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`US 20050038688Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Collins et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0038688 Al
`Feb. 17, 2005
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATCHING
`LOCAL BUYERS AND SELLERS FOR THE
`PROVISION OF COMMUNITY BASED
`SERVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Albert E. Collins, Stamford, CT (US);
`William P. Kane JR., New York, NY
`(US); Ajaz Rana, Monmouth Junction,
`NJ (US); Leo E. Scullin, New York,
`NY (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
`ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
`1650 MARKET STREET
`PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/641,483
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 15, 2003
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G06F 17/60
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`................................................... 705/9; 705/37
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A consumer-centric service for matching local consumers
`with local service providers. A matching is performed
`between consumer needs and local vendor capabilities and
`the results are presented back to the consumer so that the
`choice of which vendors to be contacted is left to the
`consumer. Mechanisms are provided for immediately and
`automatically contacting the chosen vendor in one or more
`of a plurality of communication media and offering the
`chosen vendor the details of the consumer's request, includ(cid:173)
`ing the preferred method of contact information, for a fee.
`Also, the system immediately informs the consumer about
`the status of the vendor contacts, including whether or not
`the vendor has accepted the lead. Once a chosen vendor
`accepts the lead, the consumer is contacted by the vendor, in
`the manner requested by the consumer. Thus, the invention
`enables consumers to maintain control over the selection and
`contact process with matched vendors. The system of the
`invention is particularly advantageous for providing com(cid:173)
`munity based services such as babysitting, cleaning, paint(cid:173)
`ing, software support, typing, and in obtaining professional
`services from professionals such as electricians, carpenters,
`gardeners, accountants, lawyers, and the like.
`
`·-----------------+
`
`·-----------------+
`·----------------+
`
`Consumers
`
`·-----------------+
`·-----------------+
`
`•-----------------+
`
`Service
`Providers
`
`LocalE
`
`·-----·-----------+
`
`·----------------+
`
`100
`
`t
`I ..
`
`Administrative
`Personnel
`
`Page 1 of 49
`
`CHEGG, INC.
`MATCH GROUP, LLC
`RPX CORPRATION
`Exhibit 1010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 1 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 1 : System and User Roles
`
`·------------------.
`·------------------.
`·-----------------.
`
`Consumers
`
`LocalE
`
`·------------------.
`·------------------.
`·------------------.
`
`Service
`Providers
`
`·------------------.
`
`·-----------------.
`
`100
`
`t
`! •
`
`Administrative
`Personnel
`
`Page 2 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 2 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure: 2 User Interface Opti ns
`(Client Types)
`
`HTMUXHTML over IP
`
`200
`\
`
`~
`
`HTMUXHTML over IP 0-----.
`
`XSL (HTMUXHTML <- XML)
`
`202 Cl
`\ PDA I
`
`WMLoverWAP
`
`WMLover IP
`
`WAPGateway
`
`208
`
`XSL (WML <- XML)
`
`LocalE
`
`VoiceXML over IP
`
`Voice Gateway
`
`210
`
`XSL (VoiceXML <- XML)
`
`Proprietary Protocol
`
`XML over IP
`
`\... 100
`
`MSO Headend
`
`\... 212
`
`XSL (XML<- XML)
`
`Page 3 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 3 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`200
`
`Figure 3: Software and Hardware Compon nts
`
`Consumers
`
`Service Providers
`
`314
`
`"'
`202 "'
`"'
`"'
`
`204
`
`206
`
`[; • ~
`
`a
`
`WAPGateway
`
`210
`
`/
`I PSTN Gateway f-
`
`212
`
`; MSO Headend I
`
`100
`
`localE
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`!
`I
`!
`I
`!
`
`LQcalE
`
`Web Server
`
`Application
`Server
`
`Device Deteclion Software
`
`Web Application Software
`
`Matching & Filtering SQttware
`
`Configuration Software
`
`Contact Mallagement Sof!Ware
`
`Payment Processin<J Software
`
`Rating Software
`
`user and Information Mgmt Software
`
`CE:J ITD cm --·.·
`
`Vendor Service Types
`
`/.'. 316
`
`308 ~
`~&318
`/
`~[;
`
`/
`
`/
`
`Modules:
`
`302
`
`304
`
`322
`
`324
`
`326
`
`328
`
`330
`
`332
`
`334
`
`336
`
`338
`
`306a
`
`--1---1.i Service Providers
`& Consumers ·
`
`306b
`
`Da1abase
`
`SerVices
`Registiy
`
`Page 4 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 4 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figur 3{a): Configure Servic
`
`Request for
`Service
`
`306b
`
`I
`
`Service Profiles
`
`-~
`
`...
`-
`
`Web Services
`Registry
`
`_ Step 1
`-
`
`/
`
`306a
`
`Step2
`
`-
`
`340
`
`~
`
`1'
`
`-
`
`~
`
`System
`Database
`
`Xpath
`Generator
`
`_ Step 3
`-
`
`j,
`
`..
`
`-
`
`Xpath Index
`
`344
`
`r
`
`Matched Profiles
`
`, '
`
`Stream based XML
`Parser
`
`\ 342
`
`Filter Engine
`
`~
`
`346
`
`Page 5 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 5 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 3(b): Find Service Provider
`
`Request for
`Service
`
`Service Profiles
`
`-
`
`~
`
`-~
`
`340
`
`,,
`
`/
`
`Xpath Generator
`
`306b
`
`/
`- Web Services
`Registry
`
`~
`
`_Step 1
`-
`
`/
`
`306a
`
`Step 2
`-
`
`-
`-
`
`System
`Database
`
`Step3
`
`Step 4
`
`Stream based XML
`Parser
`
`,. Step 5.
`
`Xpath Index
`
`\.... 342
`
`344 ..__)
`
`Filter Engine
`
`346
`
`,,
`
`Matched Profiles
`
`Page 6 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 6 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figur 4: Use Cases
`
`400
`
`Vendor
`
`Consumer
`
`<<inctudes>>
`
`Accept or Reject
`Lead
`
`__.--..:._<<,includes>>
`
`<<includes>> ---
`
`Page 7 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 7 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 5
`
`RgreU-1
`~raisaEd a cbma1 'Miat rramrgtt-edia1
`C<µtilitie;, er tt C31 !JPl.' a tra-SCJ!1"Efu1 tog:rmte
`s.futle 'Miat
`
`D:nm:rt Ortert
`
`DIV
`
`510
`
`Page 8 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 8 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure CS-1: Vendor USE CASE - Configure Service Workflow (WEB lntertaoe)
`
`Vendor
`
`602
`
`Conn.eel 10 hllme page
`
`Select CQnfigure seJVice
`
`Describe capablities
`
`No Gateway
`
`lcx:alE
`
`614
`
`Display hOme page
`
`08
`
`Display conffgure request
`page
`
`612
`
`Display contact preference
`page
`
`Describecontactpreterences )----+------------------+-------
`
`606
`
`610
`
`614
`
`Add entry m regtstery
`
`61
`
`Create record in System
`database
`
`Generate Query/Index
`
`620
`
`Save Query/Index rn C1atabase
`
`622
`
`624
`
`otsptay confirmation
`
`Figure 6a
`
`Page 9 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 9 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 6b
`
`Figure CPS-GUl-1: Configure Plumbing Service
`
`__ , -------·----------·~-- -------------
`
`~ ~ (ZJ I j) Search U Favorites ~ Media
`
`"
`
`•Mj
`
`•
`
`~I
`
`Configure Plumbing Service
`
`Please answer the following questions:
`
`1. When are you available to work?
`
`0Monday
`0Tuesday
`Owednesday
`0Thursday
`0Friday
`Osaturday
`Osunday
`
`0 Business HoL1r,,
`0Evenings
`
`0Anytirne
`
`2. Do you have your own tools? 0Yes 0No
`
`3. Will you need transportation to and rrorn the job? 0 Yes 0 No
`
`4. Describe your years of experience in each of !he following catBgories:
`
`Drain & Sewer Cleaning
`
`Fixture Installation
`
`@•Years
`
`Fixture Repair·
`
`I 10 •Yee.rs
`
`·---------·---·---------------
`
`I• Internet
`
`Page 10 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 10 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 6c
`
`Figure CPS-GUl-2: Configure Plumbing Service
`
`111 Find a Provider - Mic:rosoft Internet Explorer
`~ Eile
`!;.dit ~ew Fg_vorites
`Iools
`!::!.elp
`
`l @sack T
`
`'1J' Favorites ~ Media
`
`!II
`
`i3
`rl:l
`I [}p
`_J _ _
`»
`
`P Search
`
`Configure Service
`
`Please answer the following questions:
`
`1. How should you be cont3ct:Ed witll leads?
`
`Primary Metllod:
`
`0Via Mobile Phone, number 917-555.1212 (change number)
`
`Ovia Home Phone, number 203-555.9494 (change number)
`
`0Via email, address jlanders@op1Dnline.net (change email)
`
`0 Via web at locale.com
`
`Secondary Metllod:
`
`@Via Mobile Phone, number 917-555.1212 (change number)
`
`0Via Home Phone, number 203-555.9494 (change number)
`
`0Via email, address jlanders@optonline.net (change email)
`
`0Via web at locale.com
`
`I
`
`Internet
`
`Page 11 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 11 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure CS-2: Vendor USE CASE - Configure Service Workflow (CSA Interface)
`
`Vendor
`
`702
`
`LocalE Cus1omer Services
`Representative
`
`LocalE
`
`706
`
`704
`
`708
`
`710
`
`712
`
`714
`
`'---Desc:rl-bos _ _ _ _ - _
`
`_,, \---+---'-_..,_ ... _"""""""' _ _ _ _., l - - - -1 - - - Oisplayseoi;::, PTeterenees
`
`716
`
`720
`
`718
`
`Oesalbos=-t-ences )---+--~
`
`722
`
`Add entry in~
`
`724
`
`Create record in System -
`
`726
`
`Generate Query/Index
`
`728
`
`Oisli!ayconflrmation
`
`Figure 7
`
`Page 12 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 12 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure: FS-1 Consumer USE CASE 1 - Find Service Provider Workflow (WEB Interlace)
`
`Consumer
`
`No Gateway
`
`LocalE
`
`804
`
`812
`
`> - - - - -+ - - - - - - - - - - - -+ - - - - ! 01SjjayCO"lftrmQU81'Jdatall!I
`
`816
`
`818
`
`Gel protaes and XPath cµ:maSI
`•ni:Jces Iron database
`
`820
`
`ParseRe<J,leSI
`
`802
`
`Connect to home paga
`
`810
`
`814
`
`81
`
`Figure Sa
`
`Page 13 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 13 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure Sb
`
`Figure FPS-GUl-1: Find Plumbing Service
`
`1EI Find a Provider - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`Eile
`Iools
`!:!elp
`!;_dit ~ew Fg_vorites
`
`0 Back • 0 • 0 ~ ('{.) i P Search "{;J Favorites ~Media
`
`':. 1:l ~
`I /if!
`-·
`»
`
`--~--1-·-·
`
`Find a Plumber
`
`Please answer the following questions to find a provider that matx:hes your needs, or click here 1D
`browse all the plumbers on LocalE:
`
`1. When do you need the job to begin?
`
`Date: 1-----=1
`2. Is this for a commercial or residential property? I Commercial lVJI
`
`3. Which oft.he following best describes the work:
`
`0Drain & Sewer Cleaning
`0 Fixture Installation
`0 Fixture R.epair
`0 New/Replacement Water Heater
`Oseptic Line Installation, maintenance and repair
`0 Water heater repair and maintenance
`Outility, Line and Pipe Location
`
`0 Wells and water treatment
`
`4. Enter the zip code where the project will take place: ~----~
`
`5. What is the maximum hourly rate 1t1at you will pay (OPTIONAL)? $E=1
`
`6. Do you have any additional requirements?
`
`--,
`
`,:;:
`
`Page 14 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 14 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 8c
`
`'~Confirm - Microsoft Internet Explorer
`
`Figure FPS-GUl-2: Find Plumbing Service
`
`'::.
`
`..-1:] !5<
`fltJ
`»
`
`I
`
`~ile
`
`f;_dit
`
`l,l_iew
`
`F!i_vorites
`
`Iools
`
`!::!elp
`
`0 Back T @ . 0 ~ (~ I p Search fJ: Favorites "Media e· i @T
`
`Find a Plumber
`
`Please confirm the following:
`
`o You are seeking a Plumber for a job to begin not later than Thursday, December 12th.
`o In Zip code 06903
`o To provide fixture installation
`o To work in a residential property
`o Yo•J will pay up to $50 per hour
`
`You may either SELECT specific plumbers for us to contact, or you can BROADCAST your request to all
`the service providers in your service area that meet your requirements.
`
`Please Choose:
`
`SELECT Service Providers
`
`BROADCAST to all matching Service Providers
`
`<<Back
`
`i'.l Done
`
`1 S Internet
`
`Page 15 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 15 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure Sd
`
`@sack •
`
`Plumbing Results
`
`Figure FPS-GUl-3: Find Plumbing Service
`
`We have found the following matches. Click on the name fur additional Information:
`
`====Results from LocalE ====
`
`1. Andreotti Plumbing
`
`Location: Darien, CT
`Years of Experience in Fixture Installation: More than 10
`Average Rating: *"'*"' (6 Responses)
`
`Contact!
`
`2. Carl Faunce
`
`Location: Stamford, CT
`Years of Experience in Fixture Installation: 2 ID 5
`Average Rating: *** (1 Response)
`
`Contact!
`
`3. Defelice & sons
`
`Location: Stamford, CT
`Years of Experience in Fixture Installation: More than 10
`Avet·age Rating: **** (23 Responses)
`
`Contact!
`
`4. Elm St. Plumbing
`
`l •Internet
`
`L>11
`
`Page 16 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 16 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 9
`
`Figure: FS-2 Consumer USE CASE 1 - Find Service Provider Worldlow (POTS Interface)
`
`Voice Gateway
`
`LocalE
`
`Calls a toll tree number
`
`Voice -> vo;ceXML
`
`Voice <· VoiceXML
`
`04
`
`908
`
`912
`
`906
`
`RespondS with greeting and
`instructions
`
`914
`
`Consumer
`
`902
`
`91
`
`Requests service prmider
`query
`
`Voice --;;, VoiceXML
`
`RespondS with lnstru:tions
`
`916
`
`Vcice <· VoiceXML
`
`9 8
`
`920
`
`Describes service needs
`
`Voice-> VoiceXML
`
`Lookup Registry
`
`922
`
`924
`
`Get profiles and XPath queries/
`indices from database
`
`ParseR~est
`
`926
`
`928
`
`Match vendor Profiles (XPath
`queriesltndex)
`
`Display results
`
`Page 17 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 17 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 10
`
`Figure FS-3 Consumer USE CASE 1 - Find Service Provider Workflow (WAP Interface)
`
`Consumer
`
`WAPGateway
`
`LocalE
`
`1002
`
`Coonect to hOme page
`
`1010
`
`WAP->HTTP
`
`Select find serviee provider
`
`WAP->HTTP
`
`1018
`
`WAP<.-HTTP
`
`Describes service needs
`
`WAP..:>HTTP
`
`1004
`
`1008
`
`1012
`
`1016
`
`1020
`
`Ois~ay home page
`
`1006
`
`1014
`
`Display configure request
`page
`
`Lookup Registry
`
`022
`
`1024
`
`Gel profiles and XPath queries/
`Indices from database
`
`Parse Reques1
`
`1026
`
`1028
`
`Match vendor Profiles (XPath
`querlesllnOOx)
`
`1030
`
`Display results
`
`Page 18 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 18 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 11
`
`Figure FS-4 Consumer USE CASE 1 ·Find Service Provider Workflow (DTV Interface)
`
`Consumer
`
`MSO Headend
`
`LocalE
`
`1102
`
`1104
`
`1106
`
`Connect to home page
`
`Proprietary cable ·::> HTTP
`
`Display home page
`
`1108
`
`Proprietory cable< HTIP
`
`1110
`
`1112
`
`1114
`
`Select find serviee prCNlder
`
`Proprietoiy cable ·> HTTP
`
`Display configure request
`page
`
`1118
`
`1116
`
`Proprietary cable <· HTTP
`
`1120
`
`Describes service needs
`
`Proprietary cabte ·> HTTP
`
`Lookup Registry
`
`1122
`
`1124
`
`Get profiles and XPath queries/
`indices trom database
`
`Parse Request
`
`1126
`
`1128
`
`Match vendor Profiles (XPath
`queries/Index)
`
`1130
`
`OiSplay results
`
`Page 19 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 19 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 12
`
`Figure SV·1 Select Vendor and Accept/Reject Use Case (WEB lntertace)
`
`Consumer USE CASE 2 ·Select and Initiate
`Contact Work.flow (WEB interlace)
`
`1202
`
`No Gateway
`
`LocalE
`
`Gateways
`
`Vendor
`
`1210
`
`gel details
`
`1214
`
`submitrequGSI
`lorcontad
`
`1 56
`
`1
`I
`
`12 0
`
`1234
`
`Page 20 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 20 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 13
`
`Figure SV-2 Select Vendor and Accept/Reject Use Case (Voice Interface)
`
`Consumer USE CASE 2 ·Select and Initiate
`Contact Worktlow (Voice Interface)
`
`1202
`
`Voice Gateway
`
`LocalE
`
`Gateways
`
`Vendor
`
`1302
`
`1206
`
`1244
`
`256
`
`Page 21 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 21 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 14
`
`Figure SV-3 Select Vendor and Accept/Reject Use Case (WAP
`
`Consumer USE CASE 2 - Select and
`Initiate Contact Workflow (WAP interface)
`
`WAPGateway
`
`LocalE
`
`Gateways
`
`Vendor
`
`1206
`
`1402
`WAP->
`HTTP
`
`WAP<(cid:173)
`HTTP
`
`WAP->
`HTTP
`
`1406
`
`244
`
`1408
`
`WAP·>
`HTTP
`
`1234
`
`1232
`
`Page 22 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 22 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 15
`
`Figure SV-4 Select Vendor and Accept!Rejeci Use Case (DTV Interface)
`
`Consumer USE CASE 2 - Select and ln~iate Contact
`Workflow (DTV lntertace)
`
`1202
`
`MSO Headend
`
`LocaJE
`
`Gateways
`
`Vendor
`
`1502
`
`1206
`
`1244
`
`Display configure
`rGqUGSI page
`
`Page 23 of 49
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 23 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 16
`
`Figure CST-1 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Check Status Workflow (WEB Interface)
`
`ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Check Status
`Workflow (WEB Interface)
`
`No Gateway
`
`LocalE
`
`-
`- \
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`Page 24 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 24 of 31
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Figure 17
`
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`Page 25 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 25 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 18
`
`Figure CST-3 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Check Status Workflow (WAP Interface)
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`Page 26 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 26 of 31
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 19
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`Figure CST-4 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Check Status Workflow (DTV Interface)
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`Page 27 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 27 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 20
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`Figure SPS-GUl-1 Check Status
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`Page 28 of 49
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 28 of 31
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Figure 21
`
`Figure PR-1 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Provide Ratings Workflow (WEB Interface)
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`Page 29 of 49
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 29 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Figure 22
`
`Figure PA-2 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Provide Ratings Workflow (POTS Interlace)
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`Page 30 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 30 of 31
`
`US 2005/0038688 Al
`
`Figure 23
`
`Figure PR-3 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Provide Ratings Workflow !YVAP Interface)
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`Page 31 of 49
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 31 of 31
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Figure 24
`
`Figure PA-4 ConsumerNendor USE CASE - Provide Ratings Workflow (DTV Interface)
`
`ConsumerNendor USE CASE • Provide Ratings
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`Page 32 of 49
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Feb. 17,2005
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MATCHING LOCAL
`BUYERS AND SELLERS FOR THE PROVISION OF
`COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The invention described herein relates to an Inter(cid:173)
`net based system and method for matching the needs of the
`residents of a community with the capabilities of those in the
`community who wish to sell their services. The invention
`uses a filtering mechanism to match the sellers' services
`with the buyer's needs and empowers the buyer to select the
`desired service provider.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Matching consumers who need a service per(cid:173)
`formed, such as tutoring, physical therapy, or plumbing,
`with local service providers in their community has been the
`role for many local media channels. Local newspaper clas(cid:173)
`sified ads, local directories such as the "Yellow Pages,"
`community publications such as "penny savers" and,
`recently, Internet based global and local online offerings
`have sought to fill this matching need. To date, the most
`prominent of the online offerings, distributed under many
`other brand names, is RespondNet.
`
`[0003] The RespondNet system is used by many compa(cid:173)
`nies, most notably, Verizon SuperPages, Inc., as the engine
`for its "MerchantMatch" service. Other online services
`similar to RespondNet include: ImproveNet, ServiceMagic,
`ServiceMaster, Elance.com, and iMandi. RespondNet and
`these other online systems that seek to match consumers
`with local service providers are vendor-centric. Vendor(cid:173)
`centric means the preponderance of commerce enabling
`information and usefulness is directed to the suppliers of
`services, rather than the consumers of services. Specifically,
`in the vendor-centric online systems such as RespondNet,
`the result of the matching between consumer needs and
`vendor capabilities is not revealed to the consumers. Addi(cid:173)
`tionally, the choice of which of these vendors to contact is
`not made by consumers but by the RespondNet system or
`administrators. The matching process in these systems is
`opaque, or a "black box" to the consumers.
`
`[0004] Another reason that RespondNet and the systems
`like RespondNet are not consumer-centric is that they do not
`provide any information on what other consumers think
`about a particular vendor. Verizon's MerchantMatch, which
`uses RespondNet, does ask the consumers to rate the quality
`of services received from the vendors; however, their ratings
`are not made accessible to everyone. In a consumer-centric
`system, it would be desirable to provide such vendor ratings
`to consumers to enable them to make informed choices.
`
`[0005] Other systems known in the art for facilitating a
`consumer's search for a service provider are categorized
`herein as "Little/No Matching" systems that may be "Cat(cid:173)
`egory Based" or "Keyword Search" systems. Prominent
`examples of "Category Based" systems include Verizon's
`SuperPages and the Internet based Yellow Pages. Google,
`Overture, and CraigsList are examples of the "Keyword
`Search" systems. These "Little/No Matching" systems allow
`consumers to search, view vendor details, and select the
`vendors they would like to work with. However, the "Little/
`No Matching" systems such as SuperPages and the Internet
`based Yellow Pages enable the user's search to be narrowed
`
`only to the extent of the relevant category of service pro(cid:173)
`viders. As a result, the user is often faced with having to sift
`through long lists of service providers some of whom, for
`example, may not be available or may not have the capa(cid:173)
`bility to do exactly what a consumer is in need of. The
`situation is far worse in the case of general purpose search
`engines (e.g., Google and Overture) where users can only
`specify a set of keywords. With the exception of Super(cid:173)
`Pages, the "Little/No Matching" systems provide no support
`for contacting the vendors. They also do not provide any
`support for tracking the status of the consumer requests.
`Moreover, the "Little/No Matching" systems do not provide
`vendor ratings to aid the consumers in their decision(cid:173)
`making.
`
`[0006] Other systems are known for facilitating vendor/
`consumer matches for service transactions.
`
`[0007] For example, Cook describes in U.S. Patent Appli(cid:173)
`cation Publication No. US 2002/0059095Al a lead manage(cid:173)
`ment system that processes lead data to develop a lead
`profile so that the attractiveness of the lead can be deter(cid:173)
`mined. The lead profiles may be modified in response to
`changes in the customer information and interested parties
`may be informed of changes in the lead profile.
`
`[0008] Tenorio describes in U.S. Patent Application Pub(cid:173)
`lication No. US 2002/0174022Al a system for pre-qualify(cid:173)
`ing sellers during the matching phase of an electronic
`commerce transaction. The disclosed system manages a
`hierarchical directory structure of product classes and their
`attributes and is primarily a product-oriented system that
`associates product data with the vendors. Buyers may search
`for products in the directory structure and find the vendors
`that match their needs.
`
`[0009] Craig, et al. describe in U.S. Patent Application
`Publication No. US 2003/0069744Al a networked referral
`commission system that provides a collective listing orga(cid:173)
`nization that maintains a collection of listings from listing
`sales brokers. Buyers search against the consolidated listing
`database and, when a buyer selects a listing, the broker is
`provided with the contact information of the buyer. Once the
`transaction is complete (i.e., the buyer buys the property),
`the lead fee is spilt between the owners of the consolidated
`listing database and the broker. Wright, et al. describe in
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/
`0083895Al a networked referral commission system similar
`to the Craig, et al system except that a buyer can specify a
`date/time of his/her preference to view a property and the
`system delivers the buyer's preferred viewing time to the
`broker.
`
`[0010] Luke, et al. describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,087 a
`method for automatically identifying, matching, and near(cid:173)
`matching buyers and sellers in electronic market transac(cid:173)
`tions that implements an algorithm for representing various
`dimensions of the solicitation and the offer data in the form
`of numerical ranges and matches the solicitations with the
`offers in terms of their similarity on various dimensions.
`
`[0011] Vega describes in U.S. Patent Application Publica(cid:173)
`tion No. US 2002/0069079Al a method and system for
`facilitating service transactions by matching buyers and
`sellers of services. The system includes a mechanism for
`defining a set of service classifications and material items so
`that services may be more freely tradeable. The system
`
`Page 33 of 49
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`US 2005/0038688 Al
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`Feb. 17,2005
`
`2
`
`registers buyers and sellers and maintains a variety of data
`on participants including credit, transactions, social intelli(cid:173)
`gence, marketing, and the like. Vega proposes to use numer(cid:173)
`ous sophisticated data mining, artificial intelligence, neural
`networks, and related techniques to match the requests-for(cid:173)
`offers with offers. The system matches sets of offers from
`different vendors against requests for offers as a package and
`provides for both online and offline negotiation and execu(cid:173)
`tion of transactions as well as the ability to automatically
`effectuate transactions through a legally binding mechanism
`defined for buyers and sellers. The system purportedly
`functions both as a centralized and a distributed system.
`While the system disclosed by Vega would be useful in
`standardizing requests for service, Vega does not disclose a
`system that empowers a consumer to select vendors in the
`geographic area that have the expertise needed by the
`consumer and to facilitate the passing of the consumer's lead
`to the vendor in a manner designated by the vendor. Vega
`also does not allow the consumer to specify which ones or
`how many of the matched providers should be informed of
`their needs and to specify when, where, and how the
`providers should get in touch with them.
`[0012] Generally speaking, these systems fail to combine
`consumer control with status tracking, vendor ratings, and
`other consumer-centric features described in more detail
`herein. The present invention is designed to provide such
`advantageous features.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0013] The invention is a consumer-centric service for
`matching local consumers with local service providers on an
`Internet enabled system accessible via one or more of a
`plurality of communication media. The service is consumer(cid:173)
`centric because a matching is performed between consumer
`needs and local vendor capabilities and the results are
`presented back to the consumer so that the choice of which
`vendors to be contacted is left to the consumer. The inven(cid:173)
`tion provides an additional convenience benefit to consum(cid:173)
`ers, because mechanisms for immediately and automatically
`contacting the vendor are provided. The system will auto(cid:173)
`matically contact the chosen vendor and offer them the
`details of the consumer's request, including the preferred
`method of contact information, for a fee. Also, the system
`immediately informs the consumer about the status of the
`vendor contacts, including whether or not the vendor has
`accepted the lead. Thus, the invention enables consumers to
`maintain control over the selection and contact process with
`matched vendors. Consumer confidence about the quality of
`the match results and prospective vendor behavior is height(cid:173)
`ened thereby so as to encourage trust and more frequent
`system use.
`[0014] The system of the invention matches the needs of
`the residents of a community (i.e., "consumers", "buyers")
`with the capabilities of those who want to sell their services
`(i.e., "vendors", "providers") using a filtering process as
`distinguished from a searching mechanism for matching the
`sellers' services with buyers' ne