THAT LUULUULUUTTU
`
`US009760864B2
`
`( 12 ) United States Patent
`Joao
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 54 ) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING JOB SEARCHING SERVICES ,
`RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND / OR
`RECRUITMENT - RELATED SERVICES
`( 71 ) Applicant : Raymond Anthony Joao , Yonkers , NY
`( US )
`( 72 ) Inventor : Raymond Anthony Joao , Yonkers , NY
`( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : GTJ VENTURES , LLC , Yonkers , NY
`( US )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer .
`( 21 ) Appl . No . : 14 / 839 , 946
`Aug . 29 , 2015
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Prior Publication Data
`( 65 )
`US 2015 / 0371192 A1 Dec . 24 , 2015
`Related U . S . Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No . 12 / 315 , 124 , filed on
`Nov . 29 , 2008 , now Pat . No . 9 , 152 , 943 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 10 / 691 , 796 , filed on
`Oct . 23 , 2003 , now Pat . No . 7 , 490 , 086 , which is a
`continuation of application No . 09 / 612 , 528 , filed on
`Jul . 7 , 2000 , now Pat . No . 6 , 662 , 194 .
`( 60 ) Provisional application No . 60 / 146 , 776 , filed on Jul .
`31 , 1999 .
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`G06F 17 / 30
`G06Q 10 / 10
`G06Q 30 / 02
`
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 2012 . 01 )
`( 2012 . 01 )
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`" Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`( 10 ) Patent No . :
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`( 52 ) U . S . CI .
`CPC . . . . . . . . . G060 10 / 1053 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; G060 10 / 10
`( 2013 . 01 ) ; G060 10 / 105 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; G060
`30 / 02 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; YIOS 707 / 99933 ( 2013 . 01 ) ;
`YLOS 707 / 99934 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; YIOS 707 / 99935
`( 2013 . 01 ) ; YIOS 707 / 99944 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; YIOS
`707 / 99945 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; YIOS 707 / 99948
`( 2013 . 01 )
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`CPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 105 ; GO6Q 10 / 1053 ; Y10S
`707 / 99933
`USPC
`707 / 758
`. . . . . . . .
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5 , 164 , 897 A *
`11 / 1992 Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 99 / 00
`705 / 321
`5 , 758 , 324 A *
`5 / 1998 Hartman . . . . . . . . . . . G06F 17 / 30011
`705 / 1 . 1
`5 , 832 , 497 A * 11 / 1998 Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GO6Q 10 / 10
`( Continued )
`Primary Examiner — Jean M Corrielus
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Raymond A . Joao , Esq .
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus , including a memory device for storing work
`schedule information or scheduling information for an indi
`vidual , a transmitter for transmitting a job search request to
`a computer , wherein the computer is specially programmed
`for processing the job search request , for generating a
`message containing information regarding a job opening , a
`position , an assignment , a contract , or a project , and for
`transmitting the message to the apparatus in response to the
`job search request ; a receiver for receiving the message ; and
`a display for displaying at least some of the information
`contained in the message .
`21 Claims , 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 1 of 41
`
`START
`
`ACCESS CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`1 301
`
`ENTER DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION
`
`SELECT SPECIFIC
`OR GENERIC
`INFORMATION
`
`302
`
`303 03
`
`304
`
`Is
`SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`SELECTED ?
`
`NO
`
`YES
`PROCEED WITH
`SPECIFIC INFORMATION
`
`305
`
`306
`
`PROCEED WITH
`GENERIC INFORMATION
`
`ENTER RECRUITMENT
`SEARCH
`
`1307
`
`PERFORM SEARCH
`QUERY DATABASE
`
`308
`
`

`

`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`Page 2
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5 , 862 , 223 A *
`1 / 1999 Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 06311
`705 / 50
`5 , 884 , 270 A *
`3 / 1999 Walker
`G06Q 10 / 1053
`. . . . . . . . . . . .
`379 / 93 . 12
`5 , 884 , 272 A *
`3 / 1999 Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 30 / 0615
`379 / 93 . 12
`5 , 978 , 768 A
`* 11 / 1999 McGovern . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 1053
`705 / 321
`6 , 157 , 808 A * 12 / 2000 Hollingsworth . . . . . . . . . GO9B 7 / 02
`434 / 219
`6 , 266 , 659 B1 *
`7 / 2001 Nadkarni . . . . . . . . . . GO6F 17 / 30389
`705 / 7 . 14
`6 , 370 , 510 B1 *
`4 / 2002 McGovern . . . . . . . . . . . . . GO6Q 10 / 10
`705 / 321
`6 . 381 , 592 B1 *
`4 / 2002 Reuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 06
`GO9B 7 / 04
`6 , 398 , 556 B1 *
`6 / 2002 Ho . . . . .
`434 / 118
`6 , 408 , 337 B1 *
`6 / 2002 Dietz . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`G06Q 10 / 06
`709 / 229
`
`6 / 2002 Bull . . . . . . . . . .
`6 , 409 , 514 B1 *
`GO9B 5 / 02
`434 / 118
`10 / 2002 Mitsuoka . . . . . . . GO6Q 10 / 063112
`6 , 466 , 914 B2 *
`705 / 37
`4 / 2004 Hartman . . . . . . . . . . . G06F 17 / 30011
`6 , 718 , 340 B1 *
`3 / 2005 Williams . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 063112
`6 , 873 , 964 B1 *
`705 / 321
`5 / 2006 Rosenthal
`G06Q 10 / 06
`7 , 054 , 821 B1 *
`705 / 348
`7 , 305 , 347 B1 * 12 / 2007 Joao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 1057
`705 / 35
`7 , 523 , 045 B1 *
`4 / 2009 Walker . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 063112
`705 / 7 . 14
`2001 / 0042000 Al * 11 / 2001 Defoor , Jr . . . . . . GO6Q 10 / 063112
`705 / 7 . 14
`2002 / 0002476 A1 *
`1 / 2002 Mitsuoka . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 063112
`705 / 7 . 14
`2002 / 0152316 A1 * 10 / 2002 Dietz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G06Q 10 / 10
`709 / 229
`2005 / 0010467 A1 *
`1 / 2005 Dietz . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`G06Q 10 / 10
`709 / 229
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 2 of 41
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 9 . 760 . 864 B2
`
`EMPLOYER COMPUTER olo FIG . 1
`
`130
`
`EMPLOYER COMPUTER
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 3 of 41
`
`INDIVIDUAL COMPUTER
`
`EMPLOYER COMPUTER
`CENTRAL PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`INDIVIDUAL COMPUTER
`
`10
`
`20
`
`INDIVIDUAL COMPUTER
`
`700
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 . 864 B2
`
`1 . 100
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`USER
`
`• 10C
`
`106
`
`ROM
`
`RAM
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 4 of 41
`
`| - 10E
`
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`- 10A
`
`CPU
`
`101
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
`
`
`
`TRANSMITTERE 10F
`
`- 10G
`
`10?
`
`RECEIVER
`
`DATABASE
`
`FIG . 2
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`userinession the
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`style
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`120D
`INPUT DEVICE
`USER
`
`20C
`
`ROM
`
`RAM
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 5 of 41
`
`20E
`
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`| 20A
`
`CPU
`
`| 2011
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
`
`20F
`
`I TRANSMITTER
`
`20G
`
`20H
`
`RECEIVER
`
`DATABASE
`
`FIG . 3 ?
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 9 . 760 . 864 B2
`
`30D
`
`INPUT DEVICE
`USER
`
`130E
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`| 30C
`
`| 30A
`
`ROM
`
`30B
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 6 of 41
`
`RAM
`
`301
`
`CPU
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
`
`MIF
`
`30G
`
`TRANSMITTER
`RECEIVER
`
`FIG . 4
`
`30H
`
`DATABASE
`
`?
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`START - 200
`
`ACCESS CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`ENTER DATA AND / OR
`INFORMATION
`
`SELECT SPECIFIC
`OR GENERIC
`INFORMATION
`
`. 201
`
`202
`
`204
`
`IS
`SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`SELECTED ?
`
`NO
`
`205
`
`YES
`PROCEED WITH
`SPECIFIC INFORMATION
`
`206
`
`PROCEED WITH
`GENERIC INFORMATION
`
`ENTER JOB SEARCH
`
`PERFORM SEARCHI
`QUERY DATABASE
`
`207
`
`1
`
`208
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 7 of 41
`
`FIG . 5A
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`PROVIDE SEARCH 1209
`REPORT TO
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`210
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`211
`
`NO
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED ?
