Abstract: Before routing a question submitted to a question and answer based customer support system to support resources, and before any specific answer data is generated, the submitted question data is analyzed to predict asking user engagement with the question and answer based customer support system after the asking user's question is submitted. In this way, the question itself is analyzed and questions determined to be low engagement probability questions submitted by asking users that have a low probability of further engagement with the question and answer based customer support system are provided to the support resources on a low priority basis and questions determined to be high engagement probability questions submitted by asking users that have a high probability of further engagement with the question and answer based customer support system are provided to the support resources on a high priority basis.

Abstract: Before routing a question submitted to a question and answer based customer support system to support resources, and before any specific answer data is generated, the submitted question data is analyzed to predict asking user engagement with the question and answer based customer support system after the asking user's question is submitted. In this way, the question itself is analyzed and questions determined to be low engagement probability questions submitted by asking users that have a low probability of further engagement with the question and answer based customer support system are provided to the support resources on a low priority basis and questions determined to be high engagement probability questions submitted by asking users that have a high probability of further engagement with the question and answer based customer support system are provided to the support resources on a high priority basis.

Abstract: User satisfaction with answers that may be provided through a question and answer based customer support system is predicted by pre-submission analysis of the attributes of the question itself before the answer is generated. Questions being entered into the question and answer based customer support system that are not likely to satisfy either an asking user submitting a question, or subsequent searching users accessing the resulting question and answer pair, are labeled improperly formatted questions, or low quality format questions. The question data representing improperly formatted questions is then either filtered out, avoided completely, or, proactively corrected by providing the user with a set of personalized question format transformation instructions to transform improperly formatted questions into a re-phrased/re-formatted properly formatted questions having a question format predicted to provide a significantly higher probability of user satisfaction with any answer eventually provided.

Abstract: A method and system improves content searching in a question and answer customer support system by using a crowd-machine learning hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system determines which customer support content to provide to users by using the hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system receives a search query from a user and applies the search query (or a representation of the search query) to the hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The hybrid predictive model generates a likelihood that particular customer support content is relevant to a user's search query, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system acquires user feedback from users and updates/trains the hybrid predictive model based on the user feedback, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems crowdsource the detection of usability issues in user experience pages of a tax return preparation system, according to one embodiment. Testing and debugging combinations and sequences of user experience pages can be time consuming and costly, and crowdsourcing the detection of usability issues can reduce the length of time typically consumed in detecting issues in a user experience flow, according to one embodiment. The methods and system include monitoring users' navigation behavior (e.g., system access data) within user experience pages, using predictive models to detect when users are experiencing a potential issue, and providing issue resolution content to both help the users and characterize the potential issue, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: A method and system increases Internet traffic to a question and answer customer support system, according to one embodiment. The method and system receive a question, and determine a search engine popularity or searchability of the question, according to one embodiment. If the search engine popularity or searchability of the question is less than a threshold, the question is provided to customer support personnel for reformation, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support personnel provide question reformation suggests to the customer support personnel, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems crowdsource quality assurance testing and error detection for user experience pages of a tax return preparation system, according to one embodiment. Testing and debugging combinations and sequences user experience pages can be time consuming and costly, and crowdsourcing error detection can reduce the length of time typically consumed in detecting all errors in a user experience flow, according to one embodiment. The methods and system include monitoring users' navigation behavior (e.g., system access data) within one or more user experience pages, using predictive models to detect when users are experiencing a potential issue, and providing issue resolution content to both help the users and characterize the potential issue, according to one embodiment. If the potential issue is an error, the methods and systems include requesting more information about the error, to facilitate resolving the error for current and subsequent users, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: A method and system determines a level of popularity of submission content, prior to publicizing the submission content with a question and answer customer support system, to improve user satisfaction with content of the question and answer customer support system, according to one embodiment. The method and system include receiving submission content from a user, and identifying a plurality of attributes of the submission content, according to one embodiment. The method and system include applying at least some of the attributes of the submission content to an analytics model to generate a score that is indicative of a likely level of popularity of the submission content, according to one embodiment. Prior to publicizing the submission content with the question and answer customer support system, the method and system include providing suggestions to the user for altering attributes of the submission content, to affect the score, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processing support requests, or support queries, in a software application including automated and human interaction-based support systems. An example method generally includes receiving a support request from a client device. A query processor parses the support request to identify one or more characteristics of the support request and identifies a support system to process the support request based at least in part on the identified one or more characteristics of the support request. The query processor instantiates a support session with the identified support system to process the support request.

Abstract: Reduction in latency between question submissions and response submissions in a question and answer based customer support system is reduced by facilitating the use of mobile devices by customer support personnel to submit question responses. The answerability of a question from a mobile device is predicted by pre-submission parsing and analysis of the attributes of the question before the answer is generated. Questions being entered into the question and answer based customer support system that are conveniently answerable from a mobile device are routed to a mobile question and answer queue that enables mobile device users to review and respond to the mobile device answerable questions. The user interface for the mobile device is configured/customized based on the attributes/content/analysis of the question to enable customer support personnel to more quickly respond to question submissions.

Abstract: A question and answer based customer support system is provided through which users submit question data representing questions to be answered using support resources. Low quality and/or high quality question formats are defined and questions having a low quality question format are labeled improperly formatted questions, while questions having a high quality question format are labeled properly formatted questions. Received question data is analyzed to determine if the question data represents an improperly or properly formatted question before allocating support resources to generating an answer. If, a determination is made that the question data represents an improperly formatted question, corrective actions are taken before allocating support resources to generating an answer. If a determination is made that the question data represents a properly formatted question, the question represented by the question data is allocated support resources to generate an answer on a priority basis.

Abstract: A flip signal is received from a first device, at a signaling server, during a video chat between the first device and a second device. The flip signal indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to a third device. Responsive to the signaling server receiving the flip signal, the signaling server sends a call request to the third device; and the signaling server sends a message to the second device to cause the second device to send the media packets to the third device. In another aspect, at the first device, during the video chat, a gesture is detected which indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to the third device; and, responsive to the detecting, the flip signal is sent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing a telephone user to share captured audio and/or video with a set top box user are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented without the need for a called party to support video conferencing and/or have a computer system. In various embodiments a telephone call is used to first contact a party to who content from a telephone may be streamed, e.g., in real time. Assuming the contacted party is interested a video session is established with a STB or other device corresponding to the called party and video content delivered from the cell phone. Audio may also be streamed with the video and/or the initial telephone call is maintained while video content is delivered allowing for bi-direction communication via the calling party and called party's telephones.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: A method and system improves content searching in a question and answer customer support system by using a crowd-machine learning hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system determines which customer support content to provide to users by using the hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system receives a search query from a user and applies the search query (or a representation of the search query) to the hybrid predictive model, according to one embodiment. The hybrid predictive model generates a likelihood that particular customer support content is relevant to a user's search query, according to one embodiment. The question and answer customer support system acquires user feedback from users and updates/trains the hybrid predictive model based on the user feedback, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: A flip signal is received from a first device, at a signaling server, during a video chat between the first device and a second device. The flip signal indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to a third device. Responsive to the signaling server receiving the flip signal, the signaling server sends a call request to the third device; and the signaling server sends a message to the second device to cause the second device to send the media packets to the third device. In another aspect, at the first device, during the video chat, a gesture is detected which indicates that media packets from the second device intended for the first device are to be sent to the third device; and, responsive to the detecting, the flip signal is sent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: User satisfaction with answers that may be provided through a question and answer based customer support system is predicted by pre-submission analysis of the attributes of the question itself before the answer is generated. Questions being entered into the question and answer based customer support system that are not likely to satisfy either an asking user submitting a question, or subsequent searching users accessing the resulting question and answer pair, are labeled improperly formatted questions, or low quality format questions. The question data representing improperly formatted questions is then either filtered out, avoided completely, or, proactively corrected by providing the user with a set of personalized question format transformation instructions to transform improperly formatted questions into a re-phrased/re-formatted properly formatted questions having a question format predicted to provide a significantly higher probability of user satisfaction with any answer eventually provided.