Language interpretation call transferring in a telecommunications network

• US 7,792,276 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Language Line Services, Inc. (Teleperformance International)
• Original Assignee: Language Line Services, Inc. (Teleperformance International)
• Inventors: Provenzano, Louis, Moore, James L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah; Olisa
• Application Number:
  US11/226,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20070064915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,820 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.21, 379/158, 379/202.01, 379/203.01, 379/204.01, 379/205.01, 379/206.01, 379/207.01, 379/212.01, 379/265.12, 379/265.07, 704/2, 704/8, 704/9
• US Class Current: 379/265.12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2061 Language aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5009 Adding a party to an existing conference conducting a computer conference, e.g. admission detection H04L12/1822
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method and system of providing language interpretation for a merchant are disclosed. An incoming telephone call from a customer speaking a first language is received at a language interpretation service. The customer is greeted in the first language by an interpreter associated with a language interpretation provider. The interpreter telephonically engages a first agent representing the merchant, wherein the first agent speaks a second language and the interpreter translates a conversation between the customer and the first agent. Once the translation is completed, the first agent is disconnected from the call. Next, if the customer elects to be connected to a business partner of the merchant, the interpreter telephonically engages a second agent representing the business partner. The second agent speaks the second language and the interpreter translates a conversation between the customer and the second agent.

Claims

1. A method of providing language interpretation for a merchant during a telephone call, comprising:

receiving a telephone call at a language interpretation service provider from a customer speaking a first language, the customer being greeted in the first language by an interpreter associated with the language interpretation service provider, the telephone call being relayed to the language interpretation service provider by configuring an automated system to dial a signal to the carrier so that the telephone call connection to the merchant is released, the carrier routing the telephone call to the language interpretation service provider;

providing the interpreter with equipment to receive voice and data information related to the customer;

permitting the interpreter to telephonically engage a first agent representing the merchant, wherein the first agent speaks a second language and the interpreter translates a first conversation between the customer and the first agent; and

if the customer elects to be connected to a business partner of the merchant, permitting the interpreter to telephonically engage a second agent representing the business partner, wherein the second agent speaks the second language and the interpreter translates a second conversation between the customer and the second agent.