Using information about dialup access numbers in a service region to support customer service interactions
First Claim
1. A method for automatically providing output for a communication related to dialup Internet services comprising the steps of:
- determining an in-progress customer communication is related to dialup connectivity;
ascertaining a service region for a customer corresponding to the customer communication;
automatically fetching a plurality of currently published dialup access numbers for the service region;
responsive to the fetching step, automatically identifying a status for each of the fetched dialup access numbers;
automatically processing information returned by the fetching and identifying steps within at least one software engine; and
responsive to the processing step, automatically performing at least one programmatic action resulting in output being automatically supplied to at least one party participating in the customer communication, wherein the party has not specifically requested that the output be provided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for automatically providing output for a communication related to dialup Internet services. The method includes the step of determining an in-progress customer communication is related to dialup connectivity. A service region for the customer can be ascertained. A plurality of currently published dialup access numbers for the service region can be automatically fetched. For each fetched number, a status can be identified. At least one software engine automatically process the access number and status information. The at least one software engine can automatically perform at least one programmatic action resulting in output being supplied to at least one party participating in the customer communication, even though the party has not specifically requested the output.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically providing output for a communication related to dialup Internet services comprising the steps of:
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determining an in-progress customer communication is related to dialup connectivity;
ascertaining a service region for a customer corresponding to the customer communication;
automatically fetching a plurality of currently published dialup access numbers for the service region;
responsive to the fetching step, automatically identifying a status for each of the fetched dialup access numbers;
automatically processing information returned by the fetching and identifying steps within at least one software engine; and
responsive to the processing step, automatically performing at least one programmatic action resulting in output being automatically supplied to at least one party participating in the customer communication, wherein the party has not specifically requested that the output be provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having a plurality of code sections, said code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps of:
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determining an in-progress customer communication is related to dialup connectivity;
ascertaining a service region for a customer corresponding to the customer communication;
automatically fetching a plurality of currently published dialup access numbers for the service region;
responsive to the fetching step, automatically identifying a status for each of the fetched dialup access numbers;
automatically processing information returned by the fetching and identifying steps within at least one software engine; and
responsive to the processing step, automatically performing at least one programmatic action resulting in output being automatically supplied to at least one party participating in the customer communication, wherein the party has not specifically requested that the output be provided.
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18. A system for supporting customers of dialup internet services comprising:
a software engine disposed within a back-end component of a customer support information system that is configured to determine a likelihood that an in-progress customer communication involves a connectivity problem based upon operational status of a plurality of access numbers in a service region for an Internet service provider subscriber corresponding to the customer communication, wherein the software engine is further configured to automatically execute at least one programmatic action resulting in output that is supplied to at least one party participating in the in-progress customer communication, and wherein the automatic execution of the at least one programmatic action is dependant upon the determined likelihood. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification