Patents by Inventor Steve Hufford
Steve Hufford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10797976Abstract: The present invention determines which network devices are likely to have a positive result in engagements with terminal devices. A server can obtain data about network devices with respect to the communication session with a network site. Then the server can use rules to define a set of network devices that are eligible to interact or communicate with a terminal device. The server can connect to the network devices as randomly as possible. Terminal devices can initiate engagements with network devices. The server can detect characteristics in the interaction of engagements that have positive results. The server generates an evaluation protocol based on the characteristics, to assign new network devices a parameter representing how close the new network device conforms to the evaluation protocol. The parameter is used by the system in real-time to inform terminal devices as to which network devices to connect to and in what order.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: LIVEPERSON, INC.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20180234312Abstract: The present invention determines which network devices are likely to have a positive result in engagements with terminal devices. A server can obtain data about network devices with respect to the communication session with a network site. Then the server can use rules to define a set of network devices that are eligible to interact or communicate with a terminal device. The server can connect to the network devices as randomly as possible. Terminal devices can initiate engagements with network devices. The server can detect characteristics in the interaction of engagements that have positive results. The server generates an evaluation protocol based on the characteristics, to assign new network devices a parameter representing how close the new network device conforms to the evaluation protocol. The parameter is used by the system in real-time to inform terminal devices as to which network devices to connect to and in what order.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: LIVEPERSON, INC.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Patent number: 9819561Abstract: The present invention determines which network devices are likely to have a positive result in engagements with terminal devices. A server can obtain data about network devices with respect to the communication session with a network site. Then the server can use rules to define a set of network devices that are eligible to interact or communicate with a terminal device. The server can connect to the network devices as randomly as possible. Terminal devices can initiate engagements with network devices. The server can detect characteristics in the interaction of engagements that have positive results. The server generates an evaluation protocol based on the characteristics, to assign new network devices a parameter representing how close the new network device conforms to the evaluation protocol. The parameter is used by the system in real-time to inform terminal devices as to which network devices to connect to and in what order.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: LivePerson, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20170171047Abstract: The present invention determines which network devices are likely to have a positive result in engagements with terminal devices. A server can obtain data about network devices with respect to the communication session with a network site. Then the server can use rules to define a set of network devices that are eligible to interact or communicate with a terminal device. The server can connect to the network devices as randomly as possible. Terminal devices can initiate engagements with network devices. The server can detect characteristics in the interaction of engagements that have positive results. The server generates an evaluation protocol based on the characteristics, to assign new network devices a parameter representing how close the new network device conforms to the evaluation protocol. The parameter is used by the system in real-time to inform terminal devices as to which network devices to connect to and in what order.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: LIVEPERSON, INC.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Patent number: 9576292Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: LivePerson, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge Mcfall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20140372240Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: LivePerson, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Patent number: 8868448Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's system. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise. The system further matches the customer with at least one sales associate, ideally the most appropriate sales associate, based on the customer, session, and sales profile associate information, and facilitates communication between the sales associate and the customer.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: LivePerson, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Patent number: 7739149Abstract: A method of gathering sales information is provided. The method may involve linking, based on a matching score, a sales associate to a customer for assisting in an online sales transaction, and providing the sales associate with best practices information to use during the transaction. The best practices information may have been gathered by monitoring online sales transactions between sales associates and customers, indexing information and sales techniques used by the sales associates during the online sales transactions, and ranking and dynamically re-ranking the information and sales techniques based at least in part on the outcome of the corresponding online sales transaction.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Proficient Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Patent number: 7657465Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selling goods and services in conjunction with the Internet. The system can receive session information on a customer's website session (e.g., goods and services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products) and customer information on the customer. The system can determine from the received information whether the customer is a candidate for sales assistance from a sales associate. The system can create and index information on available sales associates, match the customer with at least one sales associate based on the customer, session, and sales profile associate information, and facilitate communication between the sales associate and the customer (e.g., via chat, VoIP, email, PSTN, etc.). Additionally, the system can provide information on the customer, products or services in which he/she is interested, and collateral sales materials and selling techniques to the sales associate based on the sales opportunity.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Proficient Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20050097000Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2004Publication date: May 5, 2005Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20050091123Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2004Publication date: April 28, 2005Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20050044008Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2004Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib
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Publication number: 20040153368Abstract: The system of the present invention provides systems and methods for selling goods and services on, over, through, and in conjunction with the Internet. The system receives session (clickstream) information on a customer's website session from the enterprise's website and may also receive customer information on the customer from the enterprise's CRM or eCRM system. The session information referred to comprises the goods or services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products, such as the surfing pattern itself. The system determines from the received information, based on the interaction between matching rules created using the system by the enterprise and the system's matching engine, whether the customer is a candidate for assistance from a sales associate. The system creates and indexes information on available sales associates and their performance, selling capabilities and product expertise.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2001Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Gregg Freishtat, Steve Hufford, Dodge McFall, Jackson Wilson, Tanya Hyman, Vikas Rijsinghani, Paul Kaib