Patent ID: 6856986

Claim:
An answer collection and retrieval method comprising the following steps performed by an online computer database: a. initially, registering a user's identification information, b. registering user's preference in supplying or retrieving an answer corresponding to a question, upon the inputting of a question, c. if the user prefers to supply said corresponding answer, looking for said corresponding answer in said database, c1. if corresponding answer is found, outputting a message telling the user that the answer is already in the database, c2. if no corresponding answer is found, allowing the user to input the answer, storing the corresponding answer and registering that royalties are due to the user when said answer is requested, d. if the user prefers to retrieve an answer corresponding to said question, d1. registering time and date said question is inputted, d2. searching to find if an answer corresponding to said question is in the database, d2a. if corresponding answer is in the database, outputting the answer, registering a charge due by said user who inputted the question and a royalty due to the user who supplied the answer, adding one to the tally of times said question has been asked, d2b. invoking a pay-off formula, said formula using demand information registered about an answer, including the number of times an answer is requested via a question, and the timestamps of those requests, said formula calculating a pay-off estimate of the amount of money that a supplier of an answer will receive for supplying that answer, d2c. outputting the pay-off estimate resulting from the pay-off formula calculation, d2d. if no corresponding answer is in the database, checking if said question is stored in the database, d2d1. if no, storing the question and setting to one the tally of times said question has been asked, and calculating said pay-off formula, d2d2. if yes, adding one to the tally of times said question has been asked, and calculating said pay-off formula, d2d3. outputting the resulting pay-off estimate.