Abstract: A system and method are presented for outlier identification to remove poor alignments in speech synthesis. The quality of the output of a text-to-speech system directly depends on the accuracy of alignments of a speech utterance. The identification of mis-alignments and mis-pronunciations from automated alignments may be made based on fundamental frequency methods and group delay based outlier methods. The identification of these outliers allows for their removal, which improves the synthesis quality of the text-to-speech system.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for language specific routing. Language assignment may be used to efficiently route inbound interactions in a contact center. The inbound interaction's original location may be determined and assigned a language based on the location of the interaction. The interaction is assigned a language tag that can be referenced throughout routing. The interaction may be routed to the appropriate endpoints within the system based on the language tag.

Abstract: Methods for dynamically switching communications to text interactions are provided. In one example, a method includes the steps of receiving a phone call and determining a voice queue wait time exceeds a predetermined threshold. The phone call is routed to a speech-to-text queue based on the determination, and an audio signal associated with the phone call is converted to an instant message interaction.

Abstract: Methods for determining an active station based on sensor data are provided. In one example, a method includes the steps of receiving movement data and determining a pattern of movement associated with a contact center station based at least in part on the movement data. An active contact center station is updated based on the pattern of movement.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for voicemail acceleration. A voicemail acceleration system, which functions to accelerate the experience of a user, is associated with at least one user device. A user may initiate an interaction with another user, wherein the device associated with the voicemail acceleration system detects that the interaction is being sent to voicemail through contact analysis. A pre-established message and/or a number of options may be presented to the user initiating the interaction, wherein the user may choose an option or elect to automatically leave a message and end the interaction on their end. The voicemail acceleration system provides the retrieved message to the other user and finishes the interaction.

Abstract: A system and method for learning alternate pronunciations for speech recognition is disclosed. Alternative name pronunciations may be covered, through pronunciation learning, that have not been previously covered in a general pronunciation dictionary. In an embodiment, the detection of phone-level and syllable-level mispronunciations in words and sentences may be based on acoustic models trained by Hidden Markov Models. Mispronunciations may be detected by comparing the likelihood of the potential state of the targeting pronunciation unit with a pre-determined threshold through a series of tests. It is also within the scope of an embodiment to detect accents.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for routing a communication through monitoring one or more of words and voice characteristics of a communicant during an interaction. A communication may be handled based on a score. A score may be calculated based on several factors that are analyzed during an interaction, such as, amplitude, word usage, call metrics, etc. Previous interactions of communicants may also be factored into a score. Such handling may include specialized routing of the communication to a designated handler, for example. A communication may be continually evaluated during its occurrence and said evaluation data stored for future use.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing call experiences through personal rules are provided. In one example, a method includes the steps of receiving a phone call and caller identification information associated with the phone call and routing the phone call to an interactive voice response system. A caller profile is developed based on a comparison of the caller identification information and one or more data stores. The caller profile is matched with a predetermined personal rule, and a dynamic message is generated in the interactive voice response system based on the matching predetermined personal rule.

Abstract: Methods for a secret supplemental username are provided. In one example, a method includes the steps of detecting a threat to an account with a primary username and password and disabling the primary username associated with the account in response to the threat. The method includes the additional steps of generating a supplemental username associated with the account and securely communicating the supplemental username.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for language specific routing. Language assignment may be used to efficiently route inbound interactions in a contact center. The inbound interaction's original location may be determined and assigned a language based on the location of the interaction. The interaction is assigned a language tag that can be referenced throughout routing. The interaction may be routed to the appropriate endpoints within the system based on the language tag.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for self-service callback modification. A user may request a callback. A unique confirmation identifier may be issued which may be used by the system to look up the callback record. A user may modify their callback request at any time during the callback process to receive their callback at a requested point in time, change the address to which the callback is addressed, alter the media through which the callback is placed, etc. Modification may occur in real time. Confirmation may be sent to the user after modification.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming the excitation signal for a glottal pulse model based parametric speech synthesis system. In one embodiment, fundamental frequency values are used to form the excitation signal. The excitation is modeled using a voice source pulse selected from a database of a given speaker. The voice source signal is segmented into glottal segments, which are used in vector representation to identify the glottal pulse used for formation of the excitation signal. Use of a novel distance metric and preserving the original signals extracted from the speakers voice samples helps capture low frequency information of the excitation signal. In addition, segment edge artifacts are removed by applying a unique segment joining method to improve the quality of synthetic speech while creating a true representation of the voice quality of a speaker.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for predicting contact center behavior. In one embodiment, closed form simulation modeling may be used to simulate behavior from input distributions. Models may be created through staging and analysis of historical Automatic Call Distribution data. Service level, average speed of answer, abandon rate, and other data may be predicted to generate forecasts and analysis of contact center behavior. Examples of behavior may include staffing levels, workload, and the Key Performance Index of metrics such as service level percentage, average speed of answer, and abandonment rate percentage.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for the synthesis of speech from provided text. Particularly, the generation of parameters within the system is performed as a continuous approximation in order to mimic the natural flow of speech as opposed to a step-wise approximation of the feature stream. Provided text may be partitioned and parameters generated using a speech model. The generated parameters from the speech model may then be used in a post-processing step to obtain a new set of parameters for application in speech synthesis.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for communication routing. Communications may be routed into a queue based on criteria. A communication may be assigned to a distribution ring and a determination may be made as to whether there is an availability of resources to handle the communication. A communication may be re-routed if it cannot be handled to a new group. Re-routing may be based on criteria such as time delay, non-time based criteria such as skills, and environmental criteria, to name a few. Re-routing may continue until a communication is handled. The routing design may resemble concentric circles where the center represents the most desirable pool of handlers and each incremental ring represents the iterative expansion sets of agents.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for routing a communication through monitoring one or more of words and voice characteristics of a communicant during an interaction. A communication may be handled based on a score. A score may be calculated based on several factors that are analyzed during an interaction, such as, amplitude, word usage, call metrics, etc. Previous interactions of communicants may also be factored into a score. Such handling may include specialized routing of the communication to a designated handler, for example. A communication may be continually evaluated during its occurrence and said evaluation data stored for future use.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for context based knowledge retrieval. In one embodiment, such retrieval pertains to pattern recognition for data related to interactions between users, configuration and organization of systems data in an enterprise, and the quality of calculations of communication interactions. In one embodiment, a communication may be analyzed and a user interface created of potential sources of information related to the communication. This information may be from an internal source, such as a knowledge base, or an external source, such as an internet connected information source, for example. The user interface may comprise entities with associated links and actions, which may be configured based on a user's preference.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for the deployment of automatically configuring network communication endpoints is disclosed. At least one logical profile is stored in a plurality of configuration files resident on a network. The logical profile includes configuration information as well as an extension from a communication distribution system which a device should serve. Upon connection to the network and input of configuration information corresponding to a pre-existing logical profile, the device automatically configures itself for use, reboots, and is operational in the desired form.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for the encoding of participants in a conference setting. In an embodiment, audio from conference participants in a voice-over-IP setting may be received and processed by the system. In an embodiment, audio may be received in a compressed form and de-compressed for processing. For each participant, return audio is generated, compressed (if applicable) and transmitted to the participant. The system may recognize when participants are using the same audio encoding format and are thus receiving audio that may be similar or identical. The audio may only be encoded once instead of for each participant. Thus, redundant encodings are recognized and eliminated resulting in less CPU usage.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for relationship management workflow processes. At least one embodiment may apply to process automation to health care. More specifically, the system and method may be applied to patient management of healthcare, such as the management of Diabetes or other medical conditions. Other embodiments may apply to process automation in other areas utilizing management workflow software.