SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMER SUPPORT

• US 20100257032A1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kioba Processing, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: MUSE Green Investments LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Tran, Bao Q.
• Granted Patent: US 8,665,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/016 After-sales
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5237 Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sales or customer support using a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service; wherein the at least partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.

Claims

1. A method for providing sales or customer support, comprising:

scanning at least a partial view of a product or service using a telephone having a camera;

communicating the partial view to a remote data center; and

based on the at least partial view of the product or service, connecting to a pre-selected person knowledgeable with the product or service.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising converting an image to digital data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising distributing coupons or advertisements.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising redeeming the coupon over a PAN node.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising detecting a PAN node and transmitting relevant coupons to the telephone.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising software in the telephone to negotiate with software agents maintained by merchants and present an offer to the end-user on the display of the telephone as the telephone passes a merchant'"'"'s point of offer.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising sending a multimedia message including video about the product to the telephone.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising generating a commission for a telephone service operator on a sale as negotiated by the service operator and an advertiser or merchant.

11. A support system, comprising:

a data center containing a database on product or service;

a telephone having a camera to scan an image of at least a partial view of a product or service, wherein the image is used to connect to a database used by a person knowledgeable with the product or service.

2. The system method of claim 11, wherein the at least partial view comprises at least a partial image of the product or a bar code.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least partial view comprises at least a partial image of the product or a bar code.

13. The system of claim 11, comprising converting an image to digital data.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

15. The system of claim 11, comprising distributing coupons or advertisements.

16. The system of claim 15, comprising redeeming the coupon over a PAN node.

17. The system of claim 11, comprising detecting a PAN node and transmitting relevant coupons to the telephone.

18. The system of claim 11, comprising software in the telephone to negotiate with software agents maintained by merchants and present an offer to the end-user on the display of the telephone as the telephone passes a merchant'"'"'s point of offer.

19. The system of claim 11, comprising sending a multimedia message including video about the product to the telephone.

20. A support system, comprising:

a telephone having a camera to capture at least a partial image of a product or service;

a data center to provide support for a product or service related to the partial image,

wherein the partial image is used to select a database updated by one or more knowledgeable persons on the product or service.