I haven't checked all of them lately, but one Ronald A. Katz has about
52 patents relating to "interactive technology". You might check to see if he has one related to automated operator services. His organization routinely sues large companies such as airlines and banks and they wind up paying his fees. One settlement involving Delta Airlines in 2004 covered "customer service provided to consumer and business accounts delivered through automated systems as well as the combination of automated systems and live agents". See
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Regards,Charles G. Gray Senior Lecturer, Telecommunications Oklahoma State University - Tulsa (918) 594-8433