US6330325B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic log-off signaling for telephone systems
Assignee: ACS Wireless Inc
•
Filing: 1998-03-30
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Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2018-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A telephone agent availability monitoring system is disclosed for use in telephone switching networks known as “automatic call distribution” systems (ACD's). The inventive monitoring system automatically detects when a telephone headset is unplugged from its associated amplifier, and sends a signal via the agent's computer work station to a central server connected with telephone switching equipment. In the case of a wireless headset, a signal is sent when the headset travels out of communication range. The telephone switching equipment can then route an ongoing call and/or future calls to other agents who are available, until the monitoring system detects that the headset has been plugged back into the amplifier or traveled back into range, indicating that the agent is available again.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk A. Reid
- 👤 Dwight D. Lynn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/60; H04M2203/6018; H04M3/42314; H04M3/42323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A telephone call distribution network for routing incoming calls to one of a group of operators comprising; a plurality of computer workstations; a headset associated with each computer workstation for use by an operator; an amplifier connected between each headset and the associated computer workstation and wherein the computer workstations have no circuitry for independently detecting when the connection between the amplifier and the workstation has been interrupted; a controller for routing incoming calls to an available operator; and circuitry associated with the amplifier for detecting when the connection between the headset and the amplifier has been interrupted and for generating a data signal in response thereto which is supplied to the workstation and wherein one of the workstation and the controller includes software for interpreting the data signal as an indication that the operator is unavailable so that incoming calls will not be routed to that operator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A telephone call distribution network for routing incoming calls to one of a group of operators comprising; a plurality of computer workstations; a headset associated with each computer workstation for use by an operator; an amplifier connected between each headset and the associated computer workstation and wherein the computer workstations have no circuitry for independently detecting when the connection between the amplifier and the workstation has been interrupted; a controller for routing incoming calls to an available operator; and circuitry associated with the amplifier for detecting when the connection between the headset and the amplifier has been interrupted and for generating a data signal in response thereto which is supplied to the workstation and wherein one of the workstation and the controller includes software for interpreting the data signal as an indication that the operator is unavailable so that incoming calls will not be routed to that operator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A network as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection between the amplifier and the workstation carries both voice signals and data signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A network as recited in claim 1 , further including a telephone set connected between the amplifier and the controller and wherein the connection between the amplifier and the telephone set carries voice signals therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A network as recited in claim 1 , wherein the functions of the controller are performed by a computer server and a telephone switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A network as recited in claim 1 , wherein the circuitry additionally detects when the connection between the headset and the amplifier has been reestablished and generates a second data signal in response thereto which is supplied to the workstation and wherein the software interprets the second data signal as an indication that the operator is now available so that incoming calls can be routed to that operator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The network as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection between the amplifier and the headset is defined by an electrical cable, said cable having a connector therein to allow the headset to be disconnected from the amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The network as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connection between the amplifier and the headset is defined by a wireless link created by radio transceivers located in the headset and the amplifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |