one embodiment, these user requests are forwarded back to the originating system via HTTPS email by dual-homed servers <b>922</b>. Dual-homed servers <b>922</b> are load balanced to facilitate optimal performance and handling of incoming call requests.

[0220] Database servers <b>923</b>, call database <b>924</b>, and backup storage <b>925</b> together comprise a call request queuing system. Primary voice bureau <b>92</b> is configured to handle a large number of call requests. It may not be possible to process call requests as they arrive. Therefore, call requests are queued in call database <b>924</b>. According to one embodiment, call database <b>924</b> comprises a relational database that maintains a queue of all call requests that need to be processed as well as logs of calls that have been processed. According to another embodiment, primary VSB <b>92</b> may include a failover measure that enables another system server to become the call database if call database <b>924</b> should fail.

[0221] Database servers <b>923</b> are configured to control access to call database <b>924</b>. According to one embodiment, database servers may be optimized to generate SQL statements to access entries in call database at high speed. Database servers <b>923</b> also control storage of call requests and call logs in call database <b>924</b>.

[0222] Call servers <b>926</b> each are configured to format and send telecasts. According to one embodiment, each of call servers <b>926</b> is substantially identical to call server <b>18</b> shown in FIG. 3<i>c</i>. More specifically, each of call servers <b>926</b> receives requests for telecasts, parses the call content from the mark-language, establishes a connection with the user through phone lines <b>929</b>, and receives user responses. According to one embodiment, call servers <b>926</b> comprise a clustered architecture that facilitates message recovery in the event of server failure.

[0223] Primary voice bureau <b>92</b> is controlled by system administrator <b>93</b> and internal switch <b>927</b>. System administrator controls switch <b>927</b> and thus controls the flow of call requests to call database <b>924</b> from dual homed servers <b>922</b> and to call servers <b>926</b> from call database <b>924</b>.

[0224] System administrator <b>93</b> is also configured to perform a number of other services for primary voice bureau <b>92</b>. According to one embodiment, system administrator <b>93</b> also comprises a billing module, a statistics module, a service module and a security module. The billing modules tabulates the number of voice service requests that come from a particular user and considers the billing plan that the customer uses so that the user may be appropriately billed for the use of voice bureau <b>92</b>. The statistics module determines and maintains statistics about the number of call requests that are processed by voice bureau <b>92</b> and statistics regarding call completion such as, e.g., success, failed due to busy signal and failed due to invalid number. These statistics may be used, for example, to evaluate hardware requirements and modify pricing schemes. The security module monitors activity on voice bureau <b>92</b> to determine whether or not any unauthorized user has accessed or attempted to access the system. The service module provides an interface through which primary voice bureau <b>92</b> may be monitored, for example, to determine the status of call requests. Other service modules are possible. Moreover, although these services are described as distinct modules, their functionality could be combined and provided in a single module.

[0225] Backup voice service bureau <b>94</b> receives a redundant request for voice services. Backup voice service bureau <b>94</b> processes the requests only when primary voice service bureau is offline or busy. One embodiment of backup voice service bureau <b>94</b> is shown in FIG. 6<i>c</i>. Backup voice bureau <b>94</b> comprises routers <b>941</b>, HTTP server <b>942</b>, database server <b>943</b>, call server <b>946</b> and routers <b>947</b>. Each of these components performs a function identical to the corresponding element in primary voice bureau <b>92</b>. Router <b>947</b> replaces switch <b>927</b>. Router <b>947</b> controls the forwarding of call requests to database server <b>943</b> for queuing in an internal database, and the forwarding of call requests to call server <b>946</b> from database server <b>943</b>.

[0226] The systems and methods discussed above are directed to outbound broadcasting of voice services. Nevertheless, in certain situations, for example when the out bound telecast is missed, it is desirable to for a voice service system to enable inbound calling. According to another embodiment, a method and system for providing integrated inbound and outbound voice services is disclosed.

[0227] A method for providing inbound access to voice services according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. According to FIG. 7, the method begins with receipt of a call requesting voice services in step <b>1210</b>. To help ensure system integrity and to prevent unauthorized access, a call request is authenticated in step <b>1220</b>. According to one embodiment, each incoming caller is automatically prompted to enter a login identifier and a PIN. According to another embodiment, an automatic number identification system is used, in addition to a login identifier and PIN system, to determine whether or not the user is calling from an authorized device. According to another embodiment, speaker recognition technology is utilized to identify a caller. According to this embodiment, voice prints for each user of the voice service system are stored as identifiers. When an inbound call is connected, pattern matching techniques are used verify the user's speech against the previously stored voice prints. Other security measures are possible.

[0228] In step <b>1230</b>, a voice page is located. As explained above, a telecast of a voice service is driven by an active voice page. Accordingly, a user calling in to access voice services locates the desired active voice page. According to one embodiment, the user is automatically placed into an active voice page of a voice service that the user missed. That is, the system chooses an active voice page that it was unable to deliver. According to this embodiment, when a call is undeliverable (e.g., when an answering machine picks up), the active voice page for that call is placed in memory in a “voice site” table or as an active voice page on a web site and addressed using the user's identification. When the user calls in to retrieve the voice service, after the user logs in, the table or web site will be searched for an active voice page that corresponds to their identification. If such a page exists, it is executed by the call server.

[0229] Other possibilities exist for accessing active voice pages through inbound calling. According to another embodiment, the system maintains a log of all voice services sent and provides an inbound user an option to select one of their previous voice services. According to another embodiment, an inbound caller is automatically placed into an active voice page that presents the user with an option to select one of that user's most frequently used services. According to still another embodiment, the user is allowed to search for past active voice pages by date or content. For example, the user may be prompted to enter a date on or near which the desired voice page was executed. According to another embodiment, the user may use the telephone keys to enter a search term and search the content of any previously executed active voice page that they are authorized to access or that is not secure.

[0230] Once an active voice page is located, the user navigates through the active voice page in step <b>1240</b>. As described above, a user navigates through an active voice by exercising options, responding to prompts and otherwise entering input to the system. An inbound calling system would thus have access to the full functionality of the voice service system described in conjunction with FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>6</b>.

[0231]FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a call server <b>18</b><i>a </i>that enables integrated inbound and outbound calling. In addition to the modules depicted in call server <b>18</b> of FIG. 3, call server <b>18</b><i>a </i>comprises call receiver module <b>1817</b>, security module <b>1818</b> and search module <b>1819</b>. Moreover, in the system for permitting inbound and outbound calling, call database <b>1811</b> has been replaced with an enhanced call database <b>1811</b><i>a. </i>

[0232] In order to receive inbound calls, call server <b>18</b><i>a </i>comprises call receiver module <b>1817</b>. Although, call server <b>18</b> discussed above contains hardware permitting reception of calls as well as transmission of calls, it is not set up to receive calls. Call receiver module <b>1817</b> enables call server <b>18</b><i>a </i>to receive calls and routes the incoming calls to security module <b>1818</b>. According to one embodiment, call receiver module comprises a software component designed to configure call server <b>18</b><i>a </i>to receive calls. Other embodiments are possible.

[0233] Received calls are forwarded to security module <b>1818</b> for authentication. According to one embodiment discussed above, incoming calls are authenticated using login I.D.'s and passwords. According to another embodiment, automatic number identification software is used to identify and authenticate callers. According to another embodiment, speech recognition and pattern matching techniques are used to identify a caller.

[0234] Authenticated calls may search for an active voice page using search module <b>1819</b>. According to one embodiment, search module <b>1819</b> comprises a search engine designed specifically to search active voice pages. According to one embodiment discussed above, active voice pages utilize an XML-based language and search module <b>1819</b> comprises an XML-based search engine. According to another embodiment, search module <b>1819</b> comprises a SQL engine designed to make queries against a relational or other type of database.

[0235] The active voice pages that are being search are stored in enhanced call database <b>1811</b><i>a</i>. In addition to its facilities to queue and log calls, enhanced call database <b>1811</b> includes facilities to catalog active voice pages. According to one embodiment, enhanced call database comprises a relational or other type of database. According to this embodiment, enhanced call database is used to store and categorize active voice pages and corresponding parameters, such as expiration dates for active voice pages. Other storage facilities are possible.

[0236] Various features and functions of the present invention extend the capabilities of previously known information delivery systems. One such system is MicroStrategy's Broadcaster version 5.6. The features and functions of the present invention are usable in conjunction with Broadcaster and other information delivery systems or alone. Other products may be used with the various features and functions of the invention including, but not limited to, MicroStrategy's known product suite.

[0237] Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only. The scope of the invention is only limited by the claims appended hereto.