Headset With Multiple Connections

This invention generally relates to telecommunications; and more specifically, the invention relates to communications or call centers that receive and transmit communications over both telephone and computer networks. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to a computer controlled communications switch, for use at such call centers, that automatically connects an agent to the appropriate network, either the telephone network or the computer network, depending on which network is being used to make or receive a particular communication call.

In the telecommunications industry, call centers are used to provide customer and operator services for business clients. Traditionally, customers of these business clients place a phone call to a toll-free telephone number to reach a call center customer service agent, and these agents then provide some type of service over the telephone for the customers. In many existing call centers, the service agents use telesets or automated call distribution pads to place and receive telephone calls. These telesets have headsets or handsets that the agents use to communicate with customers.

The telecommunications industry is changing, and for example, more and more people are conducting business on the Internet. Internet telephony is growing in popularity and improving in quality. Some of the advantages of internet telephony include application sharing, white boarding, and the ability to make calls without a telephone.

In order for the customer service agents at call centers to also participate in voice over internet telephony, it is necessary that those agents be provided with equipment that will enable them to conduct voice communication over the internet as well as over conventional telephone networks. One way to do this is to provide the call center agents with expensive internet telephony gateways that will link the automated call distribution pads to the Internet, or the agents may use a speaker and microphone connected to personal computers. Another option is to equip the agents with a headset that will work with both their telesets and their personal computers.

Standard current amplified headsets are four wire devices. In these devices, two wires are used for the microphone, and the other two wires are for the earpiece. Typical personal computer microphones and speakers also are each a two-wire device, and it is not difficult to connect a standard headset to a personal computer. There are devices presently available that allow a single headset to work with both a personal computer and a telephone, and for example, the headset may include a switch, referred to as a PC switch, to allow the headset to communicate with a personal computer.

One disadvantage with these switches is that they are manually controlled. This may not be a significant problem for the ordinary individual that is making outbound calls on a telephone or listening to audio on a personal computer. However, in a call center environment, systems are automated and often the telephone does not even ring--calls are delivered when agents are available. Under these circumstances, it would be very confusing for the agent to have to manually switch between the personal computer and the teleset to handle internet calls and telephone network calls.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved headset that enables an agent to communicate over both a telephone network and a computer network.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the need for an agent at a call center to use two separate headsets when sending or receiving voice communications via a telephone and a computer simultaneously or one after the other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a single headset unit that allows a person to communicate on a telephone as well as the internet.

These and other objectives are obtained with a headset, and a method for using a headset, to communicate with two separate devices. The headset comprises a mounting member for mounting and holding the headset on the head of a wearer, at least a first speaker, and means for connecting the speaker to the mounting member for holding the speaker adjacent an ear of the wearer. The headset further comprises first and second microphones, and a boom member connecting the microphones to the mounting member for holding the microphones adjacent the mouth of the wearer. A signal conducting circuit is provided for transmitting input communication signals from at least the first device to the first speaker, and for transmitting output communications from the first and second microphones to the first and second devices respectively.

In one embodiment, the headset has two microphones and two speakers. One microphone and speaker work with one device, and the other microphone and speaker work with a second device. Using this headset, a person can use the two devices without switching headset or having to wear two different headsets. In another embodiment, the headset has two microphones but only one speaker. This embodiment may be used, for example by an agent at a call center to communicate calls over the public switched telephone network and to use a speech recognition program on a personal computer.

Also, mute switches can be provided for each application or device with which the headset is used. By muting one application, an agent can use another. For example, the headset may be connected to both the public switched telephone network and to the internet; and to conduct an internet telephone call, the agent simply mutes the wireset that is linked to the public switched telephone network.

Further benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a communications system architecture in which the present invention may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a headset, embodying the present invention, used in an agent station of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a headset embodying this invention and having two speakers in one earphone.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate headset having two speakers in each of two earphones.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simple communications system architecture 10 in which the present invention may be used. This communications architecture, which is used to process and route both contact requests and inbound calls, includes an automated call distributor (ACD) 12, a computer/telephony interface 14, an internet or web server 16, various communications networks, including the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 20 and the Internet 22, and a plurality of call centers, only one of which is shown at 24 in FIG. 1. Each call center 24 includes a multitude of agent stations, again only one of which is shown at 26 in FIG. 1; and each agent station includes an agent workstation 30, a telephone keypad 32 and a headset unit 34.

Generally, the automated call distributor 12 interfaces with the PSTN 20 for inbound and outbound calls, queries inbound calls, and distributes inbound calls among a plurality of agents. The Computer/Telephony Interface Server 14 is connected to the automated call distributor 12 and provides event data from the call distributor to various other elements of system 10, such as the agent workstations 26. Internet Server 16 supports Web sites, along with suitable software programs.

Agent workstation 30 is provided for running customer service software applications, receiving call data, and interfacing with the internet for internet protocal (IP) telephony sessions and collaborative HTTP sessions over the Web. Preferably, workstation 30 is or includes a personal computer. The teleset 32 is used for telephone calls over the PSTN 20 via the automated call distributor 12.

It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows a very simple example of a suitable communications system 10; and as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the system may be provided with additional elements or items. For example, system 10 may include an Enterprise Contact Server, an Enterprise Voice Response Unit, and an Enterprise Router, and each call center may include a Center Contact Server.

The Center Contact Server of each call center supports the agents at those centers. These Servers allow customers to place contact requests to a call center by any available communication means, including the internet, and to receive contacts from an agent by any available communications means.

The Enterprise Contact Server provides enterprise-level processing and routing of contact requests. The Enterprise Contact Server communicates with each Center Contact Server and tracks the states and availabilities of agents at each call center. Each Center Contact Server sends event messages to the Enterprise Contact Server to continuously update the Enterprise Contact Server with current states and availability data. When a contact request is received, the Enterprise Contact Server can determine and select an available qualified agent among the agents at the plurality of call centers and then send the contact request to the Center Contact Server that supports the selected agent.

The Enterprise Router is a computer application that provides intelligent routing of inbound calls, and this Router can be provided in several embodiments For example, the Router can be embodied as a distinct software application and database that resides on a computer different than the Enterprise Contact Server, or as a distinct software application and database that resides on the same computer as that Contact Server. As a further alternative, the Router can be integrated with the Enterprise Contact Server application as a process or sub-system. The preferred embodiment is to have the Enterprise Router as an application distinct from the Enterprise Contact Server, either on the same computer or different computers, and to have the Enterprise Contact Server interface with the Enterprise Router via an application program interface. This enables the use of different types and vendors' offerings of an Enterprise Router.

The Enterprise Voice Response Unit (VRU) provides interactive voice response (IVR) services for callers. The Enterprise VRU has a voice link to the PSTN 20, rather than to a call center ACD 12. This way, the Enterprise VRU can receive calls over the PSTN, and can then route a call to any ACD 12 at any call center. One Enterprise VRU can be located with each call center 24, or one Enterprise VRU can be used for a plurality of call centers. The Enterprise VRU is connected to the Center Contact Server for the purpose of sending call data to that Contact Server.

In addition, each call center 24 may preferably include a local area network (LAN), and system 10 may include a data center. The local area network of each call center provides data connectivity among the various components of the call center. The system data center is a LAN that provides data connectivity among the Web Server and Internet, the Enterprise Contact Server, the CTI Server, and the plurality of call centers. The Data Center is connected to each call center by a wide area network (WAN) that connects the LANs of each call center. This provides a physical interface among the Enterprise Contact Server and each Center Contact Server.

To place a contact request or an inbound call,. a customer may use a standard telephone connected to the PSTN 20, a personal computer (PC) with an IP telephony application connected to the Internet 22 for placing IP telephone calls, or a personal computer with a Web browser connected to the Internet for interfacing with the Web.

More detailed descriptions of call center communication systems and of their components are given in copending patent application Ser. No. 08/976,162, filed Nov. 21, 1997, for Contact Server for Call Center, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

The agents at call centers 24 are provided with headsets 34 that are designed to work with two separate devices. Each headset 34 is equipped with two or more microphones, and one or more speakers, as needed, that are each separately wired for use with different applications.

In one embodiment, represented in FIG. 1, the headset 34 has two microphones and two speakers. One microphone and speaker work with one device, and the other microphone and speaker work with a second device. This headset may be used, for example, by an agent at a call center to support voice calls over both the PSTN and the internet. One microphone/speaker set is wired to the telephone keypad for PSTN calls, and the second micrphone/speaker set is wired to a personal soundcard on the agent's workstation for internet calls. Using this headset, a person can use the two devices without switching headsets or having to wear two different headsets.

In another embodiment, the headset has two microphones but only one speaker. This embodiment may be used, for example, by an agent at a call center to communicate calls over the PSTN and to use a speech recognition program on the personal computer workstation. One microphone/speaker set is wired to the telephone keypad for PSTN calls, and the second microphone is wired to the workstation for the speech recognition program. This speech recognition program does not require an ear speaker for the headset.

With still another embodiment, the headset has only one microphone and two apeakers. This embodiment may be used, for instance, by a person to listen to music (not disturbing the caller or other nieghbors) and speak on a telephone at the same time.

The headset is, in turn, connected to a wiring hub 36, which links each of the separate source devices, such as the workstation and the telephone keypad, that are wired to the headset. Hub 36 may be a black box with separate input/output ports and internal wire channels for each wireset. The hub may also simply be different bundlings of wires coming out of the headset, as shown at 40 in FIG. 2.

As an additional feature, a hub 36 can be equipped with a mute switch 42a, 42b for each application wireset. By muting one application, an agent can use another. For example, to conduct an internet telephone call, the agent simply mutes the wireset that is linked to the PSTN telephone keypad.

It should be noted that the Mute button is completely optional. The user does not need to toggle the mute button to receive the call. The mute is just convenient.

The mute button can be configured to stop the signal from the speaker, the microphone, or both. Presented below is an example of each where the user is on the telephone with one line and used the mute on the other speaker/mic.

A. Mic mute: The user mutes the microphone to prevent voice signals to be sent to the other device, but still wishes to listen to the second device. The second line could be connected to a pc playing music and accepting inputs to a speech recognition program. Or the second device could be a second phone conversation such as a conference call.

B. Speaker Mute: This allows the voice to be recorded by a pc or cassette recorder, but prevents the music from distracting the user.

C. Mute both to completely block the other device.

Preferably, with reference to FIGS. 2-4, this multi-connect headset has a single microphone boom 44 which houses two separate microphones 46, and one or more speakers 50. The headset includes all the electronics of two separate headsets and a single frame. In use, one speaker can be placed in each ear of the agent, or two small speakers can be placed together for a single ear to listen to. Headset 34 may be upgraded to stereo by placing two separate speakers in both earpieces. The wiring for the headset can be encased together until near the plug point if necessary for aesthetic appeal and convenience.

It is preferred to use two separate microphones and two separate speakers, rather than to use a single microphone and speaker and to wire the plugs together, because different equipment may use different power/voltage/current for their uses. The wiring may cause an unpredictable feedback.

As mentioned above, headset 34 is equipped with one or more speakers. In particular, the headset is equipped with one speaker or one set of speakers for each application that requires a speaker. For example, in one embodiment, one speaker is wired to the headset for each application that requires a speaker. In another embodiment, two speakers in stereo can be wired for each application. Speakers for multiple applications can be placed in one earpiece, as shown in FIG. 3, or distributed between two earpieces, as shown in FIG. 4.

While the above discussion describes the use of the invention for call center agents, the present invention has more general applications. In general, this invention is a headset, or to use a headset, that supports connections to multiple devices and/or applications. For example, an individual at a home can use the headset to conduct an internet telephone call via a personal computer, while recording notes of their call on a word processor with speech recogniton. Each of these applications may use different sound cards on the personal computer, and therefore different wiresets.

Also, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the Contact Server is not necessary to the practice of this invention. In fact, the headset of this invention can be used by people who have nothing to do with call centers; the user does not even need a computer.

One, additional use of the invention is the prompting of VRU gathered information and/or audible screen-pop information.

Normally when a call arrives on an ACD, the agent is presented a "whisper tone" message announcing the company, division, or name of the caller as the call arrives. The whisper is sent by the ACD based on the original 800 number. With some network routing products the original 800 number is lost. The ACD cannot provide a useful whisper tone. A pre-recorded .wav or other audio files can be used to play the message to the agent based on the same information that is used by a screen-pop such as ANI, DNIS, or Caller Entered Digits (CED) and present this audio message to the agent via the computer as the call arrives. This would not be limited to inbound calls. Voice messages can be played back from voicemail, or from recordings gathered from the requester (caller) on the web. One connection of the headset can be to the PC and the other to the caller. Only the agent would hear this voice message. The Contact Server provides the appropriate "data" to the screen-pop application and delays the call from being sent to the agent until after the voice message has been played.

Although as discussed above, the headset controls four wires (two for each microphone and two for each speaker), the device could be modified to support other wiring configurations.

For example, a headset (used with cordless phones and cell phones) may have one microphone and one speaker but use only three wires. Normally a speaker needs a receiving wire and a wire connected to an electrical ground. The microphone has a sending wire and a connection to an electrical ground (GND). A three wire device simply shares a common GND wire.

Suitable modifications may also be made for stero wiring. Stereo speakers need two separate conducting signal wires and a common (or separate) GND.

While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects previously stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.