WO2006066076A2

WO2006066076A2 - System and method for a telephone logging system

Info

Publication number: WO2006066076A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/045581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fred Deutsch
Original assignee: Fred Deutsch
Priority date: 2004-12-15
Filing date: 2005-12-15
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: WO2006066076A3

Abstract

A communication logging system (120) and method thereof is disclosed, which aids in the facilitation of a user feedback and tracking. In particular, a communication module (122), text-to-speech converter (132), VOX (134), and server (130) are used in the communication logging system. Several communication devices are employed that allows the user a broad choices of communicating user information. Moreover, the processing and storing of user reports are maintained by a network server.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A TELEPHONE LOGGING SYSTEM

Field of the Inventions

[001] The present invention relates to telephone feedback systems and telephone based logging systems. Background Information

[002] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/630,771, filed on November 23, 2004, entitled, "System And Method for a Telephone Feedback System For Fitness Programs," now pending PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US2005/042556, filed on November 23, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full, discloses a telephone feedback system. In that system, a user can communicate with a system using a number of methods including using a telephone. The user can then disclose diet and fitness information. The system using either interactive voice response (IVR) or voice recognition (VR) can interpret the voice information and appropriately process the diet and fitness information delivered by voice. This information is then processed by the diet system and a response based on the information as well as a record of the process of the user's diet can be generated. This response and optional record can be delivered to the user by voice and in some embodiments by a voice selected by the user or the system, such as a celebrity's voice.

[003] The system described in the U.S. Provisional Patent Application ^' Ser. No. 60/630,771 can also be adapted for other applications, a few of which are set forth below. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[004] The present invention provides a communication system that logs user habits and uses this information to calculate and feedback consumption patterns and rates back to the user. In one aspect of the invention, a communication logging system for providing feedback to a user comprises a communication module configured to receive user information from a user; a server configured to store the user information and provide consumption reports in response to a user request.

[005] In another aspect of the invention, a communication method for providing feedback to a user comprising the steps of receiving user information from the user and communicating the user information to a server; storing the user information and processing user reports in response to a user's request by the server.

[006] One advantage of the present invention is that it frees the user from having to track and calculate their consumption (especially during times which are most incontinent such as during meetings).

[007] Another advantage of the present invention is that the user can use a variety of communication devices (i.e., phone or text messaging device) to submit their intake or consumption to the server.

[008] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the intake information received by the user can take the form of either voice (via Text to Speech conversion) or text allowing the user to receive their consumption information in various forms.

[009] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent as described in the detailed embodiment section, figures and claims shown below. BK±ht DbSUKlf 1 IUJN Ul* 1 Mb IJKAWlJNU

[010] For a better understanding of the nature of the features of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a telephone feedback system in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating telephone feedback system in accordance with one embodiment of the systems and methods described herein. In general, user 102 can interact with system 120 to provide information to system 120. For example, user 102 can call in using telephone 112, which can be either a standard land line or a cellular phone. User 102 can send a short message system (SMS) message or a text message using wireless device 114, or he can send an email message using any sort of email appliance 116 including a personal computer or a wireless email device, such as a Blackberry. In general, any device or communication method can be used to provide information to system 120. But as explained below, it can be preferable to use a voice communication device, such as a telephone or cellular phone.

[013] Within system 120, communications from the various communications devices enter through communications interface 122, which can comprise several different interfaces, such as a network interface card and/or a telephone interface. If the communications device provides information in a textual manner, such as device 114 or device 116, the information can be directly communicated to server 130. If the communications device provides information in voice, such as telephone 112, the information is processed by voice conversion system 124 which can comprise IVR module 126 or VR module 128 or both. Voice conversion system 124 converts the incoming voice communications into information usable by system 130, such as a textual format.

[014] Server 130 can process the information received from user 102. The actions of server 130 are dependent on the application that server 130 is configured to perform. Depending on the application server 130 can communicated over network 140 to outside services 142. It can also make information available over network 150 to a user at terminal 152. In either case, networks 140 and 150 need not be any particular type of network and can include LANs, WANs, and the Internet.

[015] Once server 130 has a response to present to user 102. It can call user 102 through telephone 112. It can communicate electronically through wireless device 114 or email device 116. If the response is ready while user 102 is in telephonic communications with system 120, no new call needs to be established. In the case of electronic communications to wireless device 114 or email device 116, server 130 can respond in kind, i.e. send an email in response to an email or an SMS message in response to an SMS message. If a voice response is required, the response is processed first through text-to-speech (TTS) module 132 and optionally to VOX module 134. TTS module 132 converts the response to speech. VOX module 134 morphs the synthetic speech into a voice of choice, for instance, a celebrity, friend, or family member depending on the application.

[016] More specifically, the systems and methods described above can be applied to curbing smoking by either a smoker who wants to quit or a smoker who wants to limit his consumption. In such an embodiment, system 120 is configured to keep track of user 102' s smoking habits. For example, server 130 can be configured to receive reports from user 102 related to user 102's smoking habits and patterns. User 102 can, e.g., call in each time he is about to smoke a cigarette. User 1U2 can then simply speak into the telephone, e.g., and say "I'm going to have a smoke." The system can keep track of his consumption and can be configured to give an immediate response. For example, the response can be informative, "That's 10 cigarettes today," the response can provide advice, e.g., "You've already had a pack, are you sure you want to start another pack?" [017] The cigarette consumption rate, the time of cigarette consumption and the time between cigarette consumption can be recorded by server 130 or sent to outside resource 142. Based on the cigarette consumption time and rate, patterns about user 102's smoking habits can be discerned. These patterns can be used, e.g., to make predictions about user 102's smoking behavior. For example, the system can predict when user 102 will smoke again. When the smoking patterns are known, system 130 can, e.g., call user 102 when the system predicts user 102 will smoke again, and e.g., issue a warning not to smoke.

[018] For example, user 102 might smoke after a meal, or his consumption could be highest on a Friday night. Thus, system 130 can determine such patterns and predict when user 102 will smoke next. The system can then be configured to place a call, e.g., immediately before or after the next meal, or during a Friday night. [019] VOX 134 can be used to convert the response provided by system 130 to a voice, e.g., of a celebrity or a loved one. A user may be reluctant to call into system 130, so in order to improve participation, system 130 can be configured to be more reassuring. Further, a celebrity voice can be used to increase participation. The more a smoker participates the more accurate the information obtained relating to the consumption rate and time will be.

[020] The systems and methods described above can also be applied to marketing research. Generally, at present, many consumer surveys use housewives who have agreed to keep logs of their purchase. These logs have proven to be notoriously inaccurate and force marketing companies to send out droves of auditors to verify the accuracy of these logs.

[021] Instead of requiring the participant to keep a log, she can simply call in using telephone 112 and report, e.g., her purchase. The purchase can then be processed by server 130. System 120 can further be enhanced to provide a specific voice in response to participant, perhaps as an added inducement. For example, the participant can call the marketing system and is prompted immediately by a celebrity voice. This voice then prompts her for all her purchases and provides acknowledgements. The acknowledgements and prompts can be straightforward or can be embedded with humor. That latter can also be used to encourage participation.

[022] Furthermore, the purchase patterns can be determined and system 130 can call the participant when system 130 predicts that the participant might be shopping and make an inquiry inquire, "Are you going shopping today?" It can also be configured based on past purchase patterns to inquire about possible missing purchases, such as "Did you buy a loaf of bread?" in the event that a participant left something out of their call in report. [023] Many other applications of the telephone system described above would no doubt become obvious to one of ordinary skill. The ubiquity of cell phones today enables a system with good voice processing capabilities to offer a convenient method of logging information by allowing the user to simply call in and report information that they desire to have recorded.

[024] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described above, it will be understood that the embodiments described are by way of example only. Accordingly, the inventions should not be limited based on the described embodiments.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A communication system for logging user information comprising: a communication module configured to receive the user information from a user; a voice conversion system for translating voice messages received from the user into text; a server configured to store the user information and configured to provide reports in response to a request by the user; and a text-to-speech (TTS) module for converting the user's requested reports to speech.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the communication module receives the user information in the form of a voice or text message from the user.

3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein the communication module receives the voice message from a voice communication device.

4. The communication system of claim 2, wherein the communication module receives the text message from a email messaging device.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to update the user regarding the user's progress.

6. The communication system of claim 5, wherein the server provides an update by sending an electronic message to the user.

7. The communication system of claim 5, wherein the server provides an update by initiating a phone call with the user.

8. The communication system of claim 4, wherein the server provides instantaneous reports to the user based on the user's stored information.

9. The communication system of claim 8, wherein the reports are converted to voice through the TTS module and communicated to the user by telephone or cellular phone.

10. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the voice is synthesized and morphed into a celebrity voice for reinforcement and participation encouragement.

11. A communication method for providing feedback to a user comprising the steps of:

receiving user information from the user and communicating the user information to a server; translating voice messages received from the user into text using a voice conversion module; storing the user information and processing user reports in response to a user request by the server; converting the user reports into voice response using a Text-to-Speech (TTS) module; synthesizing the converted voice response using a VOX module.

12. The communication method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

playing back the synthesized voice response to the user.

13. The communication method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

synthesizing the voice to report in a celebrity voice, wherein the step is performed after the TTS conversion.

14. The communication method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

sending real-time feedback to the user.

15. The communication method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

communicating the voice response to the user by telephone, cellular phone or text messaging device.