Enhanced customer service apparatus, method, and system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing information relating to customer service, the apparatus comprising:
- a service finding node configured to communicate with a customer;
a plurality of customer service nodes; and
an information source configured to provide information pertaining to a service of a customer service node of the plurality of customer service nodes to the service finding node for communication to the customer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user such as a customer or store employee uses a service finding node to generate a request for information related to a desired service. The request is made on an input device such as a touch sensitive panel. The service finding node sends the request to an information source such as a monitor program executing on a store controller. In response, the requested information is transmitted to the service finding node and is presented to the user via an output device such as a display. In one embodiment the presented information is displayed on a map and includes location, distance, and status information as well as directions to one or more customer service nodes providing the desired service. In a second embodiment, the presented information includes directions to an active, operational, and staffed checkout station.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing information relating to customer service, the apparatus comprising:
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a service finding node configured to communicate with a customer;
a plurality of customer service nodes; and
an information source configured to provide information pertaining to a service of a customer service node of the plurality of customer service nodes to the service finding node for communication to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing information relating to customer service, the method comprising:
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monitoring a customer service node;
receiving a request for information from a service finding node; and
providing information pertaining to a service of the customer service node to the service finding node. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for providing information relating to customer service, the apparatus comprising:
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a service selector configured to enable selection of a desired service;
a controller configured to retrieve information regarding the desired service; and
a display configured to display the retrieved information.
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26. An apparatus for providing information relating to customer service, the apparatus comprising:
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means for monitoring a customer service node;
means for receiving a request for information from a service finding node;
means for providing information pertaining to a service of the customer service node to the service finding node;
means for presenting the information to a user. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A system for providing information relating to customer service, the system comprising:
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a service finding node configured to communicate with a customer;
a customer service node;
at least one information source configured to provide information pertaining to a service of the customer service node to the service finding node; and
a store controller configured to communicate with a POS terminal located at the customer service node for communication to the customer.
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30. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable program code for providing information relating to customer service, the program code configured to:
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monitor a customer service node;
receive a request for information from a service finding node; and
provide information pertaining to the customer service node to the service finding node.
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Specification