Abstract: A telephone communication system having a locator and a scheduling facility includes: a PBX connected to telephones for facilitating communication between users; a scheduling unit for storing user schedule information for the users; and a locator system for providing location information. The locator system includes portable units associated with respective users which transmits an identification signal for identifying the user. The portable units include portable computing devices for interactively processing scheduling information with the scheduling unit. Transceivers receive the unit information from the portable units for forwarding the unit information to the PBX to determine location information of the users.

Abstract: A patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate audio, visual and data communications. The central processing system facilitates the audio, visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the audio, visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the audio, visual and data communications. The central processing system also includes a system which establishes a communication link between the transmitting stations and the receiving stations. The remote stations include a processing system which also facilitates the audio, visual and data communications and a display for displaying the visual communications.

Abstract: A telephone communication system having a locator system for locating telephone users and generating location information. The telephone communication system includes a plurality of telephone functions which are user accessible for usage in conjunction with the location information. Each telephone of the system may be configured to facilitate interactive control and selection of the system features by the users.

Abstract: A telephone system provides dynamic inbound/outbound call management for a telemarketing campaign to automatically initiate outbound telephone calls for outbound agents, with outbound agents redesignated as inbound agents to answer inbound calls as needed according to at least one threshold of number or duration of waiting calls or number or duration of waiting inbound agents. Each agent's work area includes a telephone station having a display and an input device. The telephone stations are coupled to a server via a network, and the telephone system includes appointment and calendar functions with pop-up menus. The server is also coupled to an automatic dialer and to a private branch exchange. When the server assigns an outbound call to an outbound agent, the server sends information about the party called to the outbound agent's telephone station for display simultaneous with connecting the called party to the outbound agent.

Abstract: A transaction processing system and method includes a transaction interface for conveying transactions; a memory for storing the transactions in a queue; and a processor. The processor includes an identifier generator for generating an identifier for each transaction in the queue; and a transaction controller for using the identifier to provide access by an agent to the transaction corresponding to the identifier. The transaction processing system and method provides for the management and processing of transactions including inbound and outbound telephone calls as well as other transactions such as electronic mail, voice mail, video calls, facsimile transmissions, data packets over the Internet, etc. Automatic source identification may be used, such as automatic number identification, for providing agents with available information of an inbound caller or message sender prior to handling such caller or sender for improved transaction processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient care and communication system which utilizes a central processing system and a plurality of remote stations electrically connected to the central processing system to facilitate visual and data communications. Each remote station includes telephone circuitry which is connected to a private branch exchange for telephone communications between stations. In addition, the private branch exchange is connected to a telephone exchange and a plurality of telephones for facilitating telephone communication therebetween. The central processing system facilitates the visual and data communications between the plurality of remote stations, and includes a system for determining which of the plurality of remote stations are transmitting the visual and data communications and which of the plurality of remote stations are to receive the visual and data communications.

Abstract: A telephone communication system having a locator system for locating telephone users and generating location information. The telephone communication system includes a plurality of telephone functions which are user accessible for usage in conjunction with the location information. Each telephone of the system may be configured to facilitate interactive control and selection of the system features by the users.

Abstract: An agent supervising system is used in a telephone call management and distribution system having a plurality of telephone stations assigned to a plurality of agents. The agent supervising system displays agent activities using distinctive color highlighting and text or icon depictions corresponding to agent identification, location and status information on a map representation and in a directory listing graphically represented on a display at the supervisor's station. The agent supervising system also interacts with an agent locating system for locating agents and displaying the agents on the map representation on the supervisor's display. The prediction of pending abandonment of queued calls and color alarms indicating such pending loss of calls are also provided and the potential financial impact of pending loss of calls are determined and displayed.

Abstract: A distributed data processing network includes multiple memory card databases at terminal nodes of the network. The network is programmed to automatically perform routine communications operations such as conveying identification information between the terminal nodes and interior nodes. The network is implemented in a hospital environment and the databases include information on patients and hospital personnel. Using the automatic communications facilities of the network patient information from the database is displayed at a nurse station when the patient initiates a nurse-call or automatically when medication, also recorded on the card, is due. In addition, the system may be used to locate hospital personnel and equipment, to audit the use of controlled substances and to automatically assemble emergency response teams.

Abstract: A voice processing system coupled to a plurality of telephones, each having a mailbox, for communicating with callers to the telephones. The voice processing system is capable of recording, manipulating and transferring voice messages to and from each mailbox. Mailbox and message status information can be audibly announced to a caller having a valid access code.

Abstract: An objection location system for locating and communicating with personnel or objects within a facility. Remote badges are coupled to respective objects or personnel to be located. The badges include transmission means for transmitting identification information associated with their respective objects or personnel. Operational parameters are stored in the badges and are monitored for controlling the operation of the badges. The badge may be in the form of a wristband.

Abstract: An improved terminal connecting block and bracket assembly is disclosed. The terminal connecting block contains four sets of flat elongate electrically conductive elements. Each of the third set and each of the fourth set of elements is electrically isolated from the other sets of elements, and a unitary connector connects the sets of elements to auxiliary devices and central office equipment. Removable bridge connectors provide different interconnections without rewiring. The terminal connecting block is used with a bracket for mounting the block on a surface.

Abstract: A predictive dialing system automatically initiates a series of live telephone calls for its agents. Each agent's work area includes a telephone set including a headset for establishing a voice communications channel between the agent and a customer. The agent's work area also includes a computer terminal having a display device and an input device. The computer terminals are coupled to a server computer via a network. The server computer is also coupled to an automatic dialer and to a private branch exchange. When the server assigns a call to a agent, it sends information about the party called to the agent's display terminal. The agent enters data into the input device while talking to the called party. The system allows the agent to control all telephone functions from the display terminal input device, including volume adjustment, mute and unmute, release and disconnect.

Abstract: A distributed data processing network includes multiple memory card databases at terminal nodes of the network. The network is programmed to automatically perform routine communications operations such as conveying identification information between the terminal nodes and interior nodes. The network is implemented in a hospital environment and the databases include information on patients and hospital personnel. Using the automatic communications facilities of the network patient information from the database is displayed at a nurse station when the patient initiates a nurse-call or automatically when medication, also recorded on the card, is due. In addition, the system may be used to locate hospital personnel and equipment, to audit the use of controlled substances and to automatically assemble emergency response teams.

Abstract: An objection location system for locating and communicating with personnel or objects within a facility. Remote badges are coupled to respective objects or personnel to be located. The badges include transmission means for transmitting identification information associated with their respective objects or personnel. Operational parameters are stored in the badges and are monitored for controlling the operation of the badges. The badge may be in the form of a wristband.