WO1992017021A1

WO1992017021A1 - Private telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability

Info

Publication number: WO1992017021A1
Application number: PCT/JP1992/000297
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wataru Takahashi; Emanuele Pasta
Original assignee: Wataru Takahashi
Priority date: 1991-03-12
Filing date: 1992-03-12
Publication date: 1992-10-01

Abstract

This invention is a private telephone conferencing system having selection criteria capability whereby a calling party can designate party characteristic a criteria desirable in a party to be called. Both party identifying characteristics and selection criteria are input via the telephone Touch Tone keypad in response to voice questions from a voice response unit. The system can operate in both a 'party line' conferencing mode with multiple parties talking or in a one-on-one mode resulting from a criteria search and match-up. Outside parties can also be included as potential called parties if desired when the system is installed for the convenience of hotel guests or the like.

Description

DESCRIPTION PRIVATE TELEPHONE CONFERENCING SYSTEM WITH SELECTION CRITERIA CAPABILITY Technical Field

This invention relates to private telephone conferencing systems and, more particularly, to a private telephone conferencing system having selection criteria capability whereby a calling party can designate party characteristic criteria desirable in a party to be called. Background Art

The so called "party line" is a well-known phenomenon in telecommunication systems. As depicted in Figure 1, the telephone line 10 is connected from the central office 12 throughout an area of service. The users' telephones 14 are all connected to the same telephone line 10. Thus, if a user on one telephone 14 is talking on the telephone line 10, any other "party" on the telephone line 10 can pick up the telephone 14 and hear both sides of the ongoing conversation. The party line telephone of Figure 1 could, therefore, be considered as the first "conference call" telephone system.

Recently, the party line or conferencing telephone concept has been made available on a local basis for entertainment purposes. As shown in Figure 2, such a conferencing system 16 connects a number of telephones 14 together through a local PBX 18. The system 16 allows users at various locations to join in a group conversation by telephone for entertainment or pass-time purposes. Such systems have gained popularity because they allow persons who are too shy to join in face— o— ace conversations or who do not wish to become more closely involved with the other individuals to enjoy themselves with conversation where they otherwise might be alone and without contact with other people.

While the system 16 of Figure 2 works well for its intended purpose and provides a popular service, it lacks certain capabilities that would make it more adaptable for providing additional services to the users thereof. For example, such a system has the potential for providing and on-line, real—time voice "dating" service. Likewise, such a system could be adapted for use as a "phone pal" service for travelers, and the like, through hotels and similar establishments.

Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a private telephone conferencing system with the ability to selectively connect two parties on a one-to-one basis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a private telephone conferencing system with the ability to connect two parties on a one—to—one basis on the basis of selection criteria input by a requesting party.

Other objects and benefits of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows hereinafter when taken in conjunction with the drawing figures which accompany it. Disclosure of Invention

The foregoing objects have been achieved i>y the private telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability of the present invention comprising, a plurality of telephones; a computer memory; characteristics input designation means for inputting individual party characteristics of parties employing respective ones of the telephones and for storing the individual party characteristics into the computer memory, the characteristics input designation means including voice response unit means for asking questions of the parties employing respective ones of the telephones and for inputting the individual party characteristics in response to answers to the questions input by the parties through a telephone keypad; criteria input designation means for inputting desired party characteristics by parties employing respective ones of the telephones, the criteria input designation means including means within the voice response unit means for asking questions of the parties employing respective ones of the telephones and inputting the desired party characteristics in response to answers to the questions input by the parties through a telephone keypad; and, searching and switching logic for comparing desired party characteristics input by a calling party to individual party characteristics of other parties employing respective ones of the telephones and for establishing a one-to-one telephone connection between the calling party and a one of the other parties having individual party characteristics most closely matching the desired party characteristics.

In the preferred embodiment, users of respective ones of the telephones are only identified within the system by an extension number of the telephone associated with entries in the computer memory whereby one user can only call another user if connected by the searching and switching logic as a result of having the individual party characteristics most closely matching the desired party characteristics. Also, the searching and switching logic includes threshold comparison means for connecting a calling party to a called party only if a number of the individual party characteristics most closely matching the desired party characteristics is greater than a pre—established threshold number.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the searching and switching logic includes means for advising the calling party of the number of the individual party characteristics most closely matching the desired party characteristics and getting the calling party's approval to connect before connecting the calling party to the called party. Additionally, the searching and switching logic includes means for advising the calling party of which of the individual party characteristics most closely match the desired party characteristics and getting the calling party's approval to connect before connecting the calling party to the called party. Further, the searching and switching logic includes means for the calling party to terminate a call or return for inputting of new the desired party characteristics if the calling party does not approve a connection to the called party.

In an expanded embodiment, the system has public telephone lines connected thereto whereby external users of outside telephones connected to the public telephone lines can access the system to become potential called parties; and, the external users calling into the system as potential called parties are identified within the system by a caller number pointing to an internal storage of a telephone number associated with an outside telephone in the computer memory whereby a calling party can only call an external user if connected by the searching and switching logic as a result of having the individual party characteristics most closely matching the desired party characteristics.

Preferably, the system also includes supplemental connection means for interconnecting the telephones for multi-party simultaneous conversation when not connected on a one-on-one basis. Brief Description of Drawings:

Figure 1 is a simplified drawing of a prior art party line telephone system.

Figure 2 is a simplified drawing of a prior art local telephone conferencing system.

Figure 3 is a simplified drawing of a telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability according to the present invention in a first embodiment thereof.

Figure 4 is a function of block diagram of the local PBX and control computer portions of the system of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a simplified drawing of a telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability according to the present invention in an expanded and preferred embodiment thereof.

Figure 6 is a function of block diagram of the PBX and control computer portions of the system of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a flowchart of typical logic that can be employed to implement a system according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

A system according to the present invention in a first and basic embodiment thereof is shown in Figure 3 where it is generally indicated as 16'. As with the system 16 of Figure 2, the system 16' includes a number of telephones 14 at different locations connected into a local PBX 18 which, in this case, is controlled by the control computer 20. Such a system could be installed in, for example, a hotel where the telephones 14 comprise the telephones in the individual rooms of the hotel. Thus, as will be seen, in a hotel offering the services of the system 16', a guest in a room could call into the system 16' as with the room telephone 14 and anonymously take advantage of the communications services provided thereby to be described hereinafter.

As shown in greater detail in Figure 4, the telephone lines 22 connected to the various telephones 14 are connected into the local PBX 18. The local PBX 18 is connected by line 24 to the control logic 26 within the control computer 20. Preferably, the control computer 20 also includes a voice response unit (VRU) 28 of the type well known in the telecommunications art for providing telephone responses with selectable human voice phrases. The control computer 20 also includes a data base memory 30 comprising individual entry portions 32 associated with each of the connecting lines 24 (i.e. one for each active or calling telephone 14). The control logic 26 includes logic similar to that shown in Figure 7. As those skilled in the art will quickly recognize and appreciate, the logic of the flowchart of Figure 7 is suggested or representative only and the functions performed thereby could be accomplished in many ways well known to those skilled in the computer art within the scope and spirit of this invention. As those skilled in the art will also quickly recognize and appreciate, what is being described herein are only the improvement aspects of the present invention over the prior art system of Figure 2. In implementing the system 16', the basic group conference capabilities of the system 16' of Figure 2 would undoubtedly be retained as well.

To implement the unique aspects of the present invention, the logic 34 of Figure 7 first asks at decision block 001 whether the caller on an incoming line 24 is signing on to the system 16' as a person to be called or calling in to find a person meeting certain criteria for conversational purposes. When a caller is signing on at block 001, the logic 34 moves to action block 002 where the VRU 28 is used to request a criteria item. The logic 34 then moves on to action block 003 where the user's response to the requested criteria item is input and stored into the proper entry portion 32 of the data base memory 30. It is presently contemplated that the inputting procedure accomplished by action block 003 in combination with the voice request from action block 002 will be through the use of the "Touch Tone" buttons 36 of the telephones 14. Such a system will generally require numerical answers such as available with the 0-9 Touch Tone buttons and "yes" or "no" (such as by using the * and # buttons) . As simpler and more reliable multi—voice recognition capability apparatus becomes more available, this could, of course, be substituted if desired.

The criteria requesting and response storage accomplished within logic 34 by blocks 002 and 003 is designed to provide a "picture" of the caller against which later request matching can be performed. For example, the sex and age grouping of the caller as well as interest in certain sports, other entertainment items, ownership of a car, like or dislike for certain foods, might be of interest to a potential caller.

After requesting and storing an individual criteria item with action blocks 002 and 003, the logic 34 at decision block 004 checks to see if the criteria inputting sequence is completed if not, it returns to block 002 to request another criteria item. When it is finished, the caller is advised at block 005 that the process is completed and the logic 34 exits.

When a caller has signed onto the system 16' and provided the requested selection criteria, the caller may hang up and wait to be called or join a conversation of group as in the prior art of Figure 2 until such time as that g

caller is selected to receive an one on one incoming call based on the selection criteria provided.

An incoming call looking for a conversation will be directed down the "no" pass from decision block 001. This decision, of course, can be made by using the Touch Tone buttons 36 on the telephone 14 in a response to an initial inquiry by the VRU 28. As can be seen from Figure 7, that portion of the logic 34 initially concerned with a call-in request for a conversation is substantially identical to blocks 002, 003 and 004 described above. At block 006, the logic 34 asks for the caller to identify a first selection criteria item. This is input and stored at block 007 and then at decision block 008 the user is ask whether his/her criteria list is complete. If not, the logic 34 returns to block 006 to continue the criteria inputting process. In this regard, the user will specify those items of interest in a potential calling partner such as sex, age group, common interest, etc. When the incoming caller has completed the search criteria, at action block 009 the logic 34 searches the data base memory 30 for matches with the caller's specified criteria. At decision block 010, the logic 34 checks to see if the number of matches of the highest matching entry 32 of the data base memory 30 is above a pre- established level. If not, at block 011 the logic 34 employs the VRU 28 to advise the caller of which items were matched and which weren't. The advisory message then requests the caller to indicate whether or not he/she wishes to revise the criteria or terminate the call. If the user elects to continue, the logic 34 returns to block 006 to establish a new selection criteria. Otherwise, the logic 34 terminates the incoming call. If sufficient matches have been made between the caller's selection criteria and an entry 32 on the data base memory 30, at block 013 the logic 34 outputs an advisory message similar to that of block 011 indicating the matched criteria of the entry 32 with the greatest number of matches. At decision block 013, the logic 34 then asks the caller whether or not the matched person should be called. If the caller indicates "no", the logic 34 returns to decision block 012 to decide whether to continue with new selection criteria or terminate the call. If the answer at decision block 014 is "yes", the logic 34 proceeds to action block 015 where it initiates the call through the local PBX 18 to the line 24 associated with the entry 32 having the closest match. The logic 34 then exits.

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, a system 16" according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment is shown therein. As will be recognized, the system 16" is substantially identical to the system 16' of Figures 3 and 4 as described above. The difference is the additional supplemental data base memory 38 and the inclusion of the local PBX 18 in an overall PBX 40 which includes an outside interface 42 to one or more outside telephone lines 44. This provides the further capability that a "signed on" caller can be at a home telephone, or the like, by way of a example and not be "waiting" as part of the overall environment of the system 16". For example, senior citizens, single persons, and the like, in the vicinity of a hotel, motel, convention center, etc, providing the services of system 16" for its guests can sign on to be "phone pals" to local callers who wish somebody to talk to as opposed to spending time alone in their room as the only alternative to hanging out in a hotel bar, or the like. In implementing the system 16", the logic 34 of Figure 7 at blocks 002 and 003, for example, would include requests such as "Input your telephone number" and "Input time periods during the day when you are available to except calls". Such off-line callers' information is stored in the entries 46 of the supplemental data base memory 38. And in like manner, therefore, one of the search criteria to be selected by a requesting caller in the sequence of blocks 006 and 007 of the logic 34 of Figure 7 could include an indication of whether the caller wants to be limited to an inside recipient, an outside recipient, or both. As those skilled in the art will quickly recognize, the system 16" provides a security interface between the calling party and the called party. The only entity which knows the "telephone number" of the calling and called parties is the control logic 26 of the control computer 20. If either party wishes to divulge their actual telephone number to the other party, he/she may do so voluntarily. On the other hand, if either party does not wish to provide such information, he/she is free to refuse and the other party has no recourse or way of obtaining the information. Of course, should one party abuse the service such as by making obscene remarks to the other, a complaint to the hotel or other entity providing the service of the system 16" can trace the offending party by controlled access to the data contained in the control computer 20. For this purpose, it is preferred that a history table 48 be maintained by the control logic 26 containing, for example, a history of all transactions by telephone number calling and called along with the time and duration of the call for a 24- hour period.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. In a local private telephone conferencing system having a plurality of telephones interconnected for multi¬ party simultaneous conversation, the improvement comprising: a) characteristics input designation means for inputting individual party characteristics of parties employing respective ones of the telephones; b) criteria input designation means for inputting desired party characteristics by parties employing respective ones of the telephones; and, c) searching and switching logic for comparing desired party characteristics input by a calling party to individual party characteristics of other parties employing respective ones of the telephones and for establishing a one- to-one telephone connection between said calling party and a one of said other parties having individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

2. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 1 wherein: said characteristics input designation means includes a voice response unit which asks questions of said parties employing respective ones of the telephones and inputs said individual party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad.

3. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 1 wherein: said criteria input designation means includes a voice response unit which asks questions of said parties employing respective ones of the telephones and inputs said desired party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad.

4. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 1 wherein: users of respective ones of the telephones are only identified within the system by an extension number of the telephone whereby one user can only call another user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

5. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 1 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes threshold comparison means for connecting a calling party to a called party only if a number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics is greater than a pre-established threshold number.

6. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 5 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of said number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

7. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 6 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of which of said individual party characteristics most closely match said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

8. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 6 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for said calling party to terminate a call or return for inputting of new said desired party characteristics if said calling party does not approve a connection to said called party.

9. The improvement to a local private telephone conferencing system of claim 1 wherein additionally: a) the system has public telephone lines connected thereto whereby external users of outside telephones connected to said public telephone lines can access the system to become potential called parties; and, b) said external users calling into the system as potential called parties are identified within the system by a caller number pointing to an internal storage of a telephone number associated with an outside telephone whereby a calling party can only call an external user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

10. A private telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability comprising: a) a plurality of telephones; b) characteristics input designation means for inputting individual party characteristics of parties employing respective ones of said telephones; c) criteria input designation means for inputting desired party characteristics by parties employing respective ones of said telephones; and, d) searching and switching logic for comparing desired party characteristics input by a calling party to individual party characteristics of other parties employing respective ones of said telephones and for establishing a one-to—one telephone connection between said calling party and a one of said other parties having individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics .

11. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 wherein: said characteristics input designation means includes a voice response unit which asks questions of said parties employing respective ones of said telephones and inputs said individual party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad.

12. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 wherein: said criteria input designation means includes a voice response unit which asks questions of said parties employing respective ones of said telephones and inputs said desired party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad.

13. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 wherein: users of respective ones of said telephones are only identified within the system by an extension number of said telephone whereby one user can only call another user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

14. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes threshold comparison means for connecting a calling party to a called party only if a number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics is greater than a pre-established threshold number.

15. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 14 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of said number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

16. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 15 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of which of said individual party characteristics most closely match said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

17. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 15 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for said calling party to terminate a call or return for inputting of new said desired party characteristics if said calling party does not approve a connection to said called party.

18. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 wherein additionally: a) the system has public telephone lines connected thereto whereby external users of outside telephones connected to said public telephone lines can access the system to become potential called parties; and, b) said external users calling into the system as potential called parties are identified within the system by a caller number pointing to an internal storage of a telephone number associated with an outside telephone whereby a calling party can only call an external user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

19. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 10 and additionally comprising: supplemental connection means for interconnecting said telephones for multi-party simultaneous conversation when not connected on a one—on-one basis.

20. A private telephone conferencing system with selection criteria capability comprising: a) a plurality of telephones; b) a computer memory; c) characteristics input designation means for inputting individual party characteristics of parties employing respective ones of said telephones and for storing said individual party characteristics into said computer memory, said characteristics input designation means including voice response unit means for asking questions of said parties employing respective ones of said telephones and for inputting said individual party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad; d) criteria input designation means for inputting desired party characteristics by parties employing respective ones of said telephones, said criteria input designation means including means within said voice response unit means for asking questions of said parties employing respective ones of said telephones and inputting said desired party characteristics in response to answers to said questions input by said parties through a telephone keypad; and, e) searching and switching logic for comparing desired party characteristics input by a calling party to individual party characteristics of other parties employing respective ones of said telephones and for establishing a one-to-one telephone connection between said calling party and a one of said other parties having individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

21. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 20 wherein: users of respective ones of said telephones are only identified within the system by an extension number of said telephone associated with entries in said computer memory whereby one user can only call another user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

22. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 20 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes threshold comparison means for connecting a calling party to a called party only if a number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics is greater than a pre-established threshold number.

23. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 22 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of said number of said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

24. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 23 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for advising said calling party of which of said individual party characteristics most closely match said desired party characteristics and getting said calling party's approval to connect before connecting said calling party to said called party.

25. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 23 wherein: said searching and switching logic includes means for said calling party to terminate a call or return for inputting of new said desired party characteristics if said calling party does not approve a connection to said called party.

26. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 20 wherein additionally: a) the system has public telephone lines connected thereto whereby external users of outside telephones connected to said public telephone lines can access the system to become potential called parties; and, b) said external users calling into the system as potential called parties are identified within the system by a caller number pointing to an internal storage of a telephone number associated with an outside telephone in said computer memory whereby a calling party can only call an external user if connected by said searching and switching logic as a result of having said individual party characteristics most closely matching said desired party characteristics.

27. The private telephone conferencing system of claim 20 and additionally comprising: supplemental connection means for interconnecting said telephones for multi-party simultaneous conversation when not connected on a one-on-one basis.