Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Sharpe

Bruce A. Sharpe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160142541
    Abstract: A communication session between a user and an agent to discuss content provided by a client. A first interactive event occurred during the communication session. A first data collection package associated with the first interactive event is identified. The first data collection package includes a plurality of queries, each query being associated with one of a plurality of workflow stages of a data collection workflow. For each of the queries in one of the workflow stages, a data collection rule corresponding to a current workflow stage is examined to determine whether the query should be sent to the user, the query is transmitted to the user device of the user based on the examination, and a user response is received from the user device in response to the query. The user profile and the agent profile are updated based on user responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sharpe, Anthony G. Shrader, William T. Cumberland
  • Patent number: 9336526
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-service system is to provide self-support knowledgebase (KB) information to allow users to navigate the self-support KB. A monitor is to track user interaction with the self-support KB while a user navigates through the self-support KB. An answer engine is to receive a query from the user to ask a question and in response to the query, to identify a predefined response to the query in view of a set of dialog rules. The answer engine is to transmit one or more related questions that the user will likely ask based on the dialog rules and the user interaction. The answer engine further transmits an invitation to allow the user to initiate a live support session after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9336687
    Abstract: A service center receives a request from a remote device for accessing a learning course describing operations of a product that has been registered with the service center. In response to the request, a media stream representing the learning course is transmitted to the remote device to allow a user of the remote device to navigate the learning course, without requiring the user to directly access a training facility of a product provider associated with the registered product. User interaction with the learning course is tracked and analyzed to generate an analysis result, where the analysis result is utilized to generate or identify a subsequent learning course specifically tailored to the user. The analysis result is transmitted to the product provider to allow the product provider for the purpose of determining customer satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TELETECH HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Gershwin Allson Lamont Exeter, Nancy Rush Vesey, Bruce A. Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20160119478
    Abstract: A request is received from a user device to connect with an agent, the request including information describing an interactive event representing a user interaction with a link embedded within a first message presented at the user device. A user device ID identifying the user device is determined based on the request. The interactive event is examined to determine whether the interactive event satisfies a predetermined condition based on a set of one or more rules. In response to determining that the interactive event satisfies the predetermined condition, a first agent device ID is determined that identifies a first agent device of a first agent who initiated and sent the first message to the user device. A communication session is established between the user device and the first agent device based on the user device ID and the first agent device ID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sharpe, Anthony G. Shrader, William T. Cumberland
  • Publication number: 20160119477
    Abstract: A request is received for connecting a user with an agent, the request identifying a user interaction with content. A second server is accessed to determine a first score of the user representing a benefit the user has generated for a client that provides the content. A third server is accessed to determine a second score of the user representing overall burden to provide services to the user by the client based on an interaction history of the user with the client. A user value is dynamically determined based on the first score and the second score using a user value determination algorithm that is specifically configured for the client. A list of agent candidates is identified from a pool of agents based on the user value and the collection of real-time data. A first communication session is established between the user and one of the agent candidates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce A. Sharpe, Anthony G. Shrader, William T. Cumberland
  • Publication number: 20160044174
    Abstract: A content type of content interacted by a user is determined and a skill set is determined based on the content type. A first set of preferred agents is identified based on the skill set, where the preferred agents have a prior relationship with the user. A second set of recommended agents is identified based on the skill set, where the recommended agents have no prior relationship with the user. The first and second set of preferred agents and recommended agents are transmitted to a user device of the user to allow the user to select one of the preferred and recommended agents. The transmitted information include information indicating whether any of the preferred and recommended agents is available the point in time. A live communication session is established between the user device and an agent device of a selected agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Publication number: 20160044173
    Abstract: User interactions with content presented during a particular browsing session are monitored in real-time during the browsing session. In response to different user interactions, content type of the content being interacted by the user is determined dynamically. A skill set is determined based on the content type within the same browsing session. Subsequently during the same browsing session, in response to a request from the user for connecting with an agent, a list of agents who possess the skill set is identified. A live communication session is established between a user device of the user and an agent device of an agent selected from the list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9245287
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-service system is to provide self-support knowledgebase (KB) information to allow users to navigate the self-support KB. A monitor is to track user interaction with the self-support KB while a user navigates through the self-support KB. A support service system is to receive a request from the first mobile device of the first user to request a live support service and in response to the request, the support service system is to identify a set of skills required to handle the first product currently navigated by the user. An agent manager to select a support agent having a skill set satisfying the identified skill set. A communications and routing system coupled to the support service system to establish session video chat communications session between the mobile devices of the user and the selected agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Gechter, James P. Kelly, Nathan E. Keeney, Bruce A. Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20160014597
    Abstract: A machine-readable code is received at a first server and decoded to obtain a device ID and a first provider ID that identifies a device provider providing the second electronic device. At least one of the machine-readable code or the device ID is transmitted to a second server. A subscribed service that can be activated on the second electronic device is determined based on device metadata of the second electronic device and service metadata of the subscribed service. A first message is transmitted to a mobile device of a user associated with the second electronic device for a permission to activate the subscribed service on the second electronic device. In response to a second message received from the mobile device, the device metadata and the service metadata are transmitted to a third server to request the third server to activate the subscribed service on the second electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9225716
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a login page is displayed on a mobile device for logging onto a support center. In response to selecting a first login option, the user is requested to speak a predetermined phrase to a microphone of the mobile device and a first voice stream is captured using a voice recorder of the mobile device. The first voice stream is transmitted to the support center for authentication based on the voice. In response to selecting a second login option, a password is obtained and is transmitted to the support center to for authentication based on the password. Upon having been successfully authenticated by the support center based on at least one of the first and second login options, a communication session is established with a support agent of the support center for support services of a product associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Publication number: 20150339675
    Abstract: An analysis is performed on first and second product information to determine a relationship between a first product and a second product. In response to a first notification from a first backend system, a first message is transmitted to a mobile device of the user indicating that the change of a first activity is needed. It is determined whether a modification of a second activity is needed based on the relationship information of the first product and the second product and in response to determining that the modification of the second activity is needed, a second message is transmitted to the mobile device, indicating a possible modification of the second activity and offering a list of one or more options to modify the second activity. A live communications session is established between the user and a support agent of the server to discuss the possible modification of the second activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong, Alan B. Rahn
  • Publication number: 20150339676
    Abstract: After successfully authenticating a user of a mobile device, products that have been registered with the server are determined. For each of the registered products, a list of support options available to the user is determined for a corresponding registered product, the list of support options including a live support option and a self-support option. For the self-support option available to the corresponding registered product, articles associated with the corresponding registered product are identified that have been published in an online publication forum. For the live support option available a list of communication options is determined that is available for the user to establish a live communication session with a support agent. A personalized page to the mobile device to be displayed at a display of the mobile device, listing the registered products. Each product is associated with the support options available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong, Alan B. Rahn
  • Patent number: 9178994
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a request is received at a services application programming interface (API) of a support center from a user for support services of a product provided by a client of the support center. In response to the request, one or more articles associated with the product are identified that have been published in an online publication forum, where the articles have been extracted from a knowledgebase (KB) based on a support history of the product maintained by the support center. A list of support options is presented to the user, including a first one-touch button to contact an agent of the support center and a link to the one or more articles of the publication forum to allow the user to attempt finding a solution to the product without having to contact the agent of the support center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong, Alan B. Rahn
  • Publication number: 20150310446
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in response to a user document received from a client, an interactive media document is fabricated based on the user document, including embedding one or more controls in the interactive media document and adding additional information in the interactive media document based on information obtained from a backend system of the client. The controls, when activated from the interactive media, transmit a request to the support center for obtaining support services. The interactive media document is sent to a user on behalf of the client. In response to the request from the user for obtaining support services concerning content of the user document, a live communications session is established between the user and a support agent associated with the support center, including routing data between the user and the support agent via the interactive media document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. TUCHMAN, Bruce A. SHARPE, Henry D. TRUONG
  • Publication number: 20150312414
    Abstract: A first request is received from a first user device, including a content item identifier identifying a first content item. In response, a list of media content documents is identified from a content database based on the content item ID. Document identifiers of the media content document are transmitted to a second server. A list of agent identifiers is received from the second server identifying agents who are currently available to establish a live communication session with the first user. A subset of the media content documents is determined based on the availability information of the agents and transmitted to the first user device. Each of the subset is presented with at least one agent identifier identifying an available agent, at least one geographic location of the available agent, and a live connect button to allow the first user to reach the corresponding available agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, R. Giles Whiting, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9173090
    Abstract: A service center receives a request for activating a subscribed service on a first device that has been registered with the service center, where the service center provides services to a plurality of products on behalf of a plurality of product providers. In response to the request, device information about the registered first device is retrieved from an internal database, where the device information was collected when the first device was registered with the service center. Subscription information including credentials of a user who has subscribed the subscribed service is obtained for authentication. The device information and the credentials are transmitted to a service provider that provides the subscribed service to allow the service provider to activate the subscribed service on the first device, without having the user to directly contact the service provider for activating the subscribed service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9172806
    Abstract: A general queue and priority queues corresponding to agents are maintained. In response to a user request from a remote device of a user regarding a content item of a content document displayed at the remote device, it is determined whether the user request includes an agent identifier (ID). If the user request includes a first agent ID, a first of the priority queues is identified based on the first agent ID and the user request is inserted into the first priority queue. If the user request does not include an agent ID, the user request is inserted into the general queue. A case manager the requests from the general queue and the priority queues to the agents that are available to enable the agents to establish live communication sessions with users associated with the requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9129286
    Abstract: According to one aspect, in response to a request from a mobile application running at a mobile device of a customer, a personalized page is transmitted to the mobile application, the personalized page including a list of products retrieved from a customer profile of the customer. Each of the products is associated with one or more communications channels preferred by an associated client, which are retrieved from the client database. A live support request is received from the mobile application initiated from a selected product of the personalized page, the live support request including a selection selecting one of the preferred communications channels listed on the personalized page. A live communication session is established between the customer and a support agent using a selected communications channel for live support services to the customer concerning the selected product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong, Alan B. Rahn
  • Publication number: 20150227941
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-service system is to provide self-support knowledgebase (KB) information to allow users to navigate the self-support KB. A monitor is to track user interaction with the self-support KB while a user navigates through the self-support KB. An answer engine is to receive a query from the user to ask a question and in response to the query, to identify a predefined response to the query in view of a set of dialog rules. The answer engine is to transmit one or more related questions that the user will likely ask based on the dialog rules and the user interaction. The answer engine further transmits an invitation to allow the user to initiate a live support session after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong
  • Patent number: 9042540
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a self-service system is to provide self-support knowledgebase (KB) information to allow users to navigate the self-support KB. A monitor is to track user interaction with the self-support KB while a user navigates through the self-support KB. An answer engine is to receive a query from the user to ask a question and in response to the query, to identify a predefined response to the query in view of a set of dialog rules. The answer engine is to transmit one or more related questions that the user will likely ask based on the dialog rules and the user interaction. The answer engine further transmits an invitation to allow the user to initiate a live support session after a predetermined condition has been satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Bruce A. Sharpe, Henry D. Truong