Method and apparatus for providing media-independent self-help modules within a multimedia communication-center customer interface

• US 20030179729A1
• Filed: 03/20/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Charles Dazler Knuff, Christopher Clemmett Macleod Beck, James Karl Powers, Joel A. Johnstone, Jonathan Michael Berke, Mark Franklin Sidell, Robin Marie Mitchell
• Inventors: Mitchell, Robin Marie, Sidell, Mark Franklin, Powers, James Karl, Knuff, Charles Dazler, Berke, Jonathan Michael, Johnstone, Joel A., MacLeod Beck, Christopher Clemmett
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/30 of unstructured textual data document management systems G06F16/93
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/44 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/279 Recognition of textual entities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/14 Routing performance; Theoretical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 : Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 : using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 : Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/357 : Autocues for dialog assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/402 : Agent or workforce management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/404 : Collaboration among agents
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 : Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/206 : composed of PSTN and wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/20 : with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 : Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 : Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 : Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 : Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 : PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 : comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 : Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 : in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5166 : in combination with interactive voice response systems or voice portals, e.g. as front-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5175 : Call or contact centers supervision arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 : Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 : interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5231 : with call back arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5233 : Operator skill based call distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5237 : Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

In a multimedia call center (MMCC) operating through an operating system, a client-specific self-help wizard is provided for active clients and updated periodically with information related to client transaction history with the MMCC. A connected client is presented by the wizard with a selective media function through which the client may a select a media type for interaction and help, and the MMCC will then re-contact the client through the selected media. The client, for example, may select IP or COST telephony, and the MMCC will place a call to the client to a number or IP address listed for the client, and interactivity will then be through an interactive voice response unit. Help information specific to a client is updated in the client'"'"'s wizard periodically according to ongoing transaction history with the MMCC. The wizard may also monitor client activity with the wizard and make reports available to various persons.

Claims

1. In a multimedia communication center (MMCC), a client self-help system, comprising:

an operating system (OS) including an outward-facing communication interface for accepting communications from clients, and for presenting a display for a connected client;

an interactive self-help wizard model presented in a graphic interface in the display and configured to a selected client; and

a media selection interface presented in the graphic interface by which the connected client may select a particular media for receiving help, and indicate the nature of help desired;

wherein the self-help wizard is periodically automatically updated in available information according to client transaction history with the enterprise.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the self-help wizard model is accessible and programmable by a worker connected by a computerized workstation to the MMCC.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the media open to client selection includes WEB interface, e-mail, interactive voice response, facsimile reception, and downloading of video documents.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein, by selection of a media type, the client initiates a call back in the media selected to a client apparatus compatible with the media selected.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein, by selecting COST or IP telephony, the system places a call by an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit to the client through a telephone number or IP address listed for the client, and the IVR then interacts with the client to provide specific help to the client.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an ordering function tailored to a client providing an ordering interface for parts and services relating to recently acquired enterprise products by the client.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the self-help wizard comprises a reporting function, and the reporting function monitors client activity related to the wizard and makes that activity available to an enterprise agent through the OS.

8. A method for providing self-directed aid to clients of an enterprise-hosted multimedia call center (MMCC), comprising steps of:

(a) configuring a graphic self-help wizard interface including a media-selection function for a selected client associated with the enterprise, and presenting the wizard in a graphic display to a connected client;

(b) updating the wizard with information periodically according to client transaction history with the enterprise; and

(c) establishing an interactive communication with the client in the media selected in step (a) whereby updated information my be provided to the client.

9. The method of claim 8 including a step for programming the wizard by an enterprise worker.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein, in step (a), media available through the media selection includes WEB interface, e-mail, interactive voice response, facsimile reception, and downloading of video documents.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein, in step (a), by selection of a media type, the client initiates a call back in the media selected to a client apparatus compatible with the media selected.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein, by selecting either COST or IP telephony, the system places a call by an Interactive Voice Response (WR) unit to the client through a telephone number or IP address listed for the client, and the IVR then interacts with the client to provide specific help to the client.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising a step providing an ordering function tailored to a client providing an ordering interface for parts and services relating to recently acquired enterprise products by the client.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising a step for monitoring client activity with the wizard and making that activity available to an enterprise agent through the OS.