US6546097B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic call distribution system with signal generator and method
Assignee: Rockwell Firstpoint Contact Corp
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Filing: 1999-05-13
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Granted: 2003-04-08
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Expires: 2019-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An automatic call distribution system and method for using same including an automatic call distributor, an answer detector and an introductory signal generator which generates introductory signals to be sent towards a called party while the answer detector employed by the automatic call distribution center is monitoring for the presence of the called party. When a call that is dialed to the called party by the automatic call distribution system is answered by an external telephonic unit of the called party, the automatic call distribution system couples an answer detector to the call. The answer detector of the automatic call distribution system monitors the call for the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending a generated and coupled introductory signal towards the called party to be heard by the called party. Preferably, the generated introductory signal simulates background noise. When the called party makes a response, the answer detector then detects the presence of the called party for the purpose of routing the call.
Inventors
- 👤 Marshall Peltz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/5158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In an automatic call distribution system comprising an answer detector, a method of increasing a probability that a called party will stay on a line in response to a call placed by the automatic call distribution system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) waiting for a call connection: (b) coupling the answer detector to the call connection; (c) provoking the called party to make an oral response by coupling a generated introductory signal of simulated room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone to the call connection; and (d) monitoring for the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending the generated introductory signal from the automatic call distributor towards the called party.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In an automatic call distribution system comprising an answer detector, a method of increasing a probability that a called party will stay on a line in response to a call placed by the automatic call distribution system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) waiting for a call connection: (b) coupling the answer detector to the call connection; (c) provoking the called party to make an oral response by coupling a generated introductory signal of simulated room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone to the call connection; and (d) monitoring for the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending the generated introductory signal from the automatic call distributor towards the called party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 where the generated introductory signal is configured to simulate background noise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 where the generated introductory signal is transmitted over a voice path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 where the generated introductory signal is generated by a pseudo-random noise generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 where the generated introductory signal is generated by reproduction of a recorded signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 comprising the additional step of dialing the called party.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 where the answer detector is configured to monitor the called party for voice characteristic energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
An automatic call distribution system which is configured to send a generated introductory signal to a called party concomitant with an operation of an answer detector system, the method comprising: (a) an automatic call distributor; (b) an answer detector coupled to the automatic call distributor; and (c) an introductory signal generator coupled to the automatic call distributor which is configured to provoke the called party into making an oral response by generating an introductory signal of simulated room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone to be sent towards the called party concomitant with the operation of the answer detection system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
An automatic call distribution system which is configured to send a generated introductory signal to a called party concomitant with an operation of an answer detector system, the method comprising: (a) an automatic call distributor; (b) an answer detector coupled to the automatic call distributor; and (c) an introductory signal generator coupled to the automatic call distributor which is configured to provoke the called party into making an oral response by generating an introductory signal of simulated room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone to be sent towards the called party concomitant with the operation of the answer detection system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 8 where the introductory signal generator is configured to generate an introductory signal that simulates background noise.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 9 further comprising a dialer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 9 further comprising a host computer system which is coupled to the automatic call distributor and which controls a flow of outdialed calls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 9 where the introductory signal generator comprises a pseudo-random noise generator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 9 where the introductory signal generator comprises a recorded signal reproducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 9 where the answer detector comprises a detector of voice characteristic energy of the called party.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
An automatic call distribution system which is configured to send generated introductory signals towards a called party concomitant with a means for answer detecting, the automatic call distribution system comprising: (a) means for waiting for a call connection; (b) means for answer detecting; (c) means for coupling the means for answer detecting to the call connection; (d) means for generating an introductory signal to provoke the called party into making an oral response by simulating room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone; (e) means for coupling the generated introductory signal to the call connection; and (f) means for monitoring for the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending the generated introductory signal towards the called party.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
An automatic call distribution system which is configured to send generated introductory signals towards a called party concomitant with a means for answer detecting, the automatic call distribution system comprising: (a) means for waiting for a call connection; (b) means for answer detecting; (c) means for coupling the means for answer detecting to the call connection; (d) means for generating an introductory signal to provoke the called party into making an oral response by simulating room background noise that is commonly heard by a party to a conversation through another party's telephone; (e) means for coupling the generated introductory signal to the call connection; and (f) means for monitoring for the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending the generated introductory signal towards the called party.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 15 , further comprising means for dialing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 15 , where the means for generating an introductory signal comprises means for generating an introductory signal which simulates background noise.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 17 , where the means for generating an introductory signal comprises means for pseudo-random noise generation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 17 , where the means for generating an introductory signal comprises means for reproducing a recorded signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 17 , where the means for monitoring the presence of the called party while concomitantly sending the generated introductory signal towards the called party comprises means for transmitting the generated introductory signal over a voice path.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The automatic call distribution system of claim 17 , where the means for answer detecting comprises means for detecting voice characteristic energy of the called party.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-10-07 | 2007-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | 2011-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-10-07 | 2015-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |