Abstract:
A method and system for bridging a call in a network as well as a bridged call are provided. A call is received via a network. The call is connected to a first destination. The call is then directed from the first destination to a second destination. Intermediate connection links connecting the network, the first destination, and the second destination are associated with a dialed number identification service (DNIS) label associated with the call. The call is selectively bridged from the network to the second destination via a virtual network by: analyzing the DNIS label associated with each intermediate communication link; determining that the analyzed DNIS labels identify the intermediate links as part of the same call flow; establishing a direct connection between the network and the second destination via the virtual network; and terminating at least one of the intermediate communication links.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The subject matter of this application is related to the subject matter of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/964,769 filed Oct. 15, 2004 entitled “System and Method for Dynamic Assignment of Dialed Number Identification Services in Call Distribution System”, which application names the same inventor as this application, is assigned or under obligation of assignment to the same entity as this application, and which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to an environment for automatically transferring (800) number call center and other calls to automatic call distributors or other remote destinations via a virtual private network, releasing intermediate connections for reuse once that connection is established. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern large-scale call center and other support operations may involve the remote deployment of a number of interconnected resources including interactive voice response (IVR) farms, automatic call distributors (ACDs), customer service representative (CSRs) workstations along with other hardware, software, personnel and other assets. In a number of conventional call center architectures, various destination premises may located in geographically separated sites or locations, so that one set of IVR farms may be located in one city while a set of ACDs distributing calls to CSRs may be located in another city, or in another region or country. The efficient operation of those network resources, including call transfers and the capture and transport of call data, therefore becomes significant to the call center or other operator. 
     In a typical scenario, a toll-free (800) or other call may be received over a long distance network, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a cellular network, at or in a call center. Often the call may be first directed to an automated call response resource such as an interactive voice response (IVR) unit or farm. The IVR unit may for example present the caller with a voice menu which invites the user to enter account numbers or other caller entered digits (CED), voice recognition responses or other inputs. Upon completion of the voice menu script, for some percentage of callers the actions or responses required by the caller&#39;s inquiry may require the call to be transferred to another destination, such as an automatic call distributor (ACD) located at other premises. 
     The ACD or other premises logic may then transfer the call to one of a group of customer service representatives (CSRs), for instance at workstations equipped with database or other tools to service the caller&#39;s inquiry. Call data such as account numbers, user names or IDs or other data may also be linked with the call and transported to the ultimate CSR workstation or other destination, using various techniques. The CSR can then respond to the caller&#39;s inquiry with pertinent account or other data at hand. 
     However, in conventional architectures the network connections which bridge the original call dialed in through the long distance network to the IVR, ACD and other resources are generally kept open and connected to maintain, service and complete the call during the entire duration of the call. Intermediate connections may be maintained even after, for instance, the IVR unit is finished interacting with the caller. The call is simply routed from the long distance network, to an IVR or other first resource, then further connected or bridged to the ACD or next premise equipment in daisy-chain fashion. As a consequence, switches and ports which switch the call may be kept occupied by the bridged call from end to end, tying up network capacity while the call remains in process. In addition, some leased lines or other voice or data connections may be kept open while the sequence of connections is maintained, causing per-minute, per-connection or other charges to accumulate over the entire set of bridged connections while the call remains active. 
     Other problems and inefficiencies in toll-free and other call distribution schemes exist. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention overcoming these and other problems in the art relates in one regard to a system and method for call bridging in a call center using a virtual private network, in which a toll-free (800) or other call may be received, managed and distributed under control of a routing engine or other control logic which controls the distribution of the call to an IVR, ACD or other destination in sequence. According to embodiments, the routing engine may sense intermediate connections between switches, IVRs, ACDs and other hardware. The routing engine or other control logic may then bridge the call from the long distance network to the next or ultimate ACD or other destination, directly and therefore bypass those intermediate communications links. According to embodiments in one regard, the call may be bridged to the ACD or other destination, for instance to be placed into a CSR queue, via a virtual private network (VPN) or other network or connection. According to embodiments in another regard, the routing engine or other control logic may cause the intermediate links between IVRs, ACDs and other points to be terminated for instance by issuing or processing a release link trunk (RLT) or other command, instructions or data. The platform of the invention may in a further regard identify call data, such as caller-entered digits, voice recognition responses or other inputs corresponding to the call, by way of a dialed number information service (DNIS) label or other identifier. The DNIS label or other identifier may permit that captured data to be transmitted to a CSR workstation or other destination point, through or in parallel with the VPN bridge for the associated call. Because a call may be connected to its eventual destination through a VPN or other bridge, switches, ports, leased lines and other intermediate connections may be released as soon as possible, reducing network load and leased-line or other connection costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an environment in which a system and method for call bridging in a call center using a virtual private network may operate, according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an environment in which a system and method for call bridging in a call center using a virtual private network may operate, according to embodiments of the invention in another regard. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram of call connection processing using call labels and other data in a virtual private network, according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates overall call bridge processing, according to embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an environment in which a system and method for call bridging in a call center using a virtual private network may operate, according to embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in that figure a caller  102  may initiate a call via a long distance network  104 , or other network or connection. The caller  102  may initiate that call in a variety of ways, for instance by initiating a cellular call or other wireless call to a customer support number, or by dialing an (800) number, (900) number or other toll-free or other number via a landline connection through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or other link. The call may likewise be initiated via a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call or connection, or establishing a voice call or hybrid voice/data call via other wired or wireless channels, links or connections. The call may in embodiments be or include a direct-dialed, transferred, multi-party conference or other call or connection. 
     Once the call is initiated, according to embodiments of the invention in one regard the incoming call may be communicated to or directed by a routing engine  106 , which may for instance be or include a server, database or other resource. The routing engine  106  and other resources may for instance be incorporated in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) configuration or network, a Signaling System 7 (SS7) network or other communications network or fabric, and may in embodiments include or interface to intelligent call management (ICM) hardware, software, Genesys™ Network Routing solutions or other call routing solutions. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, the routing engine  106  may host control logic and other programmed, hardwired or other control to be applied to the incoming call, to analyze, route and manage the routing of the call to its initial, intermediate and/or eventual destination. That set of destinations as illustrated may be or include a number of local or remote physical or logical destinations including an automated call response resource  108 , such as a set of interactive voice response (IVR) units, or sets or farms of IVR or similar equipment. The set of destinations may likewise include a set of automatic call distributors  112 , or other destination or site, to which the call may for example be transferred after initial call processing at a first destination or site. The routing engine  106  in cooperation with other resources may analyze the call to generate an appropriate destination or transfer point for the type and purpose of the call. In embodiments, the first, second or other destinations may be or include local hardware, or hardware or other resources located on local or remote premises. Connections to remote premises may in cases be by leased long-distance or other communications or data links. 
     Call management according to conventional technologies might involve the transfer, for example, of the call to the automated call response resource  108 , for instance to capture caller-entered data such as account, telephone or subscription numbers, and then transfer that call to a first ACD or other destination. In the event that ACD destination did not satisfy the caller&#39;s inquiry or request, the call might be routed back from that ACD to the automated call response resource  108 , and then transferred to a second ACD. In conventional architectures all intermediate connections, switches, ports and lines would to stay open and connected to preserve the continuity of the call, until completion. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, however, the call may be processed to be bridged to the second, ultimate or other destination through an automatically generated, direct bridge to the operative ACD or other premises or destination site. As illustrated generally in  FIG. 1 , this may be accomplished through the connection of the call to the second or other destination ACD via a virtual private network  110 . Virtual private network  110  may be, include, or interface to a transfer control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection in or through the long distance network  104 , connecting the call to the second or other destination ACD. In embodiments, virtual private network  110  may include or incorporate security features such as data encryption, password protection, secure socket layer (SSL) connections, digital certificates or other authentication or other security techniques, protocols or processes. 
     In general, according to embodiments of the invention and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a DNIS label  116  may be associated with the call when first registered by routing engine  106 , during transfer to a first ACD or other destination or at other comparatively early points in call processing. During some percentage of calls, a call transferred to a first destination ACD may require transfer to a second destination ACD. When the call is returned from the first destination ACD to the automated call response resource  108  under direction of routing engine  106  or other control, however, the network may sense that the further transferred call to a second ACD or other destination represents the same call flow as the first connection. That identification may be made for example by identifying or associating each intermediate connection with DNIS label  116  or other identifier. Routing engine  106  or other control may then establish a direct connection between the caller and the ultimate destination, over virtual private network  110 . 
     More particularly and as for example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a caller  102  may thus initiate a call event through long distance network  104 , for example by dialing an (800) or other toll-free or other telephone or other number. Under direction of routing engine  106  or other control, the call may be initially transferred to automated call response resource  108 , for example to deliver the call to one of a set of interactive voice response farms  114 . That set of resources may include one or more interactive voice response farms each containing one or more interactive voice response units, for instance units presenting voice menus to prompt for keypad touch-tone, to capture voice responses for voice recognition processing, to receive telephone typewriter (TTY) data, or to capture or process other input or data from, via or related to caller  102  and their inquiry. Call data, such as date and time of call, duration of call and the dialed number to which the call originated, for instance detected using the dialed number information services (DNIS), may also be captured before or during processing by automated response resource  108 . 
     After capture of caller-entered data or call data within or by the point of reaching the automated call response resource  108 , some percentage of calls may require further processing or interaction to satisfy the user&#39;s inquiry. The call may therefore need to be transferred to a first destination ACD within the set of automatic call distributors  112 . According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a DNIS label  116  may be associated with the call during that transfer, to use for example for purposes including identifying the originally dialed number and therefore, types or categories of service or response required by the call. DNIS label  116  may encode that information in a multi-field label, tag or other data structure which may include, for example, a 4-digit or other appended code indicating a desired ACD or other destination associated with the dialed number. Other encoding or identification schemes are possible. 
     Upon arrival in a first destination ACD within the set of automatic call distributors, the caller may for example be directed to a set of customer service representatives (CSRs) to have their inquiry further processed or researched, for instance by CSR dialogue and database access, as appropriate. Some percentage of calls may be satisfied and completed through that interaction, and terminate. However some remaining percentage of calls may remain unsatisfied or incomplete after CSR interaction at the first ACD destination, for instance after discovery that the caller&#39;s account inquiry dates back to a prior year, that the caller may wish to execute a brokerage trade, or for other reasons. In such cases the call may need to be transferred to a further destination or resource to attempt to satisfy the caller&#39;s inquiry. 
     In that event, the call may be transferred back to the automated call response resource  108 , for purposes for instance of transmitting the call to a second destination ACD within the set of automatic call distributors  112 . During initial setup for that transfer, the DNIS label  116  may likewise be communicated to automated call response resource  108 , identifying the originally dialed number and other information. However, according to embodiments of the invention in one regard, rather than simply complete the next connection to the second ACD or other destination, the call may be processed to generate an automatic bridge to the second ACD or other destination, directly from or through the long distance network  104  or other point. 
     Thus, according to embodiments in one regard the routing engine  106  or other control logic may detect that any one or more of the call or connection connecting the caller from the long distance network  104  to the automated call response resource  108 , the call or connection connecting the call from the automated call response resource  108  to the first ACD or other destination, the call or connection back from the first ACD or other destination to the automated call response resource  108 , and the call or connection from the automated call response resource  108  to the second ACD or other destination each represent the same call or call flow. This may be detected, for example, in part by detected the 4-digit or other tags or information encoded in DNIS label  116 . 
     Upon detection that the call to the first ACD destination, to the second ACD destination or other call or connection represents the same call or call flow, routing engine  106  and other control logic may initiate alternative connection setup to direct the call to that second ACD or other destination, for instance by requesting the first ACD to initiate a release link trunk (RLT) transfer. At the same time, call data, such as caller entered data or call time, date, dialed number or other objective data describing the call may in embodiments also be prepared for transfer to the second ACD or other destination. That information, which may for example be temporarily or permanently captured or stored in an SS7 or other network database or other data store, may also be identified by or with DNIS label  116  or other data or label for duplication or transfer to the second ACD or other destination or site. In embodiments, it may be noted that DNIS label  116  may be or include a dynamically assigned DNIS label or identifier such as the type described in the aforementioned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ “System and Method for Dynamic Assignment of Dialed Number Identification Services”, or others. 
     More particularly, upon detection that the intermediate connections represent the same call or call flow, routing engine  106  or other control logic may initiate or activate a connection in or through virtual private network  110 . Virtual private network  110  may connect the caller to or through the long distance network  104  or otherwise, to the second ACD destination within the set of automatic call distributors  112 . When that connection via virtual private network  110  is established, according to embodiments of the invention a “release link trunk” command may also be enabled. That is, a command which permits the termination of a line trunk connecting the automated call response resource  108 , the first and second destination ACDs, or other intermediate points may be enabled, to permit intervening switches, ports, lines and other network resources to be released upon receipt of a release signal, may be activated. Other commands or configuration options are possible. 
     Upon the setup and establishment of the bridge connection between caller  102  and the second ACD or other destination via virtual private network  110 , the release link trunk command may be issued to intermediate switches, connections and other points. Thus, as the caller  102  accesses the second ACD or other destination and, for example, begins to interact with a representative within a CSR pool, the network intelligence may release and disengage all intermediate connections and ports, freeing those resources immediately for other use. In addition according to embodiments associated call data may also be accessed and presented at the point of the second ACD or other destination. Efficiency of network operation may therefore be enhanced, and leased line and other interconnect costs may be reduced. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flow or state diagram of call bridging processing, according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, the originating call may be received via long distance network  104  in an interactive voice response (IVR) or other unit, for instance under control of routing engine  106 . A routing request may be generated to the routing engine  106  after the call has been processed in the IVR or other automated call response resource  108 , for instance to transfer the call to a first ACD or other destination within a set of automatic call distributors  112  or otherwise. The transferred call may be identified by or associated with DNIS label  116 , or other label, tag or identifier. After that connection is established, routing engine  106  may establish a connection though virtual private network  110 , for example when the call is not completed or satisfied in the first ACD or other destination. The virtual private network connection  110  may be established with a release link trunk or other switching command enabled. 
     The call may then be connected back to the IVR or other automated call response resource  108 , along with the transmission of associated DNIS label  116  or other identifier. The automated call response resource  108  may communicate with the long distance network  104 , including to transmit DNIS label  116  to that network for call identification and setup of the bridging connection via virtual private network  110 . The call may then be bridged or connected via virtual private network  110  to the second ACD or other destination within the set of automatic call distributors  112 , or other destination. Upon establishing that connection, intermediate connections including to the first ACD or other destination may be released or terminated, freeing those resources for other use. 
     Overall call bridging and connection processing according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In step  402 , processing may begin. In step  404 , an inbound, transferred, conference or other (800) number, (900) number or other call or transaction may be received from caller  102  or otherwise, for instance via long distance network  104  or other network or connection, in automated call response resource  108 , such as an IVR or other unit. In step  406 , a routing request may be generated to route the call, and for instance be transmitted to routing engine  106  or other logic control. In step  408 , a DNIS label  116  or other label, tag or identifier may be generated or assigned to the call, and transmitted to a first destination ACD within a set of automatic call distributors  112 . In step  410 , a call transfer requirement may recognized and a call transfer may be initiated from that initial ACD or other first destination, for example to a second ACD or other destination based on caller-entered inputs requiring further inquiry or response. 
     In step  412 , a connection via virtual private network  110  may be established to the originating call, for instance interfacing or connecting to or with long distance network  104 , in embodiments with a release link trunk command or other control command, instruction, option or data enabled. In step  414 , a new or second ACD other destination may be identified and for instance labeled by or associated with DNIS label  116  or other label, tag or identifier. In step  416 , a call transfer to the second ACD or other destination may be initiated. In step  418 , virtual private network  110 , routing engine  106  or other network intelligence may detect that the first call to the first ACD or other destination and the second call to the second ACD or other destination, represent or constitute the same call, call flow or event. In step  420 , the call to the second ACD or other destination may be connected via virtual private network  110 . 
     In step  422 , the release link trunk or other command may be activated, releasing the connection to the originating trunk, ports, switches or other resources supporting the connection to the first ACD or other destination. In step  424 , call data associated with the call may be accessed or transferred to the second ACD or other destination, for instance for display on a CSR workstation or otherwise. In step  426 , the call may be completed and DNIS label  116  or other label or identifier may be released, for instance to a DNIS assignment pool in embodiments when dynamic DNIS assignment is used. In step  428 , processing may repeat, return to a prior processing point, jump to a further processing point or end. 
     The foregoing description of the invention is illustrative, and modifications in configuration and implementation will occur to persons skilled in the art. For instance, while the invention has generally been described in terms of an environment in which a routing engine directs a call from an initial IVR or other automated response host to a remote automatic call distributor (ACD), in embodiments the connection sequence may be from one IVR to another IVR, between two ACDs, may be extended between three IVRs, ACDs or other resources, or may follow other connections or paths. 
     Similarly, while the invention has generally been described as operating under control of one routing engine  106 , in embodiments those control functions may be distributed amongst multiple controllers, processors or logic. Other hardware, software or other resources described as singular may in embodiments be distributed, and similarly resources described in embodiments as distributed may be combined. Further, while the invention has generally been described as employing a virtual private network (VPN) to bridge the call to an ACD or other destination, in embodiments other extranets or other connections, such as Internet Protocol (IP)-based or other networks, protocols or connections, may support the connection bridge. The scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.