Voice controlled business scheduling system and method

A system of automating business scheduling using a natural language voice user interface through which a user accesses a scheduling database to search availability and reserves a time slot based on preferences of said user, said system comprising:

• (a) first means, using said natural language voice user interface, for providing to said user at least one available search range for said user selection thereof;
• (b) second means, using said natural language voice user interface, for providing to said user a plurality of search options for said user selection thereof, said plurality of search options including search on preferred date, preferred time of day, and earliest available time slots;
• (c) third means, using said natural language voice user interface, for obtaining said user's preferences as required by a selected one of said plurality of search options selected by said second means;
• (d) fourth means for searching said scheduling database for available time slots by applying said selected one of said plurality of search options within a selected one of said at least one available search range selected by said first means in order to produce a search result;
• (e) fifth means for selecting a plurality of available time slots from said search result, said plurality of available time slots being closest in time to said user's preference, a total number of said plurality of available time slots not exceeding a predetermined value;
• (f) sixth means, using said natural language voice user interface, for providing to said user said plurality of available time slots selected by said fifth means for said user selection of a chosen time slot;
• (g) seventh means for reserving said chosen time slot in said scheduling database for said user.

A method of automating cancellation of business schedule using a natural language voice user interface through which a user accesses a scheduling database to cancel an appointment or reservation made for said user, comprising:

• (a) through said natural language voice user interface obtaining an identity from said user;
• (b) validating said identity for authorizing access by said user to said scheduling database,
• (c) searching said scheduling database for an appointment or reservation associated with said identity,
• (d) through said natural language voice user interface presenting to said user said appointment or reservation for confirmation by said user on cancellation thereof,
• (e) canceling in said scheduling database said appointment or reservation associated with said identity upon said confirmation.

A method, using a natural language voice user interface, for a user to dial selectively a list of telephone numbers by voice command in one call, comprising:

• (a) selecting a telephone number with an identity from a list of telephone numbers,
• (b) through said natural language voice user interface presenting to said user said identity or said telephone number for a confirmation by said user on dialing said telephone number,
• (c) setting up a call from said user to said telephone number upon said confirmation,
• (d) upon termination of said call repeating step (a) through (d) until all numbers in said list of telephone numbers have been processed.

A system for business schedule administration using a natural language voice user interface through which an administrator accesses a scheduling database to check schedule, to unblock/block schedule, to cancel schedule, and to fax a schedule listing, comprising:

• (a) first means, using said natural language voice user interface, for obtaining an identity from said administrator and for validating said identity for authorizing access by said administrator to said scheduling database,
• (b) second means, using said natural language voice user interface, for presenting to said administrator a plurality of administration tasks for selection thereof, said plurality of administration tasks including checking schedule, schedule blocking, schedule unblocking, schedule cancellation, and sending fax of scheduling list,
• (c) third means, using said natural language voice user interface, for obtaining said administrator's input specifying a time range in which a selected one of said plurality of administration tasks selected by said second means will be performed,
• (d) fourth means, using said natural language voice user interface, for presenting to said administrator scheduling status information for said specified time range,
• (e) fifth means, using said natural language voice user interface, for accessing said scheduling database and for unblocking all time slots within said specified time range,
• (f) sixth means, using said natural language voice user interface, for accessing said scheduling database to cancel all appointments or reservations found within said specified time range,
• (g) seventh means, using said natural language voice user interface, for accessing said scheduling database to block all time slots within said specified time range,
• (h) eighth means, using said natural language voice user interface, for accessing said scheduling database to compile and send a fax of scheduling information of said specified time range, said fax being sent to either a predetermined fax number or a fax number provided by said administrator via said natural language voice user interface.