Utbk, Inc.

Ingenio, Inc.

Yp Interactive LLC

Yellow Pages

Steven Lurie

Scott Faber

Sean Van Der Linden

Mark Halstead

Karl Jacob

An apparatus and method for online advice customer relationship management are described. The method includes the determination of a service provider ID code from a requesting service provider. Once a service provider ID code is determined, a list of service seekers that have received advice regarding a field of service from a service provider corresponding to the service provider ID code is generated. Once generated, the listing of service seekers is displayed via a customer management screen. As such, system administrators, as well as the service providers themselves, may view listings of service seekers in order to provide relationship management of the service seekers, such as for example, providing incentives to service seekers for follow-up advice, as well as blocking undesired service seekers from further contact with the service provider.

Apparatus and method for online advice customer relationship management

A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Apparatus and method for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service provider using voice mail

Systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into a 'service marketplace' system that matches users with potential information or service providers and establishes a real-time communications connection between the user and a selected information provider. In one embodiment, an alternate is selected for the user when the service provider that the user is trying to connect with cannot be reached. In an alternative embodiment, the alternates can be used in conjunction with the service provider that does connect with the user in order to provide a second opinion or possibly deeper background information. In one embodiment, the service providers can either be a live person at the other end of the connection or a recording.

System and method for an online speaker patch-through

An apparatus and method for scheduling live advice communication with a selected service provider are described. The method includes receiving, from a service seeker, an appointment request for live advice from a selected service provider during a specified appointment time. Once the appointment is received, the appointment is provided to the selected service provider. The appointment is provided either via electronic mail or via an alert provided via a display screen, which is browsed by the service provider. Once received by the service provider, the service provider has the option to either accept or decline the appointment request. Consequently, once the appointment request is accepted, the service provider system schedules a live advice communications appointment between the service seeker and the selected service provider. Finally, the service provider system will connect the selected service provider with the service seeker for a live advice communication at the scheduled appointment time.

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

A method, apparatus and system for marketing, delivering, and collecting payment for information is described. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of providing electronic mail for payment. The invention includes sending an electronic mail message including provided information and a price to a customer, the provided information having an inaccessible portion of information. The invention further includes transferring a payment from the customer, and rendering the inaccessible portion of information accessible to the customer.

Method, apparatus and system for marketing, delivering, and collecting payment for information

A system for recording and distributing information is described. The system includes a controller computer capable of establishing a communications connection via a communications interface with information providers and users. The controller computer also maintains a web site through which information providers can list and describe the information services to be distributed through the web site and through which users can browse to find information services to purchase. Information providers record information over the communications connection, which is stored in a database maintained on the controller computer. Users select to receive recorded information, which is delivered over the communications connection by the controller computer. The controller computer further has the capability of automatically billing users and crediting information providers for the information.

System for recording and distributing recorded information over the internet

A systems and methods described herein may be incorporated into a 'service marketplace' system that matches users with potential information or service providers and establishes a real-time communications connection between the user and a selected information provider. In one embodiment, an alternate is selected for the user when the service provider that the user is trying to connect with cannot be reached. In an alternative embodiment, the alternates can be used in conjunction with the service provider that does connect with the user in order to provide a second opinion or possibly deeper background information. In one embodiment, the service providers can either be a live person at the other end of the connection or a recording.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Steven Lurie