Method and apparatus for providing a virtual assistant to a communication participant
US8107401B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q10/107
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a virtual assistant to at least one party of a communication. The virtual assistant is injected into the communication, for example, by a VXML engine. The operation of the virtual assistant is controlled by one or more software modules that are obtained from a proxy node. The software modules allow commands received from or destined for the party to be interpreted. The virtual assistant may optionally be customized based on a selection of the one or more supported external applications. The proxy node provides at least one method for the party that allows the party to access functionality provided by at least one external application. The proxy node interprets signals from the virtual assistant; converts the signals from the virtual assistant into commands for the external application; and converts one or more of commands, messages and data from the external application into signals understood by the virtual assistant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.