SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A VOICE-BASED INTERACTIVE ASSISTANT ON A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A) TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an interactive assistance on a communication device and particularly relates to a voice based interactive assistant on the communication device that would help a user for various services, products and information requirements.

B) BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Mobile phones have become an irreplaceable tool to manage day-to-day activities and to stay connected with the outside world. The mobile phone provides applications for a user to tap out various day to day tasks such as record voice memos, book movie tickets, post frequent updates to his social network accounts etc. High end mobile phones are further used to browse internet and store many high end applications. The users can easily browse through the internet to navigate and order specific service or product online. However, it becomes difficult to the user with basic cell phone to leverage high end application or even to enquire about a specific service or product. There are several call centre based services that provide the required information by calling to their toll free numbers. The information provided by the service center is specific to the query of the user and the service provider does not keep track of the interaction and the data.

[0003] Many service providers provide voice based purchase system in order to buy a specific product or service. The user has to dial the phone number provided by the service provider and the user is connected to an interactive voice response system (IVR). In order to buy a specific product/service, each time the user has to provide certain details such as address, credit card details, mobile number and other required information. The process becomes very tedious for the users who require such service frequently.

[0004] Hence there exists a need to provide a voice based interactive assistant system for a communication device which connects the user to a central database where the user details and the vendor details are stored. There is a further need for a voice based interactive application which can store the user's past track record and confidential data for future transactions. There is further a need to provide a voice based interactive assistant application that can communicate with the user and provide suggestions, information and further execute the instructions given by the user.

C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a voice based interactive assistant for a communication device.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a voice based interactive assistant for a communication device which connects the user to a central database where the service or product or vendor details are stored.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a voice based interactive assistant providing functionality to store the user's past track record and confidential data, which user can use for future transactions.

[0008] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The various embodiments of the present invention provide a method of providing a voice based interactive assistant. The method comprises of connecting to a central database by dialing a phone number from a communication device, registering the user on the central server, configuring the voice based interactive assistant with a plurality of user credentials in the communication device, activating the voice based interactive assistant, providing one or more search queries through a voice based user interface, matching the search queries with the information stored in the central database, presenting the matched information to the user, executing instructions provided by the user, tracking the user's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice based interactive assistant and storing and updating the user's transaction information on the central database. The voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the user's transaction records and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the user.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of user credentials comprises at least one of name, address, contact number and voice based biometric authentication information.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice based interactive assistant is activated by providing the user authentication credentials through the voice based user interface.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method of providing a voice based interactive assistant in a communication device further includes registering a vendor with the central server, configuring voice based interactive assistants with a plurality of vendor's credentials, activating at least one voice based interactive assistant, updating the central database with information provided by the vendor, sending the user's instructions to the vendor through the voice based interactive assistant, tracking the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice based interactive assistant and storing and updating the vendor's transaction information on the central server. The voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the vendor's transaction record and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the vendor.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the information includes product information, service information, restrictions, terms and conditions, Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Operating Level Agreements (OLA) and general information..

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice based interactive assistant connects the user directly to the vendor for automatically delivering the product and service to the user through the user's voice based interactive assistant when the user places an order for a product or service.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice based interactive assistant's voice is customized based on the user preference.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of voice based interactive assistants associated with the plurality of users can interact with each other for sharing the information based on user's instructions.

[0017] Embodiments herein further disclose a system for providing a voice based interactive assistant. The system comprising of a user device with a voice based voice based interactive assistant user interface, one or more vendor devices with voice based interactive assistant user interface and a central server. The central server further comprises of a voice based interactive assistant application, a central database, an authentication module, a processing module and a transaction module. The authentication module is adapted to register the user device and the vendor device with the central server, to activate the voice based interactive assistant by authenticating the user's credentials and to activate the voice based interactive assistant by authenticating the vendor's credentials. The processing module is adapted to receive one or more search queries from the user, to upload and update the central server with information provided by the vendor, to match search queries provided by a user with information stored in the central server and to present the matched information to the user through the voice based interactive assistant user interface. The transaction module is adapted to send the user's instructions to the vendor device through the voice based interactive assistant vendor interface, to execute instructions provided by the user through the voice based interactive assistant, to track the user's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice based interactive assistant and to store and update the user's transaction information in the central server.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the user's transaction record and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the user.

[0019] The transaction module is further adapted to track the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice based interactive assistant and store and update the vendor's transaction information on the central server.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transaction module interacts with the processing module for providing user's transaction information and activity patterns during the transaction.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transaction module interacts with the processing module for suggesting activity patterns to the user based on the users past activity patterns.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transaction module is adapted to provide instructions to the vendor device to automatically deliver the product or service to the user, when the user places an order for the product or service.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice based interactive assistant's voice is customized based on the user preference.

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

D) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified network diagram for a voice based interactive assistance system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a system diagram of the voice based interactive assistant based system with an exemplary illustration of the multiple services provided by the different vendors, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of user authentication with the voice based interactive assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the user registration; the voice based interactive assistant activation and interaction with the assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of vendor registration and interaction with the voice based interactive assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

E) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0033] The embodiments according to the present invention provide a voice-based interactive assistant. The user connects to a central server by dialing a phone number from the user device. The user registers to the central database by providing a plurality of user credentials. Once the user is authenticated, the user is provided with a login ID and authentication code by the central database. In another embodiment of the invention, the user also configures the activation of the assistant process based on voice based biometric authentication or phone number based authentication. After completion of the registration, the user starts interacting with voice based interactive assistant for various service or product requirements. Similarly, the vendor registers to the central database and uploads product or service catalogue. The vendor is also provided with the login ID and authentication code. In another embodiment of the invention, vendor also configures a voice based interactive assistant.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified network diagram for a voice based interactive assistant system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The user dials the phone number to connect to server 102 and registers the user device 101 on the central server 102 by providing the user details like name, address voice based biometric authentication information etc. The user is provided with a login ID and authentication code by the central server 102. In another embodiment of the invention, the user also configures the activation of the voice based interactive assistant process based on voice based biometric authentication or phone number based authentication. After completion of the authentication process, the user interacts with the voice based interactive assistant 103 for various service or product requirements or any particular information.

[0035] Similarly, the vendors register the vendor devices 104, 105, 106 to the central database 102 and upload their product and service catalogue. The vendor 104 is also provided with the login ID and authentication code. In another embodiment of the invention, vendor 104 can also configure a voice based interactive assistant 103.

[0036] The user device 101 connects to the voice based interactive assistant 103 and searches for a particular product, service or information. The voice based interactive assistant 103 interacts with the central server 102 to list all the related services or products and respective vendors. The user instructs the voice based interactive assistant 103 for placing an order by selecting the required product or service from the list. Once the order is placed, the product or service from the particular vendor 104 is delivered to the user automatically. The voice based interactive assistant 103 also keeps track of the user's activities and stores the information for future transactions. The voice based interactive assistant 103 further analyses user's activity patterns and provides suggestions during future transactions.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a system diagram of the interactive assistant based system with an exemplary illustration of the multiple services provided by the different vendors, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises of a user device 101 with a voice based interactive assistant user interface 201 and the vendor devices 104, 105, 106 having a voice based interactive assistant vendor interfaces 206, 207, 208. The system further comprises the central server 103, the voice base interactive assistant 103, a central database 202, an authentication module 203, a processing module 204 and a transaction module 205.

[0038] The user device 101 instructs the voice based interactive assistant 103 for finding specific information from the central server 102 through the user interface 201 in the user device 101. The voice based interactive assistant 103 interacts with the central database 202 and lists all the related services or products 209 and respective vendors 104, 105, 106. The user 101 then selects any of the product or service from the list, for instance air ticket booking. The interactive assistant 103 collects information from the user such as the source and destination city names, a one-way travel or a round trip, date and time of travel etc. The user provides the necessary details to the voice based interactive assistant 103. The user can instruct the voice based assistant 103 to use already stored information such as user's credit card information for online payment, payment methods, payment preferences and payment option details etc. Similarly the user can instruct the interactive assistant 103 for specific product or service order. The interactive assistant 103 helps the user to find the product, service or information based on the available options on the central database 102 and the user's 101 past activity patterns, preferences and transaction record. Once the order is placed by the user through the interactive assistant interface, the product or service from the selected vendor 104 is delivered to the user 101 automatically. The interactive assistant 103 keeps track of the user's activities and stores the information for future transactions. The interactive assistant 103 further analyses the user's activity patterns and provides suggestions during future transactions.

[0039] The vendors can 104, 105, 106, can update their product, service, information catalogue 210, 211, 212, 213, 214 on the central database 102 with the help of their interactive assistants. In another embodiment of the invention, the vendor 104 can upload and update product, service and information catalogue on the central database 102 by accessing the online portal using internet and authenticating his details.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the user selects the payment service 210 to do online payment, bank transactions, online shopping etc. The voice based interactive assistant 103 stores the login IDs, passwords, bank account numbers; credit card details, payment methods, payment preferences and payment option details etc and guides the user 101. Once the user selects the payment service option, the voice based interactive assistant 103 asks for the amount and the account number to which the money transaction to be done. The user 101 provides the details required for the transaction. The voice based interactive assistant 103 completes the online payment. The voice based interactive assistant 103 keeps track of the user's activities and stores the information for future transactions. The interactive assistant 103 further analyses user's activity patterns, stores information based on the activity patterns of the users and utilizing the information stored in an optimal manner for succeeding transactions.

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the voice based interactive assistant's 103 voice can be customized based on the user preference.

[0042] The central server 102 includes the voice based interactive assistant 103 and the central database 202 for storing the user information, the vendor information, product and service catalogue 210,211,212,213,214 and the like. The central server 102 further includes the authentication module203, the processing module 204 and the transaction module 205. The authentication module 203 is responsible for registration and authentication of user's and vendor's voice based interactive assistant 103 on the central server 102. The authentication module 203 further stores the user and vendor authentication credentials. The processing module 207 is responsible for matching the one or more search queries with information stored in the central database 202. The processing module 204 is further responsible for providing the list and suggestions for the user's query. The transaction module 205 is responsible for executing the instructions provided by the user through the interactive assistant. The transaction module 205 is further responsible for keeping track of user's activity pattern and transaction record.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the user authentication with the voice based interactive assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The user connects to a central server by dialing a phone number (step 301). The user registers with a voice based interactive assistant 1 and a voice based interactive assistant 2 on the central server (step 302). The user can configure different authentication processes for activation of the different assistants. The user configures the voice based interactive assistant 1 (step 303) and configures the voice based interactive assistant 2 (step 304) on the central database. The main use of the functionality is to create multiple identity that user can use for various purposes. The functionality specially is useful in case of confidential transactions. Through voice based interactive assistant 2, the user can do day-to-day general transactions without password authentication (step 306), which are not confidential such as placing food orders, buying utilities etc. Other voice based interactive assistant 1 can be used for confidential transactions with the password authentication (step 305).

[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the user registration and the voice based interactive assistant activation and interaction with the assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The user connects to a central server by dialing the phone number and registers the user device with the centralserver for the voice based interactive assistant services by providing a plurality of user's credentials (step 401). The user then activates the voice based interactive assistant (step 402). Once the user is authenticated, the user activates at least one voice based interactive assistant and navigates through the various applications provided by the voice based interactive assistant. The user provides one or more search queries through a voice based user interface to get information regarding a particular product or service or general information (step 403). The voice based interactive assistant matches the search queries provided by the user with the information stored in the central database and presents the same to the user (step 404). The voice based interactive assistant executes the instructions provided by the user (step 405). The voice based interactive assistant on receiving the confirmation from the user proceeds for delivery of requested product or service through the vendor registered to the central database. The voice based interactive assistant tracks the user's transaction information and activity patterns and stores the user's transaction information in the central database (step 406). The voice based interactive assistant analyzes the activity patterns and stores the user's transaction information for suggesting the user for future transactions (step 407).

[0045] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the process of vendor registration and interaction with the voice based interactive assistant, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The vendor connects to the central server by dialing the number (step 501). The vendor registers himself on the central server (step 502). The vendor configures one or more voice based interactive assistants with a plurality of vendor's credentials (step 503). The vendor provides the essential identity based information for authentication. Once the vendor is authenticated, the vendor connects to the central server to activate the voice based interactive assistant (step 504). The voice based interactive assistant updates product and service catalogue information provided by the vendor in the central database (step 505). The voice based interactive assistant tracks the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns and stores the vendor's transaction information in the central database (step 506). The voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns for future interactions and transactions with the vendor (step 507).

[0046] When the user places an order for a particular product or service, the voice based interactive assistant sends the order request to the vendor along with the user details to deliver the particular product or service. The voice based interactive assistant keeps track of all the transactions and also stores the confidential data of the user. The user can access the data at any point of time and can also update the information.

[0047] According to another embodiment of the invention, two different voice-based interactive assistants of the same user or different users interact with each other. The users provide instructions to the respective voice based interactive assistants and authenticate the voice based interactive assistants to interact with each other. This facilitates the users to share information with each other through the voice based interactive assistant.

[0048] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.
E) ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The present invention provides a voice based interactive assistant application for providing optimal information regarding a particular product or service or general information to the user.

[0050] The voice based interactive assistant application of the present invention can understand what users are looking for, find the available options provided by various vendors based on user's preference from the central database and present useful suggestions for finding the right information to the users and execute the instructions provided by the user.

[0051 ] The interactive assistant stores, analyses and utilizes the user's transaction information and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the vendor.

[0052] The voice of the interactive assistance of the present invention can be customized based on the user's preferences.

[0053] The central database of the present invention records all the transactions performed by the users as well of vendors and guides for succeeding transactions.

[0054] Although the invention is described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims.

[0055] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present invention described herein and all the statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A method of providing a voice-based interactive assistant application for a
communication device, the method comprising;
connecting an user device to a central server by dialing a phone number;
registering the user device with the central server for a voice based interactive
assistant service
configuring the voice based interactive assistant with by providing a plurality of user
credentials;
activating the voice based interactive assistant by authenticating the user's
credentials;
providing one or more search queries through a voice based interactive assistant user
interface;
connecting a vendor to the central server by dialing a phone number;
registering the vendor with the central server by providing a plurality of vendor
credentials;
activating the voice based interactive assistant for the vendor;
uploading the central server with information provided by the vendor;matching the
search queries with information stored in the central server;
presenting the matched information to the user;
sending the user's instructions to the vendor through the voice based interactive
assistant;
executing instructions provided by the user through the voice based interactive
assistant;
tracking the user's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice
based interactive assistant; and
storing and updating the user's transaction information in the central server; wherein the voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the user's transaction record and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the user.

2. The method to claim 1, further comprising:
tracking the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice based interactive assistant; and
storing and updating the vendor's transaction information on the central server; wherein the voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the vendor's transaction records and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the vendor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user credentials comprises at least one of name, address, contact number and voice based biometric authentication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice based interactive assistant is activated by providing the user authentication credentials.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein theinformation includes product information, service information, restrictions, terms and conditions, Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Operating Level Agreements (OLA) and general information..

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vendor uploads at least one of a product catalogue and service catalogue to the central server through the voice based interactive assistant vendor interface.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the central server for the voice based interactive assistant and the vendor is same.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the central server for the voice based interactive assistant and the vendor are different.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising of automatically delivering the product to the user, when the user places an order for the product through the user's voice based interactive assistant.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising of automatically delivering the service to the user, when the user places an order for the service through the user's voice based interactive assistant.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice based interactive assistant's voice is customized based on the user preference.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising of activating the plurality of voice based interactive assistants associated with the plurality of users to interact with each other for sharing the information.

13. A system for providing a voice-based interactive assistant application for a communication device, the system comprising;
an user device with a voice based voice based interactive assistant user interface;
one or more vendor devices with voice based interactive assistant user interface;
a central server, wherein the central server comprising of:
a voice based interactive assistant application;
a central database;
an authentication module adapted to:
register the user device and the vendor device with the central server;
activate the voice based interactive assistant by authenticating the user's
credentials;
activate the voice based interactive assistant by authenticating the vendors
credentials; a processing module adapted to:
receive one or more search queries from the user;
upload and update the central server with information provided by the vendor;
match search queries provided by an user with information stored in the central server; and
present the matched information to the user through the voice based interactive assistant user interface; and a transaction module adapted to:
send the user's instructions to the vendor device through the voice based
interactive assistant vendor interface;
execute instructions provided by the user through the voice based interactive
assistant;
track the user's transaction information and activity patterns through the voice
based interactive assistant; and
store and update the user's transaction information in the central server;
wherein the voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the user's
transaction record and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the user.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction module is further adapted to:
track the vendor's transaction information and activity patterns through the
voice based interactive assistant; and
store and update the vendor's transaction information on the central server;

wherein the voice based interactive assistant analyses and utilizes the vendor's transaction records and activity patterns for the future interactions and transactions with the vendor.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user credentials comprises at least one of name, address, contact number and voice based biometric authentication.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein theinformation includes product information, service information, restrictions, terms and conditions, Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Operating Level Agreements (OLA) and general information.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the user provides one or more search queries to the central server through the voice based interactive assistant user interface.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the vendor uploads at least one of a product catalogue and service catalogue to the central server through the voice based interactive assistant vendor interface.

19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central server for the user device and the vendor device is same.

20. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central server for the user device and the vendor device is different.

21. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transaction module further provides instructions to the vendor device to automatically deliver the product to the user, when the user places an order for the product through the user's voice based interactive assistant interface.

22. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transaction module further provides instructions to the vendor device to automatically deliver the service to the user, when the user places an order for the service through the user's voice based interactive assistant interface.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the voice based interactive assistant's voice is customized based on the user preference.

24. The system of claim 1, the transaction module is further adapted to activate a plurality of voice based interactive assistants associated with the plurality of users and vendors to interact with each other for sharing the information.