Method, apparatus and business system for online communications with online and offline recipients

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method, apparatus and business system for allowing on-line communications with members of a group of recipients for whom the invention has been implemented. A group may, for example, comprise members of a particular business or profession. For example, a group may consist of doctors admitted to practice in the United States. Individual members of the group may or may not have existing internet presences (such as an e-mail address or website). The invention allows online users to communicate with each member of a given group regardless of whether or not the member has an existing online presence. In one or more embodiments, the invention does so by setting up a database of contact information for members of the group, creating an internet presence for each member of the group, creating an online interface allowind a user to access the member's created internet presence, and providing means of communications between the created internet presence and the member recipient.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 447,755 filed Nov. 23, 1999.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of online communications, and more particularly to a method, apparatus and business system for online communications with diverse online and offline recipients. BACKGROUND [0003] The internet is rapidly becoming a preferred means of communication for professionals, businesses and consumers. Communications conducted via the internet include sending and receiving e-mail messages and disseminating information via web sites. But even for the most “wired” businesses and professions, internet usage is less than 100%. Accordingly, heretofore there has always existed a degree of uncertainty as to whether an internet user who wishes to communicate with a given business or professional (such as, for example, a doctor or a dentist) via the internet will be able to do s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention comprises a method, apparatus and business system for allowing on-line communications with members of a group of recipients for whom the invention has been implemented. A group may, for example, comprise members of a particular business or profession. For example, a group may consist of doctors admitted to practice in the United States. Individual members of the group may or may not have existing internet presences (as used herein, the term “internet presence” refers to an internet e-mail address and/or website, or other means for receiving or sending communications via the internet). The invention allows online users to communicate with each member of a given group regardless of whether or not the member has an existing internet presence. In one or more embodiments, the invention does so by setting up a database of contact information for members of the group, creating an internet presence for each member of such group, creating an on-line user interface allowing a user to access the member's created internet presence, and providing means of communications between the created internet presence and the member recipient. The invention allows a user to communicate with an intended recipient who is a member of a group for which an embodiment of the invention has been implemented using the created internet presence, regardless of whether or not the recipient has a pre-existing internet presence. In one or more embodiments, if the recipient has a pre-existing internet presence, online communications from a user are transparently forwarded f...

Problems solved by technology

But even for the most “wired” businesses and professions, internet usage is less than 100%.

Accordingly, heretofore there has always existed a degree of uncertainty as to whether an internet user who wishes to communicate with a given business or professional (such as, for example, a doctor or a dentist) via the internet will be able to do so because the intended recipient may or may not have an existing internet presence that can receive the users online communication.

Even if the intended recipient has an appropriate internet presence, a second element of uncertainty exists with respect to locating the proper e-mail address or website URL for the intended recipient.

Although a number of online search and directory services exist that are intended to help a user locate the website or e-mail address of a business or person with which the user desires to communicate, use of such directories is tedious and often unsuccessful.

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