Patent ID: 7424107
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of requesting help, comprising: connecting a user to a help request generator; prompting, by said help request generator, said user to select a helper from a database comprising a list of helpers including a set of area-experts, a social network of said user, and an intersection of said set of area-experts and said social network; accessing, by said help request generator, said database comprising said list of helpers; selecting said helper from said list of helpers; and transmitting a help request from said help request generator to said helper, wherein said transmitting said help request comprises transmitting said help request via a communication link by using one of a telephone call, electronic mail (e-mail), instant messaging (IM), a page, and a short messaging service (SMS), wherein said connecting said user to said help request generator comprises using a telephone, wherein said accessing said database comprises reading out a content of said database to said user via said telephone, wherein said selecting said helper comprises using one of an alpha-numeric keypad on said telephone and a voice input to said telephone to make a selection, wherein said help request comprises a response mechanism for allowing said helper to respond to said help request, wherein said response mechanism comprises a plurality of options for responding to said help request, wherein said plurality of options comprises an option for connecting said helper to said telephone used by user, an option for connecting said user to a conference call, an option for directing said user to a voice application, and an option for typing a message to said user, and wherein if said helper selects said option for typing a message to said user, said help request generator converts said typed message into an audio message and transmits said audio message to said user via said telephone used by user.