Distributing data messages to successive different subsets of group members based on distribution rules automatically selected using feedback from a prior selected subset

US9177297B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• British Telecommunications PLC · GB

Inventors

• Simon Thompson · London, GB
• Cefn R Hoile · Stowmarket, GB
• Mark Shackleton · London, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 26, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 5, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/107
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method of automatically distributing data messages to members of a user community involves selecting, from a list of distribution rules, a rule which meets certain criteria in terms of message distribution characteristics. The selected rule determines which members of the user community will receive the message and when. For example, in a first round, a first subset of the user community receive the message and each is prompted to provide feedback data in relation to the message, for example to say that the message is offensive, already answered or if there is someone else who can deal with the message. This feedback data is applied to the selected distribution rule to determine to whom the message is sent in the next round. The process continues over a number of rounds until a termination criterion is met.