Abstract:
A method of aggregating interactive voice response services from a plurality of interactive voice response systems can include, for at least one caller, storing service information for a plurality of services within an interactive voice response system. Each service can be accessible through a corresponding one of the plurality of interactive voice response systems. The method further can include receiving a call from the caller and receiving an input from the caller over the call, wherein the input identifies at least one of the plurality of services and corresponding interactive voice response systems. The method also can include accessing the interactive voice response system corresponding to the identified service on behalf of the caller, retrieving information from the interactive voice response system, and providing the retrieved information to the caller.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to the field of interactive voice response systems. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   An interactive voice response (IVR) system serves as a front end interface through which a calling party or caller can access data processing systems. The IVR system can provide prompts to the caller and receive touch tone and/or spoken responses from the caller. Through prompt/response interaction, the IVR system collects sufficient information about the caller to direct the inbound call to an appropriate resource, query an information processing system, or the like. 
   For example, an IVR system typically includes a hierarchical menu formed of an ordered series of audio prompts, whether recorded audio and/or text-to-speech programming. Each prompt is associated with a listing of choices available to the caller at that particular location within the menu hierarchy. The caller can navigate the menu hierarchy by making selections using touch tones and/or speech. Responsive to a caller input, the IVR system traverses the menu hierarchy to the particular selection that was chosen or indicated by the caller&#39;s input. In this manner, the IVR system enables the caller to traverse the menu hierarchy to reach a particular service or feature that is of interest to the caller. 
   As noted, IVR systems can function as audio interfaces for a variety of different information processing systems. For example, IVR systems can be used to automate caller access to financial accounts such as bank accounts, credit card accounts, and/or retirement accounts. IVR systems also can automate caller access to telephone directories, automated purchase systems, home shopping systems, bill payment systems, and the like. 
   As such, many persons interact with one or more different IVR systems on a day to day basis, whether checking on one&#39;s 401K or verifying a balance of a checking account. In fact, to perform routine tasks as listed above, callers on average deal with at least four different IVR systems as each task typically is performed by a different IVR system. 
   In order access the functionality of each respective IVR system, the caller must remember a different telephone number for each IVR system or service the caller wishes to access. The caller must also remember a corresponding account number for each respective IVR system as well as corresponding user identifiers (ID&#39;s) and/or passwords. Moreover, the caller must remember the particular menu structure used by each IVR system to efficiently navigate the menu hierarchy of the called IVR system to retrieve information desired by the caller. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a solution for aggregating interactive voice response (IVR) services under a centralized system. More particularly, the present invention provides a master IVR service through which a caller can access several different IVR systems. The caller can register with the master IVR service and provide access information for one or more IVR systems. After registering with the master IVR service, the caller need only recall the access number and logon information for the master IVR service. Once the caller is logged on to the master IVR service, the caller can access any other IVR systems which the caller has registered with the master IVR service. That is, the master IVR service can log the caller into other IVR systems, forward caller queries to the IVR systems, and retrieve information from the IVR systems to relay back to the caller. 
   One aspect of the present invention can include a method of aggregating interactive voice response services from one or more interactive voice response systems. The method can include, for at least one caller, storing service information for one or more services within an interactive voice response system. Each service can be accessible through a corresponding one of the interactive voice response systems. The method further can include receiving a call from the caller and receiving an input from the caller over the call. In one embodiment of the present invention, the input can identify one or more services and corresponding interactive voice response systems. Accordingly, the interactive voice response system corresponding to the identified service can be accessed on behalf of the caller. Information from the interactive voice response system can be retrieved and provided to the caller. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the service information can include login information for each of the services. In that case, the accessing step can include logging on to one or more of the interactive voice response systems. The service information further can specify instructions for navigating an interactive voice response menu hierarchy for one or more of the services. Also, the caller input can specify a caller query for information to be retrieved from one or more of the services. Accordingly, the accessing step can include submitting the caller query to one or more of the services. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for aggregating interactive voice response (IVR) systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating another system for aggregating IVR systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method of registering a caller with a master IVR service configured to aggregate services from one or more IVR systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing master IVR services to a caller in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  100  for aggregating interactive voice response (IVR) systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. As shown, the system  100  can include a master IVR service  105  and one or more IVR systems  110 ,  115 ,  120 , and  125 , each of which can be implemented as a separate network element, communicatively linked via a communications network  135 . The communications network  135  can be implemented as, or include, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Internet, an intranet, wireless telephony networks, Internet Protocol (IP) telephony, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) networks, and the like. 
   While one or more of the network elements can be co-located, according to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the IVR systems  110 – 125 , as well as the master IVR service  105 , can be remotely located from one another. The IVR systems  110 – 125 , as well as the master IVR system  105 , can be implemented as software programs executing within information processing systems. Each information processing system can include an appropriate telephony interface for performing call control functions including, but not limited to, receiving inbound calls, initiating outbound telephone calls, as well as call transfers, and the like. 
   The IVR systems  110 – 125  can serve as front end interfaces for information processing systems. Each IVR system  110 – 125  can implement one or more caller services. As such, the IVR systems  110 – 125  can receive input in the form of caller speech and/or touch-tones, either or both of which can be received over an established telephone call. For example, each IVR system  110 – 125  can include or access a speech recognition system (SRS) for converting caller speech to text as well as one or more recorded audio prompts that can be played to callers. The IVR systems  110 – 125  also can include suitable text-to-speech (TTS) systems rather than prerecorded audio prompts or a combination of both. In any case, the IVR systems  110 – 125  can be accessed via a caller  130 , or in this case the master IVR service  105 , by placing a telephone call to a telephone number corresponding to the caller selected IVR system. 
   The master IVR service  105  can be implemented as a separate IVR system through which the caller  130  can access each of the other IVR systems  110 – 125 . While the master IVR service  105  can function in similar fashion as the other IVR systems  110 – 125  in that the IVR service  105  can receive calls, initiate outbound calls, transfer calls, and process caller speech and/or touch tone input, the master IVR service  105  also can be programmed to contact each of the IVR systems  110 – 125  on behalf of the caller  130 . The master IVR system  105  can serve as an interface between the caller  130  and the IVR systems  110 – 125  such that caller queries can be forwarded to a selected IVR system  110 – 125 and responses provided by one of the IVR systems  110 – 125  can be provided back to the master IVR service  105  to be provided back or played to the caller  130 . 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system implementation  200  for aggregating IVR systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The system  200  can include a master IVR service  210 , a banking IVR system  240 , a bill payment IVR system  245 , and a directory assistance IVR system  250 . 
   The master IVR service  210  can include a controller  215 , a SRS  220 , a TTS system  225 , an audio data store  230 , and a caller profile data store  235 . The SRS  220  can receive spoken utterances, for example speech received over an established telephone call, and convert the utterances to text. The TTS system  225  can generate audible prompts from input text. The audio data store  230  can include recorded audio prompts as well as recorded caller speech to be used within an input sequence to be provided to one of the IVR systems  240 – 250 , or to be played to a caller  230 . 
   The caller profile data store  235  can store caller profiles for each registered caller. Each caller profile can store service information including, but not limited to, one or more IVR system access numbers for registered IVR systems, as well as account numbers, passwords, or other caller identifying information needed by the master IVR service  210  for accessing or logging on to other IVR systems on behalf of the caller  205 . 
   Service information within caller profiles also can include instructions for navigating menu hierarchies for each registered IVR system, for example IVR systems  240 – 250 . Each set of instructions can include a series of one or more inputs, whether touch tones, recorded caller speech, commands for generating TTS system  225  generated speech, or any combination thereof, which correspond to menu selections for navigating a menu hierarchy of a registered IVR system. The caller  205  can enter a sequence of inputs for accessing one or more features of a registered IVR system. Each sequence can be stored as a selection in the master IVR service  210 , which can be selected by the caller  205 . For example, the caller profile can include an input sequence for accessing the caller&#39;s  205  checking account balance from the banking IVR system  240 , an input sequence for paying a particular bill on the bill payment IVR system  245 , as well as an input sequence for looking up or dialing one or more telephone numbers through the directory assistance IVR system  250 . 
   The caller  205  can choose the programmed selections thereby causing the master IVR service  210  to provide the input sequence to the proper IVR system to retrieve information desired by the caller  205 . Accordingly, once the input sequence for a function of a registered IVR system is programmed into the master IVR service  210 , the caller  205  need not manually enter that input sequence when the caller  205  wishes to access the function. 
   The controller  215  can control telephony call control functions, for example by controlling one or more telephony interfaces (not shown) of the master IVR service  210 . As such, the controller  215  can instruct the telephony interface to answer inbound telephone calls to the master IVR service  210 , initiate outbound telephone calls, transfer calls, process touch tone input, and generate touch tone output. 
   According to one embodiment, the controller  215  can join two calls in progress. More particularly, after answering a telephone call from the caller  205  and initiating an outbound call with a selected IVR system, the controller  215  can instruct the telephony interface to join the two calls thereby removing the master IVR service  210  from the call chain such that the caller  205  remains connected with the selected IVR system. Still, the controller  215  can cause the master IVR service  210  to serve as a pass-through between the IVR system and the caller  205  where caller  205  input passes through the master IVR service  210  to a selected IVR system and the IVR system response passes through the master IVR service  210  to the caller  205 . 
   The controller  215  also can control and coordinate the operation of the SRS  220  and the TTS system  225 . The controller  215  can route caller  205  speech received over a telephony link to the SRS  220 , as well as route audio from the TTS system  225  to the caller  205  and/or one or more of the IVR systems  240 – 250  over a telephony link. Similarly, the controller  210  can access the audio data store  230  to retrieve needed audio prompts and play those audio prompts to the caller  205  and/or one or more of the IVR systems  240 – 250 . The controller  215  also can access the caller profile data store  235  to create, delete, read, and write caller profiles. 
   While the master IVR service  210  is depicted as including the SRS  220 , the TTS system  225 , and data stores  230  and  235 , those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the components can be distributed across a network. For example, the master IVR service  210  can be configured without the SRS  220  such that the master IVR service  210  accesses a remote SRS for speech recognition tasks. Similarly, the master IVR service  210  can be configured to utilize either recorded prompts or TTS technology. In either case, the audio data store  230  and/or the TTS system  225  also can be remotely located from the master IVR service  210 . 
   In operation, the caller  205  can register with the IVR service  210  and provide necessary access information for each of the respective IVR systems  240 – 250 . When the caller  205  requires information from one or more of the IVR systems  240 – 250 , the caller  205  need only place a telephone call to the master IVR service  210 . Once logged onto the master IVR service  210  over an established telephony link, the caller  205  can instruct the master IVR service  210  to place an outgoing telephone call to a selected IVR system  240 – 250 . While the caller  205  can be transferred to the selected IVR system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the master IVR service  210  can remain in the telephony call chain. 
   For example, after logging onto the master IVR service  210 , the caller  205  can select IVR system  240 . The caller  205 , having uploaded various inputs such as speech, key sequences for navigating the IVR system  240 , text to be played by the TTS system  225 , or instructions for the TTS system  225  to play speech, can instruct the master IVR service  210  to call the IVR system  215 . Once the call is established, the master IVR service  210  can transmit the caller&#39;s  205  account information, user ID, password, and/or other necessary information for logging the caller  205  on to the IVR system  240 . The master IVR service  210  further can provide a programmed input sequence as specified by the caller  205  to the IVR system  240 . Response information determined by the IVR system  240  can be provided back to the master IVR service  210 . The master IVR service  210  then can relay the information to the caller  205  over the established telephony link. 
     FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method  300  of registering a caller with a master IVR service configured to aggregate services from one or more IVR systems in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The method  300  can begin in step  305  where a caller or subscriber of the master IVR service places a telephone call to the master IVR service. 
   Once a telephone call is established between the caller and the master IVR service, in step  310 , the master IVR service can begin audibly prompting the caller for information. For example, the IVR service can begin asking the caller to register one or more different IVR systems with which the caller interacts or wishes to interact through the master IVR service. The caller can be audibly prompted for information such as the names of each IVR system or service, access telephone numbers for each IVR system, the relevant account numbers or other identifiers used to gain access to the caller&#39;s information through each IVR system, as well as any other information, including passwords, that may be required. The requested information can be provided by the caller through touch tone and/or speech inputs. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the master IVR service also can query the caller for instructions for navigating menu hierarchies for each registered IVR system. Thus, the caller can specify one or more input sequences, whether touch tone inputs, recorded caller speech, keyed in text to be played by the TTS system, commands for the TTS system to play speech, or any combination thereof, for accessing functions that are routinely used by the caller. For example, if the caller accesses account balance information on a routine basis, the caller can provide the master IVR service with the input sequence necessary to instruct the banking IVR system to provide the caller&#39;s balance information. The caller can provide as many sets of instructions as desired or as memory permits. 
   In step  315 , the master IVR service can store the received information and create a navigation tree of the caller&#39;s services. That is, the master IVR service can create a data structure describing each IVR system for which the caller has provided information, including instructions for IVR menu navigation. In step  320 , the master IVR service can create a user identifier (ID) and password with which the caller can access and log on to the master IVR service. Using the generated user ID and password, the caller can access any of the IVR systems that have been registered with the master IVR service. In step  325 , the master IVR service can provide the generated user ID and password to the caller. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, the caller can be provided with a programming tool for registering IVR systems. The tool can facilitate the caller&#39;s ability to provide IVR system information including instructions for navigating IVR system menu hierarchies. The IVR system registration information specified by the caller then can be uploaded or imported into the master IVR service. For example, the caller can be provided with a standalone program that can be executed on a computing device allowing the caller to specify sequences of touch tones and/or speech inputs as well as other data for specifying queries for the IVR systems that the caller has registered with the master IVR service. In another embodiment, such a tool can be provided as a Web site through which the caller can interact to specify such menu hierarchies and queries. In either case, the resulting data can be provided or uploaded to the master IVR service. 
     FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method  400  of providing master IVR services to a caller in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. The method can begin in a state where the caller has already registered with the master IVR service as described with reference to  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the method  400  can begin in step  405  where the caller can initiate a telephone call to the master IVR service. 
   Once a call is established, in step  410 , the caller can log on to the master IVR service. The caller, having previously registered with the master IVR service, can provide a caller specific user ID and password for accessing the master IVR service. After logging on, in step  415 , the caller can indicate which of the registered IVR systems the caller wishes to access. For example, the caller can be prompted to select a particular IVR system that the caller has previously registered with the master IVR service. In this case the caller can select an option corresponding to a banking IVR system. 
   In step  420 , the master IVR service can log on to the caller selected IVR system. Taking the previous example, the master IVR service can place an outgoing call to the banking IVR system. The master IVR service then can provide account information, a user ID, password, and/or any other information necessary for the master IVR service to log on to the banking IVR system on behalf of the caller. As noted, the necessary log on information can be accessed from the caller&#39;s profile stored in the master IVR service. Notably, the master IVR service can remain on line as a party to the telephone call. That is, the caller can be connected to the specified IVR system through the master IVR service. 
   In step  425 , the master IVR service can provide navigational information to the IVR system. In particular, the master IVR service can provide instructions for navigating a menu hierarchy of the IVR system. The instructions can specify one or more inputs for instructing the selected IVR system to navigate to a particular menu location or option for performing a task. The instructions can specify a caller query or a caller query can be provided by the caller after the desired option of the IVR system has been reached. Continuing with the previous example, the caller can request that the master IVR service transmit an input sequence causing the banking IVR system to retrieve an account balance. Once the input sequence is sent, the banking IVR system can navigate to the menu location specified by the received inputs. The task specified by the menu location can then be performed. 
   In step  430 , the IVR system can provide the requested information to the master IVR service. The master IVR service then can forward the received information to the caller. As the retrieved information is provided as an audible response, the response can be provided directly to the caller as the master IVR service remains connected to both the caller and the IVR system. For example, the requested banking balance information, sent by the banking IVR system, can be passed on to the caller via the master IVR service. 
   In step  435 , the master IVR service can receive a response from the caller. In step  440 , from the caller response, the master IVR service can determine whether the caller wishes to continue accessing the selected or current IVR system. If so, the method can proceed to step  425  where the caller again can select navigational information to be sent to the selected IVR system from the master IVR service. If not, the method can proceed to step  445 . 
   In step  445 , the master IVR service can determine whether the caller wishes to access a different IVR system, for example by prompting the caller. If so, the method can proceed to step  450  where the session with the current or selected IVR system can be terminated. The method then can continue to step  415  to access another caller selected IVR system. 
   If the caller does not wish to access another IVR system, the method can proceed to step  455  where the session with the current IVR system can be terminated. The method then can end. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the method  400  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not so limited. Rather, callers can interact with the master IVR system  400  in a variety of different ways such that the ordering of the steps need not be carried out exactly as described. For example, each caller response can be solicited by a corresponding master IVR service prompt, or a prompt from an IVR system that is relayed to the caller via the master IVR service. Further, caller responses can preempt solicitations by the IVR systems or the master IVR service. 
   According to one embodiment, the present invention can provide an option allowing the caller to access an introductory set of menu selections for an accessed IVR system. For example, caller profiles stored in the master IVR service can include an option that, responsive to a caller selection, causes the master IVR service to send an accessed IVR system one or more inputs instructing the selected IVR system to navigate to an introductory menu location. This allows the caller to begin navigating the accessed IVR system from the beginning of the menu hierarchy as if the caller had initiated the call without the aid of the master IVR service. The caller can assume full control over navigating the IVR system menu, providing individual inputs in serial fashion as if the caller had not initiated contact through the master IVR service. Such a feature can be useful, for example, in cases where the caller wishes to access an IVR system option that has not yet been programmed into the master IVR service. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, after causing a selected IVR system to navigate to an introductory set of options, the master IVR service can transfer the call such that the master IVR service is no longer in the connection path between the caller and the selected IVR system. 
   The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
   The present invention also can be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. 
   This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.