Web page synchronization system and method

• US 6,463,149 B1
• Filed: 09/15/1995
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edify Corp. (Concentrix CVG Customer Management Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Edify Corp. (Concentrix CVG Customer Management Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: McRae, Xuan, Jolissaint, Charles H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US08/529,166
• Time in Patent Office: 2,580 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/353, 370/380, 370/389, 370/392, 370/396, 370/401, 370/404, 370/427, 370/435, 370/450, 370/465, 370/485, 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.09, 379/100.15, 379/100.16, 379/265-1-2, 379/88.17, 379/258, 379/265, 709/204-227
• US Class Current: 379/265.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5166 in combination with interactive voice response systems or voice portals, e.g. as front-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5191 interacting with the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0027 Collaboration services where a computer is used for data transfer and the telephone is used for telephonic communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

A system and method are provided for routing data base information obtained in an automated Internet message response to a subsequently selected live agent. An electronic workforce identifies the customer, pulls customer identification, pulls a record on the customer, provides information requested by customer, and permits the customer to select a live agent, provides the live agent number to determine the network identification number. Accordingly, the live agent receives data base information on a customer at the time the live agent begins conversation with the customer.

Claims

1. In a computer system, a method for routing information to a live agent that is also routed via the Internet to a live Internet user, the method comprising:

receiving a request for information at a server from an Internet browser on a first computer associated with the live Internet user;

sending the requested information to the Internet browser on the first computer;

receiving a request at the server from the live Internet user, via the Internet browser on the first computer, that a live agent be connected to the live Internet user'"'"'s phone number;

calling by the server a telephone number associated with the live agent;

sending the information sent to the Internet browser on the first computer to an Internet browser on a second computer associated with the live agent;

establishing a telephone connection between the live Internet user and the live agent; and

if, during the telephone connection between the live agent and the Internet user, additional information is sent to the browser on the first computer for display to the Internet user, sending the browser on the second computer the additional information for display to the live agent.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving identification information from the live agent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending additional information includes:

simulating a request for an update at the second computer;

receiving a request for an update from the Internet browser at the second computer;

sending the additional information to the Internet browser on the second computer.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising mapping the live agent to a phone number.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information requested is business application information.

6. In a computer system, a method for retrieving information associated with a live Internet user and routing the information to a live agent, the method comprising:

receiving via the internet a request for information from an Internet browser on a first computer associated with a live Internet user;

obtaining the information requested by the Internet browser on the first computer;

transmitting, via the Internet, the obtained information to the Internet browser on the first computer for display on the first computer;

offering the live Internet user a choice of speaking with a live agent;

receiving a request for the live agent;

mapping the live agent to a phone number;

identifying a second computer associated with the live agent;

routing the information transmitted to the Internet browser on the first computer to an Internet browser on the second computer;

establishing phone communication between the live agent and the Internet user; and

if, during the telephone connection between the live agent and the Internet user, additional information is sent to the browser on the first computer for display to the Internet user, sending the browser on the second computer the additional information for display to the live agent.

7. A communication system, comprising:

a first computer for use by a live Internet user;

a second computer for use by a live agent;

a database;

a server coupled to the database and to the first computer and the second computer, via an Internet connection wherein the server is configured to;

receive a request at the server from an Internet browser on the first computer associated with the live Internet user for information from the database;

send the information to the Internet browser on the first computer;

receive a request at the server from the live Internet user, via the Internet browser on the first computer, that the live agent be connected to the live Internet user'"'"'s phone number;

call by the server a telephone number associated a second computer used by the live agent;

send the information sent to the Internet browser on the first computer to an Internet browser on a second computer associated with the live agent;

establish a telephone connection to the phone number of the live Internet user; and

if, during the telephone connection between the live agent and the Internet user, additional information is sent to the browser on the first computer for display to the Internet user, send the browser on the second computer the additional information for display to the live agent.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of sending additional information includes:

simulating a request for an update at the second computer;

receiving a request for an update from the Internet browser at the second computer;

sending the additional information to the Internet browser on the second computer.

9. A computer program embodied in a tangible medium and capable of being read by a computer for performing a method for routing information to a live agent that is also routed via the Internet to a live Internet user, the method comprising:

receiving a request for information from an Internet browser on a first computer associated with the live Internet user for information;

sending the requested information to the Internet browser on the first computer;

receiving a request from the live Internet user, via the Internet browser on the first computer, to be connected to a live agent;

calling a telephone number associated the live agent;

sending information sent to the Internet browser on the first computer to an Internet browser on a second computer associated with the live agent;

establishing a telephone connections between the live internet user and the liver agent; and

if, during the telephone connection between the live agent and the Internet user additional information is sent to the browser on the first computer for display to the Internet user, sending the browser on the second computer the additional information for display to the agent.

10. The computer program of claim 9, wherein the step of sending additional information includes:

simulating a request for an update at the second computer;

receiving a request for an update from the Internet browser at the second computer;

sending the additional information to the Internet browser on the second computer.