IP Library Granted Patent US 9,129,242
Granted Patent B2
US 9,129,242 · App. 14/303,690 · Granted Sep 8, 2015

Notification system and method

Inventors: James S. Wheeler (Lithonia, GA); Patricia Ditcharo (Atlanta, GA)
Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
G06Q10/063116G06Q10/06311G06Q10/06398G06Q10/063112G06Q10/109G06Q20/20G06Q40/04Y10S707/99936Y10S707/99943Y10S707/99945
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,129,242
App. No.
14/303,690
Granted
Sep 8, 2015
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 (38)

1. A method, comprising:

generating, by a processor, an electronic work order;

assigning, by the processor, a technician to the electronic work order;

dispatching, by the processor, the technician to resolve the electronic work order;

determining, by the processor after dispatch, that the technician is ineligible for assignment to the electronic work order;

determining, by the processor, a wireless access unit associated with the technician; and

sending, by the processor, an electronic cancellation code to a network address associated with the wireless access unit to cancel the assignment of the electronic work order to the technician.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a cancellation of the electronic work order.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reassigning the electronic work order to another technician.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving hours worked by the technician.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising comparing the hours worked to a threshold.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising determining an overtime from comparison of the hours worked to a threshold.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving overtime hours worked by the technician.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing the electronic work order with a qualification of the technician.

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

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the technician is unavailable.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising retrieving a pay period associated with the technician.

12. A system, comprising:

a wireless access unit associated with a technician, the wireless access unit:

wirelessly receiving an electronic work order sent to a network address associated with the wireless access unit, the electronic work order sent to the technician for repair of a facility, and

wirelessly receiving, after dispatch, an electronic cancellation code sent to the network address associated with the wireless access unit, the electronic cancellation code indicating that the technician is ineligible for assignment to the electronic work order.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit wirelessly receives a location associated with the electronic work order.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit wirelessly receives a modification of the electronic work order.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit wirelessly receives a reallocation of the technician to another electronic work order.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit displays the electronic work order.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit displays the electronic cancellation code.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit wirelessly receives a cancellation of the electronic work order.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the wireless access unit wirelessly receives a schedule associated with the technician.

20. A system, comprising:

an electronic database storing electronic information associated with technicians; and

a dispatch unit that:

receives an electronic work order for repair of a facility;

selects one of the technicians to resolve the electronic work order;

assigns the electronic work order to the one of the technicians;

dispatches the one of the technicians to resolve the electronic work order;

determines after dispatch that the one of the technicians is ineligible for assignment of the electronic work order;

determines a network address of a wireless access unit associated with the technician; and

sends an electronic cancellation code to the network address of the wireless access unit to cancel the assignment of the electronic work order assigned to the one of the technicians.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2015
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 035286/0362 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 30, 2015
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035335/0773 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 30, 2015
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035335/0776 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 30, 2015
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035335/0786 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 3, 2014
From: DITCHARO, PATRICIA; WHEELER, JAMES S.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033238/0837 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 13945957 · Jul 19, 2013
Continuation 13299442 · Nov 18, 2011
Continuation 13051021 · Mar 18, 2011
Continuation 12566708 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation 10422815 · Apr 25, 2003
Continuation 09468930 · Dec 22, 1999
Related Publication 20140297347A1 · Oct 2, 2014