Work allocation system
First Claim
1. A method of reviewing a work item for allocation to a group of resources, wherein review of the work item has been instigated by a work source means, including the steps of:
- creating a data structure identifying work items previously allocated to at least some of the resources in the group;
evaluating the probability that one of resources will carry out the work item based on values in the data structure; and
comparing the evaluated probability with a suitability criterion so as to identify whether one of the resources is suitable to carry out the work item.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is concerned with a work allocation system having a plurality of agents that bid for work in accordance with preferences and behaviour of resources corresponding thereto.
Each agent represents a group of resources and is arranged to evaluate the likelihood that at least one resource in the group can carry out a work item. The evaluation is dependent on work items previously selected and/or carried out by the resource, so that the agent effectively models the preferences of its workers. The agent can use this preference information to decide a bidding strategy (i.e. to decide which work items it can bid for), and, having successfully bid for a work item, can allocate work based on individual characteristics and observed work preferences.
The bidding for work between agents is, for example, conducted in accordance with contract net based negotiation.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of reviewing a work item for allocation to a group of resources, wherein review of the work item has been instigated by a work source means, including the steps of:
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creating a data structure identifying work items previously allocated to at least some of the resources in the group;
evaluating the probability that one of resources will carry out the work item based on values in the data structure; and
comparing the evaluated probability with a suitability criterion so as to identify whether one of the resources is suitable to carry out the work item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for reviewing a work item for allocation to a group of resources, wherein review of the work item has been instigated by a work source means, the apparatus including:
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a data structure identifying work items previously allocated to at least some of the resources in the group, the data structure comprising values corresponding both to attributes of the previously allocated work items and of the resources;
evaluating means arranged to receive as input the data structure and the work item;
evaluate the probability that one of resources in the group will carry out the work item based on values in the data structure; and
comparing means arranged to compare the evaluated probability with a suitability criterion so as to identify whether one of the resources is suitable to carry out the work item. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification