Systems and methods for arranging a call
First Claim
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1. A method of arranging a call for a session for real-time communication with a service provider, the method comprising:
- a data processing system displaying a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection;
in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, the data processing system determining whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session;
in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, the data processing system determining whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication;
in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the data processing system, the data processing system permitting the consumer to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and
in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, the data processing system making an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer.
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Abstract
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of arranging a call with a service provider is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether the service provider accepts arranged calls; if it is determined that the service provider does not accept arranged calls, contacting the service provider to request arranged calls from the service provider; and if it is determined that the service provider accepts arranged calls, requesting an arranged call.
355 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of arranging a call for a session for real-time communication with a service provider, the method comprising:
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a data processing system displaying a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection; in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, the data processing system determining whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session; in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, the data processing system determining whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication; in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the data processing system, the data processing system permitting the consumer to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, the data processing system making an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A computer system comprising:
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a unit to display a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection; a unit, in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, to determine whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session; a unit, in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, to determine whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication; a unit, in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the computer system, to permit the consumer to request the service provider to allow the computer system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and a unit, in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, to make an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a data processing system, will cause the data processing system to perform operations comprising:
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displaying a list of service providers to a consumer via an internet connection; in response to a request from the consumer for an immediate session for real-time communication with a selected service provider selected from the list of service providers, the data processing system determining whether the selected service provider is available for the immediate session; in response to a determination that the selected service provider is not available for the immediate session to communicate with the customer, determining whether the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication; in response to a determination that the service provider does not accept arranged sessions for real-time communication arranged via the data processing system, permitting the consumer to request the service provider to allow the data processing system to arrange a session for real-time communication with the service provider; and in response to a determination that the service provider accepts arranged sessions for real-time communication, making an arrangement according to a consumer requested appointment time for an arranged session for real-time communication between the service provider and the customer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification