Patents Examined by Thjuan K. Addy
  • Patent number: 11297181
    Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system for augmenting a voice call with a user interface to provide a user visual access to a guided solution. The user interface is generated based on information such as a spoken language string received from a user using a user device with a display. The user interface including user interface elements for the guided solution is provided to the user via the display of the user device such that the user proceeds through the guided solution using the user interface during the voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Brad M. Johnson, Adrian X. Rodriguez, David Steiner, Neil A. Girard
  • Patent number: 11297183
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting customer behavior is disclosed. The method comprises organizing a transcribed, diarized text of a conversation in a call, into a predefined number of sets, determining features corresponding to a sentiment score, a percentage and/or count of positive words, and a percentage and/or count of negative words for each of the a predefined number of sets, determining word count features corresponding to the word count for each of the a predefined number of sets, determining features corresponding to a call talk time, a call hold time and a call hold percentage based on the transcribed text. Based on all the determined features, the method determines whether the customer is satisfied or not, the customer activity based on an activity profile of the customer, and whether the customer used escalation terms based on the transcribed text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Uniphore Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Sindhuja Gopalan
  • Patent number: 11297178
    Abstract: Method, apparatus, and program code embodied in computer-readable media, for providing enhanced echo suppression in a conferencing system having at least one microphone and at least one speaker. At least one microphone input signal is received, and at least one speaker input signal is provided. At least one processor has at least one primary echo-suppressor and at least one secondary echo-suppressor. The at least one primary echo-suppressor receives (i) the microphone input signal(s) and (ii) the speaker input signal(s). The at least one primary echo-suppressor provides at least one echo-suppressed microphone signal. The at least one secondary echo-suppressor receives the at least one echo-suppressed microphone signal and provides an output signal. The at least one processor provides the at least one echo-suppressed microphone signal to the at least one secondary echo-suppressor without providing the at least one speaker input signal directly to the at least one secondary echo-suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Dale Ferguson, Linshan Li, Mahdi Javer, Nicholas Alexander Norrie
  • Patent number: 11290821
    Abstract: An audio processor for providing loudspeaker signals on the basis of input signals, like channel signals and/or object signals, obtains an information about the position of a listener and an information about the position of a plurality of loudspeakers, or sound transducers. The audio processor selects one or more loudspeakers for a rendering of the objects and/or of the channel objects and/or of the adapted signals, derived from the input signals. The selection depends on the information about the position of the listener and about the positions of the loudspeakers and takes into consideration the information about one or more acoustic obstacles. The audio signal processor renders the objects/channel objects/adapted signals derived from the input signals, in dependence on the information about the position of the listener and about positions of the loudspeakers, in order to obtain the loudspeaker signals, such that a rendered sound follows a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Walther, Jürgen Herre, Julian Klapp, Christof Faller, Markus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11282405
    Abstract: A system and method of use to train customer service agents. The training system employs intelligent systems to facilitate or enable the training of customer service agents. The training system provides training to customer service agents and tracks the progress of the customer service trainees. In one aspect, the training system emulates a customer engaging with the customer service trainee, by emulating one or both of the persona of the customer and the scenario of the customer/trainee interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TTEC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Truong, Gershwin Alison Lamont Exeter, Louise Juanita Erven
  • Patent number: 11283926
    Abstract: A telephone subnet crawler is used to access automated telephone response systems and index the information, contents and structure contained therein. A database of the information, contents and structure of a plurality of automated telephone response systems is created by the telephone subnet crawler. A user interface provides a waiting party with direct access to the information, contents and structure of the automated telephone response systems contained in the database. Where an automated telephone response system requires user input, the user interface calls the automated telephone response system and navigates to the node requiring user input, provides the user input and displays the results to the user. Where an automated telephone response system connects to an operator, the user interface calls the automated telephone response system, navigates to the node for an operator, and when an operator is detected, calls the user at a user provided callback number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: FonCloud, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-David Dahan, Shai Berger, Michael Pultz, Jason Bigue
  • Patent number: 11283928
    Abstract: A method of assisting an agent in real-time includes includes receiving a call interaction between a customer and an agent; identifying words spoken in the call interaction; providing the words to a behavioral models module; computing a score for a plurality of behavioral metrics; providing a phrase formed by the words to a knowledge article selection module; providing each score for the plurality of behavioral metrics to the knowledge article selection module; providing a plurality of knowledge selection rules to the knowledge article selection module; evaluating a combination of the phrase and the scores of the plurality of behavioral metrics against each of the plurality of knowledge selection rules; matching a knowledge selection rule to the combination; selecting a knowledge article associated with the matched knowledge selection rule; generating a visual representation of the selected knowledge article; and presenting in real-time the visual representation on a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NICE LTD.
