Camera-phone barcode scanning support
View Patent ↗Systems and methods are disclosed for load balancing call centers and for providing remote receptionist service.
1. A method for providing sales support using a call center, comprising:
scanning a product descriptor using a telephone having a camera;
placing a call to a sales support telephone center;
routing the call to a remote call center; and
receiving sales support from the remote call center
wherein the scanned product descriptor is used to route the call to a pre-selected person knowledgeable with the product descriptor in a remote call center for sales support.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product descriptor is a bar code.
3. The method of claim 2 , comprising converting an image of a bar code to digital data.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote call center is coupled to a satellite link.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote call center is coupled to a fiber-optic link.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising applying the product descriptor to route the call to a designated operator.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.
8. The method of claim 1 , comprising a receptionist at the call center to remotely handle reception tasks.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein an image and voice of the receptionist is transmitted to a remote location.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein an image and voice of a remote visitor is transmitted to the receptionist.
11. The method of claim 1 , comprising providing a virtual receptionist using the call center.
12. The method of claim 11 , comprising capturing information on the visit from a visitor, including contact information and the visitor's signature.
13. The method of claim 11 , comprising notifying an employee by the remote call center operator that a visitor is in the lobby, and facilitating the visit.
14. The method of claim 11 , comprising printing a badge through a printer coupled to the processor.
15. The method of claim 11 , comprising capturing an image of the visitor.
16. A sales support system, comprising:
a telephone having a camera to scan a product descriptor, the telephone used for placing a call to a sales support telephone center;
a telephone network for routing the call from the telephone; and
a remote call center to receive the call and to provide sales support for a product associated with the product descriptor
wherein the scanned product descriptor is used to route the call to a pre-selected person knowledgeable with the product descriptor in a remote call center for sales support.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the product descriptor comprises a bar code.
18. The system of claim 16 , comprising code for converting an image of a bar code to digital data.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the product descriptor comprises an image of a product.
20. A sales support system, comprising:
a telephone having a camera to scan a product descriptor, the telephone used for placing a call to a sales support telephone center;
a telephone network for routing the call from the telephone; and
a remote call center to receive the call and to provide sales support for a product associated with the product descriptor, wherein the product descriptor comprises a bar code or an image of a product
wherein the scanned product descriptor is used to route the call to a pre-selected person knowledgeable with the product descriptor in a remote call center for sales support.