System and method for online professional services networks
First Claim
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1. A method for facilitating online referrals, comprising the computer implemented steps of:
- storing profile information about a plurality of members, each of the members being a professional service provider;
linking at least some of the members to each other based on relationship criteria for creating connections between the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of a first of the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of the members connected to the first member; and
allowing a user to refer a patient or client to one of the members.
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Abstract
Online professional services networks that create and provide access to professional service provider databases where the professionals are linked to others based on their referral relationships. The networks allow users, e.g., network members and other consumers (e.g. patients, clients) to search/identify, evaluate and select professionals based on their trusted relations and recommendations, as well as to perform various other tasks online such as negotiate service terms as well as request and submit payment.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating online referrals, comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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storing profile information about a plurality of members, each of the members being a professional service provider;
linking at least some of the members to each other based on relationship criteria for creating connections between the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of a first of the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of the members connected to the first member; and
allowing a user to refer a patient or client to one of the members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for facilitating online referrals, comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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storing profile information about a plurality of members, each of the members being a professional service provider;
linking at least some of the members to each other based on relationship criteria for creating connections between the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of a first of the members;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of the members connected to the first member;
allowing a user to read a recommendation about one member written by another member;
allowing a user to search the profile information; and
allowing a user to refer a patient or client to one of the members. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for facilitating negotiation of service terms, comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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storing profile information about a plurality of professional service providers;
allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of the service providers;
allowing the user to select one of the service providers;
allowing the user to negotiate service terms with the selected service provider; and
allowing the selected service provider to negotiate the service terms with the user. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method for facilitating payment for professional services, comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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storing information about a plurality of members, each of the members being a professional service provider;
storing information about a party selected from a group consisting of a client of the service provider, a third party responsible for payment for the client, and an insurance company;
allowing the service provider to request payment from the party;
transmitting the request for payment to the party; and
facilitating payment from the party to the service provider. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A system for facilitating online referrals, comprising:
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logic for storing profile information about a plurality of members, each of the members being a professional service provider;
logic for linking at least some of the members to each other based on relationship criteria for creating connections between the members;
logic for allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of a first of the members;
logic for allowing a user to view at least a portion of the profile information of the members connected to the first member; and
logic for allowing a user to refer a patient or client to one of the members.
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Specification