    Inventors: Gordon Scott Edwards, Jon A. Arrowood, Mark Finlay
  • Patent number: 11277524
    Abstract: A method including receiving a natural language input and determining a telecommunications routing code based at least in part on the natural language input. The telecommunications routing code is associated with routing calls to a telecommunications number. The method further includes populating the telecommunications routing code at a node of a call routing decision tree to generate a populated call routing decision tree comprising a call routing template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Somos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Sharma, William Carter, Michael Kimmel
  • Patent number: 11277510
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing prevention of foreign initiated fraudulent or unauthorized use of calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a first user device associated with an originating party, a request to access a first account of a calling system and an access code. Based on a determination that the received access code is valid, the computing system might determine whether the first user device associated with the originating party is located in a foreign country. If so, the computing system might determine whether a database contains a configurable flag indicating that international access is not allowed for the first account. If so, the computing system might initiate one or more first actions. If not, the computing system might provide the first user device with access to the first account of the calling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Broadworth, Matthew McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11277517
    Abstract: When an incoming call is received from a customer, various aspects may include receiving an indication of availability from several call agents within the computer-telephony integration system and presenting the indications of availability and identification information for each of the call agents on a display. A user control for searching the call agents may also be presented on the display for use by a first call agent to view an indication of availability for a particular call agent. The customer call may then be transferred from the first call agent to the particular call agent in response to the indication of availability identifying the particular call agent as available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Aaron C. Kammeyer, Randall J. Kirchner, Christopher L. Ward, Louis A. Littell
  • Patent number: 11272058
    Abstract: A method for summarizing dialogs may include obtaining an agent text stream and a customer text stream, segmenting the agent text stream and customer text stream into sentences, and labeling sentences associated with the segmented agent text stream and the segmented customer text stream. The method may further include extracting sentences from the agent text stream and the customer text stream based upon frequencies of appearance of words and terms of interest; generating an agent summary paragraph based on the extracted sentences from the agent text stream, and generating a customer summary paragraph based on the extracted sentences from the customer text stream. The method may identify keywords associated with each of the agent summary paragraph and the customer summary paragraph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Farid Khafizov, Vittal N. Gunturu, Travis R. McLaren, Wade W. Hiney, Aleksandr Iakubovich
  • Patent number: 11272059
    Abstract: An exclusive agent pool allocation method including collecting business data of agents; grouping agents according to the business data of the agents and forming multiple exclusive agent pools; calculating business skill values of agents according to the business data of the agents and classifying priorities of the agents; classifying priorities of agent pools according to the business data of the exclusive agent pools; and allocating calling user to the corresponding agent in the exclusive agent pool according to predetermined allocation strategy. The method solves the matching of the user and the agent in the region and the business level, allocates the agent resource according to the priority of the business skill, realizes the high match between the business skill of the agent and the business handled by the user, improves the pertinence and effectiveness of the agent service and promotes the satisfaction of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PING AN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hua Niu
  • Patent number: 11258902
    Abstract: To allow the human customer service agents to specialize in the instances where human service is preferred, but to scale to the volume of large call centers, systems and methods are provided in which human agents and intelligent virtual assistants (IVAs) co-handle a conversation with a customer. IVAs handle simple or moderate tasks, and human agents are used for those tasks that require or would benefit from human compassion or special handling. Instead of starting the conversation with an IVA and then escalating or passing control of the conversation to a human to complete, the IVAs and human agents work together on a conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: VERINT AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Ian Beaver
  • Patent number: 11252505
    Abstract: A method for regulating a sound source of a designated object and an audio processing device using same are provided. The method includes the following steps. An original two-channel signal is obtained. An included angle of the designated object with respect to an ear of a user is detected. A first beam and a second beam are respectively formed in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction according to the included angle to obtain a bidirectional sound signal. A sound rotation process is performed, so that the ear is directed toward sound source of the designated object, and a rotated two-channel sound signal is obtained. A unidirectional sound signal towards the sound source is obtained. A sound signal characteristic of the designated object is obtained according to the bidirectional sound signal and the unidirectional sound signal and then is regulated to synthesize a regulated two-channel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Po-Jen Tu, Jia-Ren Chang, Kai-Meng Tzeng, Chao-Kuang Yang
