| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus and method are disclosed that monitor a telephone call and alert the caller when a live person is reached. The apparatus includes a computing device, a telephone interface, live person detecting software, and a caller alert system. Preferred embodiments include a digitizer. Some embodiments transmit a zero tone to the destination. Strategies for live person detection can include: detecting a short period of sound followed by a sustained pause, analyzing the talking speed and/or speed variability of detected speech, recognizing one or more words typical of a live person, and providing a verbal prompt and detecting an expected reply. In some embodiments strategies and/or prompts are selectable. Caller alert systems include bells, buzzers, lights, speakers, and/or vibrators, as well as ringing the telephone itself. Some embodiments include a timer and terminate a call if too much time elapses and a live person is not reached.</p> |
