Patents Assigned to Austin Logistics Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8175258
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for common account based distribution of contact records. A comparison engine analyzes call record accounts to identify and tag related call records, such as call record accounts related to the same individual. A common account tag detector detects related accounts and communicates with a common account controller of a distribution module that distributes contact attempts in pools and queues. The common account controller locates related accounts, such as by searching for accounts having the same tag, to prevent additional contact attempts to the individual associated with the related accounts. The related accounts are forwarded to the operator who made the successful contact to coordinate resolution of the related accounts along with the account that originated the contact attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 8051030
    Abstract: Task management supported by analytics has enhanced effectiveness through automated population splitting for generating models that predict task associated outcomes. Subpopulations are automatically analyzed for adequate sample size and selectively recombined based on characteristics of the subpopulations, such as to combine homogeneous subpopulations or to optimize a subpopulation characteristic. As an example, outbound calling campaign models are generated for time periods by splitting a sample population into time period subpopulations and combining subpopulation time periods having inadequate sample size so that combined subpopulations have a minimized total time period or greater similarity relative to other subpopulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mike Howard, Boryana Dimova
  • Patent number: 7805395
    Abstract: Task management supported by analytics has enhanced effectiveness through automated population splitting for generating models that predict task associated outcomes. Subpopulations are automatically analyzed for adequate sample size and selectively recombined based on characteristics of the subpopulations, such as to combine homogeneous subpopulations or to optimize a subpopulation characteristic. As an example, outbound calling campaign models are generated for time periods by splitting a sample population into time period subpopulations and combining subpopulation time periods having inadequate sample size so that combined subpopulations have a minimized total time period or greater similarity relative to other subpopulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mike Howard, Boryana Dimova
  • Patent number: 7715546
    Abstract: A system and method for updating contact records automates analysis of contact results for one or more contact devices performing a contact campaign in order to select contact records for skip trace updates to contact information with the updated contact information for real time use by the contact devices. For instance, an update engine analyzes contact records returned by dialers to a distribution module to select contact records to skip trace based on rules, such as where a wrong number code is indicated, or cost analysis, such as where the predicted result of an update has a value greater than the cost of obtaining the update. The distribution model provides the updated contact information for real time use by the dialers of the updated contact numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Ezra U. Pagel, Daniel N. Duncan, Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 7502460
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the distribution of outbound telephone calls. This method and system includes dialing devices receiving call records and providing telephone calls to one or more agents. Interfaced with the dialing device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the call records into the pools and transfers less than all of the call records to the queues to allow for calling by the dialing devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the dialing devices so that the dialing device can place telephone calls. The distribution module monitors the queues to determine when to send additional call records to the queues. In addition, distribution module monitors the results of the call records and updates the call records in the pools so that call records with unsuccessful outcomes can be safely called again later in the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 7239692
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the distribution of outbound telephone calls. This method and system includes dialing devices receiving call records and providing telephone calls to one or more agents. Interfaced with the dialing device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the call records into the pools and transfers less than all of the call records to the queues to allow for calling by the dialing devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the dialing devices so that the dialing device can place telephone calls. The distribution module monitors the queues to determine when to send additional call records to the queues. In addition, distribution module monitors the results of the call records and updates the call records in the pools so that call records with unsuccessful outcomes can be safely called again later in the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 7158629
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the preemptive goals based distribution of contact records. This method and system includes devices receiving contact records and providing customer contacts to one or more agents. Interfaced with the device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the contact records into the pools and transfers less than all of the contact records to the queues to allow for processing by the devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the devices so that the device can place customer contact attempts. A goal module, associated with the distribution module, monitors the performance of the pools. The goal module modifies which queues the pools transfer contact records to based on the performance of the pools thereby allowing the contact records to be distributed in accordance with performance goals for the pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 7142662
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the distribution of outbound telephone calls. This method and system includes dialing devices receiving call records and providing telephone calls to one or more agents. Interfaced with the dialing device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the call records into the pools and transfers less than all of the call records to the queues to allow for calling by the dialing devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the dialing devices so that the dialing device can place telephone calls. The distribution module monitors the queues to determine when to send additional call records to the queues. In addition, distribution module monitors the results of the call records and updates the call records in the pools so that call records with unsuccessful outcomes can be safely called again later in the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N Duncan
  • Patent number: 7103173
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the preemptive goals based distribution of contact records. This method and system includes devices receiving contact records and providing customer contacts to one or more agents. Interfaced with the device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the contact records into the pools and transfers less than all of the contact records to the queues to allow for processing by the devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the devices so that the device can place customer contact attempts. A goal module, associated with the distribution module, monitors the performance of the pools. The goal module modifies which queues the pools transfer contact records to based on the performance of the pools thereby allowing the contact records to be distributed in accordance with performance goals for the pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 7054434
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for common account based distribution of contact records. A comparison engine analyzes call record accounts to identify and tag related call records, such as call record accounts related to the same individual. A common account tag detector detects related accounts and communicates with a common account controller of a distribution module that distributes contact attempts in pools and queues. The common account controller locates related accounts, such as by searching for accounts having the same tag, to prevent additional contact attempts to the individual associated with the related accounts. The related accounts are forwarded to the operator who made the successful contact to coordinate resolution of the related accounts along with the account that originated the contact attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6956941
    Abstract: A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. The inbound call may be placed on a virtual hold or be responded to on a real-time basis based on the inbound inquiry's priority value. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel N. Duncan, Alexander N. Svoronos, Thomas J. Miller
  • Patent number: 6859529
    Abstract: A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry. Operator wait time is regulated by forcing low priority and/or highly tolerant inbound inquiries to self service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel N. Duncan, Alexander N. Svoronos, Thomas J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040179672
    Abstract: A system and method for updating contact records automates analysis of contact results for one or more contact devices performing a contact campaign in order to select contact records for skip trace updates to contact information with the updated contact information for real time use by the contact devices. For instance, an update engine analyzes contact records returned by dialers to a distribution module to select contact records to skip trace based on rules, such as where a wrong number code is indicated, or cost analysis, such as where the predicted result of an update has a value greater than the cost of obtaining the update. The distribution model provides the updated contact information for real time use by the dialers of the updated contact numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Ezra U. Pagel, Daniel N. Duncan, Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20030016812
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the preemptive goals based distribution of contact records. This method and system includes devices receiving contact records and providing customer contacts to one or more agents. Interfaced with the device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the contact records into the pools and transfers less than all of the contact records to the queues to allow for processing by the devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the devices so that the device can place customer contact attempts. A goal module, associated with the distribution module, monitors the performance of the pools. The goal module modifies which queues the pools transfer contact records to based on the performance of the pools thereby allowing the contact records to be distributed in accordance with performance goals for the pools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20020141561
    Abstract: A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry. Operator wait time is regulated by forcing low priority and/or highly tolerant inbound inquiries to self service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel N. Duncan, Alexander N. Svoronos, Thomas J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020006193
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for the distribution of outbound telephone calls. This method and system includes dialing devices receiving call records and providing telephone calls to one or more agents. Interfaced with the dialing device is a distribution module including pools and queues. The distribution module places the call records into the pools and transfers less than all of the call records to the queues to allow for calling by the dialing devices at peak efficiency. The distribution module transfers the queues to the dialing devices so that the dialing device can place telephone calls. The distribution module monitors the queues to determine when to send additional call records to the queues. In addition, distribution module monitors the results of the call records and updates the call records in the pools so that call records with unsuccessful outcomes can be safely called again later in the day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Austin Logistics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Rodenbusch, Daniel N. Duncan