Method and apparatus for the purchase, sale and facilitation of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) consultations

• US 20070291923A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amy Hsieh
• Original Assignee: Amy Hsieh
• Inventors: Hsieh, Amy
• Application Number:
  US11/455,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20070291923A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/265.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 where the data service is an information service

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for facilitating voice-to-voice communication in an on-line environment between requestors seeking advice and helpers providing advice. The invention comprises a user-friendly website interface in which a plurality of helpers and requesters can provide personal data relating to their qualifications or information about the subject matter they wish to discuss through the posting of text or pictorial information. The information can be organized and categorized in a variety of ways such as, for example, to be accessible through a search engine. Visitors can review the information provided; identify a helper or requestor with whom they wish to establish communication; purchase or sell these services; and initiate VoIP voice-to-voice communication directly with an individual through the website.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating person-to-person communication in an on-line environment between requesters seeking advice, and helpers providing advice, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying, on at least one web site, text and/or pictorial images corresponding to information provided by the requestors; and

in response to an action by a helper, establishing a communication link between a requestor and the helper so that the helper and requestor can speak directly with each other.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication link is VoIP.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the VoIP communication link can be accessed directly from the web site.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the information provided is organized in a manner searchable via a search engine.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of enabling monetary payment to be transferred from the requestor to the helper in return for the advice either in advance of, or concurrently with, establishing the communication link.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the monetary payment is a credit card payment.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining, prior to establishing the communication link, whether the requestor and helper are presently available for communication, and if not, then denying the establishment of the communication link.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, after the helper and requestor have finished speaking, enabling the helper to enter information for display on the website pertaining to the quality or performance of the requester.

9. A method for facilitating person-to-person communication in an on-line environment between helpers capable of providing advice, and requesters seeking advice, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying, on at least one web site, text and/or pictorial images corresponding to information provided by the helpers; and

in response to an action by a requestor, establishing a communication link between the requestor and a helper so that the helper and requestor can speak directly with each other.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the communication link is VoIP

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the VoIP communication link can be accessed directly from the web site.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the information provided is organized in a manner searchable via a search engine.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of enabling monetary payment to be transferred from the requestor to the helper in return for the advice either in advance of, or concurrently with, establishing the communication link.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the monetary payment is a credit card payment.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of determining, prior to establishing the communication link, whether the requestor and helper are presently available for communication, and if not, then denying the establishment of the communication link.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of, after the helper and requestor have finished speaking, enabling the requester to enter information for display on the website pertaining to the quality or performance of the helper.

17. An apparatus for facilitating person-to-person communication in an on-line environment between requestors seeking advice, and helpers providing advice, comprising:

at least one website capable of displaying text and/or pictorial images corresponding to information provided by the helpers and requestors; and

a plurality of communication links operatively linked to website and capable of enabling at least one helper to communicate with at least one requestor on a voice-to-voice basis.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the communication link is a VoIP communication link which can be accessed directly from the website.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a credit card processing apparatus for enabling monetary payment to be transferred from the requestor to the helper in return for the advice either in advance of, or concurrently with, establishing the communication between the helper and requestor.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a calendar program for determining, prior to establishing the communication link, whether the requestor and helper are presently available for communication, and if not, then denying the establishment of the communication between the helper and requestor.