Abstract: Computer-implemented method and apparatus for placing a request for an Internet chat session between a visitor and a chat persona. A client device displays to the visitor (i) a plurality of chat personas, and (ii) a plurality of chat actions determined by a visitor-identifier associated with the visitor. In response to visitor selections, a chat system server selects (i) at least one chat persona and (ii) at least one chat action. The client device sends to the chat system server (i) a chat request to begin a chat session, and (ii) the visitor-identifier. The chat system server receives the chat request and the visitor identifier. The chat system server retrieves from memory additional information corresponding to the received visitor-identifier. The chat system server generates a personalized chat session between the identified visitor on the client device and the selected persona on the chat system server, using the retrieved additional information.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method and apparatus for customer interaction management using interaction semantics to leverage knowledge across interaction media including web chat. An agent device displays to the agent (i) a plurality of instructions and directions about how to interact with the customer with real-time updates, (ii) a plurality of feedback to inform the agent in real-time of their current performance, and (iii) an annotation engine for providing semantic annotations of the interaction in real-time or offline so that stored interactions are annotated to better assist the development of machine learning systems that provide direction and feedback to agents. The present invention provides an interface for business users to set strategies to be used by agents during their interactions and to view the outcomes of particular strategies being implemented.