Method and system for assigning and tracking tasks, such as under an electronic auction
First Claim
1. In a public computer network connecting a buyer organization and two or more supplier computers each having a browser, wherein the supplier computers are coupled to a set of one or more server computers associated with the buyer organization over the public computer network, a method comprising:
- at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, providing an auction information electronic form, wherein the auction information electronic form includes two or more data input fields and a task assignment section, wherein the task assignment section comprises;
individual assignment fields that identify at least first and second individuals in the buyer organization, and at least first and second task fields that permit a user to assign or modify tasks to the first and second individuals in the buyer organization, respectively, wherein the tasks correspond to tasks to be performed before an auction;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, receiving data input provided to the auction form, including input to the two or more data input fields and to the task assignment section, wherein the data input to the task assignment section comprises;
flagging the first and second individuals in the buyer organization for tasks under the individual assignment fields, and assigning or modifying first and second tasks for the first and second individuals in the buyer organization under the first and second task fields, all respectively;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, creating a new reverse auction based on an identified item to procure, wherein the auction is to be conducted at some time in the future;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, electronically notifying the first and second individuals in the buyer organization of the new reverse auction and the assigned or modified first and second tasks, respectively; and
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, receiving input from the first and second individuals in the buyer organization that the respective first and second tasks have been completed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for assigning and managing tasks for individuals within an organization who are working together on a larger project, such as an electronic auction. Under this embodiment, once the need to procure an item (or service) is identified, an electronic auction is scheduled, and a request for quotations (RFQ) is generated. The system automatically assigns tasks to individuals within the organization to fulfill before a scheduled auction date. Alternatively, or additionally, the system permits one or more users or individuals to manually assign tasks to others within the organization. The system may track due dates and provide notifications, including periodic reminders.
159 Citations
35 Claims
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1. In a public computer network connecting a buyer organization and two or more supplier computers each having a browser, wherein the supplier computers are coupled to a set of one or more server computers associated with the buyer organization over the public computer network, a method comprising:
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at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, providing an auction information electronic form, wherein the auction information electronic form includes two or more data input fields and a task assignment section, wherein the task assignment section comprises;
individual assignment fields that identify at least first and second individuals in the buyer organization, and at least first and second task fields that permit a user to assign or modify tasks to the first and second individuals in the buyer organization, respectively, wherein the tasks correspond to tasks to be performed before an auction;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, receiving data input provided to the auction form, including input to the two or more data input fields and to the task assignment section, wherein the data input to the task assignment section comprises;
flagging the first and second individuals in the buyer organization for tasks under the individual assignment fields, and assigning or modifying first and second tasks for the first and second individuals in the buyer organization under the first and second task fields, all respectively;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, creating a new reverse auction based on an identified item to procure, wherein the auction is to be conducted at some time in the future;
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, electronically notifying the first and second individuals in the buyer organization of the new reverse auction and the assigned or modified first and second tasks, respectively; and
at at least one server computer in the set of server computers, receiving input from the first and second individuals in the buyer organization that the respective first and second tasks have been completed. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for facilitating procurement of an item under an auction from one of two or more suppliers, the system comprising:
at least one server computer, wherein the server computer is operable;
to provide an auction information electronic form, wherein the auction information electronic form includes at least one data input field and a task assignment section, wherein the task assignment section comprises at least first and second task fields respectively associated with tasks for first and second individuals or organizational positions, wherein at least one of the tasks corresponds to a task to be performed before an auction;
to receive data input provided to the auction information electronic form, including input to the at least one data input field to create a new auction based on an identified item to procure, wherein the auction is to be conducted at a selected time in the future, and wherein the task assignment section identifies first and second tasks for the first and second individuals or organizational positions under the first and second task fields, all respectively; and
to electronically notify the first and second individuals of the first and second tasks, respectively, before the auction. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35)
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16. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to assist in procuring an item from one of a plurality of suppliers, by:
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providing an auction information electronic form, wherein the auction information electronic form includes at least one data input field and a task assignment section, wherein the task assignment section comprises at least first and second task fields respectively associated with tasks for first and second individuals or organizational positions, wherein at least one of the tasks corresponds to a task to be performed before an auction;
receiving information provided to the auction information electronic form, including the mandatory data input field, to create a new auction with respect to the item to procure, wherein the task assignment section identifies first and second tasks for the first and second individuals or organizational positions under the first and second task fields, all respectively; and
before the auction, electronically notifying the first and second individuals of the first and second tasks, respectively.
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28. A computer-readable medium containing a data structure having information for display and to assist in procuring an item from one of a plurality of suppliers under an auction, the information comprising:
a display description defining an auction information electronic form for creating a new auction with respect to the item to procure, wherein the display description comprises at least first and second mandatory data input portions and a task assignment portion, wherein the first mandatory data input portion corresponds to an auction date field and the second mandatory data input portion corresponds to a commodity field, an auction name field or an auction type field, and wherein the task assignment portion comprises at least first and second task fields respectively associated with tasks for first and second individuals or organizational positions, wherein at least one of the tasks corresponds to a task to be performed before an auction.
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34. A system to assist in procuring items from one of a plurality of suppliers, comprising:
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means for providing an auction information electronic form, wherein the auction information electronic form includes at least one data input field and a task assignment section, wherein the task assignment section comprises at least first and second task fields respectively associated with tasks for first and second individuals or organizational positions, wherein at least one of the tasks corresponds to a task to be performed before an auction;
means for receiving information provided to the auction information electronic form, including the mandatory data input field, to create a new auction with respect to the item to procure, wherein the task assignment section identifies first and second tasks for the first and second individuals or organizational positions under the first and second task fields, all respectively; and
before the auction, means, coupled to the means for providing and the means for receiving, for electronically notifying the first and second individuals of the first and second tasks, respectively.
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Specification