Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method includes assigning a unique telephone number to an advertiser; providing an advertisement on a media channel on behalf of the advertiser, the advertisement including one of the unique telephone number and a reference to the unique telephone number; monitoring telephone calls to the unique telephone number; and billing the advertiser for telephone calls to the unique telephone number in accordance with a predefined model.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing group calling are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes displaying a service provider, a service provider rate for communicating with the service provider, and a real-time indication of whether the service provider is available. The method may further include receiving a request from a first customer to communicate with the service provider and connecting the first customer to the service provider through a link capable of transmitting from the service provider to the first customer. The method may also further include receiving a request from a second customer to communicate with the service provider and 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 coupled to the service provider.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of (or apparatus for) facilitating the delivery of advice to consumers using a server unit which can store and display the names and characteristics of experts and then rapidly assist in connecting the expert and consumer for real-time communication. The server can also have the ability to receive keywords from the consumer, match those keywords to one or more experts, and tell the consumer how to contact an expert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

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.