Patents Assigned to Keen.com, Inc.
  • Assistance method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6549889
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Keen.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Lauffer
  • Assistance method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6546372
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Keen.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Lauffer
  • Assistance method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6523010
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Keen.com, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Lauffer
  • System and method for conducting a time auction
    Patent number: 6519570
    Abstract: A system and a method of conducting a time-auction among queuing customers is described. A bid is received from one of the queuing customers and compared with the prices being offered by the other customers waiting in line. If the bid is higher than at least one of the prices, the bidding customer is advanced in line ahead of the customer offering the lower price. The system and method provide a mechanism for customers willing to pay more to advance in the queue and to move ahead of those not willing to pay as much. At the same time, the system and method allow vendors such as service providers, for whose good or services customers are willing to wait in line, to maximize the price charged for their services at any given moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Keen.COM, Inc. A Corp. of CA.
    Inventors: Scott Faber, Sean Van der Linden