Method and system for optimized scheduling
First Claim
1. A method of optimizing the allocation of resources to perform a plurality of task attempts in light of a variant which comprises a plurality of permissible variations, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) computing an action result probability for each task attempt and each permissible variation of the variant;
(b) producing a priority value for each task attempt;
(c) determining a quantity of resources available within a time period for accomplishing the plurality of task attempts;
(d) determining resource costs associated with each task attempt;
(e) for each task attempt, producing a task attempt value, each task attempt value comprising a numerical value representing a relative desirability of performing the task attempt for the respective permissible variation considering the priority value for each task attempt, the probability of positive result for each task attempt and each permissible variation, the quantity of resources available for making the task attempts, and the resource costs associated with each task attempt; and
(f) performing the task attempts within each permissible variation in order of descending task attempt value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of optimizing the scheduling of tasks may be used to schedule telephone contact attempts through an automated dialing system (20). The method includes receiving an account data file comprising account information for a plurality of accounts to be processed over a processing period. This processing period is divided into a plurality of contact attempt periods. The method also includes producing for each of the plurality of accounts an action result probability for each contact attempt period. The method also includes producing or determining a priority value for each of the accounts, determining a quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, and determining resource costs for each contact attempt. These quantities or values, along with the action result probability, represent parameters over which the scheduling may be optimized. Once the parameters are determined the method includes producing a contact attempt value for each account and each contact period. The contact attempt value comprises a numerical value representing the relative desirability of attempting to contact the respective account during the respective contact period considering the account'"'"'s priority value, probability of right party contact, quantity of contact resources available, and the costs of making the contact attempt. After the contact attempt values are assigned to each account and each attempt period, the method includes making contact attempts within each contact attempt period in order of descending contact attempt value. Finally, the method of the invention includes collecting contact attempt history data.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of optimizing the allocation of resources to perform a plurality of task attempts in light of a variant which comprises a plurality of permissible variations, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) computing an action result probability for each task attempt and each permissible variation of the variant; (b) producing a priority value for each task attempt; (c) determining a quantity of resources available within a time period for accomplishing the plurality of task attempts; (d) determining resource costs associated with each task attempt; (e) for each task attempt, producing a task attempt value, each task attempt value comprising a numerical value representing a relative desirability of performing the task attempt for the respective permissible variation considering the priority value for each task attempt, the probability of positive result for each task attempt and each permissible variation, the quantity of resources available for making the task attempts, and the resource costs associated with each task attempt; and (f) performing the task attempts within each permissible variation in order of descending task attempt value. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of optimizing the scheduling of telephone contact attempts through an automated dialing system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving an account data file comprising account information for a plurality of accounts to be processed over a processing period, the processing period being divided into a plurality of contact attempt periods; (b) for each of the plurality of accounts, producing an action result probability for each contact period; (c) producing a priority value for each of the plurality of accounts;
(d) determining a quantity of contact resources available over the processing period;(e) determining resource costs for each contact attempt; (f) for each account, producing a contact attempt value for each contact period, each contact attempt value comprising a numerical value representing a relative desirability of attempting to contact the respective account during the respective contact period considering the priority value for each account, the action result probability for each account, the quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, and the resource costs for each contact attempt; (g) within each contact attempt period, making contact attempts for the plurality of accounts in order of descending contact attempt value; and (h) for each account, collecting contact attempt history data. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer system for optimizing the scheduling of telephone contact attempts over a processing period which is divided into a plurality of contact attempt periods, the computer system comprising:
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(a) account storage means for storing; an account data file comprising account information for a plurality of accounts to be processed over the processing period, a priority value for each account, a quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, resource cost values associated with each contact attempt, a plurality of sets of probability score values, and an assignment data file comprising account information for the plurality of accounts and for each account a contact attempt value for each contact period; (b) master file download means for enabling the account storage means to receive the account data file; (c) historical data storage means for storing contact attempt history data for each of the plurality of accounts; (d) parameter input means responsive to operator commands for enabling an operator to input priority data, and the quantity of contact resources available over the processing period; (e) first processing means coupled to the account storage means and historical data storage means for producing for each account an action result probability for each contact period, each action result probability being produced using one of the sets of probability score values; and producing the contact attempt value for each account and each contact period, the contact attempt value comprising a numerical value representing a relative desirability of attempting to contact the respective account during the respective contact attempt period considering the priority value for each account, the action result probability for each account, the quantity of contact resources available over the processing period, and the resource cost for each contact attempt; (f) modified download output means for transferring to an automated dialer system a modified download data file comprising account information for each account and contact attempt value information for each account and each contact attempt period, the contact attempt value information enabling the plurality of accounts to be sorted in descending order of contact attempt value for each contact attempt period; and (g) second processor means associated with the automated dialer system for scheduling contact attempts for each of the plurality of accounts, the contact attempts being scheduled within each contact attempt period in order of descending contact attempt value, and collecting contact attempt history data to be transferred to the historical data storage means through historical data upload means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification