 Hitch assembly control system |
| In view of the above and in accordance with the present invention there is provided a control ... |
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| Behavior control system for vehicle |
| It is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle behavior control system that executes the ... |
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| Indicator for a hybrid electric vehicle |
| FIG. 1 illustrates instrument cluster 10. Instrument cluster 10 communicates information to a ... |
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| Hub odometer damping mechanism |
| The present invention relates generally to hub-mounted odometers useful in recording the ... |
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| Collision detection system for a vehicle |
| It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a vehicle collision detection system ... |
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| Vehicle wheel cover |
| The present invention provides a combined wheel cover and mounting device which addresses many of ... |
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| Automatic revolution counting and data transmission device |
| The invention consists of a housing and a small central shaft attached to the housing with the ... |
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| Ferromagnetic speed sensor |
| We claim: 1. A rotational speed sensor, in particular, a gear wheel sensor, comprising: a magnet ... |
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| Rotation sensor using a radiation emitter and detector and a duty cycle feedback loop |
| According to the present invention there is provided a rotation sensor comprising a fixed member; a ... |
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Facilitating commerce among consumers and service providers by matching ready-to-act consumers and pre-qualified service providers
| Details |
Inventors: Beaudoin, Michael J.; Rice, Rodney S.;
Assignee: ServiceMagic, Inc. (Golden, CO)
Primary Examiner: Garg; Yogesh C.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: King & Spalding LLP
A method and apparatus are provided for matching ready-to-act consumers and pre-qualified service providers. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Internet is used to attempt to solve communications problems and to achieve efficiency in Consumer-to-Business commerce transactions. Initially, a database of pre-qualified service providers is established. Then, a description of the consumer's needs may be extracted from a consumer using decision trees appropriate for the desired task. Subsequently, the consumer needs are packaged and presented to multiple service providers that meet a set of predetermined qualifications. The consumer needs may be presented, for example, by way of a set of heterogeneous communication devices depending upon preferences supplied by the service providers. For example, the set of heterogeneous communication devices may include facsimile, pager, mobile phone, home phone, office phone, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit, email, etc. The service providers may choose to submit a response for the consumer's needs or reject the task. After a sufficient number of responses have been received from the pre-qualified service providers, they are presented to the consumer. The consumer may then select from the pre-qualified service providers based upon one or more objective and/or subjective factors associated with the pre-qualified service providers. For example, objective service provider qualification information may be presented to the consumer along with the service provider responses. In addition, a database of consumer-generated service provider ratings and/or reviews may be maintained and made available for consumer queries. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION A method and apparatus are described for matching ready-to-act consumers and pre-qualified service providers.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the Internet is used to attempt to solve communications problems and to achieve efficiency in Consumer-to-Business commerce transactions.
Initially, a database of pre-screened service providers is established.
Then, a description of the consumer's service needs may be extracted from a consumer using decision trees appropriate for the desired task.
This experience may be enhanced by the provision of targeted, relevant information that provides education in context for the consumer.
Subsequently, the consumer needs are packaged and presented to multiple service providers that meet a set of predetermined qualifications.
The consumer needs may be presented, for example, by way of a set of heterogeneous communication devices depending upon preferences supplied by the service providers.
The service providers may choose to submit a quote for the consumer's needs, indicate a desire to be referred, or reject the task.
Importantly, according to one embodiment, the system works in a persistent manner to secure responses from an appropriate number of service providers.
After a sufficient number of responses have been received from the pre-qualified service providers, they are presented to the consumer.
The consumer may then select from the pre-qualified service providers based upon one or more objective and/or subjective factors associated with the pre-qualified service providers.
Such objective and subjective information may be collected by the system and presented to consumers.
According to another aspect of the invention, the system may automatically initiate follow-up communications with the consumers and service providers to collect information regarding confirmation of service transactions, such information may form the basis for the business model and/or the subjective information provided to consumers.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows
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Navigation and GPS 
