Abstract:
A computerized method for matching potential clients with professional services providers which meet their personalized criteria and are interested in providing particular services to them including the steps of: presenting a first electronic document including a plurality of data entry devices to the potential clients via a computer network; receiving data entered using the data entry devices, the received data being indicative of the criteria; automatically comparing the received data to data stored in a storage medium to identify one or more suitable professional services providers; automatically generating and transmitting via the computerized network an electronic mail message to the identified one or more service providers, the electronic message including information indicative of a portion of the received data; and, receiving a response from at least one responding one of the one or more identified service providers, and automatically providing information indicative of another portion of the received data to the responding one of the service providers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application serial No. 60/143,056, entitled “COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO IDENTIFY AN APPROPRIATE PROVIDER FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES” filed on Jul. 9, 1999, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to techniques for providing professional services, and more particularly to a computerized method for matching potential clients with organizations which meet their personalized criteria and are interested in providing particular services to them. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Often finding a service provider that meets ones criteria is a difficult and daunting task. For example, it can often be challenging for a potential client to find an attorney who is both skilled in a pertinent area of law and willing to undertake a specific task or case. Often, time is wasted interviewing firms that either lack the necessary expertise or are unwilling to take on a particular case for any of a number of reasons. Quite understandably, the same difficulty presents itself in many other fields, both professional and trade-related in nature for example. 
     Similarly, it can often be difficult for a provider of services, a law firm for example, to easily identify potential clients who have a matter which the particular service provider is both capable and willing to undertake. 
     Accordingly, it is highly desirable and an object of the present invention to provide a method, and system for implementing it, capable of aiding the matching of a service provider capable and willing to consider performing a specific task with a potential client for a particular matter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A computerized method for matching potential clients with professional services providers which meet their personalized criteria and are interested in providing particular services to them including the steps of: presenting a first electronic document including a plurality of data entry devices to the potential clients via a computer network; receiving data entered using the data entry devices, the received data being indicative of the criteria; automatically comparing the received data to data stored in a storage medium to identify one or more suitable professional services providers; automatically generating and transmitting via the computerized network an electronic mail message to the identified one or more service providers, the electronic message including information indicative of a portion of the received data; and, receiving a response from at least one responding one of the one or more identified service providers, and automatically providing information indicative of another portion of the received data to the responding one of the service providers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     Various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, which are shown by way of example only, wherein: 
     FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a sequence of operations according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a first computer page displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a second computer page displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a third computer page displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary e-mail generated according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth computer page displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth computer page displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  illustrate a flow diagram of the preferred form of the invention for entering a new case; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It should be understood that while the following discussion and the figures illustrate and explain the present invention as it relates to legal services, the present invention is equally applicable to a number of other businesses and service industries as well, and the selection of legal services has only been made for purposes of clarifying the explanation. Referring now to the figures wherein like references refer to like elements of the invention, FIG. 1A illustrates a first portion of a preferred sequence of operations according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     Preferably, the system according to the present invention is accessible through the global interconnection of computers and computer networks commonly referred to as the “Internet”. A potential client first accesses  10  the internet using any conventional means, e.g. a personal computer having a modem coupled to an Internet service provider using a standard phone line. Once connected, the potential client preferably accesses  20  a web page  30  which preferably prompts the potential client to enter a new service request using an Internet browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explore for example, which is run on the potential client&#39;s Personal Computer (PC) or other suitable microprocessor based device. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 2, therein is illustrated a preferred form of web page  30  which includes hypertext markup language (“HTML”) links  40  and  50 . Link  40 , upon activation by the potential client (for example by clicking on it with a mouse connected to the potential client&#39;s PC), preferably enables a user to enter  60  a new matter request by forwarding the potential client to web page  70  which is adapted to enable the potential client to enter  80  information regarding the service being requested (see FIG. 3 also). Link  50 , upon similar activation by the potential client to access a web page adapted to enable a user to delete a new matter request he previously entered. Referring again to FIG. 3, therein is illustrated the specific instance of a web page  70  adapted to enable the potential client to enter information regarding a legal matter which the potential user would like to retain a law firm to represent him in regards to. It should of course be recognized however, that the present invention is equally applicable to other services and types of professional service providers as well though. 
     Web page  70  preferably first includes instructions  90  for guiding a potential client through utilizing the present invention. As set forth, the web page  70  is preferably adapted to enable the potential client to enter  80  information is about the matter with which he is seeking legal assistance. To this end, web page  70  preferably includes data devices  100 - 200 . List  100  includes all jurisdictions which any law firms which is a member of the system according to the present invention may practice in. In other words, all geographic locations where law firms which may be selected can be found. List  110  preferably provides, for selection, areas of specialization of law firms which can be contacted according to the present invention. Drop list  120  preferably allows the potential client to select the approximate size of the a law firm which he would like to engage. Window  130  preferably enables the potential client to provide a brief description of, and general information regarding the matter which he is seeking legal assistance. Similarly, window  140  preferably allows the potential client to enter some comments regarding the legal matter with which he is seeking legal assistance. Window  150  permits the potential client to enter an approximate budget for the legal matter and windows  160 ,  170 ,  180 , and  190  allow the potential client to enter their name and contact information. Finally, button  200  provides a means for a client to submit the information entered  80 , and hence the new matter request, to the system according to the present invention for distribution to appropriate member law firms and member attorneys for their consideration. 
     Upon activation of the submit button  200 , the system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably checks the data which has entered  80  using the data devices  100 - 190  to determine if proper information has been entered. For example, the system preferably checks to see if selections were made using lists  90 ,  100 , and  110 , and whether information was entered using windows  130 ,  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  170 ,  180 , and  190 . Further, the system preferably checks the form of the data entered using windows  180  and  190  to determine at least whether the entered e-mail address and telephone number appear to be in a proper format (e.g., xxx@xxx.xxx and xxx-xxx-xxxx). If the system determines improper information was entered, or data is missing, the system preferably prompts the potential client to either correct the improper data or enter missing data. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 1B, after the system has verified that the information entered  80  at least appears valid, the system according to the present invention preferably generates  210  a unique, or at least substantially unique matter ID  220  and password  230  to respectively identify and permit access to the entered information. All of this data entered  80 , unique matter identification  220  and password  230  are then recorded  250  as a record into a database. Referring now also to FIG. 4, upon successful recordation  250 , the system preferably generates a web page  240  for display to the potential client. Accordingly, the potential client receives a verification that his new matter has been entered into the system, and is provided the ID  220  and password so that the matter may be deleted or modified. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1B, at predetermined time intervals, or periods, a database query is preferably performed  260  to identify member law firms which satisfy the new matter requests which have been entered by potential clients. Preferably this occurs twice a day for example, although the selection of this time interval should depend upon the amount of new matter requests which are entered (i.e. more requests=a shorter interval between queries). Member law firms, and member individual attorneys, are preferably signed up with the system according to the preferred embodiment of the present system invention for a membership fee. When law firms and attorneys are signed as members they preferably provide similar information about themselves as was entered  80  by the potential clients, e.g., jurisdictions in which they practice, areas of expertise, size of law firm, and e-mail address. All new matters entered  80  by potential clients are then queried against this member law firm and member attorney information to identify those member law firms and attorneys who match the criteria of information entered  80  for each new matter request. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 5, the system according to the present invention then preferably automatically generates an e-mail  280  to each member law firm or attorney which has been determined to match criteria entered  80  for each new matter request. This e-mail  280  informs each matching member law firm or attorney that a match has been detected. E-mail  280  preferably includes that data entered  80  in windows  130 ,  140  and  150  ( 130 ′,  140 ′, and  140 ′, respectively), as well as the ID  220  and date the request was submitted. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 6, upon receipt of the e-mail  280 , each receiving member law firm or attorney may choose to access more information regarding the referenced new matter request by either activating the HTML link  290  or simply accessing a predetermined Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) address. Upon such, a web page  300  is preferably displayed, which enables a member law firm or attorney to access more information regarding any matter which has not been deleted or has expired based upon predetermined criteria. 
     Referring now also to FIG. 1C, in the specific case of web page  300 , window  310  enables a member law firm or attorney to enter  330  a particular ID  220  which the member wishes to access information about, and a button  320  for directing the system according to the preferred form of the invention to retrieve that information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an ID and password corresponding to the member law firm or attorney attempting to access the new matter request information must be entered before such information will be displayed. 
     Upon activation of the button  320 , the system preferably generates  340  a web page  350  (see FIG. 7) which includes the information entered by the potential client regarding the new matter request corresponding to the ID  220  entered into the window  310 . The member may then decide to either not respond at all to the request, download the information as a text file using HTML link  370 , e-mail the information to someone else using HTML link  380  or reply directly to the associated potential client who entered the new matter request displayed on the page  350  using the HTML link  390 . 
     In this way, a maximum number of service providers can be put into contact with a potential client in a minimum amount of time, which enables the potential client to make a highly informed decision with a minimal amount of effort. 
     In a preferred form of the invention, web pages are dynamically created and downloaded to the consumer&#39;s browser for display and interaction with. Such can be accomplished using Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) for example. Additionally, multiple database which are responsive to and utilized to dynamically generate the web pages are effected using Microsoft SQL server for example. 
     The database tables that are preferably used include: a cases table, a casemail table, a case response table, a zip code table, a master firm list table and a registered attorneys table. The cases table records cases which have been entered into the system and preferably includes at least: a unique case number; a case remove number; whether the consumer is an individual or a business; if an individual, the individual&#39;s first and last names; if a business, the business name; an e-mail address for responses to the consumer; a zip code for the consumer; a phone number for the consumer, if entered; which state the attorney should practice in; the area of practice for the desired attorney; time considerations; when a response is needed by, if entered; time consideration comments; and some general information about the case. 
     The casemail table preferably includes: information regarding a unique case number to which each record corresponds; the identity of a firm to which an e-mail has been sent for the case identified by the unique case identifier; the date that e-mail was sent; and, whether the case is still pending, i.e. not deleted. The case response table similarly preferably includes: information regarding a unique case number to which each record corresponds; the identity of a firm which has responded to an e-mail which was sent regarding the case identified by the unique case number; the date that response was sent; and, whether the case is still pending, i.e. not deleted. 
     The zip code table preferably includes a list of all zip codes within the United States, and a corresponding longitude and latitude for each of those zip codes. The master firm list table preferably includes the identities and contact information of firms that may be interested in using a system according to the present invention. The registered attorneys table preferably includes those firms and attorneys from the master firm list which have registered to use the system according to the present invention, and their corresponding user names and passwords. 
     Referring now also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, therein is illustrated a flow diagram  900  of a preferred form of the invention for entering a new case. The method begins with the system receiving a request to access the system, such as a standard HTTP request to access www.casematch.com using a browser via a conventional Internet connection (step  902 ). Upon receipt thereof, a start page such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, is served (step  904 ) to the browser requesting it, which then displays it. A user then, upon reading the page  30 , activates link  40  to enter a new case which is received by a system implementing the present invention (step  906 ). Upon receipt of request, a new case form  70  is served (step  908 ) to the browser requesting it, which then displays it in turn (see FIG.  3 ). A user, upon viewing the new case form  70 , completes the same by using in data tools  100 - 190  (standard radio buttons, text windows and drop-lists as are well known and commonly utilized). When completed, the user preferably activates the “SUBMIT” button  200  which is received by the system according to the present invention (step  910 ). 
     Upon receipt of this request (step  910 ) and the data entered using tools  100 - 190  as is conventionally understood, the system reviews the data entered using tools  100 - 190  to see if they are valid (step  912 ). If they are not, for example if no data has been entered in one or more mandatory fields, an error process is invoked (step  914 ) which displays a message such as “The CaseMatch form was not completed accurately.” Fields that need to be completed are preferably displayed in red, and a message such as “Please go back and correct the following errors” is displayed to the user via the browser (step  914 ). The system then lists those fields that have invalid entries, i.e. are missing or are of an improper format for example. The system then preferably displays the page  70  again to the user, except that the page  70  includes those responses previously entered using tools  100 - 190  by the user. Of course, a button can be provided which clears all data entered using tools  100 - 190  whenever activated, so a user may begin afresh. 
     Upon receipt of valid form entries (step  912 ), the system queries a master firms table for those attorneys and/or firms which meet the users received requirements as entered using tools  100 - 190 , and generates a results table (step  916 ). A format selection page is then preferably served to the browser (step  918 ) so the user may select whether to use automatic formatting of the results or a custom format (step  920 ). If an automatic formatting is selected at step  920 , than preferably the results generated at step  916  are queried and sorted by distance from the consumer&#39;s, or user&#39;s, zip code as entered (step  922 ). The system then generates a results table and serves it (step  928 ) to the user&#39;s browser for display consistently with the order determined. As the address of each firm/attorney returned by the query is known and the consumer&#39;s zip code is known, the distance can be easily calculated using conventional methods. 
     If, the consumer, or user, selects to manually format the results, it is determined whether the entered formatting, e.g. what order to display the results in is valid (step  924 ). If not, an error process is performed (step  926 ) similar to the error process performed regarding step  914 , and the format selection form is served to the consumer&#39;s browser for correction or completion analogously to step  918 . If the selected formatting is determined to be valid, than the results are sorted according to the selected format (step  922 ) and a results table generated (step  928 ). 
     A results page is then served (step  930 ) to the browser which includes the information in and is based upon the results table generated at step  928 . 
     Upon receipt of this page and display thereof on a user&#39;s browser, the user can select either to display those firms/attorneys which match the criteria, i.e. are identified in the results table, in an automatic format or a custom format, using a radio button for example. Upon activation of a “NEXT” button (step  932 ) the system  920  the system determines whether the user selected automatic or manual formatting (step  934 ). More particularly, if manual formatting was selected, through use of radio button for example, the system determines if the number of results to display on each page is valid by checking that value entered in window (step  936 ). If valid, processing continues, if not valid, then the system performs error processing (step  937 ) analogous to that described. If manual formatting was selected, through the use of a radio button for example, then the results table which was generated in step  928  is resorted by that field selected (step  938 ), and processing continues. The system then regenerates the results table with the resorted data (step  922 ). 
     The system then serves to the user&#39;s browser an attorneys view form (step  942 ). A user can now select those attorneys whom he wishes to have the system contact regarding his newly entered case by checking appropriate boxes as is well understood and conventionally used. Preferably, the system calculates the total number of selected firms from the total number of checked boxes and displays that number for confirmation by the user, consumer. Upon activation of “NEXT” button (step  944 ) the system verifies that the user selection made, those firms or attorneys selected, are valid, i.e. at least one firm/attorney is selected (step  946 ). If the selections are not valid, error processing (step  948 ) occurs as has been described, and the system redisplays the attorneys view page discussed with regard to step  942 . 
     Upon determining the selections are valid at step  946 , the system serves a browser display select screen (step  950 ) to the user to allow a user to enter when the case he has just entered should become available for browsing by all registered attorneys/firms and not just those he opted to e-mail using the attorneys select page. Upon activation of a “NEXT” button (step  952 ), the system again determines whether the entries made using tools are valid (step  954 ), and if not performs error processing (step  956 ) as has been described and causes the browser select page to be redisplayed with the values that have previously been entered by the user. Upon validation of the browser information entered, the system generates a case identifier and case removal identifier (step  958 ). The generated identifiers are then included on a served identifiers page to the consumer&#39;s browser (step  960 ). Essentially, the case identifier is a unique identification associated with the record of the case, while the case removal identifier serves as a password for deleting the case record. 
     The system then preferably updates a case table including each of the case records to include a new record for the case that has just been entered by the user (step  962 ). The system then preferably automatically generates an e-mail to each attorney selected by the consumer (step  964 ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only select information is forwarded to the attorneys selected, as all selected attorneys may not be registered members, and access should be limited to registered members as will be described. The system then preferably updates a casemail table to reflect each e-mail sent (step  966 ). Finally, the system preferably automatically generates an e-mail to the consumer confirming that e-mails have been sent to the requested attorneys (step  968 ). In an alternative form of the invention, the system waits a sufficient amount of time to verify no deliver errors have occurred prior to e-mailing the confirmation to the consumer at step  968 . If an error does occur, further processing can be performed, such as informing customer service directly and automatically. 
     In the preferred form of the invention, there are two ways cases can be reviewed by attorneys/firms. The first is by responding to the automatically generated e-mail, while the second involves browsing cases which are still pending, i.e. have not been deleted. Referring first to the e-mail response method, as set forth, upon the selection of attorneys/firms by a consumer e-mails are automatically generated and sent. Upon receipt and reading of one of these automatically generated e-mails, the receiving attorney becomes aware of a potential client. However, in order to view details regarding this potential client the receiving attorney is preferably instructed to access a website to retrieve/display additional information as well as respond if desired. In the preferred form, each e-mail to each attorney/law firm includes a URL link which, when activated, enables the receiving attorney to directly access more information on the identified case. To accomplish this, the embedded URL link preferably includes a destination URL as well as the unique case identifier. Accordingly, when activated the URL link enables the receiving attorney to not only be forwarded to access the appropriate website, but to automatically access a dynamically generated webpage which includes further information about the case to which the receiving attorney is inquiring about. Alternatively, the inquiring attorney could access the system according to the invention using conventional techniques upon receiving the e-mail, and enter the unique case identifier using a web page. Either way, a case information is preferably generated using the information entered into the case table using conventional techniques. 
     In order to access a case information page in the preferred form of the invention, the individual inquiring must be registered with the system according to the present invention. This is easily accomplished by assigning each registered attorney a unique user ID and password which must be entered before access will be allowed. In one form of the invention, the user ID and password can also be included in the URL link embedded in the e-mail, so it to can be passed to the system automatically and hence not independently verified by the user, if desired. 
     Each generated case page preferably further includes a “Send Email” button. This button, when activated, preferably forwards the inquiring attorney to an e-mail page. Again, the e-mail page is preferably dynamically generated from the case table using conventional techniques. It should be noted however, that the consumer will often wish that their identity remain anonymous in contrast to conventional types of online services. Accordingly, the inquiring attorney can enter a message to be forwarded to the consumer into text window. Upon completion, the inquiring attorney activates a submit button and the system automatically generates an e-mail to the consumer without any further interaction by the inquiring attorney. In this way, the inquiring attorney can reply to the consumer&#39;s request without jeopardizing the anonymity of the consumer by disclosing a destination e-mail address. 
     Alternatively, registered attorneys/firms can browse pending cases, i.e. cases which have been entered and not deleted, to determine if they have an interest in the same. To accomplish the same, an inquiring attorney can access a browser page using conventional techniques, e.g., by entering www.casematch.com, and then following appropriate menu prompts. Using data tools like those discussed above, an inquiring attorney can query the cases table for cases which meet certain criteria (i.e. are in New Jersey, any practice area) and sort the matching cases in a desired order (i.e. first by practice area, then by whether the consumer is an individual or business, then by the requested response date and finally by budget for example). By selecting the number of results by page and activating a “Submit” button, the system preferably queries the cases database and generates and serves a page which displays the results. This served page preferably includes navigation tools to enable the inquiring attorney to view other results as is well known and summary information for each case which matches the criteria entered by the searching attorney. It further preferably includes a review button for each case returned and an e-mail button. The review button, upon activation forwards the inquiring attorney to a case information page regarding the case selected and the E-mail button has the same function as the “Send E-mail” button discussed. 
     A consumer can further decide to remove his case from the system, for example when he is no longer interested in pursuing it or has identified an attorney or firm to handle the case. To accomplish the same, the consumer preferably accesses a browser page as using conventional techniques (i.e. entering www.casematch.com and then activating a menu prompt or HTTP link to access the page). The consumer then enters the unique case identifier he was provided with into window and the case removal identifier he was provided with into text windows as prompted. Upon activating a “Continue” button, the system verfies that the unique case identifier and case remove number entered using page are valid and correspond to a single case, and if so generates and serves a confirmation page. If the data entered is not valid, error processing as discussed is again performed and case removal page is caused to be redisplayed to the user. Once the consumer verifies that the information contained is accurate, and that it indeed reflects the case he wishes to remove he activates the “Confirm Removal” button which causes the system to update the cases table to reflect the case has been removed (e.g., sets a deleted flag to true for example in the cases table). 
     Although the invention has been described and pictured in a preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.