Patents by Inventor George Erhart

George Erhart 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: 11856141
    Abstract: Systems and methods include generating an urgency score associated with data associated with a communication session based on processing the data and using the urgency score to modify a behavior of a bot or a call center agent and optimize a contact center. Systems and methods include modifying behavior of a bot or an agent during the communication session in response to the data. Systems and methods include modifying dialog of a bot, or a script of an agent, and modifying a control flow for the communication session. Optimizing a contact center includes adjusting a workload of an agent associated with the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Avaya Management L.P.
    Inventors: Reinhard P. Klemm, George Erhart, Tamas Smahajcsik-Szabo, Oliver Huber, Wen-Hua Ju, John Young
  • Patent number: 11756090
    Abstract: Even with the best efforts to design and deliver accurate systems with usable interfaces, customers often encounter difficulties in completing a task using an electronic device, such as completing a form on a web page, using a software application, or navigating an interface. This may be due to a programming error, inaccurate instructions, or an unusual situation not contemplated by the programmers or designers. Without interaction with a human agent, a cue may be provided to the user upon detection of an issue for completing the task. A co-browse operation may be automatically initiated to provide a cue selected in accord with the issue that thereby allows the user to complete the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Valentine C. Matula, David Skiba, George Erhart
  • Publication number: 20230179708
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing data associated with a communication session are described. Systems and methods include generating an urgency score associated with data associated with a communication session based on processing the data and using the urgency score to modify a behavior of a bot or a call center agent and optimize a contact center. Systems and methods include modifying behavior of a bot or an agent during the communication session in response to the data. Systems and methods include modifying dialog of a bot, or a script of an agent, and modifying a control flow for the communication session. Optimizing a contact center includes adjusting a workload of an agent associated with the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Reinhard P. Klemm, George Erhart, Tamas Smahajcsik-Szabo, Oliver Huber, Wen-Hua Ju, John Young
  • Publication number: 20220368802
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes analyzing interactions on a digital communication channel, determining that the interactions have paused for an amount of time, analyzing content of the interactions to determine an estimate of the amount of time, updating a state of the agent to release the agent for the estimated amount of time, and setting a timer that will automatically change the state of the agent back to an occupied state for the interactions at a future time that aligns with an expiration of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 11418648
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes analyzing interactions on a digital communication channel, determining that the interactions have paused for an amount of time, analyzing content of the interactions to determine an estimate of the amount of time, updating a state of the agent to release the agent for the estimated amount of time, and setting a timer that will automatically change the state of the agent back to an occupied state for the interactions at a future time that aligns with an expiration of the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Avaya Management L.P.
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 11190469
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes determining that a conversation is established with a customer communication device using an asynchronous communication channel, analyzing one or more messages exchanged over the asynchronous communication channel to determine a likelihood of communication disengagement, comparing the likelihood of communication disengagement with a predetermined disengagement threshold, and based on the comparison of the likelihood of communication disengagement with the predetermined threshold, updating a graphical user interface of an agent communication device being used to engage in the conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Avaya Management L.P.
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 11120410
    Abstract: A service robot may be autonomous, with respect to a portion of a customer service task, and coordinated, with respect to another portion of a customer service task. A resource, such as another robot or an agent (human or automated), may monitor or interact with the robot and, in such a combination, perform a customer service task. The robot may be instructed to pause or delay initiation of a robot portion to allow for a resource to become available at a common time that the interaction portion is to be performed to minimize delay and promote better customer service. Should the delay be beyond an acceptable threshold, the robot may engage in a delay task (e.g., slow down, pause, etc.). The delay task may include a social interaction with a human at a service location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, Valentine C. Matula, George Erhart
  • Patent number: 11093590
    Abstract: Robotic customer service agents are provided such that, when properly authenticated, they are operable to perform a customer service task. A contact center may dispatch a robot, an accessory for a customer-owned robot, or instructions to transform an unconfigured robot, such as a generic robot, into a configured robot operable to perform the task. If the robot, such as the base or entire robot, robot at the service location, an associated user, hardware addition, and/or software addition is authentic, then the robot may be operated in an authenticated mode. If non-authenticated, then the robot may operate in a non-authenticated mode, such as one consisting of one or more tasks or features being disabled. Additionally, authentication may be temporary (e.g., time restricted) or event restricted (e.g., as long as a result stays within a given range, the robot is being observed, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: George Erhart, David Skiba, Valentine C. Matula
  • Patent number: 11064074
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a message from a customer communication device, determining that a conversation is already established in association with the customer communication device, including the message among a plurality of messages that are already assigned to the conversation, analyzing the message to determine a topic classification and a topic confidence score for the message, and based on the analysis of the message, determining whether the topic classification determined for the message corresponds to a continuation of a topic classification for the plurality of messages or whether the topic classification determined for the message corresponds to a different topic classification than the topic classification for the plurality of messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20210209563
    Abstract: A service robot may be autonomous, with respect to a portion of a customer service task, and coordinated, with respect to another portion of a customer service task. A resource, such as another robot or an agent (human or automated), may monitor or interact with the robot and, in such a combination, perform a customer service task. The robot may be instructed to pause or delay initiation of a robot portion to allow for a resource to become available at a common time that the interaction portion is to be performed to minimize delay and promote better customer service. Should the delay be beyond an acceptable threshold, the robot may engage in a delay task (e.g., slow down, pause, etc.). The delay task may include a social interaction with a human at a service location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: David Skiba, Valentine C. Matula, George Erhart
  • Patent number: 11049141
    Abstract: Handheld communication devices, such as smart phones, comprise a number of data gathering sensors. The sensors may be utilized to provide an agent of a contact center with situational information regarding the user of the handheld device. While global positioning systems (GPS) provides one means to locate a user of a communication device, GPS is not always available. However, by utilizing radio receivers, internal condition sensors, motion detectors, and other sensing components, a situation for a customer may be determined to supplement or substitute for GPS-determined location as well as to identify more relevant situations for the user beyond those provided by GPS provided location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, Andrew Maher, George Erhart, Valentine C. Matula
  • Publication number: 20210029249
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a message from a customer communication device, determining that a conversation is already established in association with the customer communication device, including the message among a plurality of messages that are already assigned to the conversation, analyzing the message to determine a topic classification and a topic confidence score for the message, and based on the analysis of the message, determining whether the topic classification determined for the message corresponds to a continuation of a topic classification for the plurality of messages or whether the topic classification determined for the message corresponds to a different topic classification than the topic classification for the plurality of messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20210029065
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes determining that a conversation is established with a customer communication device using an asynchronous communication channel, analyzing one or more messages exchanged over the asynchronous communication channel to determine a likelihood of communication disengagement, comparing the likelihood of communication disengagement with a predetermined disengagement threshold, and based on the comparison of the likelihood of communication disengagement with the predetermined threshold, updating a graphical user interface of an agent communication device being used to engage in the conversation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20210029246
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of processing messages received in an asynchronous communication system. In some embodiments, the method includes analyzing interactions on a digital communication channel, determining that the interactions have paused for an amount of time, analyzing content of the interactions to determine an estimate of the amount of time, updating a state of the agent to release the agent for the estimated amount of time, and setting a timer that will automatically change the state of the agent back to an occupied state for the interactions at a future time that aligns with an expiration of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: George Erhart, Reinhard Klemm, Wen-Hua Ju, Michael Sisselman, Atsushi Hirano
  • Patent number: 10873538
    Abstract: Allocation of resources utilized by a contact center remains a balancing act between the burden of having resources that are generally underutilized and underperforming due to resource constraints. Many contact centers support a variety of communication types (e.g., audio-video, audio, text, email, etc.) associated with a respective communication channel. Communications may be dynamically incentivized or allocated from one communication channel having greater resource demands to another communication channel having lesser resource demands. Additionally, the resources of the contact center may be shared by customers of clients utilizing the contact center. As a result, one customer having a spike in demand may have their, and/or another customer's, communications reallocated to the less demanding channel to manage contact center resource utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Valentine C. Matula, David Skiba, George Erhart
  • Patent number: 10866585
    Abstract: Acceptance of robotic service agents may be improved if robots are compliant with a monitoring program of a third party. A robot may be allowed to perform certain operations if monitored or prevented from such operations if unmonitored. If authorized, a robot may be able to perform certain operations unmonitored; however, the third party may report the authorized exception. Should the robot be unmonitored, and absent unauthorized exception, the robot performs only those operations approved for unmonitored mode. Otherwise, the robot is enabled to perform tasks approved for monitored and unmonitored mode. The third party may report the monitoring, lack of monitoring, and compliance with a monitoring program accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: George Erhart, David Skiba, Valentine C. Matula
  • Patent number: 10810599
    Abstract: Customer assistance is provided by leveraging certain contact center infrastructure components to a retail setting. Often contact centers have a wealth of information regarding individual products and services a retail setting may offer. The information, as provided herein, may then be delivered to the customer in the form of a dialogue. The dialogue may be based, in part, on a contact center dialogue for the same or similar item. The customer may then be instructed to perform an act, such as retrieving another item at a certain location. Unlike a contact center, the physical presence of the customer provides an opportunity to receive feedback in the form of monitor the customer's actions to determine if the customer complied with instructions. Optionally, a follow up activity may be imitated based on the customer's compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, George Erhart, Valentine C. Matula
  • Patent number: 10621539
    Abstract: The delivery of goods to a customer comprises a substantial portion of human activity. To correct address errors and/or to more precisely locate delivery locations, systems are provided to assist human, human operated vehicle, or autonomous vehicles to locate a delivery point. Often the location of a delivery point is inaccurate or imprecise. GPS and other coordinate systems often fail or are imprecise without an unobstructed view of the sky. Even with coordinates available, the delivery point may be different from the coordinates or, more commonly, coordinates that are different from some standard point within a postal address associated with the coordinates. Providing a delivery system that utilizes a broadcasted identifier, such as an identifier associated with the order of the item, the delivery of the item may be made proximate to the source of the broadcasted identifier or further refined using the broadcasted identifier as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Valentine C. Matula, David Skiba, George Erhart
  • Patent number: 10599765
    Abstract: A semantic translation model system is described along with various methods and mechanisms for administering the same. The semantic translation model system proposed herein creates an intermediate representation and a knowledge base in multiple languages, reducing the amount of time and expensive resources typically required for translation and automatic response to written communications. The system also removes the problem of a translation being influenced by a person's writing style and human misinterpretation and provides ongoing translation to keep the system current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Skiba, George Erhart, Lee Becker, Valentine C. Matula
  • Patent number: 10410007
    Abstract: A robotic customer service agent (“robot”) is provided to a service location. The robot may present a number of security concerns that, whether realized or not, present barriers to acceptance. A robot is provided that is determined to be in compliance with a security criteria. The security criteria may be related to software (e.g., running anti-virus software), hardware (e.g., an added camera is secure), communication (e.g., no unexpected communications), or other aspect. Should the robot be in compliance, it may operate in a secure mode, such as to perform or access more sensitive information. If the robot is not in compliance, the robot is operated in a non-secure mode, such as to block data transmissions, information capturing, or other process or operation that may present a security risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: George Erhart, David Skiba, Valentine C. Matula