IP Library Granted Patent US 9,516,165
Granted Patent B1
US 9,516,165 · App. 14/226,472 · Granted Dec 6, 2016

IVR engagements and upfront background noise

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,516,165
App. No.
14/226,472
Granted
Dec 6, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention pertain to reducing or eliminating speech recognition error when background noise is detected at a caller's location. For example, when background noise is detected at the caller's location, the caller may be prompted to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF).

Claims (30)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

memory comprising a set of instructions; and

at least one processor, wherein

the set of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to:

listen for background noise at a location of a caller when a call is received,

determine whether there is a sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller prior to playing a message to the caller,

determine whether the sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller would make speech recognition impossible based on a signal strength of the background noise, and

prompt the caller to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) when the signal strength of the background noise is determined to be excessive.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to instruct the caller to use speech recognition during the call when the background noise is not excessive.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to determine whether speech recognition error occurred during the call.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to instruct the caller to use the DTMF when speech recognition error is detected during the call.

5. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

listening, by a computing system, for background noise at a location of a caller when a call is received;

determining whether there is a sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller prior to playing a message to the caller;

determine whether the sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller would make speech recognition impossible based on the signal strength of the background noise; and

prompting, by the computing system, the caller to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) when the signal strength of the background noise is determined to be excessive.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , further comprising:

instructing the caller, by the computing system, to use speech recognition during the call when the background noise is not excessive.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 ,

determining, by the computing system, whether speech recognition error occurred during the call.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , further comprising:

instructing the caller, by the computing system, to use the DTMF when speech recognition error is detected during the call.

9. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program configured to cause at least one processor to:

listen for background noise at a location of a caller when a call is received,

determine whether there is a sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller prior to playing a message to the caller,

determine whether the sufficient degree of background noise at the location of the caller would make speech recognition impossible based on a signal strength of the background noise, and

prompt the caller to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) when the signal strength of the background noise is determined to be excessive.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the computer program is further configured to cause the at least one processor to instruct the caller to use speech recognition during the call when the background noise is not excessive.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the computer program is further configured to cause the at least one processor to determine whether speech recognition error occurred during the call.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the computer program is further configured to cause the at least one processor to instruct the caller to use the DTMF when speech recognition error is detected during the call.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; WEST NOTIFICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062201/0987 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2017
From: WEST CORPORATION
To: OPEN INVENTION NETWORK, LLC
Reel/Frame 044791/0681 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2017
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEST CORPORATION; WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION; WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.; WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC.; RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 044363/0380 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2014
From: WEST CORPORATION, AS GRANTOR; WEST NOTIFICATIONS, AS GRANTOR
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033204/0215 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2014
From: MOORE, SHELLEY L.
To: WEST CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032533/0857 →