System and method to prioritize chat alerts based on an organizational hierarchical chain

Abstract

In a chat alert method and system, a chat user creates alert profiles that include the requestor's level in an organizational hierarchy as a parameter and the alert type for the level. When a chat client receives a chat request from a requester for a receiver, the chat client determines if there is a chat alert profile that matches the requestor's level. If so, then an alert is issued to the receiver according to the matching chat alert profile. Optionally, the chat alert profile sets an alternate alert system, where if the receiver does not respond to the request within a specified time, an alert is sent using the alternate alert system. Chat requests from requesters higher up in the reporting chain can be highlighted for the receiver. The receiver can then prioritize the chat requests that he/she receives and respond to them in a timely fashion.

1 . A method for providing online chat alerts, comprising:
 receiving by a chat client a chat request from a requester for a receiver;   obtaining by the chat client a requestor's level in an organizational hierarchy;   determining by the chat client if any chat alert profile matches the requestor's level; and   issuing by the chat client an alert to the receiver according to the matching chat alert profile, if a chat alert profile matches the requestor's level.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining comprises:
 obtaining the requestor's level from a directory server.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the requestor's level is obtained using a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the matching chat alert profile comprises a plurality of parameters, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises:
 the requestor's level relative to a receiver's level in a reporting chain; and   an alert type.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the alert type comprises a sound or a chat window color. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the issuing comprises:
 issuing the alert by the chat client to the receiver according to the alert type.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining by the chat client if an alternate alert system is set in the matching chat alert profile;   determining by the chat client if the receiver has responded to the chat request in a time specified in the matching chat alert profile, if the alternate alert system is set in the matching chat alert profile; and   sending a second alert to the receiver using the alternate alert system according to the matching chat alert profile, if the receiver has not responded to the chat request in the time specified in the matching chat alert profile.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the alternate alert system comprises at least one of:
 text messaging;   email;   pager;   network message; and   Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the alternate alert system is added to functionalities of the chat client using a plugin. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving an alert by the chat client according to an alternate alert system selected by the requester.   
   
   
       11 . A method for providing online chat alerts, comprising:
 receiving by a chat client a chat request from a requester for a receiver;   obtaining by the chat client a requestor's level in an organizational hierarchy;   determining by the chat client if any chat alert profile matches the requestor's level;   issuing by the chat client an alert to the receiver according to the matching chat alert profile, if a chat alert profile matches the requestor's level.   determining by the chat client if an alternate alert system is set in the matching chat alert profile;   determining by the chat client if the receiver has responded to the chat request in a time specified in the matching chat alert profile, if the alternate alert system is set in the matching chat alert profile; and   sending a second alert to the receiver using the alternate alert system according to the matching chat alert profile, if the receiver has not responded to the chat request in the time specified in the matching chat alert profile.