Automatic Case Assignment for Business Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Paperwork-intensive industries face inefficiencies due to manual assignment of applications to cases, leading to redundant cases and increased effort for case workers and financial services employees, resulting in wasted time and human error.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatic determination and assignment of business transactions to cases, utilizing a database search and case creation strategies to assign transactions to existing or new cases based on predefined protocols and algorithms, reducing manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual assignment of applications to cases is performed by case workers, then flexibility and judgment in case selection are improved, but time consumption and human error increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in case selectionVSAvoidtime consumption for manual assignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic case determination and assignment without requiring manual intervention from case workers. The computer automatically searches the database for existing cases, determines the appropriate case using predefined criteria, and assigns the application to the selected case, eliminating the need for human operators to perform this repetitive task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of case worker review and assignment is replaced by an automated computer-based system. The system uses algorithms and database searches to automatically determine case assignments, substituting human cognitive processes with computational logic while maintaining operational flexibility through configurable assignment criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual assignment of applications to cases is performed, then human judgment in case selection is improved, but redundant cases are created and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy in case selectionVSAvoidproductivity of case workers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the automatic case determination process continuously learns from and adjusts to assignment patterns. The system can be configured with feedback loops that refine case selection criteria based on historical data and operational outcomes, improving accuracy over time while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously performs case determination and assignment without requiring human intervention, eliminating redundant case creation through consistent application of assignment rules. The automated system maintains reliability by using configurable criteria that can be adjusted to match organizational policies and requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If electronic databases are used to store applications, then paperwork is reduced and efficiency is improved, but manual case assignment still requires significant time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of application processingVSAvoidtime for manual case assignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the application processing function with the case assignment function into a single automated workflow. When an application is entered into the electronic database, the system simultaneously performs case determination and assignment in the same computational process, eliminating the separate manual step and fully utilizing the electronic data for automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic database system automatically performs case assignment based on the application data it already contains. The system uses the electronic information to self-determine the appropriate case without requiring external human intervention, fully leveraging the digital infrastructure to eliminate manual processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7753263B2Automatic case determination and assignment
Publication Date: 2010.07.13 SAP SE
  • US7753263B2 patent drawing
  • US7753263B2 patent drawing
  • US7753263B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a method and system for automatic case determination and assignment for a business transaction, upon creation of a transaction, a computer system verifies transaction data to determine whether the transaction is assigned to a case. If the transaction is not assigned to a case, the system searches a database for an existing case that is related to the unassigned transaction. If an existing case is discovered, the transaction is automatically assigned to the existing case. If no existing case is found, the system creates a new case, defines new case parameters, and automatically assigns the transaction to the new case.