Internet-based matching service for expert consultants and customers with matching of qualifications and times of availability

Abstract

An Internet server matches experts offering consulting services in the biological sciences or the like with potential customers of such consulting services. The server presents each expert with a Web interface through which the expert inputs his or her qualifications and times of availability. The qualifications are organized in a two-tier hierarchy of broad subject areas and sub-areas within each area. The times of availability are organized in terms of starting time of availability and duration of availability from that starting time. The server also presents each customer with a Web interface through which the customer inputs the qualification and times of availability sought. The qualifications and times are organized in the same fashion as for the expert. The customer can input multiple service requests, each with different qualifications and times of availability. The server uses the input data to match experts with customers. At first, the experts and the customers are anonymous to one another. Once either an expert or a customer chooses to purchase the record concerning a match, the record with contact information is released, and the expert and the customer can contact each other. The server provides other functions, such as allowing a physician to contact a manufacturer or a product, using only the brand name of that product; allowing companies to conduct surveys of physicians; and providing distance learning.

1 . A method of matching a first party to a second party, the method comprising: 
 (a) collecting information concerning the first party, the information comprising attributes of the first party, the attributes of the first party comprising at least one qualification of the first party and a level associated with said at least one qualification of the first party;    (b) entering the information collected in step (a) into a first database;    (c) collecting information concerning the second party, the information comprising attributes sought by the second party, the attributes sought by the second party comprising at least one qualification sought by the second party and at least one of a skill level and a priority level assigned by the second party to said at least one qualification sought by the second party;    (d) entering the information collected in step (c) into a second database;    (e) matching the first database and the second database to form a matching database;    (f) using the matching database to match the first party to the second party to form a match; and    (g) informing at least one of the first party and the second party of the match.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the attributes of the first party comprise a plurality of qualifications of the first party, the plurality of qualifications being classified into a plurality of areas and, within each of the plurality of areas, a plurality of sub-areas, each of the plurality of qualifications having a skill level assigned thereto.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the attributes sought by the second party comprise a plurality of qualifications sought by the second party, the plurality of qualifications sought by the second party being classified into the same areas and sub-areas into which the qualifications of the first party are classified, each of the plurality of qualifications sought by the second party having a skill level and a priority level assigned thereto.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein step (f) comprises calculating a matching rank for the first party and the second party in accordance with the skill levels of the first party and the skill levels and priority levels assigned by the second party.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of steps (a), (c), and (g) is performed over the Internet.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 a server is provided, the server being connected to the Internet to communicate over the Internet with both the first party and the second party; and    steps (b) and (d)-(f) are performed on the server.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein step (f) is performed at times independent of times at which either the first party or the second party is in communication with the server.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step (f) is performed periodically.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in each of the first database and the second database, the at least one time period of availability is indicated by beginning and ending times.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the beginning and ending times is selected from a plurality of options.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, in each of the first database and the second database, each of the plurality of options for each of the beginning and ending times corresponds to a field whose value is one of a logical “true” and a logical “false.” 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (g) comprises: 
 (i) providing a notification of an existence of the match;    (ii) collecting payment for details of the match; and    (iii) providing the details of the match.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the information collected from the first party further comprises confidential information about the first party;    the information collected from the second party further comprises confidential information about the second party; and    none of the confidential information about the first party or the second party is released to the second party or the first party, respectively, until after the payment has been received.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the information concerning the first party further comprises an indication of at least one time period of availability of the first party; and    the information concerning the second party further comprises an indication of at least one time period of availability sought by the second party.    
   
   
       15 . A system for matching a first party to a second party, the system comprising: 
 communication means for (i) collecting information concerning the first party, the information comprising attributes of the first party and an indication of at least one time period of availability of the first party, the attributes of the first party comprising at least one qualification of the first party and a level associated with said at least one qualification of the first party, and for (ii) collecting information concerning the second party, the information comprising attributes sought by the second party and an indication of at least one time period of availability sought by the second party, the attributes sought by the second party comprising at least one qualification sought by the second party and at least one of a skill level and a priority level assigned by the second party to said at least one qualification sought by the second party; and    database means for (i) entering the information concerning the first party into a first database, (ii) entering the information concerning the second party into a second database, (iii) matching the first database and the second database to form a matching database, (iv) using the matching database to match the first party to the second party to form a match, and (v) informing at least one of the first party and the second party of the match through the communication means.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the attributes of the first party comprise a plurality of qualifications of the first party, the qualifications being classified into a plurality of areas and, within each of the plurality of areas, a plurality of sub-areas, each of the plurality of qualifications having a skill level assigned thereto.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the attributes sought by the second party comprise qualifications sought by the second party, the qualifications being classified into the same areas and sub-areas into which the qualifications of the first party are classified, each of the plurality of qualifications sought by the second party having a skill level and a priority level assigned thereto.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the database means calculates a matching rank for the first party and the second party in accordance with the skill levels of the first party and the skill levels and priority levels assigned by the second party.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the communication means comprises means for communicating with the first party and the second party over the Internet.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the database means forms the match at times independent of times at which either the first party or the second party is in communication with the communication means.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the database means forms the match periodically.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein, in each of the first database and the second database, the at least one time period of availability is indicated by beginning and ending times.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein each of the beginning and ending times is selected from a plurality of options.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein, in each of the first database and the second database, each of the plurality of options for each of the beginning and ending times corresponds to a field whose value is one of a logical “true” and a logical “false.” 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first party and the second party is informed of the match by (i) providing a notification of an existence of the match, (ii) collecting payment for details of the match, and (iii) providing the details of the match.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein: 
 the information collected from the first party further comprises confidential information about the first party;    the information collected from the second party further comprises confidential information about the second party; and    none of the confidential information about the first party or the second party is released to the second party or the first party, respectively, until after the payment has been received.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the information concerning the first party further comprises an indication of at least one time period of availability of the first party; and    the information concerning the second party further comprises an indication of at least one time period of availability sought by the second party.    
   
   
       28 . A method of matching a plurality of first parties to a plurality of second parties, the method comprising: 
 (a) maintaining a database server storing:    (i) a first set of data comprising attributes of at least a first subset of the plurality of first parties;    (ii) a second set of data comprising attributes sought by at least a second subset of the plurality of second parties;    (iii) a third set of data comprising queries submitted by at least a third subset of the plurality of first parties, the queries concerning products; and    (iv) a fourth set of data identifying the products with at least a fourth subset of the plurality of second parties;    (b) producing a first set of matches by matching the plurality of first parties with the plurality of second parties in accordance with the first and second sets of data; and    (c) producing a second set of matches by matching the plurality of first parties with the plurality of second parties in accordance with the third and fourth sets of data.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein, for each of the second set of matches, the second party is notified of the query and prompted to connect to the database server to retrieve the query.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the second party is notified of the query via electronic mail.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the second party is notified of the query via a network message.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein, when the second party connects to the database server to retrieve the query, the database server marks the query as under review.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 permitting one of the second parties to offer a survey to at least a fifth subset of the plurality of first parties; and    collecting responses to the survey in the database server.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising permitting one of the second parties to offer distance learning to at least a sixth subset of the plurality of first parties.  
   
   
       35 . A system for matching a plurality of first parties to a plurality of second parties, the system comprising: 
 (a) a database server storing:    (i) a first set of data comprising attributes of at least a first subset of the plurality of first parties;    (ii) a second set of data comprising attributes sought by at least a second subset of the plurality of second parties;    (iii) a third set of data comprising queries submitted by at least a third subset of the plurality of first parties, the queries concerning products; and    (iv) a fourth set of data identifying the products with at least a fourth subset of the plurality of second parties; and    (b) a processor for:    (i) producing a first set of matches by matching the plurality of first parties with the plurality of second parties in accordance with the first and second sets of data; and    (ii) producing a second set of matches by matching the plurality of first parties with the plurality of second parties in accordance with the third and fourth sets of data.    
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising a communication device for communicating with the plurality of first parties and the plurality of second parties, and wherein, for each of the second set of matches, the communication device notifies the second party of the query prompts the second party to connect to the database server to retrieve the query.  
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the communication device notifies the second party of the query via electronic mail.  
   
   
       38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the communication device notifies the second party of the query via a network message.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein, when the second party connects to the database server to retrieve the query, the database server marks the query as under review.  
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the database server permits one of the second parties to offer a survey to at least a fifth subset of the plurality of first parties and collects responses to the survey.  
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the database server permits one of the second parties to offer distance learning to at least a sixth subset of the plurality of first parties.  
   
   
       42 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors, comprising: 
 creating a monitor profile for each clinical monitor;    prescreening the monitor profiles to ensure they meet predetermined qualifications;    inputting project information from the clinical sponsors;    enabling the clinical sponsors to search blinded monitor profiles for qualified clinical monitors based upon predetermined search criteria;    enabling the clinical sponsors to select the clinical monitors to view the project;    generating invitations to the selected clinical monitors, informing them that they have been selected to interview for a project, and requesting that they review the project information; and    upon acceptance of the invitation by the clinical monitors, subsequently unblinding the contact information for each monitor to the clinical sponsors.    
   
   
       43 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 42 , wherein the monitor profile creation step comprises inputting information selected from one or more of the following: login information, personal information, foreign language skills, contact information, company information, education information, certification information, work history, professional affiliations, therapeutic specialties, references, and calendar of availability.  
   
   
       44 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 storing the monitor profiles.    
   
   
       45 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 42 , wherein the inputting project information step comprises inputting project information selected from one or more of the following: company name, project name, start and end dates, therapeutic speciality, indication, phase, percent of time commitment, number of subjects per site, sites per monitor, estimated CFR pages per patient, whether prestudy visits are required, whether initiation visits are required, estimated days on site, and study site locations.  
   
   
       46 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 45 , further comprising: 
 storing the project information.    
   
   
       47 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors, the system comprising: 
 a memory configured to store instructions; and    a processor configured to execute instructions for: 
 creating a monitor profile for each clinical monitor,  
 prescreening the monitor profiles to ensure they meet predetermined qualifications,  
 inputting project information from the clinical sponsors,  
 enabling the clinical sponsors to search blinded monitor profiles for qualified clinical monitors based upon predetermined search criteria,  
 enabling the clinical sponsors to select the clinical monitors to view the project,  
 generating invitations to the selected clinical monitors, informing them that they have been selected to interview for a project, and requesting that they review the project information, and  
 upon acceptance of the invitation by the clinical monitors, subsequently unblinding the contact information for each monitor to the clinical sponsors.  
   
   
   
       48 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the monitor profile creation instruction comprises inputting information selected from one or more of the following: login information, personal information, foreign language skills, contact information, company information, education information, certification information, work history, professional affiliations, therapeutic specialties, references, and calendar of availability.  
   
   
       49 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for storing the monitor profiles.  
   
   
       50 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the inputting project information instruction comprises inputting project information selected from one or more of the following: company name, project name, start and end dates, therapeutic speciality, indication, phase, percent of time commitment, number of subjects per site, sites per monitor, estimated CRF pages per patient, whether pre-study visits are required, whether initiation visits are required, estimated days on site, and study site locations.  
   
   
       51 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for storing the project information.  
   
   
       52 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors, comprising: 
 providing a web site that includes a searchable database of clinical monitor profiles and a searchable database of project information inputted by the clinical sponsors;    providing a search criteria input system which implements a search input process, the search criteria input system providing clinical sponsors with various search criteria from which the clinical sponsors may choose to vary the scope of a search for qualified clinical monitors;    displaying qualified clinical monitors who meet the search criteria; and    providing the contact information for each clinical monitor selected and who accepted the project from the clinical sponsor, the contact information being stored in the searchable database of clinical monitor profiles.    
   
   
       53 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the project information includes information selected from one or more of the following: company name, project name, start and end dates, therapeutic specialty, indication, phase, percent of time commitment, number of subjects per site, sites per monitor, estimated CFR pages per patient, whether pre-study visits are required, whether initiation visits are required, estimated days on site, and study site locations.  
   
   
       54 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors which clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the clinical monitor profiles include information selected from one or more of the following: login information, personal information, foreign language skills, contact information, company information, education information, certification information, work history, professional affiliations, therapeutic specialties, references, and calendar of availability.  
   
   
       55 . A computer-implemented method for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 52 , wherein, prior to the displaying step, the method further comprises comparing the search criteria to the information stored in the searchable database of clinical monitor profiles.  
   
   
       56 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors, comprising: 
 a memory configured to store instructions; and    a processor configured to execute instructions for: 
 providing a web site that includes a searchable database of clinical monitor profiles and a database of project information inputted by the clinical sponsors,  
   providing a search criteria input system which implements a search input process, the search criteria input system providing clinical sponsors with various search criteria from which the clinical sponsors may choose to vary the scoop of a search for qualified clinical monitors,    displaying qualified clinical monitors who meet the search criteria, and    providing the contact information for each clinical monitor selected and who accepted the project from the clinical sponsor, the contact information being stored in the searchable database of clinical monitor profiles.    
   
   
       57 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the project information includes information selected from one or more of the following: company name, project name, start and end dates, therapeutic specialty, indication, phase, percent of time commitment, number of subjects per site, sites per monitor, estimated CRF pages per patient, whether prestudy visits are required, whether initiation visits are required, estimated days on site, and study site locations.  
   
   
       58 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the clinical monitor profiles include information selected from one or more of the following: login information, personal information, foreign language skills, contact information, company information, education information, certification information, work history, professional affiliations, therapeutic specialties, references, and calendar of availability.  
   
   
       59 . A system for matching clinical monitors with clinical sponsors as recited in  claim 56 , wherein prior to the displaying instruction, the processor is further configured to execute instructions for comparing the search criteria to the information stored in the searchable database of clinical monitor profiles.  
   
   
       60 . A method of matching experts and customers for expert services which comprises 
 (I) providing a computer-readable storage medium; and    (1) at least one user data structure stored in the medium, the user data structure comprising data concerning one or more users, where for each user, there exists a record comprising one or more fields providing contact information for the user, where the user may be an expert or a customer,    (2) at least one expert data structure stored in the medium, the expert data structure comprising data concerning one or more experts, where, for each expert, there exists a record comprising 
 (a) one or more fields defining at least one time period of availability of the expert for performing a project, and  
 (b) one or more fields defining at least one category of expertise or experience of the expert and a level of expertise or experience of the expert with respect to each such category,  
   (3) at least one project data structure stored in the medium, the project data structure comprising data concerning one or more projects, where, for each project, there exists a record comprising 
 (a) one or more fields identifying the customer as a user within at least one user data structure,  
 (b) one or more fields defining at least one desired time period of availability of an expert for performing the project, and  
 (c) one or more fields defining the desired level of expertise or experience of the expert in each of one or more categories of expertise or experience,  
   (II) comparing one or more records in the expert data structure with one or more records in the project data structure, and determining the degree to which there is a match on the basis of time period of availability and level of expertise or experience in one or more categories of expertise or experience, and    (III) reporting the results of at least one comparison of step (II) to at least one user.    
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60  which further comprises entering data concerning at least one expert into at least one expert data structure, entering data concerning at least one project into at least one project data structure, and entering data concerning at least one expert user and data concerning at least one customer user into at least one user data structure.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 60 , where said project data structure further comprises 
 (d) one or more fields defining the level of priority to said customer, for said project, of each of the desired levels of (c) above    and in determining the degree to which an expert record matches a project record, the priority level is considered.    
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 60  in which the expert is an expert in the biological sciences and the categories of expertise or experience relate to the biological sciences.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 60  wherein for each expert, the level of expertise or experience is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers, and for each project, the desired level of expertise or experience is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  where said project data structure further comprises 
 (d) one or more fields defining the level of priority to said customer, for said project, of each of the desired levels of (c) above    and in determining the degree to which an expert record matches a project record, the priority level is considered and where for each project, the priority of the desired level is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers.    
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 62  wherein a data structure is stored in said medium which indicates the availability of contact information on an expert user to a customer user, or a customer user to an expert user.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66  which comprises altering the availability of said contact information after receipt of payment for such information from a user.  
   
   
       68 . A system for matching experts and customers for expert services which comprises 
 (I) database means comprising a computer-readable storage medium and    (1) at least one user data structure stored in the medium, the user data structure comprising data concerning one or more users, where for each user, there exists a record comprising one or more fields providing contact information for the user, where the user may be an expert or a customer,    (2) at least one expert data structure stored in the medium, the expert data structure comprising data concerning one or more experts, where, for each expert, there exists a record comprising 
 (a) one or more fields defining at least one time period of availability of the expert for performing a project, and  
 (b) one or more fields defining at least one category of expertise or experience of the expert and a level of expertise or experience of the expert with respect to each such category,  
   (3) at least one project data structure stored in the medium, the project data structure comprising data concerning one or more projects, where, for each project, there exists a record comprising 
 (a) one or more fields identifying the customer as a user within at least one user data structure,  
 (b) one or more fields defining at least one desired time period of availability of an expert for performing the project, and  
 (c) one or more fields defining the desired level of expertise or experience of the expert in each of one or more categories of expertise or experience,  
   (II) analysis means for comparing one or more records in the expert data structure with one or more records in the project data structure, and determining the degree to which there is a match on the basis of time period of availability and level of expertise or experience in one or more categories of expertise or experience, and    (III) communication means for collecting data for said data structures and reporting the results of at least one comparison made by (II) to at least one user.    
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 60 , where said project data structure further comprises 
 (d) one or more fields defining the level of priority to said customer, for said project, of each of the desired levels of (c) above    and in determining the degree to which an expert record matches a project record, the priority level is considered by said analysis means.    
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 60  in which the expert is an expert in the biological sciences and the categories of expertise or experience relate to the biological sciences.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 60  wherein for each expert, the level of expertise or experience is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers, and for each project, the desired level of expertise or experience is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71  where said project data structure further comprises 
 (d) one or more fields defining the level of priority to said customer, for said project, of each of the desired levels of (c) above    and in said analysis means, in determining the degree to which an expert record matches a project record, the priority level is considered and where for each project, the priority of the desired level is defined on a hierarchial basis comprising at least two tiers.    
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 69  wherein a data structure is stored in said medium which indicates the availability of contact information on an expert user to a customer user, or a customer user to an expert user, and said data structure is available to said communication means.