Patents Assigned to Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
  • Patent number: 8938221
    Abstract: A system for providing a callback cloud, comprising an application server operated by a callback cloud service provider, a media server, a session management server, an interaction manager, and an intent analysis engine. The application server receives registrations from callback providers unaffiliated with the callback service provider. The application server is adapted to receive callback requests from users, comprising a specific callback provider from whom a callback is requested, when a requested callback should be made, and allowable media types. The application server directs the callback request to the interaction manager, and the interaction manager sends data elements pertaining to the request to the intent analysis engine and receives therefrom data elements pertaining to the callback request determined based on an analysis of the requester's intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Brazier, Eric Camulli
  • Patent number: 8792866
    Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided for enabling a user to establish an automated call back from a communication system, such as a call center, for example. A software device application enables the mobile communication device to communicate with the call center through the exchange of data. The mobile communication device includes a display screen for displaying controls for allowing the user to interact with the communication system. The controls allow the user to request a list of providers from which to select a provider or company to contact. The mobile communication device further provides controls for allowing the user to select a queue to join from a list of queues associated with the selected provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli, Larry Miner
  • Publication number: 20140146960
    Abstract: A system for providing integrated contact information with search results, comprising a plurality of contact centers, each comprising at least a plurality of contact agents; a callback cloud, comprising at least a plurality of contact agents; a queue manager, comprising at least a software components operating and stored on a computing device; wherein the contact agents receive and respond to customer interactions; further wherein the queue manager monitors contact agent availability; further wherein the queue manager receives interaction requests; and further wherein the queue manager provides queue information to interaction requestors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: VIRTUAL HOLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J Williams
  • Publication number: 20140113548
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed for initiating a call-back sequence using NFC technology. Embodiments include capturing an image using an NFC reader determining an identification of active queues, displaying an indication of the active queues on a display screen using a session queuing component, obtaining a user selection of a queue as a selected queue using the session queuing component, sending a request to a communication system in a data format for an expected wait time associated with the selected queue, receiving the expected wait time from the communication system, and sending a confirmation to the communication system in a data format for a call-back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: VIRTUAL HOLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Eric I. Camulli
  • Publication number: 20140098949
    Abstract: A system for integration of client interaction technologies, comprising a plurality of resource managers, each comprising at least a software component operating and stored on a computing device; a plurality of resources, each comprising at least an interactive element; a monitoring service, comprising at least a software service operating and stored on a computing device; and a callback cloud, comprising at least a plurality of contact agents; wherein the monitoring service tracks resource status; further wherein upon receiving an interaction request the resource managers handle the request according to known resource information; and further wherein the callback cloud responds to at least a plurality of received interaction requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140067788
    Abstract: A system for contact information integration with search results, comprising a queue manager; an enterprise communications system; and a search engine. Upon receipt of search query from a user, the search engine submits a request to the queue manager. The queue manager: obtains from the enterprise communications system a communications status comprising an estimated wait time; sends a notification to the search engine advising the search engine of the estimated wait time for service; and upon receiving from the search engine a request to generate a callback to the user from the enterprise of a specific communications type, directing an enterprise communications system of the enterprise that is associated with the specific communications type to initiate a callback to the user from whom the search engine query was received in response to the callback request received from the search engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8594311
    Abstract: An expected wait time augmentation system generates an expected wait value representing a time duration expected to elapse before a subject client is connected to a resource for servicing. The expected wait time augmentation system comprises an interface to a work force management system for obtaining resource availability data and a wait time augmentation model for calculating an expected wait time value as a function of base expected wait time data and the resource availably data. The estimated wait time value is provided to the subject client. The resource availability data includes, but is not limited to, for a period of time: i) availability of resources; and ii) a scheduled change in the availability of resources. The scheduled change in the availability of resources may comprise a combination of data representing an effective time and a quantity of resources scheduled to be available at the effective time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Williams, Eric Camulli, James Pavlic, Ryszard Antonczyk
  • Publication number: 20130301820
    Abstract: A system for client interaction application integration, comprising a plurality of enterprise communications systems, each comprising at least a call status system; and a callback cloud accessible coupled to the plurality of enterprise communications systems via a data network; wherein, upon receipt of a request from a consumer user to initiate a callback to the consumer user, the callback cloud performs the steps of: (a) obtaining from at least one of the enterprise communications systems a status of communications resources comprising at least an estimated wait time; (b) sending a notification to the consumer user from whom the request was received advising the consumer user of the estimated wait time for service; (c) providing at least an option to wait for a callback to the consumer user from whom the request was received; (d) receiving a selection from the consumer user from whom the request was received; and (e) directing at least one of the enterprise communications systems to initiate a callback to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: VIRTUAL HOLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Jeremy Starcher, Robert F. Brazier, JR.
  • Patent number: 8514872
    Abstract: A virtual queuing system and method provides for dynamic control of queue data in accordance with queue control instructions provided by a separate queue control source. The virtual queuing system comprises an interface to a queuing system and an interface to the separate queue control source. The interface to the queuing system provides for obtaining queue data and controlling the queue data in accordance with the queue control instructions provided by a separate queue control source. The interface to the separate queue control source for: i) providing the queue data to the separate queue control source; and ii) obtaining the queue control instructions there from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Williams
  • Publication number: 20130054684
    Abstract: A system for providing a callback cloud, comprising an application server operated by a callback cloud service provider, a media server, a session management server, an interaction manager, and an intent analysis engine. The application server receives registrations from callback providers unaffiliated with the callback service provider. The application server is adapted to receive callback requests from users, comprising a specific callback provider from whom a callback is requested, when a requested callback should be made, and allowable media types. The application server directs the callback request to the interaction manager, and the interaction manager sends data elements pertaining to the request to the intent analysis engine and receives therefrom data elements pertaining to the callback request determined based on an analysis of the requester's intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: VIRTUAL HOLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
  • Patent number: 8229101
    Abstract: A method of measuring server performance includes recording a time of queuing a request by a client for primary resources managed by the server; recording an estimated wait time for responding to the request for primary resources; recording a time of service for the request for primary resources; and calculating a punctuality metric of the request for primary resources by subtracting the difference between the time of service and the time of queuing from the estimated wait time. The punctuality metric is representative of the performance of the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8223956
    Abstract: A queue interface system and method for queuing voice calls for use with a communication system having queues includes a queue selector allowing a user to select a queue from a list of queues on a display. In an embodiment, one or more of the queues on the list of queues is a service agent queue. Further, the queue interface system includes an expected wait time component for displaying an expected wait time for a customer for the selected queue. The system also includes a call options selector providing a hold option and a call option. The hold option places a call in the selected queue and the call option causes a call to occur. In an embodiment, the call option further includes assigning a placeholder for a customer in the selected queue and causing a call to the customer to occur after the expected wait time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli
  • Patent number: 8213911
    Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided for enabling a user to establish an automated call back from a communication system, such as a call center, for example. A software device application enables the mobile communication device to communicate with the call center through the exchange of data. The mobile communication device includes a display screen for displaying controls for allowing the user to interact with the communication system. The controls allow the user to request a list of providers from which to select a provider or company to contact. The mobile communication device further provides controls for allowing the user to select a queue to join from a list of queues associated with the selected provider. For example, one queue may be related to billing and another queue may be related to another aspect of customer service. The user may then request the expected wait time in the selected queue for receiving a call-back from the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli, Larry Miner
  • Patent number: 8150023
    Abstract: A system directs action based on distinguishing audio content received in response to placing an outbound call. The system comprises an audio signal analysis system and an audio content analysis system. The audio signal analysis system directs a portion of an audio signal that comprises audio content to the audio content analysis system. The audio content analysis system: i) receives portions of the audio signal comprising audio content; and ii) directs handling of the outbound call in response to detecting a characteristic of the audio content. The audio content system: i) directs a first handling of the outbound call in response to identifying a first characteristic of the audio content; and ii) directs a second handling of the outbound call in response to identifying a second characteristic of the audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Williams, Jeremy Starcher
  • Patent number: 8112069
    Abstract: A communication system for receiving incoming communications from mobile communication devices and for initiating a call-back is disclosed. The communication system receives incoming communications from a mobile communication device, such as data requests. The data requests may be for a list of providers or companies and for a list of corresponding queues related to customer services, such as billing, for example. Further, the communication system typically includes components and queues for initiating a call-back sequence to a communication receiving device and placing an identifier associated with the communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The communication system also determines the wait time in a queue and places an outgoing call to the communication receiving device. Also, a method for initiating a call-back to a communication receiving device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli, Larry Miner
  • Patent number: 7787610
    Abstract: An accessory device for a plurality of servers, the servers allocating client primary resource requests to primary resources, each server having a primary queue, the device including: a controller; a plurality of server communication links adapted to communicate with a respective server and to intercept client primary resource requests in response to the controller; an auxiliary queue, the device storing the intercepted requests in the auxiliary queue in response to the controller; and a secondary resource communication link adapted to communicate with at least one secondary resource. The device allocates secondary resource requests to at least one secondary resource in response to the controller. The device routes the intercepted requests to a selected server via at least one of the server communication links in response to a desired condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli, James T. Pavlic
  • Publication number: 20100189250
    Abstract: A queue interface system and method for queuing voice calls for use with a communication system having queues includes a queue selector allowing a user to select a queue from a list of queues on a display. In an embodiment, one or more of the queues on the list of queues is a service agent queue. Further, the queue interface system includes an expected wait time component for displaying an expected wait time for a customer for the selected queue. The system also includes a call options selector providing a hold option and a call option. The hold option places a call in the selected queue and the call option causes a call to occur. In an embodiment, the call option further includes assigning a placeholder for a customer in the selected queue and causing a call to the customer to occur after the expected wait time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Eric I. Camulli
  • Patent number: 7746999
    Abstract: A queue management system interfaces with a resource management system and a queuing system in an environment that further includes an interim system. The queue management system comprises an interface to the resource management system for obtaining resource availability data and a management system. The resource availability data represents a resource termination timeā€”and may include the resource termination time or data useful for calculating the resource termination time. The control system: i) obtains a value representing the expected interim system handling time, and ii) makes the interim system available for handling a subject client only if the expected interim system handling time period terminates prior to the resource termination time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Williams, James Pavlic
  • Publication number: 20090074166
    Abstract: An expected wait time calculation system generates an expected wait time value representing a time duration expected to elapse before a subject client is connected to a resource for servicing. The expected wait time calculation system comprises an interface to a work force management system for obtaining an indicator of a quantity of resources available for servicing clients. An interface to a queuing system obtains an indicator of a queue position of the subject client. A FIFO array stores a plurality of measured time intervals, each representing a time period between two successive resource queue decrement events. The measured time intervals may be stored in a chronological order. An average time interval, or rate, calculator determines an average time interval by calculating an average of a selected quantity of those most recently measured time intervals from the FIFO array or a rate by dividing a unit of time by the average time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC.
    Inventors: James Pavlic, Mark Purdy, Ryszard Antonczyk
  • Publication number: 20080317058
    Abstract: A virtual queuing system and method provides for dynamic control of queue data in accordance with queue control instructions provided by a separate queue control source. The virtual queuing system comprises an interface to a queuing system and an interface to the separate queue control source. The interface to the queuing system provides for obtaining queue data and controlling the queue data in accordance with the queue control instructions provided by a separate queue control source. The interface to the separate queue control source for: i) providing the queue data to the separate queue control source; and ii) obtaining the queue control instructions there from.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Virtual Hold Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Williams