CA2351517A1 - A data access system and method - Google Patents
A data access system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2351517A1 CA2351517A1 CA002351517A CA2351517A CA2351517A1 CA 2351517 A1 CA2351517 A1 CA 2351517A1 CA 002351517 A CA002351517 A CA 002351517A CA 2351517 A CA2351517 A CA 2351517A CA 2351517 A1 CA2351517 A1 CA 2351517A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- data
- prompt
- voice
- request
- data access
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
- H04M3/493—Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
- H04M3/4938—Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
- G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
- G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
- G06F16/957—Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2201/00—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems
- H04M2201/60—Medium conversion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/38—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections
- H04M3/382—Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections using authorisation codes or passwords
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
- H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q1/00—Details of selecting apparatus or arrangements
- H04Q1/18—Electrical details
- H04Q1/30—Signalling arrangements; Manipulation of signalling currents
- H04Q1/44—Signalling arrangements; Manipulation of signalling currents using alternate current
- H04Q1/444—Signalling arrangements; Manipulation of signalling currents using alternate current with voice-band signalling frequencies
- H04Q1/45—Signalling arrangements; Manipulation of signalling currents using alternate current with voice-band signalling frequencies using multi-frequency signalling
Abstract
A data access system, including an interface for connecting to a caller using a voice call path, a call flow module for receiving a request for data from the caller on the call path, and a page translator for sending the request to a location in a communications network determined by the request, the location including the data in a prompt navigation language. The page translator receives and translates the data in the prompt navigation language into voice data, and the call flow module, with a text to speech converter, converts the voice data to voice for the caller on the call path. The system provides a voice browser for standard telephone users to access data on communications networks, such as the Internet.
Description
J - .. , v ., ., _. ,. - ., _ ,. ., . _ . _ WO OOI30329 PCT/AU99lO1015 A DATA ACCESS SYSTEM AN>D METHOD
The present invention relates to a data access system and method, and a voice browser.
The Internet provides acceSS to information and Qata resources on a scale which is unprecedented. The resources however are primarily limited to individuals who have access to a computer system with appropriate communications equipment and software that ezlables the system to connect to the Internet. For this reason the media continually refers to a current divide between Lhe information rich and the information poor, being those who have access to the Internet and those do not. One way of addressizxg this divide and facilitate wider access to individuals is to move away from requiring the access system to comprise the traditional computer system.
One line of development has focused on providing an access system which includes a telephone interface and voice browser software on a server connected to the Internet. The telephone interface allows az>,y person with a telephone to call the server and respond to voice prompts issued by the server by pressing keys of the telephone to forward the corresponding dual tone multifrequeney (DTM~ signals for the server. The DTMF responses received by the server arc used to instruct the voice browser to access World Wide Web pages from the Internet. The voice browser on receiving web pages encoded in hypertext markup language (HTML) includes translation software to deconstruct the pages znto voice data which is used co provide voice signals for the caller. There are however significant difficulties and problems associated with the translation of HTML pages into appropriate voice data for a caller.
Whilst the text of a HTML page can he directly translated into voice data considerable diffteulties are associated with the other data clemenu of a HTML page. HTML
is a language which is designed to provide a visual display on a computer screen, and accordingly the various display elements cannot be correctly dealt with, if at all, by the translation software of the voice browser. The various video and image formats, such as MPEG and JPEG, cannot be translated. Also a number of web sites utilise frames and tables in their HTML code which also gives rise to significant difficulties and complexity for the voice browser. The tendency for HTML pages is to include more and more visual elements, such as video azAd images, to attract users and this gives rise to significant difficulties for a voice browser.
J-.. v .... ~ ~ .. .. _ ,. .
WO OOI303?9 A separate, independent, line of development is based on the work of the wiz'eless application protocol (WAP) forum. which is described at http://www.wapforum.org. The forum and WAP is concerned with the delivery of data on a wi.zeless network and, in particular, th.e ability of wireless devices, such as mobile telephones, to access data resources, such as those available on the Internet. The WAP protocol is used by microbrowsers scored on wireless devices to access data information encoded in a particular forzz~wt for the WAP
protocol, such as the wireless markup language (WML). WML is a content language specifically developed for wireless devices with limped text displays and which use prompt driven navigation to display text and command menus. WML therefore allows delivery of text which can be selected. and requested using displayed prompts and the keys of a wireless device. Details concerning WAP and WML are available at http:/lwww.wapforum.org. A
similar protocol and language for delivery of content to wireless devices has been developed by Unwired Planet, lnc_ (n.ow known as Phonc.com. lnc.) of California and details concerning their handhold device transport protocol (HDTP) and their handheld device markup language (1-IDML) az'e available at http:/Iwww.uplanet.com (http:/lwww.phone.com). HDML
breaks text to be displayed on a wireless device into cards which can be moved betweea one another by selecting "accept" or "previous" keys on a handheld device. Soft keys arc also available for inclusion 1n the cards to navigate betwoen different cards based on display prompts. Data can also be keyed in on the wireless device in. response to a received prompt and forwarded back to a HDTP server. Whilst the work of the WAP forum and Unwired Planet is a significant advanee_ access to the content still requires a person to have access to a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, which includes a microbrowser that can request and display content encoded in WML or HDML.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a data access method, including:
connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data:
and con,vorting said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
f WO 00130329 PC'riAU9ai01ot5 Tk~e present invention also provides a data access system, including:
means for eontlecting to a caller using a voice call path;
means for receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
means for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request. Said location including Said data in a prompt navigation language;
means for receiving and translating said data in said prompt z~,avigation language into voice data; and means for converting said. voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
Th.e present invention also provides a voice browser stored on a computer readable storage medium, including:
code for receiving a request for data from a user;
code for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data. in a prompt navigation language;
code for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation l.azzguage into voice data; and code for converting said voice data to voice foz' said user.
In the context of the specification, a "prompt navigation language" is a content languase, such as WML or HDML, which includes text data followed by link data or prompt data. without visual layout data.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodime~ut of a data access system with a voice browser;
Figure 2 is a flow dzagrazn of steps cxacuted by a call flow module of the system; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram. of steps executed by a page translator of the system.
A data access system, as shown in Figure 1, includes an interactive voice response (IVR) platform 2 having a call flow module 8, a page translator module 10 and a text to' speech module 16 stored on the platform. The IVR 2 also includes a telecommunications interface 18 for terminating calls received. from a caller using a voice tcrtninal 4, such as a WO 00/303:9 PGT/AU99I01015 _ ,ø _ standard telephone, so as to complete and connect to a communications path 20 between the caller 4 and the IVR 2. The IVR 2 also has an ISDN interface 22 to provide a permanent ISDN primary rate connection 24 to the Internet 12. The tVR 2 is a standard IVR platform which includes the interfaces 18 and 22 and the text to speech module 16. The NR may, for example, be the First Contact IVR produced by Scitec. The text to speech module 16 may be the Learnout and Hauspie TruVoice module. The Internet 12 includes at least one server 14 which is able to eomxtlunieate with the page translator 10 using a standard protocol, such as HTTP, and stores prompt navigation language data, such. as WML or HDML data.
The modules 8, 10 and 16 and the interfaces 18 and 22 provide a voice browser for use by a caller 4. The modules 8, 10 and I G are preferably implemented by computer programs, but can be implemented entirely or partly by hardware circuits, such as an ASIC, and may also be distributed over different communicating systems., as would be understood by those skilled in the arc.
IS The call flow module 8 executes the steps described below with reference to Figure 2. When a caller 4 makes a call to the IVR 2 the module 8 uses the line interface I8 to esta.bli.sh a call with. the caller 4 and connect to and complete the call path 20 at step 30. The call flow module may await receipt of an identifying pin or security password to determine that the caller is authorised before proceeding to step 32. At step 32 the module 8 initialises z0 a session with the page translator module 10 by forwarding an initialising message to the translator module 10. In response, call flow 8 will receive a default home universal resource Locator (X.1RL) from the tiailslator 10 at seep 34, which is stored for the caller 4_ Call flow 8 then instructs the translator 10 at step 36, to access and download the data of the page at the location on the Internet 12 designated by the stored URL. Call flow 8 forwards the URL in 2~ a get page message, and the translator 10 obtains the page which is deconstructs into a number of data elements. In response to the get page message, the translator 10 returns to the call flow module a total nurzzber of elements for the page.
Call flow 8 sets an element number count el_num to 0 at step 38. It then determines 30 at step 40 whether the final or total element number has been exceeded for the currently requested page. This condition is a trap for an error and will normally always return false.
If it returns true and the final number is exceeded operation returns to step 34, otherwise vpezation proceeds to step 42. At step 42, the call flow module 8 instructs the translator 10, - J - .. . .. .. .. .
WO ~0/3U329 PCT/AU99/01015 using a get element message, to obtain the element el num of the page. The translator 10 returns the data element and the text string of :he element is forwarded, at step 44, to the text to speech. rxxodu).e 16 xor cozlversion izato cozrespoztding voice which is placed on the call path 20 for the caller 4 via the interface 18. The text strings of the data elements comprise voice data produced for the call flow module 8 by the translator 10.
The call flow module 8, at step 46, determines whether the element el num includes a prompt requiring return of a digit. If it does. operation proceeds to step 48 where voice delivery is lzal.ted and a prorrxpt provided for entry of a single key press by the caller 4. The caller 4 then needs to press a key on the caller's terminal 4 connected to the path 20 so as to forward a DTMF signal eorrcsponding to the key pressed to the call flow module 8 via the inter.fa.ce 18. The module 8 receives the signal corresponding to the single key press at step 50 which is returned in a get link message, at step 60, to the translator 10.
The translator IO
responds to tht get link message by returning a URI. to tha ca)). fi.ow module S wb.ich. i.s I5 received at step 62. The URL returned by the translator 10 is checked at step 64 to determine whether a null URL has been returned, in which case the existing page continues to be announced to the caller 4_ as the cal). flow module proceeds to step 58_ If the URL is not a null, then it is stored by the call flow module 8 at step 66 and operation reruns to step 36 to download the page corresponding to the new URL.
If the element el rum does not include a digit prompt, operation proceeds to step 52 to determine whether the element has a string prompt. A string prompt is one which galls for data entry by the caller so if the prompt is included in the element operation proceeds to step 54, where announcement to the caller is halted to await a sequence of key presses to be entered. The prompt will ask the user to enter the data used ixa the keys of flag terminal and then press a final digit, such as "#t" . 'then the call flow module 8 detects that a sequence of key presses have been fully entered at step 56, the data inputted is passed to step 60 for formulation in a get link nnessage for the translator IO_ If the clement cl rum does not include any prompts, as determined at steps 46 and 52, tine variable e1_num is incremented at Step 58 and operation returns to step 40. The call flow module 8 will cease execution of the steps when the caller 4 disconnects from the call path 20.
WO 00J303~9 PCT/AU99IOlOtS
The present invention relates to a data access system and method, and a voice browser.
The Internet provides acceSS to information and Qata resources on a scale which is unprecedented. The resources however are primarily limited to individuals who have access to a computer system with appropriate communications equipment and software that ezlables the system to connect to the Internet. For this reason the media continually refers to a current divide between Lhe information rich and the information poor, being those who have access to the Internet and those do not. One way of addressizxg this divide and facilitate wider access to individuals is to move away from requiring the access system to comprise the traditional computer system.
One line of development has focused on providing an access system which includes a telephone interface and voice browser software on a server connected to the Internet. The telephone interface allows az>,y person with a telephone to call the server and respond to voice prompts issued by the server by pressing keys of the telephone to forward the corresponding dual tone multifrequeney (DTM~ signals for the server. The DTMF responses received by the server arc used to instruct the voice browser to access World Wide Web pages from the Internet. The voice browser on receiving web pages encoded in hypertext markup language (HTML) includes translation software to deconstruct the pages znto voice data which is used co provide voice signals for the caller. There are however significant difficulties and problems associated with the translation of HTML pages into appropriate voice data for a caller.
Whilst the text of a HTML page can he directly translated into voice data considerable diffteulties are associated with the other data clemenu of a HTML page. HTML
is a language which is designed to provide a visual display on a computer screen, and accordingly the various display elements cannot be correctly dealt with, if at all, by the translation software of the voice browser. The various video and image formats, such as MPEG and JPEG, cannot be translated. Also a number of web sites utilise frames and tables in their HTML code which also gives rise to significant difficulties and complexity for the voice browser. The tendency for HTML pages is to include more and more visual elements, such as video azAd images, to attract users and this gives rise to significant difficulties for a voice browser.
J-.. v .... ~ ~ .. .. _ ,. .
WO OOI303?9 A separate, independent, line of development is based on the work of the wiz'eless application protocol (WAP) forum. which is described at http://www.wapforum.org. The forum and WAP is concerned with the delivery of data on a wi.zeless network and, in particular, th.e ability of wireless devices, such as mobile telephones, to access data resources, such as those available on the Internet. The WAP protocol is used by microbrowsers scored on wireless devices to access data information encoded in a particular forzz~wt for the WAP
protocol, such as the wireless markup language (WML). WML is a content language specifically developed for wireless devices with limped text displays and which use prompt driven navigation to display text and command menus. WML therefore allows delivery of text which can be selected. and requested using displayed prompts and the keys of a wireless device. Details concerning WAP and WML are available at http:/lwww.wapforum.org. A
similar protocol and language for delivery of content to wireless devices has been developed by Unwired Planet, lnc_ (n.ow known as Phonc.com. lnc.) of California and details concerning their handhold device transport protocol (HDTP) and their handheld device markup language (1-IDML) az'e available at http:/Iwww.uplanet.com (http:/lwww.phone.com). HDML
breaks text to be displayed on a wireless device into cards which can be moved betweea one another by selecting "accept" or "previous" keys on a handheld device. Soft keys arc also available for inclusion 1n the cards to navigate betwoen different cards based on display prompts. Data can also be keyed in on the wireless device in. response to a received prompt and forwarded back to a HDTP server. Whilst the work of the WAP forum and Unwired Planet is a significant advanee_ access to the content still requires a person to have access to a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, which includes a microbrowser that can request and display content encoded in WML or HDML.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a data access method, including:
connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data:
and con,vorting said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
f WO 00130329 PC'riAU9ai01ot5 Tk~e present invention also provides a data access system, including:
means for eontlecting to a caller using a voice call path;
means for receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
means for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request. Said location including Said data in a prompt navigation language;
means for receiving and translating said data in said prompt z~,avigation language into voice data; and means for converting said. voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
Th.e present invention also provides a voice browser stored on a computer readable storage medium, including:
code for receiving a request for data from a user;
code for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data. in a prompt navigation language;
code for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation l.azzguage into voice data; and code for converting said voice data to voice foz' said user.
In the context of the specification, a "prompt navigation language" is a content languase, such as WML or HDML, which includes text data followed by link data or prompt data. without visual layout data.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodime~ut of a data access system with a voice browser;
Figure 2 is a flow dzagrazn of steps cxacuted by a call flow module of the system; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram. of steps executed by a page translator of the system.
A data access system, as shown in Figure 1, includes an interactive voice response (IVR) platform 2 having a call flow module 8, a page translator module 10 and a text to' speech module 16 stored on the platform. The IVR 2 also includes a telecommunications interface 18 for terminating calls received. from a caller using a voice tcrtninal 4, such as a WO 00/303:9 PGT/AU99I01015 _ ,ø _ standard telephone, so as to complete and connect to a communications path 20 between the caller 4 and the IVR 2. The IVR 2 also has an ISDN interface 22 to provide a permanent ISDN primary rate connection 24 to the Internet 12. The tVR 2 is a standard IVR platform which includes the interfaces 18 and 22 and the text to speech module 16. The NR may, for example, be the First Contact IVR produced by Scitec. The text to speech module 16 may be the Learnout and Hauspie TruVoice module. The Internet 12 includes at least one server 14 which is able to eomxtlunieate with the page translator 10 using a standard protocol, such as HTTP, and stores prompt navigation language data, such. as WML or HDML data.
The modules 8, 10 and 16 and the interfaces 18 and 22 provide a voice browser for use by a caller 4. The modules 8, 10 and I G are preferably implemented by computer programs, but can be implemented entirely or partly by hardware circuits, such as an ASIC, and may also be distributed over different communicating systems., as would be understood by those skilled in the arc.
IS The call flow module 8 executes the steps described below with reference to Figure 2. When a caller 4 makes a call to the IVR 2 the module 8 uses the line interface I8 to esta.bli.sh a call with. the caller 4 and connect to and complete the call path 20 at step 30. The call flow module may await receipt of an identifying pin or security password to determine that the caller is authorised before proceeding to step 32. At step 32 the module 8 initialises z0 a session with the page translator module 10 by forwarding an initialising message to the translator module 10. In response, call flow 8 will receive a default home universal resource Locator (X.1RL) from the tiailslator 10 at seep 34, which is stored for the caller 4_ Call flow 8 then instructs the translator 10 at step 36, to access and download the data of the page at the location on the Internet 12 designated by the stored URL. Call flow 8 forwards the URL in 2~ a get page message, and the translator 10 obtains the page which is deconstructs into a number of data elements. In response to the get page message, the translator 10 returns to the call flow module a total nurzzber of elements for the page.
Call flow 8 sets an element number count el_num to 0 at step 38. It then determines 30 at step 40 whether the final or total element number has been exceeded for the currently requested page. This condition is a trap for an error and will normally always return false.
If it returns true and the final number is exceeded operation returns to step 34, otherwise vpezation proceeds to step 42. At step 42, the call flow module 8 instructs the translator 10, - J - .. . .. .. .. .
WO ~0/3U329 PCT/AU99/01015 using a get element message, to obtain the element el num of the page. The translator 10 returns the data element and the text string of :he element is forwarded, at step 44, to the text to speech. rxxodu).e 16 xor cozlversion izato cozrespoztding voice which is placed on the call path 20 for the caller 4 via the interface 18. The text strings of the data elements comprise voice data produced for the call flow module 8 by the translator 10.
The call flow module 8, at step 46, determines whether the element el num includes a prompt requiring return of a digit. If it does. operation proceeds to step 48 where voice delivery is lzal.ted and a prorrxpt provided for entry of a single key press by the caller 4. The caller 4 then needs to press a key on the caller's terminal 4 connected to the path 20 so as to forward a DTMF signal eorrcsponding to the key pressed to the call flow module 8 via the inter.fa.ce 18. The module 8 receives the signal corresponding to the single key press at step 50 which is returned in a get link message, at step 60, to the translator 10.
The translator IO
responds to tht get link message by returning a URI. to tha ca)). fi.ow module S wb.ich. i.s I5 received at step 62. The URL returned by the translator 10 is checked at step 64 to determine whether a null URL has been returned, in which case the existing page continues to be announced to the caller 4_ as the cal). flow module proceeds to step 58_ If the URL is not a null, then it is stored by the call flow module 8 at step 66 and operation reruns to step 36 to download the page corresponding to the new URL.
If the element el rum does not include a digit prompt, operation proceeds to step 52 to determine whether the element has a string prompt. A string prompt is one which galls for data entry by the caller so if the prompt is included in the element operation proceeds to step 54, where announcement to the caller is halted to await a sequence of key presses to be entered. The prompt will ask the user to enter the data used ixa the keys of flag terminal and then press a final digit, such as "#t" . 'then the call flow module 8 detects that a sequence of key presses have been fully entered at step 56, the data inputted is passed to step 60 for formulation in a get link nnessage for the translator IO_ If the clement cl rum does not include any prompts, as determined at steps 46 and 52, tine variable e1_num is incremented at Step 58 and operation returns to step 40. The call flow module 8 will cease execution of the steps when the caller 4 disconnects from the call path 20.
WO 00J303~9 PCT/AU99IOlOtS
The page translator module 10 operates in response to the messages received from the call flow module 8 and executes the steps described below with reference to Figure 3. The translator l0 accordingly wai.cs for a zxtessage from the call flow 8 at step 82, On. receiving a message. the message is stored at step 84 and action taken based on the form of the message is dctcrmincd in steps 86, 90, 96 and 102.
If the message is an initialising message, as determined at step 86, operation proceeds to step 88, otherwise operation procccds to step 90. At step 88. the translator 10 simpty forwards a default home page URI.. to call flow 8 and operation returns to step 82.
If the message is dctcrtnincd to be a get page message at step 90, operation proceeds to step 92, otherwise operation proceeds at step 96: At step 92 the translator 10 forwards a request for the page designated by the URL in the get page message to the Internet 12 via the interface 22. The URL is sent using HTTP to a web server 14 which stores content in WML
or HDML. The page retrieved by the translator is WML or HDML page. WML and HDML
pages only comprise text data followed by link data or text data followed by prompt data. No visual layout data can be included with WML or HDML pages. Formatting is also restricted corresponding to the restricted display requirements of wireless devices. The translator 10 deconstructs the downloaded page into a number of elements which comprise text data followed. by link data ox text data followed. by prompt data. The number of elerneztts in th.e page is then determined and forwarded to the call flow module S at step 94.
Operation then returns to step 82.
If at step 96, the translator 10 determines that the message is a get element message, operation proceeds to step 98. otherwise operation proceeds to step 102. At step 98 the element designated by the el num in the get element message is retrieved by the page translator and converted into voice data as a text string. 'Whilst the text in an clement is simply placed in the text string, the link or prompt data in an element needs to be handled differently.
For example link data including a URL to "CNN" is converted into a text string "press 1 for CNN or press 2 to continue". A string in this format is recognised by the call flow module as being a "digit" prompt, in that it requires a single response by selection from a number of possible responses, such as a binary response set.
PCTIAU99/Ot 015 Wp 00130329 For prompt data of the page, the data zxaay comprise for e~cample~
-~ ENTRY KEY = "variable" >
< ACT10N TASK= "GO" DEST= "http: J/foolcgi?$(variablc)" >
input your initials < /ENTRY >
This will be translated by the translator into the text string ac "input your initials by pressing the keys followed by a #". The call flow module recognises that a string in this format as being a "strzzig" prorxapt. The text string for the element el,num is then forwarded ZO to the call flow module 8 at step 100 and operation returns tv step 82.
If the translator 10 determines the message is a get link message at step 102, operation proceeds to step 104, otherwise operation returns to step 82. At step 104., the transistor 10 determines the link designated in the get link message which includes data corresponding to 15 DTMF signals returned by the caller d. The get li.t~k message also includes the element number el_num for which the data has been returned from the caller. Using the element number. the translator is able to determine whether the return data corresponds to a link or a prompt. For a iinh, using the example described above, if a DTMF si.gp.al corresponding to 1 is recutr~ed then the URL for CNN is obtained from the element stored by the translator 20 10. 1f a 2 is returned, then the translator simply provides a null URL for the link. If the get link message and the element number corresponds to a prompt, then variable substitution may need to be made for the URL obtained from the corresponding stored elenrtent.
Using the example described above, if the caller enters DBW# then the initials DBW arc substituted in the variable, and the link URL is determined to be http://foo/cgi?DBW. The link URL
25 determined at step 104 is then returned at step 106 to the call flow module 8, and operation returns to seep 82.
As will be apparent from the above, the call flow module 8 and page translator provide an efficient voice browser which has a number of significant advantages. As WML
30 and HDML are languages which are used by wireless device microbrowsers, content d.eveiopers are able to develop content for these microbrowsers as well as for people with telephones who can dial the rV'R platform 2. This content is therefore available to people who ', would ultimately not have had access to the content, because they do not possess a device with WD 00/30329 PCT/At799/01015 _g_ a microbrowser or a computer system with access to the Zntexnet.
The syntactical complexity axid visual display elements of HTML ensure that HTML
pages cannot be unambiguously or correctly decoded by a voice browser. Whilst HTML
content can be written to take a voice browser into account, this is invariably not the case, whereas the content and flow of control are clear and well defined in prompt navigation content languages such as WML and HDML. The prompt navigation languages are efficiently uci.Iised by the )iVR 2. The translation of WML or HDML pages by the 1'V'R 2 also does not introduce a significant processor load, and accordingly a larger number of simultaneous IO connections to callers 4 can be maintained without complex or expensive hardware.
Many modiFscations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, tkze 1VR platform may also include a speech recognition module co process voice responses from callers 4 instead of DTMF signals sent in response to key presses.
If the message is an initialising message, as determined at step 86, operation proceeds to step 88, otherwise operation procccds to step 90. At step 88. the translator 10 simpty forwards a default home page URI.. to call flow 8 and operation returns to step 82.
If the message is dctcrtnincd to be a get page message at step 90, operation proceeds to step 92, otherwise operation proceeds at step 96: At step 92 the translator 10 forwards a request for the page designated by the URL in the get page message to the Internet 12 via the interface 22. The URL is sent using HTTP to a web server 14 which stores content in WML
or HDML. The page retrieved by the translator is WML or HDML page. WML and HDML
pages only comprise text data followed by link data or text data followed by prompt data. No visual layout data can be included with WML or HDML pages. Formatting is also restricted corresponding to the restricted display requirements of wireless devices. The translator 10 deconstructs the downloaded page into a number of elements which comprise text data followed. by link data ox text data followed. by prompt data. The number of elerneztts in th.e page is then determined and forwarded to the call flow module S at step 94.
Operation then returns to step 82.
If at step 96, the translator 10 determines that the message is a get element message, operation proceeds to step 98. otherwise operation proceeds to step 102. At step 98 the element designated by the el num in the get element message is retrieved by the page translator and converted into voice data as a text string. 'Whilst the text in an clement is simply placed in the text string, the link or prompt data in an element needs to be handled differently.
For example link data including a URL to "CNN" is converted into a text string "press 1 for CNN or press 2 to continue". A string in this format is recognised by the call flow module as being a "digit" prompt, in that it requires a single response by selection from a number of possible responses, such as a binary response set.
PCTIAU99/Ot 015 Wp 00130329 For prompt data of the page, the data zxaay comprise for e~cample~
-~ ENTRY KEY = "variable" >
< ACT10N TASK= "GO" DEST= "http: J/foolcgi?$(variablc)" >
input your initials < /ENTRY >
This will be translated by the translator into the text string ac "input your initials by pressing the keys followed by a #". The call flow module recognises that a string in this format as being a "strzzig" prorxapt. The text string for the element el,num is then forwarded ZO to the call flow module 8 at step 100 and operation returns tv step 82.
If the translator 10 determines the message is a get link message at step 102, operation proceeds to step 104, otherwise operation returns to step 82. At step 104., the transistor 10 determines the link designated in the get link message which includes data corresponding to 15 DTMF signals returned by the caller d. The get li.t~k message also includes the element number el_num for which the data has been returned from the caller. Using the element number. the translator is able to determine whether the return data corresponds to a link or a prompt. For a iinh, using the example described above, if a DTMF si.gp.al corresponding to 1 is recutr~ed then the URL for CNN is obtained from the element stored by the translator 20 10. 1f a 2 is returned, then the translator simply provides a null URL for the link. If the get link message and the element number corresponds to a prompt, then variable substitution may need to be made for the URL obtained from the corresponding stored elenrtent.
Using the example described above, if the caller enters DBW# then the initials DBW arc substituted in the variable, and the link URL is determined to be http://foo/cgi?DBW. The link URL
25 determined at step 104 is then returned at step 106 to the call flow module 8, and operation returns to seep 82.
As will be apparent from the above, the call flow module 8 and page translator provide an efficient voice browser which has a number of significant advantages. As WML
30 and HDML are languages which are used by wireless device microbrowsers, content d.eveiopers are able to develop content for these microbrowsers as well as for people with telephones who can dial the rV'R platform 2. This content is therefore available to people who ', would ultimately not have had access to the content, because they do not possess a device with WD 00/30329 PCT/At799/01015 _g_ a microbrowser or a computer system with access to the Zntexnet.
The syntactical complexity axid visual display elements of HTML ensure that HTML
pages cannot be unambiguously or correctly decoded by a voice browser. Whilst HTML
content can be written to take a voice browser into account, this is invariably not the case, whereas the content and flow of control are clear and well defined in prompt navigation content languages such as WML and HDML. The prompt navigation languages are efficiently uci.Iised by the )iVR 2. The translation of WML or HDML pages by the 1'V'R 2 also does not introduce a significant processor load, and accordingly a larger number of simultaneous IO connections to callers 4 can be maintained without complex or expensive hardware.
Many modiFscations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, tkze 1VR platform may also include a speech recognition module co process voice responses from callers 4 instead of DTMF signals sent in response to key presses.
Claims (39)
1. A data access method, including:
connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data;
and converting said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data;
and converting said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
2. A data access method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said translating includes deconstructing the prompt language navigation data into data elements including text data, link data or prompt data.
3. A data access method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said translating includes converting the data elements to respective text strings which comprise said voice data.
4. A data access method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said translating includes converting said link data to a text string representing a prompt for a single response.
5. A data access method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said translating includes converting said prompt data into a text string which represents a prompt for a string response.
6. A data access method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said converting said voice data includes processing said data elements sequentially and awaiting a response from said caller when the data element represents a prompt.
7. A data access method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said receiving a request includes receiving an input as the response to said prompt and returning said input with identification data for the data element of said prompt.
8. A data access method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sending said request includes generating a communications request on the basis of said input and the data element corresponding to said identification data.
9. A data access method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said prompt navigation language is WML.
10. A data access method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said prompt navigation language is HDML.
11, A data access method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method is executed on an interactive voice response (IVR) platform.
12. A data access method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said communications network includes the IVR platform.
13. A data access method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said communications network includes the Internet.
14. A data access system, including:
means for connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
means for receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
means for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
means for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data; and means for convening said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
means for connecting to a caller using a voice call path;
means for receiving a request for data from said caller on said call path;
means for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
means for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data; and means for convening said voice data to voice for said caller on said call path.
15. A data access system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said translating means deconstructs the prompt language navigation data into data elements including text data, link data or prompt data.
16. A data access system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said translating means converts the data elements to respective text strings which comprise said voice data.
17. A data access system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said translating means converts said link data to a text string representing a prompt for a single response.
18. A data access system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said translating means converts said prompt data into a text string which represents a prompt for a string response.
19. A data access system as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein said converting means processes said data elements sequentially and awaits a response from said caller when the data element represents a prompt.
20. A data access system as claimed in claim 19. wherein said request receiving means receives an input as the response to said prompt and returns said input with identification data for the data element of said prompt.
21. A data access system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said sending means generates a communications request on the basis of said input and the data element corresponding to said identification data.
22. A data access system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein said prompt navigation language is WML.
23. A data access system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein said prompt navigation language is HDML.
24. An interactive voice response (IVR) platform comprising a data access system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 23.
25. A data access system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein said communications network includes the data access system.
26. A data access system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said communications network includes the Internet.
27, A voice browser stored on a computer readable storage medium, including:
code for receiving a request for data from a user;
code for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
code for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data; and code for converting said voice data to voice for said user.
code for receiving a request for data from a user;
code for sending said request to a location in a communications network determined by said request, said location including said data in a prompt navigation language;
code for receiving and translating said data in said prompt navigation language into voice data; and code for converting said voice data to voice for said user.
28. A voice browser as claimed in claim 27, wherein said translating code is adapted to deconstruct the prompt language navigation data into data elements including text data, link data or prompt data.
29. A voice browser as claimed in claim 28, wherein said translating code is adapted to convert the data elements to respective text strings which comprise said voice data.
30. A voice browser as claimed in claim 29. wherein said translating code is adapted to concert said link data to a text string representing a prompt for a binary response.
31. A voice browser as claimed in claim 29, wherein said translating code is adapted to convert said prompt data into a text string which represents a prompt for a string response.
32. A voice browser as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein said. converting code is adapted to process said data elements sequentially and await a response from said caller when the data element represents a prompt.
33. A voice browser as claimed in claim 32, wherein said request receiving code is adapted to receive an input as the response to said prompt and return said input with identification data for the data element of said prompt.
-13-~
-13-~
34. A voice browser as claimed in claim 33, wherein said sending code is adapted to generate a communications request on the basis of said input and the data element corresponding to said identification data.
35. A voice browser as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein said prompt navigation language is WML.
36. A voice browser as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein said prompt navigation language is HDML.
37. A voice browser as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 36, adapted to execute on an interactive voice response (IVR) platform.
38. A voice browser as claimed in claim 37, wherein said communications network includes the IVR platform.
39. A voice browser as claimed in claim 38, wherein said communications network includes the Internet.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPP7135A AUPP713598A0 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1998-11-17 | A data access system and method |
| AUPP7135 | 1998-11-17 | ||
| PCT/AU1999/001015 WO2000030329A1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-17 | A data access system and method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2351517A1 true CA2351517A1 (en) | 2000-05-25 |
Family
ID=3811345
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002351517A Abandoned CA2351517A1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-17 | A data access system and method |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1131940A4 (en) |
| AU (1) | AUPP713598A0 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2351517A1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ511732A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000030329A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2364480B (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2004-07-14 | Mitel Corp | Method of using speech recognition to initiate a wireless application (WAP) session |
| EP1178656A1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2002-02-06 | Passcall Advanced Technologies Ltd | System and method for computerless surfing of an information network |
| GB0028810D0 (en) | 2000-11-25 | 2001-01-10 | Hewlett Packard Co | Voice communication concerning a local entity |
| ITTO20010179A1 (en) | 2001-02-28 | 2002-08-28 | Cselt Centro Studi Lab Telecom | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESS TO MULTIMEDIA STRUCTURES. |
| BR0207508A (en) * | 2001-02-28 | 2004-03-02 | Telecom Italia Spa | System and method for access to multimedia structures |
| GB0121150D0 (en) | 2001-08-31 | 2001-10-24 | Mitel Knowledge Corp | Menu presentation system |
| JP2003163745A (en) * | 2001-11-28 | 2003-06-06 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Telephone set, interactive responder, interactive responding terminal, and interactive response system |
| GB2463279A (en) * | 2008-09-06 | 2010-03-10 | Martin Tomlinson | Wireless computer access system |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9603582D0 (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 1996-04-17 | Hewlett Packard Co | Method of accessing service resource items that are for use in a telecommunications system |
| AU1566497A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1997-07-17 | Rutgers University | Method and system for audio access to information in a wide area computer network |
| US5953392A (en) * | 1996-03-01 | 1999-09-14 | Netphonic Communications, Inc. | Method and apparatus for telephonically accessing and navigating the internet |
| KR19990028327A (en) * | 1996-04-22 | 1999-04-15 | 제프리 엠. 웨이닉 | Method and device for retrieving information using audio interface |
| GB2317070A (en) * | 1996-09-07 | 1998-03-11 | Ibm | Voice processing/internet system |
| WO1998013993A1 (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1998-04-02 | British Telecommunications Public Limited Company | Apparatus for communications service provision |
| US5915001A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1999-06-22 | Vois Corporation | System and method for providing and using universally accessible voice and speech data files |
| US6282511B1 (en) * | 1996-12-04 | 2001-08-28 | At&T | Voiced interface with hyperlinked information |
| JPH10271223A (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 1998-10-09 | Lucent Technol Inc | Access supply device/method for web information |
-
1998
- 1998-11-17 AU AUPP7135A patent/AUPP713598A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
1999
- 1999-11-17 NZ NZ511732A patent/NZ511732A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-11-17 EP EP99957737A patent/EP1131940A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-11-17 CA CA002351517A patent/CA2351517A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-11-17 WO PCT/AU1999/001015 patent/WO2000030329A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1131940A1 (en) | 2001-09-12 |
| EP1131940A4 (en) | 2004-12-15 |
| NZ511732A (en) | 2003-03-28 |
| AUPP713598A0 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
| WO2000030329A1 (en) | 2000-05-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |