U.S. patent application number 12/427424 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for multi-channel quiet calls.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Elizabeth F. Churchill, Laurent Denoue, Lester D. Nelson, William N. Schilit.
Application Number | 20090257565 12/427424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21823390 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090257565 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Lester D. ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
MULTI-CHANNEL QUIET CALLS
Abstract
A system and method for simultaneously conducting multiple
telephone conversations is provided. In an embodiment, a user
converses with one individual on a first channel while
simultaneously transmitting audible utterances to a second
individual or a second channel. The user can select the desired
channel or channels and a desired phrase and an electronic
representation of the selected phrase is transmitted over the
selected channel(s).
Inventors: |
Nelson; Lester D.; (Santa
Clara, CA) ; Denoue; Laurent; (Palo Alto, CA)
; Schilit; William N.; (Menlo Park, CA) ;
Churchill; Elizabeth F.; (San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLIESLER MEYER LLP
650 CALIFORNIA STREET, 14TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94108
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
21823390 |
Appl. No.: |
12/427424 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10024982 |
Dec 18, 2001 |
7546143 |
|
|
12427424 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/68 ;
379/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/68 ;
379/157 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/64 20060101
H04M001/64; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A method for a first user to communicate with a second user and
a third user over multiple channels comprising the steps of: (a)
communicating audibly over a first channel between the first user
and the second user; and (b) initiating a new communication over a
second channel between the first user and the third user, the
second channel being capable of transmitting an audible input from
the third user only to the first user while being capable of
transmitting audible signals corresponding to a first user's silent
input from the first user to the third user, by performing the
following steps: (1) selecting the second channel; (2) selecting a
phrase which can be predefined, recorded as needed, or
synthetically generated on demand; (3) generating an audible
utterance representative of the selected phrase; and (4) providing
the audible utterance over the selected second channel only while
communicating over the first channel simultaneously.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a second
channel further includes selecting a plurality of channels, and
wherein the step of providing the audible utterance over the
selected second channel further includes providing the audible
utterance over the plurality of selected channels.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating an audible
utterance includes the step of obtaining an internal representation
of a phrase element associated with the selected phrase and
generating an audible utterance based on the internal phrase
element.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a second
channel includes selecting a graphical representation of said
second channel using a graphical user interface.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a phrase
includes selecting a graphical representation of said phrase using
a graphical user interface.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the graphical representation of
said phrase is selected from a group consisting of an icon, a
symbol, a figure, a graph, a checkbox, a GUI widget, a graphics
button, and a pulldown menu button.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said internal representation of
said selected phrase is obtained from a host computer.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step generating an audible
utterance includes text-to-speech processing.
9. A multi-channel telecommunication system, comprising: (a) an
audio input; (b) a channel representation; (c) a phrase
representation which can be predefined, recorded as needed, or
synthetically generated on demand; (d) a display capable of
displaying a channel representation and a phrase representation;
(e) a memory capable of storing the channel representation, phrase
representation and a phrase element associated with the phrase
representation, wherein the phrase element has an internal
representation of an audible utterance; (f) a processor, coupled to
the audio input, display and memory, wherein the processor
initiates a first control signal and a second control signal not in
response to an incoming communication; (g) an audio generator,
coupled to the processor and memory, wherein the audio generator
generates an audible utterance responsive to the first control
signal and the phrase element; and, (h) a channel selector, coupled
to the processor and audio generator, wherein the channel selector
selects a channel responsive to the second control signal and
provides the audible utterance over the selected channel only while
communicating over another channel and being capable of receiving
an audible input over the selected channel.
10. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the multi-channel telecommunication system further comprises: (i)
an audio mixer, coupled to the processor and channel selector,
mixing audio received from said channel selector.
11. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the phrase representation and channel representation are displayed
in a graphic user interface (GUI).
12. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the multi-channel telecommunication system further comprises: (i)
an audio monitor, coupled to the processor of channel selector,
monitoring an audio level received from said channel selector.
13. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the channel representation is selected from a group consisting of a
text and a label.
14. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the internal representation is in a format selected from a group
consisting of a sound file, a record or playback, a text and a
Musical Instrument Digital Interface ("MIDI") sequence.
15. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the internal representation is obtained from a host computer.
16. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the first control signal is generated in response to a user
selecting the phrase representation and the second control signal
is generated in response to a user selecting the channel
representation.
17. The multi-channel telecommunication system of claim 9, wherein
the phrase representation and channel representation are selected
from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a barcode, a label,
a glyph, and Braille.
18. A general purpose computing device, comprising: (a) a display,
capable of displaying a channel representation and a phrase
representation; (b) a memory, capable of storing the channel
representation, phrase representation, and a phrase element
associated with the phrase representation, wherein the phrase
element can be predefined, recorded as needed; or synthetically
generated on demand and has an internal representation of an
audible utterance; (c) a processor, coupled to the display and
memory, wherein the processor initiates to generate a first control
signal responsive to selection of the channel representation and a
second control signal responsive to selection of the phrase
representation; (d) an audio generator, coupled to the processor
and memory, wherein the audio generator generates an audible
utterance responsive to the second control signal and the phrase
element; and (e) a channel selector, coupled to the processor and
audio generator, wherein the channel selector activates a channel
responsive to the first control signal and provides the audible
utterance over the selected channel only not in response to an
incoming communication while communicating over another channel and
being capable of receiving an audible input over the selected
channel.
19. The general purpose computing device of claim 18, wherein the
display is a touchscreen display.
20. The general purpose computing device of claim 18, wherein the
channel representation and phrase representation are displayed in a
Graphic User Interface ("GUI").
21. The general purpose computing device of claim 18, wherein the
general purpose computing device is a personal digital
assistant.
22. A telecommunication infrastructure, comprising: (a) a first
electronic device, coupled to the telecommunication infrastructure
over a first channel; (b) a second electronic device, coupled to
the telecommunication infrastructure over a second channel; (c) a
third electronic device, coupled to the telecommunication
infrastructure, capable of selecting the first channel or the
second channel and selecting a phrase representation which can be
predefined, recorded as needed, or synthetically generated on
demand; and, (d) a processing device, coupled to the
telecommunication infrastructure, capable of storing: 1) a phrase
element associated with the phrase representation; and, 2) a
software program for providing an audible utterance over the
selected first or second channel only in response to a selected
phrase representation while permitting the third electronic device
to communicate over the unselected second or first channel and
being capable of receiving an audible input over the selected
channel.
23. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
third electronic device generates an in-band signal in response to
a phrase representation selection and a channel representation
selection.
24. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
third electronic device generates an out-of-band signal in response
to a phrase representation selection and a channel representation
selection.
25. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 23, wherein the
signal is a Dual-Tone Multi Frequency ("DTMF") signal.
26. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
phrase representation is selected from the group consisting of an
icon, a symbol, a figure, a graph, a checkbox, a GUI widget and a
graphics button.
27. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
phrase representation is selected from the group consisting of a
text and a label.
28. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
processing device is a computer coupled to the Internet.
29. The telecommunication infrastructure of claim 22, wherein the
processing device is a relay between the first electronic device,
the second electronic device, and the third electronic device.
30. A method for a user to communicate with a plurality of
recipients over a plurality of channels, comprising steps of: (a)
communicating over a first channel with a first recipient; (b)
selecting a channel for generating an audible utterance; (c)
selecting a phrase representation which can be predefined, recorded
as needed, or synthetically generated on demand; and, (d)
generating an audible utterance only over said selected channel
based on said selected phrase representation while communicating
over the first channel and being capable of receiving an audible
input over the selected channel.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein audio input from said plurality
of channels are mixed.
32. The method of claim 30, further including the step of:
obtaining an internal representation of a phrase element associated
with said selected phrase representation.
33. The method of claim 30, said step of selecting a channel for
generating an audible utterance includes the steps of: accessing a
channel representation; and, selecting a channel
representation.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein said channel representation is
displayed on a graphical user interface.
35. The method of claim 30, said step of selecting a phrase for
generating an audible utterance includes the steps of: accessing a
phrase representation; and, selecting a phrase representation.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein said phrase representation is
displayed on a graphical user interface.
37. The method of claim 1, wherein audio input from said multiple
channels are mixed.
38. The method of claim 1, wherein a graphical representation of
audio on a second channel can be visually displayed to a user.
39. The method of claim 1, wherein data for phrase elements and
phrase representations is extracted from stored information on a
host computer.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the extracted data is
appointment information from a calendar application.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein text-to-speech generation or
predefined audio vocabularies is used to vocalize the appointment
information.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/024,982 filed Dec. 18, 2001 by Lester D. Nelson, et
al., entitled "MULTI-CHANNEL QUIET CALLS."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to telecommunications.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0003] The following U.S. patents are assigned to the assignee of
the present application, and their disclosures are incorporated
herein by reference:
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,342 by Lester D. Nelson, issued Sep. 6,
2005, entitled "METHOD FOR GENERATING CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A
REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET SELECTION."
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,184 by Lester D. Nelson, issued Nov. 23,
2004, entitled "PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT FOR GENERATING
CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION."
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,013,279 by Lester D. Nelson, issued Mar. 14,
2006, entitled "PERSONAL COMPUTER AND SCANNER FOR GENERATING
CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION."
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,106,852 by Lester D. Nelson and Sara Bly,
issued Sep. 12, 2006, entitled "TELEPHONE ACCESSORY FOR GENERATING
CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION."
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 7,286,649 by Lester D. Nelson, Daniel C.
Swinehart, and Tomas Sokoler, issued Oct. 23, 2007, entitled
"TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GENERATING CONVERSATION
UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION."
BACKGROUND
[0009] Telecommunication infrastructures provide the ability to
converse with a party and be notified of other incoming calls,
(i.e. "call waiting"). In addition to being notified of incoming
calls, individuals can place an existing call on hold and transfer
to another call, or set up conference calls and simultaneously
converse and hear multiple parties at the same time.
[0010] The ability to be notified of incoming calls (i.e. call
waiting) has some negative aspects. For example, when a party is
conversing on one call ("call 1") and they are notified of a second
incoming call ("call 2") they must either place the exiting
conversation on hold and switch to the other call or ignore the
incoming call altogether. Typical responses to the incoming call
are "I'm on the other line, can you wait a minute?" or "I'm on the
other line, I'll call you back." Once they have informed the
incoming call or of their situation they then return to the
original call.
[0011] Conference calls also have some negative aspects. For
example, during a conference call including caller A, Caller B, and
Caller C, each caller can hear the conversation of each of the
other callers. Currently, there is no way for Caller A to speak
privately with Caller B so that Caller C cannot hear the
conversation unless he contacts him using another telephone
connection.
[0012] Therefore, there is a desire to provide a system and method
for transmitting information to other callers without interrupting
an existing conversation. Additionally, there is a desire to
provide a system and method for mixing audio from multiple
telephone connections for a party to hear simultaneously while
being able to converse with only selected individuals.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention allow people to
converse with at least one party while concurrently relaying
information to other parties on other channels.
[0014] The invention, roughly described, comprises a method for
communicating over multiple channels. The method may include the
steps of communicating over a first channel, selecting a second
channel, selecting a phrase and obtaining an internal
representation of a phrase element associated with the selected
phrase. Once a phrase has been selected, an audible utterance is
generated based on the internal phrase element that is provided
over the selected second channel.
[0015] In one aspect, the invention comprises a multi-channel
telecommunication system. The multi-channel telecommunication
system includes an audio input, a channel representation, and a
phrase representation. The channel and phrase representation are
stored on memory. A phrase element associated with the phrase
representation wherein the phrase element has an internal
representation of an audible utterance may also be stored in the
memory. A processor coupled to the audio input, display and memory,
provides a first control signal and a second control signal, and an
audio generator generates an audible utterance responsive to the
first control signal and the conversation element. A channel
selector coupled to the processor and audio generator, selects a
channel responsive to the second control signal and provides the
audible utterance over the selected channel.
[0016] In a further aspect, the system may comprise a plurality of
input channels a processing device for storing an internal
representation of a phrase element and a scanning device, coupled
with the processing device, for reading a first code associated
with the phrase element and for reading a second code associated
with at least one of said input channels. The processing device
provides an audible utterance over the channel associated with said
second code in response to reading the first code and the second
code.
[0017] In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a general
purpose computing device, such as personal digital assistant, a
laptop, personal computer, etc. The general purpose computing
device may include a display, displaying a channel representation
and a phrase representation, and a memory for storing the channel
representation, phrase representation and a phrase element
associated with the phrase representation. The phrase element has
an internal representation of an audible utterance. A processor,
coupled to the display and memory, generates a first control signal
responsive to selection of the channel representation and a second
control signal response to selection of the phrase representation.
An audio generator, coupled to the processor and memory, generates
an audible utterance responsive to the second control signal and
the phrase element and a channel selector, coupled to the processor
and audio generator, activates a channel responsive to the first
control signal and provides the audible utterance over the selected
channel.
[0018] A further aspect of the invention comprises a
telecommunication infrastructure. The infrastructure may include a
first electronic device, coupled to the telecommunication
infrastructure over a first channel, a second electronic device,
coupled to the telecommunication infrastructure over a second
channel, and a third electronic device, coupled to the
telecommunication infrastructure. The third electronic device is
used for selecting the first channel or the second channel and
selecting a phrase representation. A processing device, coupled to
the telecommunication infrastructure, stores a phrase element
associated with the phrase representation, and a software program
for providing an audible utterance over the selected first or
second channel in response to a selected phrase representation.
[0019] In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method for
communicating with a plurality of recipients over a plurality of
channels. The method may comprise the steps of communicating over a
first channel with a first recipient, receiving an indication over
a second channel of a second recipient, selecting a channel for
generating an audible utterance selecting a phrase representation,
and generating an audible utterance over the selected channel based
on the selected phrase representation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call system, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call personal
computer ("PC"), according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates a simplified block diagram of conducting
a conversation with a Multi-Channel Quiet Call system, according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3B illustrates a simplified block diagram of conducting
a conversation with a Multi-Channel Quiet Call system, according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates a simplified block diagram for preparing
Multi-Channel Quiet Call conversation structures, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4B illustrates a simplified block diagram for preparing
Multi-Channel Quiet Call conversation structures, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is an impedance matching circuit schematic, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a Multi-Channel Quiet Call flowchart, according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call graphical user
interface ("GUI"), according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call personal
digital assistant ("PDA"), according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile telephone displaying a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call GUI, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a Multi-Channel Quiet Call processing
device and scanner, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates a paper having bar codes as conversation
representations used in a Multi-Channel Quiet Call processing
device and scanner, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 13 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call telephone
accessory device, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call
telecommunications infrastructure, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0035] FIGS. 15A-15B illustrate a Multi-Channel Quiet Call state
diagram, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate a Multi-Channel Quiet Call in-band
telecommunication infrastructure, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 17 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call out-of-band
telecommunication infrastructure, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIGS. 18A-18H illustrate a VoIP telecommunication
infrastructure, according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0039] FIG. 19 illustrates a Graphical User Interface of channel
representation and phrase representation, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. Overview
[0040] The method and system described herein (generally known as
"Multi-Channel Quiet Calls" or "Multi-Channel Quiet Call
technology") provides the ability for a participant to deal
concurrently with multiple communication channels (e.g., two or
more telephone calls). All participants are allowed to continue
using audible technology (e.g., a telephone) over normal
telecommunication infrastructures. Embodiments of the present
invention transform a user's silent input selections into
equivalent audible signals that may be directly transmitted to a
recipient on a specific communication channel.
[0041] An embodiment of a Multi-Channel Quiet Call system is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The Multi-Channel Quiet Call system may
include a first individual 11, a second individual 16, and a third
individual 17. Individual 16 attempts to communicate with
individual 17 over telecommunication infrastructure 12.
Specifically, individual 16 uses a telephone 18 to dial a telephone
13 of individual 17.
[0042] While individual 16 is communicating with individual 17,
individual 11 attempts to communicate with individual 17 over
telecommunication infrastructure 12. Specifically, individual 11
uses a telephone 19 to dial the telephone 13 of individual 17.
Multi-Channel Quiet Call technology 14 allows individual 17 to
relay audible information to individual 11 without interrupting the
conversation being conducted with individual 16.
[0043] A. Advantages
[0044] The present embodiments of the invention have at least the
following advantages for both placing and receiving multiple
telephone calls. First, an individual can concurrently interact
over multiple communication channels. Non-audible input operations
(pressing a key or button, touching a display) are translated into
appropriate audio phrases and relayed to a designated recipient or
recipients.
[0045] Second, the relayed phrase is conducted audibly for the
recipients.
[0046] Third, the phrases permitted are expressive. Expressive
representations for different kinds of phrases may be defined
(e.g., lists of phrases suitable for greetings and answering
incoming calls--"Hello, I'll be right there," "Hello, I cannot talk
now, please leave a message," etc. Phrase structures may be
predefined, recorded as needed, or synthetically generated on
demand (e.g., text-to-speech).
[0047] Fourth, the communication interface is easy to use when a
user is engaged in other calls or activities. The interface
includes channel and phrase representations so that they may be
easy to recognize (e.g., icon, text label) and invoke (e.g., point
and click). The phrase representations may be grouped into any type
of organizational structure, or left ungrouped. For example, the
phrase representations may be grouped by individuals (e.g.: indexed
by caller identification), by category (e.g.: greetings,
information, goodbyes), etc.
[0048] Fifth, the communication interface is situation-appropriate.
The interface is designed to fit unobtrusively into different
situations (e.g., a pen interface for an individual, a control
panel for a receptionist, etc.).
[0049] Sixth, embodiments of the present invention operate within
an existing communication infrastructure. An embodiment uses
available resources that an individual is likely to have (e.g., PC,
PDA, data-capable cellular telephone) and/or adding low-cost
components to assist in the transformations. The interface may be
implemented on a wide variety of hardware that are interchangeable
during or between calls and interoperable with each other over
existing communication channels.
[0050] Seventh, embodiments of the present invention may be used
concurrently with a "Quiet Call system." An example of such a quiet
call system is described in above incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,941,342, entitled "METHOD FOR GENERATING CONVERSATION UTTERANCES
TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET SELECTION," 7,013,279
entitled "PERSONAL COMPUTER AND SCANNER FOR GENERATING CONVERSATION
UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET SELECTION,"
6,823,184 entitled "PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT FOR GENERATING
CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION," 7,106,852 entitled "TELEPHONE ACCESSORY FOR GENERATING
CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET
SELECTION," and 7,286,649 entitled "TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GENERATING CONVERSATION UTTERANCES TO A REMOTE
LISTENER IN RESPONSE TO A QUIET SELECTION."
[0051] Eighth, according to an embodiment, audio input from
multiple channels may be mixed so an individual can simultaneously
monitor more than one channel. For example, if an individual is on
hold and an incoming call is received, audio from the two calls can
be mixed and the individual can conduct a conversation and
simultaneously monitor the progress of the call on hold.
Alternatively, a graphical representation of audio on a second
channel can be visually displayed to a user.
[0052] B. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call Example
[0053] Amy, a receptionist at a law firm, is conducting her daily
routine of receiving incoming calls and routing them to various
attorneys, staff, and other office personnel.
[0054] Early that morning Bob, a client of the firm, calls wanting
to speak to Chad, an associate attorney at the firm, regarding a
very important case that Chad has been handling for Bob. Just as
Amy is answering Bob's phone call, a second call from Dennis is
received. Dennis, a senior partner at the firm, is currently in an
arbitration meeting and is at critical decision point and needs to
speak with another attorney at the office to clarify a particular
issue. Amy knows that she can take the first call from Bob and
concurrently communicate to the second caller, Dennis, that she
will be with him in just a moment using the Multi-Channel Quiet
Call System.
[0055] As Amy takes the first call, with her well-rehearsed
greeting, "Thank you for calling the X,Y,Z firm, how may I direct
your call," she also directs to Dennis, with a click of a button,
the verbalized greeting "Thank you for calling the X,Y,Z firm, I
will be with you in a moment." Once Amy has directed the call from
Bob to Chad's office she then switches to Dennis and directs his
call to Eugene, an available attorney who has been helping Dennis
prepare for the arbitration. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call system
allows Amy to quickly defer an incoming call while simultaneously
conversing on another call.
[0056] During the conversation between Bob and Chad, they reach an
agreement as to a settlement amount Bob is willing to pay to have
his case settled. Chad informs Bob that before they present the
offer he would like to conduct a limited amount of research, which
might result in reducing the amount needed to settle. Chad ends the
conversation promising to contact Bob as soon as possible with the
results of his research.
[0057] As Bob is awaiting the return telephone call from Chad, he
decides to call his bank to ensure that he has a sufficient amount
of cash on hand to complete the deal. As is typical, Bob is placed
on hold by his bank and is subjected to the bank's soothing
background music. As Bob is holding with the bank he receives the
promised return call from Chad. Instead of either letting Chad's
call go to voice-mail or taking the call and risk missing the
opportunity to speak to a live individual at the bank, Bob knows
that he can converse with Chad and continue to listen for a live
person to answer his call at the bank using his Multi-Channel Quiet
Call System. Bob accepts Chad's call and selects to mix the audio
from both calls so that if a person picks up on the call to the
bank, he can quickly switch conversations. A Multi-Channel Quiet
Call System allows Bob to monitor multiple channels at the same
time while conversing over one of the channels.
[0058] As Chad is informing Bob that his search proved beneficial
and that the amount Bob is likely to owe should be reduced by half,
a representative from the bank suddenly takes Bob's call to the
bank off hold. Knowing that the conversation must change quickly or
the bank representative may either return him to the hold queue or
disconnect him completely, Bob, with a few strokes of an electronic
pen over a barcode, sends a verbalized message to the bank
representative that they will get immediate attention, while he
concurrently informs Chad that their conversation must conclude.
Once Bob has thanked Chad for his assistance and instructed him to
prepare the settlement agreement, he ends the call and switches to
the bank representative and transfers the necessary money into his
account. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call System allows Bob to quickly
switch from one conversation to another.
[0059] Late that evening, as Chad is preparing the settlement
agreement on his computer, the computer suddenly takes control,
shuts off the screen and begins to beep loudly, disrupting the few
remaining late working attorneys. After unsuccessfully attempting
to remedy the problem, Chad, knowing he must complete the
settlement agreement by morning, reluctantly calls the computer
manufacturer's technical support line and begins to press buttons
in response to the automated questions. Frustrated and confused,
Chad soon becomes lost in the maze of automated queries. Chad,
knowing that the computer company utilizes a Multi-Channel Quiet
Call System to oversee customers as they travel through the
automated system, sends out a verbal cry for help.
[0060] In response to Chad's cry for help, a technician, already
alerted to Chad's situation due to his constant restarting of
messages, directs verbal assistance into the line using
Multi-Channel Quiet Call Technology and directs him to his desired
query. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call System allows the computer
manufacturer to audibly oversee multiple customers by mixing audio
channels and/or by viewing a site map or graph of the automated
system and positions of individuals within the system. Using a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call system, the computer manufacturer can
provide guidance to customers who become lost or confused as they
travel through their automated system.
II. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call System
[0061] A Multi-Channel Quiet Call system as described herein is an
electronically assisted relay of information (e.g., telephone
calls) between three or more parties that has the following
attributes:
[0062] At least one party is in a multiple-contact situation. For
example, a receptionist may be in contact with two incoming
telephone calls; an individual holding on one call listening to
background music while simultaneously conversing verbally on a
second call; an operator audibly overseeing several calls as they
progress through an automated system; a voice dispatcher (e.g.,
taxi cab dispatcher) sending out information to multiple parties;
etc.
[0063] The parties in the multiple-contact situations use an
alternative, quiet mode of discussion (e.g., keyboard, buttons,
touchscreen, etc.) to produce audible phrases that are transformed
into an equivalent electronic representation and directed and
transmitted to other parties over one or more channels.
[0064] The parties in the multiple-contact situations can select
which parties receive the equivalent electronic representation of
the phrase that is being transmitted.
[0065] The term Multi-Channel Quiet Call technology is used herein
to signify the communication mechanism, including hardware and/or
software, that allows people in multiple-contact situations to
communicate easily and expressively with two or more parties at the
same time, and/or audibly monitor two or more channels at the same
time. A multi-channel quiet call is conducted using this
technology.
[0066] In an embodiment of the present invention, two Multi-Channel
Quiet Call modes of operation are defined: (A) Conducting a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call, and (B) Preparing for a Multi-Channel
Quiet Call.
[0067] A. Conducting a Multi-Channel Quiet Call
[0068] FIG. 3A is a simplified block diagram of the components
structure in a Multi-Channel Quiet Call system embodiment used for
conducting a multi-channel quiet call. In this mode, a user
conducts a voice conversation over one channel while at the same
time engaging audibly on another channel with no audible feedback
into other channels. Additionally, in this mode a user may monitor
audio on multiple channels while optionally conversing on one or
more of the channels.
[0069] A user views a channel representation 38 and phrase
representation 31, as illustrated by blocks 38 and 31 in FIG. 3A,
respectively, and makes selections about which channels will
receive a selected utterance and which utterance will be
transmitted over the selected channels. In an embodiment, channel
representation 38 and phrase representation 31 may be icons having
text labels as illustrated in FIG. 7. In another embodiment,
channel representation 38 and phrase representation 31 may be
viewed using a graphical user interface as illustrated in FIG.
19.
[0070] A Channel Selector 38a associated with channel
representation 38 in response to user input activates which
channels are to receive an electronically generated utterance and
controls which channels the user is verbally conversing over.
Additionally, channel selector selects multiple channels for mixing
the audio using audio mixer 37 so a user can monitor audio of
multiple channels simultaneously. In an embodiment, channel
selector 38a may be hardware, such as a mechanical switch, or a
software routine for selecting a desired channel.
[0071] A Phrase Element 33a associated with phrase representation
31 is stored in an utterance data store 33, that when selected is
retrieved and submitted to an audio generator 34 to produce the
electrical output signals needed for communication.
Audio-to-channel connector 35 provides this electrical output
signal which is then routed to the appropriate channels through
channel selector 38a.
[0072] A channel-to-user connector 30 allows the user to monitor
the selected channels and hear the party they are conversing with.
For example, channel-to-user connector 30 may be an earpiece, a
speaker, or any other audio output device.
[0073] An audio input 36 allows a user to voice into the active
conversation channel.
[0074] In an embodiment, a stored data extractor 32 may be included
in the system which converts data stored in other formats (e.g., PC
calendar entries, address books) into a format suitable for audio
generation.
[0075] FIG. 3B is a simplified block diagram illustrating an
alternative components structure of a Multi-Channel Quiet Call
system embodiment used for conducting a multi-channel quiet call.
The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B utilizes a telephony
processor 39 to transmit information over various channels and mix
audio from incoming channels. A telephony processor may be utilized
with existing systems which does not support the functions of
selecting channels or mixing audio. Channel selection is made
through telephony processor 39 using commands sent to the telephony
processor by a user (e.g. switch channels, mix audio channels,
answer, hang-up, etc.). These commands may be selected using
channel representation 36.
[0076] Alternatively, in an embodiment, any one of, or all of
utterance data store 33, associated element 33a, stored data
extractor 32, audio generator 34, and audio mixer 37 may be
incorporated into telephony processor 39. In an embodiment having
utterance data store 33 and audio generator 34 incorporated in
telephony processor 39, a user selects phrases using phrase
representation 31 and the information is relayed to telephony
processor which generates the appropriate electrical representation
of the selected phrase over selected channels.
[0077] The following describes components in a Multi-Channel Quiet
Call system embodiment.
[0078] i. Multi-Channel Quiet Call System Components
[0079] a. Channel Representation
[0080] A channel representation 38 of a channel selector 38a which
activates the channels for receiving utterances and/or mixing audio
of incoming channels is displayed to a user. An example of a
Channel representation GUI is illustrated in FIG. 7. Another
example of a channel representation GUI is illustrated in FIG.
19.
[0081] Channel representation 38 may take any form that allows a
user to interface with channel selector 38a and select a desired
channel or channels, including graphical (e.g., icons, symbols,
figures, graphs, checkboxes, buttons, other GUI widgets, and
sequences and/or a combination thereof), textual (e.g., displayed
text, labeled input forms, and sequences and/or combinations of the
above), and physical (e.g., buttons, switches, knobs, labels,
barcodes, glyphs, Braille or other tangible representation,
electronic tags, and sequences and/or a combination thereof).
[0082] A user interacts silently with channel representation 38 by
inspecting it according to its kind (e.g., visually or tactually)
and invoking it according to its kind (type, point and click,
press, eye tracking, scanning, etc.).
[0083] Channel representation 38 may be presented using one or more
display surfaces (e.g., computer display, touchscreen, paper,
physical device, etc.) or display forms (e.g., pages, frames,
screens, etc.). When multiple surfaces or forms are used these may
be organized in different ways according to user needs
(sequentially, hierarchically, graph-based, unordered, etc.). A
user selects between different surfaces or forms according to its
kind (e.g., GUI selection, physical manipulation such as flipping
or turning, button press, etc.).
[0084] b. Channel Selector
[0085] Channel selector 38a activates which channels are to receive
an electronic representation of a selected phrase while
simultaneously maintaining a connection between the user and the
channel they are conversing on. Additionally, channel selector may
activate which channels are to have their audio mixed using audio
mixer 37 for simultaneous listening by a user. Channel selector 38a
may select one, two, all, or any other combination of channels for
audio mixing.
[0086] Channel selector 38a may transmit utterances over selected
channels while a user continues conversing on another channel in
numerous ways. For example, channel selector may be a mechanical
device, such as a series of switches which keep an audio channel
between the user and the party they are conversing with active
while simultaneously activating other audio channels for
transmission of a selected phrase. In an embodiment, the
transmitted phrase is not transmitted over the conversing
channel.
[0087] In an embodiment, channel mixing is performed by a user
sending commands via channel representation 38 to channel selector
38a. Channel selector 38a activates the selected channels and the
incoming audio is mixed by audio mixer 37 and sent to channel to
user connector 30 for audible listening by a user.
[0088] c. Phrase Representation
[0089] Phrase representation 31 of a phrase element 33a (i.e.,
phrases, words, letters, numbers, symbols, sound effects, and
sequences and/or a combination thereof) that a user may invoke for
initiating phrase utterances is displayed to a user. An example of
a phrase representation GUI is illustrated in FIG. 7. Another
example of a phrase representation GUI is illustrated in FIG.
19.
[0090] A phrase representation 31 may take any form that does not
require a user to vocalize a selection of a phrase element 33a,
including graphical (e.g., icons, symbols, figures, graphs,
checkboxes, buttons, other GUI widgets, and sequences and/or a
combination thereof), textual (e.g., displayed text, labeled input
forms, and sequences and/or combinations of the above), and
physical (e.g., buttons, switches, knobs, labels, barcodes, glyphs,
Braille or other tangible representation, electronic tags, and
sequences and/or a combination thereof).
[0091] A user interacts silently with each phrase representation 31
by inspecting it according to its kind (e.g., visually or
tactually) and invoking it according to its kind (type, point and
click, press, eye tracking, scanning, etc.).
[0092] Phrase representation 31 may be presented using one or more
display surfaces (e.g., computer display, touchscreen, paper,
physical device, etc.) or display forms (e.g., pages, frames,
screens, etc.). When multiple surfaces or forms are used these may
be organized in different ways according to user needs
(sequentially, hierarchically, graph-based, unordered, etc.). A
user selects between different surfaces or forms according to its
kind (e.g., GUI selection, physical manipulation such as flipping
or turning, button press, etc.).
[0093] A user may update a phrase element 33a and an associated
phrase representation 31 in a visible display as follows. First, an
individual can add a new phrase element and/or an associated phrase
representation.
[0094] Second, an individual can delete a phrase element and/or an
associated phrase representation.
[0095] Third, an individual can change the kinds of phrase
representations of phrase elements (e.g., text, label, icon).
[0096] Fourth, an individual can change a phrase representation of
a phrase element according to its kind (e.g., text values, label
values, icon images).
[0097] Fifth, an individual can change a phrase element associated
with one or more phrase representations.
[0098] Sixth, an individual can add, delete, or modify the
association of a phrase element and its phrase representation.
[0099] Seventh, an individual can invoke upload/download commands
for phrase elements, their display phrase representations, and
associated internal phrase representation.
[0100] Eighth, an individual can invoke record and playback
capabilities for selected phrase elements.
[0101] d. Utterance Data Store
[0102] Each phrase element (i.e., phrases, words, letters, numbers,
symbols, sound effects, and sequences and/or combinations of the
above) has one or more internal representations suitable for
creation of audible utterances that may be communicated over an
audio channel, such as a telephone line. Phrase element 33a stored
in utterance data store 33 includes, for example, sound file
formats, record and playback formats, text, MIDI sequences, etc.
These internal representations may be stored in and retrieved from
utterance data store 33. In an embodiment, utterance data store 33
is readable and writeable computer memory as known in the art.
Retrieval may be accessed randomly, sequentially, by query, or
through other such known methods. Data for retrieved phrase
elements are passed to an audio generator 34.
[0103] e. Audio Generator
[0104] An audio generator 34 transforms the internal
representations of phrase elements into audible formats suitable
for transmission over an audio channel, such as a telephone
connection. In an embodiment, audio generator 34 is a
text-to-speech generator, sound card, sound effects generator,
playback device, in combination and/or an equivalent.
[0105] f. Audio Input
[0106] Direct audio connection 36 (e.g., microphone) at the locale
of the user may be used to converse over an active channel.
[0107] Audio recording into an utterance data store may be made by
selecting one or more elements from the phrase representation,
invoking a record command and speaking in audio input 36.
[0108] g. Audio Output
[0109] Audio output 41 allows for audio generation from an
utterance data store 33 by selecting one or more elements from a
conversational representation 31 and invoking a playback command.
Audio output provides the ability to listen to audio when
programming phrases.
[0110] h. Audio Mixing
[0111] Audio Mixer 37 mixes the audio from two or more incoming
channels and streams the audio to channel to user connector 30 for
output to a user. Audio may be mixed by merging audio signals from
each incoming channel using hardware, software, or a combination of
both. Hardware may include any means of analog or digital signal
processing (e.g.: Voice-over-IP (VoIP)). Software may include
software for merging of bitstreams or the combination of data
through a transformation. Many transformations may be defined and
any one or combination may be used. A transformation may be, for
example, adjusting volume, frequency, sampling, compression, and
filtering into a distinguishable audio pattern that may be
interpreted as audio activity (e.g. mumbling, speaking, music,
buzzing).
[0112] In an alternative embodiment, instead of mixing audio a
graphical representation of audio on second channel is displayed to
a user. The graphical display alerts the user, as a result of a
graphical change, when the audio changes from either a hold noise
(e.g.: background music) to a live person.
[0113] i. Audio-to-Channel Connector
[0114] Audio-to-channel connection is provided between user
conversational inputs generated from the audio input 36 or audio
generator 34 that delivers signals appropriate for telephone
transmission to receiving parties. This includes direct electrical
connection of signals, electronically processed signals such as an
impedance matching circuit, optical to electrical conversion such
as infrared detection, or muffled acoustic signals using a
soundproof housing or other insulation.
[0115] FIG. 5 illustrates an impedance matching circuit 22.
Resistances R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected to match the input and
output signals. The Capacitor C.sub.1 eliminates some of the signal
interference (voltage blanking for DC component).
[0116] j. Channel-to-User Connection
[0117] Channel-to-user connector 30 is provided from a channel
selector 38a or telephony processor 39 to a user. Channel-to-user
connector 30 may transmit audio from one, two, or any selected
combination of channels simultaneously to a user. In an embodiment,
channel-to-user connector 30 includes an earpiece or other speaker
system that is connected directly to the user's communication
device or through some intermediate electronics (e.g., PC and
soundcard).
[0118] k. Upload/Download
[0119] Data for phrase elements, their display phrase
representations, associated internal representation, and display
for channel representations may be uploaded and downloaded between
the Multi-Channel Quiet Call system and other systems, including
other Multi-Channel Quiet Call systems, external memory devices
(e.g., Compact Disc ("CD"), Digital Video Disc ("DVD"), personal
digital assistants), directly connected computers and networked
computers (e.g., local area, wide area, Internet, wireless, etc.).
Connection may be made by serial connection (RS232, IrDA, Ethernet,
wireless, or other interconnections known in the art). Upon
invocation of the upload command from a phrase representation 31,
channel representation 38 and/or utterance data storage 33,
formatted data (e.g., raw byte data, rich text format, Hypertext
Markup Language, etc.), are transmitted (e.g., TCP/IP, RS-232
serial data, etc.). Upon invocation of the download command, a
phrase representation 31 and/or channel representation formatted
for stored data (phrase representation format, channel
representation format, utterance data storage format), is sent to
the appropriate Multi-Channel Quiet Call components (phrase
representation 31, channel representation 38, utterance data
storage 33).
[0120] l. Stored Data Extractor
[0121] Data for phrase elements, their display phrase
representations, and associated internal representation may be
extracted from stored information on a host computer. For example,
calendar entries in a Microsoft Outlook format may be dragged from
an application to a stored data extractor 32 that parses and
represents the calendar data. In this case, an Appointment object
is accessed and its fields interrogated (e.g., Subject, Start,
etc.). Text strings are extracted from the fields and a phrase is
formatted from these fields and phrase template. A template takes
the form of some predefined text with slots for the appropriate
data to be inserted: [0122] "An appointment for <subject> is
scheduled to start at <start>", where the slots
<subject> and <start> are supplied by text from the
Appointment object. Text-to-speech generation or special-purpose,
predefined audio vocabularies may then be used to vocalize the
appointment information. Other types of extracted data may include
address book entries, database records, spreadsheet cells, email
messages, driving directions, information pointers such as path
names and universal resource locators and all manner of stored,
task-specific information.
[0123] B. Preparing For Multi-Channel Quiet Call
[0124] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate components of two different
Multi-Channel Quiet Call system embodiments used for preparing a
multiple-conversation structure. In this mode the user or someone
acting on behalf of the user prepares for a multi-channel
quiet-mode by adding, deleting, or modifying phrase structures
(representations, elements and internal representations) and
channel representations stored within a Multi-Channel Quiet Call
system.
[0125] A user views a phrase representation 31 and makes selections
about updating the utterances to be voiced over the telephone
(e.g., add, modify, delete elements). The utterance data store 33
is updated appropriately. An upload/download produces the output
signals which are produced through an audio output 41 to allow the
user to check the stored phrase. A stored data extractor 32
converts data stored in other formats (e.g., PC calendar entries,
address books) into a format suitable for inclusion into utterance
data store 33.
[0126] A user may also view a channel representation 38 and make
selections about updating channel selection choices, including
menus, handset switches or buttons, and other types of user
interface.
III. Multi-Channel Quiet Call Method
[0127] In an embodiment, a multi-channel quiet-mode conversation is
conducted according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0128] As one who is skilled in the art would appreciate, FIG. 6
illustrates logic boxes for performing specific functions. In
alternate embodiments, more or fewer logic boxes may be used. In an
embodiment of the present invention, a logic box may represent a
software program, a software object, a software function, a
software subroutine, a software method, a software instance, a code
fragment, a hardware operation or user operation, singly or in
combination.
[0129] In an embodiment of the present invention, multi-channel
quiet call software illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 15A-B is stored in
an article of manufacture, such as a computer readable medium. For
example, quiet call software may be stored in a magnetic hard disk,
an optical disk, a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only
Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or
other readable or writeable data storage technologies, singly or in
combination.
[0130] In an alternate embodiment, Multi-Channel Quiet Call
software is downloaded using Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP")
to obtain Java applets.
[0131] A user is conducting a first call as represented by elliptic
block 600. As a user is conducting the first call the system
monitors the other channels for a second call, as illustrated by
logic block 601. Once a second call is identified in logic block
601 the user is notified and, as illustrated in logic block 603, a
determination is made by the user as to whether to take the second
call. If the user decides not to take the second call, either by
notifying the system that they do not wish to take the second call
or by not responding to the system's notification of the call,
control is passed to logic block 605 and the second call is routed
to a voice mail system and the system returns control to logic
block 601. In an alternative embodiment, the second call may be
disposed of in an alternative manner than a voice mail, such as
disconnecting the call, delivering an audible message to the caller
that the recipient is unavailable, or any other technique for
terminating an incoming call.
[0132] If, however, it is decided to accept the second call,
control is passed to logic block 607 and a determination is made as
to whether the audio from the two channels carrying the first and
second calls should be mixed. If the channels are to be mixed,
control is passed to logic block 609 and the two audio channels are
mixed and provided to a user. Audio channels may be mixed using
hardware or software, as described above. Alternatively, as
described above, a user may select to monitor the audio on one of
the channels using a graphical representation of the audio. If the
user does not desire to mix channels, or after mixing the channels
decides to no longer mix the channels, control is passed to logic
block 611.
[0133] In logic block 611 the user decides whether they will remain
on the first call or switch to the second call. If the user remains
on the first call a user will select, and the system will transmit,
a phrase to the second call, as represented by logic block 613.
Similarly, if the user selects in logic block 611 to switch calls,
the user will select, and the system will transmit, a phrase to the
first call, as represented by logic block 615.
[0134] Subsequent to transmission of the selected phrase, according
to either logic block 613 or 615, a determination is made in logic
block 619 as to whether the non-selected call is terminated, either
by the user or the other party. If the non-selected call is
terminated, control is returned to logic block 601 and the system
returns to monitoring for an incoming call. If the non-selected
call has not been terminated, control is returned to logic block
607 and the process continues.
[0135] As the process described with respect to FIG. 6 proceeds, a
user can relay information to another caller without interrupting
their existing conversation. Exceptional situations in the
Multi-Channel Quiet Call method may occur asynchronously as
follows: (1) whenever the user wants live audio to be incorporated
into a particular channel, the user can switch between channels or
relay live audio into all channels; (2) the user is able to
override a currently playing phrase element by making a new
selection from a phrase representation 31; (3) the user may
terminate communication on one channel at any time; and (4) the
user may switch channels at any time.
[0136] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a state transition diagram for
a Multi-Channel Quiet Call embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate a state transition diagram
in which a mechanical device 157 having left button 157a, center
button 157b, right button 157c, Channel 1 button 157d and Channel 2
button 157e, are used to transition into the various states.
Buttons 157a-c are examples of phrase representations for phrase
elements. The buttons may represent different phrase
representations at different states. Buttons 157d-e are examples of
channel representations for incoming channels.
[0137] In the illustrated embodiment, ten states are present: a
conversing on channel 1, no party on channel 2 state 151; a wait
for channel 2 call state 151a; a wait to answer state 151b; a
converse on channel 1, party on channel 2 state 151c; a converse on
channel 2, party on channel 1 state 151d; a converse on channel 2
no party on channel 1 state 153; a wait for channel 1 call state
153a; a wait to answer state 153b; a converse on channel 2, party
on channel 1 state 153c; and a converse on channel 1, party on
channel 2 state 153d. A user can transition to the various states
by pressing buttons 157a-e. As the various states are transitioned,
audible messages may be generated on a selected channel while a
user converses on another channel.
[0138] For example, a transition from the wait for channel 2 call
state 151a to the wait-to-answer state 151b is accomplished on the
occurrence of an incoming second call event. A user then has six
options: the user may ignore the call on channel 2 by pressing
buttons 157e and 157a; the user may generate the utterance: "I
cannot talk now, please leave a message" to the caller on channel 2
by pressing buttons 157e and 157b; the user may generate the
utterance "Hello, I will be right there" to the caller on channel 2
by pressing the buttons 157e and 157c; the user may switch to
conversing on channel 2 and generate the utterance "I have to go"
to the caller on channel 1 by pressing the buttons 157d and 157a;
the user may switch to conversing on channel 2 and generate the
utterance "I will be right back" by pressing the buttons 157d and
157c; or the user may switch to conversing on channel 2 and
generate the utterance "I have to go, please leave a message" to
the caller on channel 1 by pressing the buttons 157d and 157b.
[0139] In an alternative embodiment, a user may only need to select
a phrase button 157a-c and the associated phrase will automatically
be sent to the call they are not conversing on. In such an
embodiment, the user may change conversations by selecting a
different channel using channel buttons 157d-e.
[0140] As can be seen by FIGS. 15A and 15B, embodiments of the
present invention allow a user to send information to another
caller without interrupting an existing conversation.
IV. Multi-Channel Quiet Call Embodiments
[0141] In a multi-channel quiet mode, all sides of the conversation
use an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone. The devices
may be wired or wireless devices. The person in the multi-channel
situation (i.e. having the ability to communicate concurrently over
multiple channels) would have a special interface for responding to
one or all of the calls. Five different embodiments are described
below: (1) a PC, (2) a PDA, (3) a scanner and paper interface, (4)
a telephone accessory device having a physical button interface,
and (5) a telecommunications infrastructure having Multi-Channel
Quiet Call capability. Other embodiments may include using an
intercom, CB radio, two-way radio, short-wave radio, or other radio
transmitter such as FM or Bluetooth, etc.
[0142] A. PC Embodiment
[0143] A PC system embodiment for conducting Multi-Channel Quiet
Calls uses a personal computer as a "controller."
[0144] In a PC embodiment, a GUI template having a channel
representation and a phrase representation is stored in the PC. A
user, such as individual 17, points and clicks, and the computer
"talks" silently into selected channels through an audio connection
while the user simultaneously converses on another channel.
[0145] This is accomplished by storing representations of each
incoming channel and the pre-recorded phrases of interest in a
format suitable for display and selection by the user. FIG. 7 shows
a GUI representation that contains channel representations for
selecting desired channels to transmit a phrase over and phrase
representations having internal representations expressed in the
user's own voice. For example, incoming channels 1 and 2 are
represented by icons 72 and 73, respectively, and phrase
representations, such as a collection of Hello 70 icons, are
represented as icons 70a-d. A user may pre-record an intro 70a such
as: "This is Amy. I am on another call, I will be with you shortly.
Please hold." Other types of icons and associated text may also be
used. For example, information 71 icons may include icons 71a-d.
"Good-bye" icon 74 includes icons 74a-c. Additional icons may be
added to represent additional incoming channels and/or additional
phrases.
[0146] FIG. 19 shows an alternative GUI representation that
contains channel representations and phrase representations. For
example, the GUI representation 1900 displays the different
channels 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 available to the user.
For each channel 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950 information such as
the incoming caller's telephone number 1912, and 1922; the
currently selected phrase for each channel 1914, 1924 and a phrase
selection menu 1916, 1926, 1936, 1946, and 1956 are displayed to a
user. Some phrases, such as active phrase 1914 may be modified by a
user before they are audibly transmitted to the desired party. For
example a user can select an amount of time to be audibly generated
with said phrase by selecting clock icon 1917. Other phrases may be
"fill in the blank" style forms resulting in synthesized voice,
multiple choice forms, "mix-and-match" style phrase groupings,
etc.
[0147] Additionally, a user may select a new action phrase by
selecting from the phrase selection menu 1916.
[0148] Other information which may be displayed for each channel
1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 to a user include the type of channel
(e.g.: call, conference call, radio frequency, call sign, land line
call, cellular call); the state of the channel (e.g.: activity
on-hold, standby, name of the caller and other meta-data about the
channel, etc.); whether audio is being mixed; etc.
[0149] In an embodiment, Microsoft PowerPoint is used to form
channel representations, phrase representations and phrase
elements: (1) a graphical structure, as illustrated by FIG. 7,
having channel selectors 72 and 73 and nodes which contain audio
clips (WAV format); (2) a text-to-speech generator (derived from an
Active X component containing Microsoft Agent speech
functionality); and (3) a GUI as illustrated in FIG. 19. Microsoft
Agent software includes text-to-speech functionality. Using
standard Microsoft interface definitions (e.g. Active X component),
Microsoft Agent text-to-speech functionality is embedded into a
PowerPoint slide and is used as a Multi-Channel Quiet Call GUI
providing text-to-speech functionality for Multi-Channel Quiet
calls.
[0150] Channel and phrase templates may be shared (e.g., as Web
pages, shared files, e-mail messages) between a group of frequent
users (e.g., uploaded/downloaded). Individuals can pick and choose
the type of phrase in which they wish to engage and each works
through a shared template using the Multi-Channel Quiet Call
interfaces.
[0151] FIG. 2 illustrates a Multi-Channel Quiet Call PC system
embodiment. System 20 includes a PC 21 having a sound card which is
connected to the input jack of a mobile telephone input. The user
has an earpiece which allows a user to hear audio from a selected
channel, or the audio from multiple channels may be mixed.
[0152] In an embodiment, personal computer 21 includes channel
representation 38, phrase representation 31, utterance data store
33, audio generator 34, upload/download 40 and audio output 41 as
described above. In an embodiment of the present invention, channel
representation 38 and phrase representation 31 are power point
slide shows. Likewise, in an embodiment of the present invention,
utterance data store 33 is a power point representation. Similarly,
audio generator 34 and upload/download 40 is a PC sound card and
power point file transfer software, respectively. Channel selecting
may be done using the facilities provided by an existing
telecommunication infrastructure, such as in-band signaling (e.g.:
hook switch command), or out-of-band signaling.
[0153] Audio output 41 is switchable between the PC speaker jack
and the PC speaker. The PC speaker is disengaged while the speaker
jack is in use. The PC speaker jack is coupled to an
audio-to-channel connector 22. The generated phrase may be made
audible in the user locale (e.g., as part of the preparation
process) by removing the plug from the PC speaker jack. In an
embodiment of the present invention, audio-to-channel connector 22
is an impedance matching circuit as illustrated in FIG. 5. An
impedance matching circuit permits the PC audio signals to be
directed into the mobile telephone voice input. In an embodiment,
R.sub.1=10K ohms, R.sub.2=460 ohms, and C.sub.1=0.1 microfarads.
The audio-to-channel connector 22 is then coupled to a mobile
telephone 23 audio input.
[0154] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile
telephone 23 is a QualComm pdQ Smartphone with hands-free headset
having an earpiece and microphone in which we include a direct
connection from the PC to the audio-to-channel connector 22.
[0155] B. PDA Embodiment
[0156] In a PDA embodiment, a GUI channel representation, and a GUI
phrase representation are stored on PDA 80 and displayed on a PDA
screen. The user taps channel and phrase buttons and the PDA
"talks" silently into the selected channel or channels through an
audio connection while the user simultaneously converses on another
channel.
[0157] A PDA embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8 and includes PDA
80 and PDA interface 81. PDA interface 81 is coupled to a
controller 82. Audio output of controller 82 is then coupled to
audio-to-channel connector 83. Examples of specific structures of
the various components of the PDA embodiment are described
below.
[0158] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a PDA embodiment (e.g., Qualcomm
pdQ Smartphone having hands-free headset). PDA 80 uses a GUI such
as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 19 for selecting channels
and phrases.
[0159] In an embodiment, a controller 82 (e.g., Quadravox QV305)
stores audio clips that may be accessed randomly or sequentially.
In an embodiment, controller 82 is a Quadravox QV305 RS232 playback
controller. In alternate embodiments, controller 82 communicates by
a wired/wireless Universal Serial Bus ("USB"), IrDA connection,
parallel port, Ethernet, local area network, fiber wireless device
connection (e.g. Bluetooth), in combination or singly. A PDA
embodiment also includes upload/download 40 such as QVPro software
supplied by Quadravox, Inc.
[0160] Controller 82 is connected to a telephone input through an
impedance matching circuit as illustrated in FIG. 5 that permits
the PDA audio signals to be directed into the PDA voice input. In
an embodiment R.sub.1=10K ohms, R.sub.2=460 ohms, and C.sub.1=0.1
microfarads. PDA 80 is coupled to controller 82 through an RS232
serial port. The audio clip number indicated by selection on the
PDA interface is communicated to controller 82 through the PDA
serial port.
[0161] In an embodiment, channel structure and phrase structure
consist of a spatially grouped collection of PDA software buttons
91 as shown in FIG. 9. A representative sample of channel and
phrase representations includes: channel 1; channel 2; greetings
(e.g., "I'll be right there"); and information flow control (e.g.,
"I'll be right back"). Channel selection may be done using an
application programming interface of the PDA to control and execute
the appropriate command sequence to select the desired channels. If
the PDA does not include a programmable interface, the commands may
be generated in the audio stream.
[0162] C. Paper User Interface Embodiment
[0163] In a paper user interface embodiment, channel representation
and phrase representation are printed on paper (e.g., notebook or
cards) as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. A user scans (e.g.,
barcode or glyph reader) the channel and phrase elements associated
with the channel and phrase representations (e.g. codes) and the
computer "talks" silently into the selected channel through an
audio connection.
[0164] FIG. 11 illustrates a paper user interface Multi-Channel
Quiet Call embodiment. The paper user interface embodiment includes
PDA 110 and controller 111. In an embodiment, controller 111 is
used as an utterance data store 33, audio generator 34 and audio
output 41. In an embodiment, controller 111 is a Quadravox QV305
RS232 playback controller. A paper user interface embodiment also
includes upload/download 40 such as QVPro software supplied by
Quadravox, Inc. Controller 111 is coupled to audio-to-phone
connector 112. In an embodiment, audio-to-phone connector 112 is an
impedance matching circuit as illustrated by FIG. 5. Scanner 113 is
also coupled to controller 111. Scanner 113 is used to read paper
interface 114, including codes 115.
[0165] FIG. 12 also illustrates another embodiment of a paper
interface. Paper interface 120 includes codes 121 (or channel and
phrase elements) for channel representations such as channel 1, and
phrase representations such as "I'll be right there."
[0166] In FIG. 11, a scanner 113 such (such as a Symbol SPT-1500
barcode scanner) is used to read channel and phrase elements. In an
embodiment, a scanner 113 is coupled to controller 111 through an
RS232 port. Each code indicates either a channel or an audio clip
(WAV format) associated with a phrase representation.
[0167] A controller 111 (e.g., Quadravox QV305 RS232 Playback
Controller) stores audio clips that may be accessed randomly or
sequentially. Controller 111 is connected to a telephone input
through an impedance matching circuit 112 which permits the audio
signals to be directed into the telephones voice channel. In an
embodiment, R.sub.1=10K ohms, R.sub.2=460 ohms, and C.sub.1=0.1
microfarads. The audio clip number indicated by selection on the
PDA interface is communicated to controller 111 through a PDA RS232
serial port. The generated conversations are audible both in the
hands-free earpiece and through the telephone line, but not in the
general locale of the user. Channel selecting may be done using the
facilities provided by an existing telecommunication
infrastructure, such as in-band signaling (e.g.: hook switch
command), or out-of-band signaling.
[0168] D. Telephone Accessory Embodiment
[0169] In a telephone accessory embodiment, physical interfaces
such as labeled buttons are channel and phrase representations. A
device is attached to a telephone as a telephone accessory or may
be incorporated into the design of a telephone mechanism itself. A
user pushes a channel and phrase button and the computer "talks"
silently into the selected channel through an audio connection
while the user continues to converse on another channel.
[0170] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a telephone accessory
embodiment of the present invention. The telephone accessory
embodiment includes mobile telephone 130 coupled to device 131
which is coupled to audio-to-phone connector 132. Device 131 is a
physical interface having labeled or marked buttons as respective
channel and phrase representations.
[0171] In a telephone accessory embodiment, the mobile telephone
130 is a Qualcomm PDQ Smartphone having a hands-free headset. In a
telephone accessory embodiment, device 131 is an electronic record
and playback device. In an embodiment, audio-to-phone connector 132
is an impedance matching circuit as illustrated by FIG. 5.
[0172] In an embodiment, one or more single-channel audio record
and playback chips (e.g., Radio shack.TM. Recording Keychain)
stores the audio that may be accessed through the labeled control
buttons. The chips are connected to the telephone input through
audio-to-channel connector 132 which permits the audio signals to
be directed into a selected channel through the telephone. In an
embodiment, audio-to-channel connector 132 is an impedance matching
circuit as illustrated in FIG. 5 having R.sub.1=10K ohms,
R.sub.2=460 ohms, and C.sub.1=0.1 microfarads. The generated
phrases are audible through the selected channel or channels, but
not in the non-selected channels.
[0173] A one-chip version can hold a single greeting or multiple
greetings that may be used to defer an incoming call until the user
completes their current conversation. Other chips may be added for
additional phrases.
[0174] E. Telecommunications Infrastructure Embodiment
[0175] As described above, a multi-channel call is conducted where
at least one of the users is conversing over multiple channels. The
non-verbal interface is used to select a channel, select an
utterance, and play the utterance (recorded or synthetic) over the
selected channel. There are a number of places where audio
production may be introduced in the channel's voice path as
illustrated by FIG. 14. In an embodiment, receiving caller 142 is a
receptionist who needs to manage several incoming calls.
[0176] FIG. 14 illustrates a telecommunications infrastructure 140
having Multi-Channel Quiet Call technology. Telecommunications
infrastructure 140 includes a telephone 141a used by initiating
caller one 141. Telephone 141a accesses telecom service provider
141c. Telephone 141a optionally accesses telephony server 141b that
is coupled to telecom service provider 141c. In an embodiment,
telecom service provider 141c accesses telecom service provider
142c, which controls telephony server 142b. Telephony server 142b
then provides services to the receptionist telephone 142a.
[0177] Also included in telecommunications infrastructure 140 is a
second telephone 143a used by a second initiating caller two 143.
Telephone 143a accesses telecom service provider 143c. Telephone
143a optionally accesses telephony server 143b that is coupled to
telecom service provider 143c. In an embodiment, telecom service
provider 143c accesses telecom service provider 142c, which
controls telephony server 142b. Telephony server 142b then provides
services to the receptionist telephone 142a.
[0178] Software and/or mechanical devices anywhere along the
telecommunications infrastructure 140 may be used to implement
embodiments of the Multi-Channel Quiet Call technology. For
example, Multi-Channel Quiet Call software may be implemented at
telecom service provider 142c. The user then may select channels
and initiate utterances by selecting buttons on mobile telephone
142a.
[0179] i. In-Band and Out-of-Band Utterance Selection
[0180] There are at least two Multi-Channel Quiet Call
telecommunication infrastructure embodiments: (1) control signals
for channel and utterance selections made by a caller are mixed
with the voice audio (i.e., in-band communication such as touch
tones) or (2) control signals use a communication channel different
from the voice signal (i.e., out-of-band). In both embodiments a
server application capable of generating Multi-Channel Quiet Call
utterances has access to a telecommunications infrastructure and
can manipulate the content of the voice path of a call (e.g., a
telephone server of a service provider) as illustrated in FIG.
14.
a. In-band Selection for Adding Channel Activation and Voice
Audio
[0181] FIGS. 16A-B illustrate in-band telecommunication
infrastructure embodiments and a Multi-Channel Quiet Call
server.
[0182] If a telephone supports a text display, a set of channels
and possible utterances is displayed on a telephone. The text is
either configured with the telephone, obtained previously from a
telecommunication provider (e.g., downloaded in a previous voice or
data call), obtained, or customized during a current call.
Communication could be through telephone information fields such as
caller ID or through in-band signaling such as Dual-Tone Multi
Frequency ("DTMF"), for touch tone signaling, fax tones, or a
custom signaling technique that is in some way more audibly
appealing (e.g., rhythmic or musical sequences).
[0183] If a telephone supports dedicated selection keys, these may
be used to navigate the channel and phrase element selections. When
one of the options is selected, a message with the encoded
selection including the selected channel or channels is sent back
to the server with in-band signaling. The selection message is used
to activate the selected channels, access and transmit the
corresponding phrase element through the selected channel.
[0184] If the telephone does not support selection keys, the
standard numeric pad may be used for the selection (e.g., *,1,2,
etc.). The associated DTMF signal might be suppressed from the
other party by carrier or provider specific mechanisms.
Alternatively, the telephone could support alternative tone
generation that is not so audibly disturbing (e.g., other frequency
or rhythmic patterns).
[0185] In an embodiment, a receiving caller's telephone 162 would
have the Multi-Channel Quiet Call technology to access a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 160 and Multi-Channel Quiet Call
Systems 160a as illustrated in FIG. 16B.
[0186] In an alternative embodiment, a third party provider is
brought into the call (most likely by the receiving caller) as
illustrated in FIG. 16A. In this case, a direct line would be kept
active between the receiving caller and one of the callees, and a
conference call would be established to accept an additional
incoming caller and control phrase element selection signals (most
likely as DTMF or other audible pattern), translate the signals
into corresponding audible utterances and transmit the audible
utterance to the incoming caller.
[0187] The following describes various in-band telecommunication
infrastructure embodiments. First, a proxy answer at a
Multi-Channel Quiet Call server embodiment may be used. Calls to a
telephone are actually first placed through a service number. This
may be made transparent to initiating callers 161 and 163 by
providing the service number as the point of contact. A
Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 160 (e.g., telephony program or
service provider function) answers the incoming calls from callers
161 and 163 and dials a receiving caller's telephone 162. Callee
answers telephone 162 and completes a connection to the first
initiating caller 161. The receiving telephone 162, then quickly
makes a connection to Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 160 (e.g.,
through a conference call or as a relay with the server application
acting as an intermediary, as shown in FIGS. 16A-B) which receives
signaling from callee telephone 162 and sends utterances to a
second caller 163. Callee makes Multi-Channel Quiet Call input
selections that are signaled to Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 160
for transmitting the appropriate audible utterance to the second
caller 163. The in-band signaling may itself be audible to
initiating caller 161 (e.g., as in a continuous three-way call
connection shown in FIG. 16A) or may be screened from initiating
caller 161 (e.g., as in a relay connection or shown in FIG. 16B).
Additionally, the conversation between the first caller 161 and the
receiving callee will not be audible to second caller 163. The
Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 160 also allows the callee to
change conversations between caller 161 and caller 163.
b. Out-of-Band Selection for Adding Voice Audio
[0188] A selected channel and phrase element may be communicated to
a Multi-Channel Quiet Call server through some means other than a
voice channel of the telephone call. FIG. 17 illustrates an
out-of-band telecommunication infrastructure embodiment 170. As
with in-band signaling, each call may be placed through a service
number (proxy answer approach described above) or directly to the
receiving caller's telephone. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call server is
connected to the voice calls through a relay configuration.
[0189] The following describes out-of-band control embodiments.
[0190] First, a related voice and data connections embodiment may
be used. Telecommunication systems (such as Integrated Services
Digital Network ("ISDN") carry voice and data on separate channels.
For example, instead of the telecommunication provider sending a
ring voltage signal to ring a bell in your telephone (in-band
signal), the provider sends a digital packet on a separate channel
(out-of-band signal). A call is processed by a telecommunications
service provider by establishing a voice channel and a related
control data stream. Control information is sent to a Multi-Channel
Quiet Call server independently from a voice communication using
the alternate data channel. A Multi-Channel Quiet Call server,
being in connection with each channel, introduces the appropriate
utterances to the appropriate channels as described above.
[0191] Second, a digital communication, such as Code Division
Multiple Access ("CDMA") and VoIP, encode voice and data as bits
and allow for simultaneous communication by interleaving the
packets on digital channels.
[0192] Third, a separate data connection embodiment may be used. In
an embodiment, a handset is set up with a separate data connection
or a second device (e.g., wirelessly connected PDA) to communicate
control information between a receiving caller and Multi-Channel
Quiet Call server.
[0193] Fourth, an additional telephone connection embodiment maybe
used. A handset is set up with a multiple channel capability or
several telephones could be used. One call would communicate
control information between a receiving caller's Multi-Channel
Quiet Call Phone 172 and Multi-Channel Quiet Call server 171. The
other telephone One 173 and other telephone Two 175 would each have
a connection between all parties (initiating callers, receiving
caller, and server application). However, the conference call
center would control, based on channel selections from
Multi-Channel Quiet Call Phone 172, which channels receive which
communications.
[0194] Fifth, when using a channel supporting simultaneous mixed
digital voice and data (e.g., VoIP combined with an IP-enabled
phone acting as the Multi-Channel Quiet Call Phone), synthetic or
pre-recorded conversation elements and channel selections may be
stored as simple data packets on a telephone handset.
[0195] Out-of-band signaling has the advantage that the control
signals do not have to be hidden, disguised (e.g., as rhythmic
patterns), or endured (e.g., touch tones). The disadvantage is that
several communication channels require management, except in the
case of intermixed voice and data packet communication (e.g.,
VoIP).
[0196] ii. VoIP Telecommunication Infrastructure
[0197] VoIP is the ability to make telephone calls and send faxes
over IP-based data networks with a suitable quality of service
(QoS) and superior cost/benefit. See
http://www.protocols.com/papers/voip.htm and
http://www.techquide.com. Voice, channel, and other data is encoded
into data packets and sent using Internet Protocol.
[0198] Net2phone's (http://www.net2phone.com) Parity software
(http://www.paritysw.com/products/spt ip.htm) "PC with Voice
Software" provides a VoIP telephony development Application Program
Interface ("API") according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0199] In a VoIP embodiment, information is transferred by way of
the Internet, telephone switches and/or local networks. FIGS.
18A-18H illustrate various telecommunication infrastructure
embodiments using VoIP functionality. The infrastructure
embodiments differ in where the Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice
utterances are stored/generated and in whether the phones used in
Multi-Channel Quiet Calls dialogue are IP-enabled. Table A shows
seven different configurations related to various infrastructure
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18A-18H.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Multi-Channel Other Phone Other Phone Voice
Utterances Stored/ Quiet Phone One IP- Two IP- Generated on the
Multi- Figure Illustrating the IP-enabled enabled enabled Channel
Quiet Phone Telecommunication (yes/no) (yes/no) (yes/no) (yes/no)
Infrastructure No No No No FIG. 18a No Yes No No FIG. 18b Yes No No
No FIG. 18c Yes Yes No No FIG. 18d Yes Yes Yes No FIG. 18e Yes No
No Yes FIG. 18f Yes No Yes Yes FIG. 18g Yes Yes Yes Yes FIG.
18h
[0200] In FIG. 18A, a non-IP-enabled telephone 180 capable of
issuing DTMF signals acts as a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone and
controls channel selection and the playback/generation of voice
utterances from a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181 via a VoIP
gateway 182. The DTMF control signals are detected by VoIP gateway
182 and routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet phone server 181 as IP
data packets with the appropriate Multi-Channel Quiet Call control
codes (including channel selections and audio selections). The
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181 receives the IP data packets
with the Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes and responds by
sending the stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice
utterances as IP data packets to either VoIP gateway 183
communicating with the Other Phone One 184 or the VoIP gateway 185
communicating with the Other Phone Two 186 based on channel
selection contained in the data packets received from Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 180.
[0201] Simultaneously, a user of Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 180 can
converse with one of the parties. Voice from Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone 180 goes through VoIP gateway 182 and is routed to
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181 as IP data packets including
channel information. Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181 sends the
data packets to the corresponding VoIP Gateway for which verbal
conversation is selected.
[0202] Voice from Other Phone One 184 goes to VoIP gateway 183 and
voice from Other Phone Two 186 goes through VoIP gateway 185 and
are routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet phone server 181 as IP data
packets. The Multi-Channel Quiet phone server 181 either sends one
set of data packets to VoIP gateway 182 or all data packets
depending on a user's selection.
[0203] In FIG. 18A, any telephone capable of generating DTMF
signals can be turned into a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone by simply
subscribing to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone service residing on
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181. Additionally, Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 180 may communicate with any number of other phones
using Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 181.
[0204] In FIG. 18B, a non-IP-enabled telephone 190 capable of
issuing DTMF signals acts as a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone and
controls channel selection and the playback/generation of voice
utterances from a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 191 via a VoIP
gateway 192. The DTMF control signals are detected by VoTP gateway
192 and routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet phone server 191 as IP
data packets with the appropriate Multi-Channel Quiet Call control
codes (including channel and audio selections). The Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone server 191 receives the IP data packets with the
Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes and responds by sending the
stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice utterances as IP
data packets to either VoIP gateway 193 communicating with the
Other Phone One 194 or directly to IP-enabled Other Phone Two 196
based on channel selection contained in the data packets received
from the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 190.
[0205] Simultaneously, a user of Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 190 can
converse with one of the parties. Voice from Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone 190 goes through VoIP gateway 192 and is routed to
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 191 as IP data packets including
channel information. Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 191 sends the
data packets to either VoIP Gateway 193 for Other Phone One 194 or
directed to Other Phone Two 196, depending upon which Other Phone
One or Two the user has selected to verbally converse with. Voice
from Other Phone One 194 goes to VoIP gateway 193 which transmits
data packets to Multi-Channel Quiet phone server 191 and voice from
Other Phone Two 196 is directly routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet
phone server 191 as IP data packets. The Multi-Channel Quiet phone
server 191 either sends one set of data packets to VoIP gateway 192
or sends all data packets depending on a user's selection.
[0206] In FIG. 18B, any telephone capable of generating DTMF
signals can be turned into a Multi-Channel Quiet Phone by simply
subscribing to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone service residing on
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 191. Additionally, Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 190 may communicate with any number of other phones of
any type, using Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 191.
[0207] In FIG. 18C, an IP-enabled telephone 200 acts as the
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone and controls channel selection and the
playback/generation of voice utterances from the Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone server 201 by sending Multi-Channel Quiet Call control
codes as IP data packets to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
201. The Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 201 receives the IP data
packets with the Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes and
responds by sending stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice
utterances as IP data packets to either VoIP gateway 203
communicating with the Other Phone One 204 or VoIP gateway 205
communicating with Other Phone Two 206 depending on the channel
selected by a user of Multi-Channel Quiet phone 200.
[0208] Voice from the Other Phone One 204 goes to the VoIP gateway
203 and voice from Other Phone Two goes through VoIP gateway 203,
each of which are routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
201. Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 201 either sends one set of
data packets to Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 200 or all data packets,
depending on user selection.
[0209] Any IP-enabled phone can be used as a Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone by subscribing to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone service
residing on Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 201. Additionally,
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 200 may communicate with any number of
other phones of any type, using Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
201.
[0210] In FIG. 18D, an IP-enabled telephone acts as a Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 210 and controls channel selection and the
playback/generation of voice utterances from a Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone server 211 by sending Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes
as IP data packets to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211. The
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211 receives the IP data packets
with the Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes and responds by
sending stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice utterances
as IP data packets to either IP-enabled Other Phone One 214 or the
VoIP gateway 215 communicating with the Other Phone Two 216 based
on the channel selected by the user of Multi-Channel Quiet Phone
211.
[0211] Voice from the Other Phone One 214 is routed to
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211 as IP data packets, and voice
from the Other Phone Two 216 goes through VoIP gateway 215 and is
routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211 as IP data
packets. Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211 either sends one set
of data packets and Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 210 or all data
packets, depending upon user selection.
[0212] Any IP-enabled phone can be used as a Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone by subscribing to Multi-Channel Quiet Phone service residing
on Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 211. Additionally,
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 210 may communicate with any number of
other phones of any type, using Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
211.
[0213] In FIG. 18E, an IP-enabled telephone 220 acts as the
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone and controls channel selection and the
playback/generation of voice utterances from the Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone server 221 by sending Multi-Channel Quiet Call control
codes as IP data packets to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
221. The Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 221 receives the IP data
packets with the Multi-Channel Quiet Call control codes and
responds by sending the stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call
voice utterances as IP data packets directly to either IP-enabled
Other Phone One 224 or to IP-enabled Other Phone Two 226 depending
upon channel selection information received from Multi-Channel
Quiet Call Phone 220.
[0214] Voice from the Other Phone One 224 and Other Phone Two 226
are routed directly to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 220 as IP data
packets. Multi-Channel Quiet Phone Server 221 either sends one set
of data packets to Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 220 or all data
packets, depending upon user selection.
[0215] Any IP-enabled phone can be used as a Multi-Channel Quiet
Phone 220 by subscribing to Multi-Channel Quiet Phone service
residing on Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server 221. Additionally,
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 220 may communicate with any number of
other phones of any type, using Multi-Channel Quiet Phone server
221.
[0216] In FIG. 18F, an IP-enabled telephone acts as Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 230 and controls channel selection and sends
stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice utterances as IP
data packets to either VoIP gateway 233 communicating with the
Other Phone One 234 or VoIP gateway 235 communicating with the
other Phone Two 236 based on channel selection. Voice from the
Other Phone One 234 goes to the VoIP gateway 234 and is routed to
the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 230 as IP data packets. Voice from
the Other Phone Two 236 goes to the VoIP gateway 235 and is routed
to Multi-Channel Quiet phone 230 as IP data packets. Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 230 receives the sets of packets and either provides
audio from one channel to a user for listening, or mixes audio by
combining the data packet sets, which allows a user to listen to
multiple channels simultaneously.
[0217] In FIG. 18G, an IP-enabled telephone acts as Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 240 and controls channel selection and sends
stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice utterances as IP
data packets to either VoIP gateway 243 communicating with the
Other Phone One 244 or directly to other IP-enabled Phone Two 246
based on channel selection.
[0218] Voice from the Other Phone One 244 goes to the VoIP gateway
243 and is routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 240 as IP data
packets, and voice from Other Phone Two 246 is routed directly to
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 240 as IP data packets. Multi-Channel
Quiet Phone 240 receives the sets of packets and either provides
audio from one channel to a user for listening, or mixes audio by
combining the data packet sets, which allows a user to listen to
multiple channels simultaneously.
[0219] In FIG. 18H, an IP-enabled telephone acts as the
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 250 and controls channel selection and
sends stored/generated Multi-Channel Quiet Call voice utterances as
IP data packets to either the IP-enabled Other Phone One 254 or the
IP-enabled Other Phone Two 256 based on channel selection.
[0220] Voice from Other Phone One 254 and Other Phone Two 256 are
routed to the Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 250 as IP data packets.
Multi-Channel Quiet Phone 250 receives the sets of packets and
either provides audio from one channel to a user for listening, or
mixes audio by combining the data packet sets which allows a user
to listen to multiple channels simultaneously.
[0221] iii. Wireless Telephony Applications and Interfaces
[0222] In an embodiment, Wireless Telephony Applications Framework
("WTA") within a Wireless Application Protocol ("WAP") is used for
a Multi-Channel Quiet Call embodiment. For example, Multi-Channel
Quiet Call software is stored on a WTA server accessed from a
microbrowser stored on a mobile telephone.
[0223] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention has been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners
skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art
to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *
References