DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] FIG. 1 schematically shows infrastructure of a system for controlling task assignment and work schedules in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a database server 1 , an application server 2 , and a plurality of distributed client computers 4 connected with the application server 2 by a network 3 . In the preferred embodiment, the network 3 is the Internet 3 . The database server 1 is used to store rule information on types of tasks, historical records of tasks, and in-process work of employees of an organization. The application server 2 is used to schedule tasks, assign employees to handle the tasks, monitor handling of the tasks, and integrate results of handling of different tasks by different employees. The application server 2 accomplishes this by using the information stored in the database server 1 . Because the client computers 4 are connected with the application server 2 via the Internet 3 , the handling of different tasks by all the employees can be effectively coordinated.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of software infrastructure of the application server 2 . The application server 2 comprises a task monitoring module 20 , an information searching module 21 , a task analyzing module 22 , an information comparing module 23 , and an assignment determining module 24 . The task monitoring module 20 is used to control the scheduling of new tasks received by the application server 2 , and to monitor handling of the tasks by employees. In particular, current statuses of tasks being handled are accessible in real time. The information searching module 21 is used to connect with the database server 1 for searching for rule information on types of tasks, historical records of tasks, and information on employees. The task analyzing module 22 is used to analyze the type of a task according to the rule information on types of tasks obtained by the information searching module 21 . The information comparing module 23 is used to compare new tasks with historical records of similar tasks, schedule the new tasks, and assign employees to handle the new tasks. The assignment determining module 24 is used to determine whether to go ahead and arrange assigned employees to handle new tasks in accordance with the search results.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary employee information table 30 according to the present invention. The employee information table 30 is stored in the database server 1 . The employee information table 30 contains information on each employee, for reference when the system for controlling task assignment and work schedules assigns employees to conduct a particular new task. The employee information table 30 comprises the following fields: ID 300 , work level 301 , work experience 302 , work type 303 , work efficiency 304 , and in-process task information 305 . ID 300 is used to record an identification number of each employee. Work level 301 is used to record the relative position of each employee in a hierarchy of the organization. Work experience 302 is used to record a period of relevant work experience of each employee. In FIG. 3 , details of work experience represent number of years of relevant work experience. Work type 303 is used to record the type of work each employee is best at. In FIG. 3 , the types of work recorded are related to legal work, for the purposes of illustration only. Work efficiency 304 is used to record an efficiency of each employee as a reference for determining how well the employee is able to complete a task in time. In-process task information 305 is used to record an amount, type and rate of progress of tasks currently being handled by each employee, as a reference for whether the employee has capacity to handle an extra new task.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of task control in accordance with the present invention. Task control includes assignment of tasks, scheduling of work, and monitoring of tasks. Procedures described are implemented in the above-described system for controlling task assignment and work schedules, the system comprising the application server 2 and the plurality of client computers 4 . In step S 40 , the application server 2 receives initial information on a new task. In step S 41 , the task monitoring module 20 schedules a course to monitor an entire proposed handling period of the task. In step S 42 , the type of the task is analyzed and determined according to the rule information on types of tasks stored in the database server 1 . In step S 43 , the application server 2 connects with the database server 1 to search for historical records of similar tasks, and to schedule the task accordingly. In step S 44 , the application server 2 connects with the database server 1 to search the employee information table 30 to find a most suitable employee to handle the task. In step S 45 , the system for controlling task assignment and work schedules automatically determines whether the most suitable employee can currently handle the task. In step S 46 , if the most suitable employee can currently handle the task, the system for controlling task assignment and work schedules assigns the most suitable employee to handle the task. In step S 47 , if the most suitable employee cannot currently handle the task, the system for controlling task assignment and work schedules searches for another employee who is a next most suitable employee, and determines whether the next most suitable employee can currently handle the task. Step S 47 is repeated if and as necessary until a suitable employee who can currently handle the task is successfully assigned. If and when an employee for handling the task is assigned, in step S 48 , the task monitoring module 20 monitors and records actual handling of the task by the employee. Thereafter, a current status of the task is accessible in real time.

[0021] In general, the system and method for controlling task assignment and work schedules of the present invention may take forms other than what is described above. While the preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which the invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention. These alternative embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto and allowable equivalents thereof.