Speech recognition interface for voice actuation of legacy systems

A system for permitting a user to remotely access data, comprising:

• means for providing an interface to a plurality of legacy systems, wherein the means for providing an interface includes at least one firewall that protects the means for providing an interface from the legacy systems, wherein the means for providing an interface provides multiple operations that may be utilized for generating transactions with the legacy systems;
• a computer operable by the user to retrieve data from the legacy systems by sending user requests to the means for providing an interface, wherein the computer includes a voice input device;
• a communications link coupling the computer and the means for providing an interface;
• a client software application executing within the computer, the client software application providing a graphical user interface that includes a page for selecting one of the multiple operations provided by the means for providing an interface for the client application and has a page for each of the multiple operations, wherein when an operation is selected the corresponding page is displayed;
• and
• a speech recognition software application for:
• converting spoken words provided as a voice input into a user input, the speech recognition software application including a voice module that accesses a stored separate vocabulary for each of the pages for selecting the multiple operations utilized for generating the legacy transactions on the legacy systems, the stored vocabulary for each of the pages including a spoken Go To command and a spoken TAB command for navigating to a search page,
• performing the multiple operations utilized for generating the legacy transactions on the legacy systems, wherein performing the multiple operations comprises inputting the client account information based on the spoken words provided as the voice input to complete at least one of a plurality of data fields, and
• selecting an operation for retrieving client account information.

A system for remotely accessing legacy data from a plurality of legacy systems, comprising:

• a voice input device;
• a modem;
• a systems interface in communication with the plurality of legacy systems wherein the systems interface is protected from the legacy systems by a firewall, and wherein the systems interface provides multiple operations that may be utilized for generating transactions with the legacy systems;
• and
• a computer, wherein the computer includes at least one memory programmed with software for performing the following:
• providing a graphical user interface that has a page for selecting one of the multiple operations provided by the systems interface for the client application and has a page for each of the multiple operations wherein when an operation is selected the corresponding page is displayed,
• receiving a request to input by voice;
• activating a speech recognition module in response to the request, the speech recognition module including a speech module that accesses a stored separate vocabulary for each of the pages for selecting and performing the multiple operations utilized for generating the legacy transactions on the legacy systems,
• wherein selecting the multiple operations comprises utilizing a Go To command in a speech input for navigating to a search page and selecting an operation for retrieving client account information, and
• wherein performing the multiple operations comprises inputting the client account information based on spoken words as a speech input to complete at least one of a plurality of data fields,
• wherein inputting the client account information to complete at least one of the plurality of data fields comprises utilizing a TAB command in the speech input to navigate among the plurality of data fields;
• converting spoken words that are the speech inputs into a user request for information by using the separate vocabulary corresponding to the page that is displayed;
• sending the user request for information to the systems interface;
• and
• receiving data responsive to the user request.

A method for allowing a user to access data, comprising:

• logging onto a systems interface to legacy systems;
• providing a graphical user interface that includes a page for selecting one of the multiple operations provided by the systems interface for the client application and includes a page for each of the multiple operations wherein when an operation is selected the corresponding page is displayed;
• activating a speech recognition module in response to the request, the speech recognition module including a voice module that accesses a stored separate vocabulary for each of the pages for selecting and performing the multiple operations utilized for generating the legacy transactions on the legacy systems,
• wherein selecting the multiple operations comprises utilizing a spoken Go To command in a speech input for navigating to a search page and selecting an operation for retrieving client account information, and
• wherein performing the multiple operations comprises inputting the client account information based on spoken words as a voice input to complete at least one of a plurality of data fields, wherein inputting the client account information to complete at least one of the plurality of data fields comprises utilizing a TAB command in the voice input to navigate among the plurality of data fields;
• receiving spoken words as the voice inputs from the user;
• converting the voice inputs to a user request by using the separate vocabulary corresponding to the page that is displayed;
• sending the user request to the systems interface;
• and
• receiving data from the systems interface in response to the user request.