Abstract: A method is provided in which information about one or more telecommunications session characteristics is stored in a communications history log. A prediction is then made for the occurrence of telecommunications session characteristic in the future on the basis of the information stored in the communications history log.

Abstract: A method for informing a caller of the availability of a call-center agent who can assist the caller without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, when a caller accesses the address book in the memory of his or her telecommunications terminal (such as a telephone) the caller will see both the contact information for the call center and the availability of a call-center agent.

Abstract: A method for identifying a person who possesses the expertise in a specific subject matter, wherein the method comprises receiving a query and criteria from a first user and, transmitting a request to a server. Upon receiving the request, the server selects a second user from the first user's contacts based on the request. Similarly, the server selects a third user from the second user's contacts, wherein the third user is not in the first user's contacts. After the users are selected, the server transmits the request to the second user and the third user's terminal. If the second user and the third user do not respond to the request, the server selects a fourth user from the third user's contacts, wherein the fourth user is not in the first user and the second user's contacts. This process is performed by the server until an “expert” responds to the request.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a user selects the characteristics of an agent with which the user wants to talk. The user is allowed to add a selection of agent characteristics to an online “shopping cart” and transmit the content of the shopping cart to the contact center. The contact center uses the transmitted information to find an appropriate agent for the user. The method can be provided as part of a preferential treatment of users. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, preferential treatment is provided on the basis of one of: (1) a characteristic of a user, (2) a characteristic of a transaction in which the user participated, (3) the availability of a selection of agent characteristics which was made by the user in a prior session with the contact center.

Abstract: A method is provided in which determines user availability on the basis of the manner in which a person uses a computing device that is associated with a telecommunications terminal. Specifically, the present invention is for a method in which a telecommunications terminal determines whether its user is available to accept an incoming invitation to participate in a telecommunications session based on: (1) a characteristic of the use of a software application, (2) a characteristic of the use of a resource of a terminal, (3) a sensor input, (4) a characteristic of the incoming invitation or (5) any combination of (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5).

Abstract: A method is provided for determining user availability on the basis of the manner in which a person uses (1) a communication terminal or (2) a computing device that is associated with the communication terminal or (3) any combination of (1) and (2). User availability is determined based on: (1) a characteristic of the use of a software application that is running on a computing device, or (2) a characteristic of the use of a feature of software that is running on a communication terminal, or (3) a characteristic of the use of a resource of a computing device, or (4) a characteristic of the use of a resource of a terminal, or (5) a sensor input, or (6) a characteristic of the incoming invitation, or (7) any combination of (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6).

Abstract: A method is provided in which the present invention is for a method in which a telecommunications terminal determines whether its user is available to accept an incoming invitation to participate in a telecommunications session based on: (1) a characteristic of the use of a software application, (2) a characteristic of the use of a resource of a terminal, (3) a sensor input, (4) a characteristic of the incoming invitation or (5) any combination of (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5).

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining, for each candidate communication medium, the availability of one or more telecommunications endpoint users for participating in a communication session of interest (i.e., either new or existing) via the evaluated medium. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an availability manager determines the availability based on (i) one or more discrete rules, or (ii) one or more continuous functions, or both. The continuous functions are specified with respect to the time that has elapsed since a previous session, the time remaining in an active session, and the expected duration of a new session. Once it has determined the availability of one or more participants in the communication session, the availability manager of the illustrative embodiment transmits one or more signals to a call-processing server, which then sets up the participants on the session via the appropriate communication medium such as voice, instant messaging, and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of communication between customers of a retail Web site. In particular, the illustrative embodiment provides a computer implemented method comprises authenticating a first customer and a second customer to enable the first and second customers to access a retail Web site via the Internet, displaying a representation of the first customer viewing a Web page of the retail Web site and a representation of the second customer viewing the Web page of the retail Web site, and enabling audio communication between the first customer and the second customer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining, for each candidate communication medium, the availability of one or more telecommunications endpoint users for participating in a communication session of interest (i.e., either new or existing) via the evaluated medium. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an availability manager determines the availability based on (i) one or more discrete rules, or (ii) one or more continuous functions, or both. The continuous functions are specified with respect to the time that has elapsed since a previous session, the time remaining in an active session, and the expected duration of a new session. Once it has determined the availability of one or more participants in the communication session, the availability manager of the illustrative embodiment transmits one or more signals to a call-processing server, which then sets up the participants on the session via the appropriate communication medium such as voice, instant messaging, and so forth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user of a telecommunications terminal to specify desired characteristics for the recipient of a call in lieu of a contact identifier are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment enables a user to specify one or more of the following criteria for a recipient: (i) a role requirement that specifies a role (e.g., a nurse, a doctor, etc.); (ii) a capability requirement that specifies one or more capabilities (e.g., able to speak Spanish, etc.); (iii) a location requirement (e.g., on the third floor of Building A, etc.); and (iv) a cardinality descriptor for the number of recipients (e.g., one recipient, at least three recipients, etc.). The illustrative embodiment also employs availability data (e.g., a schedule, etc.) and rules to determine whether a particular person is available to receive a call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of delivery mechanisms for sending a message are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment enables the advantageous selection of the delivery mechanism for sending a message from a first telecommunications terminal to a second telecommunications terminal based on at least one of: (i) the location of the first terminal, (ii) the location of the second terminal, (iii) the time and date (i.e., the calendrical time) at the first terminal, (iv) the calendrical time at the second terminal, and (v) one or more properties of the message (e.g., the sending user, the receiving user, a message priority, the contents of the message, etc.). A delivery mechanism for sending a message comprises at least one of: a physical medium, a physical layer protocol, a medium access control, and a network for transport.

Abstract: A device for transporting workpieces within a multi-step press with a transverse crossbeam for holding the workpiece. The transverse crossbeam is aligned in its non-operative state at least approximately perpendicularly to the transporting direction of the workpieces. The crossbeam can be oriented in space by at least one driving mechanism. In addition, a second, redundant driving mechanism can be provided to move the transverse crossbeam in an emergency operation.

Abstract: An orienting station provided particularly for press systems has a receiving device which is carried by a rod-type transmission. This rod-type transmission is supported on drive units of a driving device. The drive units are disposed in a stationary manner. The rods of the rod-type transmission are rigid and their lengths cannot be changed.

Abstract: An orienting station provided particularly for press systems has a receiving device which is carried by a rod-type transmission. This rod-type transmission is supported on drive units of a driving device. The drive units are disposed in a stationary manner. The rods of the rod-type transmission are rigid and their lengths cannot be changed.

Abstract: A control device for electric direct drives of a transfer system contains at least one monitoring device which, in the case of the malfunctioning of a direct drive, switches the control device into an emergency operating mode. In the emergency operating mode, the control device disconnects the linear drive affected by the malfunction from power and controls the remaining direct drives preferably at full power or at a slightly higher power. Thereby, a freedom from collision is established between the forming tool and the transfer device, after which the press is preferably stopped.

Abstract: A method serves to actively perform vibration damping of driven elements of workpiece transport devices in and on shaping machines, especially presses and punches. A measured state value of the driven element or one reconstructed by an observer is determined. The state value is then entered into a damping regulator which affects the drive of the driven elements. A damping regulating circuit is provided in addition to a position regulating circuit.

Abstract: A transfer device 41 provided particularly for multistation presses 1 has a holding device 46, 47 which is carried by several rods 53, 54, 55; 83, 84, 85 and which can be swivelled in space and positioned by means of the rods 53, 54, 55; 83, 84, 85. The rods 53, 54, 55; 83, 84, 85 are preferably connected with linear driving devices 61, 62, 63; 86, 87, 88 which therefore jointly act upon the holding device 46, 47. In the case of an embodiment having six degrees of positioning freedom, three of the rods 53, 54, 55; 83, 84, 85 are applied to a first hinge point 49 of the holding device 46, 47. By means of their other ends, these rods 83, 84, 85 define a triangle. Of the remaining three rods 53, 54, 55, two 53, 54 are applied to another hinge point 56 and a third 55 is applied to a hinge point 57 situated away therefrom which again defines a triangle together with the other two hinge points 49, 56. In addition to the simple workpiece transfer, such a transfer device 41 permits complicated positioning tasks.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided particularly for multistation presses and is arranged between two working stations. The transfer device has a suction bridge which extends transversely with respect to a transfer direction and which is guided on its ends by two control arm gearings synchronously along a predetermined transfer curve. The control arm gearings are formed by control arms or rods which are connected on the end side with the cross traverse and which, on their respective end situated away from the cross traverse 46, are held in preferably vertically aligned linear axles, in which case the control arms, in respective pairs, enclose the same angle with one another. By the targeted controlling of the linear axles, almost arbitrary transfer curves can be travelled within the scope of the range of the transfer device. All linear axles are directly supported on a stationary frame whereby a high stiffness and precision is achieved even at high accelerations.

Abstract: The invention relates to conjugates which consist of mono- or polycarboxylated piperidine or pyrrolidine derivatives and pyranoses, furanoses or polyalcohols linked via a chain or a cyclic system. The carboxyl groups of the piperidine derivatives can either be located directly on the ring or linked to the ring via a short chain. The invention additionally relates to the preparation of these compounds and to their use for the production of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.