Method and system for linking customers and vendors
First Claim
1. A computer implemented system operating under control of a stored program, the system facilitating a relationship between a vendor and a potential customer for the vendor and being located remotely from the vendor and the customer, the program including:
- at least one customer communications connection portion permitting the customer to connect to the system, to retrieve data from the system, and to input data to the system including a request;
an information retrieval function portion for collecting information in response to the request by the customer;
an information delivery function portion for sending the collected information to the customer;
an information record function portion for storing information input by the customer;
at least one vendor communications connection portion for connecting to the vendor, and for sending information to the vendor;
a response function portion for receiving from the vendor a response regarding the information sent to the vendor; and
a confirmation function for providing the vendor response to the customer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating and linking a vendor with a customer desiring the vendor'"'"'s goods and/or services. A customer contacts a remotely located system, requests information, and responds to this information by inputting a request to the remote system. This request includes information regarding, e.g., a reservation for the vendor'"'"'s services. The remote system contacts the vendor and seeks acceptance of the request. Upon acceptance by the vendor, the remote system contacts the customer, either via email and/or telephone, to provide confirmation. If the request is rejected, the remote system may attempt to establish a connection between the customer and vendor, preferably a telephonic connection allowing voice communications. During connection with either the vendor or the customer, announcements and/or advertisements may be played.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer implemented system operating under control of a stored program, the system facilitating a relationship between a vendor and a potential customer for the vendor and being located remotely from the vendor and the customer, the program including:
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at least one customer communications connection portion permitting the customer to connect to the system, to retrieve data from the system, and to input data to the system including a request;
an information retrieval function portion for collecting information in response to the request by the customer;
an information delivery function portion for sending the collected information to the customer;
an information record function portion for storing information input by the customer;
at least one vendor communications connection portion for connecting to the vendor, and for sending information to the vendor;
a response function portion for receiving from the vendor a response regarding the information sent to the vendor; and
a confirmation function for providing the vendor response to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for facilitating arrangement of a reservation between a diner and a restaurant, the method including:
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providing a remotely located system;
permitting the customer to access information regarding at least one restaurant via the remotely located system;
sending information regarding at least one restaurant to the customer from the remotely located system;
receiving data including reservation information input by the customer to input data into the remotely located system;
connecting the remotely located system with the restaurant;
communicating the input customer data to the restaurant;
receiving a response to the input customer from the restaurant;
sending a response communication to the customer based on the restaurant response. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification