Abstract:
A system and method for servicing a caller at a contact center includes a processor subsystem and one or more modules that include code executable by the processor subsystem. Execution of the code invoking an automatic call distributor (ACD) collaborative application that provides the caller with a visual or aural call session history that lists each agent with whom the caller has interacted. The ACD collaborative application also providing the caller with an option to request return to a previous agent listed in the call session history. 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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of contact center communications and automatic call distributors; more specifically, to systems and methods for controlling a call or contact center communication session.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Interactive voice response (IVR) systems that provide information and channel calls to service agents in response to the spoken words or touch tone signaling of a telephone caller have been deployed for more than a decade. The traditional call center for handling service calls was based on a private branch exchange (PBX) that included core automatic call distributor (ACD) functions for connecting a caller to one of a plurality of agents served by the ACD. During the 1990s, the advent of the Internet, electronic commerce, and computer telephony integration (CTI) transformed the call center in ways that enabled delivery of caller data to agents, thereby enabling agents to become more efficient and to improve customer service levels. Today, many enterprises use multiple call or contact centers (both terms are used synonymously and interchangeably in the present application) that extend across different geographic regions, with communications taking place through public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) and Internet protocol (IP) enabled networks that support multi-channel (voice, e-mail, text chat, and Web collaboration) customer interaction.  
         [0003]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,798,877 teaches a system in which a caller utilizes a personal computer (PC) for establishing an Internet connection to an ACD and for permitting a caller to select a particular agent. A system for providing information about a telephone caller to a telephone agent, wherein caller-specific data of the caller is used to generate a web page that displays the identified information to the agent is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,212. A system that can notify a customer of the availability status of agents and which allows the customer to select a particular agent from a group of desired agents by pushing a button according to voice guidance given from the ACD is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,567,848. U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,715 discloses a system for operatively integrating an ACD and an IVR unit in which an interaction input from a caller is stored and then transmitted to an appropriate agent workstation. The session initiation protocol (SIP) is a widely accepted standard for Internet conferencing, telephony, presence, events notification and instant messaging, which incorporates the notion of caller preferences for certain types of interactive communication sessions (e.g., designating a certain genre of music when on hold during a call). A method and apparatus for analyzing the performance of an IVR system with respect to routing of calls or contacts received in accordance with a contact flow model is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,685.  
         [0004]     It is common for a caller communicate with multiple agents during the course of a contact center communication session. One problem with the prior art is that when a caller is transferred from to a new agent he is often required to restate his original problem (i.e., his reason for calling) and/or relate the history of his earlier conversations with other agents. Furthermore, often times a caller may want to return to speak with a previous agent who may have demonstrated to be more knowledgeable, or who is already familiar with the circumstances of the caller&#39;s particular problem or request. However, in most cases control over the agent selection process resides exclusively with the ACD, or with the agents themselves who typically have access to the communication session call history that is created by existing ACD software.  
         [0005]     Thus, what is a needed is a system and method that provides callers with access to call history information and that allows the caller to return to a previous agent during a contact center communication session.  
         [0006]     By way of further background, U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,980 discloses an ACD and method for selectively connecting incoming calls to a plurality of available agents based on proficiency ratings of the particular agents. A method and apparatus for controlling an ACD by a supervisor from a remote location is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,458. U.S. Pat. No. 6,847,715 discloses a method for controlling administration of ACD queues by a controller and of communicating data to an agent. The caller can control which agent should respond to his call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular agent or the first available agent when the caller reaches the end of the queue.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description that follows and from the accompanying drawings, which however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown, but are for explanation and understanding only.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram of a contact center system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a process of generating a call history with caller annotations in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates a method of operation according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates a method of operation in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     A system and method that allows a caller to choose to return to a particular agent out of a plurality of agents that the caller has already interacted with during an ongoing communication session is described. In the following description specific details are set forth, such as device types, configurations, communication methods, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, persons having ordinary skill in the arts will appreciate that these specific details may not be needed to practice the present invention.  
         [0013]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a contact center provides an interactive interface (e.g., a web-based graphical user interface) that allows a caller to communicate with a plurality of service agents in a rich media environment. As a call is transferred from one agent to another, the contact center system updates and displays call or communication session history information to the caller, which information includes a listing of the previously contacted agents. The system also provides the caller with the ability to return to a particular agent by selecting or “clicking” on a visual represention (e.g., icon) associated with that agent appearing on the graphical user interface. A caller or user (in the context of the present application both terms are used synonymously) who elects to return to an agent in this manner is automatically placed in queue to wait until that agent is available. In certain implementations, the caller may be placed in a special wait queue reserved for “returning callers”; that is, callers who elect to return to a particular agent. The special wait queue may provide the returning caller with priority over other callers (e.g., those in the regular queue) to speak with the particular agent.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is diagram of a contact center system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which system includes an ACD  17  connected with a plurality of agents (Ag 1 , Ag 2 , Ag 3  . . . , Ag N ). ACD  17  is configured to receive and service calls from a variety of sources across different communication media, represented by “cloud”  15 . Communication media cloud  15  may comprise a traditional PSTN for connecting a caller using a telephone  12  to ACD  17 , or, alternatively, for connecting a caller utilizing a personal computer (PC)  13  to interact with ACD  17  via a packet-based Internet Protocol (IP) network.  
         [0015]     The diagram of  FIG. 1  shows ACD  17  including a processor subsystem  21  comprising one or more processors (simply denoted “CPU”) coupled with a memory (“system memory”)  24  and software module (SM)  22 . Software module  22  may also be implemented in firmware or some combination of hardware/software elements. A historical reporting module  23  that operates to build up the call history as it develops for use by the various agents during the contact center session is coupled to software module  22 . Although not explicitly shown, processor subsystem  21  may also be coupled directly to historical reporting module  23 . Data may also be transferred between processor subsystem  21 , memory  24 , software module  22 , and historical reporting module  23  over one or more buses, such as a memory or system bus. By way of example, the system bus may include the conventional peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.  
         [0016]     Software module  22  includes executable code that provides a caller with access to the interactive history information of a call session as it develops during the contact center session. This call history information is typically generated by historical reporting module  23  and may include a listing of the various agents that the caller has interacted with, the length of time of each interaction, comments regarding each experience, etc. In one embodiment, software module  22  also includes code for generating a visual user interface for a caller communicating via PC  13 . This visual user interface may comprise an ACD collaborative web-based application that is accessed by the browser software running on PC  13 . In other instances, the interface may comprise a downloaded application for execution on PC  13 , or other forms of computer-executable code that may be loaded or accessed by PC  13 .  
         [0017]     In a specific implementation, the visual user interface may permit the caller to annotate his experience with each agent by entering (e.g., typing on a keyboard) remarks in an associated annotation field. This process is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , wherein establishment of the collaborative, interactive application between PC  13  and ACD  17  is shown by dashed line  31 , and transfer of the call to a first agent (Ag 1 ) is shown by dashed line  35 . Interaction between the caller (via PC  13 ) and the first agent is represented by line  32 , with the annotation field associated with the first agent being shown by block  38 . In one embodiment, annotation field  38  appears next to the first agent&#39;s name on the visual user interface provided on PC  13 . The caller may enter his comments (e.g., feedback grade, remarks regarding his experience with the agent, etc.) into field  38  anytime during or after his interactive session with the first agent. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the caller is transferred from the first agent to a second agent (Ag 2 ) as shown by dashed line  36 . Interaction between the caller and the second agent is represented by line  33 , with the annotation field associated with the second agent being shown by block  39 . This process may continue with the caller being transferred to still other agents connected with ACD  17 .  
         [0018]     The call history information shown in  FIG. 2 , including the user-input comments in annotation fields  38  &amp;  39 , is made available to the caller via the visual user-interface display during the contact center communication session. (It is appreciated that the actual names or identities of the agents may be hidden from the caller for privacy purposes. For instance, a nickname or other identifier may be used by each of the agents, with the nicknames being displayed on PC  13 .) In addition, the graphical user interface on PC  13  includes a mechanism (e.g., clicking on an icon) that permits the caller to return to a previous agent. That is, anytime during the communication session the caller may end his interactive session with a current agent and return to a previous agent. The caller&#39;s selection of a previous agent is facilitated by visual display of the call history information on PC  13 . The process of returning to a previous agent in the call history listing may be repeated multiple times.  
         [0019]     Practitioners in the art will appreciate that the graphical user interface may also be provided on a display screen of a caller device other than a PC. For instance, a visual user interface may be provided on a display screen of a cell phone of the caller, with agent selections and annotation entries being made by keypad or voice input commands of the caller.  
         [0020]     It is further appreciated that in the above-described embodiment the interactive interface and the process of returning to a previous agent is enabled by software module  22  in conjunction with historical reporting module  23  and processor subsystem  21 . In another embodiment, ACD  17  may be configured to control the above process by placing appropriate limitations on the ability of a caller to return to a particular agent. For example, instead of allowing a caller to invoke a transfer to a previous agent at any time, parameters within software module  22  of ADC  17  may be configured such that only a current agent may invoke a return to a previous agent. In other words, a caller may specifically request that a current agent return the caller to a previous agent, however, the current agent retains control to actually invoke the transfer. In this way, the current agent may attempt to clarify the problem, solicit further information, or report a reason for the transfer in the historical record.  
         [0021]     In still another alternative embodiment, whenever a caller invokes the functionality to return to a previous agent the ACD system flags the request and notifies a supervisor associated with the contact center. At that point, the supervisor may intercept the call and take over the session to insure good customer service or to simply inquire about the reason for the transfer. Another possibility is to permit a caller to make a certain number of invocations to return to a previous agent before a supervisor steps in and takes over control of the transfer process. For instance, a caller may be allowed to invoke two transfers to a previous agent, with a third transfer attempt resulting in notification to a supervisor who may then assume control over the call and any further transfers. The supervisor, for example, may query the caller to determine the reason for the transfer request and either allow or disallow the transfer. This latter embodiment insures that a caller can not disrupt or unduly dominate contact center system resources.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates a method of operation according to one embodiment of the present invention. When a call is received at the contact center from a media-rich device such as PC  13 , the ACD collaborative application is automatically invoked (block  41 ). The start-up of the collaborative application results in pop-up of a visual user interface on the screen of PC  13 , with a listing of the session history, including the current agent being displayed (block  42 ). The session history listing is updated in real-time with each transfer or entry of information by the agent or the caller. As discussed previously, the caller may elect to return to a particular agent at any time during the communication session (block  43 ). In one implementation, selection of the return-to-agent option by the caller results in immediate transfer to the selected agent (block  44 ). Alternatively, control over the transfer may reside with an agent or supervisor associated with the contact center system. Following transfer, the session history is updated on the visual user interface (block  42 ). The session continues in this manner until the call ends.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart diagram that illustrates a method of operation in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Instead of originating from a PC, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  the call is received by ACD  17  from some type of telephonic device (e.g., standard telephone, wireless cell phone, VoIP phone, etc.). In this case, ACD  17  executes an initial telephony (IVR) prompt menu (block  51 ) that may solicit information from the caller and generally attempt to resolve the caller&#39;s request or problem without the need for live agent assistance. For example, if the caller simply wants to know his account balance, this information may be provided through the initial IVR self-service menu. If the initial IVR menu is unable to satisfy the caller&#39;s request or problem, the call is eventually transferred to a first available agent (block  52 ).  
         [0024]     At this point, ACD  17  dynamically creates and updates a new IVR prompt menu based on the call session history (block  53 ). This new IVR menu functions as a voice or aural interface that periodically provides the caller with an updated call history in the form of an automated voice script. For example, each time the caller is transferred to an agent, the IVR menu may play out a voice script that recounts the call history, including which agents the caller has already spoken with. Additionally, the IVR menu may provide the caller with the option of returning to a previous agent by voice command, touch-tone entry, or keypad response (block  54 ). When the caller elects to return to a previous agent, he may be placed in queue until that agent is available. After the transfer occurs (block  55 ), the IVR menu is dynamically updated and the process repeats. Of course, the caller may continue his session with the current agent, without ever returning to a previous agent, as indicated by block  56 .  
         [0025]     Another possibility is to configure the ACD system such that the caller can select, at any time, a menu item to play a prompt or script that lists the names of the various agents with whom the caller has already spoken. The IVR menu may also present an option for the caller to enter a queue to return to one of the agents listed.  
         [0026]     It should be understood that elements of the present invention may also be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (e.g., a processor or other electronic device) to perform a sequence of operations. Alternatively, the operations may be performed by a combination of hardware and software. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, propagation media or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. For example, elements of the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer or telephonic device to a requesting process by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).  
         [0027]     Additionally, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, numerous modifications and alterations are well within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.