Method and apparatus for inquiry response via internet
DCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for conducting a multimedia communication over a data communications network, comprising:
- means for receiving an incoming query from an external user relating to information displayed on a client computer connected to said data communications network through a network connection;
means for receiving a network address relating to the client computer;
means for identifying said incoming query as a call-back request; and
means for providing the network address to an operations console;
means for communicating over said data communications network between said external user and an operator, both having access to said information displayed on the operations console connected to said data communications network, wherein the means for communication utilizes the same network connection that connects the client computer to the data communication network; and
wherein said communicating occurs while both said external user and said operator are accessing said information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive data communication user is connected through a network to a multimedia response server. The user presses an appropriate keyboard or mouse clicks on an appropriately labeled button on a data page. An automatic call distribution device switches the session to a customer service queue for routing to the next available customer service representative. The customer service representative automatically places a internet based telephone call to the user. When the interactive session between the user and the customer service representative is completed, session control passes back to the data page server and a normal interactive session is resumed.
243 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus for conducting a multimedia communication over a data communications network, comprising:
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means for receiving an incoming query from an external user relating to information displayed on a client computer connected to said data communications network through a network connection;
means for receiving a network address relating to the client computer;
means for identifying said incoming query as a call-back request; and
means for providing the network address to an operations console;
means for communicating over said data communications network between said external user and an operator, both having access to said information displayed on the operations console connected to said data communications network, wherein the means for communication utilizes the same network connection that connects the client computer to the data communication network; and
wherein said communicating occurs while both said external user and said operator are accessing said information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for conducting a multimedia communication over a data communications network comprising the steps of:
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receiving an incoming query from an external user relating to information displayed on a client computer connected to said data communications network through a network connection;
receiving a network address relating to the client computer;
identifying said incoming query as a call-back request; and
providing a multimedia communication to said client computer through the network connection using the network address, the multimedia communication being between said external user and an operator having access to said information displayed on an operations console connected to said data communications network;
wherein said multimedia communication occurs while said external user and said operator are both accessing said information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
receiving said call-back request by said switching mechanism;
storing said call-back request in a queue; and
providing said call-back request from said queue to said operations console on a first in first out basis.
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26. A method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of responding by said operator to said call-back request by initiating said multimedia communication over the Internet using a first audio device connected to said operations console to communicate with said external user through a second audio device connected to said client computer.
Specification