Method and apparatus for providing group calls via the internet

A system for connecting a plurality of customers to a service provider comprising:

• a first logic unit configured to display a service provider rate for listening to a service provider and to provide a real-time indication of whether the service provider is currently providing information;
• a second logic unit coupled to the first logic unit, the second logic unit configured to receive a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider, the second logic unit further configured to connect the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer;
• the second logic unit further configured to receive a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider, and the second logic unit further configured to connect the second customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the second customer while the first customer is connected to the service provider such that any information conveyed to the second customer is conveyed to the first customer;
• and
• a third logic unit coupled to the second logic unit, the third logic unit configured to bill the first customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the first customer is maintained, and the third logic unit further configured to bill the second customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the second customer is maintained.

A machine-readable medium embodying instructions, the instructions for execution by a processor, execution of the instructions by the processor causing the processor to perform a method comprising:

• displaying a service provider and a service provider rate for listening to the service provider and a real-time indication of whether the service provider is currently providing information;
• receiving a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider;
• connecting the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer;
• receiving a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider;
• connecting the second customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the second customer while the first customer is connected to the service provider such that any information conveyed to the second customer is conveyed to the first customer,
• billing the first customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the first customer is maintained;
• and
• billing the second customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the second customer is maintained.

A system comprising:

• means for displaying a service provider and a service provider rate for listening to the service provider and a real-time indication of whether the service provider is currently providing information;
• means for receiving a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider;
• means for connecting the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer;
• means for receiving a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider;
• means for connecting the second customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the second customer while the first customer is connected to the service provider such that any information conveyed to the second customer is conveyed to the first customer;
• means for billing the first customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the first customer is maintained;
• and
• means for billing the second customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the second customer is maintained.

A system for connecting a plurality of customers to a service provider comprising:

• a communications interface;
• a controller computer coupled to the communications interface having:
• a first logic unit configured to display a service provider rate for listening to a service provider and to provide a real-time indication of whether the service provider is available currently providing information;
• a second logic unit coupled to the first logic unit, the second logic unit configured to receive a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider, the second logic unit further configured to connect the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer;
• the second logic unit further configured to receive a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider, and the second logic unit further configured to connect the second customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the second customer while the first customer is connected to the service provider such that any information conveyed to the second customer is conveyed to the first customer;
• and
• a third logic unit coupled to the second logic unit, the third logic unit configured to bill the first customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the first customer is maintained, and the third logic unit further configured to bill the second customer automatically based on the time during which the link to the second customer is maintained.