IP Library Granted Patent US 8,280,029
Granted Patent B1
US 8,280,029 · App. 09/745,305 · Granted Oct 2, 2012

Customer service response system for interaction with customer service agents

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,280,029
App. No.
09/745,305
Granted
Oct 2, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

The invention provides a customer service response system (CSRS), that a customer service agent can selectively employ to simultaneously interact with one or more customers. When a caller places a telephone call to the customer service call center, the CSRS answers the call and plays a message to the calling party. The message may be a greeting message and may prompt the calling party for information such as a claim number. The CSRS then displays this information on a graphical user interface at the call center. The customer service agent in front of the GUI can answer the call, or can respond to the caller with a question by clicking a button on the GUI.

Claims (51)

1. Apparatus for caller information retrieval comprising:

a customer service response system (CSRS) capable of responding to an incoming telephone call from a calling party by playing a message to said calling party;

a graphical user interface (GUI) electrically coupled to said CSRS and configured to receive and display information from said CSRS;

wherein said information received from said CSRS originates from said calling party; and

voice recognition software included within said CSRS,

wherein at least a portion of the information from at least one of said calling parties is received by said CSRS as a voice signal,

wherein said voice recognition software is configured to convert said voice signal into a text message,

wherein via a soft-key or graphical button, said GUI is configured to selectively initiate another message being sent from said CSRS to said calling party.

2. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said GUI displays a plurality of possible messages that may be sent from said CSRS to said calling party.

3. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said plurality of messages is customizable.

4. The apparatus for caller information on retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said message is capable of being displayed on said GUI.

5. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said CSRS further includes a voice recognition program which is capable of converting text messages into voice signals.

6. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said GUI provides an option for bypassing said CSRS.

7. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said CSRS is an adjunct to a telephone.

8. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said CSRS is capable of responding to a plurality of incoming telephone calls from a plurality of calling parties by playing a message to each of said calling parties.

9. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said CSRS is configured to receive voice and text messages.

10. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said message is a voice message.

11. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said message is a text message.

12. The apparatus for caller information retrieval according to claim 1 wherein said message is a multimedia message.

13. The apparatus for caller information retrieval of claim 1 wherein said CSRS is further capable of accessing a remote computer system in response to receipt of said information.

14. The apparatus for caller information retrieval of claim 1 wherein said CSRS is further capable of forwarding said incoming call to another telephone number in response to receipt of said information from said calling party.

15. A method of servicing a call at a call center comprising:

receiving information from a calling party at a customer service response system (CSRS), wherein at least a portion of the information from said calling party is received by said CSRS as a voice signal;

recognizing the voice signal by use of voice recognition software included within said CSRS, wherein said voice recognition software is configured to convert said voice signal into a text message;

displaying said information on a graphical user interface (GUI);

employing a graphical button or soft-key on said GUI to prompt said CSRS to send a message to said calling party; and

transmitting said message for receipt by said calling party.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising selectively initiating from said GUI another message being sent from said CSRS to said calling party.

17. The method according to claim 15 further comprising displaying on said GUI a plurality of possible messages that may be sent from said CSRS to said calling party.

18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising customizing at least one of said plurality of messages.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the text message is capable of being displayed on said GUI.

20. The method according to claim 15 further comprising converting a text message displayed on said GUI into a voice message for transmission to said calling party.

21. The method according to claim 15 further comprising bypassing said CSRS and connecting said incoming telephone call to a telephone at said call center.

22. The method according to claim 15 further comprising said CSRS responding to a plurality of incoming telephone calls from a plurality of calling parties by playing a message to each of said calling parties.

23. The method according to claim 15 further comprising receiving at said CSRS at least one voice message and at least one text message.

24. The method according to claim 15 further comprising said CSRS accessing a remote computer system in response to receipt of said information from said calling party.

25. The method according to claim 15 further comprising said CSRS forwarding said incoming telephone call to another telephone number in response to receipt of said information from said calling party.

26. A call center comprising:

call system response (CSR) means for receiving a plurality of telephone calls, each telephone call providing information originating from a respective calling party, and for playing a message in response to receipt of information originating from at least one of said calling parties;

graphical user interface (GUI) means coupled to said CSR means for displaying said information originating from at least one of said calling parties; and

voice recognition software included within said CSRS,

wherein at least a portion of the information from at least one of said calling parties is received by said CSRS as a voice signal,

wherein said voice recognition software is configured to convert said voice signal into a text message for display on said GUI, and

wherein said GUI means includes a graphical button or soft-key for initiating a customized response to said information originating from said at least one of said calling parties.

27. A call center comprising:

a customer service response system (CSRS) capable of simultaneously responding to a plurality of incoming telephone calls from a plurality of calling parties by playing a message for receipt by each of said calling parties;

a graphical user interface (GUI) electrically coupled to said CSRS, configured to display information from said CSRS that originated from at least one of said plurality of calling parties and to display at least one custom message which is selectable for playing with a graphical button or a soft-key; and,

voice recognition software included within said CSRS;

wherein information from at least one of said calling parties is received by said CSRS as a voice signal;

wherein said voice recognition software is configured to convert said voice signal into a text message for display on said GUI.

28. The call center according to claim 26 wherein said GUI means is further configured to display a plurality of messages, each selectable by a graphical button or a soft-key, that may be sent from said CSR to said calling party.

Assignments (24)
(SECURITY INTEREST) GRANTOR'S NAME CHANGE Recorded Sep 21, 2023
From: AVAYA INC.
To: AVAYA LLC
Reel/Frame 065019/0231 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 53955/0436) Recorded May 18, 2023
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; AVAYA INC.; INTELLISIST, INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063705/0023 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 045034/0001) Recorded May 18, 2023
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ZANG, INC. (FORMER NAME OF AVAYA CLOUD INC.); AVAYA INC.; INTELLISIST, INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC; OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC; VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HYPERQUALITY, INC.; HYPERQUALITY II, LLC; CAAS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.
Reel/Frame 063779/0622 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 61087/0386) Recorded May 18, 2023
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; AVAYA INC.; INTELLISIST, INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063690/0359 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 4, 2023
From: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; INTELLISIST, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063542/0662 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2023
From: AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; AVAYA INC.; INTELLISIST, INC.; KNOAHSOFT INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB [COLLATERAL AGENT]
Reel/Frame 063742/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL 45124/FRAME 0026 Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: AVAYA HOLDINGS CORP.; AVAYA INC.; AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063457/0001 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AVAYA INC.; INTELLISIST, INC.; AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; AVAYA CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 061087/0386 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2020
From: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA MANAGEMENT L.P.; INTELLISIST, INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053955/0436 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2018
From: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC; OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC; VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ZANG, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045124/0026 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2018
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: AVAYA, INC.; SIERRA HOLDINGS CORP.
Reel/Frame 045045/0564 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2018
From: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS LLC; OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC; VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ZANG, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045034/0001 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS INCLUDING THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 041576/0001 Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS INC.; OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION); VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 044893/0531 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS INCLUDING THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 023892/0500 Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: AVAYA INC.
Reel/Frame 044891/0564 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS INCLUDING THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 029608/0256 Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: AVAYA INC.
Reel/Frame 044891/0801 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS INCLUDING THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 025863/0535 Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST, NA
To: AVAYA INC.
Reel/Frame 044892/0001 →
BANKRUPTCY COURT ORDER RELEASING ALL LIENS INCLUDING THE SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 030083/0639 Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: AVAYA INC.
Reel/Frame 045012/0666 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2017
From: AVAYA INC.; AVAYA INTEGRATED CABINET SOLUTIONS INC.; OCTEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION; VPNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041576/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 13, 2013
From: AVAYA, INC.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., THE
Reel/Frame 030083/0639 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 10, 2013
From: AVAYA, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 029608/0256 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 22, 2011
From: AVAYA INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST, NA, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT, THE
Reel/Frame 025863/0535 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2010
From: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED
To: AVAYA INC.
Reel/Frame 023998/0878 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2010
From: AVAYA INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 023905/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2010
From: AVAYA INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 023892/0500 →