Abstract: A method, program product and system for retrieving customer data in a call center environment, includes completing a connection between a customer and a call agent. It also includes searching a database for a customer account or a business agreement based on information provided by the customer to the call agent. It further includes searching the database optionally for a premises that is either dependent of the customer account or business agreement or that is independent of the customer account or business agreement. It still further includes determining a contract corresponding to the premises and the customer account or business agreement. It also includes a search process that is completely flexible regarding search criteria and sequence. It finally includes dealing with the customer to resolve an issue related to the contract.

Abstract: A call routing system prompts a caller for information and receives a response from the caller. Based on the caller's response, a confidence value is assigned to the call. The confidence value can be assigned based on the likelihood that the received information is consistent with the prompt and other criteria. Additional prompts are provided to the caller based on the confidence value, and additional caller's responses are used to modify the confidence value. At least one threshold confidence level is set and when the confidence value of the call meets or exceeds the threshold (because of low confidence), the call is immediately routed to a human operator.

Abstract: Studies of call center activities are performed by using a tool having timer buttons for timing call activities during a live or recorded call. Code values are assigned to specific activities and activity subtypes. The calls are assigned to a plurality of reviewers who gather data using the tool. Reviewer data is consolidated into a master database. The data is normalized with agent performance ratings. The normalized data is analyzed statistically to determine leverage points for improvement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a communication session between a customer and an agent are provided. In this regard, a representative method comprises: routing a media stream associated with the communication session based on information corresponding to routing criteria, wherein the routing criteria include call control protocols or policies; receiving the media stream associated with the communication session from the customer center communication system; and recording the received media stream.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing a caller at a contact center includes a processor subsystem and one or more modules that include code executable by the processor subsystem. Execution of the code invoking an automatic call distributor (ACD) collaborative application that provides the caller with a visual or aural call session history that lists each agent with whom the caller has interacted. The ACD collaborative application also providing the caller with an option to request return to a previous agent listed in the call session history. 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.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system, method and technique for operating a communication device. According to an embodiment, information contained in a contact record is displayed, where the information includes a plurality of entries. Each entry is associated with one of a plurality of communication types and includes an identifier for use with an application of the associated communication type. An input is detected corresponding to a user's selection of one of the plurality of entries. In response to the user's selection, the application of the communication type associated with the selected entry is automatically executed by initiating a communication using the identifier included in the selected entry.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for recording media communication. An exemplary method comprises the steps of: receiving an incoming call from a calling phone; routing the incoming call to a called phone in a contact center; transmitting voice communications associated with the incoming call via the calling phone through a conference bridge; duplicating the voice communications via the conference bridge; transmitting the duplicated voice communications via the conference bridge; and recording the duplicated voice communications.

Abstract: A reporting system is utilized to generate timeline visualization information characterizing a process in a call center. The reporting system comprises a report server, a graphical server, and a database. The report server receives a request for a report, relating to one or more specified aspects of the call center process, from a user terminal, and generates a query to the database. The report server utilizes information retrieved from the database responsive to the query to generate a report for delivery to the user terminal. The report comprises at least one timeline having a plurality of image identifiers associated therewith. The graphical server supplies image files corresponding to respective ones of the image identifiers to the user terminal to thereby permit generation of a visualization of the timeline at the user terminal.

Abstract: An access-frequency estimating apparatus includes a storage unit that stores hours outside operating hours and for which a second-degree derivative of access frequency distribution for contact centers whose business is similar to that of a contact center subject to estimation is nearly 0, and a coefficient indicating relation between access frequency during operating hours of the other contact centers and access frequency outside the operating hours; an acquiring unit that acquires past access frequencies for operating hours of the contact center; an extracting unit that extracts, from the storage unit, a coefficient expressing relation between the access frequencies for the operating hours and an arbitrary hour outside the operating hours; a first calculating unit that calculates an estimated access frequency for the arbitrary hour of the contact center, based on the past access frequencies acquired and the coefficient; and an output unit that outputs the estimated the access frequency calculated.

Abstract: A method for handling a queued automatic call distributor call includes receiving a call from an endpoint of a caller over a first connection. The call comprises a request for service. The method includes connecting the call to an automatic call distributor through a second connection and determining that the call is queued. The method includes terminating the first connection with the caller and receiving an indicator to reestablish a connection with the caller. The method also includes reestablishing a connection with the caller.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing customer service, comprising providing an external user interface (UI) remotely accessible by customers via a global computer information network; providing an internal UI accessible by call-center customer service representatives (CSRs); retrieving from databases and displaying information on the internal and external UIs; automatically storing information entered via the internal UI and information entered via the external UI in the databases; and receiving and automatically processing instructions entered via the internal UI and instructions entered via the external UI. The internal and external UI each include a shared website browser that displays information in a specific format, has a specific functionality, and receives information for processing.

Abstract: A method of providing information to a user in a telephone interactive system includes receiving a new call. A comparison is then made between an identifier associated with the new call with stored call information pertaining to previous calls. If the identifier associated with the new call matches an identifier associated with a previous call, a subsequent action taken in the new call is based on context information stored from the previous call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing communications of a contact center are provided. A representative system incorporates a graphical user interface operative to display information corresponding to a communication of the contact center, the graphical user interface being configured to display the information such that different portions of the communication are visually distinguished from each other.

Abstract: Methods are provided, a representative one of which involves: recording information associated with a communication; providing a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface being configured such that, responsive to a user input designating a portion of the communication, information recorded and corresponding to that portion of the communication is presented to the user; and displaying, via the graphical user interface, graphical indications of events occurring during the communication.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for management of real-time and historical data for multiple call centers in which real-time and historical data are received electronically from a plurality of call center sites and displayed simultaneously for each of the plurality of call center sites on a single display screen in a separate call center site column for each call center and integrated and displayed for all of the plurality of call center sites in a separate division column on the single display screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a communication session between a customer and an agent are provided. In this regard, a representative method comprises: routing a media stream associated with the communication session based on information corresponding to routing criteria, wherein the routing criteria include call control protocols or policies; receiving the media stream associated with the communication session from the customer center communication system; and recording the received media stream.

Abstract: A method for creating and maintaining threads of communications comprises accepting an electronic-communication call from a caller, determining if the caller is a new or previous caller by determining if a prior-caller user identification is contained within a call-receiving system, responsive to determining that the caller is a new caller assigning a new-caller user identification to the new caller and assigning a unique thread identification for communications related to a new issue, and responsive to determining that the caller is a known previous caller verifying a known-caller user identification and determining whether the known previous caller is calling about a new issue. Responsive to determining that the known previous caller is calling about a new issue, the method further includes assigning a unique thread identification to the new issue.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing bill payments in a PSTN. The method of the invention can include, responsive to answering a telephone call from a caller over the PSTN, identifying the caller from a data communications source external to the telephone call and retrieving billing information for the identified caller. Once the billing information has been retrieved for the identified caller, the payment of a bill can be processed based upon the billing information. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the identifying step can include identifying the caller based upon identifying information for the caller received through a data communications link from a name resolution adapter disposed within the PSTN. For instance, the identifying step can include identifying the caller based upon identifying information retrieved from a LIDB and transmitted by the name resolution adapter.

Abstract: A method for processing the payment of a bill in the bill payment service can include detecting within a PSTN an attempt to establish a telephone call between a caller and a call center configured to process bill payments. An identity for the calling party can be resolved externally to the call center. Also, a telephonic connection can be established between the caller and the call center. Finally, the resolved identity can be forwarded to the call center over a data communications link which is separate and apart from the established telephonic connection. Preferably, the resolving step can include querying a LIDB through a name resolution adapter disposed in the PSTN for identifying information for the caller. Moreover, the resolving step can be performed responsive to receiving an SS7 message in an SCP to set up the telephonic connection between the caller and the call center.

Abstract: Communications systems are provided, a representative one of which incorporates: a recorder operative to record information associated with a communication; and a first computer application operative to provide a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface being configured such that, responsive to a user input designating a portion of the communication via the graphical user interface, information corresponding to that portion of the communication and recorded by the recorder is presented to the user, the first computer application being further operative to construct an integrated data stream comprising at least some of the information recorded.

Abstract: A system includes a computer workstation associated with an agent of a call center and a subsystem that includes automatic call distributor (ACD) functions for connecting a caller to the computer workstation of the agent, the subsystem being connected with a device of the caller via an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The agent transmits a first message over the IP network to a device of the caller during the call. The first message contains notes electronically recorded by the agent. Prior to or coincident with an end of the call, the caller sends a second message back to the system confirming the agent's notes. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing received calls. In response to receiving a first call from a user, the process stores a record of the first call in a table of received calls. Thereafter, in response to receiving a second call from the user within a predefined period of time after the first call was prematurely disconnected, the process identifies a second call as a prematurely terminated call. The process then places the prematurely terminated call in a queue of calls according to a set of configurable criteria and updates the record of the first call with a progress of the prematurely terminated call.

Abstract: Methods of processing incoming telephone calls include receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, identifying the caller associated with the incoming telephone call, and processing the incoming call in response to a call handling rule generated in response to a menu selection made in a previous incoming call from the caller. Processing the incoming call in response to the generated call handling rule may include playing an interactive voice response menu to the incoming caller. The interactive voice response menu may include at least one menu option included in the interactive voice response menu in response to the call handling rule. Corresponding call handling units and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An automated call center that stores state information for callers. When a caller contacts the call center, an identification is determined for that caller. The caller's number may be used as the identification. A database if checked to determine whether a data record exists for that caller. If so, data record is pulled and a caller asset receives the call along with information in the data record. If this is the caller's first call, or first call after a predetermined time period, the a new data record may be created in the database. The caller may be prompted with a series of menu choices that enable the caller to select a caller asset. The call center may record all entries and inputs by the caller and caller asset in the data record.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an efficiency report, which in one embodiment among many, can be broadly summarized by a representative method of obtaining a set of switching statistics from a database of a communication switch and integrating this set of switching statistics with a set of work statistics of an operator to generate an efficiency report. Another embodiment can be described as an efficiency report generator that has logic configured to receive an operator work statistic that has been generated in a first computing element using a first entry code, to translate the first entry code into a second entry code, to use this second entry code to store the operator work statistic together with a call statistic received from a communication switch, in a database of the efficiency report generator, and to process these statistics to generate an efficiency report.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for enabling a dynamic hospitality contact center (DHCC) that leverages the assets of a hospitality center's communications systems including internal telecommunications networks, information systems, data networks, and applications, of public telecommunications networks, of public data networks, and/or of various communications devices to facilitate improved access, sharing, notification, and/or management of incoming calls and associated data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a communication session between a customer and an agent are provided. In this regard, a representative method comprises: routing a media stream associated with the communication session based on information corresponding to routing criteria, wherein the routing criteria include call control protocols or policies; receiving the media stream associated with the communication session from the customer center communication system; and recording the received media stream.

Abstract: A method for managing calls of an automatic call distributor includes receiving a call from a user over a first connection with a first endpoint of the user. The call comprises a request for service. The method includes obtaining presence information of the user and associating the call with the presence information. The method includes placing the call in a queue until a suitable agent becomes available to provide the service to the user. A virtual contact is established to hold a place of the call in an order in the queue if the first connection is terminated. The method also includes establishing a second connection with the user and detecting the presence of the user associated with the second connection. The method includes associating the second connection with the virtual contact using the detected presence of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining data for multi-channel communication queuing associated with different media formats such as telephone, email, and fax. A list of agent data includes information related to types of communication media an agent can access. The data can further include information related to an agent's skills, a list of media routes, statistics for communication channels of specified media types, statistics for an agent, and journals for work items. Priority values for the media routes, the maximum number of queued items for the media routes, and times for escalating a work item can also be included.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for routing work items to agents, wherein the work items can be of one of two or more different communication media types from one of two or more different communication channels. A queuing engine includes a list of routes and each route is associated with one or more properties. The list of routes can further include information related to one or more escalation rules for each route; the type of communication media available along the route for handling one or more of the work items; whether the route is active; the priority of the route; whether work items can be handled real-time; the service level for work items handled on the route; and the number of work items that can be assigned to the route.

Abstract: Transmission-record information is created based on information that has been transmitted to a user communication device in response to a first user call for utilizing an information provision service. The transmission-record information is then transmitted to an operator terminal device that responds to the first user call or a second user call different from the first user call. The second user call is another call from a user who has transmitted the first user call by the user communication device.

Abstract: The present invention allows a queue management system (QMS) to use presence information from a presence system to efficiently match requestors of information with qualified resources capable of providing the necessary response. The resources for information may be humans or automated systems, which may be configured to facilitate communications with the requestors using different types of communication technologies. Further, these resources may be associated with different skill sets, experience, or areas of expertise. Thus, the resources may provide different roles, and any given resource may provide multiple roles, in addition to facilitating communications using different mediums.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing a service begins when a customer establishes a communication link, such as a telecommunications link, with a service provider, such as directory assistance. An exchange of information occurs, and a service, such as a telephone number or catalog order, is provided by the service provider at least in part via the communication link. Before the customer terminates the communication link, he or she is requested to provide feedback, which preferably relates to the quality of the service provided. In another embodiment, the exchange of information is monitored, and an action, such as notifying a supervisor, is taken if a predetermined condition is detected, such as usage of unacceptable language by a call handling agent.

Abstract: A communication agent apparatus includes at least one mobile unit, a presence information inquiring unit, a handling method determination unit, and a handling method execution unit. The mobile unit transports a communication device. The presence information inquiring unit acquires presence information indicating the current situation of a called user. The handling method determination unit determines a handling method for communication made from a calling user to the called user on the basis of the acquired presence information. The handling method execution unit executes the determined handling method. When the handling method determination unit determines a handling method of delivering a communication device used for communication to the called user, the mobile unit delivers the communication device to the called user in accordance with a move command from the handling method execution unit.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for estimating hold queue wait times are provided. Call times are individually estimated for multiple calls within a call center. In particular, call times may be estimated according to representative profiles, caller profiles, and current caller activity of the multiple calls within the call center. The identity of each caller may be authenticated and a caller profile accessed from a central server according to authenticated caller identities. The central server may be accessible to multiple call centers, where each call centers accesses and updates caller profiles according to a single caller identifier for each caller. In addition, call times estimates and factors utilized to calculate call time estimates may be output to a caller, preferably according to an output interface specified by the caller in the caller profile.

Abstract: In a call center having agent stations including personal computers having video display units (PC/VDUs), connected on a LAN with a server tracking status for call center entities, a system for agent information includes a software application executing on individual PC/VDUs at agent stations. The software application draws on status information from the server and renders the information to the agent using the PC/VDU through output apparatus of the PC/VDU. Rendering may be by text, graphics, or audio, depending on such as conditions and user selection.

Abstract: Interests of a person may be analyzed based on the dial stream to/from the person. When a call is being made to/from a person, signaling information from the dial stream is routed to an analysis server. Information in the signaling information, such as called party identifier and caller-id data, is retrieved and archived by the analysis server. Based on the information in the dial stream, a person's interests may then be analyzed and provided to a recipient, such as a business. The person may be compensated in exchange for allowing their dial stream to be analyzed. In addition, businesses may also register with the analysis server.

Abstract: It is typical that a user calls an information assistance service provider to request information, e.g., a destination telephone number desired by the user, and chooses to be connected to the destination number. It is also typical that the information assistance service provider offers enhanced assistance service features, e.g., a StarBack feature. In prior art, to provide the enhanced service features, the user's call invariably continues to be connected to a servicing switch associated with the service provider after the user is connected to the destination number. To efficiently utilize the limited capacity of the servicing switch, in accordance with the invention, the user's call may be selectively released from the servicing switch before the call is connected to the destination number. Such a call release depends on certain criteria for determining whether the user is a candidate for utilizing an enhanced service feature after the call is connected to the destination number.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining current contact and metadata information for one or more contacts. A mobile phone stores contact information for multiple forms of mobile phone communication with the contacts. Each contact is identified as either an automatic live contact to be synchronized as new information becomes available or as another contact that will not be synchronized as new information becomes available. The mobile phone communicates the contacts to a data service provider for backup storage and update processing. From automatic contact and metadata information updates initiated by and received from the data service provider the mobile phone periodically updates automatic live contacts. Based on the synchronized contact and metadata information, the mobile phone initiates communication with one of the contacts.

Abstract: A communications management tool for a call center maintains a record of threads of communications of diverse media types (e.g. voice calls, emails and faxes) relating to particular issues, and analyses new communications to automatically identify possible matches with existing threads. In this way the efficiency of the agents at the center is increased and the management of the call center can be provided with data recording agent performance and efficiency in dealing with particular issues.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information to an agent of an organization through the Internet. The method includes the steps of detecting a call from a client of the organization through the Internet, assigning the call to an agent of the organization and automatically creating a record related to the call and downloading the record from a host to a terminal of the assigned agent where the record is encoded into a SIP INFO message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an efficiency report, which in one embodiment among many, can be broadly summarized by a representative method of obtaining a set of switching statistics from a database of a communication switch and integrating this set of switching statistics with a set of work statistics of an operator to generate an efficiency report. Another embodiment can be described as an efficiency report generator that has logic configured to receive an operator work statistic that has been generated in a first computing element using a first entry code, to translate the first entry code into a second entry code, to use this second entry code to store the operator work statistic together with a call statistic received from a communication switch, in a database of the efficiency report generator, and to process these statistics to generate an efficiency report.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for maintaining current contact and metadata information for one or more contacts. A mobile phone stores contact information for multiple forms of mobile phone communication with the contacts. Each contact is identified as either an automatic live contact to be synchronized as new information becomes available or as another contact that will not be synchronized as new information becomes available. The mobile phone communicates the contacts to a data service provider for backup storage and update processing. From automatic contact and metadata information updates initiated by and received from the data service provider the mobile phone periodically updates automatic live contacts. Based on the synchronized contact and metadata information, the mobile phone initiates communication with one of the contacts.

Abstract: An observation system for observation calls to a call center includes an automatic call director (ACD) unit, an interactive voice response (IVR) unit, and a recorder unit. The ACD receives incoming calls to the call center and also queues and switches the calls to various lines of the call center. The IVR unit is connected to the ACD unit and interacts with a caller via an interactive computer program in which the caller enters a response to a prompt and the response causes the interactive program to provide the caller with information or another prompt. The recorder unit records calls to the call center from beginning to end, including prompts made by the IVR unit, callers responses to the prompts, and information provided by the IVR unit to the callers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recordal of call results in a computer database in a predictive dialing application. Operators communicate call results back to the dialing controller using DTMF signals. The system uses a single computer to coordinate, administer and store the results of the campaign, and the need for computer terminals at the operator stations is eliminated, since any DTMF capable device could be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allocating resources within a call center based upon a predetermined business rule of an enterprise controlling the call center. The method includes the steps of analyzing records from a plurality of call transactions based upon the predetermined business rule, recognizing a correlation among the call transaction records based upon the predetermined business rule and adjusting a resource of the call transactions based upon the recognized correlation and predetermined business rule.

Abstract: A method and a telephone agent system are provided for establishing a call for conversation between telephone agents. The following steps (or units) are used: generating a message record of at least a part of the conversation between the calling telephone agent and the called telephone agents during the call; storing the message record in a database retrievable by request of the telephone agents; and transmitting information regarding the message record to a particular telephone agent who has requested it. Agreement to the message record should be declared by every telephone agent involved in the conversation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, scripts, and computer readable media for facilitating secure capture of sensitive data during a voice-based transaction with a caller conducted over a telecommunications network. In an illustrative embodiment, the method comprises executing a script controlling a flow for the voice-based transaction, during which transaction at least one of sensitive and non-sensitive data may be obtained. The caller is transferred to an automated system in real time in response to the script to capture sensitive data from the caller and to store the sensitive data in a transaction record. The caller is transferred to a live operator in real time in response to the script to capture non-sensitive data from the caller and to store the non-sensitive data in the transaction record. Apparatus, scripts, and computer readable media for realizing the above method and other embodiments of the same are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system schedules inbound inquiries, such as inbound telephone calls, for response by agents in an order that is based in part on the forecasted outcome of the inbound inquiries. A scheduling module applies inquiry information to a model to forecast the outcome of an inbound inquiry. The forecasted outcome is used to set a priority value for ordering the inquiry. The priority value may be determined by solving a constrained optimization problem that seeks to maximize an objective function, such as maximizing an agent's productivity to produce sales or to minimize inbound call attrition. A modeling module generates models that forecast inquiry outcomes based on a history and inquiry information. Statistical analysis such as regression analysis determines the model with the outcome related to the nature of the inquiry. Operator wait time is regulated by forcing low priority and/or highly tolerant inbound inquiries to self service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue.