Call handling system
First Claim
1. A telephone call handling system for interconnection with a telephone network, comprising:
- a first plurality of operator stations operatively connected to the telephone network for receiving incoming calls therefrom;
a second plurality of operator stations operatively connected gto the telephone network for receiving incoming calls therefrom, and placing outgoing calls thereon;
first switch means interconnected between said second plurality of operator stations and the telephone network for selectively enabling said second plurality of operator stations to receive incoming calls and place outgoing calls;
control means operatively connected to said switch means for selectively actuating said first switch means;
call distribution means interposed between the telephone network and said first and second plurality of operator stations for selectively distributing said incoming calls to various of said first and second plurality of operator stations, said call distribution means distributing calls first to operator stations of said first plurality and thence to operator stations of said second plurality in the event that all operator stations in said first plurality are in receipt of an incoming call; and
recording means interconnected with said call distribution means, said recording means receiving nd recording information from incoming calls when all operator stations of said first and second plurality are connected to calls.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A call handling system is presented in which an assembly of operators are provided to efficiently handle incoming calls. A first array of operators solely handle incoming calls. A second array of operators are provided to handle incoming calls and to periodically return calls from messages which were recorded during peak times when all operators were busy and incoming calls continued. A microprocessor monitors the recorded messages and, when a predetermined number have accumulated, directs one of the operators to transcribe the messages into memory in the microprocessor. At this point in time, the microprocessor avails itself of certain operators who are capable of handling both incoming and outgoing calls, places the return call, and interconnects the operator with such return call.
105 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A telephone call handling system for interconnection with a telephone network, comprising:
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a first plurality of operator stations operatively connected to the telephone network for receiving incoming calls therefrom; a second plurality of operator stations operatively connected gto the telephone network for receiving incoming calls therefrom, and placing outgoing calls thereon; first switch means interconnected between said second plurality of operator stations and the telephone network for selectively enabling said second plurality of operator stations to receive incoming calls and place outgoing calls; control means operatively connected to said switch means for selectively actuating said first switch means; call distribution means interposed between the telephone network and said first and second plurality of operator stations for selectively distributing said incoming calls to various of said first and second plurality of operator stations, said call distribution means distributing calls first to operator stations of said first plurality and thence to operator stations of said second plurality in the event that all operator stations in said first plurality are in receipt of an incoming call; and recording means interconnected with said call distribution means, said recording means receiving nd recording information from incoming calls when all operator stations of said first and second plurality are connected to calls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification