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US5757644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Voice interactive call center training method using actual screens and screen logic
Assignee: Unify Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-25
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2016-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A voice interactive agent training system has a series of discrete voice messages stored in a digital memory. These messages are keyed to screens used in live call center operations. The call center logic used in live call center operations determines the sequence in which the screens are displayed on the agent's monitor. When transferred to an agent's terminal, the screen is identified, based upon a characteristic of the actual screen (e.g. character count in a field) so that there is no need for access to the call center operating system in order to identify which screen is displayed. A voice energy transducer responsive to the trainee's voice, causes a reproduction of appropriate discrete voice messages to respond to passages in the script which have been read by the trainee from the monitor. In one embodiment, agent inputs are compared to "appropriate" inputs and inappropriate inputs are fed back to the trainee concurrently with the appropriate input.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob W. Jorgensen
- 👤 Alan R. Trefzger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:46
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04; G09B9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of: storing digitally a plurality of addressable sets of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen and who is making inputs at an agent terminal in response to said simulated client response; selecting and displaying an actual script from a call center data base, said script selected by call center logic in response to agent inputs at the agent terminal during a training session; generating an address of a set of said voice messages in response to said actual script selected in said selecting displaying step; fetching said set of said voice messages at said address; and creating from set of said voice messages fetched in said fetching step, voice inputs to said agent reading from the script on said displayed screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of: storing digitally a plurality of addressable sets of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen and who is making inputs at an agent terminal in response to said simulated client response; selecting and displaying an actual script from a call center data base, said script selected by call center logic in response to agent inputs at the agent terminal during a training session; generating an address of a set of said voice messages in response to said actual script selected in said selecting displaying step; fetching said set of said voice messages at said address; and creating from set of said voice messages fetched in said fetching step, voice inputs to said agent reading from the script on said displayed screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The voice interactive method for training agents as in claim 1 wherein said generating step includes decoding a characteristic of the content of said screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The voice interactive method for training agents as in claim 2 wherein said characteristic is independent of the method for training.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of: storing digitally a plurality of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen; storing digitally a preferred agent response to each of said voice messages; comparing an agent response to said each of said voice messages to said preferred agent response; displaying an error message when said comparing step indicates a divergence between said agent response and said preferred agent response.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of: storing digitally a plurality of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen; storing digitally a preferred agent response to each of said voice messages; comparing an agent response to said each of said voice messages to said preferred agent response; displaying an error message when said comparing step indicates a divergence between said agent response and said preferred agent response.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of; storing digitally a plurality of sets of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen; each of said sets comprised of two or more alternative responses to a single input from an agent who is following a displyed screen; selecting one of said two or more alternative responses; fetching said one of said two or more alternative responses selected in said selecting step; and creating, from said voice message fetched in said fetching step, a voice input to said agent following said displayed screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A voice interactive method for training agents to act in a telephone call center in response to voice inputs from a client, including the steps of; storing digitally a plurality of sets of voice messages that simulate client responses to an agent who is reading from a script displayed on a screen; each of said sets comprised of two or more alternative responses to a single input from an agent who is following a displyed screen; selecting one of said two or more alternative responses; fetching said one of said two or more alternative responses selected in said selecting step; and creating, from said voice message fetched in said fetching step, a voice input to said agent following said displayed screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The voice interactive method for training agents as in claim 5 wherein said selecting step is carried out so as to appear random to said agent.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |