Abstract: Multiple communication types (e.g. chat, email, voice, etc.) are integrated into a call center. Embodiments can allow a single agent to handle multiple endpoints and multiple communication types. An agent user interface allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple communications and provides information to the agent about the communications and the customer. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system also provides flexibility in transferring large amounts of historic and current data from one agent to another, and from storage to an active agent. The system also provides for “blending” of different communication types to provide a single interface to the agent.

Abstract: Multiple communication types are integrated into a call center. The communication types can be chat, email, Internet Protocol (IP) voice, traditional telephone, web page, digital image, digital video and other types. Features of the invention include allowing a single agent to handle multiple customers on multiple channels, or “endpoints.” Prioritizing and assigning calls to agents based on a specific criteria such as the number of endpoints assigned to an agent, the agents availability, the priority of a customer call, the efficiency of a given agent and the agent's efficiency at handling a particular communication type call. An agent user interface is described that allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple calls. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system provides for detailed agent performance tracking. The system provides failure recovery by using a backup system.

Abstract: Multiple communication types are integrated into a call center. The communication types can be chat, email, Internet Protocol (IP) voice, traditional telephone, web page, digital image, digital video and other types. Features of the invention include allowing a single agent to handle multiple customers on multiple channels, or “endpoints.” Prioritizing and assigning calls to agents based on a specific criteria such as the number of endpoints assigned to an agent, the agents availability, the priority of a customer call, the efficiency of a given agent and the agent's efficiency at handling a particular communication type call. An agent user interface is described that allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple calls. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system provides for detailed agent performance tracking. The system provides failure recovery by using a backup system.

Abstract: Multiple communication types are integrated into a call center. The communication types can be chat, email, Internet Protocol (IP) voice, traditional telephone, web page, digital image, digital video and other types. Features of the invention include allowing a single agent to handle multiple customers on multiple channels, or “endpoints.” Prioritizing and assigning calls to agents based on a specific criteria such as the number of endpoints assigned to an agent, the agents availability, the priority of a customer call, the efficiency of a given agent and the agent's efficiency at handling a particular communication type call. An agent user interface is described that allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple calls. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system provides for detailed agent performance tracking. The system provides failure recovery by using a backup system.

Abstract: Multiple communication types are integrated into a call center. The communication types can be chat, email, Internet Protocol (IP) voice, traditional telephone, web page, digital image, digital video and other types. Features of the invention include allowing a single agent to handle multiple customers on multiple channels, or “endpoints.” Prioritizing and assigning calls to agents based on a specific criteria such as the number of endpoints assigned to an agent, the agent's availability, the priority of a customer call, the efficiency of a given agent and the agent's efficiency at handling a particular communication type call. An agent user inteface is described that allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple calls. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system provides for detailed agent performance tracking. The system provides failure recovery by using a backup system.

Abstract: Multiple communication types are integrated into a call center. The communication types can be chat, email, Internet Protocol (IP) voice, traditional telephone, web page, digital image, digital video and other types. Features of the invention include allowing a single agent to handle multiple customers on multiple channels, or “endpoints.” Prioritizing and assigning calls to agents based on a specific criteria such as the number of endpoints assigned to an agent, the agent's availability, the priority of a customer call, the efficiency of a given agent and the agent's efficiency at handling a particular communication type call. An agent user inteface is described that allows the agent to have control over accepting multiple calls. The agent can drag and drop canned responses, images, URLs, or other information into a window for immediate display on a customer's computer. The system provides for detailed agent performance tracking.

Abstract: A memory-resident stored system for storing data associated with a plurality of collaborating computer processes, wherein selected ones of the computer processes collaborate with other ones of the collaborating computer processes. Included instructions for dynamically establishing a hierarchical organization relating to a plurality of nodes. Each of the nodes establishes a path with at least selected ones of the plurality of collaborating computer processes. Instructions operate to describe a plurality of the paths according to the hierarchical organization for generating a plurality of hierarchical path descriptions between selected ones of the plurality of nodes and the at least selected ones of the plurality of collaborating computer processes.

Abstract: A network-based customer interface allows a customer to receive automated information from a variety of data sources, or databases, including a knowledge base and frequently asked question database. The data sources are updated based on recording ongoing customer queries and transactions with the database. The updates can be reviewed before they are used to update the data sources. Customer authentication is performed so that the customer can be given an elevated level of service and so that any prior customer sessions can be used to help human agents know about the customer's situation.

Abstract: The forcing rod of a hydraulically operated tool has thereon intermediate its ends an enlarged-diameter piston head which reciprocates in the bore of a cylinder housing, and divides the bore into a pressure chamber and a reservoir chamber. A hand-operated pump mechanism on the housing is operable to draw fluid from the reservoir chamber and to pump it under pressure into the pressure chamber, thereby causing the forcing rod to advance out of one end of the housing against the resistance of a return spring. Each of two plates removably secured to opposite sides of the housing contain to elongate chambers which communicate at one end with the reservoir chamber, and which contain spring-loaded pistons which function to maintain pressure on the fluid in the reservoir chamber.