System for work order refinement prior to acceptance and methods thereof
First Claim
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1. A method implemented on a computer the method comprising:
- receiving into said computer at least one request for a service from at least one requestor;
creating in said computer at least one work order based at least in part on the at least one request;
routing the at least one work order from said computer to at least one service provider;
facilitating in said computer at least one question related to the at least one work order from said at least one service provider, said at least one question being accepted only if the service provider submitting the question has the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order;
forwarding the at least one question from said computer to the at least one requestor;
receiving in said computer at least one response to the at least one question;
routing the at least one response from said computer to the at least one service provider;
displaying, using the computer, a clarification section in which the at least one question and the at least one response are displayed, said clarification section being visible by providers who have the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order;
monitoring for acceptance of the at least one work order by the at least one service provider, using said computer;
notifying the at least one service provider of any changes to the clarification section that the at least one service provider did not read before accepting the at least one work order, wherein said notifying takes place after the at least one service provider accepted the at least one work order; and
if there are any such changes to the clarification section, accepting into the computer an indication that the at least one service provider has unassigned itself from the at least one work order.
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Abstract
A system and method for managing requests for services, in particular via the use of the Internet, where requests for service may be refined before they are accepted. In response to the receipt of a service request from a service requester, a work order is created and routed to one or more of the service providers for the purpose of having one or more of the selected service providers indicate an acceptance of the work order. This work order can be later refined, for example if changes need to be made, especially in response to queries from the service providers.
81 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method implemented on a computer the method comprising:
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receiving into said computer at least one request for a service from at least one requestor; creating in said computer at least one work order based at least in part on the at least one request; routing the at least one work order from said computer to at least one service provider; facilitating in said computer at least one question related to the at least one work order from said at least one service provider, said at least one question being accepted only if the service provider submitting the question has the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order; forwarding the at least one question from said computer to the at least one requestor; receiving in said computer at least one response to the at least one question; routing the at least one response from said computer to the at least one service provider; displaying, using the computer, a clarification section in which the at least one question and the at least one response are displayed, said clarification section being visible by providers who have the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order; monitoring for acceptance of the at least one work order by the at least one service provider, using said computer; notifying the at least one service provider of any changes to the clarification section that the at least one service provider did not read before accepting the at least one work order, wherein said notifying takes place after the at least one service provider accepted the at least one work order; and if there are any such changes to the clarification section, accepting into the computer an indication that the at least one service provider has unassigned itself from the at least one work order. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for managing service requests, the system comprising:
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a communication component for communicating with at least one requester and at least one service provider; and a processor, in communication with the communication component, the processor being configured for; receiving at least one request for a service from said at least one requestor; creating at least one work order based at least in part on the at least one request; routing the at least one work order to said at least one service provider; facilitating at least one question related to the at least one work order from said at least one service provider, said at least one question being accepted only if the service provider submitting the question has the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order; forwarding the at least one question to the at least one requestor; receiving at least one response to the at least one question; routing the at least one response to the at least one service provider; displaying, using the computer, a clarification section in which the at least one question and the at least one response are displayed, said clarification section being visible by providers who have the power to accept, reject, or make a conditional offer on the at least one work order; monitoring for acceptance of the at least one work order by the at least one service provider; notifying the at least one service provider of any changes to the clarification section that the at least one service provider did not read before accepting the at least one work order, wherein said notifying takes place after the at least one service provider accepted the at least one work order; and if there are any such changes to the clarification section, accepting into the computer an indication that the at least one service provider has unassigned itself from the at least one work order. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification