Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to providing an intuitive and user-friendly interface for filing user requirements in a computerized environment of the system integrated in the supply chain.
Summary of the Prior Art
Before the information age, the user requirements such as booking of the LPG or the refill order for the LPG was manually catalogued or indexed with the product distributor and then archived in his database according to the booking order. Since the booking was manual and if the booking was correctly archived it could be found and accessed at a later date, otherwise it was simply "lost in the filing system", and to all intents and purposes, could have been filed in the waste-paper basket. Thus the requirement of the end user stands unfulfilled and leads to unnecessary time loss and refiling of the entire process.
Summary of the invention
Briefly recited, the present invention is a method and system for enabling an end user to file refilling of user requirements like LPG via the telephone directly with the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system rather than through a distributor directly. The system has three major components. These three components interact with both the management system used by the distributor to keep track of information including billing and refilling information and with the online IVR systems. The first component is a software application that is installed on the IVR's server. This "resident" software seeks out information from the end users and creates data files suitable for the transmission to the resident software in the distributor's local system via SMS.
The second component is a web portal on the IVR server that interacts with the stake holders who have necessary permission to view various reports or to alter various parameters in the server or even in the resident software called the monitoring software installed in the distributor's system. The present system uses SMS to convey the required information from the IVR server to the resident software in the distributor's system so that the latter can automatically connect to the appropriate distributor.
The third component enables the resident software in the distributor's system to communicate via SMS to the resident software called the IVR booking server software installed in the IVR server. The cash memos and the delivery information of the refill to the end user by the distributor are sent via SMS by the resident software in the distributor system directly to the resident software in the IVR server. This feature streamlines the process of providing the required information to the end user sooner. This approach also eliminates the cost and delays introduced by the distributor.
Another major feature of the present invention is the ability of the IVR servek*sft^are to identify the various common malpractices done in the


distributor system using the SMS received from the monitoring software installed in the distributor system. Such informations are sent via electronic means to the concerned authorities for necessary action. This feature enables the system to be foolproof from the miscreants.
Another important feature of the present invention is the SMS transfer from the IVR server to the distributor's system occurs only during the working hours specified by the different distributors and excluding the holidays of such distributors, which details are available in the IVR's server. Whereas the SMS transfer from the distributor's system to the IVR server occurs at all times when the distributor system is switched on.
Another major feature of the present invention is the ability to ensure that all Short Message Services reaches the destination (IVR server / distributor's system) from the source (IVR server / distributor's system). The resident software initiates a secure communication link with the web portal, which upon ensuring the authenticity of the consumer, allows the consumer to input the various requirements in the portal.
Other features and their advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art of registering the requirements in a computerized environment from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments, accompanied by the drawings.
Statement of the invention
A method of registration for the supply of user requirements to the end user by filing in a computerized environment comprises the steps of
(A) Initiating the communication by the consumer to the centralized system.
(B) Verifying the consumer's identity.
(C) Inputting by the consumer the necessary information of the product distributor.
(D) Providing the different available options of operation to the consumer.
(E) Registering the consumer's requirements and the telephone
number.
(F) Mapping the said telephone number to the consumer's identity
for future communications.

(G) Communicating to the product distributor's server by the
centralized server. (H) Collecting the required information from the product distributor's
server to the centralized server. (I) Communicating the information required by the consumer. (J) Confirming by the centralized server, the supply of the consumer's requirement by the product distributor. and a system for registering the supply of user requirements to the end user by filing in a computerized environment comprises
(A) Means for scanning the said registrations of consumer requirements at pre determined intervals.
(B) Means for grouping the said registrations for each product distributor to form a single record comprising multiple consumer bookings.
(C) Means for transmitting said records by Short Message Service to said product distributor's server comprising CDMA/ GSM/ GPRS modem.
Brief description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method for registration of end user's requirement by the IVR according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the components of the present user requirements filing system, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and
Fig.3 is the flow of communication between the IVR and the distributor, according to a preferred embodiment of the present method.
Detailed description of the invention
Centralised LPG refill booking on Interactive Voice Response System is jt centralising and automating the LPG refill booking process at the


petroleum companies by their consumers. With this system, consumers can book LPG refill calling a single telephone number irrespective of whichever the distributor maybe. The IVR system which accepts the calls gives the booking number and track the booking from the time of the acceptance of the call through the delivery of the refill.
Existing System
LPG consumers of petroleum companies in India, today, call up their distributors to book LPG refill. Distributors accept the bookings manually and insert the booking requests in the software installed in the local computer available with the distributor. The LPG is distributed by the distributor to the consumers who have booked for refill on priority basis after considering the last delivery made to the corresponding consumer.
The existing system has several drawbacks:
1. Consumers can do the refill booking only during the office hours of the distributor.
2. Many a time, a consumer is unable to do the booking since the telephone line of the distributor is either engaged or there is no one to accept the booking.
3. Even if a booking is taken, the consumer is not sure whether the booking has been accepted since he does not have any proof of booking acceptance.
4. The consumer is not aware when the delivery could happen. This is more serious when the refill is returned by the delivery person stating that there was no person available to accept the delivery at the consumer end.
5. The distributors have to employee several persons to attend the telephone calls to accept booking and give information on the delivery status.
6. Since the delivery persons may return the cylinders stating no person to accept delivery, the distributors would have to send the cylinder again to the consumer to ensure consumer satisfaction.
7. Petroleum companies do not have any control on the booking. They are not
there are bogus bookings. High number of bogus bookings of


domestic LPG refills results in heavy losses to the companies since the domestic LPG is heavily subsidised.
8. The companies are not sure whether the cylinders are getting delivered to the needy consumers. Diversion of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial use is not only illegal but also affects the consumer satisfaction.
Objects of Centralised LPG refill booking on Interactive Voice Response System
Centralised LPG refill booking on Interactive Voice Response System is designed to eliminate the draw backs of the distributed manual booking system. The new system helps the consumers to book LPG refills 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The consumer gets a booking number at the time of booking. He would be able to know the status of the booking any time from the system or from the distributor quoting the booking number. Consumers can also know 48 hours in advance when the delivery is going to happen. Once the delivery is done, this information is also given to the consumer to ensure the delivery happened to the actual consumer.
Distributors do not have to employee personnel to accept the booking and hence can save money on salary and also on telephone bills.
The petroleum companies will have a better control on LPG distribution. Bogus bookings will be eliminated to a greater extent, thus reducing total LPG consumption and saving money for the companies. The companies will have on-line information of how many bookings are pending at any point of time with period-wise distribution. This helps them to plan the distribution more effectively. A lot of consumer complaints can be avoided since the consumers can do the booking any time whether a distributor is open or not. And also, they have better idea on booking status and also on delivery schedules.
Several control mechanisms employed in the new system gives timely warnings to the petroleum companies on any malpractices done by the distributors.

Details of the Centralised LPG refill booking on Interactive Voice Response System
Fig. 1 describes the Centralized LPG refill booking on Interactive Voice Response System. Here as an example, a LPG consumer of a petroleum company calls up a telephone number to book his LPG. The IVR system answers the call with a welcome message. When a consumer calls for the first time, the system asks the consumer to choose a language option and then to dial the telephone number of his distributor. After identifying and confirming the distributor, the system asks to dial the consumer number. Once the consumer number is given, he can book a refill or register a complaint.
If he chooses booking, the booking is accepted after verifying the consumer status and also ensuring that no booking is pending against him. Then, the booking number is announced to the consumer. During this booking process, the consumer can also register a telephone as his personal telephone which he would use in future for various services including booking. The system maps this telephone number to the consumer and in future, any calls made from this number would be identified as a call from this consumer and hence no queries would be asked while seeking a service.
A consumer who has booked for an LPG refill can call up any time to know the delivery status or register a complaint.
Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the components of the present user requirements filing system and Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the communication between the IVR server and the product distributor's server, where the centralized IVR system scans the booking data at pre-defined intervals and groups the bookings for each distributor. Multiple bookings are clubbed to form a single record and is sent as an SMS to the distributor's computer which has a CDMA/GSM/GPRS modem connected to it. A monitoring software installed in the distributor's computer will accept this SMS and split it to multiple records.

These booking in formations are inserted into the database of the monitoring software. On a later date, after fulfilling the criteria of the gap between deliveries fixed by the companies, these booking information are pushed by the monitoring software into the local refill management software provided by the petroleum companies to the distributor for billing and inventory control.
When cash memos are prepared by the distributor in the local refill management software, the monitoring software collects such information, groups them and sends to the IVR server through the CDMA/GSM/GPRS modem. The software in the server accepts this SMS, splits the data into multiple records and stores the information against the corresponding booking records.
When the distributors enter the delivery information in the local refill management software, the monitoring software collects such information also, groups them and sends to the IVR server. As in the previous case, the IVR stores these in formations also against the corresponding booking records.
The IVR server will send information as SMS to the customers who have registered with mobile numbers on the occurrence of various events. These include SMS with booking number and present delivery status at the time of booking, SMS with cash memo number and stating that delivery would happen within next 48 hours and also a third SMS after the delivery has happened.
SMS transfer from the IVR server to the PCs at distributor sites will happen only during the working time specified for each distributor excluding holidays. The working time and holiday (global/local) information is available at the server. However, SMS transfer from distributor PCs to the IVR server may happen at any time when the distributor PC is switched on. To ensure that all SMS transferred from a source (distributor PC/server) reaches the destination (server/distributor PC), SMS packets are numbered and a control system is built into the server/monitoring software. The control system ensures sequential processing of data arrived by requesting a re-send of any missing packets.
iSAr-

A web interface is provided on the IVR server for stake holders who have the necessary permissions to view various reports or to alter various parameters in the server or even in the monitoring software installed in the PC of a particular distributor. When a parameter of the monitoring software is altered, this information is pushed into the monitoring software with an SMS from the server.
The server software can identify various common malpractices done in the distributor PCs using the SMS received from the monitoring software. These in formations will sent as an e-mail to the authorities of the petroleum companies for necessary action.
It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advance of technology, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a plurality of ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.
:f COCHIN k

Claim
1. A method of registration for the supply of user requirements to the end
user by filing in a computerized environment comprises the steps of
(A) Initiating the communication by the consumer to the centralized system.
(B) Verifying the consumer's identity.
(C) Inputting by the consumer the necessary information of the product distributor.
(D) Providing the different available options of operation to the consumer.
(E) Registering the consumer's requirements and the telephone
number.
(F) Mapping the said telephone number to the consumer's identity
for future communications.
(G) Communicating to the product distributor's server by the
centralized server.
(H) Collecting the required information from the product distributor's
server to the centralized server. (I) Communicating the information required by the consumer. (J) Confirming by the centralized server, the supply of the
consumer's requirement by the product distributor.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said centralized server is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communicating to the product distributor's server by the centralized server comprises the steps of

(A) Scanning the said registrations of consumer requirements at pre determined intervals.
(B) Grouping the said registrations for each product distributor to form a single record comprising multiple consumer bookings.

(C) Transmitting said records by Short Message Service to said product distributor's server comprising CDMA/ GSM/ GPRS modem.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said collecting the required
information from the product distributor's server by the centralized server
comprises the steps of
(A) Accepting said SMS by the product distributor server.
(B) Splitting said records into multiple records.
(C) Inserting said records into the database of said product distributor.
(D) Verifying the sufficient time establishment between the consecutive bookings by the consumer.
(E) Transferring of such records for billing by the product distributor.
(F) Preparation of cash memos and the delivery details of the user
requirements to the consumer.
(G) Transferring of such records to said IVR server by the product
distributor through SMS.
(H) Storing of such records against the corresponding consumer bookings in the database of said IVR server.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said communicating the
information to the consumer comprises
(A) Communication of the consumer's booking number for the
required product.
(B) Communication of the status of delivery of the required user
requirement at the time of booking by the consumer.
(C) Communication of the said cash memo number prepared by the product distributor and the date of delivery of the user requirements.
(D) Ensuring the safe transmission of the said information to the consumers.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said verification of consumer's
identity is the consumer number provided by the IVR server at the time of
irst registratior
with the server and said inputting by the consumer the
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necessary information comprises inputting the telephone number or distributor code of the product distributor.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said various options to the consumers comprises booking the supply of a new requirement and filling the complaint of the non delivery of previously booked requirement and said communication between the IVR server, the product distributor server and the consumer is through SMS.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said communication between the IVR and product distributor server occurs during the working hours of the product distributor and said communication between said IVR and consumer is through web interface, SMS and voice telephony.
9. A system for registering the supply of user requirements to the end user by filing in a computerized environment comprises

(A) Means for scanning the said registrations of consumer requirements at pre determined intervals.
(B) Means for grouping the said registrations for each product distributor to form a single record comprising multiple consumer bookings.
(C) Means for transmitting said records by Short Message Service to said product distributor's server comprising CDMA/ GSM/ GPRS modem.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9 further comprises
(A) Means for accepting said SMS by the product distributor server.
(B) Means for splitting said records into multiple records.
(C) Means for Inserting said records into the database of said product distributor.
(D) Means for verifying the sufficient time establishment between the consecutive bookings by the consumer.
(E) Means for transferring of such records for billing by the product
distributor.
(F) Means for preparation of cash memos and the delivery details of
the user requirements to the consumer.


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(G) Means for transferring of such records to said IVR server by the
product distributor through SMS. (H) Means for storing of such records against the corresponding
consumer bookings in the database of said IVR server.