Automated system and method for handling human and caller queues
First Claim
1. A system for handling service requests received from end-users that include telephone callers and persons who are physically present at a branch or store, the system comprising:
- an automatic call distributor (ACD);
a ticket dispenser coupled with the ACD, the ticket dispenser dispensing a ticket having an identifier to each person who requests service at the branch or store, the ticket dispenser electronically communicating the identifier to the ACD;
wherein the ACD includes a queue, the telephone callers and identifiers corresponding to the persons physically present at the branch or store being positioned in the queue in a sequential order of arrival, the ACD being operable to route either a call or a person corresponding to an uppermost position in the queue to an agent in accordance with an algorithm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for handling service requests received from end-users that include telephone callers and persons who are physically present at a branch or store. The system includes an ACD and a ticket dispenser coupled with the ACD. The ticket dispenser being operable to first dispense a ticket having an identifier to each person who requests service at the branch or store, and then electronically communicate the identifier to the ACD. The ACD includes one or more queues to order calls received from the telephone callers and identifiers. The ACD routes either a call or a person to an available agent in accordance with an algorithm. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
43 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for handling service requests received from end-users that include telephone callers and persons who are physically present at a branch or store, the system comprising:
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an automatic call distributor (ACD); a ticket dispenser coupled with the ACD, the ticket dispenser dispensing a ticket having an identifier to each person who requests service at the branch or store, the ticket dispenser electronically communicating the identifier to the ACD; wherein the ACD includes a queue, the telephone callers and identifiers corresponding to the persons physically present at the branch or store being positioned in the queue in a sequential order of arrival, the ACD being operable to route either a call or a person corresponding to an uppermost position in the queue to an agent in accordance with an algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for handling service requests received from persons who are physically present at a branch or store, the apparatus comprising:
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a ticket dispenser for dispensing a ticket to a person, each ticket having an identifier, the ticket dispenser including; a request mechanism that dispenses the ticket responsive to input of the person; an interface for electronically communicating the identifier associated with the ticket to an automatic call distributor (ACD), the ACD being operable to order calls received from telephone callers and identifiers corresponding to the persons physically present at the branch or store in a combined queue, the ACD being further operable to route either a call or a person corresponding to an uppermost position in the queue to an agent in accordance with an algorithm; and a unit that notifies the persons physically present at the branch or store of a current order of the telephone callers and identifiers corresponding to the persons physically present at the branch or store. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-readable memory encoded with a computer program for handling service requests received from end-users that include telephone callers and persons who are physically present at a branch or store, the computer program when executed by a processor is operable to:
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dispense a ticket having an identifier to each person who requests service at the branch or store; communicate the identifier to an automatic call distributor (ACD), the ACD placing the identifier in a position of a combined queue that includes calls received from telephone callers and identifiers corresponding to the persons physically present at the branch or store; notify the persons physically present at the branch or store of a current state of the combined queue; update the current state of the combined queue upon receiving a new telephone call or upon dispensing a new ticket; and notify the persons physically present at the branch or store of the updated current state of the combined queue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification