System and method for matching professional service providers with consumers
First Claim
1. A method of matching service providers with consumers comprising the steps of:
- providing a server computer having a memory, and a database of service providers, in communication with a computer network;
providing a consumer computer in communication with the computer network;
providing a consumer user interface to the consumer computer, asking the consumer a series of questions describing a service need through the user interface;
cross referencing the consumer'"'"'s answers with a database of service providers to determine the service providers that provide the service need;
providing a service provider computer;
providing a service provider interface to the service provider computer; and
transmitting consumer information to attorney computers in communication with the computer network associated with the service providers that provide the service need.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for matching consumers with service providers via a matching system that uses computers connected to a server through a network. A consumer is asked a series of preselected questions about his or her service needs. The consumer can answer the questions by clicking on an appropriate answer that is listed under the questions. Alternatively the consumer may type in a text answer. The matching system cross references the consumer answers with a database of service providers. The matching system posts a description of the case which is available to all service providers and forwards a description of the case to service providers that are qualified to perform the desired services. The service providers can submitting bids which are returned to the consumer. The consumer can view and compare all bids and obtain additional information about each service provider through the consumer homepage before selecting a service provider for the work. After the services are complete, the consumer can rate the service provider and the rating will be available to other consumers.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of matching service providers with consumers comprising the steps of:
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providing a server computer having a memory, and a database of service providers, in communication with a computer network;
providing a consumer computer in communication with the computer network;
providing a consumer user interface to the consumer computer, asking the consumer a series of questions describing a service need through the user interface;
cross referencing the consumer'"'"'s answers with a database of service providers to determine the service providers that provide the service need;
providing a service provider computer;
providing a service provider interface to the service provider computer; and
transmitting consumer information to attorney computers in communication with the computer network associated with the service providers that provide the service need. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for matching an attorney with a consumer comprising:
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a network;
a server having a memory, a database of attorney information, and a database of consumer information, in communication with the network;
a consumer computer with a user interface, wherein the server asks the consumer a series of questions related to requested legal services through the user interface, a matching program that cross references answers from the consumer with the database of attorney information and transmits consumer information to attorneys who provide legal services corresponding to the requested legal services. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. The method of matching attorneys with consumers comprising the steps of:
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providing a server computer having a database of consumers and a database of attorneys, in communication with a computer network;
providing a consumer computer in communication with the computer network;
providing a consumer user interface to the consumer computer, asking the consumer a series of questions describing a service need through the user interface;
storing responses to the series of questions on the consumer database;
cross referencing the consumer'"'"'s answers with a database of service providers to determine the service providers that provide the service need;
providing a service provider computer;
providing a service provider interface to the service provider computer;
transmitting consumer information to attorney computers in communication with the computer network associated with the service providers that provide the service need; and
transmitting a bid from the attorney computer to the consumer computer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification