Method for forming and expressing reservables and engagements in a database for a transaction service
First Claim
1. In a database for a transaction service, a data entity describing a reservable service (reservable), comprising:
- an indication of a service to be performed;
a time line for the service describing time intervals in which the service may be performed over an extended time period; and
an indication of the time duration required for performing the service.
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Abstract
In a database for a transaction service, a data entity describing a reservable service (reservable) is provided, the reservable comprising an indication of a service to be performed; a time line for the service, which describes time intervals in which the service may be performed over an extended time period and, an indication of the time duration required for performing the service. In the same database, a second data entity describing an engaged reservable service (service engagement) is provided, the second data entity borne of attributes of the first described entity. The service engagement comprises an indication of a service to be performed; a date, a time and a site for the service to be performed; an indication of a customer having engaged the reservable service thereby forming the service engagement, and an indicator that the second entity is an engagement to be consummated at a future time. In preferred embodiments, both entities of the database are implemented therein as XML expressions. Reservables are searched out in the database for matching with received customer requests in the process of forming the service engagements identifying reservables, which are no longer available in whole or in portion thereof.
188 Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a database for a transaction service, a data entity describing a reservable service (reservable), comprising:
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an indication of a service to be performed;
a time line for the service describing time intervals in which the service may be performed over an extended time period; and
an indication of the time duration required for performing the service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a database for a transaction service, a data entity describing an engaged reservable service (engagement), comprising:
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an indication of a service to be performed;
a date, a time and a site for the service to be performed;
an indication of a customer having engaged the reservable service and an indicator that the entity is an engagement to be consummated at a future time. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A database comprising:
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reservable services (reservables) stored as positive data entities, each reservable including an indication of a service to be performed, a time line for the service describing time intervals in which the service may be performed over an extended time period, and an indication of the time duration required for performing the service; and
a control system;
characterized in that the control system searches for and retrieves reservables matching service requests provided from a source or sources external to the database. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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15. A method for forming a data entity in a database, the data entity for describing a reservable service (reservable), comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing an indication of a service to be performed;
(b) adding an indication of a time duration for the service;
(c) adding an indication of time intervals over an extended time line wherein the service may be performed; and
(d) adding an indicator that the service is not reserved (engaged).
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19. A method for forming a data entity in a database, the data entity describing an engaged reservable service (engagement), comprising the steps of:
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(a) accepting a request for a service to be performed from a customer external to the database;
(b) searching an inventory of reservable services (reservables), each reservable comprising an indication of a service to be performed, an indication of time intervals in an extended time line wherein the service may be, and an indicator that the service is not reserved (engaged);
(c) selecting a reservable capable of fulfilling the request for service;
(d) copying information from the reservable to create an engagement specifying a date, time and place for the service to be performed; and
(e) associating the engagement with the customer making the request.
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21. In a database comprising reservable services (reservables) stored as positive data entities, each reservable including an indication of a service to be performed, a time line for the service describing time intervals in which the service may be performed over an extended time period, and an indication of the time duration required for performing the service, a method for matching reservables with customers, comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a customer request including details of a desired service;
(b) searching the database for reservables matching the details of the customer request; and
(c) retrieving matching reservables. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification