A bulk call generator is configured for measuring the response time of a telephony-based interactive response system by detecting the presence of prescribed signaling messages and in-band prompts, where the in-band prompts include tones (such as DTMF tones) recognizable by the bulk call generator. In particular, the tones enable the bulk call generator to uniquely identify a corresponding message, for example a test greeting generated by the telephony-based interactive response system, or a test message retrieved for playback by the telephony-based interactive response system. Hence, the bulk call generator can measure the response time across all channels of a telephony-based interactive response system in an economic and scalable manner, for verification that prescribed prompts and/or messages are played by the telephony-based interactive response system.

A voice response service apparatus comprises a log data storage unit, an identification data input unit and a voice response reproduction unit. The log data storage unit stores contents of a plurality of processes executed in an interactive form with a user through voice responses in the form of log data showing a record of time transitions and also stores identification data for identifying each of the contents of the plurality of processes as a part of contents of the voice responses. The identification data input unit inputs the identification data stored in the log data storage unit. The voice response reproduction unit reads the contents of the interactive-form processes of the log data corresponding to the identification data inputted by the identification data input unit from the log data storage unit and reproduces the thus read process contents into voices.

A voice response service apparatus interacting with users through voice responses. An attribute storage stores an age of each user. A voice volume controller sets a volume level of a voice response for a user to a level corresponding to the user's age, as stored in the attribute storage. A voice synthesizer synthesizes voices for the voice responses at the volume level set by the voice volume controller. A sex of the user can also be stored and used by a tone controller to select a tone of the voice responses for the user from among a male voice and a female voice based on the user's sex. The voice synthesizer then synthesizes voices with the tone selected by the tone controller.

A voice response unit (VRU) includes a library of content equivalent messages and prompts which may be substituted for one another to vary the presentation of messages provided to a user and thereby more closely simulate a human operator. Groups of content equivalent messages and prompts include multiple audio files, each with a slightly different wording or phraseology, but conveying substantially the same information. After a particular message content is selected, the corresponding group of messages is identified and a random number is generated and used to select one of the audio files of the group for playback. The VRU may be included as part of an automated dialer or auto attendant. In such a system, a calling party is greeted by the VRU and is prompted by a randomly selected prompt to speak the name of the called party. The system accesses a telephone directory, attempts to identify a name corresponding to the name spoken, and dials the number. The caller may interrupt or request alternative processing during a predetermined time period after the system has selected and read back a closest matching name or its corresponding telephone number. If processing is halted by the caller indicating that the name or telephone number selected by the system is incorrect, the system will attempt to identify a second closest guess, or if none is available, to ask the caller to reinput the name of the called party. Alternative processing includes hearing the telephone number without having it dialed, and diverting a call to voice mail.

A telephone-based information announcement system provides a mouse-like selection means for user browsing, selection, and editing of audio information messages, for reducing user dependence on guidance regarding the use of the keypad, and for general purpose system control. The user presses any number on the right side of the keypad to go forward through an ordered list of messages, and any number on the left side of the keypad to go back. To link to a message in another list, the user presses 2.