Abstract:
A method and apparatus for scheduling appointments. The method comprises receiving appointment availability information from a second party, receiving an appointment request from a first party, comparing the request to the availability information, automatically scheduling the appointment if the request is for an available time based on the availability information, and automatically updating the appointment availability information to reflect the appointment. The apparatus comprises an appointment server containing instructions for receiving appointment availability information from a second party, receiving an appointment request from a first party, comparing the request to the availability information, automatically scheduling the appointment if the request is for an available time based on the availability information, and automatically updating the appointment availability information to reflect the appointment.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application No. 09/477,573, filed Jan. 4, 2000, entitled “A Method and System for Coordinating Real Estate Appointments,” by Bahram Mozayeny et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention relates to computerized methods and systems for businesses and systems for automatically scheduling appointments and reservations, and automatically notifying parties of delays or cancellations. The present invention can be used in many different applications, such as the real estate business, the medical and dental business, legal practice, the restaurant industry, the airline industry, and school systems. More particularly, this invention relates to computerized methods and systems for communicating and setting up appointments, monitoring activity, and automatically communicating delays or cancellations to parties. The methods are implemented in computer hardware and software systems.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    [0003]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical process for scheduling an appointment or making a reservation. When a first party  100  wishes to schedule an appointment or reservation, they communicate  102 , typically via a telephone, with a second party  104  they wish to schedule with. The second party  104  typically accesses  106  a database  108  which contains a listing of the current schedule along with any available time slots or reservations. The database  108  can be a written calendar, a planner, or even a computer. The second party  104  then communicates the results  110  back to the first party  100 , allowing the first party  100  to choose the available seat, time slot, or day, whereupon the first party  100 , communicates information  112  back to the second party  104 , such as name, telephone number, address, credit card number, and preferences. The second party  104  takes all of this information down, and inserts it  116  into the database  108 , thus updating the database  108  to include the first party&#39;s  100  information. The information  112  can also be feedback or other information relating to the appointment or reservation.  
           [0004]    If a situation arises where the scheduled item or time for the first party  100  is delayed or cancelled, the second party  104  may or may not try to contact  114  the first party  100  to inform them. Many times, it depends on what information was initially received. If the first party  100  did not leave a telephone number, there is very little chance they will be informed of the delay or cancellation, until they arrive at the respective place of the reservation or appointment.  
           [0005]    It should be understood, that the caption “Party 1” in FIG. 1 may represent more than one person or entity, and that the caption “Party 2” may also represent one or more entities. For instance, “Party 1” may be a buyer, and the buyer&#39;s agent, and “Party 2” could represent a seller and the seller&#39;s agent. In these cases, the multiple entities representing either “Party 1” or “Party 2,” can communicate with each other as well as with the other party or entities of the other party.  
           [0006]    There are a myriad of businesses and systems which follow this basic model of scheduling and taking reservations. Some examples are real estate transactions, scheduling appointments at practitioner&#39;s offices, making reservations at a restaurant, making reservations on an airline, and scheduling substitute teachers, just to name a few.  
           [0007]    The method and system described above have a number of disadvantages. First, the method requires a great deal of human interaction on behalf of both parties. For example, the first party  100  and the second party  104  must constantly interact, which increase costs and requires parties to spend a significant amount of time scheduling appointments. The database  108  contains information for appointments and reservations and aids the first party  100  in scheduling an appointment or reservation, but it does not automate the scheduling process. The first party  100  must therefore request  102  a reservation or appointment time over the phone, and the second party  104  must communicate  110  this request to the database  108 . Such a process requires a great deal of human interaction on behalf of both of the parties  100 ,  104 . Reducing the amount of human interaction would decrease costs and would save parties such as real estate agents, practitioners, restaurants, airlines, consumers or schools a significant amount of time in scheduling appointments.  
           [0008]    A second problem with the process of FIG. 1 is that it is difficult for the second party  104  to collect useful information from the other party that can be used to improve the business. For example, a feedback process between the parties  100 ,  104  makes it difficult to collect useful information. Feedback can be required by the first party  100 . The first party  100 , however, does not receive a tangible benefit from giving feedback to the second party  104 , and the feedback is therefore frequently not meaningful or timely.  
           [0009]    A third problem with the process of FIG. 1 is that it does not automatically mine and make available statistical information that can be beneficial to the development of that business. Information such as requests for a specific information, the number of information requests that do not result in appointments or reservations, the number of information items for which no further inquiries were made by the first party  100 , or other market information relevant to second parties  104  that are typically not made available to second parties  104 .  
           [0010]    Yet another problem with the process illustrated in FIG. 1 exists where the appointment or reservation needs to be delayed or cancelled by either party. In this situation, a phone call must be made to the non-canceling party to inform them that the appointment or reservation needs to be delayed or cancelled. This can be a problem, especially where the canceling or delaying party needs to contact the other party at the last moment, but does not have a cell phone or pager number for that party. For example, if a flight is cancelled, the airline would need to contact every passenger on that flight, or a restaurant would need to contact every patron that would be affected by a delay.  
           [0011]    Sometimes a third party is involved in the process. In a situation where a third party, such as a friend picking up a passenger from a destination airport, would find delay or cancellation information useful, there is little chance that the second party  104  will have the information, and will communicate the information to the third party.  
           [0012]    There is a need in the art for a method and system to automate the appointment and reservation process for transactions. Such a method and system is also needed to facilitate and automate the feedback process between parties, and to mine useful information for use by those parties. In addition, a method and system that enables collecting and making available to parties market information relevant in a usable form is desirable. A method and system is also needed to automate the process of informing a party of cancellations or delays, and communicating information to third parties.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0013]    The present invention includes a method and apparatus for scheduling appointments.  
           [0014]    In one embodiment, the method for scheduling an appointments comprises receiving appointment availability information from a second party, receiving an appointment request from a first party, comparing the request to the availability information, automatically scheduling the appointment if the request is for an available time based on the availability information, and automatically updating the appointment availability information to reflect the appointment. The method can also include verifying the appointment with the first party, automatically prompting another request if the request is for an unavailable time based on the availability information, requesting contact information from the first party, or automatically contacting the first party if there is any change in the appointment. Appointment information can be automatically sent to the first party or second party via email, fax, or IVR.  
           [0015]    In another embodiment, the present invention is an apparatus for scheduling an appointment, the apparatus comprising an appointment server containing instructions for receiving appointment availability information from a second party, receiving an appointment request from a first party, comparing the request to the availability information, automatically scheduling the appointment if the request is for an available time based on the availability information, and automatically updating the appointment availability information to reflect the appointment. The server can contain instructions for verifying the appointment with the first party, automatically prompting another request if the request is for an unavailable time based on the availability information, requesting contact information from the first party, or automatically contacting the first party if there is any change in the appointment.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment, the first party is a passenger, the second party is an airline, and the appointment is an airline reservation. Third party information can be received, wherein the third party transports the first party to a departure airport or from a destination airport. Information can be automatically sent to the third party via email, fax or IVR.  
           [0017]    In another embodiment, the first party is a patron, the second party is a restaurant, and the appointment is a dining reservation.  
           [0018]    In another embodiment, the first party is a patient, the second party is a practitioner, and the appointment is an office appointment. The practitioner can be any practitioner, such as a doctor or a dentist.  
           [0019]    In another embodiment, the first party is a school, the second party is a teacher, and the appointment is a class at the school.  
           [0020]    In another embodiment, the first party is a teacher, the second party is a school, and the appointment is a class at the school.  
           [0021]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is shown and described only the embodiments of the invention, by way of illustration, of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview of a prior art method and system for making appointments or reservations.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a basic block diagram overview of the system of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram overview of the system of the present invention that illustrates the flow of communications in the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a block diagram overview of the system of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the scheduling and appointment process of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the cancellation or delay communication process of the present invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a block diagram overview of a prior art method and system for making appointments for real estate showings.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a basic block diagram overview of the system of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is a block diagram overview of one embodiment of the system of the invention that illustrates the flow of communications in the invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is a block diagram overview of an embodiment of the system of the invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a web page or database entry for registration of realtors with the system and method of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 is a web page or database entry for new property listings with the system and method of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the scheduling and appointment process of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14 is a web page or database entry for a feedback request for use in one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 15 is a block diagram overview of a prior art method and system for making a flight reservation. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     I. General Overview and Equipment of an Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 shows a basic block diagram overview of the system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the system includes a first party  100 , a second party  104 , a database  108 , an automated communications path  202 , and an appointment server  200  having a web server  204 , an interactive voice response system (“IVR”)  206  , and programs  208 . In the present invention, the appointment server  200  communicates with one or more parties over a communication path  202 . As shown in FIG. 2, the appointment server  200  communicates with a first party  100  and a second party  104  over communication path  202 . The communication path  202  used within the scope of the invention may be a Local Area Network (“LAN”) of any type, a Wide Area Network (“WAN”), a private network, a public network including the Internet and the Web, or a telephone network. Communications may be accomplished using standard devices or wireless devices such as telephones, cellular phones, palm pilots, satellite dishes, fax machines, the World Wide Web, cable, or other electronic communication devices or mediums known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0038]    A database  108  may also be used within the scope of the present invention, although the database  108  may also be replaced entirely in one embodiment of the invention by the appointment server  200 , which may contain database information relevant to the use of the appointment server  200 , such as real estate listings, available dates and times at a restaurant, flight information, substitute teacher schedules, or available time slots at a practitioner&#39;s office, just to name a few. In an embodiment using the database  108 , the appointment server  200  may communicate with the database  108  to upload and gather relevant information. Similarly, information added through the appointment server  200  may also be communicated to the database  108  so that information is contained in the database  108 . In some embodiments, the database  108  may be used for reference from the appointment server  200 , such as by providing an Internet link to the database  108  from a web page in the appointment server  200 . In another embodiment using the database  108 , addresses, pictures, and other such types of information, as well as other information, may be uploaded from the database  108  to the appointment server  200 . The database  108 , therefore, may be either integral with the appointment server  200  or a completely separate system that is used only for reference from the appointment server  200 .  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 2, the appointment server  200  may include a web server  204 , an IVR system  206 , and programs  208 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the appointment process is automated. The web server  203  may be separate, or included as part of the same computer system, as the appointment server  200 , and operates a web site that allows for communication with a first party  100  and/or a second party  104 . In one embodiment, the web server  204  manages all or a portion of the e-mail and Internet communications for the appointment server  200 . The appointment server  200  may be any standard computer known to those skilled in the art and may contain a processor, input and output devices, and other conventional features for computer servers. Although the appointment server  200  will be referred to throughout this specification as a single computer, it may be any number of computers networked together into a computer system or it may be one or more computer servers operating over the Web. In addition, the appointment server  200 , in one embodiment, includes an IVR system  206  that also allows for communication to and from the appointment server  200  through telephone rather than the Web.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate more detailed embodiments of the appointment server  200  of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the communications that can take place between the parties  100 ,  104  and the appointment server  200 , and FIG. 4 illustrates that the appointment server  200  may contain a number of databases or servers, which may be either separate computers or computer systems from the appointment server  200  or applications or databases running on the appointment server  200 . As shown in FIG. 4, the appointment server system includes an appointment server  200  having a database management system  400  with a database management system database  402 , an IVR system  206  with an IVR database  404 , other systems and servers  406  having their own respective databases  408 , and a web server  204  that runs a web page  410 . As shown in FIG. 4, a database management server  400  and database  402  that stores relevant information, historical data, and other programs or information may be part of the appointment server  200 . The IVR system  206  may have a server and database  404  to provide for the operation and data storage of the voice response system of the invention. Other servers  406  (e.g. Text to Speech, Speech Recognition, Accounting Servers, etc.) and databases  408  may also be a part of the appointment server  200 . It is to be understood that these servers  406  and databases  408  may be used together or separately, may exist within the appointment server  200  or separately or at a remote site. As such, these databases  408  and servers  406  illustrate that a number of components to the appointment server  200  may exist. In addition, the system and method of the invention may coordinate in uploading and/or downloading information from the database  108 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (numeral  300  of FIG. 3).  
         [0041]    Any computer systems and software programs known to those skilled in the art may be used within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, a SUN computer with the Solaris operating system may be used for the appointment server  200 , a Compaq computer with the LINUX operating system may be used for the web server  204 , and a Compaq computer with WindowsNT, Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 2000 may be used for the servers  406  and IVR system  206 . An ORACLE database management system may be used for the database management server  400 , Dialogic communication hardware and software may be used for the telephony and voice communication applications, and Nuance software may be used for intelligent voice recognition. For the other features described below, such as mapping, TileGen and IPS software from VectorVision Corp. may be used for map selection and for identification on maps, and Map Objects software from Environmental Sciences Research Institute may be used for map creation and for the Geographic Information System to overlay different layers of information on a map. It is to be understood that other computer systems and software known to those skilled in the art may also be used. In addition, software or programs  208  within the servers or databases of the appointment server  200  or elsewhere may be used to carry out the functions and operations described above and below.  
         [0042]    The web server  204  or IVR system  206  may be set up so that only certain parties have access thereto, via either password protection or secured communications paths, although full or partial access may be given to other parties in other embodiments. The references to a first party  100 , a second party  104 , and a third party  1516  in the Figures may refer to the person himself or herself and/or to the computer, computer system or telephone system used by that person for communication through the communication path  202 . The web page  410  operated by the web server  204  may have portions that are available generally to the public  412 , such as open house showings and maps to those showings, flight information, and/or available time slots at a restaurant or practitioner&#39;s office, as well as portions that may be accessed only by parties with accounts. The web site  410  may also have information such as online purchasing agreements, flight contracts, insurance forms, and the like for purchase or use, brochures or riders for advertising purposes, and links to other web sites that contain valuable information.  
         [0043]    In one embodiment, a first party  100  may communicate with the appointment server  200  and request an appointment or reservation using either IVR  206 , as is well known in the art, or using the Web  410 . In the common situation in which the second party  104  will not allow an appointment or reservation to be made at any time, the appointment server  200  may automatically communicate with the second party  104 , typically through the phone but possibly through e-mail or the Web, to request authorization to schedule the appointment or reservation. After the appointment server  200  has received a response from the second party  104 , the response may be automatically communicated to the first party  100 . In addition, records of requests for reservations or appointments, reservations or appointments that are actually set up, and records for other information may be saved in the appointment server  200  so that the records may be used for statistical or business purposes. The feedback process may also be automated by having the appointment server  200  automatically send an e-mail or other request to the first party  100  requesting general or specific information about the appointment or reservation. These and other features of the invention will be discussed further in the following section.  
       II. Operation  
       [0044]    FIGS.  2 - 4  are block diagrams illustrating embodiments of the system and operation of the present invention. Data collected from the first party  100  or the second party  104  may be stored in the appointment server  200  of the invention or in the various servers and databases depicted in FIG. 4. Numerous types of data can be collected from the parties and used in the present invention.  
         [0045]    1. Compiling User Information in the Appointment Server  
         [0046]    Parties  100 ,  104  may enroll with a system proprietor of the appointment server  200  by providing certain information. Any type of information may be requested, depending on the business or service the appointment server  200  is accommodating. Typically personal information and contact information is requested, so that the party can be identified and contacted if need be. The information may be provided via web pages  410 , as depicted in FIG. 4, that are run through the web server  204  of the appointment server  200 . The information may also be collected in a variety of other methods, such as by using an IVR system  206 , through email, traditional mail, or through in-person or telephone conversations.  
         [0047]    2. Compiling Other Information in the Appointment Server  
         [0048]    A party  100 ,  104  may submit new information or an update to existing information through the appointment server  200 . In an embodiment using the database  108 , information submitted through the database  108  may be updated to the appointment server  200  on regular intervals so that the appointment server  200  has current information. Similarly, information may be downloaded from the appointment server  200  to the database  108 . FIG. 3 indicates the uploading or downloading of information between the database  108  and the appointment server  200  as numeral  300 , and the submission of information by the second party  104  to the database  108  as numeral  116 . In addition, information added directly by the second party  104  to the appointment server  200  may be downloaded to the database  108  so that the database  108  has current information about those listings. In the event that listing information is uploaded from the database  108  to the appointment server  200  instead of added directly to the appointment server  200 , the second party  104  may need to supply additional information, such as seller-specific information, to the appointment server  200  so that the method and system of the invention may operate. In such an embodiment, the appointment server  200  may send an e-mail to the second party  104  to request the information, or, in another embodiment, place an IVR phone call to request the information. It should also be understood that in one embodiment of the invention the database  108  may not be used, such that only that information added directly to the appointment server  200  will be used in operation of the invention.  
         [0049]    For information added to the appointment server  200 , such as participating businesses or locations of businesses, a map may be associated with the information to aid first parties  100  in finding the location of the business or service. The map may be a simple, low detailed map, or a higher detailed map of the area. The map may be generated automatically by the appointment server  200  by using well-known on-line map sources, such as Mapquest, or by asking the second party  104  to supply a map for inclusion in the information record. In addition to a map showing the location of the business or property, directions from well-known cities, landmarks, locations, highways, or roads may be included. In one embodiment, the maps may be large enough and detailed enough for use in a vehicle when driving to or between locations. The directions may also be provided by on-line sources or by the second party  104  himself or herself when entering the information.  
         [0050]    3. Setting Up Appointments  
         [0051]    a. Searching for Information  
         [0052]    After parties have registered with the appointment server  200 , the server may be used to find information with specific characteristics and to arrange for a reservation or appointment. The appointment server  200  may contain a web page that allows for searching for information by a first party  100 . The web page may be any type of web page known to those skilled in the art and may use any known searching software or technique. A first party  100  may be required to log on to the web site, which may require password control, prior to searching for information. Searches may be conducted by any data type contained in the information, such as searches by area code, city, property type or style, price range, number of bedrooms, number of baths, airline, flight destination, flight origination, practitioner, practitioner location, insurance carrier, restaurant, city, state, or school. In one embodiment, searches conducted through the appointment server  200  may search through the database  108  for information, and display partial or entire records for any information in the database  108  that is not included in the appointment server&#39;s  200  records. Through the use of a single appointment server  200 , or through a networked group of appointment servers  200 , first parties  100  from many different locations can schedule appointments and/or make reservations.  
         [0053]    Alternatively, a user may occur on another website, operated by another, that is linked to the appointment server web page. The user could search the remote web site, then link to the appointment server web page, the link optionally carrying the parameters identifying the selected information. The user could then proceed to schedule the appointment on the appointment server web page.  
         [0054]    After a search has been conducted, the first party  100  may view records for the information retrieved in the search. The records may contain all or a portion of the information, and the record may be displayed with any pictures, maps, and directions to the location from nearby highways, roads, cities, or landmarks.  
         [0055]    The first party  100  may next request those information items that he or she desires to reserve or schedule an appointment for. After the first party  100  selects those items, the appointment server  200  (and more specifically a map server) may generate a map showing the location of each item (with a number, letter, or otherwise), if pertinent. The map may also contain directions for the first party  100  so that the first party&#39;s  100  route to a location is defined. In another embodiment, a map with each retrieved information item may be displayed to the first party  100 . FIG. 3 indicates requests from a first party  100 , including a request for map information for as numeral  302  and a response with map information from the appointment server  200  as numeral  304 . The map and directions may be printable so that the first party  100  can use the map and directions.  
         [0056]    Certain information may be contained on a report that is for a first party&#39;s  100  eyes only. Such information includes lock box combinations, showing instructions, billing information, reservation information, insurance information, and other pertinent information.  
         [0057]    A variety of other information may be presented to a first party  100  when results from a search are presented. Such information may include a color scheme showing the status of each information item (new, old listing, etc.), flags to indicate certain items, such as newly entered or recently cancelled items, and a list showing available times for appointments or reservations.  
         [0058]    b. Scheduling Appointments and Making Reservations  
         [0059]    Appointments may be automatically scheduled through the appointment server  200 . Scheduling may take place prior to the generation of a map (described above) for the first party  100 , so that the first party  100  can have confirmed appointment or reservation times prior to generation of a map and directions. It should be noted that the parties  100 ,  104  may continue to communicate with each other via telephone or other methods to keep professional relationships alive.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the scheduling and appointment process of the present invention, and FIG. 3 also depicts communications used in an embodiment of the invention. A first party  100  may request to schedule an appointment, or make a reservation, as depicted by numeral  302  in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the appointment server  200  receives this request (block  500 ). In some listings, a second party  104  may indicate that certain times are acceptable for appointments or reservations, and that only notification is required to the second party  104 . The appointment server  200 , therefore, may query whether the requested appointment or reservation time is acceptable based on the record (FIG. 5, block  502 ). If the appointment or reservation time is acceptable, the first party  100  will be notified (via the Web, e-mail, or telephone or IVR), and notification may be sent to the parties  100 ,  104  (FIG. 5, block  504 ; FIG. 3 numerals  306  and  308 ). FIG. 3 also depicts communication between the second party  104  and the appointment server  200  for clarification or further information as numeral  310 . When the first party  100  is notified that the appointment or reservation time is acceptable, the notification (Web, e-mail, telephone, or IVR) may include information which may be accessed from the appointment server  200  or a database  1003  attached thereto. In one embodiment, the first party  100  may be automatically provided with all of the information that is necessary for the appointment or reservation. In one embodiment, only a first party  100  with a password can access a web page or IVR messages that include responses from second parties  104  to requests to schedule appointments or reservations, so that any confidential information may be kept secure.  
         [0061]    In the event that the appointment or reservation time is not automatically acceptable based on the information given by the second party  104 , the appointment server  200  may place a call, via the IVR system  206 , to the second party  104  to solicit appointment approval (FIG. 5, block  506 ; FIG. 3, numeral  310 ). The solicitation to the second party  104  may ask for a voice or touch-tone response indicating that the time is acceptable, not acceptable, or asking for some other response. The appointment server  200  then receives the response from the second party  104  (FIG. 5, Block  507 ). If the appointment or reservation time is acceptable (block  508  in FIG. 5), this information may be automatically communicated to the parties  100 ,  104 . Information may also be provided to the first party  100  as discussed above.  
         [0062]    If the appointment or reservation time is not acceptable and the first party  100  should try another time (block  510 ), a message may be sent via e-mail, telephone, or the Web to the first party  100  to communicate the second party&#39;s  104  response and to solicit a new request to schedule an appointment or reservation (block  512 ). If the second party  104  has some response other than yes or no or try another time (block  514 ), this message may be automatically communicated to the parties  100 ,  104 . In an embodiment in which the appointment server  200  contains a list of available times for appointments or reservations, the list of acceptable times may be provided to the first party  100  in response to a request for an appointment or reservation (if the requested appointment or reservation time is not acceptable). The parties  100 ,  104  may then contact each other via traditional methods to resolve issues relating to the scheduling and, in one embodiment, the second party  104  may phone in through the IVR system  206  (or enter via the web site) a response to a request to schedule an appointment or reservation. In the event that the first party  100  is using the Web to request appointment or reservation times, the response from the second party  104  may be received through the Web in a matter of moments and, if a response from the second party  104  is not received within a threshold time period, a message may be displayed to the first party  100  to indicate that a response will be posted later or that the first party  100  will be notified via IVR, e-mail, or otherwise.  
         [0063]    In one embodiment, information for second parties  104 , such as scheduled or attempted appointments or reservations and requests to contact the second party  104 , may be communicated via the IVR system  206  or via e-mail. In another embodiment, information for second parties  104  may be compiled in the appointment server  200  for presentation over the Web. In such a situation, the second party  104  may log on to the web site at a convenient time and check the status of specific items to determine whether appointments or reservations have been scheduled or attempted and to determine if there have been requests to contact the second party  104 . Market intelligence and statistical reports may also be made available to the parties in such an embodiment.  
         [0064]    A first party  100  may, in one embodiment of the invention, request multiple appointment or reservation times for different items based on search results of items through use of either the web server  204  of the appointment server  200  or through the IVR system  206 . The first party  100  may then log off the web site (or hang up the phone), and then check to determine the status of the requested appointments or reservations by phone or through the web site at a later time. The first party may therefore arrange for several appointments or reservations at one time, in effect setting up a “tour” of appointments or reservations. After the first party  100  receives the results, the first party  100  may request different appointment or reservation times (depending on the second party&#39;s  104  response or changed circumstances) and then print a schedule and map for appointments or reservations. In other embodiments, the map for the appointments or reservations may be displayed and the first party  100  may click on scheduled items to delete or modify the appointment or reservation times. For instance, if a desired appointment time at one location is not available, a different appointment time may be needed for a number of the other locations of the tour. The appointment server  200  may assign an identification code to the tour, and, depending on the results of the requests for appointments or reservations, the first party  100  may recall the tour and modify requested appointment or reservation times without having to re-enter all of the information for the desired appointments or reservations a second time. The first party  100  may also change requested appointment or showing orders or dates. After the first party  100  has found an acceptable tour in terms of available appointment or reservation times, maps (showing directions between appointments or reservations) and any other information needed for an appointment or reservation, such as lock box combinations, showing directions, flight information, school schedule, insurance information, and location of the business or school, may be provided to the first party  100  for each item as discussed above. In many situations, second parties  104  are communicated with by the appointment server  200  quickly and a response from the second party  104  to the requested appointment or reservation is received by the first party  100  in a matter of minutes or even seconds.  
         [0065]    4. Communicating Delays or Cancellations  
         [0066]    Cancellations or delays of scheduled appointments or reservations may be automatically communicated to a party through the appointment server  200 . It should be noted that the parties  100 ,  104  may continue to communicate with each other via telephone or other methods to keep professional relationships alive.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the cancellation or delay communication process of the present invention, and FIG. 3 also depicts communications used in an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, a first party  100  who has scheduled an appointment or reservation, as depicted in FIG. 5, will be automatically contacted by the appointment server  200  in the case of a delay or cancellation (numeral  312  of FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 6, the appointment server  200  receives the cancellation or delay information (block  600 ) from the second party  104  (numeral  312  of FIG. 3). The appointment server  200  then queries whether the first party  100  listed a preferred mode of communication when scheduling the appointment or reservation (block  602 ). The preferred mode of communication can be a work telephone number, a home telephone number, a cell phone number, a pager number, an email address, a pager, or any other type of communication possible using a web server  204 or IVR system  206 . In one embodiment, the first user  100  can list a preferred mode of communication that is time dependent. For instance, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, the preferred mode may be by an email message, or a work telephone number, but after 5:00 PM, the preferred mode may be by a pager number or home telephone number. The more detailed the information is, the better chance that the first party  100  will be contacted by the appointment server  200 .  
         [0068]    If the first party  100  did leave a preferred mode of communication, the appointment server  200  will attempt to contact the first party  100  by that preferred mode of communication (block  604 ). The appointment server  200  can use either a web server  204  or an IVR system  206  for making contact, depending on the mode of communication. Upon an answer to the communication attempt, the appointment server  200  can leave a message either in the form of a computerized voice message, or an electronic mail, relaying the cancellation or delay (block  606 ).  
         [0069]    If the first party  100  did not leave a preferred mode of communication, the appointment server  200  can use a default method of communication to reach the first party  100  (block  608 ). The default mode of communication can be any mode of communication selected by the server  200  administrator or second party  104  that is used every time there is not a preferred mode of communication listed. In one embodiment, the default mode can be a home telephone number. The appointment server  200  can use either a web server  204  or an IVR system  206  for making contact, depending on the default mode of communication. Upon an answer to the communication attempt, the appointment server  200  can leave a message either in the form of a computerized voice message, or an electronic mail, relaying the cancellation or delay (block  606 ).  
         [0070]    In an alternative embodiment, the appointment server  200  can attempt to contact a third party  1516 , such as in a situation where a flight is late, and a passenger on the flight is going to be picked up by the third party  1516 . If the passenger entered contact information for the third party, the appointment server  200  can contact any third party  1516  with information on the server  200  that will be affected by the delay or cancellation.  
         [0071]    In another embodiment, If the appointment server  200  is not able to contact the first party  100 , either by the preferred mode of communication, or by a default mode, the appointment server  200  may attempt to contact the first party  100  using alternative modes of communication, depending on the information entered into the server  200  by the first party  100 . In one embodiment, the server  200  can have a pre-programmed order of modes of communication to use, such as cell phone number, pager number, e-mail, and so on, in case the server  200  is not able to make contact with the first party  100  initially.  
         [0072]    It is to be understood, that the appointment server  200  can be set up in many different ways. In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can be set up only to use a default mode of communication, and not a preferred mode. In another embodiment, the server  200  can be programmed to contact the first party  100  in multiple ways, such as a telephone call and an e-mail. In another embodiment, the server  200  can be set up to receive cancellation or delay information from a first party  100 , and can communicate the delay or cancellation to the second party  104 .  
         [0073]    The automated communication system for relaying cancellations or delays saves the parties time and money. The canceling party only needs to input the information into the appointment server  200 , and the appointment server  200  can make efforts to contact all interested parties to inform them of the cancellation or delay. This saves the canceling party the time required to contact multiple parties, while still putting forth great efforts to ensure that the parties are informed. This saves the non-canceling party the time wasted in showing up to an appointment or for a reservation that may not be ready, or may be cancelled.  
         [0074]    5. Gathering Feedback  
         [0075]    After an appointment or reservation has occurred, the appointment server  200  may automatically request feedback from the first party  100 , as indicated by numeral  312  in FIG. 3. To automatically request this feedback, the appointment server  200  may simply request the feedback the day of the appointment or reservation or the day after an appointment or reservation was scheduled. The feedback may be requested by IVR, web page forms, or by e-mail. After the feedback has been received by the appointment server  200  from the first party  100 , the feedback may be automatically communicated by e-mail or otherwise to the second party  104  (numeral  314  of FIG. 3). In another embodiment, the feedback request may be directed to the first party  100  but then sent via e-mail directly to the second party  104 . The first party  100  may alternatively communicate feedback and other information to the second party  104  via traditional methods to ensure that a personal and professional relationship is maintained. In one embodiment, a thank you message may be sent (numeral  314  of FIG. 3) from the second party  104  to the first party  100  either after feedback has been received by the second party  104 , or after the scheduled appointment or reservation has taken place.  
         [0076]    6. Mining Information  
         [0077]    Parties  100 ,  104  may check on the status of information items or view historical information through the appointment server  200 . FIG. 3 depicts the availability of such statistical reports and information as numeral  316 . Statistical information may be kept regarding how often a particular item has been retrieved as relevant to a first party&#39;s  100  search, how many requests to schedule an appointment or reservation have occurred, how many actual appointments or reservations have occurred, how many reservations or showings have been canceled, and other information that may be relevant to the ability of appointments and reservations to be made. Because prior art methods and systems have no direct route of tracking this information, the system and method of the invention may aid first and second parties in conducting business. Such information may be available through web pages within the appointment server  200 , such that some web pages contain specific types of information, and other web pages contain more general information.  
         [0078]    The web site of the appointment server  200  may provide a center for information for second parties  104  that contains feedback information from appointments or reservations, statistical information as described above for particular information items, and market activity. Such information may be viewed in yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily periods. Numerous types of information may be made available, including market activity trends pertaining to a particular information item, appointment or reservation activity for certain information items compared with activity for other similar items, geographic distribution information for items, and appointment or reservation and sales information for particular businesses and for the markets as a whole. In addition, other information may be provided, such as market activity with respect to the calendar time of the year.  
         [0079]    Other possible data mining features include online search capabilities for items that meet certain selection criteria, along with mapping information, as described above, for those items. Potential first parties  100  may be profiled and certain items may be suggested as falling within categories (i.e., price, location, number of bedrooms) that such a profiled first party  100  may be interested in. Another possible feature is the profiling of items along with the actual first party  100  in an effort to determine if certain classes of products and/or services are likely to sell to those purchasers. Information first parties  100  may then be provided to vendors of products and/or services so that sales efforts may be made to the first party  100 .  
         [0080]    The appointment server  200  may have automated accounting and billing systems, which could be one of the servers  406  and databases  408  in FIG. 4, to automate the collection of billing information for the appointment server  200 . The proprietor of the appointment server  200  may charge users based on usage of the appointment server  200 . The appointment server  200  may, in one embodiment, charge first parties  100  based on searches for items, scheduled appointments or reservations, calls made to and from the IVR system  206 , and based on usage of other features of the invention. In addition, second parties  104  may be charged based on scheduled appointments or reservations, information items listed with the appointment server  200 , feedback submissions, or other usages of the appointment server  200 . In other embodiments, users may be charged periodic fees, such as monthly fees, to use the appointment server  200 . The accounting and billing systems of the appointment server  200  may track such billing information to automate accounting and billing procedures.  
       III. Other Embodiments of the Invention  
       [0081]    There are many embodiments of the present invention that overcome disadvantages of the prior art. Some examples are real estate showings, making an appointment at a practitioner&#39;s office, making a reservation at a restaurant, making a reservation on a flight, and scheduling substitute teachers to teach at a school, just to name a few.  
         [0082]    1. Real Estate Showings  
         [0083]    Real estate transactions typically involve the use of real estate agents to set up and coordinate real estate showings and sales. The seller of a property uses a listing agent to act as an agent to organize and facilitate the sale of the property. Potential buyers also use agents to set up showings and to facilitate the purchase of a property. Throughout this specification, an agent for a potential buyer who shows property to the buyer will be referred to as a “showing agent” or a “showing realtor.” Such a showing agent typically works for a real estate broker, which will be referred to as a “showing office.” Similarly, a “listing agent” or “listing realtor,” who typically works for a real estate broker referred to as a “listing office,” is an agent for the seller of the property. The term “seller” will be used in the specification to refer to the actual seller or occupant of the property and, more broadly, to the listing agent (or listing realtor) who acts as an agent for the seller. Similarly, the term “buyer” will be used in the specification to refer to the actual potential buyer of the property and, more broadly, to the showing agent (or showing realtor) who acts as an agent for the potential buyer. Thus, the showing agent, showing office, and buyer can be compared to “Party 1” in FIG. 1, and the listing agent, listing office, and seller can be compared to “Party 2” in FIG. 1.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 7 illustrates the typical appointment process used in the prior art to set up an appointment for a showing agent to show a property to a potential buyer. A seller  700  uses a listing agent  702  to submit a listing  704  to the listing office  706  of the listing agent  702  and to the multiple listing service (“MLS”)  708 . The MLS  708  is a database of listed properties commonly used by listing agents  702  to list properties and used by showing agents  710  to find property that may be suitable for a potential buyer, and can be compared to the database  108  of FIG. 1. After a showing agent  710  finds a suitable property listing from the MLS  708 , the showing agent  710  requests  712  from the listing office  706  an appointment time by telephone to view and show the property. Such a request  712  may be for a specific time or may be an open-ended request for a suitable time from the seller  700 . An agent or staff member at the listing office  706  then communicates  714  with the seller  700 , typically over the telephone, to determine if the requested showing time is acceptable to the seller  700 . The seller&#39;s message is then communicated  716  from the listing office  706  to the showing office  718 , and the listing office  706  will also let the listing agent  702  know of scheduled showings (numeral  720 ).  
         [0085]    After a property is shown to a potential buyer, the showing agent  710  is typically required to give feedback  722  to the listing agent  702  about the property. Such feedback  722  typically occurs over the phone. The listing agent  702  may also communicate  724  with the seller  700 , sharing information about the property and deciding what further steps may be taken to facilitate the sale of the property.  
         [0086]    a. Overview and Equipment  
         [0087]    FIGS.  8 - 14  show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of the environment of the invention. In this embodiment, the database  108  is represented by the MLS  708 , the first party  100  is represented by a buyer  800 , a showing office  718  and a showing agent  710 , and the second party  104  is represented by a seller  700 , a listing office  706 , and a listing agent  702 . In this embodiment, an appointment server  200  communicates with one or more listing realtors  702 , showing realtors  710 , and sellers  700  over communication path  202 .  
         [0088]    The MLS  708  may also be used within the scope of the invention, although the MLS  708  may also be replaced entirely in one embodiment of the invention by the appointment server  200 , which may contain real estate listings. In an embodiment using the MLS  708 , the appointment server  200  may communicate with the MLS  708  to gather information about listings, and listings added through the appointment server  200  may also be communicated to the MLS  708  so that those listings are listed in the MLS  708 . In some embodiments, the MLS  708  may be used for reference from the appointment server  200 , such as by providing an Internet link to the MLS  708  from a web page in the appointment server  200 . In another embodiment using the MLS  708 , addresses and pictures of property, as well as other information, may be uploaded from the MLS  708  to the appointment server  200 . The MLS  708 , therefore, may be either integral with the appointment server  200  or a completely separate system that is used only for reference from the appointment server  200 .  
         [0089]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the appointment process for real estate transactions is automated. The appointment server  200  may include, either separately or as part of the same computer system, those components described in FIG. 2, such as a web server  204  and IVR system  206 .  
         [0090]    [0090]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate more detailed embodiments of the appointment server  200  of the invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 like FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrate that the appointment server  200  may contain a number of databases or servers, which may be either separate computers or computer systems from the appointment server  200  or applications or databases running on the appointment server  200 . Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, a database management server  400  and database  402  that stores listing information for listed properties, historical data, and other programs or information may be part of the appointment server  200 . The IVR system  206  may have a server and database  404  to provide for the operation and data storage of the voice response system of the invention. In this embodiment, a map server  900  and database  902  may be used in one embodiment to access maps, geographic information, and directions to or from listed properties. An accounting server  904  and database  906  may be used to track listings, transactions, and service charges that may be incurred using the appointment server  200 . The accounting server  904  and database  906  may also be used for the automated generation of bills that may be sent via e-mail, a Web application, or standard mail to a realtor. It is to be understood that the databases and servers described above may be used together or separately, may exist within the appointment server  200  or separately or at a remote site. As such, these databases and servers are separately listed only to illustrate that a number of components to the appointment server  200  may exist. In addition, the system and method of the invention may coordinate in uploading and/or downloading information from the MLS  708 , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (numeral  316  of FIG. 9).  
         [0091]    The web server  204  or IVR system  206  may be set up so that only realtors  702 ,  710  have access thereto, via either password protection or secured communications paths, although full or partial access may be given to buyers  800  and/or sellers  700  in other embodiments. The references to listing realtor  702 , seller  700 , and showing realtor  710  in the Figures may refer to the person himself or herself and/or to the computer, computer system or telephone system used by that person for communication through the communication path  202 . The web page  410  operated by the web server  204  may have portions that are available generally to the public  412 , such as open house showings and maps to those showings, as well as portions that may be accessed only by agents with accounts. The web site may also have information such as online purchasing agreements and the like for purchase or use, brochures or riders for advertising purposes, and links to other web sites that contain valuable information.  
         [0092]    In one embodiment, a showing realtor  710  may communicate with the appointment server  200  and request an appointment to show a property using either IVR, as is well know in the art, or using the Web. In the common situation in which the seller  700  of the property will not allow the property to be shown at any time, the appointment server  200  may automatically communicate with the seller  700 , typically through the phone but possibly through e-mail or the Web, to request authorization to show the property. After the appointment server  200  has received a response from the seller  700 , the response may be automatically communicated to the showing realtor  710 , the listing realtor  702 , and the listing office  706 . In addition, records of requests for showings, showings that are actually set up, and records for other information may be saved in the appointment server  200  so that the records may be used for statistical or business purposes. The feedback process may also be automated by having the appointment server  200  automatically send an e-mail or other request to the showing realtor  710  requesting general or specific information about the showing. These and other features of this embodiment of the invention will be discussed further in the following section.  
         [0093]    b. Operation of the Real Estate Embodiment  
         [0094]    FIGS.  8 - 10  are block diagrams illustrating embodiments of the system and operation of the invention. FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14  illustrate potential web pages or database entries that may be used in the operation of the invention. The data listed in FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14  may be stored in the appointment server  200  of the invention or in the various servers and databases depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Although numerous data types are listed in each of FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14 , the invention may function with any subset of the data in the given Figures, such that each type of data is not required for the invention to function.  
         [0095]    i. Compiling Broker Information in the Appointment Server  
         [0096]    Real estate agent offices, which include both listing offices  706  and showing offices  718 , may enroll with a system proprietor of the appointment server  200  by providing certain information. FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of information that may be requested from real estate agent offices to sign up with the appointment server  200 . A web page such as that shown in simplified form in FIG. 11, may be used to gather the information, and any variety of data entry methods or systems, including drop down boxes, tab folders, and on and off buttons, used by those skilled in the art may be used to gather the information.  
         [0097]    The data listed in the embodiment of FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14  may be stored in the appointment server  200  of the invention or in the various servers and databases depicted in FIG. 10. Although numerous data types are listed in each of FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14 , the invention may function with any subset of the data in the given Figures, such that each type of data is not required for the invention to function.  
         [0098]    In the real estate embodiment, FIG. 11 illustrates that information for realtors may include the realtor name  1102 , billing address  1104 , an e-mail address  1106 , and a phone number  1108 , and any other general information about the real estate office. A member identification number (“MIN”) may also be used along with a password for each realtor and/or agent for security purposes. Specific information  1110  for each broker, agent, or manager of the real estate office may be collected. Such information may include the realtor&#39;s name  1112 , e-mail address  1114 , home address  1116 , phone numbers  1118  (which may include home, work, cell, and pagers), and affiliated boards  1120 , such as the National Association of Realtors and/or state and local real estate boards. Other information  1122 , including but not limited to web address and billing address and MINs, may also be collected for each agent. Contract terms  1130  for the realtor&#39;s enrollment with the appointment server  200  may be printed on an enrollment web page or on forms. Such contract terms  1130  may include waivers for errors in setting up showing appointments, fee agreements, and other contract terms for the engagement. In a web embodiment, a submit  1140  or other button may be present to allow for the submission of the information to the appointment server  200 . In one embodiment, the realtor may also submit information regarding the types of property the realtor is looking for, and the appointment server  200  may automatically notify the realtor (by e-mail, the Internet, or otherwise) when a listing meeting the realtor&#39;s requirements is entered into the appointment server  200 .  
         [0099]    Real estate offices may also log on to the appointment server  200  and check billing information for accounts, generate reports on property listings, modify listings for property, and perform other managerial functions for their accounts.  
         [0100]    ii. Compiling Listing Information in the Appointment Server  
         [0101]    A listing agent  702  or listing office  706  may submit a new listing or update an existing listing through the appointment server  200 . In an embodiment using the MLS  708 , listings submitted through the MLS  708  may be updated to the appointment server  200  on regular intervals so that the appointment server  200  has current information about the listing. Similarly, listings may be downloaded from the appointment server  200  to the MLS  708 . FIG. 9 indicates the uploading or downloading of information between the MLS  708  and the appointment server  200  as numeral  316 , and the submission of listings by the listing agent  702  to the MLS  708  as numeral  900 . In addition, listings added directly by listing agents  702  to the appointment server  200  may be downloaded to the MLS  708  so that the MLS  708  has current information about those listings. In the event that listing information is uploaded from the MLS  708  to the appointment server  200  instead of added directly to the appointment server  200 , the listing agent  702  may need to supply additional information, such as seller-specific information, to the appointment server  200  so that the method and system of the invention may operate. In such an embodiment, the appointment server  200  may send an e-mail to the listing agent  702  or seller  700  to request the information, or, in another embodiment, place an IVR phone call to request the information. It should also be understood that in one embodiment of the invention the MLS  708  may not be used, such that only those listings added directly to the appointment server  200  will be used in operation of the invention.  
         [0102]    [0102]FIG. 12 illustrates some of the information that may be used for a new real estate listing. As the information shown in FIG. 11, this information may be requested in a web page or through other methods, and the discussion with respect to the information of FIG. 11 applies to the new listing information of FIG. 12 as well.  
         [0103]    Basic information about a property for a new listing, such as the property address  1202 , the type of property  1204 , the style of home or property  1206 , the price  1208 , the number of bedrooms  1210 , and the number of baths  1212 , may be entered. In addition, the Property Identification Number (“PID”) for the property may be entered, which is generally assigned by the county of the property and identifies the property for several purposes, such as tax purposes. A description of any of these features may also be provided in one embodiment, and other comments  1214  about the home may also be provided. Information about the seller  700  may also be entered, such as the seller&#39;s name  1222 , phone numbers  1224 , and facsimile numbers  1228 . Other information  1230  about reaching the seller  700 , such as the best time  1236  to call the seller  700  or the location of the seller  700  at different times of the day, may also be entered. Specific or general showing instructions  1232  and times to show the property  1234  may also be entered. Lock box information  1218 , which may, in one embodiment, be kept in a database separate from address information or seller information for security purposes, may be entered into the appointment server  200 . Status information  1216 , such as whether a listing is a new listing or otherwise, may also be entered. The appointment server  200  may automatically update status information if the listing remains on the system (updating the status from “new” to “on market” after a set period of time, such as 10 days, or listing a property as being sold). Pictures  1220 , drawings, or other artistic representations of property may also be submitted. Finally, information about real estate related services  1242 , such as loan information, may also be included for advertising purposes.  
         [0104]    For each listing added to the appointment server  200 , a map may be associated with the listing to aid potential buyers  800  and showing agents  710  in finding the property. The map may be a simple, low detailed map, or a higher detailed map of the area. The map may be generated automatically by the appointment server by using well-known on-line map sources, such as Mapquest, or by asking listing agents  702  to supply a map for inclusion in the listing record. In addition to a map showing the location of the property, directions from well-known cities, landmarks, locations, highways, or roads may be included to aid in showing the property. In one embodiment, the maps may be large enough and detailed enough for use in a vehicle when driving to or between listings. The directions may also be provided by on-line sources or by the listing agent  702  himself or herself when listing the property.  
         [0105]    In one embodiment, a listing added by a listing agent  702  is not immediately available to all showing agents  710 . Instead, the availability of the listing to all showing agents  710  is delayed by a distribution delay factor so that only listing agents  702  from the listing office  706  of the listing agent  702  who added the listing will have immediate access to the listing. This allows agents from the listing office  706  of the listing agent  702  who added the listing to have the first opportunity to sell the property. The distribution delay factor can be any amount of time, such as from one hour to two weeks. After the period of the distribution delay factor is up, the listing will be generally available to all listing agents  702 .  
         [0106]    After real estate brokers have registered with the appointment server  200 , the server may be used to find property with specific characteristics and to arrange for a showing of the property.  
         [0107]    iii. Setting Up Appointments to Show Property  
         [0108]    1. Searching for Property  
         [0109]    The appointment server  200  may contain a web page that allows for searching for property by showing agents  710  or, in another embodiment, by potential buyers  800 . The web page may be any type of web page known to those skilled in the art and may use any known searching software or technique. A showing agent  710  may be required to log on to the web site, which may require password control, prior to searching for property. Searches may be conducted by any data type contained in the listing information, such as searches by area code, city, property type or style, price range, number of bedrooms, or number of baths. In one embodiment, searches conducted through the appointment server  200  may search through the MLS  708  for property and display partial or entire records for any listings in the MLS  708  that are not included in the appointment server&#39;s  200  records. Through the use of a single appointment server  200 , or through a networked group of appointment servers  200 , showing agents  708  from many real estate offices can arrange for showings of property. Alternatively, the search may be conducted on another web site, such as the broker&#39;s web site or the MLS web site, and then be linked to the appointment server web page via web link carrying parameters that identify the property or properties selected and process to schedule the appointments on the appointment server web page, then returning to the original web site.  
         [0110]    After a search has been conducted, the showing agent  710  may view records for the property listing retrieved in the search. The records may contain all or a portion of the information depicted in FIG. 12, and the record may be displayed with pictures of the property, a map of the location, and directions to the location from nearby highways, roads, cities, or landmarks.  
         [0111]    The showing agent  710  may next request those listings that he or she desires to show to a potential buyer  800 . After the showing agent  710  selects those listings, the appointment server  200  (and more specifically the map server  1000 ) may generate a map showing the location of each listing (with a number, letter, or otherwise). The map may also contain directions for the showing agent  710  so that the showing agent&#39;s  710  route from property listing to property listing is defined. In another embodiment, a map with each retrieved listing may be displayed to the showing agent  710 , and the showing agent  710  may be allowed to select a desired order to show the listings. FIG. 9 indicates requests for map information for appointment lists as numeral  902  and a response with map information from the appointment server  200  as numeral  904 . After the showing agent  710  has reshuffled the listings into a desired order for showing, a map may be depicted that shows the locations of the listings, a route to show the listings, and directions to get from one listed property to the next. The map and directions may be printable so that the showing agent  710  can use the map and directions for showings. In an embodiment where only showing agents  710  and not potential buyers  800  have access to the appointment server  200 , the maps and directions may be e-mailed or copied and electronically forwarded to potential buyers  800  so that the potential buyers  800  can see the locations of property and drive between properties themselves. A potential buyer  800  may also wish to view the properties himself or herself prior to scheduling a showing, and the potential buyer  800  may therefore eliminate certain properties prior to scheduling an actual showing.  
         [0112]    Certain information about property listings may be contained on a report that is for a showing agent&#39;s eyes only. Such information includes lock box combinations, showing instructions, and other pertinent information.  
         [0113]    A variety of other information may be presented to a showing agent  710  when results from a search are presented. Such information may include a color scheme showing the status of each listing (new, old listing, etc.), flags to indicate listings with open houses scheduled, a listing showing available times for showings, and whether multiple showings are allowed for the listing.  
         [0114]    2. Scheduling Showings  
         [0115]    Showings may be automatically scheduled for property listings through the appointment server  200  in one embodiment of the invention. In the event that a showing agent  710  wishes to show more than one listing on a tour, scheduling may take place prior to the generation of a map (described above) for the showing agent  710 , so that the showing agent  710  can have confirmed showing times prior to generation of a map and directions between showings. It should be noted that listing agents  702  and showing agents  710  may continue to communicate with sellers  700  and potential buyers  800  via telephone or other methods to keep professional relationships alive and to discuss steps to be taken to purchase property or to sell listed property.  
         [0116]    [0116]FIG. 13 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the scheduling and appointment process of one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 9 also depicts communications used in an embodiment of the invention. A showing agent  710  may request to show a property listing at a certain time, as depicted by numeral  906  in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 13, the appointment server  200  receives this request (block  1300 ). In some listings, a seller  700  may indicate that certain times are acceptable for showings and that only notification is required to the seller  700 . The appointment server  200 , therefore, may query whether the requested showing time is acceptable based on the listing record (block  1302 ). If the showing time is acceptable, the showing agent  710  will be notified (via the Web, e-mail, or telephone or IVR), and notification may be sent to the showing agent  710 , listing agent  702 , listing office  706 , and showing office  718  (FIG. 13, block  1316 ; FIG. 9, numerals  908 ,  910 , and  912 ). FIG. 9 also depicts communication between the listing agent  702  and the appointment server  200  for clarification or further information as numeral  914 . When the showing agent  710  is notified that the showing time is acceptable, the notification (Web, e-mail, telephone, or IVR) may include any combination of the following pieces of information, which may be accessed from the appointment server  200  or a database  1003  attached thereto: the lock box combination for the home, special showing instructions, and security issues for the home. In this embodiment, the showing agent  710  may be automatically provided with all of the information that is necessary for a property showing. In one embodiment, only a showing agent  710  with a MIN can access a web page or IVR messages that include responses from sellers  700  of property to requests to show property, so the lock box combination and other confidential information may be kept secure.  
         [0117]    In the event that the showing time is not automatically acceptable based on the listing record, the appointment server  200  may place a call, via the IVR system  206 , to the seller  700  to solicit appointment approval (FIG. 13, block  1304 ; FIG. 9, numeral  912 ). The solicitation to the seller  700  may ask for a voice or touch-tone response indicating that the time is acceptable, not acceptable, or asking for some other response. If the showing time is acceptable (block  1308 ), this information may be automatically communicated to the one or more of the listing agent  702  and showing agent  710 , as well as to the listing office  706  and showing office  718  (some realty boards require appointment confirmation with a showing office  718  and not just with a showing agent  710 ). Information, such as the lock box combination, may also be provided to the showing agent  710  as discussed above.  
         [0118]    If the showing time is not acceptable and the showing agent  710  should try another time (block  1310 ), a message may be sent via e-mail, telephone, or the Web to the showing agent  710  to communicate the seller&#39;s response and to solicit a new request to show the property (block  1314 ). If the seller  700  has some response other than yes or no or try another time (block  1312 ), such as a need to talk with the listing agent  702 , this message may be automatically communicated to the listing agent  702  and/or showing agent  710 . In an embodiment in which the appointment server  200  contains a list of available times for showings in the listing for a property, the list of acceptable times may be provided to the potential buyer  800  or showing agent  710  in response to a request for a showing (if the requested showing time is not acceptable). The listing agent  702  may then contact the seller  700  via traditional methods to resolve issues relating to showing the property and, in one embodiment, the listing agent  702  or the seller  700  may phone in through the IVR system  206  (or enter via the web site) a response to a request to show property. In the event that the showing agent  710  is using the Web to request showing times, the response from the seller  700  may be received through the Web in a matter of moments and, if a response from the seller  700  is not received within a threshold time period, a message may be displayed to the showing agent  710  to indicate that a response will be posted later or that the showing agent  710  will be notified via IVR, e-mail, or otherwise.  
         [0119]    In one embodiment, information for listing agents and offices  702 ,  706 , such as scheduled or attempted showings and requests to contact the seller  700 , may be communicated via the IVR system  206  or via e-mail. In another embodiment, information for listing agents  702  or listing offices  706  may be compiled in the appointment server  200  for presentation over the Web. In such a situation, the listing agent  702  may log on to the web site at a convenient time and check the status of specific listings to determine whether showings have been scheduled or attempted and to determine if there have been requests to contact the seller  700 . Market intelligence and statistical reports may also be made available to the agents in such an embodiment.  
         [0120]    A showing agent  710  may, in one embodiment of the invention, request multiple showing times for different property listings based on search results of property listings through use of either the web server  204  of the appointment server  200  or through the IVR system  206 . The showing agent  710  may then log off the web site (or hang up the phone), and then check to determine the status of the requested showings by phone or through the web site at a later time. The showing agent  710  may therefore arrange for several property showings at one time, in effect setting up a “tour” of property showings. After the showing agent  710  receives the results, the showing agent  710  may request different showing times (depending on the seller&#39;s  700  response or changed circumstances) and then print a schedule and map for showings. In other embodiments, the map for the showings may be displayed and the showing agent  710  may click on listings to delete the listings or modify the showing times. For instance, if a desired showing time for one property is not available, a different showing time may be needed for a number of the properties of the tour. The appointment server  200  may assign an identification code to the tour, and, depending on the results of the requests for showings, the showing agent  710  may recall the tour and modify requested showing times or properties without having to re-enter all of the information for the desired showings a second time. The showing agent  710  may also change requested showing orders or dates. After the showing agent  710  has found an acceptable tour in terms of available showing times, maps (showing directions between showings) and any other information needed for a showing, such as lock box combinations and showing directions, may be provided to the showing agent  710  for each home as discussed above. In many situations, seller&#39;s  700  are communicated with by the appointment server  200  quickly and a response from the seller  700  to the requested showing is received by the showing agent  710  in a matter of minutes or even seconds.  
         [0121]    The appointment server  200  may, in one embodiment, notify the listing agent  702  or listing office  706  by e-mail or IVR when the seller  700  does not agree to a requested showing time or if the seller  700  has some response other than yes or no to a requested showing time. The listing agent  702  may then speak with the seller  700 , as indicated by numeral  916  in FIG. 9, to discuss and resolve issues related to showing the property.  
         [0122]    iv. Gathering Feedback After Property Showings  
         [0123]    After a property has been shown by a showing agent  710 , the appointment server  200  may automatically request feedback from the showing agent  710 , as indicated by numeral  918  in FIG. 9. To automatically request this feedback, the appointment server  200  may simply request the feedback the day of the showing or the day after a showing was scheduled. The feedback may be requested by IVR, web page forms, or by e-mail. After the feedback has been received by the appointment server  200  from the showing agent  710 , the feedback may be automatically communicated by e-mail or otherwise to the listing agent  702  (numeral  920  of FIG. 9). In another embodiment, the feedback request may be directed to the showing agent  710  but then sent via e-mail directly to the listing agent  702 . The listing agent  702  may then communicate feedback and other information to the seller  700  of the property via traditional methods to ensure that a personal and professional relationship is maintained. FIG. 9 also depicts a thank you message  922  that may be sent from the listing agent  702  to the showing agent  710  after feedback has been received by the listing agent  70 .  
         [0124]    One suitable feedback request that may be sent via e-mail to a showing agent  710  is shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 illustrates one possible form of a feedback request, and such a request could also be solicited using an IVR system or through a web page. FIG. 14 indicates that the feedback request may contain property information  1402  (such as an address, the style of the home, and the price, among other types of information) so that the showing agent  710  will recognize the property, as well as a picture  1404  of the property and a map  1406  showing the location of the property. The feedback request may solicit information on the realtor&#39;s likes  1408  and dislikes  1410 , as well as the potential buyer&#39;s  800  likes  1412  and dislikes  1414 . As with the other web pages or e-mails described in this specification, any variety of data solicitation and entry methods and systems known to those skilled in the art, such as data entry boxes, drop down boxes, and the like, may be used for the feedback request. The feedback request may also include a section for recommendations, including recommendations on pricing  1416 , decorations  1418  of the property, maintenance  1420 , and location  1422 , and whether the location of the property was properly indicated on maps generated by the appointment server  200 . The feedback request form may also contain a section for specific requests  1424  that the listing agent  702  or seller  700  desires to be solicited, and a section for general comments  1426 .  
         [0125]    V. Mining Information for Property  
         [0126]    Listing agents  702  (or possibly a showing agent  710 , the seller  700 , or a potential buyer  800 ) may check on the status of listed properties or view historical information through the appointment server  200 . FIG. 9 depicts the availability of such statistical reports and information as numeral  925 . Statistical information may be kept regarding how often a particular listing has been retrieved as relevant to a showing agent&#39;s  710  search, how many requests to show the listing have occurred, how many actual showings have occurred, how many showings have been canceled, and other information that may be relevant to the ability of the property to be sold. Because prior art methods and systems have no direct route of tracking this information, the system and method of the invention may aid sellers  700  and listing agents  702  in selling property. Such information may be available through web pages within the appointment server  200 , such that some web pages contain specific types of information for a property listing and other web pages contain information about the market as a whole, for instance, the number of homes sold or shown in a particular price range.  
         [0127]    The web site of the appointment server  200  may provide a center for information for sellers  700  and showing agents  710  that contains feedback information from showings, statistical information as described above for particular listings, and market activity. Such information may be viewed in yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily periods. Numerous types of information may be made available, including market activity trends pertaining to a particular style or price of property, showing activity for a listed property compared with activity for other similar listings, geographic distribution information for listings, and showing and sales information for particular realtor offices and for the market as a whole. In addition, other information may be provided, such as market activity with respect to the calendar time of the year.  
         [0128]    Other possible data mining features include online search capabilities for open houses that meet certain selection criteria, along with mapping information, as described above, for those open houses. Potential buyers  800  may be profiled and certain listed properties may be suggested as falling within categories (i.e., price, location, number of bedrooms) that such a profiled buyer  800  may be interested in. Another possible feature is the profiling of property along with the actual buyers  800  of the property in an effort to determine if certain classes of products and/or services are likely to sell to those purchasers. Information regarding buyers  800  may then be provided to vendors of products and/or services so that sales efforts may be made to the buyer  800 .  
         [0129]    The appointment server  200  may have automated accounting and billing systems, denoted as numeral  1004  and  1006  in FIG. 10, to automate the collection of billing information for the appointment server  200 . The proprietor of the appointment server  200  may charge realtors (listing agents  702 , listing offices  706 , showing agents  710 , and showing offices  718 ) based on usage of the appointment server  200 . The appointment server  200  may, in one embodiment, charge showing agents and offices  710 ,  718  based on searches for property, scheduled showings, calls made to and from the IVR system  206 , and based on usage of other features of the invention. In addition, listing agents and offices  702 ,  706  may be charged based on showings of listed property, listings of property with the appointment server  200 , feedback submissions, or other usages of the appointment server  200 . In other embodiments, showing agents and offices  710 ,  718  and listing agents and offices  702 ,  706  may be charged periodic fees, such as monthly fees, to use the appointment server  200 . The accounting and billing systems  1004 ,  1006  of the appointment server  200  may track such billing information to automate accounting and billing procedures.  
         [0130]    2. Scheduling Appointments at a Practitioner&#39;s Office  
         [0131]    Another embodiment of the present invention, is the scheduling of appointments at a practitioner&#39;s office. In this embodiment, the term “practitioner” can mean any professional practicing entity, such as a doctor, a dentist, or a lawyer, and the term “client” can mean any party wishing to make an appointment, such as a patient or client. The prior art for the process of scheduling an appointment at a practitioner&#39;s office is similar to that described in FIG. 1. The first party  100  represents the client, the second party  104  represents the practitioner or a staff member at the practitioner&#39;s office, and the database  108  represents the practitioner&#39;s schedule.  
         [0132]    The system and process for scheduling an appointment at a practitioner&#39;s office is similar to the system and process described above in FIGS.  2 - 6 . The system can have the same general overview as that described in FIG. 2. The communications flow between the parties and the appointment server  200  and equipment of the appointment server  200  as used in an embodiment of the invention for scheduling an appointment at a practitioner&#39;s office, is described in FIGS. 3 and 4. The process for scheduling an appointment and the process for notification in case of a delay or cancellation for an embodiment of the invention for scheduling an appointment at a practitioner&#39;s office, is described in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0133]    A client can access an appointment server  200  either via a web server  204  or an IVR system  206 , and can schedule an appointment. In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can contain all of the practitioners for a given area, such as a city, state, region, or country. The client may then browse through the available practitioners and select from a group of practitioners or practitioner&#39;s offices. In one embodiment, after the client has selected the practitioner, the client can input all of the information needed for the appointment, such as insurance information, contact information, and reason for the appointment. After the client schedules the appointment, the appointment server  200  can send a message to the practitioner&#39;s office informing them of the appointment.  
         [0134]    In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can have different servers as described in FIG. 4. Some examples of servers that can be used in this embodiment are a map server that can show the client a map to the location of the appointment, or an accounting system as described in FIG. 10.  
         [0135]    In one embodiment, the database  108  and the appointment server  200  can upload and download information between each other when new information is added to either one, or changed. In another embodiment, there is no database, and the practitioner&#39;s office can update the appointment server  200  with schedule changes or new appointments.  
         [0136]    In one embodiment, if there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can automatically contact all interested parties, either via the web server  204  or by using the IVR system  206 . When scheduling appointments, clients may input different modes of communication, and may list a preferred mode of communication. If there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can contact every interested party, saving the staff at the practitioner&#39;s office time, money, and effort, while still ensuring that a valid effort is made to relay the information.  
         [0137]    The process and system can easily be used to arrange and confirm appointments among several parties. In this scenario, each party could be contacted and offered appointment time options to choose from. Once an appointment time is selected, the times selected by all of the parties can be merged, and the resulting common time can be communicated to all parties involved.  
         [0138]    3. Making Reservations at a Restaurant or Hotel  
         [0139]    Another embodiment of the present invention, is the scheduling of reservations at a restaurant or hotel. The prior art for the process of scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel is similar to that described in FIG. 1. The first party  100  represents a patron, the second party  104  represents the restaurant or hotel, and the database  108  represents the restaurant or hotel&#39;s reservation schedule.  
         [0140]    The system and process for scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel is similar to the system and process described above in FIGS.  2 - 6 . The system can have the same general overview as that described in FIG. 2. The communications flow between the parties and the appointment server  200  and equipment of the appointment server  200  as used in an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel, is described in FIGS. 3 and 4. The process for scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel and the process for notification in case of a delay or cancellation for an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel, is described in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0141]    A patron can access an appointment server  200  either via a web server  204  or an IVR system  206 , and can schedule a reservation. In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can contain all of the restaurants or hotels for a given area, such as a city, state, region, or country. The patron may then browse through the available restaurants or hotels and select from a group of those listed. In one embodiment, after the patron has selected the restaurant or hotel, the patron can input all of the information needed for the reservation, such as number in the party, contact information, and smoking or room preferences. After the patron schedules the reservation, the appointment server  200  can send a message to the restaurant or hotel informing them of the reservation.  
         [0142]    Alternatively, the patron could search for information on a separate web page, such as a restaurant&#39;s home page, and access the appointment server from a link from that web page.  
         [0143]    In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can have different servers as described in FIG. 4. Some examples of servers that can be used in this embodiment are a map server that can show the patron a map to the location of the reservation, or an accounting system as described in FIG. 10.  
         [0144]    In one embodiment, the database  108  and the appointment server  200  can upload and download information between each other when new information is added to either one, or changed. In another embodiment, there is no database, and the restaurant or hotel can update the appointment server  200  with schedule changes or new reservations.  
         [0145]    In one embodiment, if there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can automatically contact all interested parties, either via the web server  204  or by using the IVR system  206 . When scheduling reservations, patrons may input different modes of communication, and may list a preferred mode of communication. If there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can contact every interested party, saving the staff at the restaurant or hotel time, money, and effort, while still ensuring that a valid effort is made to relay the information.  
         [0146]    4. Making a Reservation on an Airline Flight  
         [0147]    Another embodiment of the present invention, is the scheduling of reservations on an airline flight . FIG. 15 shows a typical reservation process for making a reservation on an airline. Like the process shown in FIG. 1, a passenger  1500  contacts an agent  1502 , or an airline  1504 , usually by telephone, to request a reservation  1506 . The agent  1502  can be a travel agent at a remote location from the passenger  1500  and the airline  1504 , or the agent  1502  can be a staff member of the airline  1504 . Such a request  1506  may be for a specific destination, day or flight. The agent  1502  or airline  1504  has access to a database  1508 , which lists available and unavailable flights and seats. The agent  1502  or airline  1504  communicates  1510  the available time slots back to the passenger  1500 , whereupon the passenger  1500  reserves a seat on the desired flight. The agent  1502  or airline  1504  then receives  1512  and inputs the passenger&#39;s  1500  information, such as name, address, credit card number, etc., into the database  1508 , reserving a seat on a flight. If a passenger  1500  wishes to check on the status of a flight prior to leaving for the airport, they must call  1514  a number at the airline  1504  to see if the flight has been delayed or cancelled. The airline  1504  does not contact the passengers  1500  to inform of any delays or cancellations.  
         [0148]    Many times a third party  1516  picks up the passenger  1500  at the airport. Before leaving for the airport, the third party  1516  can call  1518  the airline  1504  to inquire as to the status of a certain flight.  
         [0149]    The process of FIG. 15, has many of the same disadvantages as described above and shows some other disadvantages of the process. First, it forces the agent  1502  or airline  1504  to act as an unnecessary intermediary between the passenger  1500  and the database  1508  as described above. Second, many times, airlines are forced to delay or cancel flights due to weather or maintenance problems. If a flight is delayed or cancelled, the passenger  1500  is informed at the time they arrive at the airport for their flight, causing them to have either wasted an unnecessary trip to the airport, or arrive before they needed to. The only way for a passenger  1500  to be informed of the status of a flight is to communicate  1514 , via telephone with the airline  1504 . Only a call to the airline  1514  will inform the passenger  1500  of the flight&#39;s status. Also, many times the passenger  1500  on a flight is being picked up by a third party  1516  at the airport. The third party  1516  is not contacted in case of a flight delay or cancellation. This is typically not even possible, because airlines  1504  typically do not have contact information for third parties  1516 . Only a call to the airline  1518  will inform the third party  1516  of the flight&#39;s status. Because of the amount of passengers  1500  on any given flight, and the number of third parties  1516  picking up various passengers, the airline  1504  cannot contact each person in case of a delay or cancellation. This would require many staff members spending a large amount of time making telephone calls.  
         [0150]    The system and process for scheduling a reservation on an airline flight is similar to the system and process described above in FIGS.  2 - 6 . The system can have the same general overview as that described in FIG. 2. The communications flow between the parties and the appointment server  200  and equipment of the appointment server  200  as used in an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a reservation on an airline flight, is described in FIGS. 3 and 4. The process for scheduling a reservation at a restaurant or hotel and the process for notification in case of a delay or cancellation for an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a reservation on an airline flight, is described in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0151]    A passenger can access an appointment server  200  either via a web server  204  or an IVR system  206 , and can schedule a reservation. In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can contain all of the airlines and flight information for a given area, such as a city, state, region, or country. The passenger may then browse through the available airlines and flights and select from a group of those listed. In one embodiment, after the passenger has selected the airline or flight, the passenger can input all of the information needed for the reservation, such as billing information, such as credit card information, contact information for both the passenger and any third party that may be picking up the passenger at the airport, and seat and class preferences. After the passenger schedules the reservation, the appointment server  200  can send a message to the airline informing them of the reservation.  
         [0152]    In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can have different servers as described in FIG. 4. Some examples of servers that can be used in this embodiment are a map server that can show the passenger or third party a map to the airport of departure or destination airport, or an accounting system as described in FIG. 10.  
         [0153]    In one embodiment, the database  108  and the appointment server  200  can upload and download information between each other when new information is added to either one, or changed. In another embodiment, there is no database, and the airline can update the appointment server  200  with schedule changes or new reservations.  
         [0154]    In one embodiment, if there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can automatically contact all interested parties, including third parties either via the web server  204  or by using the IVR system  206 . When scheduling reservations, passengers may input different modes of communication, and may list a preferred mode of communication, both for themselves and for any third party that may be picking them up at the destination airport. If there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can contact every interested party, saving the staff at the airline time, money, and effort, while still ensuring that a valid effort is made to relay the information.  
         [0155]    5. Scheduling a Substitute Teacher to Teach at a School  
         [0156]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the scheduling of a substitute teacher to teach at a school. Like FIG. 1, there is a first party  100  (a school), a second party  104  (a substitute teacher), and a database  108  (the substitute teacher&#39;s schedule). In this embodiment, the school decides that they need a substitute teacher on a certain day. The school, through one of its staff members or officials goes through a list of different substitute teachers, and contacts different teachers to inquire as to availability and willingness to teach a certain subject at a certain time at a certain school. Some substitute teachers teach only at one school, but others are available to every school in a district or city. Once the school reaches a substitute teacher, that substitute teacher accesses their schedule to see if they are available. If the substitute teacher is available, the school will schedule the substitute teacher to come in and teach at the school.  
         [0157]    Alternatively, substitute teachers can be the first party  100  and the school can be the second party  104 . In this embodiment, teachers can use the appointment server web page or a separate web page, to search for available classes that fit their skills and/or schedules, and can sign up to teach those classes. Teachers may also sign up with the system, listing information, such as their skills, types of classes they wish to teach, and available schedule. This would be similar to a property watch in an embodiment of the present invention being used in a real estate setting. When a teaching opportunity arises that the server would decide is a good fit, the system can contact the teacher and allow them to sign up to teach the class.  
         [0158]    The system and process for scheduling a substitute teacher to teach at a school is similar to the system and process described above in FIGS.  2 - 6 . The system can have the same general overview as that described in FIG. 2. The communications flow between the parties and the appointment server  200  and equipment of the appointment server  200  as used in an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a substitute teacher to teach at a school, is described in FIGS. 3 and 4. The process for scheduling a substitute teacher to teach at a school and the process for notification in case of a delay or cancellation for an embodiment of the invention for scheduling a substitute teacher to teach at a school, is described in FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0159]    A school can access an appointment server  200  either via a web server  204  or an IVR system  206 , and can schedule an appointment. In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can contain all of the available substitute teachers for a given area, such as a city, state, region, or country. The school may then browse through the available substitute teachers and select from a group of those listed. In one embodiment, after the school has selected the substitute teacher, the school can input all of the information needed, such as the name and location of the school, contact names and information, date needed to teach, time needed to teach, subject(s) needed to teach, and any specific relevant information necessary. After the school schedules the substitute teacher, the appointment server  200  can send a message to the teacher informing them.  
         [0160]    In one embodiment, the appointment server  200  can have different servers as described in FIG. 4. Some examples of servers that can be used in this embodiment are a map server that can show the parties a map to the location of the school, or an accounting system as described in FIG. 10.  
         [0161]    In one embodiment, the database  108  and the appointment server  200  can upload and download information between each other when new information is added to either one, or changed. In another embodiment, there is no database, and the substitute teacher can update the appointment server  200  with schedule changes.  
         [0162]    In one embodiment, if there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can automatically contact all interested parties, either via the web server  204  or by using the IVR system  206 . When scheduling a substitute teacher to teach at a school, the parties may input different modes of communication, and may list a preferred mode of communication. If there is a delay or cancellation, the appointment server  200  can contact every interested party, saving the parties time, money, and effort, while still ensuring that a valid effort is made to relay the information.  
       IV. Summary  
       [0163]    The method and system of the invention provide numerous advantages over the prior art. The method and system benefits first  100  and second parties  104  by providing for timely and automated appointment scheduling. The first and second parties can be multiple parties, such as buyers/sellers and their agents. First parties  100  also benefit from the searching capabilities and mapping features of the invention that allows them to quickly and easily search for information on specific items, determine where the businesses or offices are located, schedule appointments or reservations, and generate maps and further information about the those information items.  
         [0164]    Parties benefit from the system and method of the invention in that the appointment scheduling is automated so that human interaction from the may not be necessary to schedule appointments or reservations. This decreased human intervention is not only convenient for the second party  104 , but it saves in labor costs that prior art methods and systems require. Second parties  104  may be able to conduct business more efficiently through the method and system of the invention, and labor-intensive desk activities may be removed.  
         [0165]    The automated method of contacting parties in the case of a delay or cancellation is also beneficial to both parties. Contacting a party of a cancellation or delay saves that party an unneeded trip, and allows them to change their schedule accordingly. The automated method of contacting a party is especially superior over the prior art where a third party is contacted regarding the delay or cancellation, such as where a third party picking up an airline passenger is contacted when a flight is late. Removing the need to contact a party saves the canceling or delaying party much time and effort. This is especially so where many parties need to be contacted, such as in the case of a flight cancellation.  
         [0166]    Both parties benefit from the automated feedback requesting and reporting features of the invention. A feedback request may be automatically sent to the first party  100  from the appointment server  200  so that the first party  100  only has to take a few minutes to fill out and submit the feedback form at a convenient time. In addition, specific requests for feedback may be included in feedback requests, and, in one embodiment, responses to certain queries in feedback requests may be required for submission of a response to the feedback request. The automated feedback feature of the invention, therefore, not only simplifies the feedback process, but it allows for the collection of more detailed and more specific information from appointments and reservations that may allow a second party  104  to adjust pricing, features, or presentation in order to complete a sale.  
         [0167]    The feedback features of an embodiment of the invention may also provide industry uniformity and standards for the feedback process. In one embodiment, certain standard queries may be used for all information item listings, and specific queries may be used for particular listed items.  
         [0168]    Potential first parties  100  may be able to locate item listings easier than in prior art methods and systems, and mapping features aid in carrying out appointments or reservations. Second parties  104  may be aided by simplified appointment scheduling, information mining on scheduled and actual appointments or reservations, and by the automated feedback mechanism of the invention.  
         [0169]    The accompanying Figures described above depict embodiments of the present invention, and features and components thereof. With regard to references in this specification to computers, the computers may be any standard computer including standard attachments and components thereof (e.g., a disk drive, hard drive, CD player or network server that communicates with a CPU and main memory, a sound board, a keyboard and mouse, and a monitor). The processor of the CPU in the computer may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium® processor, a Pentium® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS® processor, a Motorola Processor, a Power PC® processor, or an ALPHA® processor. In addition, the processor may be any conventional special purpose processor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor. The microprocessor has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines. With regard to references to software, the software may be standard software used by those skilled in the art or may be coded in any standard programming language to accomplish the tasks detailed below.  
         [0170]    The system and method of the invention may use the “World Wide Web” (“Web” or “WWW”), which is that collection of servers on the Internet that utilize the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”). HTTP is a known application protocol that provides users access to resources, which may be information in different formats such as text, graphics, images, sound, video, Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”), as well as programs. Upon specification of a link by the user, the client computer makes a TCP/IP request to a Web server and receives information, which may be another “Web page” that is formatted according to HTML. Users can also access other pages on the same or other servers by following instructions on the screen, entering certain data, or clicking on selected icons.  
         [0171]    Servers run on a variety of platforms, including UNIX machines, although other platforms, such as Windows 95, Windows NT, and Macintosh may also be used. Computer users can view information available on servers or networks on the Web through the use of browsing software, such as Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mosaic, or Lynx browsers. A typical Web page is an HTML document with text, “links” that a user may activate (e.g. “click on”), as well as embedded URL&#39;s pointing to resources, such as images, video or sound, that the client may activate to fully use the Web page in a browser. Furthermore, HTTP allows for the transmission of certain information from the client computer to a server. The server can then post this information on its web site, forward it on to another user or server, or save it to a database for later use.  
         [0172]    While the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize various changes that may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, this invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims, nor is the claimed invention limited in applicability to one type of computer or computer network. Any numbering or ordering of elements in the following claims is merely for convenience and is not intended to suggest that the ordering of the elements of the claims has any particular significance other than that otherwise expressed by the language of the claims.