SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFORMATION PROVIDER COMMUNICATION WITH INFORMATION REQUESTER

• US 20060287929A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eBay Korea Co., Ltd. (E-Mart, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interpark Gmarket Corporation
• Inventors: Seong, Kim Moo, Bae, Ku Young
• Granted Patent: US 8,156,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for an information provider communicating with an information requester. The system comprises a messenger server for managing instant messaging, identifying whether the information provider registers a timing available for communication, priority sequence of communication channel and communication means, searching communication means available for communication promptly connecting the communication means of the information provider from a higher priority to a lower priority sequentially; a proxy server, coupled to the messenger server, receiving a signal from the messenger server and deciding a communication channel to process this signal and transmitting a call; a redirect server administrating the position of the information requester and the information provider logged in the messenger server, based on Internet Protocol; and a VOIP gateway providing the internet telephone network services to which a personal computer terminal or a phone is connected.

Claims

1. A system for an information provider communicating with an information requester comprising:

a messenger server for managing instant messaging, identifying whether the information provider registers a timing available for communication, priority sequence of communication channel and communication means, searching communication means available for communication promptly connecting the communication means of the information provider from a higher priority to a lower priority sequentially;

a proxy server, coupled to the messenger server, receiving a signal from the messenger server and deciding a communication channel to process this signal and transmitting a call;

a redirect server administrating the position of the information requester and the information provider logged in the messenger server, based on Internet Protocol; and

a VOIP gateway providing the internet telephone network services to which a personal computer terminal or a phone is connected.

2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a web server administrating general purchasing procedures of registration, search, order, refund, and delivery confirmation for goods, and sending a message showing information on goods/customer/order to the messenger server.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the proxy server evaluates the information requester and the information provider based on communication results, sets up a blacklist of connection blocking and connection period restriction, and restricts the information provider communication with the information requester.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the communication means is any one of an internet protocol phone, a telephone, a mobile phone, or a satellite telephone.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the proxy server routes a call after detecting whether each of the phones is available or not and displays the status of the phones on a web page through the web server or a messenger view through the messenger server.

6. A method for an information provider communicating with an information requester comprising steps of:

searching communication means available for communication promptly from a database including information on timing available for communication, priority sequence of communication channel and communication means;

switching communication means of the information provider from a higher priority to a lower priority sequentially, if the information requester requests a call with the information provider;

communicating with the information requester, if the information provider responds to the call; and

transmitting an automated message to the information requester, if the information provider is unable to respond to the call.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising further step of:

storing evaluation on communication attitude, communication timing and period between the information provider and the information requester based on the communication results.

8. A method according to claim 6 further comprising further step of:

setting up a blacklist of connection blocking and connection period restriction;

blocking the information provider communication with the information requester and transmitting the automated message to the information requester, if the information provider or the information requester is registered in the connection blocking list; and

permitting the information provider communication with the information requester for a predetermined period, if the dealer or the customer is registered in the connection period restriction list.

9. A method according to claim 6 further comprising further step of:

storing the means, priority sequence and timing available for communication with another information provider in a database.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the communication means is any one of an internet protocol phone, a telephone, a mobile phone, or a satellite telephone.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein a call is routed after detecting whether each of the phones is available or not and the status of the phones is displayed on a web page or a messenger view.

12. A method according to claim 6 wherein the communication means is any one of an internet protocol phone, a telephone, a mobile phone, or a satellite telephone.

13. A method according to claim 6 wherein the communication means is a messenger program which backs up switching to a call center and multi-chatting by message, voice, or camera.

14. A method according to claim 6 wherein the information requester is any one of a customer who searches and finds out the information for goods, a purchaser who wishes to buy or bought goods, a dealer in Business to Business.

15. A method according to claim 6 wherein the information provider is a dealer or an innovator.