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Method and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerce

DC
  • US 5,862,223 A
  • Filed: 07/24/1996
  • Issued: 01/19/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An expert matching apparatus for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking a solution to an end user request, comprising:

  • a controller unit for receiving an end user request generated by an end user, the controller unit having a database for storing therein a plurality of qualifications for a plurality of experts, each expert qualification associated with an address corresponding to a particular expert;

    means for searching the database to generate a search result containing expert qualifications which correspond to the end user request;

    means for guaranteeing payment to the expert for services rendered to the end user;

    means for initiating remittance of payments to the experts;

    means for transmitting at least a portion of the end user request to the expert address based on the search result;

    means for receiving an expert answer corresponding to the end user request transmitted; and

    means for transmitting at least a portion of the expert answer to the end user.

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