Dynamically configured voice mail system

Abstract

A dynamically configured voice mail system which allows customers to send digital information through a number of different sources into a user's voice mail system. The dynamically configured voice mail system prioritizes the customer's information and converts this information into audio messages using known technology. Subsequently, the user may retrieve prioritized audio messages and take action on said audio messages by simply pressing one or more buttons on the telephone keypad. Keypad actions may be dynamically and uniquely configured for each audio message, depending on the appropriate actions intended by the sender for the recipient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method for integrating and prioritizing business data and audio messaging in order to enable a user to perform business-related processes directly from a voice mail, e-mail, web browser, or text messaging system. [0003] 2. Background Information [0004] Currently, there are a number of viable ways to send and receive information or data in a business-related environment. Several of the most prominent methods of sending and receiving data are e-mail (computer-to-computer), fax (phone-to-phone), database data-transfer (computer-to-computer), and pager services (phone-to-phone or e-mail-to-phone). It has become increasingly vital that business professionals possess the updates to the most recent business data in order to make informed and well-reasoned decisions. For example, the use of wireless networks, video-conferencing, portable e-mail devices (i.e. BLACKBERRY brand devices), and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In satisfaction of these and related objects, the present invention provides a Dynamically Configured Voice Mail System (“DCVMS”) which creates a new way of working by allowing the user to not only receive key metric information via audio messages, but also allowing the user to then take some additional action to resolve or drive the business process further. In other words, the DCVMS solution will extend current business processes by providing a user access and the capability to process (take action on) business and personal data from anywhere and anytime via a phone.

[0015] The DCVMS provides a robust method of collecting relevant, real-time business data from numerous sources, categorizing and prioritizing that data, so that the business professional can adequately perform business process from remote locations. Furthermore, the use of this device will increase the productivity of the modern worker.

[0016] The DCVMS also has applications beyond the business community. It will provide a more robust way for family and friends to not only leave messages for a recipient but to also select what actions the recipient may take after hearing a message. As merely one example, one family member can now, in addition to leaving a message for another family member to pick up the family dog at the groomer, also enter an option for the recipient to, for example, press #1 on the phone keypad to call the groomer to ask if the dog is ready to be picked up, or press #2 on the phone keypad to call the sender's cell phone.

Problems solved by technology

One of the major downfalls of technology in the workplace is technology's ability to accelerate the pace of work and of communication beyond what humans are able to bear.

A recent survey found that an overwhelming majority of business employees believe that they are physically incapable of responding to the vast amount of information received each day—via e-mail, database transfer, pager, and cell-phone.

With the advent of so many means of communication, users can easily become lost and overwhelmed at the amount of information they are required to process and use each work day.

To further exacerbate the problem, the use of numerous software and hardware packages has made the integration of the information needed to run a business difficult, if not impossible.

Recently, many experts have criticized the use of high-technology in communication in regard to productivity.

Countless number of hours of productivity are wasted on sorting through various pieces of data for the one piece of information that is critically important to the user at that very moment.

Research done by Purdue University's School of Technology found that workers may accomplish more tasks with the advent of new technology without actually improving productivity.

In other words, workers may simply be getting the wrong things done faster.

Although the technology used to increasing the flow of communication has progressed immensely, it has failed to progress at the same speed in assisting workers with critical management skills, such as: identifying priorities, managing time, planning, and delegating.

However, the current use of voice mail is inadequate at integrating and prioritizing vast amounts of data, such that the user can make informed business decisions and perform real-time business processes through the voice mail system.

But the current voice mail methods are not dynamic.

Such methods do not provide users with automatically prioritized information, drawn pro-actively or passively from multiple data sources.

Nor does the current voice mail technology allow a user to perform business processes from remote locations.

Finally, current voice mail technology is inadequate at pulling in data from a number of data sources, as is required in today's environment.

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