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Method and apparatus to connect consumer to expert

  • US 6,223,165 B1
  • Filed: 01/20/2000
  • Issued: 04/24/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of connecting two parties in real time, the method comprising:

  • displaying a list of experts to a consumer via an Internet connection with said consumer prior to the consumer submitting a question;

    the list indicating individually whether each expert is currently available to telephonically communicate with said consumer at a time when said consumer is viewing the list, said list includes a compensation rate for each expert;

    in response to the consumer selecting a displayed icon corresponding to an expert from the list, automatically establishing a telephone connection between the expert and the consumer prior to the consumer submitting a question to the expert; and

    said automatically establishing the connection includes a central controller placing a telephone call to said consumer via a connection separate from said Internet connection, and said central controller placing a telephone call to said expert.

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