Apparatus and method for specifying and obtaining services through an audio transmission medium
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving from a user at least one search criterion via an audio connection, the at least one search criterion including a threshold for a quality of service rating;
presenting during the audio connection, a list of a plurality of service providers in an audio form to the user according to the at least one search criterion;
determining a selection of the user for a selected service provider from the list;
during the audio connection, connecting the user with the selected service provider for a live conversation via the audio connection;
detecting a completion of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider; and
while the user remains connected to the audio connection, prompting the user for the quality of service rating for services rendered by the selected service provider in response to a detected completion of the live conversation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for specifying and obtaining services through audio commands, resulting in a live conversation between a user and a selected service provider using an audio-transmission medium (the telephone). A service seeker locates a service provider by entering a keypad code corresponding to a field of service or by speaking the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system. The seeker can then specify, via voice or keypad entry, a price range, quality rating, language, and keyword descriptors of the service provider, such as a service provider code number. In response, the system offers currently available service providers. Once an available service provider is selected, the system connects the service seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. The system bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider accordingly.
511 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving from a user at least one search criterion via an audio connection, the at least one search criterion including a threshold for a quality of service rating; presenting during the audio connection, a list of a plurality of service providers in an audio form to the user according to the at least one search criterion; determining a selection of the user for a selected service provider from the list; during the audio connection, connecting the user with the selected service provider for a live conversation via the audio connection; detecting a completion of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider; and while the user remains connected to the audio connection, prompting the user for the quality of service rating for services rendered by the selected service provider in response to a detected completion of the live conversation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable storage medium including program instructions contained on a computer readable memory to direct a computer to perform a method, when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method comprising:
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receiving from a user at least one search criterion via an audio connection, the at least one search criterion including a threshold for a quality of service rating; presenting during the audio connection a list of a plurality of service providers in an audio form to the user according to the at least one search criterion; determining a selection of the user for a selected service provider from the list; during the audio connection, connecting the user with the selected service provider for a live conversation via the audio connection; detecting a completion of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider; and while the user remains connected to the audio connection, prompting the user for the quality of service rating for services rendered by the selected service provider in response to a detected completion of the live conversation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An audio portal service provider system comprising:
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an interface to an audio connection; an audio recognition engine coupled to the interface to receive at least one search criterion in an audio form from a user via the audio connection, the at least one search criterion including a threshold of a quality of service rating; and a processor coupled to the audio recognition engine and the interface, the processor to search a service provider database according to the at least one search criterion to generate a list of a plurality of service providers for presentation to the user during the audio connection, the processor to further determine a selection of the user for a selected provider from the list via the audio recognition engine, the processor to cause the interface to connect the user with the selected service provider for a live conversation during the audio connection, the processor to detect a completion of the live conversation between the user and the selected service provider and, while the user remains connected to the audio connection, the processor to prompt the user for the quality of service rating for services rendered by the selected service provider in response to a detected completion of the live conversation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification