MANAGING INFORMATION SOLICITATIONS ACROSS A NETWORK
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of managing information solicitations in a network of users, the method comprising:
- posting an information solicitation received from an information consumer that is provided to at least a portion of the users of the network for auction, wherein the information solicitation includes a request to engage in a real-time communication with an information provider about a particular subject;
receiving bids from a plurality of information providers and providing the bids to the information consumer for selection; and
connecting the information consumer with a selected one of the plurality of information providers in the real-time communication.
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Abstract
A service manager manages information solicitations in a network of users. An information solicitation is posted that is received from an information consumer. The posted information solicitation is provided to at least a portion of the users of the network for auction. The information solicitation includes a request to engage in a real-time communication with an information provider about a particular subject. Bids are received from a plurality of information providers. The bids are provided to the information consumer for selection. The information consumer is connected with a selected one of the plurality of information providers.
71 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing information solicitations in a network of users, the method comprising:
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posting an information solicitation received from an information consumer that is provided to at least a portion of the users of the network for auction, wherein the information solicitation includes a request to engage in a real-time communication with an information provider about a particular subject; receiving bids from a plurality of information providers and providing the bids to the information consumer for selection; and connecting the information consumer with a selected one of the plurality of information providers in the real-time communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for managing information solicitations in a community environment, the system comprising:
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a service manager configured to; receive an information solicitation from an information consumer and provide the information solicitation to at least a portion of the users of the network for auction, the information solicitation includes a request to engage in a real-time communication with an information provider about a particular subject; receive bids from a plurality of information providers; provide the bids to the information consumer for selection; and a connection module configured to connect the information consumer with a selected one of the plurality of information providers in the real-time communication. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of soliciting information in a community environment, the method comprising:
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transmitting an information solicitation to a service manager for auction, the information solicitation including a request to engage in a real-time communication with an information provider about a particular subject; receiving bids from a plurality of information providers; selecting one of the plurality of information providers based on the received bids; and participating in the real-time communication with the selected one of the plurality of information providers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification