Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system comprises a service platform associated with a call center, the service platform comprising an applications server configured to communicatively couple to a softswitch and a database. The applications server is configured to receive an inbound communication, determine a source of the inbound communication, and identify one or more configuration parameters associated with a destination of the inbound communication, the destination of the inbound communication associated with a client of the call center. The applications server is configured to route the inbound communication to an agent associated with the call center to establish a communication session. The applications server is configured to send, to the client based on the one or more configuration parameters associated with the destination of the inbound communication, a notification that the inbound communication was received, the notification identifying the source of the inbound communication.

Abstract: A system comprises an applications server configured to communicatively couple to a softswitch, a resource server, and a database. The applications server is configured to receive, from the softswitch, an indication that a call from a calling party directed to a called number was received and determine, in response to the indication that the call was received, whether to route the call to an available agent or to a speech-enabled intelligent script associated with one of the called number or the calling party. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script in response to a determination to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the available agent in response to a determination to route the call to the available agent.

Abstract: A system comprises a database configured to store a plurality of baseline scripts, an applications server communicatively coupled to the database, and an analytics engine. Each of the plurality of baseline scripts is associated with a client of a call center and comprises a plurality of questions for guiding a communication session between an agent and a party. The applications server is configured to monitor a plurality of communication sessions. Each of the plurality of communication sessions is guided by a respective one of the plurality of baseline scripts. The applications server is further configured to obtain information about an actual call flow of each of the communication sessions and send the obtained information about the actual call flow of each of the communication sessions to the analytics engine. The analytics engine is configured to determine one or more proposed changes to a baseline script.

Abstract: A method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party. The method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party and monitoring the communication session for one or more audit triggers. The method comprises detecting the one or more audit triggers. The method comprises, in response to detecting the one or more audit triggers, sending a notification to a client, the notification identifying one or more communication session auditing procedures available for the communication session. The method comprises receiving, from the client in response to the notification, a request to audit the communication session using at least one of the available one or more communication session auditing procedures. The method comprises performing the requested at least one communication session auditing procedure.

Abstract: A system comprises an applications server configured to communicatively couple to a softswitch, a resource server, and a database. The applications server is configured to receive, from the softswitch, an indication that a call from a calling party directed to a called number was received and determine, in response to the indication that the call was received, whether to route the call to an available agent or to a speech-enabled intelligent script associated with one of the called number or the calling party. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script in response to a determination to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the available agent in response to a determination to route the call to the available agent.

Abstract: A system comprises a service platform comprising an applications server. The applications server is configured to receive an inbound communication, route the inbound communication to a speech-enabled intelligent script, the speech-enabled intelligent script comprising one or more of predetermined prompts and dynamically-generated prompts, and determine a source of the inbound communication and a destination of the inbound communication. The applications server is configured to determine that at least one prior inbound communication directed to the destination has been received from the source of the inbound communication. The applications server is configured to receive, in response to at least one predetermined prompt or dynamically-generated prompt, a request for direct contact information associated with the destination of the inbound communication.

Abstract: A method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party. The method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party and monitoring the communication session for one or more audit triggers. The method comprises detecting the one or more audit triggers. The method comprises, in response to detecting the one or more audit triggers, sending a notification to a client, the notification identifying one or more communication session auditing procedures available for the communication session. The method comprises receiving, from the client in response to the notification, a request to audit the communication session using at least one of the available one or more communication session auditing procedures. The method comprises performing the requested at least one communication session auditing procedure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system comprises a service platform associated with a call center, the service platform comprising an applications server configured to communicatively couple to a softswitch and a database. The applications server is configured to receive an inbound communication, determine a source of the inbound communication, and identify one or more configuration parameters associated with a destination of the inbound communication, the destination of the inbound communication associated with a client of the call center. The applications server is configured to route the inbound communication to an agent associated with the call center to establish a communication session. The applications server is configured to send, to the client based on the one or more configuration parameters associated with the destination of the inbound communication, a notification that the inbound communication was received, the notification identifying the source of the inbound communication.

Abstract: A system comprises an applications server configured to communicatively couple to a softswitch, a resource server, and a database. The applications server is configured to receive, from the softswitch, an indication that a call from a calling party directed to a called number was received and determine, in response to the indication that the call was received, whether to route the call to an available agent or to a speech-enabled intelligent script associated with one of the called number or the calling party. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script in response to a determination to route the call to the speech-enabled intelligent script. The applications server is configured to instruct the softswitch to route the call to the available agent in response to a determination to route the call to the available agent.

Abstract: A method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party. The method comprises establishing a communication session between an agent and at least one of a caller and a called party and monitoring the communication session for one or more audit triggers. The method comprises detecting the one or more audit triggers. The method comprises, in response to detecting the one or more audit triggers, sending a notification to a client, the notification identifying one or more communication session auditing procedures available for the communication session. The method comprises receiving, from the client in response to the notification, a request to audit the communication session using at least one of the available one or more communication session auditing procedures. The method comprises performing the requested at least one communication session auditing procedure.

Abstract: A method for providing data collection from a client at a data collection mechanism, the method includes collecting from a first client a first portion of data using a first data collection mechanism using at least a portion of a first script comprising one or more queries for information to the first client. The method also includes associating with a second client the first portion of data that was collected from the first client. The method further includes collecting from the second client a second portion of data using at least some of the first portion of data and a second script comprising one or more queries for information to the second client.

Abstract: A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one or more users of the communication system includes one or more data collection mechanisms that are operated by a first entity. The mechanisms operate to collect at least a portion of information from a user of a communication system on behalf of a second entity that is different than the first entity. The system also includes one or more memory modules that are coupled to the one or more data collection mechanisms and that are operable to store one or more records on behalf of the second entity. Each of the one or more records comprises information that is associated with a client of the second entity. At least one of the one or more records comprises at least a portion of the information collected from the user of the communication system. In one particular embodiment, the one or more records are controlled by the first entity.

Abstract: A method for providing data collection from a client at a data collection mechanism, the method includes collecting from a first client a first portion of data using a first data collection mechanism using at least a portion of a first script comprising one or more queries for information to the first client. The method also includes associating with a second client the first portion of data that was collected from the first client. The method further includes collecting from the second client a second portion of data using at least some of the first portion of data and a second script comprising one or more queries for information to the second client.

Abstract: A method for providing data collection from a client at a data collection mechanism, the method includes collecting from a client a first portion of data at a first data collection mechanism using at least a portion of a first script comprising one or more queries for information to the client. The method also includes associating the client with a second data collection mechanism based at least in part on an event associated with the client's interaction with the first data collection mechanism. After associating the client with the second data collection mechanism, collecting from the client a second portion of data using a second script, wherein the second script comprises at least one query for information not yet presented to the client by the first script.

Abstract: A telephone number/Web page look-up apparatus may be implemented in a telephone answering apparatus (15) for answering telephone calls to telephone numbers for which telephone calls are being answered by the telephone answering apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a system for encoding inputs and methods of operation thereof.

Abstract: A data entry apparatus includes a mosaic display as a template for inputting characters, by a stylus or other device. The displayed mosaic includes a plurality of segments, each represented by a tile area of the template. Inputted characters are recognized based on first and second tile areas contacted by the stylus or otherwise selected by an operator. The two tile areas may be the same or different, and may be the initial and final areas of the input operation. To enable character input by no more than two operations, hinge tile areas are provided, each representing selection of a plurality of standard tile areas. The system further recognizes input characters in response to a single input stroke, based on the initial and final tile areas thereof and, when the stroke is imprecisely inputted, by reference to directional characteristics thereof.

Abstract: A telephone answering system for providing textual messages and voice messages generated by telephone answering of telephones of persons having telephone calls answered by the system. A system memory stores textual and voice messages. A voice message recording system controls recording of voice messages of answered telephone calls of persons having telephone calls answered by the telephone answering system. A textual message recording system controls recording of textual messages provided by an operator who answers telephone calls made to persons having their telephones answered by the telephone answering system. A programmed computer program implements the voice message recording system and the textual message recording system by execution of a program.

Abstract: A digital switching system connecting buses with incompatible protocols and a telephone answering system and private automatic branch exchange with integrated voice and textual message recording is disclosed. The digital switching system (10) in accordance with the invention permits a digital switching matrix (12) having an input bus and an output bus to connect information on the input bus selectively to information on the output bus in response to control signals applied to switches of the switching matrix. A plurality of information systems (18, 20 and 22) each having a different bus protocol are electrically connected to the input and output buses of the switching matrix to permit information transmitted on a conductor of any of the information buses to be received by another conductor of any of the information buses through the input bus, the switching matrix and the output bus. A host processor controls the plurality of information systems.

Abstract: A digital switching system (10) in accordance with the invention includes a digital switching matrix (12) having an input bus and output bus; a plurality of information systems (18, 20 and 22) with each information system having an information bus for transmitting and receiving information using a protocol which is different from a protocol used by the information bus of each of the other information systems with the information buses of the information systems being electrically connected to the input and output buses of the matrix to permit information transmitted on any of the information buses to be received by any of the information buses through the input bus, the switching matrix and the output bus; a host processor (34), for controlling the information systems with commands; and a control processor (16), for generating control signals controlling switching of switches of the digital switching matrix.