Method and apparatus for coordinating tasks among a plurality of users
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method for selectively transmitting a task request to one or more of a plurality of contact devices over a data network comprising:
- receiving, by a processing platform, a request to transmit a task request from a user of a user device, the task request specifying a task location and a predetermined time deadline for completing the task request;
determining the one or more contact devices from one or more contact lists that are associated with the user of the user device;
computing a probability distribution that indicates respective probabilities that the one or more contact devices will be in proximity of the user device before the predetermined time deadline;
selecting a subset of the contact devices based on the probability distribution;
processing respective geo-location information of the subset of the contact devices to determine a proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location;
selecting at least one contact device from the subset based on the determined proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location; and
transmitting the task request over the data network to the at least one contact device selected from the subset, wherein the task request is configured to initiate a presentation of the task request on a display of the at least one selected contact device.
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Abstract
An approach is provided for efficiently coordinating one or more tasks among a plurality of users. A service provider may determine one or more contextual criteria for at least one task associated with at least one user. The service provider may further cause a selection of one or more contacts associated with the at least one user based on the one or more contextual criteria. Additionally, the service provider may cause a presentation of the at least one task to the one or more contacts.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for selectively transmitting a task request to one or more of a plurality of contact devices over a data network comprising:
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receiving, by a processing platform, a request to transmit a task request from a user of a user device, the task request specifying a task location and a predetermined time deadline for completing the task request; determining the one or more contact devices from one or more contact lists that are associated with the user of the user device; computing a probability distribution that indicates respective probabilities that the one or more contact devices will be in proximity of the user device before the predetermined time deadline; selecting a subset of the contact devices based on the probability distribution; processing respective geo-location information of the subset of the contact devices to determine a proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location; selecting at least one contact device from the subset based on the determined proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location; and transmitting the task request over the data network to the at least one contact device selected from the subset, wherein the task request is configured to initiate a presentation of the task request on a display of the at least one selected contact device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for selectively transmitting a task request to one or more of a plurality of contact devices over a data network comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following; receive, from a user of a user device, a request to transmit a task request, the task request specifying a task location and a predetermined time deadline for completing the task request; determine the one or more contact devices from one or more contact lists that are associated with the user of the user device; compute a probability distribution that indicates respective probabilities that the one or more contact devices will be in proximity of the user device before the predetermined time deadline; select a subset of the contact devices based on the probability distribution; process respective geo-location information of the subset of the contact devices to determine a proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location; select at least one contact device from the subset based on the determined proximity of each contact device in the subset to the task location; and transmit the task request over the data network to the at least one contact device selected from the subset, wherein the task request is configured to initiate a presentation of the task request on a display of the at least one selected contact device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification