Patents Issued in September 6, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070206723
    Abstract: A mammographic system for capturing a radiation image of the breast of an examinee includes an image capturing base, having a radiation image information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the radiation image, and a breast compression plate for compressing the breast against the image capturing base. The breast compression plate has a fixed base for compressing and securing the breast, the fixed base includes a surface to be held against a chest wall of the examinee, and a movable flap connected to the fixed base, which is displaceable in order to release the breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Okada, Tomonari Sendai
  • Publication number: 20070206724
    Abstract: An X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit are controlled by an imaging control unit when two-dimensional images of a sample without a contrast and two-dimensional images of a sample with a contrast are imaged, so as to set imaging angles of these two-dimensional images to be different from each other, and a three-dimensional image of the sample is acquired by an image calculation unit on the basis a plurality of two-dimensional images without a contrast and a plurality of two-dimensional images with a contrast which are acquired under the control of the X-ray generation unit and the X-ray detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Takuya Sakaguchi, Satoru Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20070206725
    Abstract: An X-ray unit according to the invention has a first arrangement (2) that is intended for the contactless and X-ray free measurement of first data of an object (1). A control unit (3) controls, on the basis of the first data of the object, a second arrangement (4) that measures X-ray data of the object by means of X-rays. With such an X-ray unit, first data 5 of the object can be obtained without using X-rays and control of the measurement of the Xray data is made possible, with the result that, data, only a minimum X-ray dose is applied to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Francisco Morales Serrano
  • Publication number: 20070206726
    Abstract: Systems and methods for x-ray imaging and scanning of objects are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein can include providing an x-ray source configured to generate a plurality of individually-controllable x-ray beams, positioning an object to be imaged in a path for intercepting at least one of the x-ray beams, activating the x-ray source, detecting intensities of the emitted x-ray beams, and generating imaging data based on the intensities for constructing an image of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jianping Lu, Otto Zhou, Qi Qiu
  • Publication number: 20070206727
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a collimator control method that does not cause blades to get stuck. In a homing phase, blades are positioned based on a blade sense signal sent from a sensor. If the sensor has not sensed the blades but the rotational velocity of a motor has decreased to fall below a predetermined velocity, control states are switched. In a working phase, when an overshoot made by the blades returning to zero positions exceeds a predetermined limit, the control states are switched. Moreover, the rotating direction of the motor is reversed in order to withdraw the blades. Moreover, a collimator is reset to the control state based on tentative zero positions or the control state based on the sense signal sent from the sensor according to whether the sensor has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Fan Yi
  • Publication number: 20070206728
    Abstract: A computer-integrated fire safety system, along with software, that would contact police and/or fire department in the event of a fire and/or toxic fumes at its location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: John Volpentesta
  • Publication number: 20070206729
    Abstract: Emergency call system by which a caller can automatically call other parties to leave an emergency message, includes an emergency call unit having a memory for storing telephone numbers to be called and the emergency message, an emergency key, and a microprocessor for controlling storage of the numbers and emergency message in the memory, setting each number to be dialed in sequence, delay dialing of each number for a period of time (without first detecting a dial tone) to assure that an outgoing call can be made on the telephone line, and dialing the numbers in sequence upon activation of the emergency key. The emergency call unit starts a transmission of the emergency message to the dialed number to automatically advise of an emergency after a predetermined time after the number has been dialed and no busy signal has been detected during a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Elliot Baum
    Inventors: Elliot Baum, Gilbert Starr
  • Publication number: 20070206730
    Abstract: Determining a local emergency dial-string includes determining location information of an endpoint in a network. The location information indicates a current location of the endpoint. An emergency dial-string is received. The emergency dial-string is determined according to the location information, and the emergency dial-string operates to contact an emergency service associated with the current location of the endpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: James M. Polk
  • Publication number: 20070206731
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing DSL services and selected telephone service over a common telephone line. Digits or the called numbers are received and if the called numbers correspond to an escape code, the call is enabled. A selected announcement to the calling number may be made if the call is not enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures L.P.
    Inventors: Carol Gruchala, K. Stroud, Earl Wallace
  • Publication number: 20070206732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, a program recording medium, and a program which mitigate inconveniences due to a difference in recording format when performing the processing of copying or moving data between two recording media of different recording formats. A device control section 16 supplies UDF data, which is adopted for a DVD, to a device control section 17 together with an ATAPI command used when recording data onto a DVD. The device control section 17 converts the ATAPI command supplied from the device control section 16 into an ATA command corresponding to the ATAPI command, supplies it to an HDD 18 together with data supplied from the device control section 16 together with the ATAPI command, thereby controlling recording of the UDF data onto a hard disk 18A. The present invention is applicable to, for example, a hard disk recorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ryogo Ito, Junichi Yokota, Toru Hama, Takaharu Yamada, Keiji Kanota
  • Publication number: 20070206733
    Abstract: In packet and circuit switched telephone networks, a plurality of telephony devices support call media exchange and playback both before and after call pick up. Prior to detecting pick-up, a calling telephony device sends announcement media to a receiving telephony device. The receiving telephony device responds by both sending greeting reply media to the calling telephony device, and presenting the received announcement media to a recipient. The calling telephony device presents the received greeting reply media to the caller. Upon detecting a pick-up event, both the calling telephony device and the receiving telephony device begin exchanging and presenting supplemental media and real-time voice information. The announcement, reply, and supplemental post-connection media can be any combination of real-time or pre-defined audio, video, images and text. Such media in whole or in part may be exchanged between the devices directly, retrieved from support servers, and/or retrieved from local storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: James Bennett
  • Publication number: 20070206734
    Abstract: A coalescence voice mail service provider enables a user to access all of the user's voice mail systems implemented within the various telecommunications systems the user has accounts with. Using any one of the telecommunications devices of the user, the user accesses voice mail from any one or more of the user's cell phone, home phone, work phone, PDA, home computer and work computer. A voice mail broker communicates with each of these different voice mail systems to collect voice mail messages and send messaging for manipulating such voice mail messages to and from each of the telecommunications systems. Such a system provides the user with a single interface for accessing the user's diverse voice mail systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Hagale, Jason Kelley, Ryan Rozich, Paul Williamson
  • Publication number: 20070206735
    Abstract: A method, mobile terminal, and system for selectively establishing an outgoing caller ID on a mobile terminal served by a wireless network, for identifying a line called on a mobile terminal, and for directing a call from a mobile terminal to a network subscriber based on accessed information of the subscriber in the subscriber's network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Silver, Lathan Lewis, Patricia Landgren
  • Publication number: 20070206736
    Abstract: A telecommunications device and/or service enable a user to establish and maintain a profile which is then associated with the user or the user's telecommunication device (the “calling device”). The profile is stored on a profile server that is in communication with the telecommunications service provider. A receiving device receives a call from the calling device and is provided with the profile during call set-up. Some or all of the profile is used in connection with the incoming call on the receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen Sprigg, Paul Jacobs, Nikhil Jain, Richard Gardner, Gina Lombardi, Jaime Schipper
  • Publication number: 20070206737
    Abstract: A voice web browser system includes a telephone, an access system coupled to a TCP/IP network, a telephone system coupling the telephone to the access system, and a speech-to-text system for “reading” text that had been sent over the TCP/IP network to the telephone user. Preferably, the access system receives TCP/IP packets from web pages accessible over the TCP/IP network and parses the HTML code of the web pages into text and non-text portions, such that the text portion can be read to the telephone user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Paul Hickman
  • Publication number: 20070206738
    Abstract: A unified messaging system includes a unit to store a message operable to store a message sent to a user, the message having a selectable security attribute set to a one of a plurality of levels. A module associated with the unit operates to secure a voice channel used by the user to listen to the message when the selectable security level is set to a high level indicating encryption. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Labhesh Patel, Sanjeev Kumar, Mukul Jain, Joseph Khouri
  • Publication number: 20070206739
    Abstract: Systems and method for providing integrated fax and voice messaging are provided. At the time a fax request is created, a user can enter one or more voice messages to accompany the fax message to be played upon delivery. The audio message is integrated into the fax message as digital sound data. Upon receiving an integrated fax message, a receiving fax device separates the audio data from the fax data. The fax data is printed, and the recipient may listen to the audio message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Livengood, Brent Richtsmeier
  • Publication number: 20070206740
    Abstract: An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or the appliance owner's computer or indirectly using a portable transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jerry Iggulden, Kyle Fields
  • Publication number: 20070206741
    Abstract: A method (200) and apparatus (102, 108) are disclosed for monitoring network activity. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an activity notification system (ANS) (102) having a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110) for communicating with network elements (101) in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to monitor (202) network activities associated with a plurality of communication devices of an end user, generate (204) from the monitored activities an end user profile that predicts a behavior of the end user, and transmit (212, 222) a notice when a change in the monitored activities differs from a behavior predicted by the end user profile. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP
    Inventors: Dianna Tiliks, Wayne Heinmiller, Carol Gruchala
  • Publication number: 20070206742
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for compiling and furnishing demographic data to advertisers based upon a plurality of promotions deployed during free phone calls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Nello Giaccherini, John William Hayes, George E. Hall
  • Publication number: 20070206743
    Abstract: A system capable of facilitating a transaction over a communication network comprises a transaction platform capable of storing at least one card identification number, providing a message to a communication device over the communication network requesting the selection of one of the at least one card identification number, and receiving transaction information regarding a transaction made at a business unit from the communication device over the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Chong-Yie Chang
  • Publication number: 20070206744
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for providing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. The method comprises the steps of: after receiving a call request from a user terminal, a Service Control Point (SCP) judging whether the user terminal has applied for a prepaid service at the same time, if so, initiating a VPN service logic, invoking a prepaid service logic by the VPN service logic, and deducting fee from a prepaid account corresponding to the user terminal while providing the VPN service to the user terminal. With the present invention, a VPN service can be provided for a prepaid service user, which not only brings convenience for prepaid service users, but also prompts expansion of VPN service, thus bringing great interests for the operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Xiaodong Zhao, Junrong Xu, Jie He, Jianjun Ding, Haifeng Xu
  • Publication number: 20070206745
    Abstract: To provide a communication system in which transfer through a telephone repeater can be performed even if the telephone device is different in manufacturer or type and even if the telephone device has a data communication function. A call requesting section sends identification information on the telephone called party (communication party) through a data processing section to a telephone call control server, records information on the called party (forwarding destination) telephone number in a called party data storage section, and calls a telephone repeater through a telephone processing section. The telephone repeater forwards the telephone call to the telephone device corresponding the called party telephone number information stored in the called party data storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sakata
  • Publication number: 20070206746
    Abstract: The present invention simplifies the setting up of a connection to a candidate party from a first portable communication device (10) associated with a first party in relation to a session between the first and a second party (12). As the first and the second parties engage in a first communication session, the first party receives an electronic message (M) from the second party and determines if the message is a message associated with the first session comprising a contacting identity for reaching the candidate party. If the message is such a message the contacting identity is extracted and the first party is offered to connect to the candidate party. If the first party accepts the offer, a connection to the candidate party is initiated using the contacting identity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Markus Andreasson, Henrik Bengtsson
  • Publication number: 20070206747
    Abstract: An efficient and effective system and method for screening calls is based upon user provided call screening preferences. The present embodiments utilize multiple types of information to effectively screen incoming and outgoing calls. The present embodiments also allow for the user to be notified of the calls that were screened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Carol Gruchala, Wayne Heinmiller, Dianna Tiliks, John Moss, Jeffery Kufalk
  • Publication number: 20070206748
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Cassanova, James Bedingfield, Li Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070206749
    Abstract: A system for location identification in a local area network comprising: a current limited voltage source; a telecommunications outlet; communication cabling connecting the current limited voltage source to the telecommunications outlet; and a location identifier associated with the telecommunications outlet, the location identifier being responsive to a pre-determined voltage level from the current limited voltage source to transmit a multi-bit location data. In one embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at the power sourcing equipment and in another embodiment the multi-bit location data is received at a data terminal equipment connected to the telecommunications outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: POWERDSINE, LTD. - MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: David PINCU, Roni BLAUT, Yair DARSHAN
  • Publication number: 20070206750
    Abstract: A system for notifying an Internet-accessible device of a communication placed from a first telecommunications device to a second telecommunications device by a calling party is disclosed. The system includes a switch and a node in communication with the switch. The switch is for detecting the communication. The node is configured for communication with the Internet-accessible device and includes a first module and a second module. The first module is for determining information about the calling party. The second module is for determining information about the Internet-accessible device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: James Bedingfield
  • Publication number: 20070206751
    Abstract: A display system for showing incoming call messages is introduced. The display system includes a monitor, a telephone plug coupled to a telephone signal source, and a microprocessor for controlling the display to show an incoming call message when an incoming call signal is received from the telephone signal source. The display enables users to notice incoming calls without disturbances of ring tones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Cheng-Wen Hsu
  • Publication number: 20070206752
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Nguyen, Edward Silver, Vernon Meadows
  • Publication number: 20070206753
    Abstract: A system and method of providing multimedia communication services is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving contextual information including a subscriber identification associated with a wireline communication device at an intelligent service switch (ISS) of an integrated wireline-wireless (IWW) network from a network edge device, where the network edge device has detected a service request at the wireline communication device. The method also includes determining at least one multimedia communication service based on the contextual information and at least one service filter associated with the subscriber identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Hisao Chang, Javier Arellano, Steven Frew, Sreenivasa Gorti, Bach Hoang
  • Publication number: 20070206754
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission apparatus and method which realize a redial function and prevents the leakage of transmission information to the outside by inhibiting the display of the information including a destination to which retransmission is made, when it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied, whereby security can be enhanced. When the transmission of image data is not completed, a control section performs a retransmission process for transmitting again the image data to the same destination with the use of the redial function, and counts the number of times of the transmission. The control section determines whether the number of times of the transmission is greater than a predetermined value or not. When the number of times of the transmission is greater than the predetermined value, the control section reports a transmission error and deletes the information including the destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Suehiro Ueda, Syoichiro Yoshiura, Tsutomu Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20070206755
    Abstract: A method for automatically initiating a call, according to which the existing connections from a first user of a telecommunication network to other users are detected and are evaluated regarding the statistical regularities thereof while calls are initiated to the other users based on the identified statistical regularities is provided. Particularly service-based companies to inform their clients in a targeted manner is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Mohammad Vizaei
  • Publication number: 20070206756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to address-information changing and allows for changing automatically address information registered with a communication destination. Upon receiving a change notification transmitted from a communication terminal device including a mobile phone or the like with changed profile information, address information relating to a source-communication terminal device is changed in a destination-communication terminal device including another mobile phone or the like and a response notification indicating a result of the change is transmitted. Subsequently, the communication terminal device with the changed profile information can change the address information of the communication destination and confirm the changing of the address information. Further, the address information can be changed automatically and the changing can be confirmed automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kyoko Ito, Minoru Maeda, Yoshio Nishinaga, Takashi Ueki
  • Publication number: 20070206757
    Abstract: A disclosed method provides automated scripting to guide a customer service representative (CSR) in handling a call from a customer. Operations within the method may include displaying products and two or more purpose classifications for selection by the CSR. The purpose classifications may include (a) an add classification for customer requests to add a new product to an account and (b) a remove classification for customer requests to remove an existing product from the account. A page generator may receive input from the CSR selecting one of the purpose classifications and one of the products as pertinent to the call. In response, the page generator may automatically displaying a customized page with scripted text for the CSR to read to the customer. The scripted text may correspond specifically both to the selected purpose classification and to the selected product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Stanford Pennington, Melissa Oldenburg, Benjamin Schubert, Kurt Joseph, Mary Griffitt, Krisinda Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20070206758
    Abstract: A system and method for a party to independently and directly communicate with a group of people for the purposes of transmitting and/or receiving voice and data information is provided. The directing party is in control of the entire dialing and broadcasting process in real time, including initiating the communication, preparing the script and analyzing the results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Zvi Barak
  • Publication number: 20070206759
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed to record conference call activity. An example method disclosed herein includes monitoring a conference call for an action item voice command, detecting the action item voice command, and storing a signal representative of the action item voice command in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Boyanovsky
  • Publication number: 20070206760
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is technology for, among other things, initiating a voice chat. The technology includes accepting information identifying one or more individuals to invite to participate in the voice chat, initiating calls to the one or more individuals to invite the individuals to join the voice chat, and establishing the voice chat amongst all individuals who accept their respective invitations to join in the voice chat with voice advertisements and chat control supported within the voice chat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jagadish Bandhole, T.K. Lakshman, Sekaran Nanja, Victor Ho
  • Publication number: 20070206761
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an apparatus and methodology for detecting three-way call attempts during telephone conversations. Per the methodology, apparatus is configured to, in effect, “ping” a called telephone by transmitting an audio frequency range tone over the loop established from the calling telephone to the called telephone, measuring the tone return time and using that measurement as a base measurement comparison point for additional measurements during the course of a conversation. The base measurement would be inherently determined by the particular path established for a given call, which path does not ordinarily change during the call. If the return time for a subsequent measurement deviates significantly from the base measurement, a determination is made that a three-way call attempt has been made because it would be a strong indicator that the total path of the call had changed, which would only occur if the inherent nature of the call changed (i.e., became a three-way call).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph Anders, Jeremy Birch, Kenneth Salter, Xiaojiang Song
  • Publication number: 20070206762
    Abstract: This invention provides the ability to load balance calls in a communications network using a certain criterion, such as a user-specified call priority, or the call service category. The method is applied when selecting a route for a new call or for re-balancing the calls across a network. When the user-specified call priority is used, the aggregated number of calls with the same priority or service category is calculated for all possible routes the new call may use. The aggregated number of calls is then divided by the number of hops in the respective routes; the route with the smallest ratio is selected for the new call. Re-balancing is performed by re-routing the calls in such a way as to obtain a similar number of calls of the same priority, or service category along all possible routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Alcatel
    Inventors: Neeraj Chandra, Gerardo Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20070206763
    Abstract: This invention provides the ability to load balance calls in a communications network using a certain criterion, such as a user-specified call priority, or the call class of service. The method is applied when selecting a route for a new call or for re-balancing the calls across a network. When the user-specified call priority is used, the aggregated number of calls with the same priority or class of service is calculated for all possible routes the new call may use. The aggregated number of calls is then divided by the number of hops in the respective routes; the route with the smallest ratio is selected for the new call. Re-balancing is performed by re-routing the calls in such a way as to obtain a similar number of calls of the same priority, or class of service, along all possible routes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Alcatel
    Inventors: Neeraj Chandra, Gerardo Espinosa
  • Publication number: 20070206764
    Abstract: Method and systems are presented for presenting multiple activities associated with one of a plurality of call center agents correlated in time. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: determining at least one of the agents to be displayed; and displaying activity information in visual correlation with a timeline. The activity information includes a first plurality of activities originating from a first source and a second plurality of activities originating from a second source. Each of the activities is associated with the at least one agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Shimon Keren, Jeff Iannone, James Nies, Srivijaya Srinivasa
  • Publication number: 20070206765
    Abstract: A method for granting access to secure information includes receiving from a caller a call for connection with one of a plurality of agents, distributing the call to the agent of the plurality of agents, initiating an active communication session between the caller and the agent for handling the call, and granting to the agent access to the secure caller information using a plurality of access authentication information that includes an active communication session between the caller and the agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Labhesh Patel, Cullen Jennings, Shantanu Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20070206766
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for detecting business transactions from sequences of call center agent activities. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: receiving a plurality of agent activity events; matching a sequence of events within the received events with one of a plurality of transaction definitions; creating a transaction from the matching sequence; and displaying the transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Shimon Keren, Jeff Iannone, James Nies, Srivijaya Srinivasa
  • Publication number: 20070206767
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for viewing call center agent interactions from a window displaying schedule information. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: displaying a timeline; displaying a plurality of agent events, where the agent events include exceptions to an agent activity; displaying each exception in visual correlation with the timeline; and displaying, in visual correlation with the timeline, each of a plurality of agent interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Shimon Keren, Jeff Iannone, James Nies, Srivijaya Srinivasa
  • Publication number: 20070206768
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an optimizing operations at a contact center. In one embodiment, an integrated contact center comprises: a workforce manager comprising a scheduler and a tracking function; and a lesson assignment function configured to receive at least one indicator of performance of the agent, and further configured to assign a lesson to the agent based on the at least one indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: John Bourne, Ed Murray, Jeff Iannone, Shimon Keren, Nick McLean, Mike Bourke, Jason Fama, Joseph Watson, James Nies, Thomas Lverly
  • Publication number: 20070206769
    Abstract: A priority routing process is provided for routing calls received via a call routing system to a live call center agent. Routing is determined through collection of Automated Call Distribution (“ACD”) real-time performance based data and subjective non-ACD data, normalization and weighting of the ACD and non-ACD data through application of certain algorithms resulting in a derived priority score for each call center, and selection of a call center based upon the highest priority score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Accenture Global Services, GmbH
    Inventor: James O'Dell
  • Publication number: 20070206770
    Abstract: A skill-value computing apparatus classifies inquiries into groups of easy and difficult inquiries, and computes a total skill value of an agent by taking into account the difficulty level of each inquiry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Hideki Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20070206771
    Abstract: A system and method for providing verbal communication between at least one first communicator and at least one second communicator. The system includes a plurality of lexicons wherein at least one first lexicon is provided to the at least one first communicator. The at least one first lexicon has a plurality of words and phrases in the language of the at least one first communicator which are assigned numerical values. At least one second lexicon is provided to the at least one second communicator. The at least one second lexicon has a plurality of words and phrases in the language of the at least one second communicator which are assigned numerical values. Conversation can be provided between the at least one first communicator and the at least one second communicator by altering numbers common to both the at least one first communicator and the at least one second communicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen (Steve) R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20070206772
    Abstract: A call center system used for receiving incoming calls in accordance with the present information has a plurality of terminals, an incoming-call control apparatus and an exchange. Each of the terminals is accommodated by the exchange and includes a display unit as well as a telephone unit; an audio recording & playback unit for recording voices of a conversation between an operator operating the terminal and a caller making an call in a conversation-voice recording file and for playing back voices from the conversation-voice recording file and a response-information-creating unit for creating a response to an incoming call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuaki Sato, Takayasu Koike, Hiroyuki Kiire