WO1997050223A1

WO1997050223A1 - Smart tone access card

Info

Publication number: WO1997050223A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/011124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert F. Mccune
Original assignee: Mci Communications Corporation
Priority date: 1996-06-27
Filing date: 1997-06-26
Publication date: 1997-12-31
Also published as: AU3411397A

Abstract

A system and method for interacting with a telecommunications system. An access card producer/distributor (104) manufactures and preprograms a plurality of access cards. The preprogramming (408) enables the access cards to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by a telecommunications system (410). The access card producer/distributor (104) distributes the preprogrammed access cards to parties. The access cards are then used by the parties to navigate through the telecommunications system (410). Specifically, upon command, the access cards generate a series of DTMF signals (314) required to navigate to a service provided by the telecommunications system and desired by the party.

Description

Smart Tone Access Card

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and more particularly to access cards used to facilitate access to services provided by telecommunications systems.

Related Art

It is now possible to make long distance telephone calls using calling cards. Typically, one makes a calling card call by dialing an access number of a long distance carrier, the called party's area code and telephone number (often preceded by dialing 0), and the calling party's calling card number. Thus, it is necessary to dial a significant number of digits in order to make a calling card call. With the MCI calling card service, for example, the access number is 7 digits, the calling card number is 14 digits, and the called number (plus 0) is 1 1 digits. Thus, one must dial 32 digits in order to make a calling card call using the MCI calling card service.

Having to dial so many digits makes calling card services less easy to use. Also, since so many digits are required, a calling party could easily make a mistake while dialing. Making a mistake while dialing would require the calling party to redial the entire sequence of digits.

This problem also exists when interacting with other telecommunication systems. Interactive telecommunication systems are becoming more and more prevalent. These systems offer a great diversity of services, such as long distance services (such as the calling card example discussed above), information services 50223 PC17US97/11124

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(such as sports scores and stock prices), contests, games, lotteries, shopping (such as sampling and buying music over the telephone), bill paying, banking, etc.

A user interacts with a telecommunication system by (1) establishing a connection with the tele∞mmunication system (by dialing the telecommunication system's access number, for example); (2) logging on to the telecommunication system (by providing a user name and/or password, for example); and (3) navigating through often complicated, multi-level menus to access the desired service provided by the telecommunication system. Conventionally, the user performs all three steps by manually pressing keys on his telephone keypad. As with the calling card example discussed above, it may be necessary for the user to dial a long sequence of digits in order to connect to and log on to the telecommunication system. It may also be necessary for the user to dial a long sequence of digits in order to navigate through the menus of the telecommunication system, and access the desired service offered by the telecommunication system.

Having to dial so many digits makes telecommunication systems less easy and less desirable to use. Thus, a need exists for some means or procedure for facilitating interaction with telecommunication systems.

Some existing devices attempt to address this need. For example, some telephones (such as cellular telephones) can be programmed to output sequences of DTMF (dual tone multiple frequency) signals. Thus, in theory it is possible to program such telephones so that they automatically access and interact with telecommunication systems.

However, such telephones do not represent an ideal solution since they must be manually programmed by users. It may not be possible for users to efficiently and effectively program the telephones, since such efficient and effective programming requires detailed knowledge of the telecommunication systems (particularly the respective menu structures of the telecommunication systems). It is likely that users will not have such detailed knowledge, especially with telecommunication systems having complicated, multi-level menu structures.

Thus, a need remains for some means or procedure for facilitating interaction with telecorrimiinication systems.

Summary of the Invention

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a system and method for interacting with a telecommunications system. According to the present invention, an access card producer/distributer manufactures and preprograms a plurality of access cards. The preprogramming enables the access cards to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by a telecommunications system. The access card producer/distributer distributes the preprogrammed access cards to parties. The access cards are then used by the parties to automatically navigate through the telecommunications system. Specifically, upon command, the access cards automatically generate a series of DTMF signals required to navigate to a service provided by the telecommunications system and desired by the party.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. Brief Description of the Figures

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications environment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a telecommunications system; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an access card according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are flowcharts representing the preferred operation of • - the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telecommumcations environment 102 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of parties 108 use their respective telephones 110 to communicate with various telecommunications systems 114, 116 via a telephone network. The telephones

110 can be any type of well known telephones (wired, wireless, etc.). The telephone network 112 represents any combination or type of local and/or long distance telephone service.

The telecommumcations systems 114, 116, which are well known, provide services to their respective users. The telecommunication systems 114,

116 collectively offer a great diversity of services, such as long distance services (such as the calling card example discussed above), information services (such as sports scores and stock prices), contests, games, lotteries, shopping (such as sampling and buying music over the telephone), bill paying, banking, etc. A typical telecommunications system, such as telecommunications system

1 14, is shown in block diagram form in FIG. 2. The telecommunications system 1 14 includes a plurality of service modules 204 which offer services to users. Such services may include customer sign up or initiation, customer inquiry processing, order and/or command processing, customer screening, etc. The particular functions performed by the service modules 204 in any given telecommunications system are implementation dependent, and depend on the services provided by the telecoirimunications system.

Parties interact with the telecommunications system 114 via a user interface 202. The user interface 202 includes a menu structure (or menu system) 206. Parties navigate through the menu structure 206 to access the service modules 204. The complexity of the menu structure 206 varies from one telecommunications system to another. Often, the menu structure 206 is complex and has multiple levels.

The user interface 202 and the service modules 204 recognize in a well known manner DTMF (dual tone multiple frequency) signals as commands and information. The user interface 202 and the service modules 204 may be implemented using a combination of well known ARUs (automated response units) and/or VRUs (voice response units).

Conventionally, a party 108 A accesses the telecommumcations system 114 by manually dialing telecommunications system 114's telephone number using the telephone 110A. Once a connection is established between the telephone 110A and the telecommunications system 114, the telecommunications system 114 prompts the party 108 A for any required user identification information. The party 108 A uses the telephone 110A to manually key in the prompted user identification information (such as a user name or code and/or a password). This results in the generation and transmission of DTMF signals, which are recognized by the telecommunications system 114.

The party 108 A then navigates through the menu structure 206 to access the services that he desires. Such navigation is an iterative process where the telecommunications system 114 prompts the party 108A with a menu of options. The party 108A uses the keypad of the telephone 110A to manually enter information identifying the desired option. This results in the generation and transmission of DTMF signals, which are recognized by the telecommunications system 114. The telecommunication system 114 then prompts the party 108 A with a new menu of options. This process continues until the party 108 A is placed in contact with the service module 204 that supports the desired option.

The above described conventional procedure for interacting with telecommunications systems 114, 116 is tedious, time consuming, and prone to human error. As a result, parties are less inclined to use telecommunications systems 114, 116. The present invention facilitates the interaction with telecommunications systems 114, 116, such that parties are more inclined to use telecommunications systems 114, 116.

The advantages of the present invention are achieved through the production, preprogramming, distribution, and use of access cards 106. According to the present invention, an access card 106 is capable of automatically generating the DTMF signals necessary to contact a telecommunications system

114, 116, log on to the telecommunications system 114, 116, and/or navigate through the menu structure 206 of the telecommunications system 114, 116. The access cards 106 of the present invention relieve parties 110 from the burden of having to manually key in telephone numbers, user identification information, and/or menu navigation commands. Accordingly, the access cards 106 of the present invention facilitate and encourage interaction with telecommunications systems 114, 116.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an access card 106 according to an embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the size of the access card 106 approximates that of a credit card. However, the size of the access card 106 is implementation dependent, and ultimately depends on the size of the components used to construct the access card 106.

The access card 106 includes a DTMF signal generator 314 which generates DTMF signals in accordance with commands received from a controller 306. The DTMF signals are transferred to a speaker 316, which audibly outputs the DTMF signals. Preferably, the audible DTMF signals have a tone duration of at least 40 milliseconds and power levels of 0 to 30 dB, and more preferably power levels of 0 to 10 dB to meet the tone level requirements of DTMF tone receivers. However, these values are dependent on that which is required by the teleconimunications systems 114, 116.

The controller 306 operates in accordance with control logic 304 stored in a memory device 302. The control logic 304, which is also called preprogramming and/or prograrrirning, may be computer software, data, and/or microcode, for example. The controller 306 may be a microprocessor or state machine, for example.

The memory device 302 may be a flash ROM, for example, so that user data is not lost when the power supply 312 is empty. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

The controller 306 receives input from parties 108 via a keypad 308, which preferably includes at least those keys present on the keypad of a conventional telephone. In an alternate embodiment, the keypad 308 is a full alphanumeric keypad. The controller 306 displays messages and information to parties 108 via a display device 310, which may be a LCD display device, for example. Other embodiments of the access card 106 include a much more limited keypad 308, and/or might not include a display device 310.

The access card 106 and its components are powered by a power supply 312, which is rechargeable and/or replaceable. The access card 106 may include an indicator and related circuitry to provide an indication as to when the power supply 312 needs to be recharged or replaced. According to the present invention, the control logic 304 includes data (or programming) that represents DTMF sequences required to automatically connect to telecommunication systems 114, 116, log on to telecommunication systems 1 14, 116, and/or navigate through the menu structures 206 of telecommunication systems 1 14, 116 in order to connect to and access the services provided by the service modules 204. The control logic 304 is programmed by an access card producer/distributer 104 (FIG. 1), which is a part of, affiliated with, in communication with, or otherwise associated with the telecommunications systems 114, 116. Since the access card producer/distributer 104 is associated with the telecommunications systems 114, 116, the access card producer/distributer 104 has information regarding the menu structures 206 of the telecommunications systems 114, 116. Thus, it is possible for the access card producer/distributer 104 to efficiently and effectively program the access cards 106 so that they can effectively and efficiently interact with the telecommunications systems 114, 116..

It is not necessary for the parties 108 to program the access cards 106. However, the present invention allows the parties 108 to supplement the prograrrmύng of the access cards 106 if they so choose. Parties 108 program the access cards 106 by keying in DTMF sequences via the keypad 308. Information representative of such keyed in DTMF sequences are then stored in the memory device 302. Also, parties may manually send commands and/or information to the telecommunications systems 114, 116 by pressing keys on the keypad 308. This is described further below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 402 representing the operation of the access card producer/distributer 104. Flowchart 402 begins with step 404, where control immediately flows to step 406.

In step 406, the access card producer/distributer 104 manufactures a plurality of access cards 406.

In step 408, the access card producer/distributer 104 preprograms the access cards 406. Such preprogramming includes data stored in the memory device 302. This data is representative of DTMF sequences required to automatically connect to telecommunication systems 1 14, 116, log on to telecommunication systems 114, 116, and/or navigate through the menu structures 206 of telecommunication systems 114, 116 in order to access the services provided by the service modules 204. Preferably, the preprogramming of each access card 106 is specific to a single telecommunications system. In other embodiments, each access card 106 is provided with preprogramming specific to one or more telecommunications systems.

The manner in which the access card producer/distributer 104 performs step 408 is represented by a flowchart 502 in FIG. 5. Flowchart 502 begins with step 504, where control immediately passes to step 506.

In step 506, the access card producer/distributer 104 preprograms each access card 106 with information representative of the telephone number of a telecommunications system. Where the access card 106 is being generated for a particular user (such as an existing subscriber or a potential new subscriber of a service), then the access card producer/distributer 104 also preprograms the access card 106 with information representative of the user name and the user password (the user password may be randomly selected and then communicated to the user during the distribution step 410, described below, for example). The access card producer/distributer 104 also preprograms the access card 106 with any additional security information (if any). This information is stored in a location of the memory device 302 that is associated with the telecommunications system. After the distribution step 410 (described below) is performed, a party 108 can command the access card 106 to audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to this information to thereby connect to and log on to the telecommunications system.

In step 508, the access card producer/distributer 104 identifies desirable service destinations in the telecommunications system. Such service destinations may represent frequently used services offered by the telecommumcations system. Such service destinations may also represent new or existing services which are being marketed to parties 108 by representatives of the telecommunications system.

In step 510, the access card producer/distributer 104 determines the sequences of DTMF signals necessary to navigate through the menu structure 206 so as to access the service modules 204 that support or are otherwise responsible for the service destinations identified in step 508. Then, the access card producer/distributer 104 preprograms the access card 106 with information representative of these sequences of DTMF signals. Such information may include pauses or delays between the transmission of DTMF signals, and may also include control characters. Each sequence is stored in an addressable location in the memory device 302. After the distribution step 410 (described below) is performed, a party 108 can command the access card 106 to audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to the information stored in any of these locations to thereby navigate to the corresponding service destination.

Flowchart 502 is complete after step 510 is performed, as indicated by step 512.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in step 410 the access card producer/distributer 104 distributes the preprogrammed access cards 106 to parties 108. Such distribution may be through the mail, for example. Alternatively, such distribution may be at promotional events or locales. The parties 108 may represent existing subscribers or users of the telecommunications system, or may represent potential new subscribers or users of the telecommunications system. In this latter case, the access cards 106 may be distributed to potential new subscribers or users in order to encourage new people to use the telecommunications system 114. In such cases, the service destinations identified in step 508 (FIG. 5) may be those appropriate for potential new users, such as limited capability services, overview or introductory services, informational services, limited use services, etc.

Flowchart 402 is complete after step 410 is performed, as indicated by step 412.

After receiving an access card 106, a party 108 may supplement the programming of the access card 106. Such operation is represented by a flowchart 602 in FIG. 6. Flowchart 602 begins with step 604, where control immediately passes to step 606. In step 606, a party 108 enters new programming for the access card 106. The party 108 enters such new programming by keying in a sequence of digits and/or characters using the keypad 308. As it is keyed in, the sequence may be echoed in the display device 310. This sequence could represent the sequence of DTMF signals that the access card 106 audibly outputs to dial a telecommunications system 114, 116, log on to a telecommunications system 114, 116, and/or navigate through the menu structure 206 of a telecommunications system 114, 116. Also, this sequence could represent the sequence of DTMF signals that the access card 106 audibly outputs to dial another party for voice communication.

In step 608, the party 108 stores this programming. The programming is stored in an addressable location in the memory device 302. The party 108 can thereafter command the access card 106 to audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to the information stored in this memory location. Flowchart 602 is complete after step 608 is performed, as indicated by step 610.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 702 representing the manner in which a party, such as party 108 A, utilizes an access card 106A to interact with a telecommunications system, such as telecommunications system 114. Flowchart 702 begins with step 704, where control immediately passes to step 706.

In step 706, a connection is established between the party 108A's telephone 110A and the telecommunications system 114 via the telephone network 112. In step 708, the party 108A logs on to the telecommunications system 114. Preferably, the party 108A performs steps 706 and 708 by commanding the access card 106A to audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to the telephone number of the telecommunications system 114, and to also audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to user identification information (such as the user name and password). The party 108A preferably does this by pressing keys on the keypad 308 corresponding to the memory location in the memory device 302 in which data representative of these DTMF signals is stored. Alternatively, the party 108 A can manually dial the telephone number, the user name, and the password using the telephone 110A. In an embodiment of the invention, for security purposes, the party 108 A must first correctly enter the user password on the keypad 308 before the access card 106A automatically connects to and logs on to the telecommunication system 114 as described above.

In step 710, the party 108 A uses the access card 106 A to navigate to the service module 204 in the telecommunications system 114 that provides the service desired by the party 108 A. The party 108A performs step 710 by commanding the access card 106A to audibly output DTMF signals corresponding to the menu navigation commands required to navigate through the menu structure 206 to reach the service module 204 that provides the desired service. The party 108A preferably does this by pressing keys on the keypad 308 corresponding to the memory location in the memory device 302 in which data representative of these DTMF signals is stored.

In step 712, the telecommunications system 114 connects the party 108 A to the service module 204 as indicated by the menu navigation commands transmitted in step 710. The party 108 A then interacts with the service module 204 in accordance with the specific features and functions of the service module 204. Such features and functions of the service module 204 are implementation dependent, and are beyond the scope of this application.

Flowchart 702 is complete after step 712 is performed, as indicated by step 714.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Wh at Is Claimed Is:

1. A method for interacting with a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of:

(1) producing and preprogramming a plurality of access cards, said preprogramming enabling said access cards to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by a telecommunications system;

(2) distributing said preprogrammed access cards to parties;

(3) establishing a connection between said telecommunications system and a telephone being used by a party; and

(4) generating, by one of said preprogrammed access cards distributed to said party in step (2), a series of DTMF signals required to navigate to a service provided by said telecommunications system and desired by said party.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the following step that is performed before step (4):

(5) generating, by one of said preprogrammed access cards distributed to said party in step (2), a series of DTMF signals required to connect to and log on to said telecommunications system.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of said parties are potential new users of said telecommunications system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said preprogramming in said access cards distributed to potential new users of said telecommunications system enable said access cards to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate to potential new user services provided by said telecommunications system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the steps of:

(a) identifying service destinations in said telecommunications system;

(b) deteπniⁱⁱing sequences of DTMF signals necessary to navigate to service modules in said telecommunications system that support said service destinations; and

(c) storing in said access cards information representative of said sequences of DTMF signals.

6. A method for facilitating interaction with a telecommunications system, comprising the, steps of:

( 1 ) producing a plurality of access cards;

(2) preprogramming said access cards for use with a telecommunications system, said preprogramming enabling said access cards to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by said telecommunications system; and

(3) distributing said preprogrammed access cards to parties; wherein said parties utilize said preprogrammed access cards to interact with said telecommunications system.

^{7" The method of claim 6}> ^wherein one or more of said parties are potential new users of said telecommunications system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said preprogramming in said access cards distributed to potential new users of said telecommunications system enable said access cards to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate to potential new user services provided by said telecommunications system. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:

(a) identifying service destinations in said telecommunications system;

(b) determining sequences of DTMF signals necessary to navigate to service modules in said telecommunications system that support said service destinations; and

10. A method for interacting with a telecornmunications system, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving an access card having preprogramming specific to a telecommunications system, said preprogramming enabling said access card to automatically generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by said telecommunications system;

(2) establishing a connection between said telecommunications system and a telephone being used by a party; and

(3 ) commanding said access card to generate a series of DTMF signals required to navigate to a service provided by said telecommunications system and desired by said party.

11. An access card, comprising: a DTMF signal generator to generate DTMF signals; control logic preprogrammed by an access card producer associated with a telecommunications system; a controller, coupled to said DTMF signal generator and said control logic, said controller operating according to said preprogrammed control logic; wherein said preprogrammed control logic causes said controller to command said DTMF signal generator to generate DTMF signals necessary to automatically navigate through multilevel menus of services provided by said telecommunications system, and to automatically access services provided by said telecommunications system.