Computer-implemented voice markup language-based server
View Patent ↗A computer-implemented method and system for a telephony server to provide services based upon a call from a user. A user communicates with the telephony server over a telephone communication device. The telephony server retrieves a voice application over a computer network from a remote web site and uses it to have a speech-based conversation with the user. The conversation results in obtaining service data from the user. The retrieved voice application performs the requested service based upon the user-provided service data. After the requested service is performed, the voice application and the user service data are removed from the telephony server.
1. A computer-implemented method for providing services based upon a telephone call from a user, comprising:
receiving the telephone call at a telephony server;
determining, by the telephony server, that a service is needed to process the telephone call;
transmitting, by the telephony server, characteristics of the needed service to a resource hosting retrievable voice applications, wherein the resource is configured to identify, based on the characteristics and a criterion, a specific voice application of the retrievable voice applications, and to transmit the specific voice application to the telephony server;
receiving, by the telephony server, the specific voice application; and
executing, by the telephony server, the specific voice application, wherein the specific voice application engages in a speech-based conversation with the user for fulfilling a user's request.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the resource from which the voice application is retrieved exacts a price for a service of providing an appropriate voice application.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the price is inclusion of a voice advertisement in interaction with the user.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein a cache is provided accessible to the telephony server, and the specific voice application is stored for a pre-determined time in the cache.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the telephony server consults the cache for a voice application associated with a dialed number.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the voice application is a voice XML application, and the executing includes invoking a voice XML interpreter for engaging in the speech-based conversation with the user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resource is a web server coupled to the telephony server over the wide area network.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the specific voice application is identified and transmitted in response to determining that the specific voice application is compatible with a characteristic of the telephony server.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the criterion comprises attributes of the telephony server.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the retrievable voice applications are stored in a database structured according to a taxonomy that classifies voice applications.
11. A telephony server, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor and having instructions stored therein, that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
receive the telephone call;
determine, by the telephony server, that a service is needed to process the telephone call;
transmit characteristics of the needed service to a resource hosting retrievable voice applications, wherein the resource is configured to identify, based on the characteristics and a criterion, a specific voice application of the retrievable voice applications, and to transmit the specific voice application to the telephony server;
receive the specific voice application; and
execute the specific voice application, wherein the specific voice application engages in a speech-based conversation with the user for fulfilling a user's request.
12. The server of claim 11 wherein the resource from which the voice application is retrieved exacts a price for a service of providing an appropriate voice application.
13. The server of claim 12 wherein the price is inclusion of a voice advertisement in interaction with the user.
14. The server of claim 11 wherein a cache is provided accessible to the telephony server, and specific voice application is stored for a pre-determined time in the cache.
15. The server of claim 14 wherein the telephony server consults the cache for a voice application associated with a dialed number.