With Display Patents (Class 379/122)
  • Patent number: 10205699
    Abstract: A contact center maintains a pool of calling party telephone numbers (“CPTN”) that can be selected for call origination. A new CPTN can be selected based on various criteria in order to avoid, or respond to, a determination that the current CPTN is “tagged” as being a robocall. The triggering of a new CPTN can be initiated based on various factors, including a number of calls made, a time period, a change in call outcomes, direct input, or by querying a database maintaining status information. Upon triggering the selection of a new number, the old calling party number may be placed in a “dead” pool if tagged, or placed in an “aging” pool for where it is not used for a given time. Once aged, the number is placed in an “available for use” pool. Thus, impacts of service provider robocall processing can be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Karl H. Koster
  • Patent number: 10182034
    Abstract: A contact center maintains a pool of calling party telephone numbers (“CPTN”) that can be selected for call origination. A new CPTN can be selected based on various criteria in order to avoid, or respond to, a determination that the current CPTN is “tagged” as being a robocall. The triggering of a new CPTN can be initiated based on various factors, including a number of calls made, a time period, a change in call outcomes, direct input, or by querying a database maintaining status information. Upon triggering the selection of a new number, the old calling party number may be placed in a “dead” pool if tagged, or placed in an “aging” pool for where it is not used for a given time. Once aged, the number is placed in an “available for use” pool. Thus, impacts of service provider robocall processing can be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Karl H. Koster
  • Patent number: 10044860
    Abstract: A system and method for call data processing are provided. Multiple call sessions are monitored for an agent on an agent console. The content of each call session is displayed on the agent console. A selection of a script is received from the agent and at least a portion of the script is provided to a participant of one such call session as synthesized speech. A text message is received from the agent for another participant of a different call session, while the script is provided to the participant of the one such call session. The received text message is converted to synthesized speech and the synthesized speech is provided to the other participant of the different call session while the script is provided to the participant of the one such call session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Intellisist, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Alastair Sutherland, William A. Tolhurst
  • Patent number: 9614969
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a communication system for effecting a voice or video call between at least a source user speaking a source language and a target user speaking a target language. A translation procedure is performed on call audio of the call to generate an audio translation of the source user's speech in the target language for outputting to the target user. A notification is outputted to the target user to notify the target user of a change in the behavior of the translation procedure, the change relating to the generation of the translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Aue, Arul A. Menezes, Jonas Nils Lindblom, Fredrik Furesjö, Pierre P. N. Greborio
  • Patent number: 8913724
    Abstract: A method for assigning an alias telephone number to a long distance telephone number in connection with a pre-paid account, comprising obtaining from a user an account number, a long distance number and an originating call number; comparing said account number and long distance number against an alias number database to confirm that no local alias number has been assigned to said long distance number and account number combination; identifying from a pool of available local alias numbers a local alias number having the same area code, or an area code from the same calling area, as said originating telephone number; associating said available local alias number with said long distance number, said account number, and said originating telephone number; and sending a message to said user advising of the association of said local alias number with said long distance number, said call's originating telephone number, and said account number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Majd Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 8238573
    Abstract: Microphone arrays, which are formed by arranging a plurality of microphones, are provided on a front side and a rear side of a housing, respectively. A virtual focus is set for each of the microphone arrays in a direction opposite to a direction in which sound is picked-up sound signals picked up by the plurality of microphones are delayed such that distances to the virtual focus are the same, and the delayed sound signals are synthesized. Therefore, sound in a sound-pickup area of a predetermined angle on each of the front side and the rear side can be picked up at a high level, and even though there is a noise source in areas other than the sound-pickup area, noise from the noise source is not picked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ishibashi, Ryo Tanaka, Satoshi Ukai
  • Patent number: 7881454
    Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of handling calls received from customers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a call from a customer who called a promotional telephone number. The phone call is connected to an IVR system. The IVR system maintains a set of rules for handling calls. The method further includes creating a call detail record, which includes a unique identifier, a source telephone number, and the promotional telephone number. A customized greeting is then played to the customer based on the promotional telephone number the customer dialed. Based on the rules for handling calls, the call is redirected from the IVR system to an agent along with transmitting and displaying the call detail record to the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Teletech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Tuchman, Intae Myong, Bruce Sharpe, Henry Truong, James Radzicki
  • Patent number: 7680258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing user equipment information associated with use of services provided via a communication system. The method comprises a step of collecting, in a network element, use information relating to use, by the user equipment during a period, of a service provided via the communication system. The method comprises a further step of loading, by the network element, the use information on the user equipment according to a predetermined plan. An information provision entity, user equipment and a communication system are configured to execute the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Martti Ylikoski
  • Patent number: 7676032
    Abstract: A call-transaction forecasting tool taking the form of a computer-implemented method and medium in some embodiments is provided for retrieving, aggregating, sorting, and determining one or more maximum transactions within a communications network. The tool automates the process of manually extracting and analyzing call transactions pertaining to call-duration, call volume, traffic usage, bandwidth usage, processing usage and memory usage in order to properly forecast and predict future network growth and capacity within a providers network. The computer-implemented method includes retrieving transaction data files from a switch or server, merging the files in a commonly shared data structure, identifying one or more maximum transaction counts based upon an associated period of time, and displaying the maximum counts and associated period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Allen Mark, Richard Michael Wyett, Jianzhou Chen, Dean Lee Saghier
  • Patent number: 7376224
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling additional capacity or features on telecommunication nodes without requiring replacement of hardware. Service providers purchase hardware which is fully capable of providing a full suite of features and providing a large bandwidth capacity. However, depending on the amount of payment by the service provider, not all of the features or the bandwidth capacity is enabled. If the service provider wishes to increase the number of features or the capacity of a node, the additional features or capacity are enabled using software after payment to the vendor. This allows service providers to enter the market at an initially relatively low expense. Additional features and capacity can be purchased and enabled using software as demand grows, without having to purchase replacement hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Kin Yee Wong
  • Patent number: 7286656
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying information is provided. The method includes providing an identity information section, a product information section, and a notes section. The method also includes identifying a plurality of categories of transaction information associated with the particular one of the customers. The method also includes displaying, on a same single layout, the identity information section, the product information section, the notes section, a plurality of tabs identifying the respective categories of transaction information, and the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Technology Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Alexis Castro, Kurt A. Ensminger, Holly C. Fisher, Mimi Gizoni, Carolyn M. Jones, Kurt M. Joseph, Ann G. Lakin, Gail A. Malaret, Hector Martinez, Elizabeth Mattingly, Justine X. Moore, David Schaefers, Sheri Schalk, Traci N. Tyus, Edward Votoupal, Carole A. Weidhuner, Kevin S. Wilkerson, Tammy L. Winter-Patterson
  • Patent number: 7266362
    Abstract: A user device (e.g., a mobile telephone) communicates with an access node in a manner that causes the access node to provide call control and service options available through the access node. The capability and cost information is presented to a user device subscriber. The user device communicates to the access node a selection of call control and service options to use with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Engelhart
  • Patent number: 7123215
    Abstract: A glasses type display that is connected to an information communication terminal via a wire line or a wireless line, in which the operation by the user is made simple by preventing error operation and the power consumption is decreased by not consuming the unnecessary power, is provided. The glasses type display provides lenses, a main frame, side frames, a microphone, a speaker(s), open and closed state detecting sensors, wearing state detecting sensors. When the user opened the side frames, the open and closed state detecting sensors react, and the wearing state detecting sensors become the on state. When the user put on the glasses type display, the lenses automatically become the on state by that the wearing state detecting sensors detected the wearing state. And when the reaction from a part of the wearing state detecting sensors was turned off, caused by some vibration, the lenses are not immediately turned off. Therefore, an error operation is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Nakada
  • Patent number: 7050555
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a carrier's interconnect traffic across a telecommunications network, the method involving receiving cost and routing rules from the carrier, gathering performance data corresponding to the interconnect traffic, applying the cost and routing rules to the performance data to determine a first impact on the interconnect traffic, receiving superseding routing rules from the carrier, automatically calculating proposed changes in network routing based on the superseding routing rules and the first impact, and presenting the proposed changes to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Telarix, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Zargham, Amir Yazdanpanah, Hormoz Hekmat
  • Patent number: 6934530
    Abstract: A user device (e.g., a mobile telephone) communicates with an access node in a manner that causes the access node to provide call control and service options available through the access node. The capability and cost information is presented to a user device subscriber. The user device communicates to the access node a selection of call control and service options to use with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Engelhart
  • Patent number: 6876731
    Abstract: A call detail record (CDR) management tool is used to calculate statistics using data in one or more CDRs, view data in one or more CDRs and extract one or more CDRs. The CDRs are generated by a switch and stored in a raw binary format. The raw CDRs are converted from a raw format to a generic format to facilitate the management tool's operations. Statistics include any statistic that can be calculated from telephone call data stored in the CDRs. The viewer allows viewing and storage of one or more fields of CDR data. The extraction tool can store extracted CDRs in raw format or generic format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Cerami, John D. Ensminger, Douglas C. Van Natter
  • Patent number: 6859781
    Abstract: The quality of information technology services provided by an organization to a customer is assured. Assurance reviews of a first solution are performed and a second solution is defined to correct deficiencies. A third assurance review is performed. Customer commitment to the second solution is obtained. A readiness review, a project management review, and a deliverable readiness review are performed assuring customer need satisfaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Frederick Gloor, Kathleen Moore Kurlanski, Myla Steelman Miller
  • Publication number: 20040066922
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for displaying information is provided. The method includes providing an identity information section, a product information section, and a notes section. The method also includes identifying a plurality of categories of transaction information associated with the particular one of the customers. The method also includes displaying, on a same single layout, the identity information section, the product information section, the notes section, a plurality of tabs identifying the respective categories of transaction information, and the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: D. Alexis Castro, Kurt A. Ensminger, Holly C. Fisher, Mimi Gizoni, Carolyn M. Jones, Kurt M. Joseph, Ann G. Lakin, Gail A. Malaret, Hector Martinez, Elizabeth Mattingly, Justine X. Moore, David Schaefers, Sheri Schalk, Traci N. Tyus, Edward Votoupal, Carole A. Weidhuner, Kevin S. Wilkerson, Tammy L. Winter-Patterson
  • Patent number: 6677963
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing interactive directed data analysis. An interactive data analysis tool provides a user interface that receives a model from a data mining system. The tool computes specified business metrics representing business measures of quality reflected by the model. The model parameters may be manipulated by a user. Each time parameters of a model change, the business metrics are re-computed, thereby promoting directed data understanding by allowing a user to immediately see the impact of any changes made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Denkanikota R. Mani, Brij M. Masand
  • Patent number: 6535593
    Abstract: System and method for facilitating consolidated billing within a converging telecommunications network. The system and method include and involve a network resource control facility communicating with and controlling a plurality of network resources within a merged telecommunications network to deliver at least one merged communications service. Each network resource is configured to provide a communications function and to generate corresponding billing data. The network resource control facility is configured to consolidate the billing data from at least one network resource from the plurality of network resources in real-time related to at least one telecommunications service provided within said telecommunications network to generate consolidated billing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Simplified Development Corp.
    Inventor: James P. Cashiola
  • Patent number: 6442260
    Abstract: Method and system for presenting the price of a telecommunication connection on the telecommunication terminal of the committer of the telecommunication connection in a telecommunication system comprising a telephone exchange, a telecommunication terminal communicating with the telephone exchange via a telecommunication network and a billing center which takes care of charge calculation in the network and is connected to the telephone exchange. According to the invention, connection-specific advice-of-charge data is transmitted to the telecommunication terminal at the beginning of the telecommunication connection, using the telecommunication terminal, a price for the telecommunication connection is calculated from the advice-of-charge data; and the calculated price of the telecommunication connection is presented on the telecommunication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Nokia Networks Oy
    Inventor: Ari-Pekka Simonen
  • Publication number: 20010055961
    Abstract: A portable information terminal is disclosed which can prevent a large amount of money from being imposed on a user while the user does not recognize it and wherein an original state of net surfing can be restored readily even if packet communication is disconnected. If a packet communication data integrated amount within an accounting unit period exceeds a maximum value for a packet communication data integrated amount within which the charge is fixed within the accounting unit period, a control section controls a display section to display “excess” and performs a process of an operation set arbitrarily by a user such as, for example, ‘disconnect’, ‘saving’ or ‘alarm’. This can be prevent a large amount of charge from being imposed on a user while the user does not recognize it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventor: Taketosi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6298124
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data signals on analog subscriber lines wherein bilateral data transmission between subscriber terminal equipment and exchange is intended to occur, with relative ease and with low outlay, even during speech signal transmission. A signal, preferably the charge pulse signal, that is already generated at least in the exchange for some other use is employed as a carrier signal wherein, accordingly, it is possible to exploit an already existing infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Kunisch
  • Patent number: 5940494
    Abstract: A data display system 200 and method for displaying real-time data in a data display relating to operation of an automatic call distributor 100 is provided. A data presentation interface 202 defines the format of how the data is to be displayed, modifies the data display in response to instructions from a user 212 and presents the data display to the user 212. A data server interface 204 acquires the real-time data from the automatic call distributor 100, updates the data when individual data elements are changed and sends updated data, or specific data elements, to the data presentation interface 202 for display to the user 212. Communications between the data presentation interface 202 and the data server interface 204 are performed via a data link interface 206. The data link interface 206 may support direct communications or real-time data query language communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Walter Rafacz, Kurt E. Sunderman
  • Patent number: 5774530
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for using underused or unused local telephone company local loops to subscriber premises for providing to such premises a connection to an alternate service provider. The use of the local loop is leased to the ultimate service provider at a rate dependent upon the usage and nature of usage of the circuit. Information and data to permit efficient and convenient billing for leased usage of the loops is implemented by providing on the local loop a passive monitor. The monitors are connected with a signal switching point (SSP) and deliver a dialed number. The dialed number contains information regarding the commencement or termination of the usage of an identified local loop and an identification of the nature of such usage. This dialed number triggers the SSP to formulate a message containing the information and forward the same to a service control point (SCP). The SCP contains a database for storing and processing the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Montgomery, J. Alfred Baird
  • Patent number: 5751798
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provide passive information access for use in a service subscription system having a service provider and at least one subscriber unit. The passive information access system includes a database, a receiver for detecting initialization signals from a subscriber unit, a host computer for identifying the subscriber unit based on the detected initialization signals, accessing from the database subscriber information specific to the identified subscriber unit, and presenting at least a portion of the accessed subscriber information to the identified subscriber unit. Thus, when the subscriber turns on the subscriber unit, a portion of the relevant subscriber information is passively displayed on a display or announced by a voice activator. Additionally, the host computer detects termination signals from the subscriber unit and updates the subscriber information following the termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Inderpal Singh Mumick, Abraham Silberschatz
  • Patent number: 5675637
    Abstract: A method for automatically obtaining, consolidating and displaying the information from a plurality of information sources. An agent workstation receives the initial information item and then sends this information item to the sources specified, receives additional information items from these sources, and displays or presents the information items received. If the initial information item is not adequate to obtain all of the information items desired then the information items received from one source are also used to obtain other information items from other sources so that all of the desired information items are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Inventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksander Szlam, James E. Owen
  • Patent number: 5568541
    Abstract: A method for placing a surcharge on telephone solicitations including the steps of providing a local telephone number to a customer for accessing a call from an originating caller and identifying the originating caller's telephone number, as for example, by conventional caller identification systems. The method also includes the steps of advising the caller of the surcharge and providing an opportunity to complete the call by accepting the surcharge or terminating the call without charge. For example, the subscriber's equipment may incorporate an automatic answering system including voice responsive functions and call forwarding. The method also includes the steps of billing the caller for the surcharge and crediting a portion of that charge to the customer's account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Leonard M. Greene
  • Patent number: 5506893
    Abstract: A facility is provided in a telecommunications network so that a record containing details about an associated call may be delivered to a customer in real time during the progression of the call and/or immediately after the call has been terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Buscher, Teresa J. Coutre, Marianne J. Franklin, Brian D. Freeman, Wayne E. Relyea, Edward N. Shipley
  • Patent number: 5487107
    Abstract: When a telephone caller charges a call to a commercial credit card an announcement which includes the name of the credit card issuer is supplied to the caller after the validation of the credit card. In a preferred embodiment, the issuer of the commercial credit card is identified, for purposes of announcing its name, by examining the prefix code of a credit card number supplied by the calling party. Also, in the preferred embodiment, not only the issuer of the commercial credit card but also the name of the telephone carder is supplied as part of the announcement given prior to connecting the calling station to the called station after validation of the credit card. An illustrative such announcement is "Thank you for using AT&T and for charging this call to your American Express card".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T IPM Corp.
    Inventors: Jean Atkins, Richard M. Harris, Julie M. Ladieu-Walton, David C. McChristian
  • Patent number: 5384768
    Abstract: A tracing system displays a transmission route between multiplexers in a transmission network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yasuo Fujii
  • Patent number: 5381467
    Abstract: The cost of a telephone toll call is shared by arranging the billing system of the telephone toll carrier to permit sharing of the period cost for at least one indivisible time period of a toll call. Accordingly, at least a portion of the period cost associated with at least one of the indivisible time periods of a toll call is assigned to both the terminating and originating subscribers, so that each subscriber to the toll call is billed for a portion of the total basic cost incurred for each of those indivisible periods of time over which it is agreed that the period costs will be shared. An authorization signal, indicating that the subscriber who would not have shared in the period costs for any indivisible period if the call had the call been placed as in the prior art--typically the terminating subscriber--agrees to accept his share of the period costs, may be required before any period cost sharing periods can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Richard R. Rosinski, Steven C. Salimando
  • Patent number: 5287403
    Abstract: When a telephone caller charges a call to a commercial credit card, an announcement which includes the name of the credit card issuer is supplied to the caller after the validation of the credit card. In a preferred embodiment, the issuer of the commercial credit card is identified, for purposes of announcing its name, by examining the prefix code of a credit card number supplied by the calling party. Also, in the preferred embodiment, not only the issuer of the commercial credit card but also the name of the telephone carrier is supplied as part of the announcement given prior to connecting the calling station to the called station after validation of the credit card. An illustrative such announcement is "Thank you for using AT&T and for charging this call to your American Express card".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Jean Atkins, Richard M. Harris, Julie M. Ladieu-Walton, David C. McChristian
  • Patent number: 5136690
    Abstract: A computer is provided with the facility to display in map form, directed data associated with respective nodes. The operation of the mapping facility is initiated in response to the user entering an appropriate command. Specifically, responsive to the command, the computer displays a plurality of symbols representing respective ones of the nodes such that those symbols which exchange data are connected to one another by a displayed link formed from two half-line segments each indicative of the direction and level of data associated with its respective symbol. In addition, a plurality of tools are displayed for controlling the parameters used in the display of the symbols and links. For example, the user is provided with the capability to change the length of the half-line segments, and is provided with the capability to erase from the display those segments representing data values which are not within a range of data thresholds established by the user operating a threshold tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Richard A. Becker, Stephen G. Eick, Eileen O. Miller, Allan R. Wilks
  • Patent number: 4922519
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying the class of an operator assistance call in order to reduce the operator work time for serving such a call. A customer dials 0 or dials 0 plus a directory number and is connected to a program controlled operator assistance system or switch. The switch initially connects the calling customer to a voice processing unit and prompts the customer to speak a command or key a command code. The command or command code is recognized and used to direct the flow of the control program to selectively defer a connection to an operator position. For example, for person-to-person calls, the operator position is only connected after the called customer terminal answers. Advantageously, such a method and apparatus substantially reduces operator work time for broad classes of frequently used operator assistance services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: American Telephone and Telegraph Company
    Inventor: Abraham N. Daudelin