Abstract: A method for collecting data and deriving performance metrics for one or more users within an observation platform environment is described. The method includes recognizing a user identity based on signals from the communications device; Capturing a user's voice message and the secondary signal indicative of the location of the communications device or the relative proximity of the communications device to other devices; Deriving statistical data comprising: primary statistics, secondary statistics, and higher-order statistics from the secondary signal and voice message; and Storing the user identity, the voice message, the location of the communications device, and the statistical data in a database forming a user record, wherein the user record is processed by an inference engine to derive performance information about the user.

Abstract: In a method of using structured communications in an observation platform with cloud computing, a signal from a first communication device is received by a second communication device associated with a first computer system. The second computer system forwards the signal from the first computer system to a second computer system, wherein the second computer system is physically remote from the first computer system and connected with the first computer system via a network. The second computer system derives context information for the signal, the deriving based on a plurality of factors derived from an analysis of the signal, wherein the plurality of factors comprises a speech to text analysis of the signal, and wherein the second computer system is cloud based. The second computer system determines at least one destination for the signal based on the plurality of factors for the context information.

Abstract: In a method of observing users of communication devices, a central computer system recognizes a first user associated with a first communication device and a second user associated with a second communication device. The central computer system observes a communication between the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein at least a portion of the communication is an audible communication. The central computer system relays the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. The central computer system identifies features of the communication and makes the features available for decision making purposes.

Abstract: In a method of structured communications in an observation platform a signal from a first communication device is received at a second communication device that is associated with a computer system. The computer system is associated with an organization, wherein a first characteristic of the signal corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic of the signal corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first communication device. The computer system derives a query from the signal, wherein the query is related to the organization. The computer system determines a plurality of persons representing the organization to respond to the query, wherein the determining is based on a factor related to the plurality of persons representing the organization. The signal is forwarded to a plurality of communication devices associated with the plurality of persons representing the organization.

Abstract: In a method of using an observation platform to determine relative expertise of enterprise employees, a computer system of the observation platform monitors communications from and to a plurality of communication devices which have been routed through a radio access point associated with the computer system. Each of the communication devices is associated with a user who is an employee in an enterprise. The computer system extracts information from the communications including identities of the users. The computer system measures performance of a plurality of the users based on aspects of the extracted information which are related to questions on one or more of products and processes of the enterprise, wherein the questions are posed and responded to via the communications devices. The computer system assigns a numerical ranking of the measured performance by each of the measured users, with respect to other measured users, at responding to the questions.

Abstract: In a method of using structured communications in an observation platform with cloud computing, a signal from a first communication device is received by a second communication device associated with a first computer system. The second computer system forwards the signal from the first computer system to a second computer system, wherein the second computer system is physically remote from the first computer system and connected with the first computer system via a network. The second computer system derives context information for the signal, the deriving based on a plurality of factors derived from an analysis of the signal, wherein the plurality of factors comprises a speech to text analysis of the signal, and wherein the second computer system is cloud based. The second computer system determines at least one destination for the signal based on the plurality of factors for the context information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and distributing content and aggregation of data in a plurality of observation platforms are disclosed. A message is generated with content at a content distribution manager. A delivery of the message is scheduled and a plurality of specified devices are specified for delivery in a plurality of observation platforms at a designated time and/or location(s) via the content distribution manager, wherein the plurality of observation platforms are capable of receiving a signal from a first mobile device with a first characteristic that corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic that corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first mobile device and relaying the signal to a destination based on the first characteristic and/or the second characteristic. The message is delivered to the plurality of observation platforms which relays the message to the plurality of specified devices at the designated time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for sending information in an observation platform. A determination is made, at an observation platform, that a first communication device associated with a first user is located in an environment. A determination is made, at the observation platform, that the first communication device is located in proximity to a second communication device associated with a second user. Speech information is sent to the first communication device for the first user to use in communicating with the second user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and distributing content and aggregation of data in a plurality of observation platforms are disclosed. A message is generated with content at a content distribution manager. A delivery of the message is scheduled and a plurality of specified devices are specified for delivery in a plurality of observation platforms at a designated time and/or location(s) via the content distribution manager, wherein the plurality of observation platforms are capable of receiving a signal from a first mobile device with a first characteristic that corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic that corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first mobile device and relaying the signal to a destination based on the first characteristic and/or the second characteristic. The message is delivered to the plurality of observation platforms which relays the message to the plurality of specified devices at the designated time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using an observation platform with an external device are disclosed. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system. Context information is derived from the signal at the computer system from, a speech to text analysis of the audible source, a policy implemented in the computer system by a controlling enterprise, and inferences calculated by a combination of text analysis, and secondary information contained in the signal. An action is determined to take place at an external device or user device based on the context information, wherein the external device is one of a plurality of external devices and is networked to the second communication device or a plurality of devices. A second signal is sent to the external device to instruct the device to take the action.

Abstract: In a method of using structured communications in an observation platform with cloud computing, a signal from a first communication device is received by a second communication device associated with a first computer system. The second computer system forwards the signal from the first computer system to a second computer system, wherein the second computer system is physically remote from the first computer system and connected with the first computer system via a network. The second computer system derives context information for the signal, the deriving based on a plurality of factors derived from an analysis of the signal, wherein the plurality of factors comprises a speech to text analysis of the signal, and wherein the second computer system is cloud based. The second computer system determines at least one destination for the signal based on the plurality of factors for the context information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using an observation platform with an external device are disclosed. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system. Context information is derived from the signal at the computer system from, a speech to text analysis of the audible source, a policy implemented in the computer system by a controlling enterprise, and inferences calculated by a combination of text analysis, and secondary information contained in the signal. An action is determined to take place at an external device or user device based on the context information, wherein the external device is one of a plurality of external devices and is networked to the second communication device or a plurality of devices. A second signal is sent to the external device to instruct the device to take the action.

Abstract: In a method of structured communications in an observation platform, a signal is received from a first communication device. The signal is received at a second communication device that is associated with a computer system. The signal comprises a mandatory message for a third communication device, wherein the third communication device is associated with a user, and wherein the user is required to acknowledge receipt of the mandatory message. The signal is forwarded by the second communication device to the third communication device. Responsive to receipt of the signal by the third communication device, the features of the third communication device are locked such that the user has no access to the features for at least until the mandatory message has been acknowledged by the user. The second communication device receives an acknowledgement of the mandatory message from the third communication device.

Abstract: Using an observation platform for training, monitoring, and mining structured communications. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system, wherein a first characteristic of the signal corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic of the signal corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first communication device.

Abstract: In a method of using an observation platform to determine relative expertise of enterprise employees, a computer system of the observation platform monitors communications from and to a plurality of communication devices which have been routed through a radio access point associated with the computer system. Each of the communication devices is associated with a user who is an employee in an enterprise. The computer system extracts information from the communications including identities of the users. The computer system measures performance of a plurality of the users based on aspects of the extracted information which are related to questions on one or more of products and processes of the enterprise, wherein the questions are posed and responded to via the communications devices. The computer system assigns a numerical ranking of the measured performance by each of the measured users, with respect to other measured users, at responding to the questions.

Abstract: In a method of using structured communications in an observation platform with cloud computing, a signal from a first communication device is received by a second communication device associated with a first computer system. The second computer system forwards the signal from the first computer system to a second computer system, wherein the second computer system is physically remote from the first computer system and connected with the first computer system via a network. The second computer system derives context information for the signal, the deriving based on a plurality of factors derived from an analysis of the signal, wherein the plurality of factors comprises a speech to text analysis of the signal, and wherein the second computer system is cloud based. The second computer system determines at least one destination for the signal based on the plurality of factors for the context information.

Abstract: Using an observation platform for training, monitoring, and mining structured communications. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system, wherein a first characteristic of the signal corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic of the signal corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using an observation platform with an external device are disclosed. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system. Context information is derived from the signal at the computer system from, a speech to text analysis of the audible source, a policy implemented in the computer system by a controlling enterprise, and inferences calculated by a combination of text analysis, and secondary information contained in the signal. An action is determined to take place at an external device or user device based on the context information, wherein the external device is one of a plurality of external devices and is networked to the second communication device or a plurality of devices. A second signal is sent to the external device to instruct the device to take the action.

Abstract: A method for collecting data and deriving performance metrics for one or more users within an observation platform environment is described. The method includes recognizing a user identity based on signals from the communications device; Capturing a user's voice message and the secondary signal indicative of the location of the communications device or the relative proximity of the communications device to other devices; Deriving statistical data comprising: primary statistics, secondary statistics, and higher-order statistics from the secondary signal and voice message; and Storing the user identity, the voice message, the location of the communications device, and the statistical data in a database forming a user record, wherein the user record is processed by an inference engine to derive performance information about the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems recommending handovers between access points. Handover data is collected at a central computer from a plurality of communication devices within a defined geographic area, wherein the handover data pertains to handovers between a plurality of access points as the plurality of communication devices roam within the defined geographic area. Patterns of handovers are determined at the central computer system between the plurality of access points for the plurality of communications devices. A roaming pattern is predicted, at the central computer system, for a first communication device currently connected to a first access point based on the determined patterns of handovers. A second access point within the defined geographic area is determined to be a candidate for the first communication device to handover to based, on the predicted roaming pattern of the first communication device.