Method and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerce

An expert matching apparatus for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking answers to a problem, comprising:

• a controller unit for receiving an end user request generated by an end user, the controller unit having a database for storing therein a plurality of expert qualifications, each expert qualification associated with an address corresponding to a particular expert;
• means for selecting at least one end user request for evaluation by at least one expert;
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the end user request to the expert address based on the end user request selection;
• means for establishing a price for an expert answer corresponding to the selected end user request;
• means for guaranteeing payment to the expert for services rendered to the end user in response to the end user request;
• means for receiving the expert answer responsive to the end user request transmitted;
• and
• means for transmitting the expert answer to the end user.

A computer implemented expert matching apparatus for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking a solution to an end user request, comprising:

• a controller unit for receiving an end user request generated by an end user, the controller unit having a database for storing therein a plurality of expert qualifications, each expert qualification associated with an address corresponding to a particular expert;
• means for classifying the end user request;
• means for searching the database to generate a search result containing expert addresses which correspond to the end user request classification;
• means for searching external databases for search results containing expert addresses which correspond to the end user request classification;
• means for authenticating data communications between the controller unit and the expert;
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the end user request to the expert based on the search result;
• means for receiving at least one expert answer responsive to the transmitted end user request;
• and
• means for transmitting at least a portion of the expert answer to the end user.

An electronic system for matching an inquiry formulated by a remotely located user with at least one remotely located consultant having particular qualifications relevant to said inquiry, said system comprising:

• a controller unit associated with a central authority, said controller unit capable of communicating with a plurality of remotely located users on the one hand and a plurality of remotely located consultants on the other hand, said controller unit being capable of receiving an inquiry from one of said users and transmitting said inquiry to at least one of said consultants;
• a database associated with said controller unit, said database storing qualifications corresponding to each of said consultants;
• means associated with said controller unit for searching said database to select at least one of said consultants having qualifications suitable for responding to said inquiry;
• means for searching external databases for experts having qualifications suitable for responding to said inquiry;
• means associated with said controller unit for transmitting said inquiry to each of said selected consultants;
• means associated with said controller unit for establishing with at least one of said selected consultants a fee for responding to said inquiry;
• and
• means associated with said controller unit for transmitting said response to said user.

A method of electronically managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking a solution to an end user request, comprising the steps of:

• providing a controller unit having a database for storing therein a plurality of expert qualifications, each expert qualification associated with an address corresponding to a particular expert;
• receiving at the controller an end user request from an end user;
• searching the database to generate a search result identifying experts who have qualifications which correspond to the end user request;
• transmitting at least a portion of the end user request to at least one expert address based on the search result;
• and
• transmitting an expert answer, based on the end user request, to at least one of the controller unit and the end user.

An expert matching method for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking answers to a problem, comprising the steps of:

• providing a controller unit having a database for storing therein a plurality of expert qualifications, each expert qualification associated with an address corresponding to a particular expert;
• receiving at the controller an end user request from an end user;
• using the controller unit to select at least one end user request for evaluation by the expert;
• establishing a price for the expert answer corresponding to the selected end user request;
• providing an electronic means for guaranteeing payment to the expert for provision of the expert answer;
• transmitting at least a portion of the end user request to the expert address based on the end user request selection;
• receiving the expert answer corresponding to the transmitted end user request;
• and
• transmitting the expert answer to the end user.

An electronic system for matching an inquiry formulated by a remotely located user with at least one remotely located consultant having particular qualifications relevant to said inquiry, said system comprising the steps of:

• communicating with a plurality of remotely located users on the one hand and a plurality of remotely located consultants on the other hand, said system being capable of receiving an inquiry from one of said users and transmitting said inquiry to at least one of said consultants;
• storing said qualifications corresponding to each of said consultants in a database;
• searching said database to select at least one of said consultants having qualifications suitable for responding to said inquiry;
• transmitting said inquiry to each of said selected consultants;
• and
• transmitting said response to said user.

A method of providing information, operable for providing product support information comprising the steps of:

• transmitting and receiving calls to and from a controller, said controller communicating with a plurality of remotely located users on the one hand, and a plurality of remotely located online consultants on the other hand, said controller being capable of receiving an inquiry from one of said users and transmitting said inquiry to at least one of said online consultants;
• storing and retrieving qualifications corresponding to each of said consultants in a database associated with said controller;
• searching said database to select at least one of said consultants having qualifications suitable for responding to said inquiry;
• balancing the number of online consultants relative to the number of remotely located users;
• and
• routing calls from remotely located users to online consultants based on the inquiry.