AU2016102103A4 - System and method for live online consultation - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices relating to the facilitation of interactions between consumer users and supplier users. Consumer users with a need for specialized expertise enter a query on their computing device. This query is communicated to a server which searches its database for supplier users who have specialized expertise which may address the consumer user's query. A list of such supplier users is compiled by the server and this list is sent to the consumer user. The consumer user then selects one or more of these supplier users and the server activates one or more communications modules which allows the consumer user to interact with the selected supplier user. The interaction between the consumer user and the supplier user is timed by the server and the length of the interaction is stored and reported to both users. - 56 - V~~N N " Isk.\ OM 530 FIGURE 9..

Description

2016102103 12 Dec 2016

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIVE ONLINE CONSULTATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to computer systems and computer systems connected to large networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to computer systems having an intelligent search engine that facilitates interactions and connections between users who have need of specialized expertise and subject matter expert (SME) users who have such specialized expertise .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The necessity for special expertise is something that everyone is familiar with. Whether it is solving a high school or university level math question, renovating a backyard deck, or even barbecuing pork ribs, everyone has, at one time or another, wished they could avail of someone with expertise, knowledge, or experience in a particular field. Instead of costly trial and error, a specific question to a person with specialized expertise can solve problems that a person may have encountered in a particular endeavor. As an example, to cook the perfect pork ribs, should the ribs be parboiled before being grilled? Also, is a charcoal grill better for the ribs or would broiling them in an oven suffice? A layperson seeking answers to such questions, in the part, would need to consult multiple books, sources, 1 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 and, in the end, might simply need resort to trial and error for a suitable answer.

[0003] The Internet and its myriad websites have, to a certain extent, addressed this need for expertise. There are now specialized websites and web content dedicated to everything from solving specific math problems to various cooking techniques and everything in between. However, such specialized knowledge only comes after a lot of effort on a user's part. Returning to our barbecuing example, a person wishing to barbecue or cook some pork ribs might need to consult multiple specialized websites and view multiple videos, multimedia presentations, and read literature from equipment suppliers. And, even after all that, there is no guarantee that such involved research will result in a suitable answer to the person's query. Such a suitable answer may lie buried in an obscure website that the person may not even consult.

[0004] Another major drawback to the current method of researching such specialized topics is that laypeople cannot help but apply a scattershot approach to finding answers. Entering a search query in a search engine might help but receiving pertinent and relevant search results can be based mostly on whether a proper query was entered and on whether the search engine has properly indexed the relevant websites. The person's query might be quickly answered by a subject matter expert or by someone with expertise on the subject but finding such a person, either online or in person, might also be quite difficult. Again, searching by using 2 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 search engines may provide the names of subject matter experts but there is no guarantee that such experts are willing or even available to answer queries from the general public.

[0005] Clearly, a better way to access specialized expertise or a better way to find people with such specialized expertise is needed. The present invention seeks to address the shortcomings of the prior art by mitigating if not overcoming such shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices relating to the facilitation of interactions between consumer users and supplier users. Consumer users with a need for specialized expertise enter a query on their computing device. This query is communicated to a server that searches its database for supplier users who have specialized expertise that may address the consumer user's query. A list of such supplier users is compiled by the server and this list is sent to the consumer user. The consumer user then selects one or more of these supplier users and the server activates one or more communications modules that allows the consumer user to interact with the selected supplier user. The interaction between the consumer user and the supplier user is timed by the server and the length of the interaction is stored and reported to both users. 3 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0007] in a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for facilitating online interactions between at least one consumer user and at least one supplier user, the system comprising: ~ a server comprising: - a supplier database, said supplier database containing a plurality of supplier profiles for a plurality of supplier users, each of said supplier profiles detailing at least one specific expertise of a specific supplier user, and a plurality of expertise keywords relating to said at least one specific expertise; - a plurality of communications modules, each of said plurality of communications modules being for facilitating direct online communications between at least one consumer user and one of said plurality of supplier users; and ~ at least one processor for: - receiving a query from said at least one consumer user; - determining, based on said query, query keywords for expertise relating to said query; - searching said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; 4 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 - retrieving supplier user profiles based on said query for said at least one supplier profile whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - presenting supplier user profiles retrieved based on said query, said supplier profiles retrieved being presented to said at least one consumer user; - receiving input from said at least one consumer user selecting one of said supplier profiles presented, said input indicating a selected supplier user; - activating at least one of said plurality of communications modules to send and receive data from said selected supplier user and sending data received from said selected supplier user to said at least one consumer user to thereby allow for an interaction between said selected supplier user and said at least one consumer user; - deactivating said at least one of said plurality of communications modules when said interaction is terminated; - determining a duration for said interaction.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a system for online interactions between a consumer user and a supplier user, the system comprising: - a server; 5 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 - a database containing profiles; - a processor; wherein - said system receives a query from said consumer user; - based on said query, said processor searches said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query; - said system activates at least one communications module such that said consumer user and said at least one supplier user are in online communications with each other to discuss said query; - said system determines a duration for an interaction between said consumer user and said supplier user using said at least one communications module.

[0009] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for facilitating interactions between a consumer user and a supplier user, the method comprising: a) receiving a query from said consumer user regarding a specific topic; b) searching a database for profiles of supplier users who have expertise in said specific topic; c) compiling a list of supplier users who have said expertise in said specific topic; d) sending said list to said consumer user; 6 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0010] e) receiving an indication of a selected supplier user from said consumer user, said selected consumer user being selected from said list; f) receiving a request from said consumer user for interaction with said selected supplier user; g) activating at least one communications module to allow said consumer user to communicate and interact with said selected supplier user.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a system for facilitating online interactions between at least one consumer user and at least one supplier user, the system comprising: ~ a server comprising: - a supplier database, said supplier database containing a plurality of supplier profiles for a plurality of supplier users, each of said supplier profiles detailing at least one specific expertise of a specific supplier user, and a plurality of expertise keywords relating to said at least one specific expertise; - a plurality of communications modules, each of said plurality of communications modules being for facilitating direct online communications between at least one consumer user and one of said plurality of supplier users; and ~ at least one processor for: - 7 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 - receiving a query from said at least one consumer user; - determining, based on said query, query keywords for expertise relating to said query; - searching said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - retrieving supplier user profiles based on said query for said at least one supplier profile whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - presenting supplier user profiles retrieved based on said query, said supplier profiles retrieved being presented to said at least one consumer user; - receiving input from said at least one consumer user selecting one of said supplier profiles presented, said input indicating a selected supplier user; - activating at least one of said plurality of communications modules to send and receive data from said selected supplier user and sending data received from said selected supplier user to said at least one consumer user to thereby allow for an interaction between said selected supplier user and said at least one consumer user; and - 8 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 - deactivating said at least one of said plurality of communications modules when said interaction is terminated.

