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Apparatus and method for scheduling live advice communication with a selected service provider

  • US 7,937,439 B2
  • Filed: 12/27/2001
  • Issued: 05/03/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method implemented on a data processing system, the method comprising:

  • storing, in a database coupled to the data processing system, information about a set of service providers, the information including a service offer from each of the service providers to provide a separate service to customers over a communication connection provided by the data processing system and a price specified by a respective service provider for the service;

    providing, by the data processing system, a list of service providers, based on the information stored in the database, to a service seeker via an internet connection, the list indicating individually service offers from the list of service providers and whether each service provider in the list of service providers is currently available to provide live advice to the service seeker at a time when the service seeker is viewing the list;

    receiving, by the data processing system from a service seeker, an appointment request for a live advice communication with a selected service provider during a service seeker specified appointment time, after the service seeker selects the selected service provider from the list;

    communicating, by the data processing system, with the selected service provider to determine whether the selected service provider is available during the service seeker specified appointment time;

    scheduling, by the data processing system, a live advice communication appointment between the service seeker and the selected service provider, after the selected service provider accepts the appointment request;

    at the service seeker specified appointment time, initiating by the data processing system a first real time communication connection with the selected service provider;

    establishing, by the data processing system, a second real time communication connection with the service seeker;

    after establishing the first real time communication connection with the selected service provider,connecting the first and second real time communication connections by the data processing system to allow the selected service provider to provide live advice to the service seeker at the scheduled appointment,monitoring, by the data processing system, time spent on the live advice, andbilling, by the data processing system, the service seeker on behalf of the selected service provider based on the time spent on the live advice; and

    if at the service seeker specified appointment time the selected service provider is unavailable for the first real time communication connection,identifying, by the data processing system, a relevant field of service of the selected service provider based on the information stored in the database,determining, by the data processing system, a highest ranking service provider in the relevant field of service as an alternative to the selected service provider when the selected service provider is unavailable,connecting, by the data processing system, the service seeker to the highest ranking service provider in the relevant field of service,wherein the highest ranking service provider is identified, by the data processing system, based on a quantitative rating system, andonce the real time communication between the service seeker and the highest ranking service provider is complete, providing the service seeker with a gift from the initially selected service provider.

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