Network based knowledgeable assistant

Abstract

Abstract A method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant to receive and manage incoming calls to a subscriber including the steps of receiving an incoming call to the subscriber from a caller; establishing a first connection between the electronic assistant and the caller; establishing a second connection between the electronic assistant and the subscriber; over the second connection, electronically notifying the subscriber of the incoming call; in response to receiving a call accept command from the subscriber over the second connection, linking the caller and the subscriber so that they may communicate with each other; upon linking the subscriber to the caller, switching the electronic assistant to a background mode in which said electronic assistant continues to monitor the subscriber over the second connection while the subscriber is linked with the caller; and in response to receiving a summoning command, switching the electronic assistant into a foreground mode, wherein the electronic assistant when in its background mode responds to a first set of commands including at least the summoning command and when in its foreground mode responds to a second set of commands where the second set of commands is larger than the first set of commands.

Inventors

• 👤 Richard A. Miner
• 👤 William J. Warner
• 👤 Anthony M. Lovell
• 👤 Eric R. Shienbrood
• 👤 Keith Gabryelski
• 👤 Kenneth C. R. C. Arnold
• 👤 Nicholas C. d'Arbeloff
• 👤 Kee Hinckley

Bibliographic Details