The W3C Voice Browser Working Group has released an initial working draft specification for "Call Control Requirements in a Voice Browser Framework." The document is presented as "a precursor to work on a specification." It "describes requirements for mechanisms that enable fine-grained control of speech (signal processing) resources and telephony resources in a VoiceXML telephony platform. The scope of these language features is for controlling resources in a platform on the network edge, not for building network-based call processing applications in a telephone switching system, or for controlling an entire telecom network." This W3C activity "focuses on enabling extended call control functionality in a voice browser which supports telephony capabilities. The task is constrained to defining elements and capabilities which either provide augmented functionality to be used in combination with VoiceXML or enhance the existing functionality in VoiceXML. The activities of a Call Control Subgroup will be coordinated with the activities of the Dialog Subgroup, both of which are part of the W3C Voice Browser working group." The requirements specification for call control is set against the backdrop of published goals for richer telephony functionality in VoiceXML, [which is] "designed for creating audio dialogs that feature synthesized speech, digitized audio, recognition of spoken and DTMF key input, recording of spoken input, telephony, and mixed-initiative conversations." W3C work on Voice Browsers is being coordinated under the W3C User Interface Domain.

Bibliographic information: "Call Control Requirements in a Voice Browser Framework." W3C Working Draft 13-April-2001. Latest version URL: http://www.w3.org/TR/call-control-reqs. Edited by Brad Porter (Tellme).

Note on VoiceXML: VoiceXML is a program of the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (IEEE-ISTO). The VoiceXML Forum membership has risen to "over 460 member companies, including 55 Sponsor and Promoter level members. The VoiceXML Forum is open to any company interested in supporting the development and promotion of VoiceXML as an open, broadly supported markup language to enable speech-based applications and Internet information and content becoming voice and phone accessible... Over 220 VoiceXML enthusiasts gathered for the first annual VoiceXML Forum Users Group Meeting on 5 April 2001 in San Jose, Calif. The event was a chance for individuals and companies with an interest in VoiceXML technology to gather with VoiceXML industry leaders to share issues, knowledge, and information about one of the fastest growing technologies in the telephony business."