GB2373129A

GB2373129A - Status communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2373129A
Application number: GB9923839A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Russell Preston; David Michael Ince
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-09
Filing date: 1999-10-09
Publication date: 2002-09-11
Also published as: GB9923839D0

Abstract

A status communication apparatus 10 is provided which interfaces with a job management database 12 to notify customers of the particular stage a job being carried out for them has reached. The apparatus includes means 14 for checking the status information of each job on the database 12, means for selecting status information, specific to a particular job, to be communicated and means for communicating this information in a variety of ways. Included in the information for each job is job identification information and information relating to the stage which the job has reached. The information may be communicated by means of telephone, facsimile, e-mail or to a web site.

Description

Status Communication Apparatus Maratus The invention relates to status communication apparatus which may be utilised, for example, for communicating to customers the status of jobs being carried out on their behalf.

In service industries such as those dealing with the repair of domestic equipment, each particular job may pass through various stages while it is undergoing repair. These might begin with"call scheduled", meaning that an engineer has arranged to visit, for example to pick up a faulty household appliance. Other stages might include"waiting for parts","on test","awaiting collection","awaiting appointment for return", etc.. The service company may allocate each of these stages a particular status code, and record on a database the status code of each job being carried out by the company.

It is desirable that customers be kept informed of the stage which their particular job has reached, and particularly that they be notified when the status of their job has changed. This may be done by an operator checking the status of particular jobs on the database and telephoning customers to advise accordingly. This procedure is relatively labour intensive and time consuming, particularly as it may be necessary to call several times before finding a customer available.

According to the invention there is provided status communication apparatus for interfacing with storage means including information relating to each of a plurality of jobs, the information for each job including job identification information and variable status information; wherein the status communication apparatus includes : means for checking the status information for each job ; means for selecting according to predetermined criteria jobs for which the status information is to be communicated; and communication means for communicating information relating to the status of the selected jobs.

The storage means may be a database. Preferably the variable status information includes status codes, which may be numerical. The variable status information for each job may include one or more of a plurality of different status codes. Some or all of the status codes may be mutually exclusive.

The information for each job may also include communication destination information. This information may include a telephone or facsimile number or e-mail address and optionally an indication of a preferred means of communication. The information may also include a postal address. The information may include time information which may represent a preferred time period within which a communication should be made.

The information for each job may also include communication header information. This may be in the form of a numerical code representing one of a plurality of alternative headers to be communicated with the status information.

The means for selecting jobs whose status is to be communicated may include means for compiling a history table of history inforamtion. The history information may include information relating to whether a communication has been made of a particular status. The history information may include information relating to failed attempts to communicate status information and may include a numerical record of a number of failed communication attempts.

This information may include a number having a value which is decremented each time a failed communication attempt occurs. The history information may also include information relating to the times at which successful or unsuccessful communication attempts took place.

The selection means may include means for transferring some or all of the information in the history table to the job management database. The selection means may include means for selecting all jobs having any one of a number of chosen status codes. The selection means may include means for selecting according to the history information relating to a particular job. The selection means may include means for selecting all jobs whose current status has not yet been communicated. The selection means may also include means for selecting according to criteria relating to the job as identified by its job identification information. The predetermined criteria according to which jobs are selected are preferably variable.

The selection means may generate a call list of jobs whose status is to be communicated. The call list may include job identification information for each job selected. The call list preferably also includes the status information, communication destination information and/or communication header information for each job selected.

The selection means is preferably able to repeatedly check the storage means to select the jobs whose status is to be notified. The selection means may be operable to check the storage means once every few minutes, for example once every two minutes.

The communication means preferably includes means for communicating the status information of the jobs in the call list. The communication means may include means for attempting to communicate the status information of all the jobs in the call list.

The communication means may be operable to attempt to communicate the status information of each job in the call list in a predetermined order. The predetermined order may be based on the job identification information on the respective status codes of the jobs, on the respective positions of the jobs in the call list or other criteria. The criteria are preferably alterable.

Preferably the communication means includes means for reading from the call list a code representing the status information to be communicated.

The communication means may also include means for communicating header information. For each job, the communication means may be operable to communicate a selected one of a plurality of alternative header information messages. Preferably the communication means includes means for reading from the call list a code representing the header information to be used for a particular job.

The communication means may be operable to communicate information to the identification of the job. Preferably the communication means include means for reading from the call list a code representing the job identification information to be used for a particular job.

The communication means may include means for receiving information from the recipient of the status information, and communicating that information to the storage means. Such communication means take place via the selection means. The communication means may include means for requesting that the recipient of the communication acknowledges receipt of the communication. The communication means may include means for receiving other information from the user, any may include means for recording a message from the user.

The communication means may include means for communicating the status information by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or to a web site. The communication means may include means for reading from the call list an indication for job of which means of communication should be used, and/or means for reading a telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, etc., from the call list.

The communication means may include means for dialling a telephone number and communicating the status information as an audible message.

The communication means may include means for storing a plurality of audible messages. The messages may be stored as wave files. A different audible message may be stored to represent each status code. Each status code may be represented by more than one audible message, a first message representing a first notification of the status and a second message representing a reminder of the status.

Preferably the communication means also includes means for storing an audible message representing header information. A plurality of alternative messages representing alternative header information may be stored.

Preferably the communication means also includes means for storing audible messages representing job identification information. A plurality of alternative messages representing alternative jobs may be stored.

Preferably the communication means also includes means for storing an audible message indicating that the communication of the status is finished.

This audible message may request that a recipient of the communication presses the digit on their telephone to acknowledge receipt of the message.

As an alternative to storing audible messages, a speech synthesiser may be provided for synthesising speech from textual information.

Alternatively or additionally the communication means may include means for dialling a facsimile number and transmitting the status information as a facsimile message.

Alternatively or additionally the communication means may include means for sending an e-mail indicating the status information.

Alternatively or additionally the communication means may include means for communicating the status information to a web server. The information may be incorporated in a web page to be sent to the web server.

The communication means preferably includes means for checking time information. This information may include an indication of the current time and date.

The communication means may include means for re-trying to communicate the status information of a job if a first attempt at communication is unsuccessfully. The communication means may be operable to re-try to communicate after a predetermined time interval. The communication means may be operable to re-try a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number may be stored in the storage means.

The communication means may include means for communicating to the storage means that a successful communication of status information has been made. The communication means may also include means for communicating to the storage means that an unsuccessful attempt to communicate the status information has been made. The communication means may also include means for communicating to the storage means any other information provided by a user. Such communication may take place via the selection means. Such communication may take place every few minutes, for example every two minutes.

The apparatus may also include monitor means for displaying information relating to the calls made. The monitor means may be operable to display the current call list and an indication of which calls have succeeded, which calls have failed and of the number of attempts which have been made to communicate any particular status information.

According to the invention there is also provided status communication apparatus including: storage means including information relating to each of a plurality of jobs, the information for each job including job identification information and variable status information; means for checking the status information for each job; means for selecting according to predetermined criteria jobs for which the status information is to be communicated; and communication means for communicating information relating to the status of the selected jobs.

An embodiment of the invention will be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing the functioning of a data server for use in apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flow diagram showing the functioning of a telephoning apparatus for use in apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the functioning of the telephoning apparatus when receiving incoming calls; Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the functioning of a web status server for use in apparatus according to the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the function of a monitor for use according to the present invention.

The embodiment of the invention which is described is used particularly for communicating to customers the progress of items being repaired.

Repair companies typically make use of job management databases which include separate records relating to each product to be repaired. An individual record includes information identifying the product and the customer and also includes a code indicating the status of the repair. There may be for example twelve to fifteen different possible status codes for a job, representing the progress of the job through the repair system. The status codes might represent for example"call scheduled","waiting for parts","on test","awaiting collection","awaiting appointment for return", etc..

The database may also include more detailed information relating to the customer, for example what time of day the customer would prefer to be contacted, what means of communication would be preferred (telephone, e mail, etc. ), contact numbers and addresses and any other relevant information. If the service company operates under a number of different names, depending upon the service being offered, the record for each job may also include header information giving an indication of which company name should be used in communications to the customer.

The information for each job stored in the database may also include history information detailing the communications, or attempted communications, that have been made to a customer while the job has been allocated a particular status. The history information is transferred to the job management database from the apparatus according to the invention, as described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring to Fig. 1, apparatus 10 according to the invention interfaces with a job management database 12 as described above, in order to automatically notify customers of the stage of repair that a job has reached. In broad terms, the apparatus works as follows.

A particular set of job status codes is chosen to be notified. Any job allocated one of these status codes should have its status communicated to the relevant customer, when it is first allocated the status code. There might for example be ten different job status codes which should be notified to customers in this way.

A selection means in the form of a dataserver 14 checks through the job management database for any jobs allocated one of the chosen status codes.

The dataserver 14 stores history information in a history list 20. Ths history information includes details of communications, or attempted communications, that have been made to a customer while a job has a particular status. Time and date information for the communications may also be stored. The history information in the job record is checked to indicate whether a communication of that particular status has already been successfully made. If it has, the history information may be checked for an indication of the time and date of that communication. If, for example, the communication was more than three days ago, the job may be added to the list of jobs for which a notification should be made, but this notification will be communicated in the form of a reminder.

The dataserver 14 continues to scan through the job management database checking for all records with one of the chosen particular status codes.

Certain jobs may be filtered out from this selected group, for example where the customer is a specific retailer who is to be notified separately or where the telephone number of the customer has previously been found to be invalid, etc..

Once the selected jobs have been so filtered, a call list (indicated at 16) is created of all those jobs whose status is to be notified.

Certain information is transferred from the job management database to the call list. The call list includes, for each record whose status is to be notified, the following information: a job number identifying the job; the customer's name and contact details and, if appropriate, an indication of the preferred means of communication; a code representing the header information to be communicated with the status information; and a code representing the status of the job. The information is stored in tabular form.

The dataserver 14 interrogates the job management database 12 every two minutes to ensure that the call list is always up to date.

The communication apparatus 10 includes a telephoning apparatus 18 which calls the selected customers using information from the call list 16. The telephoning apparatus includes a database of pre-recorded messages, identified by number. A different message is recorded for each status, and for each status message, there can be a first call version and, if required, a different second call version (in the form of a reminder rather than a notification). The database of pre-recorded messages also includes header messages introducing the company and explaining the function of the communication apparatus. A number of different header messages, identified by number, may be used such that if a company operates under different names for different functions, the correct name may be used. The database of pre-recorded messages also includes a standard"thank you"message, perhaps giving a company telephone number and thanking the recipient for using the system. The thank you message may ask the recipient to press the key on his or her telephone to acknowledge that the message has been received.

The pre-recorded status information messages might include, for example :"Your appliance has been repaired and is ready for collection"or"We are sorry for the delay but we are awaiting the arrival of parts", etc.. Messages may also be pre-recorded which give the customer the chance to make choices, for example"Your appliance has been repaired. Press * if you would like to collect it or &num; if you would prefer us to deliver it".

The telephoning apparatus 18 checks the call list 16 generated by the data server and starts to telephone people on the list between pre-set times and on pre-set days. The telephoning apparatus 18 checks the call list 16 for an indication of the telephone number to be called, the header information to be conveyed (and thus which pre-recorded header message to play), the status to be notified (and thus which pre-recorded status message to play), and possibly for relevant information concerning which time of day to make contact.

The telephoning apparatus 18 sends information relating to the calls made to the history list 20 stored by the dataserver 14. Every few minutes the information in the history list is transferred to the history information in the job management database 12. If a successful communication is made of a particular status, this fact is recorded in the history list 20 and consequently in the history information of the job management database 12. If an unsuccessful attempt is made to communicate, this is also recorded in the history list 12 and in the history information in the job management database 10.

The history list 20 may include, for a particular job, a number, such as ten, representing the number of attempts which should be made to communicate the status of that job. Each time a notification is received that an unsuccessful attempt has been made to communicate, the number may be decremented. Once the number reaches zero, the system may give up trying to communicate that status. Thus, a complete record is available of all successful calls and failed calls so that a decision may be made about re-calling a certain number of times (for example every few hours through the first day) and then perhaps waiting a period (for instance seven days) before trying again. This helps to ensure that if people are routinely out in the morning, for example, they will be called again in the afternoon, while if people are away on holiday, a week will elapse to allow them to return. If a number of unsuccessful communication attempts have been made, the apparatus may generate an alternative means of communication, such as a letter.

The dataserver 14 may also check if appropriate additional information has been entered in the job management database 12. For example, if the status in the job management database is"awaiting a site visit", the system will check to see if a future date has been entered as the date of the site visit. If so, a visit has been arranged but not yet occurred and thus is may be that no call is necessary.

As an alternative to telephone notification, customers may be notified by facsimile or e-mail. Alternatively, the information may be communicated in the form of a web page to a web server, for customers to access.

The functioning of the system is illustrated in more detail in the flow diagrams of Figs. 2 to 6.

Fig. 2 illustrates the functioning of the data server 14. In boxes 22 to 28, the data server checks that it can access the existing call list and the job management database. If this is the case, the data server checks (in box 30) whether the system has been instructed to automatically select jobs and telephone customers. If it has, the system checks that the audio files are ready and looks to a list of various status codes to be notified (box 32). The list might indicate that the data server should select all jobs having any one of perhaps ten different status codes, for example"to be collected","awaiting parts", etc..

The data server then scans through the job management database retrieving all jobs with the selected status (box 34). The jobs are filtered (in box 36) to remove those with invalid phone numbers, those for which specific retailers should be notified separately, etc.. The remaining jobs are stored in the call list and a timer is started (box 38). The telephoning apparatus uses this call list, as described in more detail below.

Once a successful notification has been made of the status of a job, the record may be moved from the call list to the history list (box 40). Information relating to unsuccessful attempts to notify the status information is also stored in the history list. The information in the history list is transferred to the history information in the job management database.

Once a predetermined time period has expired (see box 44) the above process is repeated. The predetermined time period may, for example, be two minutes. Thus every two minutes the call list is updated and history information is transferred to the job management database.

Referring to Fig. 3, the function of the telephoning apparatus 18 is illustrated in more detail. The telephoning apparatus carries out certain checks regarding the time and date (in boxes 50 to 56) and then looks to the call list for a customer to dial. If no such customer is available, the apparatus waits five seconds and then tries again (box 57). If a recipient customer is found, the system checks (in box 58) that both a pre-recorded company prompt (header message) and a status message are available that are suitable for the job as identified in the call list. If this is the case, the telephoning apparatus dials the telephone number recorded in the call list (box 60).

If the telephone is answered, the telephoning apparatus plays down the telephone the company introduction (header message), the status message and the"thank you"message, also requesting the recipient to acknowledge receipt of the message (boxes 62 to 68). Receipt is acknowledged by pressing a digit on the telephone (box 70). Once receipt is acknowledged, that information is transferred to the dataserver, so it may move the job in question from the call list to the history list.

If the telephone is not answered for any of a selection of various reasons (boxes 72), the system re-tries after a predetermined time interval (perhaps several hours). Each re-try is recorded in the history list and subsequently in the history information in the job management software. Once the maximum number of re-tries have been attempted, the system stops re-trying for a longer predetermined period such as seven days.

Referring to Fig. 4, the telephoning apparatus is also able to receive incoming calls. The call is answered (box 80) and a pre-recorded introduction played (box 82). A pre-recorded menu of options is then played down the telephone line to the customer (box 84). The customer may select to be transferred to the operator (box 86) or to receive an automatic status message.

To receive the status message the customer must enter a reference (box 88).

The apparatus then plays the message (box 90) and updates the job management database accordingly (box 92). The menu is then re-played (box 94).

As an alternative to the telephoning apparatus, a web status server may be used. The customer may be notified of the status via e-mail, according to similar principals to the telephone notification. Alternatively, the status of the job may be posted on a web page and the updated web page transferred to a web server. Customers may therefore check the status of their jobs by viewing the web page. Referring to Fig. 5, the web status server checks the status of a particular job in the call list stored by the dataserver (box 100). The system checks from the call list whether the customer requires e-mail notification (box 102) and if this is the case, the web status server e-mails the customer with the status information (box 104). If the customer does not require e-mail notification, the status information is transferred to a web page (box 106) and the relevant web server updated.

Referring to Fig. 6, a service call monitor keeps track of calls which have been made or which are waiting to be made. The monitor is able to retrieve (at box 110) the calls currently being dialled and to display them on screen (box 110). The monitor may show the current count of waiting calls (box 112) and checks for changes every three seconds (box 114). The monitor may display calls as at any particular time (box 116) and may show how many times a particular customer has been called (boxes 118). This module may be viewed on any terminal on the network and allows the user to see the number and status of the various calls made by the system.

There is thus provided an automated status communication system which may be used by any business that wishes to keep its customers informed of the status of any work in progress. Although the system has been described with reference to the repair of items, the system might be used by any companies keeping client records with changing information, for example any service industries, mail order companies or e-commerce companies.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. Although the telephoning apparatus has been described as using a database of pre-recorded messages, manually recorded as a wave file, it would be possible to use a text to speech synthesiser to generate more detailed/specific information. It is also possible to use facsimile communications as an alternative to those described.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention TO those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. Status communication apparatus for interfacing with storage means including information relating to each of a plurality of jobs, the information for each job including job identification information and variable status information; wherein the status communication apparatus includes: means for checking the status information for each job; means for selecting according to predetermined criteria jobs for which the status information is to be communicated; and communication means for communicating information relating to the status of the selected jobs.
2. Status communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is a database.
3. Status communication apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the variable status information includes status codes.
4. Status communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the status codes are numerical.
5. Status communication apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the variable status information for each job includes one or more of a plurality of different status codes.
6. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein some or all of the status codes are mutually exclusive.
7. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the information for each job includes communication destination information.
8. Status communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication destination information includes a telephone or facsimile number or e-mail address and optionally an indication of a preferred means of communication.
9. Status communication apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the information includes a postal address.
10. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the information includes time information which may represent a preferred time period within which a communication should be made.
11. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 10, wherein the information for each job includes communication header information.
12. Status communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the communication header information is in the form of a numerical code representing one of a plurality of alternative headers to be communicated with the status information.
13. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 12, wherein the means for selecting jobs whose status is to be communicated includes means for compiling a history table of history information.
14. Status communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the history information includes information relating to whether a communication has been made of a particular status.
15. Status communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the history information includes information relating to failed attempts to communicate status information.
16. Status communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the history information includes a numerical record of a number of failed communication attempts.
17. Status communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the history information includes a number having a value which is decremented each time a failed communication attempt occurs.
18. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the history information includes information relating to the times at which successful or unsuccessful communication attempts took place.
19. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the selection means includes means for transferring some or all of the information in the history table to the job management database.
20. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the selection means includes means for selecting all jobs having any one of a number of chosen status codes.
21. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 20, wherein the selection means includes means for selecting according to the history information relating to a particular job.
22. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the selection means includes means for selecting all jobs whose current status has not yet been communicated.
23. Status communication apparatus according to the preceding claims, wherein the selection means includes means for selecting according to criteria relating to the job as identified by its job identification information.
24. Status communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the predetermined criteria according to which jobs are selected are variable.
25. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selection means generates a call list of jobs whose status is to be communicated.
26. Status communication apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the call list includes job identification information for each job selected.
27. Status communication apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the call list includes the status information, communication destination information and/or communication header information for each job selected.
28. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selection means is able to repeatedly check the storage means to select the jobs whose status is to be notified.
29. Status communication apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the selection means is operable to check the storage means once every few minutes.
30. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating the status information of the jobs in the call list.
31. Status communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the communication means includes means for attempting to communicate the status information of all the jobs in the call list.
32. Status communication apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the communication means is operable to attempt to communicate the status information of each job in the call list in a predetermined order.
33. Status communication apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the predetermined order is based on the job identification information on the respective status codes of the jobs, or on the respective positions of the jobs in the call list.
34. Status communication apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the criteria are alterable.
35. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 25 to 34, wherein the communication means includes means for reading from the call list a code representing the status information to be communicated.
36. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating header information.
37. Status communication apparatus according to claim 36, wherein for each job, the communication means is operable to communicate a selected one of a plurality of alternative header information messages.
38. Status communication apparatus according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the communication means includes means for reading from the call list a code representing the header information to be used for a particular job.
39. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means is operable to communicate information to the identification of the job.
40. Status communication apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the communication means include means for reading from the call list a code representing the job identification information to be used for a particular job.
41. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for receiving information from the recipient of the status information, and communicating that information to the storage means.
42. Status communication apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the communication takes place via the selection means.
43. Status communication apparatus according to claim 41 or claim 42, wherein the communication means includes means for requesting that the recipient of the communication acknowledges receipt of the communication.
44. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 41 to 43, wherein the communication means includes means for receiving other information from the user.
45. Status communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the communications means includes means for recording a message from the user.
46. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating the status information by telephone, facsimile, e-mail or to a web site.
47. Status communication apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the communication means includes means for reading from the call list an indication for each job of which means of communication should be used, and/or means for reading a telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, etc., from the call list.
48. Status communication apparatus according to claim 46 or claim 47, wherein the communication means includes means for dialling a telephone number and communicating the status information as an audible message.
49. Status communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the communication means includes means for storing a plurality of audible messages.
50. Status communication apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the messages are stored as wave files.
51. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 50, wherein a different audible message is stored to represent each status code.
52. Status communication apparatus according to claim 51, wherein each status code is represented by more than one audible message, a first message representing a first notification of the status and a second message representing a reminder of the status.
53. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 52, wherein the communication means also includes means for storing an audible message representing header information.
54. Status communication apparatus according to claim 53, wherein a plurality of alternative messages representing alternative header information are stored.
55. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 54, wherein the communication means also includes means for storing audible messages representing job identification information.
56. Status communication apparatus according to claim 55, wherein a plurality of alternative messages representing alternative jobs are stored.
57. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 49 to 56, wherein the communication means also includes means for storing an audible message indicating that the communication of the status is finished.
58. Status communication apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the audible message requests that a recipient of the communication presses a digit on their telephone to acknowledge receipt of the message.
59. Status communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein a speech synthesiser is provided for synthesising speech from textual information.
60. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 59, wherein the communication means includes means for dialling a facsimile number and transmitting the status information as a facsimile message.
61. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 60, wherein the communication means includes means for sending an e-mail indicating the status information.
62. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 48 to 61, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating the status information to a web server.
63. Status communication apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the information is incorporated in a web page to be sent to the web server.
64. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for checking time information.
65. Status communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the time information includes an indication of the current time and date.
66. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for re-trying to communicate the status information of a job if a first attempt at communication is unsuccessful.
67. Status communication apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the communication means is operable to re-try to communicate after a predetermined time interval.
68. Status communication apparatus according to claim 66 or claim 67, wherein the communication means is operable to re-try a predetermined number of times.
69. Status communication apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the predetermined number is stored in the storage means.
70. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating to the storage means that a successful communication of status information has been made.
71. Status communication apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating to the storage means that an unsuccessful attempt to communicate the status information has been made.
72. Status communication apparatus according to claim 70 or claim 71, wherein the communication means includes means for communicating to the storage means other information provided by a user.
73. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 70 to 72, wherein such communication takes place via the selection means.
74. Status communication apparatus according to any of claims 70 to 73, wherein such communication takes place every few minutes.
75. Status communication apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes monitor means for displaying information relating to the calls made.
76. Status communication apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the monitor means is operable to display the current call list and an indication of which calls have succeeded, which calls have failed and of the number of attempts which have been made to communicate any particular status information.
77. Status communication apparatus including: storage means including information relating to each of a plurality of jobs, the information for each job including job identification information and variable status information; means for checking the status information for each job; means for selecting according to predetermined criteria jobs for which the status information is to be communicated; and communication means for communicating information relating to the status of the selected jobs.
78. Status communication apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
79. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.