IP Library Granted Patent US 8,082,281
Granted Patent B2
US 8,082,281 · App. 13/051,021 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Notification system and method

Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,082,281
App. No.
13/051,021
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dispatching system adjusts resources to meet real-time changes in demand. When a customer requests service, a work assignment is generated and sent to an employee. When a customer cancels the requested service, a cancellation code is sent to the employee. The cancellation code informs the employee that the work assignment has been canceled.

Claims (36)

1. A method, comprising:

assigning a work order to a technician assigned to a location;

receiving a cancellation of the work order;

determining the technician has been dispatched to the location;

determining real time intervention is required to modify assignment of the work order based on hours worked, including overtime, by the technician in a pay period; and

sending a cancellation code to the technician to cancel the assignment of the work order to the technician.

2. A system, comprising:

a dispatch unit receiving a request for service from a customer;

a plurality of access units in communication with the dispatch unit, wherein each access unit is associated with one of multiple technicians and provides each technician with information related to an infrastructure;

a database in communication with the dispatch unit, the database storing hours worked, including overtime, for each technician in a pay period and also storing a geographic location assigned to each technician;

the dispatch unit assigning a work order to an access unit associated with a technician assigned to the geographic location that matches the request for service;

the dispatch unit determining real time intervention is required to modify assignment of the work order based on the hours worked, including the overtime, by the technician in the pay period; and

the dispatch unit sending a cancellation code to the access unit associated with the technician to cancel assignment of the work order to the technician.

3. A system, comprising:

a database associating a plurality of technicians to hours worked, including overtime, for each technician and a geographic location assigned to each technician;

a dispatch unit wirelessly communicating with a plurality of access units, wherein each access unit is associated with a technician of the plurality of technicians, the dispatch unit:

generating a work order;

querying the database and assigning the work order to an access unit associated with a technician assigned to a location matching the work order;

receiving a cancellation of the work order;

determining real time intervention is required to modify assignment of the work order based on the hours worked, including the overtime, by the technician in the pay period; and

sending a cancellation code to the access unit associated with the technician to cancel the work order.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising sending the work order to the technician.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising dispatching the technician to the location.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving a modification request to modify the work order.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising comparing the work order with a qualification of the technician.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising assigning a next assignment to the technician.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising comparing the work order with qualifications of a plurality of technicians.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising instructing the technician to remain at the location for a next assignment.

11. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising selecting the technician from the plurality of technicians.

12. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the dispatch unit sends the work order to the access unit associated with the technician.

13. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the dispatch unit dispatches the technician to the location.

14. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the dispatch unit receives a modification request to modify the work order.

15. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the dispatch unit compares the work order with a qualification of the technician.

16. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the dispatch unit assigns a next assignment to the technician.

17. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the dispatch unit further receives a modification request to modify the work order.

18. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the dispatch unit compares the work order with a qualification of the technician.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2011
From: DITCHARO, PATRICIA; WHEELER, JAMES S.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P. (VIA TRANSFER FROM BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 026053/0046 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12566708 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation 10422815 · Apr 25, 2003
Continuation 09468930 · Dec 22, 1999
Related Publication 20110166902A1 · Jul 7, 2011