Rules-based queuing of calls to call-handling resources

Abstract

Resolution of contention over resources ( ) in an automatic call distribution (ACD) system ( ) is effected as follows. Call attributes ( ) are defined ( ) for arriving calls ( ), and resource attributes ( ) are defined ( ) for available resources ( ). Rules ( ) are defined ( ) that match calls having particular call attributes with resources that have corresponding resource attributes. Priorities ( ) are assigned to rules, comprising an initial value ( ) and a time function ( ) that defines how the value changes over time. Each rule preferably defines a coverage path ( ) for calls, comprising one or more resource attributes ( ) required of resources that can handle the call if the primary resources identified by the rule cannot handle the call in a timely manner ( ). Each resource has an associated call queue ( ). When a call arrives, rules are matched ( ) to the call's attributes, and the matching rules determine ( ) the resources that are able to handle the call. A token ( ) for every matching rule for the call is placed in the queues of all of the resources that are able to handle the call. The position of the call's token in a queue is determined by the priority of the rule. The priority, and hence the call's position in the queue, changes over time according to the rule's time function.