Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatically controlling an electronic illumination device to indicate information pertaining to workstations or agents of a customer contact center. Some embodiments are useful in the context of employee management because the illumination devices are used to indicate information about tasks that employees are engaged in, the performance of the employees, and the status of the employees. A computer system coupled to the illumination device executes control software configured to send control signals over a communication interface, such as USB or Bluetooth. The data sent to the electronic illumination device can cause the illumination device to turn off or on, change color, blink, strobe, etc., for producing desired lighting effects representative of a status or event associated with an employee or workstation.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic device includes an electrical and physical interface operable to be coupled to a port of a computer system that includes a processor. The electronic device also includes a casing housing the interface. In addition, the electronic device includes a circuit board including circuitry housed within the casing. The circuitry receives control signals from the computer system over the interface and controls an illumination element. The illumination element is disposed on the casing and is operable to produce a color that corresponds to a real-time status associated with the computer system. The real-time status is determined by the processor and information read by the processor from the computer system. Moreover, the electronic device includes a beacon technology system housed within the casing. The beacon technology system is operable to communicate with a beacon technology system externally located to the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatically controlling an electronic illumination device to indicate information pertaining to workstations or agents of a customer contact center. Some embodiments are useful in the context of employee management because the illumination devices are used to indicate information about tasks that employees are engaged in, the performance of the employees, and the status of the employees. A computer system coupled to the illumination device executes control software configured to send control signals over a communication interface, such as USB or Bluetooth. The data sent to the electronic illumination device can cause the illumination device to turn off or on, change color, blink, strobe, etc., for producing desired lighting effects representative of a status or event associated with an employee or workstation.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic device includes an electrical and physical interface operable to be coupled to a port of a computer system that includes a processor. The electronic device also includes a casing housing the interface. In addition, the electronic device includes a circuit board including circuitry housed within the casing. The circuitry receives control signals from the computer system over the interface and controls an illumination element. The illumination element is disposed on the casing and is operable to produce a color that corresponds to a real-time status associated with the computer system. The real-time status is determined by the processor and information read by the processor from the computer system. Moreover, the electronic device includes a beacon technology system housed within the casing. The beacon technology system is operable to communicate with a beacon technology system externally located to the electronic device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic device includes an electrical and physical interface operable to be coupled to a port of a computer system that includes a processor. The electronic device also includes a casing housing the interface. In addition, the electronic device includes a circuit board including circuitry housed within the casing. The circuitry receives control signals from the computer system over the interface and controls an illumination element. The illumination element is disposed on the casing and is operable to produce a color that corresponds to a real-time status associated with the computer system. The real-time status is determined by the processor and information read by the processor from the computer system. Moreover, the electronic device includes a beacon technology system housed within the casing. The beacon technology system is operable to communicate with a beacon technology system externally located to the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for unlocking and locking enclosures or lockers of a customer service center, for example, responsive to a real-time customer-agent interaction. One disclosed method includes using a remote server to determine a solution to a user request, where the solution includes an identification of a selected locker of a plurality of lockers located at the customer service center, and using the remote server to communicate the selected locker identification and an unlock code to the user via the customer service session of the computer system, where the selected locker includes equipment for the user to satisfy the user request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automatically controlling an electronic illumination device to indicate information pertaining to workstations or agents of a customer contact center. Some embodiments are useful in the context of employee management because the illumination devices are used to indicate information about tasks that employees are engaged in, the performance of the employees, and the status of the employees. A computer system coupled to the illumination device executes control software configured to send control signals over a communication interface, such as USB or Bluetooth. The data sent to the electronic illumination device can cause the illumination device to turn off or on, change color, blink, strobe, etc., for producing desired lighting effects representative of a status or event associated with an employee or workstation.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, various computer implemented methods are provided for generating context sensitive alerts for the purposes of fraud detection and prevention. According to one embodiment, a communication (e.g., a call) is received at (or initiated by) a workstation by a human representative or agent. Verbal (voice) communication between the agent and the third party customer is monitored and converted into text. The agent's activity in applications executing in the workstation is also tracked. The combination of converted text and the activity of the agent is evaluated in a behavior engine to detect inconsistencies between the activity of the agent and authorized or typical activity. When inconsistencies are detected, security actions are performed to alert administrators of potential fraud and, in extreme cases, further action by the agent may be prevented in the workstation to prevent additional fraud.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, various computer implemented methods are provided for dynamically delivering user-customized instances of computing environments to contact center agents. User input collected using automated interaction techniques is received in a contact center. The collected information is used to select or determine instances of computing environments that best approximate the particular environment for which support is being requested. Once identified, an instance of the computing environment is sent to a workstation of an available agent and a direct communication session is brokered between the agent and the requesting user. According to various embodiments, the method may include dynamically generating the instance as a virtual machine from a server in the contact center or otherwise communicatively coupled to the workstation of the agent. Alternately, the method may include distributing pre-generated instances of a virtual machine.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, various computer implemented methods are provided for dynamically delivering user-customized instances of computing environments to contact center agents. User input collected using automated interaction techniques is received in a contact center. The collected information is used to select or determine instances of computing environments that best approximate the particular environment for which support is being requested. Once identified, an instance of the computing environment is sent to a workstation of an available agent and a direct communication session is brokered between the agent and the requesting user. According to various embodiments, the method may include dynamically generating the instance as a virtual machine from a server in the contact center or otherwise communicatively coupled to the workstation of the agent. Alternately, the method may include distributing pre-generated instances of a virtual machine.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, various computer implemented methods are provided for generating context sensitive alerts for the purposes of fraud detection and prevention. According to one embodiment, a communication (e.g., a call) is received at (or initiated by) a workstation by a human representative or agent. Verbal (voice) communication between the agent and the third party customer is monitored and converted into text. The agent's activity in applications executing in the workstation is also tracked. The combination of converted text and the activity of the agent is evaluated in a behavior engine to detect inconsistencies between the activity of the agent and authorized or typical activity. When inconsistencies are detected, security actions are performed to alert administrators of potential fraud and, in extreme cases, further action by the agent may be prevented in the workstation to prevent additional fraud.

Abstract: A method for authentication includes receiving a log-in request at a first client computer, and capturing user information with the request. The method includes capturing an image of the user, and sending a request for authentication, including the user information and image, to an authentication server. The method includes determining a representative user based on the user information, and determining an authorizing agent responsible for authorizing the representative user. The method includes sending the authentication request to a client computer associated with the authorizing agent, and providing verified identification information of the representative user along with the request so that the authorizing agent can perform authentication of the requesting user based on the user information, the captured image, and the verified identification information.

Abstract: A method of fraud detection is disclosed. The method includes determining that a first agent at a first workstation of a contact center is not on a call at a first time. The contact center includes a plurality of workstations attended to by a plurality of agents. The method includes determining that the first agent is accessing a client based resource at the first time, wherein the resource is associated with a client. The method includes collecting electronic evidence of the first workstation.

Abstract: A method of fraud detection is disclosed. The method includes determining that a first agent at a first workstation of a contact center is not on a call at a first time. The contact center includes a plurality of workstations attended to by a plurality of agents. The method includes determining that the first agent is accessing a client based resource at the first time, wherein the resource is associated with a client. The method includes collecting electronic evidence of the first workstation.

Abstract: A method for authentication includes receiving a log-in request at a first client computer, and capturing user information with the request. The method includes capturing an image of the user, and sending a request for authentication, including the user information and image, to an authentication server. The method includes determining a representative user based on the user information, and determining an authorizing agent responsible for authorizing the representative user. The method includes sending the authentication request to a client computer associated with the authorizing agent, and providing verified identification information of the representative user along with the request so that the authorizing agent can perform authentication of the requesting user based on the user information, the captured image, and the verified identification information.

Abstract: An exhaust treatment system includes an oxidation device having a plurality of channels through which a flow of exhaust flows. A first portion of the channels of the oxidation device are coated with catalytic material for converting NO to NO2 and a second portion of the channels are uncoated with the catalytic material. The exhaust treatment system also includes a selective catalytic reduction device disposed downstream from the oxidation device. The selective catalytic reduction device is configured to receive the flow of exhaust passing through the oxidation device.