System and method for scheduling location-specific services

• US 7,774,223 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nick Karabetsos
• Original Assignee: Nick Karabetsos
• Inventors: Karabetsos, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): SING, SIMON P
• Application Number:
  US11/068,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,989 Days
• Field of Search: 705/9, 705/8, 705/26, 705/6, 379/221.02
• US Class Current: 705/7.19
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A system for scheduling a location-specific service appointment, the system comprising a communication network, a target service location, a desired service type, a service provider grouping, and an availability calendar. The communication network interconnects data input devices, data output devices, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU unit comprises a precompiled service provider database. The target service location and the desired service type are input into the CPU and the service provider database, comprising a plurality of service provider resumes, is searched. The select service provider grouping is compiled based on matched service location information and service expertise information. At least one service provider resume is selected from the select service provider grouping and the availability calendar is then provided upon a data output device. The selected service provider resume, a selected calendar day, and a selected appointment time operate to schedule a location-specific service provider appointment.

Claims

1. A method for enabling a user to electronically schedule a location-specific and service-specific handyman service appointment, the method comprising the steps of:

inputting a target service location and at least one desired handyman service into central processing means via a communication network, each desired handyman service being associated with a service time length;

continually tracking and summing service time length based on the selection of desired one or more handyman services;

continually providing an estimated total service time length to the user based on the selection of desired one or more handyman services;

searching a database stored within the central processing means, the database comprising handyman service location information and handyman service expertise information;

matching the target service location with the handyman service location information and the desired handyman service with the handyman service expertise information;

compiling a select handyman grouping, the select handyman grouping being compiled based on the matched handyman service location information and the matched handyman service expertise information;

presenting the select handyman grouping to a user, the select handyman grouping comprising at least two handyman resumes;

selecting at least one handyman resume from the select handyman grouping;

ordering a service-related product related to the desired handyman service;

the desired handyman service for enabling functionality of the primary service product;

inviting the user to submit personalized service requests, each personalized service request being linked to and included within the total service time length;

providing an availability calendar, the availability calendar corresponding to the selected handyman resume and the service time length, the availability calendar comprising a plurality of calendar days, each calendar day comprising an available appointment time listing cooperative with the total service time length; and

selecting at least one calendar day and at least one appointment time from the availability calendar, the selected handyman resume, the selected calendar day, and the selected appointment time thus operating to electronically schedule a location-specific and service-specific handyman service appointment.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the method comprises an additional step after selecting at least one calendar day and at least one appointment time from the availability calendar, the additional step comprising providing a service provider appointment confirmation to a select network member, the select network member being selected from the group consisting of a select service provider and a user of the method, the select service provider being identified in the selected handyman resume.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the selected handyman resume comprises a provider attribute listing, the provider attribute listing for providing the user with service provider selection information.

4. A method for enabling a user to electronically schedule a location-specific and service-specific handyman service appointment, the method comprising the steps of:

inputting a target service location and at least one desired handyman service into central processing means via a communication network, each desired handyman service being associated with a service time length;

continually tracking and summing service time length based on the selection of desired one or more handyman services;

continually providing an estimated total service time length to the user based on the selection of desired one or more handyman services;

searching a database stored within the central processing means, the database comprising handyman service location information and handyman service expertise information;

matching the target service location with the handyman service location information and the desired handyman service with the handyman service expertise information;

compiling a select handyman grouping, the select handyman grouping being compiled based on the matched handyman service location information and the matched handyman service expertise information;

presenting the select handyman grouping to a user, the select handyman grouping comprising at least two handyman resumes;

selecting at least one handyman resume from the select handyman grouping;

ordering a service-related product related to the desired handyman service;

the desired handyman service for enabling functionality of the primary service product;

providing an availability calendar, the availability calendar corresponding to the selected handyman resume, the availability calendar comprising a plurality of calendar days, each calendar day comprising an available appointment time listing; and

selecting at least one calendar day and at least one appointment time from the availability calendar, the selected handyman resume, the selected calendar day, and the selected appointment time thus operating to electronically schedule a location-specific and service-specific handyman service appointment.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the desired handyman service is associated with a service time length, the availability calendar and appointment time listing cooperatively corresponding to the service time length.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein multiple desired handyman services are selected, each handyman service being associated with a select service time length, the selected service time lengths being summed prior to providing the availability calendar and service time listing.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the method comprises an additional step after selecting at least one calendar day and at least one appointment time from the availability calendar, the additional step comprising providing a service provider appointment confirmation to a select network member, the select network member being selected from the group consisting of a select service provider and a user of the method, the select service provider being identified in the selected handyman resume.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the selected handyman resume comprises a provider attribute listing, the provider attribute listing for providing the user with service provider selection information.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the step of inviting the user to submit personalized service requests, each personalized service request being linked to and included within the total service time length before the step of providing an availability calendar.