  • Patent number: 11252509
    Abstract: An audio processor for providing loudspeaker signals on the basis of input signals, like channel signals and/or object signals, obtains an information about the position of a listener and an information about the position of a plurality of loudspeakers, or sound transducers. The audio processor selects one or more loudspeakers for a rendering of the objects and/or of the channel objects and/or of the adapted signals, derived from the input signals. The selection depends on the information about the position of the listener and about the positions of the loudspeakers and takes into consideration the information about one or more acoustic obstacles. The audio signal processor renders the objects/channel objects/adapted signals derived from the input signals, in dependence on the information about the position of the listener and about positions of the loudspeakers, in order to obtain the loudspeaker signals, such that a rendered sound follows a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Walther, Jürgen Herre, Julian Klapp, Christof Faller, Markus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11245795
    Abstract: In the field of government engagement management, an agent guide or script-flow in an employee desktop web client is implemented. In such a system and method, when agents create interactions with clients they can follow a script-flow which will guide the agent through the interaction through a series of menu selections and automated sets of instructions. This feature of the government engagement management system allows existing customer investment from the rich desktop client or non-web client in developing specific scripts, that can also now function in the web client atmosphere. This system and method also enables an agent to handle calls with the web client more efficiently, and allows agents on the web client to automatically classify.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Verint Systems UK Limited
    Inventors: Conor Adams, Raymond Campbell
  • Patent number: 11245793
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing a dialog between a contact center system and a user thereof, comprising the steps of: hosting a dialog over a communication channel between an automated dialog engine of said contact center and said user thereof, said dialog comprising messages sent between said automated dialog engine and said user in both directions; said automated dialog engine receiving input messages from said user, and determining response messages in response to said inputs; detecting from said messages of said dialog a trigger event matching a rule; in response to detection of said trigger event: providing said agent station with a summary of said dialog; and providing control of said automated dialog engine to said agent station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventors: Conor McGann, Canice Lambe, Felix Immanuel Wyss, Wenjin Gu, Simon Doyle, Michael Orr, Patrick Breslin
  • Patent number: 11245794
    Abstract: In the field of government engagement management, for users of an employee desktop web client, it is now possible, within the web client application, to search and read articles and/or knowledge content that has been authored to external locations. Due to this integration to external, third-party applications, content and/or articles can be displayed to an agent on the employee desktop web client graphical user interface. Agents can enter free text into a specific search field and review the results in summary form, and then select an article in HTML format to progress the current interaction with the client. An additional feature extending from this capability is to add an amount of coding to external knowledge content websites that are owned and/or operated by the owner of the system such that when the website is viewed through the third-party integration module, a button or icon appears within the website that when selected takes the agent to an appropriate form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Verint Systems UK Limited
    Inventors: Conor Adams, Raymond Campbell
  • Patent number: 11233904
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for gathering information from layered bots. The apparatus may be configured to run an instance of a user-facing bot. The platform may be configured to send to a selected support bot a back-end query. The platform may be configured to receive from the selected support bot an “OPEN” conversation status for the conversation. The platform may be configured to receive, after receiving the “OPEN” conversation status: a response to the back-end query; and a status update for the conversation status. The status update may be “WAITING”. The platform may be configured to repeat (a) through (c) below until the status update is “CLOSED”: (a) acquire from the user a responsive supplemental fact; (b) transmit to the contact bot the responsive supplemental fact; (c) receive from the contact bot: a response to the supplemental fact; and a status update for the conversation status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Maruthi Z. Shanmugam, Nishant H. Shah, Chris Welles, David Randall, Kiran Kadekoppa
  • Patent number: 11233900
    Abstract: Systems and methods for telephone call regulation include the use of a predictive model. An example method includes receiving, by a predictive model, a telephone number from a user application comprising instructions for execution on a user device and determining, by the predictive model, a spam factor for the received telephone number. The example method further includes determining, by the predictive model, a classification of the received telephone number based on the spam factor and transmitting, by the predictive model, the classification of the received telephone number to the user application. The example method further includes receiving, by the predictive model, a feedback from the user application, the feedback indicative of a corrective classification of the received telephone number and modifying, by the predictive model, the spam factor for the received telephone number based on the corrective classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Zainab Zaki, Manuel Vincente Vivo