Voice over IP method for developing interactive voice response system

1. A method for a personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service node client which may be configured for data communication with an IVR server in an Internet telephony network, the method comprising:

in conjunction with the IVR server, creating custom operational features of the IVR server to be used when handling received Internet telephony calls from a caller at the personal IVR service node client; and

establishing a client-server relationship between the personal IVR service node client and the IVR server and communicating to the IVR server personal IVR service node information from the personal IVR service node client during an Internet telephony call received at the IVR server using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

setting a set of conditions in the personal IVR service node client;

setting a set of actions in the personal IVR service node client;

associating a condition with an action such that upon happening of a predetermined condition, a predetermined action happens; and

communicating the set of conditions, the set of actions and the associations to the IVR server as the personal IVR service node information.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

performing an action associated with a condition in the personal IVR service node client.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

setting an outgoing message in the personal IVR service node client; and

setting a password in the personal IVR service node client.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

managing the custom operational features of the IVR server.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein managing the custom operational features of the IVR server comprises authenticating a person accessing the personal IVR service node client as a subscriber.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein managing the custom operational features of the IVR server comprises:

recording a message in the personal IVR service node client;

specifying an addressee of the recorded message in the personal IVR service node client;

retrieving a message at the personal IVR service node client; and

routing a message in the personal IVR service node client.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein recording a message in the personal IVR service node client further comprises receiving the message; storing the message as one of a Dual Tone Multiple Frequency signal, a voice mail and an electronic mail.

9. The method of claim 7 ,

wherein the step of routing a message in the personal IVR service node client further comprises routing messages to one of a phone number, a voice mail box, and an email address.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein retrieving a message at the personal IVR service node client comprises:

retrieving personal IVR service node message messages in response to a combination of voice telephone input from a subscriber via customer premise equipment in communication with the personal IVR service node client;

retrieving the personal IVR service node client messages in response to a touch-tone keypad selection received from a subscriber via customer premise equipment in communication with the personal IVR service node client; and

retrieving the personal IVR service node messages via a personal computer in communication with the personal IVR service node client.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein managing the custom operational features of the IVR server comprises:

conducting statistical analysis of the personal IVR service node client usage.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

modifying the custom operational features of the IVR server.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein modifying the custom operational features of the IVR server comprises:

modifying a prompt to be communicated by the personal IVR service node client; and

modifying actions associated with the prompt at the personal IVR service node client.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein modifying the custom operational features of the IVR server comprises:

modifying an outgoing message at the personal IVR service node client; and

modifying a password in the personal IVR service node.

15. A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service node client configured for data communication with an IVR server in an Internet telephony network, the personal IVR service node client comprising:

an application operable in conjunction with the IVR server to allow a subscriber to create and modify custom operational features of the IVR server to be used when handling received Internet telephony calls from a caller at the personal IVR service node client; and

facilities in communication with the IVR server for maintaining a client-server relationship between the personal IVR service node client and the IVR server and communicating from the personal IVR service node client to the IVR server personal IVR service node information during an Internet telephony call received at the IVR server using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology.

16. The personal IVR service node client of claim 15 further comprising:

a user interface to control operation of the personal IVR service node client.

17. The personal IVR service node client of claim 15 wherein the application is configured to transmit a subscriber specified message to the caller; prompt the caller to leave a message for the subscriber; and record the caller's message, if any.

18. The personal IVR service node client of claim 17 wherein the application is further configured to prompt the caller for an access code.

19. The personal IVR service node client of claim 17 wherein the application is further configured to contact the IVR server for transmitting personal IVR service node information.

20. The personal IVR service node client of claim 19 wherein the application is further configured to convert received voice units into data, split the data into data packets and transmit the data packets to the IVR server using VoIP technology.