METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROCESSING ONE OR MORE TEST REQUESTS BETWEEN A TESTING FACILITY AND ONE OR MORE CUSTOMERS

• US 20100011051A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Lawson, Benjamin A., Heimbigner, Ron E.
• Application Number:
  US12/170,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20100011051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

Methods, devices, and computer programs are provided for providing an information platform between a testing facility and customers of the testing facility. The information platform may be configured to allow customers to submit requests for testing and other information to the testing facility and check on the statuses of previously submitted requests to the testing facility over a network. The information platform may be configured to allow the testing facility to provide updates and other information to the customers over a network. The information platform may reduce the amount of time spent by the technicians of the testing facility answering emails or phone calls from the customers asking about the tests or attending meetings doing the same. Therefore the technicians may have more time to perform the actual test which may increase the output of the testing facility.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving one or more test requests, wherein each test request is associated with a customer;

storing the one or more test requests;

providing access for a testing facility to the one or more test requests;

receiving one or more updates, wherein each update is associated with a test request;

sending a notification over a network for each update associated with a test request that meets a first criterion to the customer associated with the test request; and

providing access to each test request and to each of the one or more updates associated with the test request for the customer associated with the test request.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending a notification for each of the one or more test requests that meets a second criterion to the testing facility.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising rejecting a test request that fails to meet a third criterion.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising sending a notification to a third party over a network of each of the one or more test requests that meets a fourth criterion.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising receiving an instruction from the third party over the network regarding the test request.

6. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

a first executable portion for receiving one or more test requests, wherein each test request is associated with a customer;

a second executable portion for storing the one or more test requests;

a third executable portion for providing access for a testing facility to the one or more test requests;

a fourth executable portion for receiving one or more updates for the one or more test requests, wherein each update is associated with a test request; and

a fifth executable portion for providing access to each test request and to each of the one or more updates associated with the test request for the customer associated with the test request.

7. The computer program product according to claim 6 further comprising a sixth executable portion for sending a notification for each update associated with a test request that meets a predetermined criterion to the customer associated with the test request.

8. The computer program product according to claim 6 further comprising a sixth executable portion for sending a notification for each of the one or more test requests that meets a predetermined criterion to the testing facility.

9. The computer program product according to claim 6 further comprising a sixth executable portion for rejecting a test request that fails to meets a predetermined criterion.

10. The computer program product according to claim 6 further comprising a sixth executable portion for sending a notification to a third party of each of the one or more test requests that meets a predetermined criterion.

11. The computer program product according to claim 10 further comprising a seventh executable portion for receiving an instruction from the third party regarding the test request.

12. A device comprising a processor configured to receive one or more test requests, wherein each test request is associated with a customer;

to provide access for a testing facility to the one or more test requests;

to receive one or more updates for the one or more test requests, wherein each update is associated with a test request; and

to provide access for each test request and to each of the one or more updates associated with the test request from the customer associated with the test request.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to send a notification for each update associated with a test request that meets a predetermined criterion to the customer associated with the test request.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to send a notification to the testing facility for each of the one or more test requests that meets a predetermined criterion.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to reject a test request that fails to meets a predetermined criterion.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to send a notification of each of the one or more test requests to a third party that meets a predetermined criterion.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an instruction from the third party regarding the test request.

18. A method comprising:

storing a plurality of test requests, wherein each test request is associated with a customer;

receiving one or more updates, wherein each update is associated with a test request of the plurality of test requests;

storing the one or more updates;

receiving an inquiry over a network regarding a status of a first test request of the plurality of test requests; and

providing access over a network to the first test request and each of the one or more updates associated with the first test request.

19. The method according to claim 18 further comprising receiving a test request over a network and sending notification of the test request to a testing facility.

20. The method according to claim 18 further comprising sending a notification over a network for each of the one or more updates associated with a test request that meets a first criterion to the customer associated with the test request.