Method for notifying task providers to become active using instant messaging
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
- receiving a request for information indicating a keyword;
associating providers with the keyword of the request;
rating the providers for the keyword based on search results provided responsive to previous requests;
assigning an active status to the providers when the providers can accept requests;
associating a standby status with the providers when the providers are not assigned the active status and are currently accepting messages from an instant messaging service;
ranking, by a processor, the active status providers based on the rating of the active status providers for the keyword;
ranking, by the processor, the standby status providers based on ratings of the standby status providers;
offering an opportunity to accept the request to a highest ranking active status provider;
sending an instant message which requests a provider to change to active status to a highest ranking standby status provider;
adjusting a standby status provider'"'"'s rating based on whether the provider changes from standby status to active status responsive to the instant message;
modifying the ranking of the active status providers when the opportunity is not accepted by an active status provider;
modifying a rank of the active status provider when the active status provider is offered the opportunity to accept the request;
modifying the ranking of the standby status providers when the instant message is sent; and
returning, by one of the providers, a search result responsive to the request.
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Abstract
A method and system for correlating a work request to a provider based on content of the work request and delegating the work request to the provider using an instant message (IM) service. An instant message service including those offered by existing IM service providers is used to notify a provider that a request has been received requesting work to be performed. The instant message may include a link to details of the work being requested, establish an electronic mail communication, point to a web site or initiate an application that communicates with web-enabled services on a server connected to the Internet.
75 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
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receiving a request for information indicating a keyword; associating providers with the keyword of the request; rating the providers for the keyword based on search results provided responsive to previous requests; assigning an active status to the providers when the providers can accept requests; associating a standby status with the providers when the providers are not assigned the active status and are currently accepting messages from an instant messaging service; ranking, by a processor, the active status providers based on the rating of the active status providers for the keyword; ranking, by the processor, the standby status providers based on ratings of the standby status providers; offering an opportunity to accept the request to a highest ranking active status provider; sending an instant message which requests a provider to change to active status to a highest ranking standby status provider; adjusting a standby status provider'"'"'s rating based on whether the provider changes from standby status to active status responsive to the instant message; modifying the ranking of the active status providers when the opportunity is not accepted by an active status provider; modifying a rank of the active status provider when the active status provider is offered the opportunity to accept the request; modifying the ranking of the standby status providers when the instant message is sent; and returning, by one of the providers, a search result responsive to the request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system comprising:
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a user device submitting a request for information indicating a keyword; a server device associating providers with the keyword of the request, rating the providers for the keyword based on search results provided responsive to previous requests, assigning an active status to the providers when the providers can accept requests, associating a standby status with the providers when the providers are not assigned to the active status and are currently accepting messages from an instant messaging service, ranking the active status providers based on the rating of the active status providers for the keyword, ranking the standby status providers based on ratings of the standby status providers, offering an opportunity to accept the request to a highest ranking active status provider, sending an instant message which requests a provider to change to active status to a highest ranking standby status provider, modifying the ranking of the active status providers when the offer is not accepted by an active status provider, modifying a rank of the active status provider when the active status provider is offered the opportunity to accept the request; modifying the ranking of the standby status providers when the instant message is sent, and adjusting a standby status provider'"'"'s rating based on whether the provider changes from standby status to active status responsive to the instant message, and returning a search result of one of the providers responsive to the request.
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12. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing therein a program for causing a computer to execute an operation including notification of providers, comprising:
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receiving a request for information indicating a keyword; associating providers with the keyword of the request; rating the providers for the keyword based on search results provided responsive to previous requests; assigning an active status to the providers when the providers can accept requests; associating a standby status with the providers when the providers are not assigned the active status and are currently accepting messages from an instant messaging service; ranking the active status providers based on the rating of the active status providers for the keyword; ranking the standby status providers based on ratings of the standby status providers; offering an opportunity to accept the request to a highest ranking active status provider; sending an instant message which requests a provider to change to active status to a highest ranking standby status provider; modifying the ranking of the active status providers when the opportunity is not accepted by an active status provider; modifying a rank of the active status provider when the active status provider is offered the opportunity to accept the request; adjusting a standby status provider'"'"'s rating based on whether the provider changes from standby status to active status responsive to the instant message; modifying the ranking of the standby status providers when the instant message is sent; and returning a search result of one of the providers responsive to the request.
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Specification