Virtual referral service
First Claim
1. A method for soliciting services to be rendered by a service provider in relation to a specified task on behalf of an individual over at least over one computer network where in said network connects at least one personal computer associated with said individual to at least one information-provider computer, the method comprising the steps:
- a) obtaining criteria from said individual determinative of the nature of the task to be performed;
b) comparing said criteria obtained in step a) with a database of known service providers;
c) identifying and selecting a group of a service providers in step b) having capability to render services in relation to the task as specified in the criteria set forth in step a);
d) disseminating said criteria obtained in step a) with said service providers identified in step c);
e) generating at least one response from at least one service provider having received said criteria in step d); and
f) forwarding said at least one response obtained in step e) to said individual.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An on-line referral system. According to a preferred embodiment, individuals in need of having services rendered on their behalf post situations, preferably via a billboard maintained on a website. Service providers meeting certain competency thresholds capable and willing to perform services on behalf of such posted situations are enable to bid or otherwise forward advertising or promotional information to the individual posting such situation. In this respect, such posted situation is disseminated to those service providers capable of rendering such services on behalf of the individual. The individual may then consider the information, as submitted, and either select a particular service provider, or choose not to go with any service provider responding to such situation. In either event, the posted situation is caused to be terminated and withdrawn from the billboard. In further refinements of the invention, revenue may be generated by collecting subscription fees from service providers and/or fees from individuals for posting the situations.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for soliciting services to be rendered by a service provider in relation to a specified task on behalf of an individual over at least over one computer network where in said network connects at least one personal computer associated with said individual to at least one information-provider computer, the method comprising the steps:
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a) obtaining criteria from said individual determinative of the nature of the task to be performed;
b) comparing said criteria obtained in step a) with a database of known service providers;
c) identifying and selecting a group of a service providers in step b) having capability to render services in relation to the task as specified in the criteria set forth in step a);
d) disseminating said criteria obtained in step a) with said service providers identified in step c);
e) generating at least one response from at least one service provider having received said criteria in step d); and
f) forwarding said at least one response obtained in step e) to said individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification