Web-based method and system for providing expert information on selected matters
First Claim
1. A method for providing expert information from a pool of experts using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising the steps of:
- displaying information on the client system identifying alternative paths for assistance to the user;
receiving a request from the client system based on an alternative path selected by the user;
accessing the database within the server system comprising a pool of experts, the database storing expert information relating to each expert in the pool of experts;
cross-referencing user information with expert information;
displaying expert information including expert availability information on the client system through an applet downloaded from the server system when a user calls upon an expert to seek assistance; and
contacting the expert based on user selected expert information inputted into the client system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing expert information from a pool of experts using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system is provided. The database stores expert information relating to each expert within the pool of experts. The method includes displaying information on the client system identifying alternative paths for assistance to the user, receiving a request from the client system based on an alternative path selected by the user, accessing a database within the server system comprising a pool of experts, cross-referencing user information with expert information, displaying expert information including expert availability information on the client system through an applet downloaded from the server system when a user calls upon an expert to seek assistance, and contacting the expert based on user selected expert information inputted into the client system.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for providing expert information from a pool of experts using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising the steps of:
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displaying information on the client system identifying alternative paths for assistance to the user;
receiving a request from the client system based on an alternative path selected by the user;
accessing the database within the server system comprising a pool of experts, the database storing expert information relating to each expert in the pool of experts;
cross-referencing user information with expert information;
displaying expert information including expert availability information on the client system through an applet downloaded from the server system when a user calls upon an expert to seek assistance; and
contacting the expert based on user selected expert information inputted into the client system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for providing expert information from a pool of experts, said system comprising:
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a client system comprising a browser;
a database for storing expert information for a pool of experts;
a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system configured to;
display information on the client system identifying alternative paths for assistance to the user;
receive a request from the client system based on an alternative path selected by the user;
access expert information from the database based on the alternative path selected by the user;
cross-reference user information with expert information;
display expert information including expert availability information on the client system through an applet downloaded from the server system when a user calls upon an expert to seek assistance; and
contact the expert based on user selected expert information inputted into the client system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification