Avaya Technology LLC

Lucent Technologies Inc.

At+t Corp.

At&t Bell Laboratories

Robert Daniel Nalbone

Eugene P Mathews

Andrew Derek Flockhart

Joylee E Kohler

Thomas S Fisher

Joaquin Omar Alvarado

Peter Matteo

Didina Burok

Christopher Moss

Craig F Palmer

SuJeanne Foster

Kerry Wayne Hassler

Raechel Greschler

Cynthia C Jones

In a computer-telephony integrated (CTI) contact center, a CTI adjunct () enqueues contacts in contact queues () of the CTI adjunct, but also causes contacts that are calls () to be enqueued as ACD calls in ACD call queues () of an ACD system (), whereby the ACD system and its management information system (MIS) provide ACD features to the calls. Similarly, the CTI adjunct enqueues agents in agent queues () of the CTI adjunct, but also causes agents () that have call-handling skills to log into and to be enqueued as ACD agents in ACD agent queues () of the ACD system, whereby the ACD system and its MIS provide ACD features to the agents.

Computer-telephony integration that uses features of an automatic call distribution system

A system for using an under-utilized data channel for carrying additional data, in a network mode. One such channel is the D-channel in the ISDN system. In one implementation, a group of telephone call centers share data, using the D-channel, about the lengths of time incoming callers must wait before being answered. Using the shared data, the call centers collectively route incoming calls to call centers having smaller waiting times.

Ring network implemented by telephony switches and links

In a computer integrated telephony call center where an adjunct host ( ) normally controls enqueuing of calls ( ) in call queues ( ) of an ACD system ( ) and corresponding call queues ( &prime;) of the adjunct host and assigning of the enqueued calls to agents, the ACD system assumes ( ) control over its call queues upon loss of the control by the adjunct host (e.g., upon failure ( ) of the adjunct host). The ACD system flags ( ) all calls that are enqueued at the time of loss of the adjunct host control as well as all calls that the ACD subsequently enqueues as being under ACD system control. When the adjunct host regains its control ability, the ACD system stops flagging new calls, call queues of the host processor are cleared ( ), and the adjunct host regains control ( ) of enqueuing calls in call queues of the ACD and the adjunct host. But the adjunct host regains control ( ) of assigning calls from each call queue of the ACD system and the corresponding call queue of the adjunct host only when all flagged calls have been removed ( ) from that ACD call queue by the ACD system. The adjunct host resumes assigning work to each agent only when the adjunct host has regained control ( ) of assigning calls from all call queues that are served by that agent. Failure and restoration of control by the adjunct host is thereby made transparent to calls.

Uninterrupted automatic call distribution during failure and recovery of computer-telephony integration

An arrangement for lookahead interflowing traffic among a plurality of serving sites of one customer. Incoming calls received at a site are queued if they cannot be served immediately. Queued calls are then examined periodically and if the call has not yet been served by a local agent and if the call is one of the oldest call in the queue, then the call is a candidate for lookahead interflow. A candidate for lookahead interflow causes a message to be sent to another switch requesting that the call be interflowed. If the other switch accepts the call, the call is routed to that other switch; if the other switch does not accept the interflowed call then the call remains in the queue of the requesting switch and is reexamined at the next period. All calls in the queue are completed to a local agent if a local agent is available.

Lookahead interflow of traffic among a plurality of serving sites of one

In a telecommunications system that includes a plurality of user terminals and terminal translations that define attributes of the individual terminals, shared use of the terminals by a plurality of users, or use by a user of different ones of the terminals at different times, is facilitated. Each terminal's physical translations, which include for each terminal those attributes that are independent of the users of the terminal and which include a physical extension number, are associated with the corresponding terminals. Each terminal's default terminal translations, which include for each terminal those attributes that are dependent on the users of the terminal and which include a call-coverage path, also are associated with the corresponding terminals. Each user's logical translations, which include for each user those attributes that are independent of the terminals used by the user and which include a logical extension number and a call-coverage path, are associated with the corresponding users. Prior to a user logging on at a terminal, call processing uses the terminal's associated physical and default terminal translations to process calls originating at the terminal or addressed to the terminal, and redirects calls addressed to the user to the call-coverage path specified in the user's logical translations. Subsequent to a user logging on at a terminal, call processing uses the terminal's associated physical translations and the user's associated logical translations to process calls originating at the terminal or addressed to the user, and continues to use the terminal's associated physical and default terminal translations to process calls addressed to the terminal.

Mobile log-in capability featuring fixed physical (terminal-dependent)

Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) equipment is improved by matching the information needs of an incoming caller with the particular expertise of a telemarketing agent who handles such calls. Each incoming call is assigned up to three prioritized skill numbers that estimate skill requirements of the calling party. Each agent possesses up to four skill numbers that represent various particular abilities of that agent. Numbers 1 through 9 are used. Upon arrival of the incoming call, a search is made for a match between the first caller skill number and an available agent possessing that skill. If no match is found, a similar search is made with respect to the second caller skill number. After a predetermined delay, a search is made with respect to the third caller skill number. When a match is found, the incoming call is connected to the agent possessing that skill. The longer that an incoming call remains unanswered, the larger the pool of agents becomes that will be allowed to handle the call. Although the specific expertise sought may not be matched, the present technique optimizes the matching process when a time constraint is imposed.

Automatic call distribution based on matching required skills with

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Thornton, CO, United States of America

Robert Daniel Nalbone