Various embodiments relate to a portable user device including: a wireless transceiver; wherein the portable user device is configured to send a request, via the wireless transceiver, to replace a first user communication device in a communication session between the first user communication device and a second user communication device in response to receiving an indication of the communication session; and via the wireless transceiver, establishing a communication connection with the second user communication device in response to receiving, via the wireless transceiver, an agreement to the request.

A method for transferring control of an existing multi-participant conversation in which at least two communication terminals are connected to each other through a data connection to a conference control application can include the following steps: establishment of a virtual conference room that serves as an anchor point for the application and can be a virtual participant in the conference, switching of the conference room into the existing data connection and assignment of the master role to the conference room. A signal generated by the application can cause the switching of the conference room into the existing data connection and the assignment of the master role to the conference room.

Systems and methods for automated telephone host system interaction. A system can include one or more client applications executable by respective communication devices and a server in communication with the respective communication devices. The system can store caller information for a caller and receive, from the caller, requests associated with a service provider. Responsive to the requests, the system can cause initiation of a call center call to a call center associated with the service provider, automatically navigate a call handling system of the call center, monitor a held call center call, and detect when a live agent answers the call. A data center remote from the communication devices can at least partially control call handling at the communication devices.

Embodiments receive an indication of initiation of communication from a controlled-environment facility resident, using a communications device, with another controlled-environment facility resident. A determination is made whether the residents are allowed to communicate and the communication is established between the communications device and another communications device in use by the other resident. The residents may be residents of different or the same controlled-environment facility(ies). The communication may be monitored and/or a database of residents that communicate with one another may be compiled. The communication between the controlled-environment facility residents may proceed, even despite a determination or predetermination that the residents are not allowed to communicate with one another, so the communication may be monitored. At least one of the residents may be charged for the communication, such as by charging a community communications account maintained to the benefit of at least one of the residents.

A multi-channel communication service uses an object-oriented approach to processing communications. The multi-channel communication service is capable of receiving, at a conversation object generator, inbound communications sent from a communication service and subsequently managing the status of participants engaged in a conversation via the various inbound communications. The management process is achieved by associating the inbound communications to corresponding client applications and executing an invitation process from the client applications to a conversation created by the conversation object generator.

A method has steps for receiving at a call center implemented in a network, a first call from a caller using a first telephony-enabled device, connecting the received first call to an agent in the call center, creating and storing in a data repository at the call center a live call record associating an identity of the caller or a device of the caller with the agent to whom the first call is connected, receiving, while the first call is active, a second call from the same caller using a second telephony-enabled device, querying the data repository and discovering the live call record, routing the second call to the same agent to whom the first call is routed, and terminating the first call, but leaving the live call record in place.

A first call from a caller to a called party is forwarded to an agent at an answering service. A notification is received from the agent that a level of seriousness of the first call has become dire, and a second call is established between the agent and a crisis service having a crisis counselor that can provide assistance to the caller. The agent is connected into the second call only when the crisis counselor has acknowledged being available, and the second call is joined with the first call. The crisis counselor and the caller are allowed to speak directly by way of the joined calls, so that the crisis counselor can address the caller and attempt to convince same to avoid any activity that would be harmful thereto.

Provided is a computer-implemented method for determining a status of a call during a phone call between a call agent and the call recipient over a two-party phone line. The method includes automatically adding a third-party phone line to the two-party phone line, the third-party phone line in communication with a call monitoring computer, monitoring, by the call monitoring computer over the second phone line, the phone call between the call recipient and the call agent, detecting, by the call monitoring computer, a predefined response from at least one of the call recipient and the call agent over the phone call, and automatically initiating a customer service action in response to detecting the predefined response. Further provided is a computer-implemented method for processing phone calls based on predetermined call duration thresholds.

Systems and methods are disclosed for originating a call to a wireless number by a contact center while enforcing various compliance requirements. In one embodiment, a compliance server and a PBX cooperate to originate the call to the wireless number. The agent logs into the compliance server and the compliance server provides the agent with a wireless number to dial. The agent manually enters the wireless number using a phone connected to the PBX. The PBX queries the compliance server regarding establishing the wireless call. Upon authorization, the PBX establishes a first call leg to the compliance server, and a second call leg to the called party that is joined with the call leg to the agent's phone. Upon completion of the call, the agent dispositions the call to the compliance server, which then releases the first call leg. In response, the PBX then releases the second call leg.

An already-connected telephone call is conferenced in a seamless manner that is transparent to the call participants, after which one or more additional participants may join the conference. The existing call is preferably moved to a conference bridge responsive to an existing call participant either logging on to a network-accessible user interface (such as a web page or portal-type page) or entering some special key or key combination using the participant's phone (which may be a software application that provides phone-like services). The participant requesting the move may be authenticated, and the authorization of the participant to request the move may be verified, before moving the call.