[0011] According to a further aspect, a user inputs into a computer an unstructured query using a human-machine interface, and keywords are extracted from the inputted unstructured query and compared against one or more of profiles of subject matter experts (SMEs) and optionally historical timed durations of specific types of communications between users and their matched SMEs from relevant keywords. Once a user is connected with an SME based on the inputted query, the types of communications exchanged between the matched user and SME are monitored. When a certain type or types of communications occur between the searcher and a matched SME, the time duration of that communication is logged. Other types of communications are not logged by time duration, so the types of communications are monitored, and only certain types are logged. Optionally, keyword extraction and matching with SMEs from the inputted unstructured queries can be assessed as a function of the time duration of communications among users and SMEs that were matched with relevant keywords. For example, different weights can be applied to time-logged communications as a function of their duration, such that longer logged communications are weighted higher compared to shorter logged communications. Future queries involving the same keywords will thus be more likely to be matched with the same SME, producing higher quality search results that are more directly relevant to the unstructured query. Matching subject matter - 9 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 experts with users starting with an unstructured query enhances the functioning of the computer, by providing increasingly relevant matches by monitoring and logging a time duration when certain types of communications occur between matched users and SMEs. The longer these communications occur, it can be inferred that the original match was a relevant one, so the next time an unstructured query is inputted with the same or similar keywords, the same SME or an SME having the same or similar profile as the previous SME can be connected with the user.

[0012] Additional aspects also show various graphical user interfaces for an electronic display screen or portion thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a screenshot of an application that implements one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2A is an illustration of a generic landing page similar to Figure 2; FIG. 2A is a front view of a 10 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 graphical user interface for a display screen or portion thereof showing our new design;

Figure 3 is a screenshot of supplier users that the system has found in response to a query from a consumer user;

Figure 3A is an illustration of a results page similar to Figure 3; FIG. 3A is a front view of a graphical user interface for a display screen or portion thereof showing our new design;

Figure 4 is a sample supplier user profile as viewed by a consumer user and as selected by a consumer user from the list in Figure 3;

Figure 4A is an illustration of generic profile for a supplier user similar to Figure 4; FIG. 4A is a front view of a graphical user interface for a display screen or portion thereof showing our new design;

Figure 5 is an interface screen of an audio session or interaction in progress as viewed by a consumer user;

Figure 6 is an interface screen of a video conference session or interaction in progress as viewed by a consumer user;

Figure 7 illustrates a session summary screen as viewed by a consumer user for a just completed session;

Figure 8 is an illustration of a listing of a consumer user's supplier user contacts; 11 2016102103 12 Dec 2016

Figure 8A is an illustration of a generic listing of a consumer user's contacts similar to Figure 8; FIG. 8A is a front view of a graphical user interface for a display screen or portion thereof showing our new design;

Figure 9 illustrates a user interface for a timeline tool for a supplier user;

Figure 10 illustrates a user interface for a text message management tool for a supplier user;

Figure 11 is a user interface for a profile management tool for a supplier user;

Figure 12 is a user interface for a calendar management tool for a supplier user;

Figure 12A is a user interface of a main or initial view of an application according to one aspect of the invention; and

Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating the steps in a method according to another aspect of the invention.

[0014] The broken lines showing of a display screen or portion thereof in at least any of Figures 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 12A form no part of the claimed design. It is contemplated that any one or more of the broken lines shown in any one or more of the Figures can be converted into solid lines to form part of a claimed invention herein. Likewise, it is contemplated that any one or more of the solid lines shown in any one or more of the Figures can be converted 12 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 into broken lines to form no part of a claimed invention .

[00101] The lines shown in a dash-dot-dash pattern are break lines that form no part of the claimed invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of a system according to one aspect of the invention is illustrated. A server 10 communicates with devices 20A, 20B, 20C of consumer users 30A, 30B, 30C (respectively) as well as with devices 40A, 40B, 40C of supplier users 50A, 50B, 50C, respectively. For clarity, a consumer user is a user who is seeking a person with specialized expertise or specialized knowledge. A supplier user is a person with such specialized expertise or knowledge. Each of the devices 20A-20C and the devices 40A-40C is a network connected device that is capable of connecting to a wider computer network such as the Internet and may take the form of a mobile computing device (such as a mobile phone, a tablet, or a portable computer) or it may take the form of a more traditional desktop computer or any other device that allows users to connect to network and communicate with other similar devices. Each of the devices 20A-20C and devices 40A-40C may, in addition to the capability of connecting to computer and/or communications networks, have voice communications capabilities, video conference capabilities, still 13 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 photograph capabilities, video capabilities, touch screen capabilities, and/or stylus input capabilities.

[0016] As can be seen, the server 10 includes a database 60 for storing profiles 70. In addition to the database 60, the server 10 also includes communications modules 80A, 80B, 80C, 80D. These communications modules allow consumer users to communicate with the supplier users using a variety of interfaces. As an example, the consumer user 30A may communicate with the supplier user 50A by voice using communications module 80A.

Similarly, consumer user 30B may communicate with supplier user 50B using video conferencing by way of communications module 80B. It should be noted that more than one communications module may be active for communications and interactions between a consumer user and a supplier user. As an example, a communications module 80A may be active to allow voice-based interaction between a consumer user and a supplier user. Simultaneously, another communications module 80C may also be active to allow the supplier user to share his screen with the consumer user if the supplier user wishes to show something on his screen to the consumer user. As well, a communications module may also be used to allow for a one-to-many communications. In one example, a supplier user may provide a live video feed of a demonstration and the video feed may be simultaneously accessible to multiple consumer users.

[0017] The system operates with the consumer user first entering a query into a website or into an "app" or application using the device 20A. The query may be 14 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 enhanced by a pull-down list of categories or subcategories of subjects. The query is then communicated to the server 10 and a processor 90 in the server determines what specialized expertise or knowledge is required to respond to the query or which specialized expertise or knowledge relates to the query. The processor then searches the database for profiles of supplier users who have such specialized expertise or knowledge. A listing of such supplier users is compiled and the listing is sent to the consumer user's device. The consumer user then selects one or more of these supplier users to interact with. Once at least one supplier user is selected, the server and the processor then activates at least one of the communications modules to enable interaction between the consumer user and the selected supplier user. This interaction is timed and, once the interaction has ended, the processor then determines how long the interactions lasted.

Further metrics regarding the interactions may be calculated by the processor based on the duration of these interactions.

[0018] Preferably, the consumer user with the query has an active account with the service provider operating the system of the invention or with a service provider providing the service and which is using the system.

Such an account would allow for quicker access to the system. A consumer user can thus sign up with the service provider and may, if necessary, place a credit card or some other charge account or bank account or other payment method on file with the service provider and any amounts chargeable to the consumer user would be 15 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 charged against that payment method. Online payment methods such as that operated under the tradenames PayPal™, Skrill™, Google Wallet™, Payoneer™, and Strrpe may also be used. It should be noted that, m some implementations, each consumer user creates and populates an online consumer user profile that is stored on the database.

[0019] For the supplier user, an account with the same service provider would, of course, be required. A supplier user would sign up as a supplier user with at least one specific area or field of specialized knowledge or expertise. In addition to this, the supplier user would create a supplier user profile. The supplier user profile would detail the supplier user's qualifications in the specific area or field, with the qualifications including educational background, college or university degrees or certifications in that area or field, any designations received, relevant awards, as well as years of experience in that area or field. As well, the profile would also detail any other relevant details that may be pertinent to the supplier user's specific field or area of expertise. In addition to the supplier user's qualifications in the profile, the supplier user may also provide different keywords or relevant terms to the supplier user's expertise. These keywords, which may be added to by the system, depending on the configuration, are also included in the supplier user's profile and may be used to determine if the supplier user has the expertise or knowledge desired by a specific consumer user. The supplier user's profile may also include a short video or presentation from the - 16 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 supplier user explaining or introducing their knowledge expertise and general personal overview.

[0020] It should be clear that the profile may also include the supplier user's urban location, address of residence, academic credentials, external personal references, memberships, club affiliations, hobbies, favourite foods, weight, height, eye color, favourite musicians, favourite authors, as well as the supplier user's biography or resume. As can be imagined, the data in the profile may be implementation specific and may be dependent on what the supplier user is willing to present as being viewable by others.

[0021] In one implementation, the server and the processor work in conjunction with the database to find supplier users who have the relevant expertise, knowledge, and/or experience. To determine which supplier user has the requisite specialized knowledge or expertise, the processor receives the query and parses the query. Keywords from the query are then extracted from the parsed query. The keywords are then collated and equivalent keywords are generated and/or retrieved from the database. Keywords from the query are analyzed by the processor and related keywords are added to the list of relevant keywords. Variations in spelling, usage, and/or terminology can be taken into account when generating a suitable list of relevant keywords. As an example, an American consumer user may enter a query which includes the term "sofa". To ensure that supplier users with relevant expertise may be taken into account during the search for suitable supplier users, the terms 17 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 "chesterfield" and "divan" may be added to the list of relevant keywords for the search. As well, if a Canadian enters a query relating to "colour", a keyword "color" is also used so that American supplier users who entered "color" as a keyword in their profile will be picked up when searching for relevant supplier users. Similarly, the processor may also search a database of related keywords to generate more relevant keywords to be used in the search for supplier users. As an example, a query with a keyword "barbecue" may generate the similar or related keywords "BBQ", "B-B-Q", "cooking", "grilling", "broiling", "marinade", and "sauces". In some implementations, the processor may also search for equivalent keywords in other languages in case supplier users use similar terms in their profiles. Thus, a query involving the keyword term "BBQ" or "barbecue" may generate and include similar keywords "braai", "char siu", "lechon", "chuanr", "yakiniku", and "yakitori" to the list of keywords relevant to the query .

[0022] Other methods of ensuring relevant keywords are generated for a query may also be used. As an example, category matching may be performed such that keywords parsed from the query are matched with keywords in the same category. Thus, if a query had the keyword "cars" was entered, a matching category "cars" may include other relevant keywords including "hot rod", "jalopy", "racing", "coupe", and "convertible". These and other keywords in the same category may thus be added to the keyword list for the query "cars". Filtered matching may also be used. A query may thus not just involve 18 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 which keywords to search for but also which keywords to not search for. Thus, a query for "cars" may be modified with "but not roller coasters" (since roller coaster passengers also ride in "cars"). Such a capability would allow for keywords that relate to "roller coasters" to be filtered out of the relevant keyword list. Other methods that make use of educated textual guesses for the relevant matching keywords may also be used.

[0023] Once a list of relevant keywords have been generated from the original query and by reference to one or more suitable databases of equivalent or related terms, the list of relevant keywords is then used to search the database for profiles of supplier users whose keywords match the keywords in the list. The profiles found are them collated into another list and may be ordered by relevance. It should be noted that a profile's relevance to a specific query may be determined using different methods. Relevance may be determined by as simple as the number of keywords in the profile that match the keywords in the relevant keyword list. Thus, a profile that has the most number of keywords that match those in the relevant keyword list from the query would be considered to be the most relevant to that specific query. Similarly, the number of keywords in the relevant keyword list that match words in a profile's description and/or profile keyword list may determine a level of relevance for that profile.

[0024] Relevance may also be determined based on the order that keywords are presented in a profile. Thus, between two 19 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 profiles, the profile with more matching keywords to the keyword list and more matching keywords that are listed earlier in the profile would be considered to be more relevant. If a profile thus had its first three keywords listed as "cars", "hot rods", "automobiles", that profile may be considered more relevant to a query about automobiles than another profile where the same keywords are listed at the bottom of its list.

Similarly, relevance may be determined relative to how often matching keywords appear in a profile's written description. Thus, a profile with 10 matching keywords in its description may be considered more relevant than a profile that only had 4 matching keywords in its written description.

[0025] Profiles that pass a threshold test for relevance are then placed in a list by the processor. The threshold test may be as simple as having at least one or at least two keywords in the profile keyword list that match keywords in the relevant keyword list. For this simple case, profiles with only one matching keyword would not be included in the list. The profiles that pass the threshold test and that are in the relevant profile list can then be ranked by the processor based on preferences by the consumer user. Ranking may be determined by relevance (the most relevant profiles being placed at the top of the list), by recency of interaction with a different consumer user (the profiles of supplier users with the most recent interactions with consumer users would be highest on the list), or by any other criteria implemented in the system. In one implementation, consumer users who interact with specific supplier users 20 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 are allowed to leave feedback for those specific supplier users. Feedback can take the form of a grade ranging from (in one example) 0 to 10. Aggregated or averaged grades for each supplier user can thus be added to the supplier user's profile and this aggregated or averaged grade can also be used for ranking purposes.

[0026] With the list of supplier users with relevant specialized expertise or knowledge compiled, the processor then sends this list to the device of the consumer user who entered the original query. The consumer user can then, should he wish, reorder the list, adjust the ranking criteria, and/or review the list entries. The consumer user can reorder the list using multiple criteria including geographic proximity, rating system score, number of previous interactions with the specific consumer user, frequency of interactions with other consumer users, gender, age, or income. Once the list has been reviewed, the consumer user can select a supplier user to interact with to thereby address the consumer user's original query.

[0027] Once the consumer user has selected a specific supplier user, the selection is sent to the server where the processor activates one or more communications modules to allow the consumer user to interact with the specific supplier user. It should be noted that this is done only if both the consumer user and the specific supplier user are both online at the same time. If both are online at the same time, an audio based communications module or a video/audio communications module can be activated to allow an audio call or an audio/video call 21 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 between the two to be activated. Should either participant desire it, and if both devices used by the consumer user and the supplier user are capable, other communications modules may be activated. As an example, a communications module that allows for the sharing of a desktop between the consumer user and the supplier user may be activated. This would allow the supplier user to show the consumer user the supplier user's desktop if the supplier user needed to show the consumer user something on his computer. Similarly, a communications module that allows for the sharing of a digital whiteboard between the consumer user and the supplier user can be activated if, for example, the supplier user needed to show the consumer user how to solve a particular type of equation. The audio based communications module, simultaneously activated, would allow the supplier user to talk to the consumer user while the supplier user showed the equation and its solution on the digital whiteboard. At the same time, the consumer user can ask specific questions if something is unclear about the supplier user's explanation .

[0028] It should further be clear from the above that other communications and video/audio technologies, which may improve communications and/or interactions between the supplier user and the consumer user may be included in the various communications modules. As an example, virtual reality (VR) technology or VR-based communications modules may be included as part of the system. Such VR-based modules may allow the consumer user to view/experience an environment being explained 22 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 by the supplier user or they may allow the consumer user to interact with a supplier user's suitable avatar in some capacity. As well, augmented reality (AR) based communications modules may also be part of the system. Such AR based communications modules would allow the consumer user to see, for example, nutritional information on the various ingredients being used by a supplier user who is teaching the consumer user how to cook a certain type of food. Or, the AR based communications module may allow the supplier user to be alerted about an upcoming scheduled session. In addition to the above, other communications modules may allow the consumer user and supplier user to use holographic 2D or 3D projectors, thin film displays, and heads-up displays.

[0029] It should be noted that each interaction or session between a consumer user and a supplier user is timed by the server and/or the processor on the server. Once the interaction between the consumer user and the supplier user has terminated, the server and the processor can, based on the length in time of the session or interaction, calculate other metrics regarding the interaction. At the beginning of each session or interaction, the processor activates a timer and, once the session has ended, the timer is terminated and the elapsed time is saved. The timer is, preferably, one that measures time in seconds or minutes as metrics which are considered on a per second or per minute basis for the supplier user would be useful. These metrics can be calculated based on the session's length of time and the supplier user's metric calculation basis as - 23 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 detailed on the supplier user's profile. Of course, any factors that affect the metric calculations may be taken into account when calculating such metrics.

[0030] While interactions conducted between the consumer user and the supplier user using the communications modules are generally timed by the processor, it should be clear that only direct, real-time or near real-time interactions are timed. Thus, voice communications between the consumer user and the supplier user are timed, along with real-time (or near-real time) video sessions, and other real-time or near real-time sessions. Thus, text communications such as text chats (which are not necessarily conducted in real-time) are not timed (but are recorded). Similarly, other realtime sessions, such as those where the supplier user shares his or her screen with the consumer user to explain a topic, are also timed. Sessions that are necessarily real-time or near real-time are timed while sessions that do not need real-time or near real-time interactions between the participants are not timed. Of course, sessions where the consumer user is not communicating or interacting in real or near real-time with the supplier user are not timed.

[0031] It should also be noted that, in one implementation, all interactions or sessions between supplier users and consumer users are recorded and stored on the server. This allows for the consumer user to go back and review the session or interaction in the event the consumer user may have missed or misunderstood a point made during the interaction. This also allows the supplier 24 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 user to review the session to help him with improving his advice giving technique or even to review what he mentioned during the session. Thus, any video, audio, or any other communications sessions or interactions between the supplier user and the consumer user is stored on the server and is accessible to both the supplier user and the consumer user.

[0032] As noted above, the consumer user can provide a grade or a score to a supplier user that the consumer user has interacted with. This grade or score operates as feedback regarding the supplier user's expertise and general usefulness and can be placed on the supplier user's profile. Another method of scoring or grading the supplier user may be in the form of a five star feedback system where the consumer user scores or grades the supplier user out of five stars. In addition to the star rating system, some implementations allow the consumer user to leave a short text feedback regarding the session or interaction with the supplier user.

[0033] In addition to the above, supplier users may be graded or scored by consumer users according to specific characteristics or categories. As an example, a supplier user may be scored by consumer users based on the supplier user's knowledge, terseness, and/or accuracy.

[0034] To ensure that the scoring or rating system is not skewed by ratings by high use pairs of supplier users and consumer users (i.e. by ratings from the same consumer users about the same supplier users), multiple ratings from the same consumer user may be factored down - 25 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 or adjusted accordingly. Thus, for example, instead of receiving credit for five glowing ratings from a single consumer user A, a supplier user B may only receive credit for a portion of those five ratings. To help promote use of the system, a factor in the ratings system may be included that provides higher ratings to frequent supplier users. Thus, for example, a supplier user with five glowing ratings and who has used the system ten times will be awarded a higher rating than another supplier user with the exact same five glowing ratings but who has only used the system 6 times. Other factors that take into account the length of interactions with consumer users as well as the number of completed interactions with consumer users may also be used. For such implementations, supplier users with longer interactions and higher number of completed interactions would be rated higher than other comparable supplier users.

[0035] While consumer users can leave feedback for supplier users, suppliers users may also, according to one implementation, leave feedback for the consumer user.

In implementations where consumer users are required to have profiles, the supplier user may also leave feedback regarding their interaction with specific consumer users. This feedback can be listed/posted on the consumer user's profile and would provide supplier users an indication as to whether the consumer user is one that the supplier user may or may not wish to interact with. 26 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0036] It should also be noted that, in some implementations, the supplier user may also be given the option to turn down requests for sessions or interactions from consumer users. When the server receives the consumer user's selection from the list of supplier users with relevant expertise, the server may also send the consumer user's profile to the selected supplier user. This provides the supplier user with the option to decline (or accept) the consumer user's request for a session or interaction. As noted above, the consumer user's profile may include a rating or grade from supplier users who have interacted with the consumer user. In addition to the rating or grade, the profile may include a text feedback from other supplier users. Supplier users can thus be given a measure of control as to who they may interact with. In addition to sending the consumer user's profile to the supplier user, the server may also send the consumer user's query to the supplier user prior to the supplier user accepting the consumer user's request for a session or interaction. This way, the supplier user can assess whether he or she has the requisite expertise or experience or knowledge regarding the query. The consumer user's profile as well as the query and any requests for a session from consumer users may be sent to the supplier user by way of the app or application or by way of the website. Thus, a supplier user logged in to the website or to the app may be notified by a specific message or a pop-up indication that a consumer user is requesting a session. The supplier user can then accept or decline the request 27 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 based on the query, the consumer user's profile, or any other consideration.

[0037] It should be clear that other factors that may affect interactions between consumer users and supplier users may be taken into account when matching the consumer with the supplier. As an example, language, country of origin, and/or demographics may be taken into account. Thus, if a specific consumer user is searching for expertise on a specific subject, a supplier user who does not have a single common language with that consumer user would not be presented to the specific consumer user. At the very least, supplier users to be listed as relevant to a consumer user would have at least one common language with that consumer user. In some implementations, supplier users located in the same country as the querying consumer user may be preferentially presented to or ranked higher when presented to the consumer user. Of course, for such implementations, other supplier users who are not in the same country would also be presented to the consumer user, depending on the system settings or on the consumer user preferences.

[0038] While the consumer user may request a session with a specific supplier user, if the supplier user is not online at the same time or is otherwise unavailable, the system may provide the requesting consumer user with suitable times and/or dates during which the supplier user is available. The consumer user may then request a session or interaction with the specific supplier user at one or more specific time and date slots. It should 28 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 be noted that, while some supplier users can be available for an instant session, other supplier users may only be available for scheduled sessions. For such supplier users, specific icons or other indications on the consumer user's devices may be used to indicate that only scheduled sessions are available.

[0039] Once a consumer user has scheduled a session with a selected supplier user and once the selected supplier user has accepted the request, the system may send out reminders to both the consumer user and the supplier user about the scheduled session. On the time and date of the scheduled session, the system checks if both consumer user and supplier user are online and, if they are, a suitable communications module is activated to allow for interactions between the two users. Once the session is over, the system continues as above regarding billing the consumer user.

[0040] In addition to providing interactions with specific consumer users on a one-to-one basis, supplier users may also provide seminars or webinars to interested consumer users. A supplier user can set up a scheduled live webinar or web-based seminar by selecting a time and date for the seminar, and a topic/subject (relating, of course, to the supplier user's area of specialized expertise). The supplier user can then send out a notification about the upcoming webinar to consumer users who have previously interacted with the supplier user, other consumer users who have shown an interest in the field or topic, and to others using various notification avenues (e.g. email, messages, posts on a 29 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 message board, etc., etc.). Consumer users can sign up/reserve a spot for the webinar either by indicating their interest or by clicking a suitably configured button on the app or website. On the time and date of the webinar, the supplier user can thus set up with the system so that a one-to-many video (or video/audio) link is active and the webinar is simply a live webcast for those who have signed up. During the live webinar, the supplier user can take questions (either text based or voice based) from the consumer users receiving the audio/video feed from the webinar. The supplier user can thus interact in real-time (or in near real-time) with multiple consumer users simultaneously.

[0041] In a similar vein to the above, supplier users can also provide recorded content to consumer users. Thus, instead of a live webinar, a recorded webinar by the supplier user can be provided to consumer users on an on-demand basis. This allows consumer users to view pre-recorded content in the event the supplier user might not be available for a live session. The prerecorded content can be listed and accessed by way of the supplier user's profile. Once a consumer user selects a pre-recorded session for viewing from a supplier user's profile (or from a list of available pre-recorded content), the video/presentation/content can then be streamed to the consumer user's device.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2, a screenshot of an app used in one implementation of the invention is illustrated. The examples provided are for a mobile phone or tablet implementation but similar functionality applications or 30 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 websites for use with other computing devices may, of course, be used. As can be seen, a text box 100 is provided along with a query button 110. The consumer user enters a query into the text box 100 and then presses the query button 110 to send the query to the server. A similar landing page for use with the system is illustrated in Figure 2A. As can be seen, the elements in the page may only include the text box where a query can be entered and a "Find A Mind" button that initiates the search.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3, a listing of supplier users found in response to the query entered is presented. For this example, the query entered related to bee keeping ("raising honey bees"). The listing in Figure 3 provides smaller versions of profiles for supplier users with the requisite specialized expertise or knowledge.

As can be seen, each list entry includes the supplier user's picture 120, the supplier user's qualifications in the specialized field or area 130, the supplier user's specialties in that field or area 140, the supplier user's billing rate 150, and the supplier user's feedback rating 160. A non-specific results page is illustrated in Figure 3A, detailing the elements in the user interface. As can be seen, the results page gives the details for a number supplier users whose expertise matches the query. For each supplier user in the results page, a picture of the supplier user is provided on the left side along with a box on the right side for the supplier user's name, a description of the supplier user (i.e. a "Mind description"), the supplier's user's specialization in terms of expertise, 31 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 and the supplier user's rating. The listing may, of course, be reordered based on multiple factors such as rating, geographic proximity to a region or user, supplier user name (i.e. alphabetical), or historical data such as a supplier user's frequency of interactions with other users .

[0044] After reviewing the list, a consumer user may then click or select on one of the profiles in the list. Such a selection presents the consumer user with the selected supplier user's full profile. Such a profile is illustrated in Figure 4. As can be seen, the full profile includes the supplier user's name 170, the supplier user's rating 180, as well as the supplier user's location, age, and earnings 190. A picture 200 of the supplier user may also be included. The qualifications 210 (provided by the supplier user when creating a profile and edited as necessary) is also provided. The supplier user's specialties 220 are also provided. Each of the specialties may be activatable to provide the consumer user with further information on that specific specialty. These specialties may also be used by the system as keywords against which the query can be matched against to determine if the supplier user has the requisite expertise. A billing rate 230 and any discounts or conditions regarding billing are also provided. A tagline 240 that uses a quote or other text information from the supplier user is also given. This tagline 240 may also be editable by the supplier user and can be used to give an indication of the supplier user's availability. A CALL NOW button 250 can also be provided. The CALL NOW button 250 is provided if the 32 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 supplier user is online and available for a session with the consumer user. As an alternative to an immediate session with the supplier user, the consumer user can click a booking button 260. The booking button 260 provides the consumer user with times and dates when the supplier user may be available for a session or interaction. A consumer user would select a time and date and this request for a session at that time and date would be sent to the supplier user. Other configurations for the profile screen may, of course, be possible. As one alternative, the keywords for the supplier user, other than the specialties, may also be provided on the profile screen.

[0045] For clarity, Figure 4A illustrates a generic full profile page for a supplier user and illustrates the various elements on the page. As can be seen, the supplier user's picture is provided at the top left corner and a space is provided on the top right corner for supplier user's name, user description, specialization, and rating for the supplier user.

Instead of a picture, a video may be used. Along with the above, a CALL NOW button and a BOOK A CALL button are used to provide instant access to the supplier user or, if the supplier user is not available to allow the consumer user to schedule an appointment with the supplier user. This profile view may also indicate the supplier user's rating, comments from consumer users, a summary of the supplier user's knowledge and specialties, and whatever notes the supplier user may wish to share with consumer users viewing the profile. 33 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0046] In the event the consumer user requests and immediate session or interaction with the supplier user, an interface screen as illustrated in Figure 5 would be presented. For this interface, an indication 270 of the type of communications interface being used is provided. In this example, a voice call or audio communications between the consumer user and the supplier user is provided. Other possible communication methods available may also be indicated on the interface. As can be seen, an icon for video conferencing 280 is provided, indicating that video conference capabilities are present and available. Another icon 290 indicates that the audio communication route is active. The supplier user in session is identified 300 and the length of the interaction or session is also indicated 310. The total charges for the session are provided as a running total 320. A hang-up or session termination button 330 is also provided. The consumer user's query 340 is provided to give context to the session.

[0047] In the event a video conference or a video call is desired, the interface provided in Figure 6 may be used. As can be seen, the video mode interface has the same features as the audio mode interface in Figure 5, with the exception that a video feed window 350 is active and the video icon 360 is active.

[0048] Once the session has been terminated, the consumer user is provided with a session summary (or a call summary) screen. One such screen is provided in Figure 7 as an example. As can be seen, the session summary may include identification 370 of the supplier user and the 34 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 time length of the session 380. The consumer user is provided with an opportunity to rate, grade, or otherwise provide feedback regarding the session with the supplier user 390. The total charges 400 for the session are also provided. To help promote other supplier users, other supplier users with potentially similar expertise are provided with links 410 and a link 420 for another session with the same supplier user is also given. A receipt for the session may be viewed (link 430) as well as a referral link 440 so that the consumer user may refer someone else to the same supplier user.

[0049] Referring to Figure 8, a screen shot of a consumer user's contacts or listing of supplier users that the consumer user has interacted with is provided. As can be seen, the list provides the names 460 and specialties 450 of the various supplier users previously used or consulted by the consumer user. Each supplier user is also provided with a status icon that indicates whether the specific supplier user is available for an immediate session or whether the consumer user will need to book or schedule a session. Icon 470 indicates that a particular supplier user is available for an immediate voice or audio session. Icon 480 indicates that this supplier user is available for a text based session where the consumer user and supplier user exchange text messages to respond to the consumer user's query. Icon 490 indicates that the supplier user is not available for an immediate session and that the consumer user will need to book or request for a scheduled session with the supplier user. 35 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0050] Referring to Figure 8A, a generic user's contact list is illustrated. As can be seen, the contact list includes a status for each supplier user, a "mind" field for the supplier user's name and picture, and an expertise box for a short description of the supplier user's expertise .

[0051] To assist the supplier user in managing his or her operations as a subject matter expert, the system provides a number of tools. Figures 9-12 illustrate sample screen shots of such tools. It should be clear that these specific screen shots and tools relate to the app or website as provided for supplier users and not for consumer users. However, similar tools to those illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 12 are provided for the consumer user as will be explained below.

[0052] Referring to Figure 9, a timeline tool and user interface is illustrated. For the timeline tool, the supplier user is provided with a graph of the supplier user's income on a weekly or monthly basis. This provides the supplier user with a better indication of how his or her earnings are progressing or regressing. A summary 510 of each day's developments is also provided. As can be seen, any sessions provided are listed, along with the consumer user involved, the category or expertise involved, as well as the length of the session. As well, developments 520 regarding earnings are also listed. To help the supplier user navigate the tools provided, a quick navigation bar is provided at the bottom of the screen. The timeline tool 36 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 is quickly accessed by activating the relevant timeline icon 530.

[0053] A timeline tool similar to that in Figure 9 is also provided to consumer users. However, the timeline tool for the consumer user may have, instead of a summary or graph of amounts earned, a summary or graph of amounts spent in consulting supplier users. As well, the consumer user timeline tool may include details or a recap of sessions or interactions that the consumer user has had with various supplier users on specific days. This recap will include the name of the supplier user interacted with, the length of the session, the cost of the session, and the quick access links to the recorded versions of the session. And, similar to the timeline tool for the supplier user, the timeline tool for the consumer user will detail upcoming sessions with supplier users.

[0054] To manage text messages or conversations that the supplier user may have had with other supplier users or with specific consumer users, a text management tool is provided and a screenshot for such a tool is illustrated in Figure 10. As can be seen from Figure 10, this tool provides the supplier user with all the text messages and conversations the supplier user has had each day.

The text management tool can be accessed by activating the text management icon 540 at the bottom of the screen .

[0055] The consumer user will also have a text management tool similar to that illustrated in Figure 10. The consumer user version of this tool provides the consumer user - 37 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 with all the text messages and conversations the consumer user has had each day.

[0056] To manage the supplier user's profile, a profile management tool is provided. A screen shot of this tool is provided in Figure 11. The profile management tool allows the supplier user to view, edit, and manage his or her profile. The profile management tool allows the supplier user to upload and post a video 550 that will be played whenever the profile is viewed. The supplier user's name 560 can be edited as well as the tagline 570 associated with the profile. The supplier user's photo 580, a thumbnail of which will be viewable in the listings view by a consumer user, is also editable/replaceable. To assist the consumer user in determining if the supplier user has the correct expertise, the main category 590 of the supplier user's expertise is provided. For ease of use, the system may only allow a fixed number of specific main categories of skills or expertise. Secondary categories 600, 610, related to the main category, may also be provided to help specify the supplier user's other related specialties. The supplier user's billing rate 620 (or other metric basis rate) is also editable. A supplier user's yearly salary 630 (based on a 40 hour work week) is also present based on the billing rate and may be displayed to the supplier user. This profile management tool may be accessed by activating the relevant icon 640 at the bottom of the screen.

[0057] Another tool which may be provided for the supplier user is an appointment manager tool. Such a tool would help 38 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 the supplier user in managing previous and upcoming sessions with consumer users. An example of a screenshot of such a tool is shown in Figure 12. As can be seen, a calendar 650 is provided. Past appointments or sessions are listed 660 with details about the sessions.

Upcoming sessions are also listed 670 along with how much time is left before the sessions. The tool may be called up by activating the calendar icon 680 at the bottom of the screen.

[0058] Similar to the supplier user, the consumer user is also provided with an appointments manager tool. The consumer user version of the appointments manager tool has similar functions to the supplier manager version with listings and details about past appointments or sessions, upcoming sessions, and how much time is left before the upcoming sessions. Links to copies or recordings of past sessions may also be provided to both the supplier user and the consumer user versions of the appointment manager tool.

[0059] Referring to Figure 12A, a main view or an initial user interface view of an app according to one aspect of the invention is illustrated. As can be seen, the main view includes a supplier user's profile picture, the supplier user's specialties/expertise, and quick links to recorded copies of the most recent sessions or interactions. As well, the main view includes shortcuts or quick access icons at the bottom of the screen to allow the supplier user to use the various management tools provided. A similar main view for the consumer user version of the app may include the quick access 39 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 icons for the management tools available to the consumer viewer as well as a suitable main view picture for the consumer user (e.g. similar to a wallpaper or a cover picture) and shortcuts to recorded versions of the most recent sessions that the consumer user has participated in. The main view also provides either the consumer user or the supplier user to perform searches or enter queries by means of the magnifying glass icon at the top right corner of the user interface. This allows for quick access to entering queries for the consumer user and quick search capabilities for the supplier user. As well, the top left corner allows for easy and accessible category menus for the consumer user. Thus, instead of performing a search or entering a query, a consumer user can activate the upper left icon and be presented with categories of subject matter available. Each category can further be broken down into more detailed subcategories so the consumer user can find subjects which are more focused to his needed subject matter or expertise .

[0060] It should be noted that, in addition to the components of the system illustrated in the Figures and discussed above, the system may include other modules. One such module may be a calculation module. A calculation module would perform calculations of metrics relevant to a consumer user and/or to a supplier user. To perform this, the calculation module would access the database, retrieve the relevant metric basis rate for the relevant supplier user, determine how long a specific session lasted, and calculate the metric for the session. Of course, the calculation module would take into account 40 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 any factors or other related considerations for the session. If necessary, the calculation module may access the timer that times a session and the calculation module may retrieve the session length directly from the timer.

[0061] A backup module may also be present in the system. The backup module would ensure that proper and timely backups of the data in the database are performed. Similarly, the backup module would ensure that the relevant settings and configurations for the system are also backed up so that, in the event of a system crash, the system can be quickly recovered.

[0062] It should be noted that, as the number of consumer users and supplier users increase, the system and the server may get bogged down. To ensure that the user experience is of an acceptable level, a load balancing module may be used. Such a load balancing module monitors the resources available to the system (including memory, storage, processor capacity, and network transmission bandwidth available). If the module determines that free resources reach a specific threshold, the module offloads tasks (where possible) to other available servers, databases, or processors. Thus, a server cluster may be used to operate the system such that a single logical database is present. Once one server has too many users or too many sessions in progress, the load balancing module may off-load or pass other incoming connections, users, or sessions to other servers in the same server cluster . 41 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 [0063] As noted above, the system includes the capability to record and store interactions or sessions between the supplier user and the consumer user. These recorded sessions can be played back by any of the participants and are accessible by quick links through the appointments management tool, the timeline management tool, or by other means using different user interfaces used by the system. Depending on the configuration of the system, the recorded sessions may be stored on the database or on another system which communicates with the system of the invention.

[0064] Referring to Figure 13, a flowchart detailing the steps in a method according to another aspect of the invention is illustrated. The method detailed in Figure 13 is for facilitating interactions between consumer users and supplier users. As can be seen, the method starts with step 700, that of receiving a query from a consumer user. This query is transmitted to a server and the query is analyzed by the server in step 720. In step 730, a database of supplier user profiles is accessed and the profiles of supplier users with relevant expertise to respond to the query are retrieved (step 740) .

[0065] The profiles retrieved are then compiled and presented to the consumer user (step 750). Once the consumer user has selected a selected supplier user, the system receives the consumer user's selection (step 760). Once the consumer user has also requested a session with the selected supplier user and once the supplier user has accepted the request, the system activates at least one 42 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 of the communications modules (step 770) for the session between the consumer user and the supplier user. Once the system receives a deactivation signal for the session, the communications module is deactivated (step 780). The timing or length of the session is then determined (step 790). This can be done by simply accessing the timer used to time the session. The basis for a metric for the session is then retrieved (step 800) and the metric for the session is calculated (step 810) based on the timing and the metric basis previously retrieved. Other steps may also be taken including receiving feedback from the consumer user and/or the supplier user for the session. Such feedback can then be used to calculate the aggregated rating or score for the consumer user or the supplier user.

[0066] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the system may be implemented as an internal communications system for accessing expertise within an organization or as an expert consultation system for use by a closed group of consumer users. For such an embodiment, the system would store profiles of employees with specific expertise and other employees would be able to avail of such specific expertise using the system. As an example, employee A from the accounting department might have need of expertise regarding the Microsoft Word™ software package. Instead of simply calling the IT help desk, employee A would search, using the system, for a fellow employee who is available for a quick consultation and who specializes in the specific software package. This would save employee A the time it would normally take to navigate a potentially arcane 43 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 IT department with its various levels of technical support. Similarly, another employee in another department might have a question regarding marketing and, instead of blindly calling the marketing department, that employee could search for specific expertise (within the marketing department) that could address his queries.

[0067] In the above embodiment, something akin to tracking how much time used in querying experts may be used. As an example, instead of people from one department having to renumerate people with expertise in another department, tracking can be performed in the form of a budgeted time for each department. Thus, department A may have X number of expertise minutes (on a monthly or yearly basis) it might use in consulting people using the system. Every time a person from department A uses the system to consult with other employees who have specific expertise, the time used is set off against department A's budgeted time allotment. As an example, we can assume department A is allocated 200 minutes a month to consult with, for example, department B. Any time spent by an employee from department A consulting with an employee from department B for expertise (and using the system) would be deducted from the allocated 200 minutes .

[0068] The system may, in another implementation, also be used by an organization to provide expert consultant (a closed group) availability to one or more individuals or organizations or to, essentially, another closed group of consumer users. Of course, the supplier users would 44 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 also be a closed group in this implementation. As an example, an accounting firm, with multiple accountants with varying levels and areas of expertise, may use the system to provide accounting expertise to individuals or to other organizations. Clients of the accounting firm may be allotted blocks of time to be used in consulting the various accountants. Thus, client A (which may be an organization) may be allotted 5 hours of consulting time and any time spent in consultation with any of the accountants of the accounting firm (and using the system) would be counted against that 5 hours of consulting time. Similarly, another client, an individual, may be allotted an hour of consulting time for an expert (employed by the accounting firm) in Panamanian tax law. For such an implementation, depending on the configuration of the system, the profiles of the supplier users (i.e. the subject matter experts) may be provided with a time rate (for those who are allotted consulting time on an ad hoc basis) or without a time rate (for those who are allotted blocks of consulting time). The system allows clients and organizations worldwide to thereby access expertise from a specific organization on a time basis.

[0069] The embodiments of the invention may be executed by a computer processor or similar device programmed in the manner of method steps, or may be executed by an electronic system which is provided with means for executing these steps. Similarly, an electronic memory means such as computer diskettes, CD-ROMs, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM) or similar computer software storage media known in the art, may be - 45 - 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 programmed to execute such method steps. As well, electronic signals representing these method steps may also be transmitted via a communication network.

[0070] Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language. For example, preferred embodiments may be implemented in a procedural programming language (e.g."C") or an object-oriented language (e.g."C++", "java", "PHP", "PYTHON" or "C#"). Alternative embodiments of the invention may be implemented as pre-programmed hardware elements, other related components, or as a combination of hardware and software components.

[0071] Embodiments can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system. Such implementations may include a series of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable medium (e.g., a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk) or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device, such as a communications adapter connected to a network over a medium. The medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g., optical or electrical communications lines) or a medium implemented with wireless techniques (e.g., microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques). The series of computer instructions embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that such computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Furthermore, such instructions may be 46 2016102103 12 Dec 2016 stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other transmission technologies. It is expected that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink-wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server over a network (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web). Of course, some embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a combination of both software (e.g., a computer program product) and hardware. Still other embodiments of the invention may be implemented as entirely hardware, or entirely software (e.g., a computer program product).

[0072] A person understanding this invention may now conceive of alternative structures and embodiments or variations of the above all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow. 47

Claims (21)

1. We claim:

   1. A system for facilitating online interactions between at least one consumer user and at least one supplier user, the system comprising: - a server comprising: - a supplier database, said supplier database containing a plurality of supplier profiles for a plurality of supplier users, each of said supplier profiles detailing at least one specific expertise of a specific supplier user, and a plurality of expertise keywords relating to said at least one specific expertise; - a plurality of communications modules, each of said plurality of communications modules being for facilitating direct online communications between at least one consumer user and one of said plurality of supplier users; and - at least one processor for: - receiving a query from said at least one consumer user; - determining, based on said query, query keywords for expertise relating to said query; - searching said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - retrieving supplier user profiles based on said query for said at least one supplier profile whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - presenting supplier user profiles retrieved based on said query, said supplier profiles retrieved being presented to said at least one consumer user; - receiving input from said at least one consumer user selecting one of said supplier profiles presented, said input indicating a selected supplier user; - activating at least one of said plurality of communications modules to send and receive data from said selected supplier user and sending data received from said selected supplier user to said at least one consumer user to thereby allow for an interaction between said selected supplier user and said at least one consumer user; - deactivating said at least one of said plurality of communications modules when said interaction is terminated; - determining a duration for said interaction. 2 A system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of communications modules is for at least one of: ~ audio communications; - video conferencing; - video communications; - allowing said consumer user to view a screen of said selected supplier user; a network based video seminar; and - text communications.
2. 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a backup module for backing up said database.
3. 4. A system according to claim 1 further including a consumer database containing consumer user profiles.
4. 5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said duration is only determined for real-time or near real-time interactions.
5. 6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said processor is further for timing how long said interaction between said at least one consumer user and said selected supplier user occurs.
6. 7. A system for online interactions between a consumer user and a supplier user, the system comprising: - a server; - a database containing profiles; - a processor; wherein - said system receives a query from said consumer user; - based on said query, said processor searches said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query; - said system activates at least one communications module such that said consumer user and said at least one supplier user are in online communications with each other to discuss said query; - said system determines a duration for an interaction between said consumer user and said supplier user using said at least one communications module.
7. 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said system activates said at least one communications modules to send and receive data from said supplier user and sending data received from said supplier user to said consumer user.
8. 9. A system according to claim 7 further comprising a calculation module for use with said duration of said interaction .
9. 10. A system according to claim 7 wherein said at least one communications module is for at least one of: - audio communications; - video conferencing; - video communications; - allowing said consumer user to view a screen of said selected supplier user; - a network based video seminar; and - text communications.
10. 11. A method for facilitating interactions between a consumer user and a supplier user, the method comprising: a) receiving a query from said consumer user regarding a specific topic; b) searching a database for profiles of supplier users who have expertise in said specific topic; c) compiling a list of supplier users who have said expertise in said specific topic; d) sending said list to said consumer user; e) receiving an indication of a selected supplier user from said consumer user, said selected consumer user being selected from said list; f) receiving a request from said consumer user for interaction with said selected supplier user; g) activating at least one communications module to allow said consumer user to communicate and interact with said selected supplier user.
11. 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the step of: h) after interactions between said consumer user and said selected supplier user have terminated, determining a duration for said interactions and reporting said duration to said consumer user and said selected supplier user.
12. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein only interactions which are in real-time or near real-time are timed.
13. 14. A method according to claim 12 wherein said duration of said interactions between said consumer user and said selected supplier user is used by said server for calculating at least one metric specific to said interactions between said consumer user and said selected supplier user.
14. 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein said list sent to said consumer user comprises profiles of said supplier users with said expertise.
15. 16. A method according to claim 11 wherein said query is parsed to determine keywords relating to said query.
16. 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein said at least one communications module is for at least one of: - audio communications; - video conferencing; - video communications; - allowing said consumer user to view a screen of said selected supplier user; - a network based video seminar; and - text communications.
17. 18. A method according to claim 11 wherein, prior to step g) , said consumer user requests a specific date and time for said interaction to occur and step g) is executed only at said specific date and time.
18. 19. A method according to claim 11 wherein, upon receipt of said request in step f) , sending said request and said query to said selected supplier user for acceptance.
19. 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein a consumer user profile is also sent to said selected supplier user along with said request and said query.
20. 21. A system for facilitating online interactions between at least one consumer user and at least one supplier user, the system comprising: - a server comprising: - a supplier database, said supplier database containing a plurality of supplier profiles for a plurality of supplier users, each of said supplier profiles detailing at least one specific expertise of a specific supplier user, and a plurality of expertise keywords relating to said at least one specific expertise; - a plurality of communications modules, each of said plurality of communications modules being for facilitating direct online communications between at least one consumer user and one of said plurality of supplier users; and - at least one processor for: - receiving a query from said at least one consumer user; - determining, based on said query, query keywords for expertise relating to said query; - searching said database for at least one supplier user whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - retrieving supplier user profiles based on said query for said at least one supplier profile whose at least one specific expertise relates to said query keywords; - presenting supplier user profiles retrieved based on said query, said supplier profiles retrieved being presented to said at least one consumer user; - receiving input from said at least one consumer user selecting one of said supplier profiles presented, said input indicating a selected supplier user; - activating at least one of said plurality of communications modules to send and receive data from said selected supplier user and sending data received from said selected supplier user to said at least one consumer user to thereby allow for an interaction between said selected supplier user and said at least one consumer user; and - deactivating said at least one of said plurality of communications modules when said interaction is terminated.
21. 22. The ornamental design for a graphical user interface for a display screen or portion thereof, as shown and described in any of Figures 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8A, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 12A.