Patent ID: 6973478
Filing Date: 2005-12-06
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a client-side local assistant program from an agent's computer system to a customer's computer system, the method comprising: providing an agent Web site that presents a local assistant program download offer for viewing on the customer's computer system; in response to selection by the customer's computer of a download link for the local assistant program download offer, invoking a server-side local assistant administrative system installed on the agent's computer system such that the local assistant administrative system transmits a local assistant installation agreement to the customer's computer system; in response to receipt by the agent's computer system of an accepted local assistant installation agreement from the customer's computer system, installing a client-side local assistant program that does not require a web browser program and remains active by processing data on the customer's computer system until disabled or uninstalled regardless of the status of the web browser program or a connection between the customer's computer system and a server; and in response to receipt by the agent's computer system of a request from the customer's computer system for a predefined ruleset and information database associated with the local assistant program, installing the predefined ruleset and information database on the customer's computer system; wherein the local assistant program modifies the ruleset by adding new rules or updating the ruleset while the local assistant program runs on the customer's computer system.