Abstract: A system is provided to manage distribution of ring back multimedia content. The system includes a data store component to store the multimedia content and to associate the multimedia content with a called system. The system includes a distribution component operable when a caller system calls the called system to provide the multimedia content as ring back to the caller system. The content may be non-ring tone content.

Abstract: Communications using intelligent virtual service agents are provided by assigning a first individualized responsibility to a first intelligent virtual service agent implemented on at least one computer platform with a processor and a memory, and a second individualized responsibility to a second intelligent virtual service agent implemented on the at least one computer platform. The first intelligent virtual service agent analyzes content provided by a user via a communications medium and determined to fall under the first individualized responsibility of the first intelligent virtual service agent. The first intelligent virtual service agent generates a response to the content in accordance with the analysis by the first intelligent virtual service agent and provides the response.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for local number portability in a telecommunication network are disclosed. An embodiment of a method includes requesting a real-time (RT) customer service record (CSR) request for a telephone number (TN) associated with a local number portability (LNP) order, the requesting occurring prior to a second CSR request that occurs as part of a submit process for the LNP order; receiving, in response to the request for the RT CSR request, a RT CSR response from a telecommunications carrier that the TN is to be transferred from as part of the LNP order; and validating data in the RT CSR response in order to prevent rejections of the data in the second CSR during the LNP process. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring customer support sessions based on at least one category associated with the customer support sessions. A request from an administrator for information associated with unresolved support sessions is received. A set of support categories is presented to the administrator. A selection of at least one support category is received from the administrator. A set of first level customer support agent identifiers associated with at least one support session queued under the at least one support category which has been selected is presented to the administrator.

Abstract: A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Abstract: A real-time collaboration center and method for using the same are described herein which enables a caller (end-user) to have a real-time collaboration session with a call center agent. In one embodiment, the real-time collaboration center is able to create a new real-time collaboration session for a caller where the caller is routed to the real-time collaboration session in which they might be joined by an automated call center agent which could provide product information and/or gather information to/from the caller while they wait for the live call center agent. When a live call center agent with the appropriate skill set becomes available, then he/she receives an invitation to join the real-time collaboration session where the two parties can then interact with voice, instant messaging, application/desktop sharing, and other media.

Abstract: A method for granting access to secure information includes receiving from a caller a call for connection with one of a plurality of agents, distributing the call to the agent of the plurality of agents, initiating an active communication session between the caller and the agent for handling the call, and granting to the agent access to the secure caller information using a plurality of access authentication information that includes an active communication session between the caller and the agent.

Abstract: A method of posting a voice related message on a remotely accessible networking page includes receiving, at a data center, a voice connection from a communications device. An account on the remotely accessible networking page that is associated with the voice connection is identified at the data center. A voice post is generated during or from the voice connection. Via the data center, the voice post is associated with the remotely accessible networking page so that the voice post is associated with the identified account.

Abstract: Communication requests (i.e., voice, video, text) are received at a contact center. The communication requests are presented to a contact center agent. The agent selects one of the communication requests. In response to the agent selecting the communication request, a communication is established between the agent and an initiator of the communication request. The communication requests can also be presented to multiple agents to allow each agent to select a specific communication to handle. Alternatively, in an out-bound call center, communication requests are generated in the call center. The communication requests are presented to the agent and the agent selects one of the communication requests. In response to the agent selecting the communication request, a communication is initiated to an address of the communication request. The out-bound communication requests can also be presented to multiple agents to allow each agent to select a specific communication to handle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for centralized presence management of local and remote users are provided. In exemplary embodiments, presence management information for the local and remote users are determined. Permissions established for at least one presence management user are reviewed to determine an amount of access to the presence management information to provide to the presence management user. The presence management information is then provided to the presence management user based on the permissions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for call leg selection is provided. In an embodiment, a call manger is provided which is connected to telephones that have the same telephone number. When the call manager receives an incoming call identifying that telephone number, the call manager sends a query to each of the telephones inquiring as to which telephone should receive the call. Depending on the response, the call manager will route the call to the appropriate one of the telephones.

Abstract: A method and structure for reducing customer dissatisfaction for waiting includes a queue monitoring subsystem which detects an entry of a customer into a waiting queue. A reward computing subsystem calculates a reward for the customer for being in the waiting queue, and a communication subsystem communicates the reward to the customer. At least one of subsystems is automated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for managing a call are described. In some implementations, an intelligent softswitch can be used to communicate with a provider system that can relay or switch one or more outbound calls initiated by a caller and intended for a subscriber to the intelligent softswitch. Upon receiving the relayed call, the intelligent softswitch can process the relayed call using one or more call handling rules that have been specified by the subscriber. After processing, the relayed call is routed back to the provider system for completing the call.

Abstract: The present invention provides call processing for an incoming call based on the relative location of the user for which the call is intended. If the user is at a certain location, the incoming call is routed to one or more telephony devices associated with the user or location based on whether the user is at the location. If the user has multiple telephony devices associated with a given location and the user is at that location, an incoming call may be routed to one or more of the telephony devices. If the user is not at the location, the incoming call may proceed in normal course or may be processed as desired based on the user not being at the location. Different telephony devices may be associated with different locations, and different call processing rules may be implemented based on the location of the user.

Abstract: Activities performed by a client at a site of an organization are monitored and stored in an activity database. A call is thereafter received from the client at a telephone system of the organization, which performs an identification of the client. The identification is provided to a cross-channel router as a request for a prediction on where the call from the client should be routed, and the router indexes into the activity database based on the identification of the client to obtain the monitored activity of the client. The router employs predicting rules and the obtained activity to generate a prediction of client needs, and returns the generated prediction to the telephone-based system, which presents prioritized telephone prompts to the client according to the returned prediction to help in routing the call.

Abstract: A system and method to cancel a blindly-transferred call in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) includes receiving a call request from an endpoint and selecting a first call agent to handle the call request. A blind transfer of the call request is initiated to the first call agent. It is determined whether the first call agent is available to handle the call request. If the first call agent is not available to handle the call request, the blind transfer of the call request is canceled.

Abstract: An exemplary method and system are described for providing an easy to use interface for establishing multi-media audio conference calls involving a leader and a plurality of participants. A web-based interface can be used by the leader for establishing, controlling, and providing information associated with the call. Participants can also access the web-site for receiving information associated with the call and receiving status information regarding the conference call. In one embodiment, an address organizer can be used to select participants by the leader and schedule an audio conference call with the recipients having the opportunity to accept, decline, or indicate an alternative telephone number at which they can be reached.

Abstract: A disclosed application server and method are operable to enable a user to access and modify a remote user profile stored on or otherwise accessible to the application server. The user profile identifies the user's CPE devices and information indicative of priority based call handling rules defined by the user. The profile may also include priority levels assigned by the user to selected telephone numbers. The application server downloads a user's profile information to the CPE devices identified in the profile, which may include multiple CPE devices that operate on different telecommunications networks, for example, VoIP networks, wireless cellular networks, and/or traditional TDM networks. The application server communicates the profile information to the CPE devices defined in the profile. In the case of a TDM phone, the application server uses an intermediary, such as a central office or Service Node, to implement the service on behalf of a TDM telephone.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, at a first call center, a call from a caller, forwarding the call to an agent workstation and determining that the call must be transferred. The method may also include providing, at the agent workstation, a user interface identifying a number of items associated with possible reasons for the call and receiving, via the user interface, input selecting one of the items. The method may further include appending information to the call based on the received input and forwarding the call with the appended information to a network device associated with a number of call centers.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring customer support sessions based on at least one category associated with the customer support sessions. A request from an administrator for information associated with unresolved support sessions is received. A set of support categories is presented to the administrator. A selection of at least one support category is received from the administrator. A set of first level customer support agent identifiers associated with at least one support session queued under the at least one support category which has been selected is presented to the administrator.