Importance

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Abstract

This invention provides a novel switch for use in a telecommunications network that is capable of interacting with a voice assisted services server, such as a voice activated dialing (VAD) server. The switch is configured to set-up a calling session between an originating terminal and the VAD server that creates a voice connection between the user at the originating terminal and the VAD server, the voice connection passing through the switch. The VAD server can then in response to a spoken utterance indicative of the party the user wishes to call, generate a transcription of the utterance and extract from a database the telephone number associated with this transcription. The VAD server then formulates a call session redirect message in which is embedded the telephone number of the party the user wishes to call. This call session redirect message is received by the switch and the command implemented such that the call session is redirected toward the desired location. After this procedure is completed, the connection between the switch and the VAD is released. The invention also extends to a novel voice assisted services server capable of remotely effecting call management at a switch based on a spoken utterance conveyed to the voice assisted services server over a voice connection. Further, the invention also extends to methods for operating a switch and a voice assisted services server to implement the above described functionalities. Yet, the invention also extends to a novel method and apparatus to effect billing operations allowing to differentiate for a single call session the part of the call session involving the voice assisted services server and the part following the call session redirect event.

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First Claim