`
`212
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND / OR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`214
`
`213
`
`STOP
`
`PROCEED WITH JOB
`SEARCH PROCESS
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 8 of 41
`
`FIG . 5B
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent men om de rart
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`PROVIDE / TRANSMIT DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`215
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER ' S
`
`216
`
`V
`
`RESPONSE gant "
`nave
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`218
`
`217
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED ?
`
`NO
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`
`220
`
`NOTIFY / TRANSMIT
`MESSAGE TO INDIVIDUAL
`
`219
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 9 of 41
`
`FIG . 5C
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`221
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`, 222
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED ?
`
`YES
`PROVIDE / TRANSMIT
`INFORMATION TO
`EMPLOYER
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED ?
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`225
`
`226
`
`227
`NO
`
`FIG . 5D
`
`223
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`224
`
`STOP
`
`228
`
`RECORD
`DATA AND / OR
`INFORMATION
`229
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 10 of 41
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`PUT PARTIES INTO
`CONTACT WITH EACH
`OTHER
`
`230
`
`231
`
`MONITOR RECRUITMENT
`PROCESS
`
`232
`
`RECORD RESULTS , DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION
`
`233
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 11 of 41
`
`FIG . 5E
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`START - - 300
`1301
`ACCESS CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`ENTER DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION
`
`L 302
`
`SELECT SPECIFIC
`OR GENERIC
`INFORMATION
`
`D303
`
`NO
`
`304
`
`IS
`SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`SELECTED ?
`I YES
`PROCEED WITH
`SPECIFIC INFORMATION
`
`305
`
`- 306
`PROCEED WITH
`GENERIC INFORMATION
`
`ENTER RECRUITMENT
`SEARCH
`
`PERFORM SEARCHI
`QUERY DATABASE
`
`1308
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 12 of 41
`
`FIG . 6A
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 . 864 B2
`
`PROVIDE SEARCH 1309
`REPORT TO
`EMPLOYER
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`311
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`
`INTERESTED ? - ?? ? NO
`
`312
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`313
`
`STOP
`
`YES
`
`PROCEED WITH
`RECRUITMENT SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 13 of 41
`
`FIG . 6B
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent stand
`
`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`PROVIDE / TRANSMIT DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION TO
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`315
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`L316
`
`317
`
`NO NO
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED ?
`
`YES
`
`320
`
`NOTIFY / TRANSMIT MESSAGE
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`318
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`319
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 14 of 41
`
`FIG . 6C
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`321
`
`RECEIVE EMPLOYER ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`322
`
`IS
`EMPLOYER
`INTERESTED ?
`
`YES
`
`PROVIDE / TRANSMIT
`INFORMATION TO
`INDIVIDUAL
`
`RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ' S
`RESPONSE
`
`NO
`
`325
`325
`
`326
`
`323
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`324
`
`STOP
`
`IS
`INDIVIDUAL
`INTERESTED ?
`
`| YES
`
`NO
`
`RECORD
`DATA ANDIOR
`INFORMATION
`
`329
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 15 of 41
`
`FIG . 6D
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`- Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`330
`
`PUT PARTIES INTO
`CONTACT WITH EACH
`OTHER
`
`- 331
`
`-
`
`MONITOR RECRUITMENT
`PROCESS
`
`332
`
`RECORD RESULTS , DATA
`AND / OR INFORMATION
`
`333
`
`STOP
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 16 of 41
`
`FIG . 6E
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`START
`
`100
`
`ACTIVATE CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`PERFORM SEARCHI
`QUERY DATABASE
`
`GENERATE SEARCH
`LIST / REPORT
`
`TRANSMIT LIST / REPORT
`TO INDIVIDUAL
`
`PROCEED WITH
`JOB SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`402
`
`403
`
`404
`
`- 405
`
`FIG . 7 [ son
`
`STO
`
`, 406
`
`40
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 17 of 41
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 12 , 2017
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`START
`
`500
`
`ACTIVATE CENTRAL
`PROCESSING COMPUTER
`
`PERFORM SEARCHI
`QUERY DATABASE
`
`GENERATE SEARCH
`LIST / REPORT
`
`TRANSMIT LIST / REPORT
`TO EMPLOYER
`
`PROCEED WITH
`RECRUITMENT SEARCH
`PROCESS
`
`501
`
`502
`
`503
`
`L 504
`
`- 505
`
`FIG . 8
`
`STOPP
`
`506
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 18 of 41
`
`

`

`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`5
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`PROVIDING JOB SEARCHING SERVICES ,
`RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND / OR
`RECRUITMENT - RELATED SERVICES
`
`and / or assignments , and by the need of employers and / or
`hiring entities to recruit and hire new employees , indepen
`dent contractors , and / or freelancers . These businesses and
`markets include employment agencies , recruiters , so - called
`“ headhunters ” , employment and / or career consultants , tem
`porary employment agencies , personal agents , personal
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`managers , and / or other intermediaries , who or which ,
`respectively , bring the respective parties together and / or
`This is a continuation application of U . S . patent applica -
`assist them in obtaining introductions , establishing a dialog
`tion Ser . No . 12 / 315 , 124 , filed Nov . 29 , 2008 , and entitled
`“ APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING JOB 10 between parties , reaching agreement on , and / or establishing
`SEARCHING SERVICES , RECRUITMENT SERVICES
`an employment , an independent contractor , and / or a free
`AND / OR RECRUITMENT - RELATED
`SERVICES ” ,
`lance relationship .
`which , in turn , is a continuation application of U . S . patent
`Job searching activities and recruitment activities typi
`application Ser . No . 10 / 691 , 796 , filed Oct . 23 , 2003 , and is cally require efforts in introducing parties to one another ,
`entitled “ APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING 15 pre - screening the parties prior to , and / or subsequent to , an
`JOB SEARCHING SERVICES , RECRUITMENT SER
`introduction , acting as an information gathering entity for a
`VICES AND / OR RECRUITMENT - RELATED SER
`party , exchanging information in order to determine if a
`VICES ” , now U . S . Pat . No . 7 , 490 , 086 , which , in turn , is a
`relationship is appropriate and / or desirable , negotiating a
`continuation application of U . S . patent application Ser . No .
`09 / 612 . 528 , filed on Jul . 7 . 2000 , and entitled “ APPARA - 20 deal , and / or consummating a deal between the respective
`TUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING JOB SEARCH -
`parties . While individuals and / or employers and / or hiring
`ING SERVICES , RECRUITMENT SERVICES AND / OR
`entities can act on their own behalf during most of the
`RECRUITMENT - RELATED SERVICES ” , now U . S . Pat .
`process , one of the parties may typically enlist the efforts of
`No . 6 , 662 , 194 , the subject matter of which are hereby
`an employment agency or agencies , a recruiter ( s ) , a so
`incorporated by reference herein in their entirety . U . S . patent 25 called “ headhunter ( s ) ” , an employment and / or career con
`application Ser . No . 09 / 612 , 528 , filed on Jul . 7 , 2000 , claims
`sultant ( s ) , a temporary employment agency or agencies , a
`the benefit of priority of U . S . Provisional Patent Application
`personal agent ( s ) , a personal manager ( s ) , and / or another
`Ser . No . 60 / 146 , 776 , filed Jul . 31 , 1999 , and entitled “ APPA -
`intermediary or intermediaries , sometimes at great expense .
`RATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING JOB
`The enlistment of employment agencies , recruiters , so
`SEARCHING SERVICES , RECRUITMENT SERVICES 30 called “ headhunters ” , employment and / or career consul
`AND / OR RECRUITMENT - RELATED SERVICES ” , the
`tants , temporary employment agencies , personal agents ,
`subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference
`personal managers , and / or other intermediaries , can be
`herein in their entirety .
`costly and can lead to job search efforts and / or recruitment
`35 efforts which may be limited in breadth and / or scope by the
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`personal and / or individual contacts , limitations and / or con
`straints associated with the employment agency , recruiter ,
`The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a
`so - called “ headhunter ” , employment and / or career consul
`method for providing job searching services , recruitment
`tant , temporary employment agency , personal agent , per
`services and / or recruitment - related services and , in particu
`lar , to an apparatus and a method for providing job searching 40 sonal manager , and / or other intermediary .
`services , recruitment services and / or recruitment - related ser -
`In this regard , job search efforts and / or recruitment efforts
`vices as they may relate to individuals , independent con
`may be limited , thereby depriving an individual and / or an
`tractors , freelancers , employers and / or hiring entities , in a
`employer and / or hiring entity of being introduced to the best
`possible candidates . In some instances , an employer and / or
`network environment .
`45 hiring entity may forgo access to certain candidates simply
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`because they cannot and / or refuse to enlist the efforts of a
`recruiter and / or other intermediary .
`Individuals , independent contractors , and / or freelancers ,
`Job searching efforts and recruitment efforts may be
`limited by and / or be constrained by limited personal con
`can expend great efforts and a great deal of time in job
`searching efforts . Individuals , independent contractors , and 50 tacts , geographical constraints , monetary constraints , and / or
`or freelancers , typically place a great deal of importance on
`time constraints . Oftentimes , individuals , employers and / or
`their job searching efforts , on efforts directed to securing
`hiring entities , do not have the resources to conduct their
`employment , both permanently and / or temporarily as a
`own respective job searching efforts or recruitment efforts .
`temporary employee and / or “ contract " employee , and / or on
`The enlistment of employment agencies , recruiters , so
`efforts directed to obtaining and / or securing projects and / or 55 called “ headhunters ” , employment and / or career consul
`assignments .
`tants , temporary employment agencies , personal agents ,
`Employers and / or hiring entities require that they have a
`personal managers , and / or other intermediaries , may not be
`satisfactory workforce in order to meet the demands of
`sufficient to overcome these limitations and / or constraints ,
`doing business . In this regard , employers and / or hiring
`particularly , if the respective employment agency or agen
`entities very often need to find and / or recruit new employ - 60 ?ies , recruiter ( s ) , so - called " headhunter ( s ) ” , employment
`ees , replace former employees , find employees with new
`and / or career consultant ( s ) , temporary employment agency
`skills to meet their business needs , and / or obtain the services
`or agencies , personal agent ( s ) , personal manager ( s ) and / or
`of temporary workers , independent contractors , and / or free
`other intermediary or intermediaries , are working with simi
`lar limitations and / or constraints .
`lancers .
`Growing businesses and markets have been created by the 65
`The job search process and / or the recruitment process can
`need for individuals , independent contractors , and / or free
`typically be rendered more difficult in instances when addi
`lancers to find and / or to secure jobs , employment , projects
`tional information may be requested by one or by both of the
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 19 of 41
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`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
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`The present invention can also be utilized by an employ
`parties concerning a counterpart . This typically results in
`ment agency , a recruiter , a so - called “ headhunter ” , or other
`time delays and / or additional expense to the party having to
`comply with such a request .
`intermediary , in order to assist and / or to act on behalf of any
`of the individuals , employers and / or hiring entities described
`Job searching efforts and / or recruitment efforts may fur -
`ther be rendered more difficult when the parties are not 5 herein . The present invention can also be utilized in order to
`properly pre - screened , thereby resulting in wasted time and
`provide agency services for any of the herein described
`effort , and / or when the parties are not properly informed as
`parties , i . e . , individual , employees , independent contractors ,
`to the needs and / or demands of a counterpart . The needs
`freelancers , employers , hiring entities , recruiters , headhunt
`and / or demands can include job description , job needs ,
`ers , etc .
`project description , assignment description , salary , compen - 10
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`sation , and / or other related information . The failure to
`utilized in a network environment in order to effectuate any
`pre - screen the parties and / or to conduct a dialog and / or
`of the services described herein on , or over , any communi
`initiate interviews and / or discussions when the parties may
`cation network .
`be so far apart regarding their respective needs , requests
`The apparatus can include a central processing computer
`and / or expectations , for example , those involving job duties 15 or server computer , at least one or more individual comput
`ers and at least one or more employer computers . Each of the
`and / or salary , can result in wasted time and effort .
`Confidentiality is typically another concern in job search
`herein - described computers may communicate with any and
`ing activities and / or in recruitment activities . Individuals ,
`all of the computers which are utilized in conjunction with
`employees , and / or hiring entities may have an interest in ,
`the apparatus of the present invention . The present invention
`and / or a desire for , maintaining confidentiality during at 20 may be utilized in any communication network such as the
`least some initial stages of any job search and / or recruitment
`Internet , the World Wide Web , a telecommunications net
`effort . In some instances , once an initial interest is
`work , and / or any other communication network described
`expressed , any confidentiality which may have existed may
`herein and / or otherwise .
`be lost for the remainder of the process . Sometimes , it may
`Each of the central processing computer ( s ) , the individual
`be desirable for an individual , an employer and / or hiring 25 computers , and / or the employer computers can include any
`entity , to retain at least some level of confidentiality and / or
`and / or all components , peripherals , hardware , and / or soft
`anonymity further into the job search and / or recruitment
`ware , for facilitating the use thereof in a manner consistent
`process . In this manner , at least some confidentiality and / or
`with the present invention as described herein .
`anonymity can be preserved , especially if a deal between the
`The central processing computer may also include , and / or
`parties is not ultimately reached .
`30 be linked to , a database ( s ) and / or other storage and / or
`Job searching activities and / or recruitment activities may memory device ( s ) for storing any and / or all of the data
`be far too widespread and may be far too important to be
`and / or information described as being utilized , and / or which
`limited by the above - described limitations and / or con -
`may be utilized , in conjunction with the present invention .
`straints . Individuals , employers and / or hiring entities would
`The present invention provides job search services ,
`be better served by a system which overcomes the short - 35 recruitment services , and / or recruitment - related services ,
`while preserving confidentiality among and / or between the
`comings of the prior art .
`parties and / or between the parties and third parties , and may
`further provide for varying layers of confidentiality for the
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`parties involved . The present invention can also provide
`The apparatus and method of the present invention over - 40 enhanced information services for the parties utilizing same ,
`including but not limited to , links , hyperlinks , and / or other
`comes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides an
`apparatus and a method for providing job searching services ,
`pointing and / or linking devices for linking a user to addi
`recruitment services and / or recruitment - related services .
`tional and / or supplemental information concerning any of
`The present invention utilizes the technologies and advances
`the individuals , employers , hiring entities , and / or other
`in information technology and in communication technol - 45 parties , involved in
`a dialog , negotiations and / or discus
`ogy in order to provide these services in a network envi -
`sions .
`The data and / or information utilized in conjunction with
`ronment .
`The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a
`the present invention can also be utilized by the various
`method for providing job searching services , recruitment
`individuals , employers , hiring entities , contractors , appli
`services and / or recruitment - related services , for the respec - 50 cants , recruiters , headhunters , third party intermediaries ,
`tive individuals , employees , independent contractors , free
`and / or the operator and / or the administrator of the apparatus ,
`lancers , employers and / or hiring entities , described herein in
`and can be uploaded to , downloaded from , and / or be stored
`a network environment . The present invention also provides
`and / or be resident on any of the central processing
`a centralized apparatus , which can also serve as a clearing -
`computer ( s ) , the individual computer ( s ) , and / or the
`house , which provides job searching services , recruitment 55 employer computer ( s ) .
`services , and / or recruitment - related services , as well as any
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`utilized to perform various job - searching services , recruit
`of the services and / or activities described herein .
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can be
`ment services and / or recruitment - related services and / or
`utilized by individuals , independent contractors , freelancers ,
`functions . The present invention may be utilized by an
`and / or other entities , desirous of securing a job , a position , 60 individual , a prospective employee , an independent contrac
`a project , an assignment , and / or an employment relation -
`tor , a freelancer , either permanent or temporary , to find or to
`ship , either permanent and / or temporary , with an employer
`locate a job , a position , a project and / or an assignment , for
`and / or a hiring entity . The apparatus and method of the
`which they may wish to apply . The present invention can
`present invention can also be utilized by employers and / or
`also be utilized by an employer and / or hiring entity to recruit
`by other hiring entities desirous of securing the services of 65 and / or to search for , an individual , a prospective employee ,
`an individual , an employee , an independent contractor ,
`an independent contractor , and / or a freelancer , either per
`and / or freelancer , either permanently and / or temporarily .
`manent or temporary .
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00651-ADA Document 1-4 Filed 07/17/20 Page 20 of 41
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`

`

`US 9 , 760 , 864 B2
`
`m
`
`and / or if information is being and / or has been requested
`The present invention can also be utilized by a recruiter ,
`about he , she or it . The present invention can also provide
`a headhunter , and / or a third party intermediary , in order to
`the identity of the party requesting the information to the
`assist an individual , a prospective employee , an independent
`respective individual , employer and / or hiring entity .
`contractor , and / or a freelancer , in searching for a job , a
`The present invention can also provide for the blockage of
`position , a project , and / or an assignment , and / or for assisting 5
`any access , authorized and / or unauthorized , to any of the
`an employer and / or a hiring entity in searching for , and / or
`data and / or information utilized in conjunction with the
`for recruiting an individual , a prospective employee , an
`present invention and / or concerning any individual , entity ,
`independent contractor , and / or a freelancer , in order to fill a
`employer , and / or hiring entity , utilizing the present inven
`hiring and / or other need .
`The present invention may also be utilized to notify an 10 tion . The present invention can also provide any data and / or
`individual , a prospective employee , an independent contrac -
`information specifically , generically , generally , such as for a
`tor , and / or freelancer , of the existence and / or the availability
`group , and / or statistically and / or in any other manner .
`of an opportunity for and / or related to a job , a position , a
`The present invention can also be utilized so as to prevent
`project and / or an assignment . The present invention may
`certain individuals and / or entities , employers and / or hiring
`also be utilized to notify an employer and / or a hiring entity 15 entities , from accessing the data and / or information about
`of the availability of an individual , a prospective employee ,
`any other individual , entity , employer , and / or hiring entity .
`The operation of the present invention may be triggered
`an independent contractor , and / or freelancer .
`Any and / or all of the communications between the parties
`by any type of pre - specified event and / or occurrence which
`may be effected via electronic message transmission , e - mail ,
`may include a new individual listing , a new employer and / or
`electronic forms submission , a telephone call , telephone 20 hiring entity listing , a departure of an individual from an
`messaging , facsimile messaging , pager and / or beeper mes
`employer , the completion of a job , project and / or assign
`saging , physical mailing , and / or via any other appropriate
`ent , changes in an economic factor ( s ) , changes in a market
`factor ( s ) , an increase in an unemployment rate , the unem
`method , means and / or mechanism .
`Employers and / or other hiring entities can post data
`ployment of an individual , a detected need for jobs having
`and / or list information regarding jobs , employment posi - 25 a certain skill ( s ) , and / or any other event , situation , and / or
`tions , temporary positions , assignments , freelance assign -
`any other occurrence which may be deemed to have some
`ments , contracting assignments and / or jobs , as well as any
`relationship and / or effect related to job searching efforts
`other assignments , projects and / or efforts which require
`and / or recruitment efforts .
`and / or which may require the services of an individual , an
`The apparatus and method of the present invention can
`employee , an independent contractor , a freelancer , a tempo - 30 also be utilized for performing and / or for facilitating the
`rary employee , etc , with the present invention .
`provision of recruitment services for schools , colleges , uni
`Similarly ,
`individuals , job
`applicants , prospective
`versities , and / or any organizations of any kind .
`employees , independent contractors , temporary workers ,
`The apparatus of the present invention can also be pro
`and / or freelancers , etc . , can also post and / or list data and / or
`grammed in order to be self - activating and / or activated
`information regarding themselves with the present inven - 35 automatically .
`The apparatus of the present invention can also be pro
`tion .
`grammed in order to generate and / or transmit any of the
`The present invention can be utilized in order to allow
`e - mails , electronic message transmissions , electronic noti
`employers and / or hiring entities to bid for individuals ,
`employees , independent contractors , and / or freelancers . The
`fication transmissions , and / or any of the communications ,
`present can also be utilized in order to allow individuals 40 described herein between any of the parties utilizing the
`and / or their agents and / or managers to auction and / or offer
`present invention .
`The present invention can be utilized in conjunction with
`their services to employers and / or to hiring entities .
`The present invention can be utilized for managing work
`intelligent agents , software agents and / or mobile agents , in
`schedules , and / or for maintaining information regarding
`order to provide for these respective agents to act for , or on
`work schedules for an individual or entity , including , but not 45 behalf of , a respective party .
`limited to any job applicant , temporary worker , independent
`The present in