Virtual call center
First Claim
1. An adapter device, comprising:
- a telephone port, for coupling to a line connector of a telephone;
a computer port, for coupling to a communication port of a computer terminal;
a line port, for coupling to a telephone line, which is linked to a telephone network; and
processing circuitry, coupled to the telephone port, computer port and line port, and arranged to operate in a plurality of operational modes, including at least;
a first operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the line port to the telephone line so as to enable a telephone call to be conducted over the telephone network using the telephone, while the circuitry conveys data regarding the call to the terminal via the computer port, and a second operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the computer port to the computer terminal, so that the telephone operates as an audio input/output device of the terminal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An adapter device includes a telephone port, for coupling to a line connector of a telephone, a computer port, for coupling to a communication port of a computer terminal, and a line port, for coupling to a telephone line, which is linked to a telephone network. The device operates in a plurality of operational modes, including at least a first operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the line port to the telephone line so as to enable a telephone call to be conducted over the telephone network using the telephone, while the circuitry conveys data regarding the call to the terminal via the computer port, and a second operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the computer port to the computer terminal, so that the telephone operates as an audio input/output device of the terminal.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. An adapter device, comprising:
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a telephone port, for coupling to a line connector of a telephone;
a computer port, for coupling to a communication port of a computer terminal;
a line port, for coupling to a telephone line, which is linked to a telephone network; and
processing circuitry, coupled to the telephone port, computer port and line port, and arranged to operate in a plurality of operational modes, including at least;
a first operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the line port to the telephone line so as to enable a telephone call to be conducted over the telephone network using the telephone, while the circuitry conveys data regarding the call to the terminal via the computer port, and a second operational mode, in which the circuitry couples the telephone via the computer port to the computer terminal, so that the telephone operates as an audio input/output device of the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Communication apparatus, comprising:
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a computer terminal; and
telephone equipment, coupled to the computer terminal and to a telephone line, which is linked to a telephone network, so that the apparatus is operable in a plurality of operational modes, including at least;
a first operational mode, in which the telephone equipment is arranged to conduct a telephone call via the telephone line over the telephone network, while conveying data regarding the call to the terminal, and a second operational mode, in which the telephone equipment is arranged to operate as an audio input/output device of the terminal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Call center apparatus, for handling a voice call received from a customer at a call center site, the apparatus comprising:
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a routing server, which is arranged to receive information regarding the voice call and to select an agent to handle the voice call responsive to the information; and
agent equipment, for operation by the agent selected to handle the call at a location remote from the call center site, the equipment being coupled to communicate with the routing server over a packet network, and further coupled to communicate through a public telephone network over a telephone line that does not pass through the call center, so as to handle the call in one of a plurality of operational modes, including at least a first operational mode in which the agent equipment communicates with the customer via the telephone line over the telephone network, and a second operational mode in which the agent equipment communicates with the customer via a packetized voice link over the packet network. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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26. A method for communication, comprising:
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coupling a telephone to a telephone line, linked to a telephone network, and to a communication port of a computer terminal;
operating the telephone in a first operational mode, in which the telephone is used to conduct a telephone call over the telephone network using the telephone, while conveying data regarding the call to the terminal via the communication port; and
operating the telephone in a second operational mode, in which the telephone functions as an audio input/output device of the terminal.
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43. A method for handling a voice call received at a call center site from a customer, the method comprising:
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receiving information regarding the voice call at a routing server at the call center site;
selecting an agent to handle the voice call responsive to the information;
sending a message over a packet network from the routing server to agent equipment operated by the agent selected to handle the call at a location remote from the call center site;
responsive to the message, making a voice connection between the agent equipment and the customer though a public telephone network over a telephone line that does not pass through the call center; and
exchanging information relating to the customer between the agent equipment and the call center over the packet network while the voice connection is in progress. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification