Professional rating system and method

• US 20060294138A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lucas Stolba
• Original Assignee: Lucas Stolba
• Inventors: Stolba, Lucas
• Application Number:
  US11/165,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20060294138A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A system for rating professionals is provided, comprising: (a) means for storing information about a plurality of professionals in a database, including a name and contact information of each of said professionals; (b) means for a user to search said database via a web site; (c) means for said user provide the name and contact information of a professional to said database; and (d) means for said user to provide a rating of said professional. The rating may be based on the expertise of said professional, the cost of said professional or the ethics of said professional, and may include a comment about the professional. The web site preferably has means for said user to search said database by selecting a category of professionals, a subcategory of professionals and a geographic area for said professional.

Claims

1. A method of rating a professional comprising:

(a) providing a database, said database containing a plurality of records, each of said records relating to a professional, each of said records storing the name and contact information of said professional;

(b) searching through said database for a particular professional using a web site;

(c) if said professional is present in a record in said database, providing a rating for said professional; and

(d) if said professional is not present in a record in said database, providing the name and contact information of said professional to said database, and providing a rating for said professional.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said rating may be based on the expertise of said professional, the cost of said professional or the ethics of said professional.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein step (b) further comprises:

selecting a category of professionals.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (b) further comprises:

selecting a subcategory of professionals.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein step (b) further comprises:

selecting a geographic area for said professional.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said web site is accessible to users searching for said rating of said professional.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said web site provides an advertisement.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a second professional bids on said advertisement.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said second professional, if successful in said bid, may select said advertisement for display on said web site.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein in step (c) a comment may be provided in addition to said rating.

11. A system for rating professionals, comprising:

(a) means for storing information about a plurality of professionals in a database, including a name and contact information of each of said professionals;

(b) means for a user to search said database via a web site;

(c) means for said user provide the name and contact information of a professional to said database; and

(d) means for said user to provide a rating of said professional.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said rating may be based on the expertise of said professional, the cost of said professional or the ethics of said professional.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for said user to search said database comprises selecting a category of professionals.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said means for said user to search said database further comprises selecting a subcategory of professionals.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said means for said user to search said database further comprises selecting a geographic area for said professional.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said web site is accessible to a second user to access said rating of said professional.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said web site provides an advertisement.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for a second professional to bid on said advertisement.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said second professional, if successful in said bid, may select said advertisement for display on said web site.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising means to provide a comment about said professional.