Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for contact channel redirection to improve agent routing/assignment efficiency and customer experience. For example, the system may redirect a customer, waiting in a queue for an agent for telephonic communications, to a chat agent for online chat.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are for managing access to a femtocell coverage area. An exemplary method includes storing in a memory component a first identifier corresponding to a subscribed service of a communication device and a second identifier corresponding to a user of the communication device, and granting access to the femtocell coverage area using the second identifier.

Abstract: A method for using a single sample suspected of containing a microorganism for both a local rapid test immunoassay and a remote laboratory test. The sample is collected from a patient at a physician's office or from the environment to be tested. The sample is collected using a swab or other implement, combined with a rapid test processing reagent and a portion of the processed sample is used for the local rapid test. The rapid test processing reagent typically consists of a buffer, a salt, and a detergent and is compatible with the local rapid test immunoassay. Only a portion of the processed sample is used for the local rapid test, leaving a remaining portion of the processed sample to be used in a remote laboratory assay. At least some of the remaining portion of the processed sample is combined with a stabilization agent that preserves at least the nucleic acid in the processed sample for the remote laboratory assay.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to adjust resource allocation in a distributive computing network. An example method includes receiving data representing performance of a first resource allocation provided by the distributive computing network. The example method includes receiving a resource request specifying a second resource allocation to be provided by the distributive computing network. The example method includes simulating the distributive computing network using the data to determine an operating configuration for adjusting the first resource allocation to satisfy the resource request with a third resource allocation, different than the second resource allocation. The example method includes adjusting the first resource allocation based on the operating configuration.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving reaction information from one or more sensors located at a second location that is representative of a reaction by a second user at the second location to the presentation of the personalized content, analyzing the reaction information to determine a response based at least in part on trait information associated with different first users, selecting a second portion of the recorded segments based on a comparison of the determined response with a context identified for each of received recorded segments, and adjusting personalized content to include the selected second portion of the recorded segments. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving location information associated with a mobile communication device, determining a first location of the mobile communication device based on the location information, selecting a first camera from a group of cameras based on the determined first location, receiving at least one first image from the selected first camera that captures at least a portion of the first location, performing image recognition on at least one second image to identify a user associated with the mobile communication device, selecting another camera from the group of cameras based on a determined position of the identified user, and receiving at least another image from the selected other camera. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for contact channel redirection to improve agent routing/assignment efficiency and customer experience. For example, the system may redirect a customer, waiting in a queue for an agent for telephonic communications, to a chat agent for online chat.

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: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which relate to provisioning a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) with multiple services. The UICC enables a wireless communication device to communicate through multiple carriers by using a unique virtual subscriber identity module (SIM) to register with each carrier. The unique virtual SIM is one of a plurality of virtual SIMs stored on and managed by the UICC. A carrier network includes a server for provisioning a new virtual SIM on a UICC over-the-air (OTA) when a new customer requests a service such as voice, data, or other type of service. These UICCs may also include logic to automatically select the best carrier for a voice call depending on the user settings.

Abstract: A device is configured to enter a stealth mode in response to a trigger and/or triggering event. The trigger/triggering event can be a voice command, a depression(s) of a button(s) or pattern of buttons on the device, a keyboard and/or softkey entry, entry of a pattern on the display of the device, a designated movement of the device, detection of an event, and/or lack of detection of an event. The device activates the stealth mode without any indication to the user of the device that the device is activating the stealth mode. The stealth mode operates concurrently with all other functions of the device. A virtual secure channel can be established that allows communication with the device without providing an indication that the device is communicating via the virtual secure channel. A token can be utilized for authentication and to discriminate be stealth and normal modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for conducting questions and answers with deferred type evaluation based on any corpus of data. The method includes processing a query including waiting until a “Type” is determined AND a candidate answer is provided; the Type is not required as part of a predetermined ontology but is a lexical/grammatical item. Then, a search is conducted for evidence that the candidate answer has the required LAT (e.g., as determined by a matching function leveraging a parser, a semantic interpreter and/or a pattern matcher). Alternately, the LAT may be matched to a known Ontological Type and then a candidate answer searched in an knowledge-base or database determined by that type. Then, all the evidence from all the different ways to determine that the candidate answer has the expected lexical answer type (LAT) is combined and one or more answers provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing wireless enabled inventory peering are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for providing wireless enabled inventory peering includes a wireless enabled inventory peering vehicle system (WEIPVS). The WEIPVS is configured to receive an inventory search request. In response to receiving the inventory search request, the WEIPVS searches inventories of proximate technician vehicles. If a needed inventory item is located in an inventory of a proximate technician vehicle, the WEIPVS generates a request for an inventory transfer and sends the request to the proximate technician vehicle. When the item is received at the WEIPVS, the WEIPVS updates the inventory associated with the WEIPVS.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a problem report from a customer via an access interface of a plurality of access interfaces at a first horizontal layer of a problem management system, wherein the problem report indicates that the customer is having a problem with one of the network-based services, receiving a request from the customer for self-service problem resolution via the access interface, identifying a workflow related to the problem, obtaining the workflow from a second layer of the problem management system, providing a diagnostic tool to the customer via the access interface, according to the workflow, and providing the diagnostic tool to an agent via another access interface after the customer contacts the agent.

Abstract: A provisioning system includes a services management system operable to enable a set-top box device configured to receive broadband services at a first network location to access one or more of the broadband services at a second network location. The first network location is associated with a subscriber account and the second network location is not associated with the subscriber account. The broadband services include a voice service, a data service, and a video service. The provisioning system includes a subscriber authentication system operable to evaluate a request that includes subscriber authorization data, to selectively authorize access to the one or more broadband services at the second network location based on the subscriber authorization data, and to enable the set-top box device to access the one or more broadband services when the set-top box device is at the second network location.

Abstract: A location of a calling party is provided to a called party. The location can be provided if the calling party is using a mobile communications device or a wireline system. The location of the calling party can be provided in a hierarchy of various levels of accuracy/precision representative of different geographies provided by a service provider. The choice of levels for each received call or all received calls can be configurable by the called party. The called party may subscribe to a service that provides the location information. The called party may have the option to receive location information on a per call basis. The calling party may be asked for consent. Location information can be provided for any appropriate type of call, such as, for example, voice calls, text based calls (e.g., SMS messages), or the like. In an example configuration, the SS7 network is utilized.

Abstract: Services are provided based on the locations, rather than the NPA.NXX identifiers, of called and calling parties. Party location based services can be provided to the called party, to the calling party, or both. Services can include an indication of the location of each party. Services also can include an indication of charges as determined by the location of the parties, rather than the NPA.NXX identifiers. Services can be provided if the parties are using a mobile communications devices, such as a cellular phone, wireline systems (e.g., landline phones), or a combination thereof. In an example configuration, location can be provided in a hierarchy of various levels of accuracy/precision. Different levels can be representative of different resolutions of geography. An example system for facilitating party location based services includes a signaling system number 7 (SS7) network.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are for managing access to a femtocell coverage area. An exemplary method includes storing in a memory component a first identifier corresponding to a subscribed service of a communication device and a second identifier corresponding to a user of the communication device, and granting access to the femtocell coverage area using the second identifier.

Abstract: A problem management system can include a system architecture having a first horizontal layer including a plurality of access interfaces, each access interface adapted to receive a problem report from a customer. The problem report indicates that the customer is having a problem with a network-based service of a plurality of network-based services. The architecture also includes a task management domain at the first horizontal layer adapted to obtain a workflow, a problem resolution rule, or any combination thereof, from a second horizontal layer of the problem management system, and provide a diagnostic tool, troubleshooting information, or any combination thereof, via the access interface. The architecture also includes an agent support platform to provide the diagnostic tool, troubleshooting information, a trouble report associated with the customer, a problem history associated with the customer, or any combination thereof, to an agent via another access interface after the customer contacts the agent.

Abstract: A method of generating a double stranded (ds) recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in both strands by contacting two or more ds nucleotide sequences with a topoisomerase under conditions such that both termini of at least one end of a first ds nucleotide sequence are covalently linked by the topoisomerase to both termini of at least one end of a second ds nucleotide sequence is provided. Also provided is a method for generating a ds recombinant nucleic acid molecule covalently linked in one strand, by contacting two or more ds nucleotide sequences with a type IA topoisomerase under conditions such that one strand, but not both strands, of one or both ends of a first ds nucleotide sequence are covalently linked by the topoisomerase. Compositions for performing such methods, and compositions generated from such methods also are provided, as are kits containing components useful for conveniently practicing the methods.