Online business directory with predefined search template for facilitating the matching of buyers to qualified sellers

• US 6,189,003 B1
• Filed: 10/23/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Worldwide Creative Techniques, LLC
• Original Assignee: Wynwyn.com Incorporated
• Inventors: Leal, Fernando
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOULES, JACK M
• Application Number:
  US09/178,097
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/4, 707/10, 707/104, 707/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system and method to provide buyers with information that supports the selection of qualified vendors and service providers at the precise time they are prepared to make a purchase. To accomplish its function, the system includes three core elements: (1) a data retrieval system that makes it easy for ready and willing buyers to find and contact qualified businesses; (2) a proprietary electronic database with enhanced information regarding local businesses; (3) an electronic distribution network that employs live, enhanced directory assistance (EDA) operators via telephone as well as the World Wide Web, and simplifies the connections between motivated buyers and qualified sellers. Buyers are able to search the database of businesses to find the most qualified providers of goods/service that match their unique criteria. Sellers can use the service to better promote their offerings to a market that has moved beyond window shopping and that is ready to buy.

Claims

1. A method for searching businesses in an electronic business directory database, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying at least one search criteria, the at least one search criteria defined through research about businesses in at least one category of business;

obtaining business directory data for at least one business listing, the business directory data comprising a business name, address and telephone number;

developing at least one category attribute representative of the at least one business listing to facilitate categorical classification of the at least one business listing, the at least one category attribute comprising hours of operations, specialty services, detailed product and services, and special promotions;

dynamically deriving at least one search template in response to a search request received from a user, the at least one search template comprising at least one field representative of the at least one category attribute;

using the at least one search template to electronically search the electronic business directory database to identify at least one business for the at least one category attribute; and

submitting a request for proposal to at least one identified business.

2. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of completing a business transaction in response to the search request.

3. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of completing a business transaction with the at least one business identified in response to the search request.

4. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of dynamically deriving at least one template for submitting the request for proposal, said template comprising at least one field generated based on the at least one category attribute.

5. The method defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of communicating the request for proposal via telephone.

6. The method defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of communicating the request for proposal via e-mail.

7. The method defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of communicating the request for proposal via fax.

8. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of saving business directory data for the at least one business listing saved in the form of a binary string.

9. The method defined in claim 8, wherein the string comprises 32-bits.

10. The method defined in claim 8, wherein the string comprises 16-bits.

11. The method defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a business template in response to the business directory data.

12. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the search template corresponds to the categorical classification of the at least one business listing.

13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein a binary logic value one is used to indicate at least one business category chosen by the user to form the search request.

14. A system for searching businesses in an electronic business directory database, said system comprising:

a data retrieval system operative to allow ready and willing buyers to find and contact qualified businesses based on at least one business category attribute, the at least one business category attribute comprising hours of operations, specialty services, detailed product and services, and special promotions;

a database coupled to the data retrieval system, the database for storing business directory data including enhanced information regarding local businesses;

an electronic distribution network coupled to the database, the electronic distribution network for facilitating connections between motivated buyers and qualified sellers; and

means for submitting a request for proposal to at least one qualified business.

15. The system defined in claim 14, wherein the connection between motivated buyers and qualified sellers is electronic.

16. The system defined in claim 15, wherein the connection employs live, enhanced directory assistance operators via telephone.

17. The system defined in claim 15, wherein the connection comprises the World Wide Web.

18. The system defined in claim 14, wherein the data retrieval system comprises means for dynamically deriving at least one search template in response to a search request received from a user.

19. The system defined in claim 18, further comprising means for using the at least one search template to electronically search the database to identify at least one business in response to the search request.

20. The system defined in claim 19 further comprising means for dynamically deriving at least one template for submitting the request for proposal, said template comprising at least one field generated based on the at least one business category attribute.

21. The system defined in claim 18, wherein the search template corresponds to a categorical classification of at least one business listing.

22. The system defined in claim 14, wherein the data retrieval system comprises means for creating a business template in response to the business directory data.