Importance

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Abstract

The present invention overcomes the problems in the existing art described above by providing a method and apparatus for specifying and obtaining services through voice commands, via a voice portal, resulting in a live conversation between a user and a selected service provider. The present invention is a system through which seekers of a wide array of services can select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a simple voice-transmission medium such as the telephone. The invention enables the seeker to locate a service provider by speaking the name of a profession, such as 'psychiatrist,' which is recognized by the system's voice-recognition software. In a similar fashion, the seeker can then specify by speaking aloud the price range, quality rating, language, and keyword descriptors of the service provider. Within the desired parameters, the system offers service providers who have made themselves available to render services at the present time. Once the appropriate available service provider is selected, the system connects the service seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider accordingly.

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First Claim