Patent ID: 7039681

Claim:
A computer implemented method of operating a data processing system, said method comprising: compiling a database of resource providers and their associated information, wherein said associated information for each of said resource providers includes one or more keywords that are indicative of said resource provider, a summary of said resource provider's terms and conditions for providing resources, an indication of what types of telecommunication sessions said resource provider accepts, said resource provider's contact information, an indication of whether said resource provider is immediately available, and by what devices said resource provider is available; receiving contact information and preferences from a patron, wherein said contact information and preferences include an indication of whether said patron desires to communicate with at least one resource provider via voice, video, or text telecommunications session via a public switched telephone network, and, if so, said patron's contact information for such session; via voice, video, or text telecommunications session via a data network, and, if so, said patron's data network address for such session; and immediately or not; receiving a request from said patron to find a resource provider to provide a resource; conducting, via a data network, an auction to identify the lowest cost resource provider willing to provide said resource sought by said patron, said auction comprising a traditional bid/ask auction, a dutch auction, or a reverse auction involving at least two resource providers from said database that are willing to provide said resource to said patron; determining which resource provider is the lowest cost resource provider; and initiating a telecommunication session between said patron and said lowest cost resource provider.