MXPA04004425A

MXPA04004425A - Request matching system and method.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04004425A
Application number: MXPA04004425A
Authority: MX
Inventors: John Isaac Stephen
Original assignee: Sitra Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-07
Filing date: 2002-11-06
Publication date: 2005-03-31
Also published as: AR037267A1; CN1610913A; WO2003040971A1; CN1656489A; EP1451737A1; WO2003040972A1; JP2005508558A; TW200300534A; BR0213993A; EP1449137A1

Abstract

A real-time request matching system for and method of matching free-format requests of users, as requestors, to providers in servicing the requests, each of the requestors having at least one communicator for making requests and addressing replies thereto and each of the providers having at least one communicator for addressing requests and respective replies thereto, the method comprising the steps of: receiving requests from requestors; for each request, providing for the request to be relayed to selected providers as addressed thereby; receiving replies from selected providers, the replies received being made by the respective providers based on the respective requests; and one or both of supplying, for each request, information regarding the respective requestor to any providers having provided a positive reply to the respective request, with a positive reply indicating that a provider is able to meet a request, and information regarding replies from selected providers to the respective request to the respective requestor.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CORRESPONDENCE OF PETITIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with a request matching system and with a method for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers to service the requests. The present invention finds application in many fields, but particularly in classification structures where a user, such as an applicant, wishes to make a request of a community of interest, that is, a plurality of suppliers that are commonly classified. It is contemplated that the present invention will find particular application in relation to commercial classifications, where the suppliers are grouped according to the goods or services provided. Such trade classifications are currently implemented in a local business directory, such as the Yellow Pages® or the Thomson Directory® in the United Kingdom and when searching for goods or services, a person would use the local directory to locate a supplier for the goods or services . When using such directory, a person Ref .: 155754 would first determine the classification most likely to supply the goods or services, review the corresponding section in the directory, select one or more providers and then call those suppliers by phone. When telephoning the providers, the same request, for example, "can you provide goods / service X, for the cost Y and before the date Z? W, you would have to do repeatedly to each provider." Frequently, especially if the If the request is specific, for example, "Do you have the car part X in inventory?", the person would have to make phone calls to many of the selected providers before finding a provider that can satisfy the request. when more than one supplier has to be identified, for example, such as to allow a comparison of costs, delivery times, etc. Such a process is very time consuming, having to first identify possible suppliers and subsequently establish a conversation with many suppliers until that one or more providers are identified to be able to satisfy the request and also relatively expensive, by incurring telephone costs to partners with telephone calls to each of the many providers. Although it is contemplated that the present invention will find particular application in relation to commercial classifications, the present invention also has application in relation to many other classification structures. One such other classification structure is dissemination classifications, where a request is disseminated to a plurality of providers, which allows responses from all providers to be obtained and provides registration of one or both of the positive and negative responses of the providers and also those providers that do not respond. It is contemplated that such classifications could find application when obtaining information in response to an interrogation, for example, when integrating commercial lists or scrutiny. Other such classification structures are community classifications, where people who have a common interest are commonly classified such as to allow a request to be made by an applicant, who may be a provider in the classification of communities, of a or all other people in the community classification, as providers. An example of a community classification is a local help group whose members offer help on an ad hoc basis, where requests can be made for help from members. An additional classification structure of such other classification structures are classifications by task, where a request is made to a plurality of suppliers that require the performance of a task. It is contemplated that such classifications would find particular application in the corporate environment, where requests can be made from particular departments, for example, the purchasing or marketing departments. Still an additional classification structure of such classification structures are promotion classifications, where a particular promotion is made, commonly for a short period of time and supported by a plurality of providers. An example of a promotion classification is vacation breaks, for example, fixed price weekend breaks, where providers wish to join the promotion option in the classification. In a preferred modality, suppliers would have the ability to take an option inside and outside the classification subject to the availability of goods or services provided by the respective suppliers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a matching system and method that provides matching of requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers without an applicant having to identify potential suppliers and contacting those suppliers to determine if it can be fulfill a request.

In one aspect the present invention provides a matching system for matching requests from users, such as requesters, to providers to service requests, each of the applicants has at least one communicator to make requests and direct respective responses to the same and each of the providers has at least one communicator to deal with the requests and respective responses to them, the system comprises: at least one unit receiving requests to receive requests from applicants; at least one request-relay unit to provide for each of the requests to be relieved to selected providers as they are treated by them; At least one response receiving unit to receive responses from suppliers, the responses received are made by the respective suppliers, as human decision makers, based on the respective requests and at least one unit that provides information for one or both of providers, for each request, information regarding the respective applicant and any providers that have provided a positive response to the respective request, a positive response indicates that a provider is able to comply with a request and information concerning responses from selected suppliers to the respective petition to the respective applicant.

Preferably, the system is a real-time correspondence system. Preferably, the requests are free format requests. Preferably, the requests include voice requests. Preferably, communicators include mobile communicators, such as telephones, handheld computers (PDAs), personal computers and gaming devices. Preferably, communicators include fixed communicators, such as telephones, fax machines, personal computers, set-top boxes of apparatus and game consoles. Preferably, communicators include fixed / mobile combo communicators, such as telephones. In one embodiment, the system comprises: at least one input communications unit, each comprising at least one request receiving unit. In one embodiment, the system comprises: at least one external communication unit, each comprising at least one request relay unit, at least one response receiving unit and at least one information providing unit. In another embodiment, the system comprises: at least one communication unit, each comprising at least one request receiving unit, at least one request relaying unit, at least one response receiving unit and at least one information provider unit. In one embodiment, the at least one request relay unit is configured to relay a request directly to the communicators of selected providers. Preferably, the at least one request relay unit is configured to provide a request to be relieved without any interrogation thereof to establish the content. Preferably, the at least one request receiving unit includes a plurality of receivers for receiving requests, each request having a classification contact address associated with a predeterminable classification. More preferably, the classification contact addresses are dialing numbers. In one embodiment the system further comprises: at least one provider selection unit for selecting suppliers dealing with a request. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both geographical locations or geographical zones assigned to the suppliers. In a modality, the geographical location assigned to the respective request is a current geographic location of the respective applicant. Preferably, the current geographical location is determined from a communicator contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographic location as assigned by the respective applicant. Preferably, the alternative geographic location is determined from a contact address of the communicator, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. Preferably, the geographic location of the mobile communicators is determined from one of cell identification, triangulation, radio positioning or positioning by satellites, such as GPS.

Preferably, the geographic location of the fixed communicators is determined from respective assigned locations. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit. is configured to select suppliers by a request within a spatial geographic area that can be defaulted in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. More preferably, the spatially predeterminable geographical area is one of a geographical radius in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request, a travel distance in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request or a travel time in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the applicant for the respective applicant, such as geographically related information and socioeconomic information, such as a characteristic assigned to the respective applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one provider characteristic for providers, such as requiring applicants to have a predeterminable profile or provide contact details, as a feature assigned to the respective providers. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part at the current time. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers by a request based at least in part on at least one classification characteristic, such as a selection mechanism for selecting suppliers, as an assigned characteristic. for the respective classification. Preferably, the at least one request-relay unit is configured to relieve a request to a predetermined number of selected providers as it is treated by it. Preferably, the at least one request-relay unit is configured to multicast a request to selected providers wherein the request is to be relayed to a plurality of providers as treated therein. Preferably, the at least one information providing unit is configured, for a request, to provide information concerning suppliers that have provided a positive response to the respective request to the respective requester. In another aspect, the present invention provides a matching system for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to providers to service the requests, the system comprising: a plurality of communicators from the requester, each one being for the use of the Applicants to make requests and deal with responses to them, at least some of the responses include information concerning responses from selected providers, such as human decision makers, to respective requests and, a plurality of communicators from the provider, each one is for use of the providers to deal with requests and responses to them, the requests are sent to the respective selected suppliers as they are treated and at least one of the answers includes information concerning the applicant of a respective request where a positive response has been provided to the respective request, a positive response in It says that a provider is able to fulfill a request.

Preferably, the system is a real-time correspondence system. Preferably, the requests are free format requests. Preferably, the requests include voice requests. Preferably, the communicators include mobile communicators, such as telephones, PDAs, personal computers and gaming devices. Preferably, communicators include fixed communicators, such as telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, (set-top boxes) of apparatus and game consoles. Preferably, the communicators include hand-held / mobile communicators, such as telephones. In one modality, a request is directly sent to the respective selected providers. Preferably, a request is relieved without any interrogation of it to establish the content. Preferably, the system further comprises: a communications unit that includes a plurality of receivers to receive requests, each request having a classification contact address associated with a predeterminable classification.

More preferably, the addresses of the classification contact are dial numbers. Preferably, providers are selected for a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both geographical locations or geographic zones assigned to the providers. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is a current geographic location of the respective requester. Preferably, the current geographical location is determined from the communicator contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographic location as assigned by the respective applicant. Preferably, the alternative geographic location is determined from a contact address of the communicator, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number.

Preferably, the providers are selected within a predetermined spatial geographical area in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. Preferably, the providers are selected by a request based at least in part on a characteristic of the applicant for the respective applicant, such as geographically related information and socioeconomic information, as assigned characteristic for the respective applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request. Preferably, providers are selected for a request based at least in part on at least one provider characteristic for providers, such as requiring applicants to have a predeterminable profile or providing contact details, as a feature assigned to providers. respective. Preferably, providers are selected for a request based at least in part on the current time. Preferably, the suppliers are selected for a request based at least in part on at least one classification characteristic, such as a selection mechanism for selecting suppliers, as a characteristic assigned for the respective classification. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a matching system for matching requests from users, such as requesters, to providers to service requests, each of the applicants has at least one communicator to make requests and deal with responses to them and each of the providers has at least one communicator to process requests, the system comprises: at least one unit receiving requests to receive requests from applicants; at least one request relay unit to provide for each of the requests to be relieved to selected providers as they are treated by them and at least one unit receiving responses to receive responses from suppliers, the responses received are made by the respective suppliers, as human decision makers, based on the respective requests. In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a matching system for matching requests from users, as applicants, to providers to service the requests, the system comprising: a plurality of communicators from the requestor, each being for use by the applicants to make requests and deal with respective responses to them; a plurality of communicators of the provider, each one is for use by the providers to deal with requests and respective responses to them and at least one communication unit that can communicate with the communicators of the applicant and the communicators of the provider and which includes at least one supplier selection unit to select suppliers to process a request made by an applicant; where, for each request, the system is configured in such a way that the request is provided to be released to selected providers, as human decision-makers, as they are treated by them. Preferably, the system is further configured in such a way that, for a request, the respective requester is supplied with information concerning responses of selected providers to the respective request. Preferably, the system is a real-time correspondence system. Preferably, the requests are free format requests. Preferably, the requests include voice requests. Preferably, the communicators include mobile communicators, such as telephones, PDAs, personal computers and gaming devices.

Preferably, communicators include fixed communicators, such as telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, (set-top boxes) of apparatus and game consoles. Preferably, communicators include fixed / mobile combo communicators, such as telephones. In one modality the system is configured in such a way that a request is directly relayed to the communicators of the selected provider of providers. Preferably, the system is configured to provide a request to be relieved without any interrogation to it to establish the content. Preferably, the at least one communication unit includes a plurality of receivers for receiving requests, each request having a classification contact address associated with a predeterminable classification. More preferably, the classification contact addresses are dialing numbers. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both geographic locations or geographic zones assigned to the suppliers.

In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is a current geographic location of the respective requester. Preferably, the current geographical location is determined from a communicator communicator's contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographic location as assigned by the respective applicant. Preferably, the alternative geographic location is determined from a communicator contact address of a communicator, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers within a spatial geographic area that can be defaulted in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. More preferably, the spatially predeterminable geographical area is one of a geographical radius in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request, a travel distance in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request or a travel time in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the applicant for the respective applicant, such as geographically related information and socioeconomic information, such as a characteristic assigned to the applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one provider characteristic for providers, such as requiring applicants to have a predeterminable profile or provide contact details, as assigned characteristic for the respective suppliers. Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on the current time.

Preferably, the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one classification characteristic, such as a selection mechanism to select suppliers, as a characteristic assigned for the respective classification. Preferably, the system is configured in such a way as to provide a request to be relieved to the communicators of the provider from a predetermined number of respective selected providers as it is treated by the same. Preferably, the system is configured to multicast a request to the communicators of the respective selected provider of providers in which the respective request is to be relayed to a plurality of providers as it is treated by it. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for matching requests from users, such as requesters, to suppliers to service requests, each of the applicants has at least one communicator to make requests and to deal with responses to the requests. and each of the providers has at least one communicator to process requests and responses to them, the method comprising the steps of: receiving requests from applicants; for each request, provide for the petition to be relieved to selected providers as it is treated by it; receive responses from the selected suppliers, the answers received are made by respective suppliers, as human decision makers, based on the respective requests and one or both of them to provide, for each request, information regarding the respective applicant to any suppliers that have Provided a positive response to the respective request, a positive response indicates that a provider is able to comply with a request and information concerning responses of selected providers to the respective request to the respective applicant. Preferably, the method is a method of real-time correspondence. Preferably, the requests are free format requests. Preferably, the requests include voice requests. Preferably, communicators include mobile communicators, such as telephones, PDAs, personal computers and gaming devices. Preferably, communicators include fixed communicators, such as telephones, facsimile machines, personal computers, (set-top boxes) of apparatus and game consoles.

Preferably, communicators include fixed / mobile combo communicators, such as telephones. In an embodiment, the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected providers as it is treated by means of the same comprises the step of: releasing a request directly to the communicators of selected suppliers. Preferably, a request is relieved without any interrogation of it to establish the content. Preferably, the step of receiving requests from applicants comprises the step of: receiving requests from applicants in a plurality of receivers, each of the requests having a classification contact address associated with a predeterminable classification. More preferably, the classification contact addresses are dialing numbers. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request. Preferably, the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both of geographic locations or geographic zones assigned to suppliers. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is a current geographic location of the respective requester. Preferably, the current geographical location is determined from a communicator contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. More preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. In one embodiment, the geographic location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographic location as assigned by the respective applicant. Preferably, the alternative geographic location is determined from a contact address of the communicator, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. Preferably, the contact address of the communicator is a dialing number. Preferably, the geographic location of the mobile communicators is determined from one of cell identification, triangulation, radio positioning or satellite positioning, such as GPS. Preferably, the geographical location of the fixed communicators is determined from an assigned location. Preferably, the step of selecting respective providers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request within the spatial geographic area predeterminable in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. More preferably, the spatially predeterminable geographical area is one of a geographical radius in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request, a travel distance in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request or a travel time in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. Preferably, the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the applicant for the respective applicant, such as geographically related information and socio-economic information, as a characteristic assigned to the respective applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request.

Preferably, the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on at least one provider characteristic for the suppliers, such as requiring applicants to have a pre-defined profile or providing contact details, as a feature assigned to the respective providers. Preferably, the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on the current time. Preferably, the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on at least one classification characteristic, such as a selection mechanism for selecting suppliers, as a characteristic assigned for the respective classification. Preferably, the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected providers as treated by the same comprises the step of: providing for a request to be relieved to a predetermined number of selected providers as treated by them.

Preferably, the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected providers as treated by them comprises the step of: multiplying a request to selected suppliers, wherein the request will be referred to a plurality of providers as it is treated through them. Preferably, the providing information step comprises the step of: supplying, for a request, information concerning suppliers that have provided a positive response to the request to the respective requester. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for matching requests from users, such as requesters, to providers to service requests, each of the applicants has at least one communicator to make requests and to deal with responses to the requests. and each of the providers has at least one communicator to process requests, the method comprising the steps of: receiving requests from applicants; for each request, provide for the petition to be released to selected providers as it is treated by them and receive responses from suppliers, the answers received are made by the respective suppliers, as human decision makers, based on the respective requests.

In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for matching requests from users, such as requesters, to providers to service requests, the method comprising the steps of: receiving signals comprising requests from requesters; for each request, transmitting a signal to selected providers comprising the request as received; receive signals comprising responses from selected suppliers, responses are made by the respective suppliers based on the respective requests and for each request, transmit one or both of a signal comprising information concerning the respective applicant to any providers that have provided a positive response to the respective request, a positive response indicates that a provider is able to comply with a request and a signal comprising information concerning responses of selected suppliers to the respective request to the respective applicant. The present invention, which is known as the Respon ™ matching system, provides an automated matching system, which allows in particular voice requests and especially free format requests, is matched with suppliers who have received a request and have confirmed that You can fulfill the request.

In a preferred embodiment, this correspondence is obtained based on a location associated with the requester, commonly the communicator's location of the requester, the assigned locations of the providers in the selected classification and the selected classification. In other modalities, the current time and characteristics of one or both of the applicant and the providers can be used can be used in the selection of providers. With the present invention, the request as received is relieved, reproduced for voice requests, to selected suppliers, and if a provider can not satisfy the request, the provider simply has to decline the request, commonly by means of a response from "decline", a keystroke corresponding to a "decline" response or simply hanging up the communicator. As the request is released, all communication by applicants and providers is a one-way communication. Thus, there is no direct conversation required between the applicant and a provider, both parties avoid the task that takes a long time to have to establish a polished discussion when the provider can not satisfy the request. A direct conversation follows only between the applicant and a provider who can satisfy the request. The present invention provides automated matching and still allows human personal free format style communication. Preferred embodiments of the present invention, by using free format requests, provide applicants the freedom to frame requests as desired; the language and form of the requests are not restricted, such as requiring the applicant to use predetermined keywords. In addition, the present invention only relieves requests from suppliers who wish to receive requests and are in a position to service requests, for example, suppliers that are open and within a specific geographical area, as determined by the particular classification. In the present invention, they are human decision makers, as opposed to a computer, who receive the requests and can intelligently interpret the requests. This avoids the problems associated with correspondence systems that require that the requests be defined using predetermined keywords, for example, through the use of displayed menus. In addition, the present invention finds application both within a private environment, such as it is put into operation by organizations for use by members of the organization and a public environment, which allows use by members of the public.

In certain embodiments, the present invention can be configured to predispose a correspondence in favor of either the applicant or selected providers. It is contemplated that this is appropriate within some niche applications, notably in the private environment. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter as examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a matching system for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers for service requests according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The correspondence system comprises at least one telephony management system (TM) 1, in this first and second mode TM, la, Ib, to handle incoming telephone calls and outgoing telephone calls from the correspondence system. In another modality, the correspondence system could include a single TM 1 system and in additional modalities could include any number, from tens to hundreds of TM systems 1. In this modality TM systems, Ib, are co-localized, but in other modalities they could be remotely located. In one such other modality, TM la, Ib systems could be located in separate locations in a geographic region. As an example, in the United Kingdom, a TM system could be located in one center, for example, London, to serve the southern half of the United Kingdom and the other TM Ib system could be located in another center, for example, Glasgow, to service the northern half of the United Kingdom. In other modalities, which include many TM 1 systems, TM 1 systems could be located in major centers, for example, cities and towns, in a whole geographic region. The correspondence system further comprises a first communications network 3 that provides a communication link to and between. In this embodiment, where the TM la, Ib systems are co-located, the communications network 3 comprises a local area network (LAN), such as an Ethernet. In other embodiments, where the TM, the Ib systems are remotely located, the communications network 3 could comprise a telephone network, preferably an integrated services digital network (ISDN). "Each of the TM systems, Ib they comprise an incoming telephony management unit (ITM) 5 for handling incoming telephone calls from applicants on incoming telephone lines 7, preferably ISDN lines.In this mode, multiple subscriber numbering (MSN) is employed in such a manner that a plurality of applicants each requiring the same classification can be simultaneously supported.The ITM unit 5 comprises an interactive input speech response module (IIVR) 11 which is connected to the incoming telephone lines 7 to verify telephone calls from input and supports voice and key tones, an input telephony application management module (ITAM) 13 to generate documents of requests corresponding to the requests, in this voice request mode, in each of the incoming telephone calls and transmit them to a supplier selection unit 33a, 33b, 33c as will be described in more detail later herein, a first, classification characteristics (CC) database 15 for storing the classification characteristics for each classification that is connected to the ITAM module 13 and an applicant information database (RI) 17 for storing information concerning the applicants which is connected to the ITAM module 13. With this configuration, the database of CC 15 and the database of RI 17 are not accessible to module 11, thereby ensuring the database of RI 17 to be accessed by a third part. In this embodiment the ITM unit 5 includes an invasion detector between the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13 such as to verify, commonly by identifying unusual packets, invading third parties and thereby providing security for the ITAM module 13. In this mode the communication between the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13 is through the communications protocol VoiceXML In this embodiment, a request document generated by the ITAM module 13 includes at least one classification identifier which, in this mode, is the called number, that is, the telephone number called by the applicant and identifies the classification to which the request will be matched, an applicant identifier which, in this modality, is the call line identification (CLI) of the applicant's telephone, that is, the telephone number to which the system or positive response providers are located. in contact in. response with the petition and identify the applicant and a petition file corresponding to the request to be released to the providers, in this modality a voice file corresponding to the voice request to be reproduced to the providers. In an alternative embodiment, the applicant's identifier is a telephone number derived from either the CLI of an applicant's telephone or information, for example, which includes an authentication code, provided by the requester when making the request. In an alternative embodiment, as will be described in more detail later herein, a request document generated by the ITAM module 13 could omit the request file for the request where the file is stored in a file memory 19 which is accessible to allow the request to be subsequently relieved. In this embodiment, a request document generated by the ITAM module 13 includes a location identifier that identifies the location of the search center, where the applicant's location can not be determined from the identifier of the applicant in the identification unit. from provider 33a, 33b, 33c. Typical examples where the applicant's identifier does not allow the applicant's location to be determined as a result of the applicant being out of the directory and the applicant has not otherwise provided an address for the call number or the calling telephone is a mobile phone or where the applicant requires an alternative location for the search center. In this mode, the location identifier is a telephone number, different from the call telephone number, which is provided by the applicant to represent the location of the search center.

In this modality the database of CC 15 is a database of the structured interrogation language (SQL). In this embodiment the components of the ITM unit 5, ie, the IIVR module 11, the ITAM module 13, the CC database 15 and the RI database 17, are co-located. In other embodiments, the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13 may be co-located and one or both of the CC database 15 and the RI database 17 remotely located. In this embodiment, the communication network between the ITAM module 13 and the CC database 15 and the RI database 17 is a virtual private network (VPN). In further embodiments one or both of the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13 may be remotely located and the CC database 15 and the RI database 17 be co-located. In still one embodiment all the components of the ITM unit 5, i.e., the IIVR module 11, the ITAM unit 13, the CC database 15 and the RI database 17, can be remotely located. Each of the TM systems, Ib, further comprises a file memory 19 for storing classification greetings and indications for the supported classifications. As mentioned hereinabove, in one embodiment the file memory 19 stores the request files for each of the requests of the applicants. This storage of the request files allows the request files to be retrieved and thus the request documents do not need to include the request files, which provide significantly higher traffic flows for the same system capacity, since the request documents They are much smaller in size. The operation of the ITM units 5 of the systems TM, Ib will now be described later herein. Each of the ITM units 5 receives incoming telephone calls on the respective incoming telephone lines 7 of the communicators of the requester 20, in this mode telephones, with the particular ITM unit 5 receiving the telephone call that is determined by the called number, that is, the telephone number called by an applicant. In this embodiment, wherein the matching system is configured to function as a commercial classification matching system, an applicant is able to select from a plurality of classification entries corresponding to different kinds of goods and services providers. Each classification entry has an associated telephone number which an applicant has to dial to have access to the correspondence system for that classification and in this modality is the classification identifier that determines the search criteria, the correspondence criteria and the criteria of termination by which the correspondence operation is performed, as will be described in more detail later herein. In one embodiment, each classification entry may include a summary of one or both of the services or goods in order to enable an applicant to determine that the correct classification is selected for the particular request. For each incoming call, the IIVR module 11 transmits the calling number and the calling number, that is, the calling line identification (CLI) of the communicator 20 of the requester, the calling communicator, to the ITAM module 13. In this mode the communicator of the applicant 20 can be a landline, a mobile phone, a fixed / mobile combined telephone or a PDA. Then the ITAM module 13 queries the called number in the CC 15 database and retrieves the classification greeting file identifier so that the "classification" greeting is reproduced to the requestor. Where the called number is not associated with a classification, for example, where the called number was previously used in association with a classification but was not currently in use, the ITAM module 13 instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute an "unassigned classification" script, which plays a "unassigned classification" greeting and closes the call connection. Where the calling communicator 20 does not have CLI, such as when CLI is prohibited, the ITAM module 13 instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute a "held number" script, which reproduces a "retained number" greeting that instructs the applicant that enables the CLI of the calling telephone or that provides an authentication code concerning the registration as an authenticated requester. In this mode, the system is configured to allow an applicant to proceed with a request only when the incoming call has a CLI. By requiring the use of CLI 20 enabled communicators, abuse of the system by the applicants who address responses to third parties can be prevented. Where the calling communicator 20 has a CLI, then the ITAM module 13 queries the communicator CLI calling 20 in the RI 17 database to confirm the requester information, which includes confirmation that the location information is available for the CLI and obtain the default preferences of the applicant, such as whether the details of the applicant for the applicant are to be provided to suppliers or retained. Where the calling communicator CLI 20 is that of a fixed communicator and the RI 17 database includes location information for the CLI of the calling telephone, the ITAM 13 module instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute a hyphen of "fixed applicant". Where the CLI of the caller 20 is that of a mobile communicator and the RI database 17 does not include any predetermined location information for the CLI of the caller 20, the ITAM module 13 determines the location of the communicator that calls 20 of the network information and instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute the "mobile requester" script. In this mode, the cell ID for the caller 20 is used to determine the location of the requester, such cell ID is representative of the cell, this is a geographical area, in which, the communicator calling 20 is located , the ITAM module 13 queries the cell ID in the RI database 17 to obtain the location of the calling communicator 20. In other modalities, the calling communicator 20 of the requestor can be determined by triangulation, radio positioning or positioning by satellites, such as GPS. Where there is CLI, but the location can not be determined from CLI, such as when the applicant is outside the directory, that is, where the requestor has required the service provider not to reveal the location information corresponding to the number of the requester communicator 20 and no other location information can be provided by the applicant, the ITAM module 13 queries the search vector for the classification corresponding to the called number in the CC 15 database to determine if there is a vector to handle location-independent applicants. Where there is a vector to handle location-independent applicants, the ITAM module 13 uses that vector. Where there is no vector to handle location-independent applicants, the ITAM module 13 instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute a "required location" script that reproduces a "required location" greeting and asks the requester for information about the location. location, commonly the number of a known enabled CLI phone, for which location information is maintained in the CC 15 database, to act as the search center. Where there is a CLI, but the calling number is from a switch (managed by operator or automated), the ITAM module 13 instructs the IIVR 11 module to execute an appropriate "switch requester" script. Under the scripts of "fixed applicant" and "mobile requester", the IIVR module 11 reproduces a greeting of "classification title" corresponding to the identifier to the classification greeting retrieved and then a greeting of "request request" that requests the request of the applicant. For example, where the number called corresponds to the classification "toy stores", in this modality the classification greeting would be "welcome to the Responsa ™ classification for toy stores" and the "make request" greeting would be "for Please leave your request after the tone and hang up when finished. " Under the "switch requester" script, the IIVR module 11 in turn plays the "classification title" greeting corresponding to the recovered classification greeting identifier, an "extension identification" greeting, which asks the applicant provide an extension number, commonly, by typing in the number or through a voice response and the "request request" greeting that asks for the request of the applicant. In this mode, the "request request" greeting is reproduced only after a predetermined key oppression in the caller 20, such a key oppression confirms the arrangement of the extension number of the caller 20. For example, where the number called corresponds to the classification "toy store", in this modality the "title of classification" would be "welcome to the classification of Respon ™ for toy stores", the greeting of "extension identification" would be "please leave number of your extension after the tone, followed by the X key "immediately after the required key oppression, the" request request "greeting would be" please leave your request after the tone and hang up when finished ". Where an applicant wishes to adjust alternative preferences, for example, to maintain contact details of providers where the default is to provide details to providers, provide an alternative search center location or alternative search parameters, the IIVR 11 module provides the introduction of key presses to adjust these preferences. In this embodiment the IIVR module 11 is configured for the registration of requests, such as where an applicant makes an error in registering a request, by typing a predetermined key press. Also in this mode the IIVR module 11 is configured to allow the requests, here to be reproduced, to be reviewed before the start of a correspondence operation. In this mode the call connection is closed after the expiration of a predetermined period of time following the "make request" greeting or when the applicant hangs up where this event can be identified by the IIVR 11 module. ITAM 13 stores each request in the file memory 19 under an assigned file name. The TM la, Ib systems also each comprise an outgoing telephony management unit (OTM) 21 for handling outgoing calls on outgoing lines 23, preferably ISDN lines, to providers in the outbound communicators. provider 24 and applicants in the communicators of the applicant 20. The OTM unit 21 comprises an interactive outgoing voice response (OIVR) module 25 which is connected to the outgoing lines 23 to make outgoing calls to providers and applicants and an outgoing telephony application management module (OTAM) 27 to program and instruct calls to the OIVR 25 module according to the call document as received from a selection unit from provider 33a, 33b, 33c. In this mode, the call documents can be programmed according to a priority flag, with, for example, status reports for applicants that have a lower priority than the requests for providers. In operation, where an outgoing call is made to a provider, the OIVR module 25 dials the communicator number of the provider 24 as identified in the calling document. Where the call made by the OIVR module 25 to the provider's communicator 24 is answered, the OIVR module 25 executes a "request reproduction" script, which reproduces first a "welcome vrs" greeting, for example "vrs" for hairdressers ", followed by a first short tone and subsequently reproduces the request to the supplier followed by a second short tone. In this modality, the request is relieved, here reproduced, without any interrogation, such as by speech recognition, since such is not necessary; the classification is determined by the called number. In an alternative mode, the request could be interrogated, where a more refined or elaborate correspondence system is required. Upon hearing the request, the provider has the following response options, which each have an associated key press: 'accept * which is a confirmation that the request can be satisfied. For example, where the request is "do you cut the hair?", That is, where the applicant is only trying to obtain details from local hairdressers and the request is appropriate, the provider would respond "accept". "Probably" that is an indication that the request can probably be satisfied, but the provider has to confirm. Where the request is more complex, such as "Can you schedule me for a haircut next Tuesday at 3:30?", The provider may remember that next Tuesday afternoon is not fully booked, but he would need to verify if that Exact time is free, in which case the provider would respond "probably". "Decline" confirming that the request can not be satisfied. In this mode, hanging is the equivalent of the "decline" answer option. "Inappropriate" indicating that the request is either inappropriate for classification or incomprehensible. "Abusive" indicating that the petition is considered abusive. In this modality the responses of the providers are recorded, such as to enable the classification administrators to verify the behavior of the providers and in part the applicants, which inter alia allow the directed provision of guidance to the applicants and suppliers and even the prohibition of applicants or providers where the behavior is unacceptable. For example, "inappropriate" responses are recorded against both the responding providers and the requesters who make the requests, since repeated "inappropriate" responses may be caused either by the applicants or the providers who are confused about the purpose of a classification. Also, the "abusive" responses are registered both against the providers that respond and the petitioners who made the requests and in this modality, in addition to finishing a correspondence operation, the respective abusive requests, as they are established by "abusive" responses "confirmed, they result in the respective applicants being prohibited from the use of classifications or even the entire correspondence system. In this modality, the "abusive" responses repeated by the providers, significantly above the average for a classification, would also be investigated. When the provider provides a positive response, that is, in this modality one of the response options "accept" or "probably", the OIVR 25 module executes a "recognition" script, which reproduces a greeting of "recognized response" followed by a short tone and updates the call document to include a positive response identifier and transmits the updated call document to the selection unit of the originating provider 33a, 33b, 33c Where the applicant's contact details have been retained , the "acknowledgment" script also reproduces a greeting of "required contact details." Where the contact details are not retained, the "acknowledgment" script also provides contact details for the applicant followed by a short tone. In one modality, the provider can record the details of the applicant subsequently for call to the applicant, in another modality the provider can be contacted. act with the applicant directly by means of a default key press. Where the applicant is following the online process, the applicant is able to contact the provider directly while the provider is still online. Where the calling communicator 20 is of an unlit extension of an attendant switch, the "acknowledgment" script also provides the telephone number of the switch and the extension of the requestor to allow the provider to navigate the switch. Where the calling communicator 20 is of an off extension of an automatic switch, the "acknowledgment" script also plays a "please stay online until you hear a tone" greeting. In the period before the tone, the details of the provider are provided to the applicant and the applicant is thus provided with an opportunity to connect directly with the provider that is still online. Where the immediate connection is required, the applicant is connected to the provider and establishes a conversation by this. Where an immediate connection is not established, the applicant can contact the provider later. In this mode, the system is configured to allow the "recognition" script to be executed again with a default key press. In this modality a positive response is either from the "accept" or "probably" response options. In other modalities and particularly some classifications, the correspondence system can be configured to only look for "accept" responses as positive responses, in such modalities the script of "reproduce petition" also reproduces a greeting of "decline or accept only, please "with all the answers of" probably "and" decline "being taken as negative responses. Where the call made by the OIVR 25 module to the provider is not answered, the OIVR module 25 assigns one of the following states as a call status identifier to the call document, that is, "number not obtainable" where the number maintained by the communicator of the provider 24 is not obtainable, "busy" where the number obtained by the provider is contracted and "peals out" where the number maintained for the provider rings and there is no response, updates the call document to include the relevant call state identifier and transmit the updated call document to the selection unit of the source provider 33a, 33b, 33c. Each of the TM, la, Ib systems further comprises a telephone management (TM) communication network 29 that provides a communications link to the first major communication network 3 and between the ITM 5 unit, in this mode both the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13 separately, the file memory 19 and the OTM unit 21, in this mode both the OIVR module 25 and the OTAM module 27 separately. In one embodiment communication with the ITM unit 5, the archive memory 19 and the OTM unit 21 and between the IIVR module 11 and the ITAM module 13, is coded, commonly either an encrypted communication or an authenticated communication , such as a signed communication. In this embodiment, wherein the ITM unit 5, the file memory 19 and the OTM unit 21 are colocalized, the TM communication network 29 comprises a local area network (LAN), such as an Ethernet. In other embodiments, wherein the ITM unit 5, the file memory 19 and the OTM unit 21 are remotely located, the TM 29 communication network could comprise an established telephone network, preferably an ISDN network. The correspondence system further comprises at least one provider selection unit 33, in this mode three selection units of the provider 33a, 33b, 33c, to select the providers to be contacted to match a request and schedule contact with the suppliers through the OTM 21 units of the T la, Ib systems. It will be appreciated that the matching system can include any number of supplier selection units 33; this modality includes three supplier selection systems 33a, 33b, 33c simply as an example. In this embodiment, the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c are co-located, but in other embodiments one or all of the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c could be remotely located. In this embodiment each of the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c are configured to support all addressable classifications, but in other embodiments, particularly where there are many tens or hundreds of the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c, the provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c could be configured to support only one classification or a subset of the classifiable classifications. The mail system further comprises a second main communications network 34 that provides a communication link to and between the provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c. In this embodiment, wherein the provider selection units 33a, 33b, | 33c are co-located, the second main communication network 34 comprises a local area network (LAN), such as an Ethernet. In other embodiments, wherein the provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c are remotely located, the second main communications network 34 could comprise a telephone network, preferably an integrated services digital network (ISDN). The correspondence system further comprises a router 35 for processing request documents and call documents between the respective systems of the TM, the, Ib systems and the provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c. Each of the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c includes a database of classification information (CI) that contains information, which includes characteristics of the provider, concerning each of the providers in each of the classifications supported by the respective supplier selection unit 33a, 33b, 33c, integration parameters of supplier list for each classification, correspondence criteria for each classification and termination criteria for each classification, a second database information of the applicant (RI) 39 containing information, which includes characteristics of the applicant, concerning each of the applicants, a document programmer 41 for scheduling documents to and from the respective supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c and a supplier list integration unit 43, which, for each request, integrates a list ta of suppliers classified from the suppliers contained in the CI 37 database for the classification to which the petition is addressed. The CI 37 database contains information with respect to each of the providers in each classification, each provider is referenced by a provider identifier. The information maintained for each provider includes the name of the provider, the address of the provider, the contact number for the provider, characteristics of the provider and information on the history of the system, which includes the number of requests delivered, the number of positive responses, is, in this modality as one of the responses of "accept" or "probably" and in other modalities as an "accept" response, the number of negative responses, that is, in this modality as a "decline" response and in other modalities such as one of the "decline" or "probably" responses, the number of "inappropriate" responses and the number of "abusive" responses. In this embodiment, the CI database 37 is a spatial junction database, that is, a database that provides spatial operations. The supplier list integration unit 43 includes a provider selection module 44 that is configured to create one or more lists of candidate suppliers according to a predetermined listing mechanism for the classification to which the request is addressed and wherein the listing mechanism uses a vector to base location, based on a search center, which is substantially the location of the applicant, but may be an alternative location as specified by the applicant or the location of the first provider who has responded positively to a request where a search is recentrated As will be described in more detail later herein, the creation of a plurality of candidate provider lists provides a mix of suppliers, for example, a mix of local and national suppliers.

In this mode, the supplier selection module 44 uses the following listing mechanisms to create one or more lists of candidate suppliers: List mechanisms l-nearest This listing mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from nearest candidate suppliers, in terms of a spatially related parameter, commonly the direct distance (from point to point), travel distance or travel time, to the search center. In one modality, the list of candidate providers can be truncated by a number, that is, to include a predetermined number of providers closest to the search center. In another embodiment, the list of candidate suppliers may be truncated by an upper limit to the spatially related parameter, that is, to include all providers within a spatial zone of predetermined size. List B mechanism - closest group This listing mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from candidate suppliers that represent the closest point of providers, such as a closer group, that satisfy the group characteristics for the classification to which the request is directed. In this mode the characteristics of the group define the closest group as the closest set of providers that comprise at least a predetermined number of providers within a spatial zone, commonly the direct distance (from point to point), travel distance or travel time, the default size. Listing mechanism C - higher density group This list mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from candidate suppliers that represent the set of suppliers, as a group but not necessarily the closest group, that satisfy the density characteristics for the classification to which the request is directed. In this modality the density characteristics define the group as the set of providers that comprise the highest number of providers within a first spatial zone, commonly the direct distance (from point to point), travel distance or travel time, from a first predetermined size within a second spatial zone of a second predetermined size larger than the first spatial area and centered around the search center. This listing mechanism is effective in locating the largest town or city within the geographical area and avoiding suppliers outside the main concentrations, which are probably the most widely dispersed. For this reason, it is expected that this listing mechanism will be used more commonly as part of a series of searches.

Listing Mechanism D - Segment This listing mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from candidate suppliers from within a segment of a circle having a predetermined segment angle and a radius of either a predetermined first size, commonly direct distance (from point-to-point), travel distance or travel time, to the search center or a smaller second distance, where the smallest radio segment encompasses a predetermined number of candidate providers. In this modality, the list of candidate providers is ordered in terms of a spatially related parameter, commonly the direct distance (from point to point), travel distance or travel time, from the search center, the nearest is the first listed in the list. Where it is re-committed as a result of the correspondence operation that is not successful, a subsequent segment is used, either clockwise or counterclockwise. This listing mechanism has been developed for use where there is a variable but high density of providers in a region of interest and the applicant is interested in identifying suppliers within a general travel direction that extends from the search center. In this mode the segment of the circle is selected randomly. List Mechanism E - All This listing mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from all candidate suppliers with a spatial zone, in terms of a spatially related parameter, commonly the direct distance (point-to-point), travel distance or time of travel. trip, of a predetermined size centered around the search center. List Mechanism F - Threshold This listing mechanism creates a list of candidate suppliers from candidate suppliers that satisfy the threshold characteristics for the classification to which the request is directed. In this embodiment, threshold characteristics define providers that satisfy predetermined threshold criteria, for example, above or below at least one predetermined threshold value. Examples of threshold criteria include productivity, number of employees, quality classification and delivery speed. The supplier list integration unit 43 further includes a supplier classification module 45 for creating contact lists of suppliers by classifying the candidate suppliers in the lists of candidate suppliers created by the supplier selection module 44 according to a list of suppliers. default classification mechanism for the classification to which the request is directed. In one mode, the contact lists created providers can be truncated. In this mode, the supplier classification module 45 can employ the following classification mechanisms: Classification Mechanism A - None This classification mechanism does not provide any classification from a list of candidate suppliers. The supplier contact list has the order of the list of candidate suppliers as created by the supplier selection module 44. Selection mechanism B - Random This classification mechanism creates a contact list of suppliers by randomizing a list of suppliers candidates as created by the supplier selection module 44. Classification mechanism C - Taking turns This classification mechanism creates a contact list of suppliers by classifying a list of candidate suppliers as created by the selection module 44 providers according to the last contact with suppliers to ensure that suppliers are in contact in turn according to a specified proportion, the last provider contacted is at the bottom of the list. In this mode, a record is kept regarding the previous contact with the suppliers. Classification Mechanism D - Closer This classification mechanism creates a contact list of suppliers by classifying a list of candidate suppliers as created by the supplier selection module 44 in terms of a spatially related parameter, the direct distance (point) to point), travel distance or travel time, to the search center, the closest one is listed first and so on. Classification Mechanism E - Classified This classification mechanism creates a contact list of the supplier when classifying a list of candidate suppliers as created by the supplier selection module 44 in classified order according to a particular parameter, for example, by productivity, number of employees, quality classification and speed of delivery. This classification mechanism is particularly appropriate for finding suppliers where location is not important. These providers will tend to be national suppliers and the location of these providers is only relevant since the providers cover the applicant's location. A typical classification would be insurance services where contact with providers would be by telephone. It will be appreciated that this classification mechanism can create lists that never include certain providers and for that reason, it is usually used as one of a series of searches. In this embodiment, where the list integration criteria for a selected classification requires more than one list of contact providers, the list integration unit 43 is configured to merge the plurality of supplier contact lists to create a single list. of contact of suppliers. The creation of a single supplier contact list from a plurality of supplier contact lists finds application where a mix of suppliers, for example local and national suppliers, will be selected. A typical classification to which such a provider contact list is appropriate is that of computer providers, where an applicant may desire a local provider or perhaps a national provider. The contact lists of providers integrated by the list integration unit 43 include a plurality of status fields for each provider entry, but with the restriction that a provider can be included in only one field. In this way, the status of the provider can be maintained. Several states can be grouped because it means that the request has not yet been delivered, these include the states of "available", "out of hours", "busy" and "without ringing". The final response states include "accepted", "declined", "probably", "inappropriate" and "abusive" states. By integrating a supplier contact list, a database query is conducted to establish which providers are available. This list is examined and the providers are classified in the states of "available", "out of hours". Since each "after hours" provider becomes available, an event is formed in a row to move the provider from the "after hours" field to the "available" field. Similarly, as each "available" provider becomes unavailable, an event is queued to move the provider from the "available" state to the "after hours" state. In one embodiment, the provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c may be configured to provide recentering of the search center to the location of a provider that provides the first positive response. When recentering is enabled and a provider that has provided a positive response has been identified, the provider list integration unit 43 is reinvested to create another contact list of additional providers that uses the location of the provider identified as the search center . Such recentering is used to identify providers that are as close as possible, thus trying to avoid identifying suppliers that are widely spaced, for example, two providers that are in opposite directions and are widely separated from the search center. It is contemplated that recentering will find application to identify a number of relatively closely located providers to be visited by the applicant, as would be desirable in enabling a comparison of services or goods provided by providers. The document scheduler 41, when programming call documents to the OTM 21 units of the TM systems the, Ib is configured to perform a calculation to calculate how many providers can be called concurrently and if the calls are "accept only". That number is used to determine if the "in advance" list of providers to be contacted can accommodate another provider. If another provider can be accommodated, the first provider on the "available" list is used. If the "available" list is empty, the document scheduler 41 expects a "busy", "no ring" or "after hours" provider to become available. An additional interconnection method is used to move a provider from one list to another, thereby enabling the document scheduler 42 to move a provider "in advance" to the state of final response, such as "accepted", "declined" , "probably", etc. This is the same method used to move providers between "available" and "after hours" and vice versa. The use of the same method allows multiple checks to be carried out, such as re-forming a "busy" provider when the provider is "out of hours". The supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c are configured to terminate the search where the matching criteria are satisfied or if the matching criteria are not met, one of the following termination criteria is enabled. In this modality, for each classification, any of the termination criteria can be enabled or disabled. Where any of the termination criteria are enabled, the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c terminate the search when the termination criteria are satisfied and a termination report is delivered to the respective provider. In this modality the termination criteria are as follows: Termination event A - Number of declensions For this termination event, termination occurs when a predetermined percentage of the suppliers in the provider contact list for the respective request have been contacted. The provider selection units 33a, 33b, 33c are configured to contact as many of the selected providers as possible, by retrying providers where the telephone numbers for those providers are busy or ring without response. As will be appreciated, the telephone numbers for some providers may be permanently occupied or without ringing and as such, the system can not necessarily contact all the selected providers. Termination event B - expiry of the default period For this termination event, termination occurs when a predetermined time limit has elapsed. In preferred embodiments the termination occurs in the first of a predetermined period that has elapsed since the request was made by the requestor or a predetermined percentage of providers in the provider contact list for a request have not been contacted in a predetermined period since that the request was made by the applicant. Termination Event C - Abusive Request For this termination event, the termination occurs where a predetermined number, in this modality two, of the providers that carry a petition as abusive, an "abusive" response, is a response option of the suppliers. Termination Event D - Inappropriate Request For this termination event, the termination occurs where a predetermined number, in this modality two, of the providers report a request as inappropriate, an "inappropriate" response is a response option from the providers. Termination event E - List exhausted For this termination event, termination occurs where the list of contact providers is exhausted. In a preferred embodiment the number of "incomprehensible" or "inappropriate" responses is set to a number greater than one, for example, two or three, such that a single "incomprehensible" or "inappropriate" response is not sufficient to cause the completion of the correspondence operation, as could be provided by a rogue provider or as a result of a simple error by a provider. Where the system has not satisfied the correspondence criteria within a reasonable time, it contacts the applicant and a progress report is provided. The system continues until either the matching criteria or one of the termination criteria are satisfied. If the termination criteria for a request are met, they contact the applicant to report the end of the search and the results obtained. In general, if the applicant does not hear anything, the applicant can be confident that the system has been successful in matching the request according to the matching criteria for classification. The progress or termination reports are returned to a switch requester, but the reports are always preceded by the registered name and extension number of the requester, so that the switch operator can pass the message to the requester. In this mode the system also provides the start of the correspondence operation to be delayed. Frequently there are occasions when a person would like to make a request, but is aware that most or all of the potential offers are currently closed. The system can still be used on those occasions. An applicant can make a request at any time of day, for example, to 0200, knowing that the request is unlikely to be matched. Any selected providers active at that time will be contacted, allowing those suppliers an opportunity to respond to the request. Active periods will be known to all providers. During normal work hours for many providers, the number of available providers will be much higher. If this is the case, the applicant will be given a termination report as usual, but the system is configured to relay the response again at another specified time when a larger number of providers in the given classification are active. In this mode, the system is configured in such a way as to allow this aspect to be canceled through the application of a predetermined keypress. As default, the act of hanging is taken to require that the request be relieved at a time that is more likely to obtain a correspondence. In this mode the system is also configured in such a way that an applicant can specify an alternative location for the search center that is not that associated with the CLI of the calling telephone. In this mode, the IIVR 11 module provides that this aspect is enabled with a default key press and when it is enabled, the IIVR 11 module executes an "alternative location" script that plays the "alternative location" greeting and asks the applicant to enter the telephone number of the alternative search center, followed by another default key press. The system then uses the telephone number of the alternative location to determine the search center. The system uses only the telephone number of the alternative location to integrate the provider contact list and not the calling number. The calling number, usually the CLI, is used as the telephone number for which the status reports or termination reports are delivered. This aspect provides the circumstance where the applicant wishes to identify suppliers within a different geographical region. For example, suppose that the applicant is traveling to visit friends for a weekend and wishes to locate a French restaurant in the region to be visited, the applicant would click the "alternative location" during the classification greeting and enter the alternate telephone number, commonly the telephone number of the friends to be visited, followed by a "consummation" keypress and then leave the request, for example, "a nice French restaurant, table for four, Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., please call at night." Where the contact mode is set to provide details of the applicant, any providers that give a positive response would be provided with the applicant's calling number, as opposed to the telephone number of the alternative location. In this mode, the system is also configured to allow an applicant to remain online and follow the correspondence operation. This would commonly be where an applicant believes that a correspondence is quite likely to be obtained quickly. In this mode this aspect is enabled by means of a default key press in the completion of the request record and disabled by repeating the default key press. The correspondence system reports each event in real time, for example, "newly declined cuts", "your hair, declining", "pleasant cuts, accepted", etc. In this mode, each provider that provides a positive response, in this modality one of an "accept" or a "probably" is assigned a particular keystroke and the relevant keystroke execution establishes a call to the provider. In this modality, for each applicant, the configuration options include a contact mode setting, which allows the requester to configure the system, by default, either to retain the contact details of the requestor of the providers, in which case any Reports to the applicant are provided with the details of the identified suppliers that have provided a positive response in order to allow the applicant to contact the suppliers or provide the applicant's contact details to the providers identified in the acceptance of the request, in such a way that the accepting provider can contact the applicant directly. In this mode the system is configured to allow an applicant to cancel the default contact mode setting, at present by performing a predetermined keypress during the classification greeting. In this embodiment, unless specifically configured, the default response mode setting is to provide details of the requester. Where the default contact mode setting is set to provide details, the application of the predefined key acts to switch the contact mode setting from that of providing details of the requester to retaining the details of the requester, the greeting of contact wlos details of the applicant will be retained "is played, followed by the usual registration request tone Where the default contact mode setting is set to retain details, the application of the default key acts to switch the contact mode of that of the details of the applicant retained to provide details of the applicant, the greeting of the contact mode "details of the applicant will be provided" is reproduced, followed by the usual registration request tone.

Where the contact mode setting is set to retain the details of the requester, the system, having identified the providers for a request, calls the requester on the calling number and provides the termination report that includes the details of the providers, in this mode, for each provider, a contact name, either the name of the provider or a contact person in the provider and the contact number. In this modality, an associated key on the keyboard is assigned to each of the suppliers mentioned in the termination report, in such a way as to allow the applicant to quickly mark a supplier selected from the suppliers. Where the requestor does not take the answering call from the system and the calling number of the requester has an answering machine connected, the call is taken by the answering machine, the termination report is recorded to enable the requester to hear the call from answer later. Where the calling number rings and the calling number of the requester does not have an answering machine connected, the system calls again at set intervals until the call is made. At the time of registration, the configuration details include the availability of the supplier's business, that is, the hours of work occupied for each of the seven days of the week. Within these working hours, the system, as the default, is configured to assume that the provider wants to receive requests. In this mode, the system is configured to allow the provider to withdraw from the classification and therefore does not receive any additional request. Note that if the supplier withdraws himself from the classification, the provider will not appear in any lists made up of the list integration units 43 of the supplier selection units 33a, 33b, 33c until the supplier positively reintroduces itself to the classification. This aspect allows the company to interrupt the service for long breaks, for example, vacations. Outside working hours, the system does not contact the provider, who is not supposed to receive requests. In this mode a provider can temporarily alter the assigned office hours by adjusting one of the states of "open" or "closed", but when using this the company is only a temporary function and if the assigned company is not restored after the next session of office hours, the predetermined times for work hours are adopted. In this mode, the system allows a provider to block requests from applicants who can not be serviced. A typical example is because the applicant's location is not a location served by the applicant. Another typical example is where the provider provides only one service for a particular group of people, such as for the young as opposed to the elderly and a request from an elderly person could not be serviced. This does not predispose the search, but only eliminates inappropriate contacts. In this mode the system also allows a provider to block requests from applicants where the contact details of the applicants are withheld. In such circumstances, a provider would be concerned that competitors would use the system in an unsecured manner to gather intelligence. In this embodiment, these preferences are adjusted by a classification manager using the classification management unit 49. The correspondence system further comprises a classification management unit 49 that provides maintenance of classification databases, ie, the database of CC 15 and the database of CL 37 and the databases of the applicant, that is, the first and second databases of RI 17, 39. In particular, the classification management unit 49 provides the updating of supplier inputs, the inclusion of new supplier entries, the alteration of the list integration parameters for any classification and the inclusion of new classifications. In this embodiment, the classification management unit 49 includes a web interface to allow remote operation. In a preferred embodiment, the classification management unit 49 is operated by a plurality of classification managers, each of which is assigned to and manages one or more classifications. Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, in the described modalities, the system is configured to use voice requests made using a telephone, but the use of other communicators 20, 24 is contemplated, for example, PDAs, personal computers, device top boxes, games and game consoles, that is, any apparatus that has a communications function and also other formats for receiving and delivering requests, for example, requests encoded by text, such as SMS and e-mail, pictorial requests, which commonly contain drawings , still photos or video, such as MMS and EMS and facsimile requests. Certainly, the requests could be made in a format, for example, as voice requests and delivered in another format, for example, SMS requests. Also, the requests could be multiple format requests, for example, comprising voice and text encoded request components or query components encoded by text and pictorial requests. In general, providers are the people who respond to the respective requests, but there are exceptions. One such other provider is a provider that observes that it can only receive requests, but not respond to requests. Another such provider is a divided provider, where a request is received by a person, usually the decision maker who responds to the request and is referred to another additional person to manipulate the request, for example, in the management of the occupation the client's. An additional provider as such is a classification provider who receives the request and acts to redirect the request to another provider. As an example of a classifier provider, suppliers can have a hierarchy. Thus, "car sales" could have derivations of "new cars" and "second hand cars", which could by themselves have derivations by car brand, for example, Ford, Vauxhall, VW, etc. The system can support this hierarchy, but, consistent with the philosophy that humans are the best people to process requests, the system only supports the cascading effect of classifications via human classifiers. The correspondence process is as follows. An applicant decides that he is observing a new Ghia 1.8 Focus Ford blue. The applicant dials the telephone number for the "car sales" classification and leaves a request. The request is passed to selected suppliers within that classification. However, a supplier may be a seller who sells many brands of automobiles. For this provider, other departments have been previously configured with referrals described as before. In this case, the person who listens to the petition acts as a classifier that decides to which department the petition must be presented. The system is configured to recognize that this provider is a classifier and therefore expects to receive a key code related to one of the previously adjusted departments. Upon receiving this key code, the system presents the request to the newly identified provider, which could by itself be adjusted as a classifying provider. After making the circuit through this procedure one or more times, the request will be made to a supplier where no additional classification is required. In addition, where the system is to be used as a private correspondence system, the adjustment for a private correspondence system is similar to the previous one except that the correspondence system submits the request to a provider that has an internal private correspondence system. In this situation, all the key codes that are used to obtain a response are recorded, since these codes allow the hierarchy to be navigated to report and provide contact details. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following claims: 1. A correspondence system to match requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers to service requests, each of the applicants they have at least one communicator to make requests and direct responses to them and each of the providers has at least one communicator to process requests, the system is characterized in that it comprises: at least one unit receiving requests to receive free requests of request format and store the free format requests as received; at least one request relay unit to provide for each of the stored requests to be relieved to selected providers as they are treated by them to allow selected providers, such as human decision makers, to interpret the respective requests and decide on Based on correspondence and at least one response receiving unit to receive responses from suppliers, the responses received are made by the respective suppliers when interpreting the respective requests and deciding according to a correspondence. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: at least one unit that provides information for one or both of supply, for each request, information concerning the respective applicant to any suppliers that have provided a positive response to the respective request, with a positive response indicating that a provider is able to comply with a request and information concerning the responses of selected suppliers to the respective request to the respective applicant. 3. The system in accordance with the claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the requests include voice requests. The system according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises: at least one input communications unit, each one comprising at least one request receiving unit. The system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises: at least one output communications unit, each one comprising at least one request relay unit, at least one response receiving unit and at least one information provider unit. The system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises: at least one communication unit, each one comprising at least one request receiving unit, at least one request relay unit, so minus one response receiving unit and at least one information providing unit. The system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one request relay unit is configured to relay a request directly to the communicators of selected providers. The system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one request relay unit is configured to provide a request to be relieved without any interrogation thereof to establish the content. The system according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least one request receiving unit includes a plurality of receivers for receiving requests, each request having a classification contact address associated with a predeterminable classification. The system according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it also comprises: at least one supplier selection unit for selecting suppliers to process a request. 11. The system in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the at least one supplier selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both of geographic locations or geographical areas assigned to Providers . 12. The system in accordance with the claim 11, characterized in that the geographical location assigned to the respective request is the current geographical location of the respective applicant. 13. The system in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that the current geographic location is determined from a communicator contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. 1 . The system according to claim 11, characterized in that the geographical location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographical location as assigned by the respective applicant. 15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that the alternative geographic location is determined from a contact address of the communicator wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. The system according to any of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the at least one supplier selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request within a spatial geographic area that can be defaulted in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the spatial area predeterminable is one of a geographical radius in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request, a travel distance in relation to the geographical location assigned to the request respective or a travel time in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request. The system according to any of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based, at least in part, on at least one characteristic of the applicant for the respective applicant, such as geographically related information and socio-economic information, as a characteristic assigned to the respective applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request. The system according to any of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the at least one supplier selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one provider characteristic for providers, such as requiring applicants to have a pre-defined profile or providing contact details, as a feature assigned to the respective providers. The system according to any of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on the current time. The system according to any of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the at least one provider selection unit is configured to select suppliers for a request based at least in part on at least one classification characteristic , such as a selection mechanism to select suppliers, as a characteristic assigned for the respective classification. 22. The system according to any of claims 10 to 21, characterized in that the at least one provider selection unit is configured to program the relay of a request to selected programmers by means of at least one request relay unit. with correspondence criteria and finish a correspondence operation where the correspondence criteria or termination criteria are satisfied. 23. The system according to any of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the at least one request-relay unit is configured to relieve a request to a predetermined number of selected providers as they are treated by them. 24. The system according to any of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the at least one request-relay unit is configured to multicast a request to selected providers where the request will be relayed to a plurality of providers such as they are treated by them. 25. The system according to any of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the at least one information providing unit is configured, for a request, to supply information concerning suppliers that have provided a positive response to the request to the requestor. respective. 26. A method for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to providers to service requests, each of the applicants has at least one communicator to make requests and direct responses to them and each of the providers has at least one communicator to process requests, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving requests for free format from the applicants; store free format requests as received; for each request, provide for the stored request to be released to selected providers as they are treated by them, in such a way as to allow selected providers, such as human decision makers, to interpret the request and decide based on correspondence and receive responses from suppliers, the answers received are made by the respective suppliers when interpreting the respective requests and deciding on a correspondence. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: one or both of supplying, for each request, information concerning the respective requester to any providers that have provided a positive response to the respective request, a positive response that indicates that a provider is able to comply with a request and information concerning responses from selected suppliers to the respective request to the respective applicant. 28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the requests include voice requests. 29. The method according to any of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected providers as it is treated by them comprises the steps of: relieving a request directly to providers communicators selected. 30. The method according to any of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that a request is relieved without any interrogation thereof to establish the content. 31. The method according to any of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that the step of receiving requests from applicants comprises the step of: receiving requests from applicants in a plurality of receivers, each of the requests has an associated classification contact address with a predeterminable classification. 32. The method according to any of claims 26 to 31, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request. 33. The method of compliance with the claim 32, characterized in that the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on a geographic location assigned to the respective request and one or both of geographic locations or geographical areas assigned to suppliers. 34. The method of compliance with the claim 33, characterized in that the geographical location assigned to the respective request is a current geographic location of the respective applicant. 35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the current geographic location is determined from a communicator contact address of the respective requester, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. 36. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the geographical location assigned to the respective request is an alternative geographical location, as assigned by the respective applicant. 37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that the alternative geographical location is determined from a contact address of the communicator, wherein the contact address of the communicator has an assigned location. 38. The method according to any of claims 32 to 37, characterized in that the step of selecting respective providers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request within a spatial geographic area that can be defaulted in relation to the geographic location assigned to the respective request. 39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that the spatial area that can be defaulted is one of a geographical radius in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request, a travel distance in relation to the geographical location assigned to the request. respective or a travel time in relation to the geographical location assigned to the respective request. 40. The method according to any of claims 32 to 39, characterized in that the step of selecting respective suppliers comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on a characteristic of the applicant for the applicant respective, such as geographically related information and socioeconomic information, as a characteristic assigned to the respective applicant or a characteristic introduced by the respective applicant when making the request. 41. The method according to any of claims 32 to 40, characterized in that the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on a characteristic of the provider, such as requiring applicants to have a pre-defined profile or provide contact details, as a feature assigned to the respective providers. 42. The method according to any of claims 32 to 41, characterized in that the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part at the current time . 43. The method according to any of claims 32 to 42, characterized in that the step of selecting respective suppliers to process a request comprises the step of: selecting respective suppliers to process a request based at least in part on a classification characteristic, such as a selection mechanism for selecting suppliers, such as a assigned characteristic for the respective classification. 44. The method according to any of claims 32 to 43, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of: scheduling the relay of a request to selected suppliers according to the correspondence criteria and finishing a correspondence operation, where they are satisfied the correspondence criteria or termination criteria. 45. The method according to any of claims 26 to 44, characterized in that the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected providers to be treated by them comprises the step of: providing a request to be relieved at a predeterminable number of suppliers selected to be treated by them. 46. The method according to any of claims 26 to 45, characterized in that the step of providing a request to be relieved to selected suppliers to be treated by them comprises the step of: multicasting a request to selected suppliers, wherein the request will be relieved to a plurality of suppliers to be treated by them. 47. The method according to any of claims 26 to 46, characterized in that the step of providing information comprises the step of: supplying, for a request, information concerning suppliers that have provided a positive response to the request to the respective requester. 48. A correspondence system for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers to service the requests, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of communicators of the applicant, each one being for use by the applicants to carry out Free requests for formatting and dealing with any respective responses to them, at least one of the responses includes information concerning responses from selected suppliers to respective requests and a plurality of communicators from the provider, each one is for use by providers to process requests to any answers to them, the answers are sent to respective selected suppliers, to be treated, to enable selected suppliers, as human decision makers, to interpret the respective petitions and to decide on a correspondence and at least one of the answers includes information Regarding the petitioner of a respective petition, where he has provided a positive response to the respective petition, a positive response indicates that the provider is able to fulfill a request. 49. A correspondence system for matching requests from users, such as applicants, to suppliers to service requests, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of communicators of the applicant, each one being for use by applicants to carry out free requests for formatting and dealing with respective responses to them, - a plurality of communicators of the provider, each one is for use by the providers to process requests and respective responses to them and at least one communications unit that can communicate with the communicators of the applicant and the communicators of the provider and that includes at least one unit of selection of suppliers to select suppliers to deal with each request made by an applicant; wherein, for each request, the system is configured in such a way that the request is provided to be released to selected providers, as they are treated by them, to enable selected providers, such as human decision makers, to interpret the request and decide based on a correspondence. 50. A method for matching requests from users, such as applicants, with providers to service the requests, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving signals comprising free requests of applicant format, for each request, transmitting a signal to selected providers comprising the request as received, to enable selected providers, such as human decision makers, to interpret the request and decide on the basis of a correspondence; receive signals comprising responses from selected providers, responses are made by the respective providers when interpreting the respective requests and deciding as to a correspondence and for each request, transmitting one or both of a signal comprising information regarding the respective requester to any provider that has provided a positive response to the respective request, a positive response indicates that the provider is able to satisfy a request and a signal comprising information concerning responses of selected suppliers to the respective request to the respective requester.