Patent Application
20200402153
This disclosure relates to communicating information over a computer network, and more specifically, to communicating with a computing device about terms of an agreement to provide a product or service.
Banks and other financial institutions routinely provide financial services to consumers, which encompass services ranging from managing money, providing banking services, lending money, extending credit, and/or providing advice, information, and other services. In some cases, those services are provided pursuant to a well-defined fee structure. In other cases, the terms of the service can be negotiated. In many cases, however, consumers do not know to what extent certain services are negotiable, or even whether such services are subject to negotiation. Further, financial institutions often adjust the price or terms of some services based on certain attributes of the consumer, such as a credit rating. However, beyond a credit rating and other basic information, financial institutions may lack significant information about their customers.
This disclosure describes techniques for using a computing device to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously negotiate terms of financial agreements, such as those relating to a financial product or service offered by a bank or other financial institution. Techniques in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure may enable a user (e.g., a customer of a bank) to obtain favorable terms of a financial agreement without significant efforts and tedious communications with bank personnel. Similarly, such techniques may enable a bank to collect information about users (e.g., customers of the bank) that can be used not only to provide improved service to its customers, but also to identify financial products and services that may be particularly suited or appropriate for a given user.
As described in one or more examples, a computing system operated by a bank may receive data corresponding to audio detected by an audio chat device located near a user, such as in a user's home. The computing system may analyze the data and respond with information that can be used by the audio chat device to generate audible sounds that mimic a human voice. In some examples, the computing system continually analyzes audio data streamed from the audio chat device and responds appropriately with audible sounds to thereby engage in an interactive discussion with the user. Such a discussion may include a discussion or negotiation of existing or proposed terms of financial products or services provided by the bank. Such a discussion may also include offers relating to new financial products or services that the computing system markets to the user.
In one example, this disclosure describes a method comprising receiving, by a computing system and over a network, a first indication of audio input associated with a user; generating, by the computing system and based on account information associated with the user, a proposal relating to a financial product, wherein the proposal includes a request for information; sending, by the computing system and over the network, information about the proposal; responsive to sending the information about the proposal, receiving, by the computing system and over the network, a second indication of audio input including offered information responsive to the request for information; storing, by the computing system, the offered information; and adjusting, by the computing system, the account information associated with the user to reflect acceptance of the proposal.
In another example, this disclosure describes a system comprising a storage device; and processing circuitry having access to the storage device and configured to: receive, over a network, a first indication of audio input associated with a user, generate, based on account information associated with the user, a proposal relating to a financial product, wherein the proposal includes a request for information, send, over the network, information about the proposal, responsive to sending the information about the proposal, receive, over the network, a second indication of audio input including offered information responsive to the request for information, store the offered information, and adjust the account information associated with the user to reflect acceptance of the proposal.
In another example, this disclosure describes a computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions that, when executed, configure processing circuitry of a computing system to receive, over a network, a first indication of audio input associated with a user; generate, based on account information associated with the user, a proposal relating to a financial product, wherein the proposal includes a request for information; send, over the network, information about the proposal; responsive to sending the information about the proposal, receive, over the network, a second indication of audio input including offered information responsive to the request for information; store the offered information; and adjust the account information associated with the user to reflect acceptance of the proposal.
Audio chat device 110 may be implemented as a voice activated computing device primarily in communication with bank computing system 160 over network 109, and controlled by bank computing system 160. Audio chat device 110 may, in some examples, interface with users primarily by recognizing audible commands from a user through voice recognition and presenting information to users through computer-generated sounds, including those designed to mimic a human voice. In other examples, audio chat device 110 may accept other types of input and generate other types of output. For instance, audio chat device 110 may accept wireless input from a tablet device within the vicinity of audio chat device 110, or through a computing device connected to audio chat device 110 over network 109. Audio chat device 110 may also generate output for display at a display screen, or may output control signals destined for other computing devices. Other examples are possible.
In some examples, audio chat device 110 may be a device configured for use for a specific user by bank 161, and delivered to the home of that specific user by bank 161. In such an example, audio chat device 110 may be configured with a particular address or unique code that can be identified in later communications with bank computing system 160. In other examples, audio chat device 110 may be a generic device that requires configuration for use in connection with accounts held at bank 161 or another bank. Once identified by bank computing system 160, audio chat device 110 may be associated with a particular user, or group of users, and communications between audio chat device 110 and bank computing system 160 may be based on, or may apply to, accounts held by that particular user or group of users at bank 161.
In the example of
In other examples, bank computing system 160 associates one or more accounts with audio chat device 110 based on authentication information detected at audio chat device 110, communicated over network 109, and received at bank computing system 160. For instance, in such an example, bank computing system 160 outputs a signal over network 109. Audio chat device 110 detects a signal over network 109, and determines that the signal corresponds to a command to prompt a user of audio chat device 110 for authentication credentials. Audio chat device 110 outputs an audible prompt for information (e.g., asking a user to state his or her name, bank account number, address, and/or password). Audio chat device 110 detects a response, and communicates information about the response over network 109 to bank computing system 160. Bank computing system 160 may, based on the information, authenticate a user of audio chat device 110 and thereafter associate communications received from audio chat device 110 with one or more bank accounts held by the authenticated user of audio chat device 110.
Bank computing system 160 may determine that a user of audio chat device 110 has proposed adjusting the terms of a financial services arrangement that the user holds with bank 161. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 160 may, in some examples, accept the user's proposal. For instance, in some examples, bank computing system 160 accesses information (e.g., credit and account history) within user account data store 178 about the user of audio chat device 110. Bank computing system 160 determines, based on the accessed information, whether to accept the user's proposed terms. In some examples, bank computing system 160 determines that bank 161 will accept the user's proposal. In such an example, bank computing system 160 outputs a signal over network 109. Audio chat device 110 detects a signal over network 109, and determines that the signal corresponds to audio information. Audio chat device 110 outputs audible information, informing the user that bank 161 has accepted the proposal. In other examples, of course, bank computing system 160 might not accept the user's proposal, and in that case, audio chat device 110 may output audible information informing the user that bank 161 has not accepted the proposal.
In the example of
In the example illustrated in
Bank computing system 160 may determine that the user of audio chat device 110 has accepted the counterproposal. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 160 may, based on the offered information, market additional financial products and/or services. For instance, in the example of
Accordingly, although one or more implementations of system 100 have been described with reference to
Further, certain operations, techniques, features, and/or functions may have been described herein as being performed by specific components, devices, and/or modules in
In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, one or more computing devices (e.g., audio chat device 110 or bank computing system 160) may analyze information collected from a user by another computing device (e.g., streamed or recorded conversations and voice input detected by audio chat device 110). It may be appropriate for such computing devices to collect, analyze, and/or act on such information in the manner described herein only after receiving permission from the user. For example, in some examples described in this specification, before a computing device can collect or make use of information associated with a user, the user may be provided with an opportunity to control whether the computing device can collect or make use of information about the user (e.g., use of recorded conversations for marketing purposes), or to dictate whether and/or how the computing device can use such information. In some examples, certain data may be modified so that personally-identifiable information is removed. In other examples, a user's information may be anonymized in some way (e.g., by associating the data only with categories of bank accounts, or categories of bank customers, or by generalizing the information so that it is associated with a city, ZIP code, or state so that the identify or location of a user cannot be determined.)
Through techniques in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, such as by allowing users to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously negotiate the terms of financial products and services using audio chat device 110, system 100 may more often present or enable a user to determine appropriate terms of financial products and services in an efficient manner. By doing so, system 100 may reduce the likelihood that a user will have to perform research to identify or determine favorable terms for financial products and services. By enabling a user to avoid performing such research, system 100 will perform fewer computing operations and consume less network bandwidth, because performing such research requires computing operations and network bandwidth. Therefore, aspects of this disclosure may improve the function of system 100 because allowing users to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously negotiate the terms of financial products and services may have the effect of causing system 100 to perform fewer computing operations and consume less network bandwidth.
Through techniques in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, such as by enabling bank computing system 160 to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously market financial products and services to users based on information collected from users, system 100 may more efficiently identify financial products and services that benefit users. By more efficiently identifying financial products and services that benefit users, system 100 may perform fewer computing operations and consume less network bandwidth because other ways of identifying and/or marketing financial products and services are less efficient and effective, and to achieve similarly productive results, may require significant consumption of computing resources and network bandwidth. Therefore, aspects of this disclosure may improve the function of system 100 because enabling bank computing system 160 to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously market financial products and services to users based on information collected from users may have the effect of causing system 100 to perform fewer computing operations and consume less network bandwidth.
Further, by performing fewer computing operations and consuming less network bandwidth, system 100 may consume less electrical power because performing computing operations and consuming network bandwidth consumes electrical power. Therefore, aspects of this disclosure may improve the function of system 100 because enabling bank computing system 160 to occasionally, periodically, and/or continuously market financial products and services to users based on information collected from users may have the effect of causing system 100 to consume less electrical power.
In the example of
Network 109 may be the internet, or may include or represent any public or private communications network or other network. For instance, network 109 may be a cellular, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC), satellite, enterprise, service provider, and/or other type of network enabling transfer of transmitting data between computing systems, servers, and computing devices. One or more of client devices, server devices, or other devices may transmit and receive data, commands, control signals, and/or other information across network 109 using any suitable communication techniques. Network 109 may include one or more network hubs, network switches, network routers, satellite dishes, or any other network equipment. Such devices or components may be operatively inter-coupled, thereby providing for the exchange of information between computers, devices, or other components (e.g., between one or more client devices or systems and one or more server devices or systems). Each of the devices or systems illustrated in
Each of information service computing system 180, brokerage computing system 190, and bank computing system 260 may be implemented as any suitable computing system, such as one or more server computers, workstations, mainframes, appliances, cloud computing systems, and/or other computing systems that may be capable of performing operations and/or functions described in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, information service computing system 180, brokerage computing system 190, and/or bank computing system 260 may each represent a cloud computing system, server farm, and/or server cluster (or portion thereof) that provides services to client devices and other devices or systems. In other examples, information service computing system 180, brokerage computing system 190, and/or bank computing system 260 may represent or be implemented through one or more virtualized compute instances (e.g., virtual machines, containers) of a data center, cloud computing system, server farm, and/or server cluster.
In the example of
Power source 261 may provide power to one or more components of bank computing system 260. Power source 261 may receive power from the primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building, home, or other location. In other examples, power source 261 may be a battery or a device that supplies direct current (DC). In still further examples, bank computing system 260 and/or power source 261 may receive power from another source. One or more of the devices or components illustrated within bank computing system 260 may be connected to power source 261, and/or may receive power from power source 261. Power source 261 may have intelligent power management or consumption capabilities, and such features may be controlled, accessed, or adjusted by one or more modules of bank computing system 260 and/or by one or more processors 263 to intelligently consume, allocate, supply, or otherwise manage power.
One or more processors 263 of bank computing system 260 may implement functionality and/or execute instructions associated with bank computing system 260 or associated with one or more modules illustrated herein and/or described below. One or more processors 263 may be, may be part of, and/or may include processing circuitry that performs operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Examples of processors 263 include microprocessors, application processors, display controllers, auxiliary processors, one or more sensor hubs, and any other hardware configured to function as a processor, a processing unit, or a processing device. Bank computing system 260 may use one or more processors 263 to perform operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure using software, hardware, firmware, or a mixture of hardware, software, and firmware residing in and/or executing at bank computing system 260.
One or more communication units 265 of bank computing system 260 may communicate with devices external to bank computing system 260 by transmitting and/or receiving data, and may operate, in some respects, as both an input device and an output device. In some examples, communication units 265 may communicate with other devices over a network. In other examples, communication units 265 may send and/or receive radio signals on a radio network such as a cellular radio network. In other examples, communication units 265 of bank computing system 260 may transmit and/or receive satellite signals on a satellite network such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) network. Examples of communication units 265 include a network interface card (e.g. such as an Ethernet card), an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, a GPS receiver, or any other type of device that can send and/or receive information. Other examples of communication units 265 may include devices capable of communicating over Bluetooth®, GPS, NFC, ZigBee, and cellular networks (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G), and Wi-Fi® radios found in mobile devices as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers and the like. Such communications may adhere to, implement, or abide by appropriate protocols, including Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet, Bluetooth, NFC, or other technologies or protocols.
One or more input devices 266 may represent any input devices of bank computing system 260 not otherwise separately described herein. One or more input devices 266 may generate, receive, and/or process input from any type of device capable of detecting input from a human or machine. For example, one or more input devices 266 may generate, receive, and/or process input in the form of electrical, physical, audio, image, and/or visual input (e.g., peripheral device, keyboard, microphone, camera).
One or more output devices 267 may represent any output devices of bank computing system 260 not otherwise separately described herein. One or more output devices 267 may generate, receive, and/or process input from any type of device capable of detecting input from a human or machine. For example, one or more output devices 267 may generate, receive, and/or process output in the form of electrical and/or physical output (e.g., peripheral device, actuator).
One or more storage devices 270 within bank computing system 260 may store information for processing during operation of bank computing system 260. Storage devices 270 may store program instructions and/or data associated with one or more of the modules described in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. One or more processors 263 and one or more storage devices 270 may provide an operating environment or platform for such modules, which may be implemented as software, but may in some examples include any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. One or more processors 263 may execute instructions and one or more storage devices 270 may store instructions and/or data of one or more modules. The combination of processors 263 and storage devices 270 may retrieve, store, and/or execute the instructions and/or data of one or more applications, modules, or software. Processors 263 and/or storage devices 270 may also be operably coupled to one or more other software and/or hardware components, including, but not limited to, one or more of the components of bank computing system 260 and/or one or more devices or systems illustrated as being connected to bank computing system 260.
In some examples, one or more storage devices 270 are temporary memories, meaning that a primary purpose of the one or more storage devices is not long-term storage. Storage devices 270 of bank computing system 260 may be configured for short-term storage of information as volatile memory and therefore not retain stored contents if deactivated. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art. Storage devices 270, in some examples, also include one or more computer-readable storage media. Storage devices 270 may be configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile memory. Storage devices 270 may further be configured for long-term storage of information as non-volatile memory space and retain information after activate/off cycles. Examples of non-volatile memories include magnetic hard disks, optical discs, Flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.
Negotiation module 272 may perform functions relating to proposing, negotiating, and/or renegotiating the terms of financial service agreements, financial products, and financial services with one or more users of audio chat devices 210. Negotiation module 272 may employ artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques to generate audio signals or an audio data stream that can be output as an audible sound, and thereby mimic a responsive human engaging in an interactive conversation. Negotiation module 272 may also employ response techniques drawing on preprogrammed answers to common questions or preprogrammed conversations to walk a use through various steps to perform a common task. For instance, in some examples, negotiation module 272 may evaluate and/or analyze indications of audio input and interpret the audio input. Negotiation module 272 may evaluate a user proposal, and determine whether the terms of the proposal are acceptable by bank 161. Negotiation module 272 may access information over network 109, including information provided by one or more information service computing systems 180 and one or more brokerage computing systems 190. Negotiation module 272 may generate proposals, counterproposals, and/or conditional proposals. Negotiation module 272 may communicate information about such proposals, counterproposals, and/or conditional counterproposals to one or more audio chat devices 210. Negotiation module 272 may perform actions on behalf of a user, such as opening accounts, scheduling appointments with financial service personnel, engaging financial or other services from a third party, or modifying terms of service for a financial product or service. Negotiation module 272 may receive, evaluate, and store offered information 279. Negotiation module 272 may update and/or maintain user account data store 278 with information about communications with a user of audio chat device 210 and/or information about agreements made or not made between bank 161 and a user of audio chat device 210. Negotiation module 272 may also update information in user account data store 278 to reflect that a proposal was received from the user and subsequently denied. Negotiation module 272 may receive information from and output information to one or more other modules. Although negotiation module 272 may be described in connection with
Marketing module 274 may perform functions relating to marketing new financial products and services to users of one or more audio chat devices 210. For instance, in some examples, marketing module 274 may generate new proposals for an existing account holder, based on information known about the user, including knowledge derived from offered information 279, as further described below. Marketing module 274 may design or customize marketing efforts based on a user's financial situation, interests, and/or financial needs. Marketing module 274 may design or customize proposals made to a user pursuant to such marketing efforts based on similar information. Marketing module 274 may cause bank computing system 260 to communicate information about new proposals to one or more audio chat devices 210. Marketing module 274 may receive information from and output information to one or more other modules, and may otherwise interact with and/or operate in conjunction with one or more other modules of bank computing system 260.
User account data store 278 may represent any suitable data structure or storage medium for storing information related to storing information about bank account holders or consumers of financial products and services (e.g., bank account information, transaction history, account types, account balances, credit scores, information about previous interactions, survey responses, information offered by a user or bank account holder). User account data store 278 may include or store offered information 279, received from one or more users of audio chat devices 210. Offered information 279 may, in some examples, be information offered by a user in response to a proposal generated by bank computing system 260 and presented by audio chat device 210. Such information may include a bank account number, an investment account number, a broker's name, a list of assets, and/or other information. The information stored in user account data store 278 may be searchable and/or categorized such that one or more modules within bank computing system 260 may provide an input requesting information from user account data store 278, and in response to the input, receive information stored within user account data store 278. User account data store 278 may be primarily maintained by negotiation module 272. User account data store 278 may store information that can be used to effectively market financial products and services to one or more users of audio chat devices 210. User account data store 278 may provide other modules with access to the data stored within user account data store 278, and/or may analyze the data stored within user account data store 278 and output such information on behalf of other modules of bank computing system 260.
Audio chat device 210 may, in some examples, be implemented as an interactive voice assistant, and may be a small, stationary device placed in a home setting. In some examples, audio chat device 210 may primarily detect input from users through occasional or continual analysis of users' spoken words, and may primarily output information and prompts to users through simulated speech. However, audio chat device 210 may be implemented as any suitable computing system, such as a mobile, non-mobile, wearable, and/or non-wearable computing device. Audio chat device 210 may be implemented through or represent a smart phone, a tablet computer, a computerized watch, a computerized glove or gloves, a personal digital assistant, a virtual assistant, a gaming system, a media player, an e-book reader, a television or television platform, a bicycle, automobile, or navigation, information and/or entertainment system for a bicycle, automobile or other vehicle, a laptop or notebook computer, a desktop computer, or any other type of wearable, non-wearable, mobile, or non-mobile computing device that may perform operations in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
In the example of
Power source 211 may provide power to one or more components of computing system 210. Power source 211 may receive power from the primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building, home, or other location. In other examples, power source 211 may be a battery or a device that supplies direct current (DC). Power source 211 may be implemented in a manner similar to or consistent with other sources of power described herein.
One or more processors 213 of computing system 210 may implement functionality and/or execute instructions associated with computing system 210 or associated with one or more modules illustrated herein and/or described below. Processors 213 may be implemented in a manner similar to or consistent with the description of other processors or processing circuitry described herein.
One or more communication units 215 of computing system 210 may communicate with devices external to computing system 210 by transmitting and/or receiving data over a network or otherwise. Communication units 215 may be implemented in a manner similar to or consistent with the description of other communication units described herein.
User interface device 221 may function as an input and/or output device or set of input/output devices for audio chat device 210, and may be implemented using various devices, components, and/or technologies. User interface device 221 may include various types of input technologies, including presence-sensitive input panel technologies, microphone technologies, voice activation and/or recognition technologies, cameras, sensor technologies (e.g., infrared, image, location, motion, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer), or other input device technology for use in receiving user input. User interface device 221 may include various types of output device technologies, including display devices, speaker technologies, haptic feedback technologies, tactile feedback technologies, light emitting technologies, or other output device technologies for use in outputting information to a user.
In the example of
One or more input devices 216 may represent any input devices of audio chat device 210 not otherwise separately described herein. One or more input devices 216 may generate, receive, and/or process input from any type of device capable of detecting input from a human or machine. For example, one or more input devices 216 may generate, receive, and/or process input in the form of electrical, physical, audio, image, and/or visual input (e.g., peripheral device, keyboard, microphone, camera). In some examples, one or more input devices 216 may generate or receive input from a keyboard, pointing device, voice responsive system, video camera, button, sensor, mobile input device, control pad, microphone, presence-sensitive screen, network, or any other type of device for detecting input from a human or machine. In some examples, input devices 216 may include one or more sensor components one or more location sensors (GPS components, Wi-Fi® components, cellular components), one or more temperature sensors, one or more movement sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyros), one or more pressure sensors (e.g., barometer), one or more ambient light sensors, and one or more other sensors (e.g., infrared proximity sensor, hygrometer sensor, and the like). Other sensors, to name a few other non-limiting examples, may include a heart rate sensor, magnetometer, glucose sensor, olfactory sensor, compass sensor, step counter sensor.
One or more output devices 217 may represent any output devices of audio chat device 210 not otherwise separately described herein. One or more output devices 217 may generate, receive, and/or process input from any type of device capable of detecting input from a human or machine. For example, one or more output devices 217 may generate, receive, and/or process output in the form of electrical and/or physical output (e.g., peripheral device, actuator). In some examples, one or more output devices 217 may generate, present, and/or process output in the form of tactile, audio, visual, video, and other output. Output devices 217 may include a sound card, video graphics adapter card, speaker, presence-sensitive screen, one or more USB interfaces, video and/or audio output interfaces, a display, or any other type of device capable of generating tactile, audio, visual, video, or other output (e.g., a haptic response, a sound, a flash of light, and/or images). Some devices may serve as both input and output devices. For example, a communication device may both send and receive data to and from other systems or devices over a network. Also, a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display may both detect input in the form of physical taps or gestures, and present output in the form of visual information.
One or more storage devices 230 within audio chat device 210 may store information for processing during operation of audio chat device 210. Storage devices 230 may store program instructions and/or data associated with one or more of the modules described in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. One or more processors 213 and one or more storage devices 230 may provide an operating environment or platform for such modules, which may be implemented as software, but may in some examples include any combination of hardware, firmware, and software. One or more processors 213 may execute instructions and one or more storage devices 230 may store instructions and/or data of one or more modules. The combination of processors 213 and storage devices 230 may retrieve, store, and/or execute the instructions and/or data of one or more applications, modules, or software. Processors 213 and/or storage devices 230 may also be operably coupled to one or more other software and/or hardware components, including, but not limited to, one or more of the components of audio chat device 210 and/or one or more devices or systems illustrated as being connected to audio chat device 210. Storage devices 230 may be implemented in a manner similar to or consistent with the description of other storage devices described herein.
User interface module 231 may manage user interactions with user interface device 221 and other components of audio chat device 210. User interface module 231 may cause user interface device 221 to output various user interfaces for display or presentation or otherwise, as a user of audio chat device 210 views, hears, or otherwise senses output and/or provides input at user interface device 221. User interface device 221 may detect input, and may output to user interface module 231 one or more indications of input as a user of audio chat device 210 interacts with a user interface presented at user interface device 221. User interface module 231 and user interface device 221 may interpret inputs detected at user interface device 221 and may relay information about the inputs detected at user interface device 221 to one or more associated platforms, operating systems, applications, and/or services executing at audio chat device 210 to cause audio chat device 210 to perform one or more functions.
User interface module 231 may receive information and instructions from a platform, operating system, application, and/or service executing at audio chat device 210 and/or one or more remote computing systems. In addition, user interface module 231 may act as an intermediary between a platform, operating system, application, and/or service executing at audio chat device 210 and various output devices of audio chat device 210 (e.g., speakers, LED indicators, audio or electrostatic haptic output devices, light emitting technologies, displays, etc.) to produce output (e.g., a graphic, a flash of light, a sound, a haptic response, etc.).
Audio processing module 232 may perform functions relating to performing voice recognition for audio sounds detected by user interface device 221 and translating signals received over network 109 into sounds that mimic a human voice. In some examples, audio processing module 232 may be capable of identifying a sound that corresponds to a human's voice. In other examples, audio processing module 232 may identify a particular user's voice or learn to identify a particular user's voice. Audio processing module 232 may also be capable of distinguishing a human voice from a recording of a human voice, and thereby perform at least some degree of voice authentication for sounds detected by user interface device 221. Audio processing module 232 may perform processing or translation of signals received over network 109 so that the signals can be used to generate audible sounds. Audio processing module 232 may interact with user interface module 231 to cause audio output device 224 to generate, from such translated signals, audible sounds that appear to be a human voice engaging in a discussion.
One or more applications modules 239 may represent some or all of the other various individual applications and/or services executing at and accessible from audio chat device 210. A user of audio chat device 210 may interact with a user interface (e.g., an interactive voice response or other user interface) associated with one or more applications modules 239 to cause audio chat device 210 to perform a function. Numerous examples of applications modules 239 may exist and may include banking applications, financial record-keeping applications, financial services applications, question and answer applications, search, communication, and shopping applications, and all other applications that may execute at audio chat device 210.
Modules illustrated in
Although certain modules, data stores, components, programs, executables, data items, functional units, and/or other items included within one or more storage devices may be illustrated separately, one or more of such items could be combined and operate as a single module, component, program, executable, data item, or functional unit. For example, one or more modules or data stores may be combined or partially combined so that they operate or provide functionality as a single module. Further, one or more modules may interact with and/or operate in conjunction with one another so that, for example, one module acts as a service or an extension of another module. Also, each module, data store, component, program, executable, data item, functional unit, or other item illustrated within a storage device may include multiple components, sub-components, modules, sub-modules, data stores, and/or other components or modules or data stores not illustrated.
Further, each module, data store, component, program, executable, data item, functional unit, or other item illustrated within a storage device may be implemented in various ways. For example, each module, data store, component, program, executable, data item, functional unit, or other item illustrated within a storage device may be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installed application or “app.” In other examples, each module, data store, component, program, executable, data item, functional unit, or other item illustrated within a storage device may be implemented as part of an operating system executed on a computing device.
For instance, one or more devices of system 200 that are illustrated as separate devices may be implemented as a single device; one or more components of system 200 that are illustrated as separate components may be implemented as a single component. Also, in some examples, one or more devices of system 200 that are illustrated as a single device may be implemented as multiple devices; one or more components of system 200 that are illustrated as a single component may be implemented as multiple components. Each of the multiple devices and/or components may be directly coupled via wired or wireless communication and/or remotely coupled via one or more networks. Also, one or more devices or components illustrated in
Further, certain operations, techniques, features, and/or functions are described herein as being performed by specific components, devices, and/or modules in
In the example of
Negotiation module 272 may access information about the user of audio chat device 210 to determine whether to accept the user's proposal of box 301A. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 260 may accept the user's proposal and inform the user that the proposal was accepted. For instance, in the example of
In other examples, rather than accepting the proposal, bank computing system 260 may deny the proposal. For instance, in such an example, bank computing system 260 determines, based on the accessed information and/or other information, that the user's proposal will not be accepted by bank 161. In such an example, negotiation module 272 may communicate with audio chat device 210 over network 109 and cause audible sounds to be presented by audio chat device 210 that inform user 300 that his or her proposal was not accepted. Negotiation module 272 may also update information in user account data store 278 to reflect that a proposal was received from the user and subsequently denied.
In
Bank computing system 260 may determine that the user has accepted the counterproposal. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 260 may respond to the acceptance of the counterproposal by confirming that the counterproposal has taken effect. For instance, in the example of
In
Bank computing system 260 may determine that the user has accepted the counterproposal and offered the requested information. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 260 may, based on the offered information or other information, market additional financial products and/or services. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 260 may determine that the user has accepted the new proposal. For instance, in the example of
In
In some examples, user 300 might simply accept the terms of his or her original proposal (box 301D). In the example of
Bank computing system 260 may generate a proposal based on the user's response. For instance, in the example of
In
Bank computing system 260 may, after initially refusing to accept the user's proposed terms in box 301E, later accept the proposed terms. For instance, in the example of
In
Bank computing system 260 may determine that user 300 has accepted the proposal. For instance, in the example of
Bank computing system 260 may confirm the modified terms and store information about the modification. For instance, in the example of
In
In
Bank computing system 260 may present a proposal after analyzing information provided by the user. For instance, in the example of
In
In
Bank computing system 260 may communicate the proposal to user 300 and determine that user 300 has accepted the proposal. For instance, in the example of
In
Bank computing system 260 may communicate the proposal to user 300 and determine that user 300 has responded with a query. For instance, in the example of
In the example of
Bank computing system 260 may receive a first indication of audio input associated with a user (602). For example, audio chat device 210 may detect audio input and output over network 109 an indication of input. Bank computing system 260 may detect a signal over network 109 and determine that the signal corresponds to an indication of audio input associated with the user of audio chat device 210. Bank computing system 260 may further determine that the audio input corresponds to the user proposing to raise his or her credit limit to $10,000, and asking “what information, if provided, will increase my credit limit to $10,000?”
Bank computing system 260 may generate a proposal relating to a financial product, wherein the proposal includes a request for information (603). For example, bank computing system 260 accesses information stored in user account data store 278, and determines what information would be sufficiently valuable to bank 161 to justify raising the user's credit limit as requested. Based on such a determination, bank computing system 260 generates a counterproposal that includes a request that the user provide information about additional assets.
In some examples, bank computing system 260 may be unable to generate an acceptable proposal (NO path from 603). In such an example, bank computing system 260 may output a signal over network 109. Audio chat device 210 may detect a signal over network 109 and determine that the signal includes audio information for presentation to a user. Audio chat device 210 may cause audio output device 224 to generate audible sounds informing a user of audio chat device 210 that bank 161 is unable to raise the user's credit limit (604).
Where a proposal is generated, bank computing system 260 may send, over network 109, audio information about the proposal (605). For example, bank computing system 260 outputs a signal over network 109. Audio chat device 210 detects a signal over network 109 and determines that the signal includes audio information for presentation to a user. Audio chat device 210 causes audio output device 224 to generate audible sounds describing the counterproposal, thereby informing a user of audio chat device 210 of the terms of the counterproposal, including the request for information about additional assets.
Bank computing system 260 may receive, over the network, a second indication of audio input including offered information responsive to the request for information (606). For example, audio chat device 210 may detect audio input and cause communication units 215 to output a signal over network 109. Communication units 265 detect a signal over network 109 and output an indication of a signal to negotiation module 272. Negotiation module 272 determines that the signal includes information that is responsive to the requested information about additional assets.
Bank computing system 260 may store the offered information (607). For example, negotiation module 272 of bank computing system 260 stores data derived from the information about additional assets as offered information 279 within user account data store 278.
Bank computing system 260 may adjust the account information associated with the user to reflect acceptance of the proposal (608). For example, bank computing system 260 modifies information within user account data store 278 to reflect acceptance of the terms of the counterproposal, and to reflect the new credit limit associated with one or more accounts held by the user.
For processes, apparatuses, and other examples or illustrations described herein, including in any flowcharts or flow diagrams, certain operations, acts, steps, or events included in any of the techniques described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the techniques). Moreover, in certain examples, operations, acts, steps, or events may be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors, rather than sequentially. Further certain operations, acts, steps, or events may be performed automatically even if not specifically identified as being performed automatically. Also, certain operations, acts, steps, or events described as being performed automatically may be alternatively not performed automatically, but rather, such operations, acts, steps, or events may be, in some examples, performed in response to input or another event.
The detailed description set forth above is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in the referenced figures in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.
As used in this disclosure, the phrases “financial products” and “financial services” may be used herein interchangeably, and a reference to one may be interpreted as a reference to the other. Also, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, the term “or” may be interrupted as “and/or” where context does not dictate otherwise. Additionally, while phrases such as “one or more” or “at least one” or the like may have been used in some instances but not others; those instances where such language was not used may be interpreted to have such a meaning implied where context does not dictate otherwise.
In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored, as one or more instructions or code, on and/or transmitted over a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media, or communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another (e.g., pursuant to a communication protocol). In this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media, which is non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for implementation of the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer program product may include a computer-readable medium.
By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. It should be understood, however, that computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but are instead directed to non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk and disc, as used, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the terms “processor” or “processing circuitry” as used herein may each refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described. In addition, in some examples, the functionality described may be provided within dedicated hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.
The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, a mobile or non-mobile computing device, a wearable or non-wearable computing device, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperating hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.
