Patents by Inventor Chad Hitchcock

Chad Hitchcock has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11641425
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for handling a call reaching a party's voicemail. A predictive model is used to generate a first probability of an outcome occurring as a result of leaving a voicemail message and a second probability of the outcome occurring as a result of sending a text message. If the first probability is greater, an IVR uses DTMF tone(s) to bypass a greeting on the voicemail so that a message can be recorded with minimal time. If the second probability is greater, the call is ended and an email is sent to the party's service provider using an email address comprising a mobile number for the party and a domain portion specific to the provider. As a result, the provider delivers a text message to the party with the body of the message including the content of the email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Christopher S. Haggerty
  • Publication number: 20210377393
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for handling a call reaching a party's voicemail. A predictive model is used to generate a first probability of an outcome occurring as a result of leaving a voicemail message and a second probability of the outcome occurring as a result of sending a text message. If the first probability is greater, an IVR uses DTMF tone(s) to bypass a greeting on the voicemail so that a message can be recorded with minimal time. If the second probability is greater, the call is ended and an email is sent to the party's service provider using an email address comprising a mobile number for the party and a domain portion specific to the provider. As a result, the provider delivers a text message to the party with the body of the message including the content of the email.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Christopher S. Haggerty
  • Patent number: 11095775
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for handling a call reaching a party's voicemail. A predictive model is used to generate a first probability of an outcome occurring as a result of leaving a voicemail message and a second probability of the outcome occurring as a result of sending a text message. If the first probability is greater, an IVR uses DTMF tone(s) to bypass a greeting on the voicemail so that a message can be recorded with minimal time. If the second probability is greater, the call is ended and an email is sent to the party's service provider using an email address comprising a mobile number for the party and a domain portion specific to the provider. As a result, the provider delivers a text message to the party with the body of the message including the content of the email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Christopher S. Haggerty
  • Patent number: 10601996
    Abstract: Answering machine detection (“AMD”) processes in a contact center are improved by obtaining and storing call pickup times regarding answered calls. The call pickup time is based on the time between detection of a signaling message indicating the call was offered to the remote interface and a signaling message indicating the call was answered. The value of the call pickup time may be useful to determine if an automatic voice messaging capability (“AVMC”) or a live human answered the call. In other embodiments, the call pickup time is used to generate a call pickup time weighting factor that is used to supplement the analysis of the initial audio greeting after the call has been answered to determine whether an AVMC or live person answered the call. The analysis can be used to determine whether the AVMC is an answering machine or a voice mail service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Holman, Karl H. Koster, Chad Hitchcock, Marlon F. Araujo
  • Patent number: 10277745
    Abstract: Answering machine detection (“AMD”) processes in a contact center are improved by obtaining and storing call pickup times regarding answered calls. The call pickup time is based on the time between detection of a signaling message indicating the call was offered to the remote interface and a signaling message indicating the call was answered. The value of the call pickup time may be useful to determine if an automatic voice messaging capability (“AVMC”) or a live human answered the call. In other embodiments, the call pickup time is used to generate a call pickup time weighting factor that is used to supplement the analysis of the initial audio greeting after the call has been answered to determine whether an AVMC or live person answered the call. The analysis can be used to determine whether the AVMC is an answering machine or a voice mail service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marlon F. Araujo, Richard Holman, Chad Hitchcock, Karl H Koster
  • Patent number: 10225404
    Abstract: A telephone call to a remote party may encounter a number of abnormal conditions, which prevents the call from being offered to the remote party's interface. These conditions may be indicated to the calling party using call progress information conveyed as out-of-band information, in the form of signaling elements and/or as in-band information, in the form of audio information. The audio information may include a special information tone and/or an intercept announcement. The call handler originating the outbound call may provide the audio information to a speech analytics component that analyzes the audio information. The analyzed audio information may be reconciled with the out-of-band information. Various rules can be applied to ascertain how to disposition the call in instances where the in-band and out-of-information are inconsistent. Once reconciled, accurate call disposition information can be recorded in the call record for that call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10218849
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Ellwood I. Neuer, III
  • Patent number: 10212200
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for handling an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for a call between a contact center agent and remote party. Specifically, an audio path is established to a first telephony device being used by the agent and a call is bridged onto the audio path so that audio can be streamed back-and-forth between the first telephony device and a second telephony device being used by the party. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention involve monitoring the audio path to detect an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for the audio and bridging the call onto a second audio path when a failure or non-conformant QoS is detected so that the call is not disconnected from the second telephony device and a third device (e.g., IVR) can stream audio over the second audio path to the second telephony device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Chad Hitchcock, Marcin Pycko, Jason P. Ouimette, Christopher S. Haggerty
  • Patent number: 9882944
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for handling an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for a call between a contact center agent and remote party. Specifically, an audio path is established to a first telephony device being used by the agent and a call is bridged onto the audio path so that audio can be streamed back-and-forth between the first telephony device and a second telephony device being used by the party. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention involve monitoring the audio path to detect an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for the audio and bridging the call onto a second audio path when a failure or non-conformant QoS is detected so that the call is not disconnected from the second telephony device and a third device (e.g., IVR) can stream audio over the second audio path to the second telephony device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Christopher S. Haggerty, Jason P. Ouimette, Marcin Pycko, Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9787839
    Abstract: A telephone call to a remote party may encounter a number of abnormal conditions, which prevents the call from being offered to the remote party's interface. These conditions may be indicated to the calling party using call progress information conveyed as out-of-band information, in the form of signaling elements and/or as in-band information, in the form of audio information. The audio information may include a special information tone and/or an intercept announcement. The call handler originating the outbound call may provide the audio information to a speech analytics component that analyzes the audio information. The analyzed audio information may be reconciled with the out-of-band information. Various rules can be applied to ascertain how to disposition the call in instances where the in-band and out-of-information are inconsistent. Once reconciled, accurate call disposition information can be recorded in the call record for that call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9635183
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ellwood I. Neuer, III, Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9538009
    Abstract: A telephone call to a remote party may encounter a number of abnormal conditions, which prevents the call from being offered to the remote party's interface. These conditions may be indicated to the calling party using call progress information conveyed as out-of-band information, in the form of signaling elements and/or as in-band information, in the form of audio information. The audio information may include a special information tone and/or an intercept announcement. The call handler originating the outbound call may provide the audio information to a speech analytics component that analyzes the audio information. The analyzed audio information may be reconciled with the out-of-band information. Various rules can be applied to ascertain how to disposition the call in instances where the in-band and out-of-information are inconsistent. Once reconciled, accurate call disposition information can be recorded in the call record for that call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9456076
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for handling an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for a call between a contact center agent and remote party. Specifically, an audio path is established to a first telephony device being used by the agent and a call is bridged onto the audio path so that audio can be streamed back-and-forth between the first telephony device and a second telephony device being used by the party. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention involve monitoring the audio path to detect an audio path failure and/or non-conformant QoS for the audio and bridging the call onto a second audio path when a failure or non-conformant QoS is detected so that the call is not disconnected from the second telephony device and a third device (e.g., IVR) can stream audio over the second audio path to the second telephony device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Noble, Jr., Christopher S. Haggerty, Marcin Pycko, Chad Hitchcock, Jason P. Ouimette
  • Patent number: 9420102
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NOBLE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ellwood I. Neuer, III, Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 9203964
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ellwood I. Neuer, III, Chad Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 8989814
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Ellwood I. Neuer, III
  • Publication number: 20140315521
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Noble Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Ellwood I. Neuer, III
  • Patent number: 8738076
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Chad Hitchcock, Ellwood Neuer, III