U.S. patent application number 12/613822 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for patient direct connect.
This patent application is currently assigned to Health Grades, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael John Neal.
Application Number | 20100077349 12/613822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42038893 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100077349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neal; Michael John |
March 25, 2010 |
PATIENT DIRECT CONNECT
Abstract
An online service provider information service provides users
with the ability to contact service centers. The service provides
the ability for service centers to participate in the service as a
sponsor. A user requests information regarding a particular service
provider or service. In response, a webpage is generated with the
requested information. Unique contact identifiers are associated
with the sponsors that allow a user to connect to the sponsor
service center and are included in the webpage. The unique
identifiers allow the service to track the success of directing
users to the sponsored service centers based on their participation
in the information service. The unique identifiers also allow for
implementing pay per search payment schemes and for generating
reports based on the sponsor's participation in the information
service.
Inventors: |
Neal; Michael John; (Tampa,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Health Grades, Inc.
Golden
CO
|
Family ID: |
42038893 |
Appl. No.: |
12/613822 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/808 ;
709/203; 715/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G16H 40/67 20180101; G16H 40/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/808 ;
709/203; 715/810 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16; G06F 3/048 20060101 G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A computer storage medium encoding computer executable
instructions that, when executed on a processor, perform a method
of generating a webpage providing a user access to medical service
providers via a sponsoring service center, the method comprising:
receiving, at a server, a request from a client for a medical
service provider; determining a type of the request; based upon the
determination, generating a webpage providing the client access to
the sponsoring service center, wherein the webpage comprises one or
more unique contact numbers that are available on the generated
webpage, the one or more unique numbers selected depending on the
context of the webpage and the location of the one or more unique
numbers on the webpage; and providing access to the medical service
provider by sending the generated webpage to the client, wherein
the one or more unique contact numbers is used to connect the
client to the sponsoring service center.
2. The computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the request from
the client comprises a request for a medical service provider
comprising a particular specialty and a particular geographic
location.
3. The computer storage medium of claim 2, wherein the generated
webpage is a search result webpage comprising: a first unique
contact number for a first sponsoring service center; a list of a
first set of medical service providers affiliated with the
sponsoring service center; and a list of a second set of medical
service providers not affiliated with the sponsoring service
center, wherein the list of the second set of medical providers is
located in a separate area from the list of the first set of
medical service providers.
4. The computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the type of
request from the client comprises a request for a specific medical
service provider affiliated with a sponsoring service center, and
wherein the generated webpage comprises: a first unique contact
number that provides access to the sponsoring service provider; and
information about the specific medical service provider.
5. The computer storage medium of claim 4, wherein the first unique
contact number provides an indication that the client was directed
to the sponsoring service center based on the request for the
specific medical service provider.
6. The computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the type of
request from the client comprises a request for a specific medical
service provider not affiliated with the sponsoring service center,
and wherein the generated webpage comprises: a first unique contact
number that provides access to the sponsoring service center,
wherein the first unique contact number indicates that the client
was directed to the sponsoring service center from a webpage
displaying information about a non-sponsored service provider not
affiliated with the sponsoring service center; information about
the sponsoring service center; and information about the
non-sponsored medical service provider.
7. The computer storage medium of claim 6, wherein the sponsoring
service provider is selected from a list of one or more sponsoring
service providers, wherein the selected sponsoring service provider
is affiliated with service providers that have the same specialty
and geographic location as a specified non-sponsored service
provider not affiliated with the sponsoring service.
8. The computer storage medium of claim 1 further comprising
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processor, perform the steps of: analyzing the generated webpage to
determine that the generated webpage comprises one or more unique
contact numbers; determining one or more sponsoring medical service
centers associated with the one or more unique contact numbers; and
charging the account of the one or more sponsoring medical service
centers.
9. The computer storage medium of claim 8, wherein an amount
charged to the one or more sponsoring service centers depends on
the type and location of the one or more unique contact numbers in
the generated webpage.
10. The computer storage medium of claim 1, further comprising
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processor, perform the steps of: receiving information from the
sponsoring service center; retrieving a count of the number of
times a unique contact number related to the sponsoring service
center has been included in one or more generated webpages;
comparing the received information against the count; and
generating a report specifying the rate of successfully directing a
client to the sponsoring service center.
11. The computer storage medium of claim 1, further comprising
instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform the step
of including code in the generated webpage to display a rollover
pop-up display.
12. A system for providing information related to medical service
providers to a user, the system comprising: a processing unit; and
a memory coupled to the processing unit, the memory encoding
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit, perform a method of generating information related
to medical service providers, the method comprising: receiving a
first request from a user at a client computer, wherein the first
request comprises a request for information related to one or more
medical service providers, the request comprising a geographic
location and a specialty; generating a search result webpage
comprising: a first unique contact number, the first unique contact
number allowing the user to connect to the sponsoring service
provider, wherein the first unique contact number indicates that
the user was directed to the sponsoring service provider from the
search result webpage; a list of a first set of medical service
providers affiliated with the sponsoring service center; and a list
of a second set of medical service providers not affiliated with
the sponsoring service center, wherein the list of the second set
of medical providers is located below the list of the first set of
medical service providers; sending the search result webpage to the
user at the client computer; receiving a second request from the
user at the client computer, wherein the second request comprises a
request for information related to a specific medical service
provider affiliated with the sponsoring service center; generating
a second webpage comprising: a second unique contact number that
provides access to the sponsoring service provider, the second
unique contact number indicates that the user was directed to the
sponsoring service provider from the second webpage, and wherein
the second unique contact number is different from the first unique
contact number; and information about the specific medical service
provider; and sending the second webpage to the user at the client
computer.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the memory further comprises
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit, perform steps comprising: receiving a third
request from the user at the client computer, wherein the third
request comprises a request for information related to a
non-sponsored medical service provider not affiliated with the
sponsoring service center; generating a third webpage comprising: a
third unique contact number that provides access to the sponsoring
service provider, the third unique contact number indicates that
the user was directed to the sponsoring service provider from the
third webpage, and wherein the third unique contact number is
different from the first and second unique contact numbers;
information about the sponsoring service center; and information
about the non-sponsored medical service provider not affiliated
with the sponsoring service center.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the information about the
sponsored service center comprises a list of medical service
providers affiliated with the sponsoring service center.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the information about the
sponsoring service center comprises a rollover pop-up display.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the memory further comprises
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit, perform steps comprising: analyzing the generated
webpages to determine that the generated webpages comprise one or
more unique contact numbers; determining one or more sponsoring
medical service centers associated with the one or more unique
contact numbers; and charging the account of the one or more
sponsoring medical service centers.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the memory further comprises
computer executable instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit, perform steps comprising: receiving information
from the sponsoring service center; retrieving a count of the
number of times a unique contact number related to the sponsoring
service center has been included in one or more generated webpages;
comparing the received information against the count; and
generating a report specifying the rate of successfully directing a
client to the sponsoring service center.
18. A system for providing patient direct connect access to a
medical service provider, the system comprising: a client machine
for sending a request, from a user, for information related to
medical services; a server for: receiving the request; generating a
webpage in response to the request for information related to
medical services, wherein the webpage comprises one or more unique
contact numbers identifying a sponsoring service center; sending
the webpage from the server to the client machine; a sponsoring
service center for: receiving a request for medical services from
the user, wherein the user contacts the sponsoring service center
using the one or more unique contact numbers of the webpage;
recording user information related to the request for medical
services; connecting the user to an affiliated service provider;
and the affiliated service provider for recording the user's
appointment for medical services.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sponsoring service center
further performs the action of sending the user information to the
server.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the server further generates a
sponsoring hospital tag on the webpage, wherein the sponsoring
hospital tag includes a second unique contact number.
21. A computer storage medium encoding computer executable
instructions that, when executed on a processor, perform a method
of generating a webpage providing a user access to medical service
providers via a service center, the method comprising: receiving,
at a server, a request from a client for a medical service
provider; determining a type of the request; based upon the
determination, generating a webpage providing the client access to
information related to the medical service provider; and providing
access to the medical service provider by sending the generated
webpage to the client.
22. The computer storage medium of claim 21, wherein the request
from the client comprises a request for a medical service provider
comprising a particular specialty and a particular geographic
location.
23. The computer storage medium of claim 22, wherein the generated
webpage comprises search results listing a plurality of medical
service providers having the particular specialty and located
within the particular geographic location.
24. The computer storage medium of claim 23, wherein the listing of
the plurality of medical service provides further comprises: the
names of the plurality for service providers; the location of the
plurality of service providers; and a plurality of links to further
information about the plurality of service providers.
25. The computer storage medium of claim 21, wherein the type of
request from the client comprises a request for a service
center.
26. The computer storage medium of claim 25, wherein the generated
webpage comprises information related to the service center.
27. The computer storage medium of claim 26, wherein the generated
webpage further comprises information regarding the location of the
service center.
28. The computer storage medium of claim 26, wherein the service
center is affiliated with a selected medical service provider.
29. The computer storage medium of claim 21, wherein the type of
request from the complete comprises a request for information about
a specific medical service provider.
30. The computer storage medium of claim 29, wherein the generated
webpage further comprises information related to the specific
medical service provider.
31. The computer storage medium of claim, wherein the generated
webpage further comprises: information related to the specific
medical service provider's practice; information related to the
specific medical service provider's experience; and information
related to the specific medical service provider's education.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all (copyright or mask work) rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Users in need of a specific service provider often use the
Internet to locate a specific service provider. Service providers
advertise with search engines to draw attention to their services.
However, such advertisements generally provide the user with the
service provider's phone number, which the user then calls to
contact the service provider directly. Because the service provider
is receiving phone calls, there is no easy way for the service
provider to monitor information about the amount of business being
generated through on-line advertising. It is with respect to this
general environment that embodiments of the present disclosure have
been contemplated.
SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to providing
patient direct connect access to medical service centers. Medical
service centers provide access to various medical service
providers. One non-limiting example of a medical service center is
a hospital call center that is able to direct patients to various
different doctors and medical service providers. In embodiments,
systems and methods are disclosed that provide a user direct
connect access to a medical service center via a network. In some
embodiments, the network comprises a server capable of generating
webpages that are transmitted to a client and displayed to a user.
The generated webpages contain information that direct a user to a
sponsored service center. In further embodiments, the sponsored
service center connects the user to a medical service provider
capable of addressing the user's needs.
[0004] Other embodiments of the disclosure relate to directing
users to sponsored medical service providers based upon the users'
particular needs and location. Disclosed embodiments provide
information to users such that participating sponsored service
centers are presented to users in a manner that makes the sponsored
service centers more attractive to the user. Yet another embodiment
of the present disclosure relates to tracking the success of the
participation of an individual sponsor in a direct connect service
by generating unique contact numbers that identify the sponsor to
the user. Disclosed methods further provide mechanisms for
generating reports related to the amount of client traffic
generated by the sponsor's participation via the use of the unique
contact numbers. In still further embodiments, the present
disclosure provides a pricing per search method to charge a sponsor
based upon the number of times the sponsor is presented to a
user.
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be more readily
described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which like
numbers refer to like items and in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a system 100
operable to provide user direct connect services.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 200 for generating a user direct connect service webpage at
a server.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 300 for generating one or more unique identifiers to be
included in a direct connect service webpage.
[0010] FIG. 4A is an illustration of an embodiment 400 of a search
result page.
[0011] FIG. 4B is an illustration of an embodiment 410 of a
sponsoring service provider result page.
[0012] FIG. 4C is an illustration of an embodiment 420 of a
competing service provider result page.
[0013] FIG. 4D is an illustration of an embodiment of 430 of a
sponsor result page.
[0014] FIG. 4E is an illustration of yet another embodiment 420 of
a competing service provider result page illustrating a rollover
display.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 500 for providing a price per search with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 600 for providing metrics tracking with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a functional diagram illustrating a computer
environment and computer system 700 operable to execute embodiments
of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] This disclosure more fully describes exemplary embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some of the
possible embodiments are shown. Other aspects, however, may be
embodied in many different forms and the inclusion of specific
embodiments in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting
such aspects to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the
embodiments depicted in the drawings are included to provide a
disclosure that is thorough and complete and which fully conveys
the intended scope to those skilled in the art. When referring to
the figures, like structures and elements shown throughout are
indicated with like reference numerals.
[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to providing
patient direct connect access to medical service centers. Medical
service centers provide access to various medical service
providers. One non-limiting example of a medical service center is
a hospital call center that is able to direct patients to various
doctors and other medical service providers. In embodiments,
systems and methods are disclosed that provide a user direct
connect access to a medical service center. In some embodiments,
the system comprises a server capable of generating webpages that
are transmitted to a client and displayed to a user. The generated
webpages contain information that direct a user to a sponsored
service center. In yet another embodiment, the sponsored service
center connects the user to a medical service provider capable of
addressing the user's needs.
[0020] Further embodiments of the present disclosure relate to
directing users to sponsored medical service providers based upon
the users' particular request and location. Disclosed embodiments
provide information to users such that participating sponsored
service centers are presented to users in a manner that makes the
sponsored service centers more attractive to the user.
[0021] Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to
tracking the success of the participation of the sponsored service
centers through the use of unique contact numbers that identify the
sponsor to the user. Disclosed methods provide mechanisms for
generating reports related to the amount of client traffic
generated by a sponsor's participation in the direct connect
service using the unique contact numbers. In still further
embodiments, the present disclosure provides a pricing per search
method to charge a sponsor based upon the number of times the
sponsor is presented to a user.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system 100 for
providing patient direct connect access is illustrated. A client
computer 102 sends a request to a server computer 104 via a network
106. In embodiments, the client computer may be a personal
computer, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a netbook, or any other
computing device. In one embodiment, the network 106 is the
Internet. In other embodiments, the network 106 may be a local area
network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), a wireless network, a
plain old telephone service network ("POTS"), or any other type of
network known to the art. Upon receiving the request, in
embodiments the server generates and transmits a webpage to the
client 102. In further embodiments, server 104 is communicatively
connected to datastore 114. Server 104 may query the datastore 114
to gather data that is included in the webpage that is transmitted
back to the client. For example, datastore 114 may include
information related to sponsored service centers, service
providers, unique contact numbers, or any other information
included in the webpages discussed in this disclosure.
[0023] In embodiments, the client 102 displays the webpage to a
user through the use of a browser. The browser and the webpage are
operable to receive user input and transmit the user input back to
the server 104. In embodiments, the webpage is operable to receive
a query from the user. In a specific embodiment, the query may
comprise a search request for a medical service provider. As an
example, the request may comprise information related to a specific
medical expertise and a geographic location for a medical service
provider. In response to receiving the search request, the server
104 generates search results and transmits the results to the
client 102. In embodiments, the results may be transmitted to the
client in the form of one or more webpages, such as the webpages
described with respect to FIGS. 4A-E, as will be discussed in more
detail below.
[0024] In embodiments, the search results contain one or more
unique contact identifiers that are displayed to the user of client
computer 102. Exemplary unique contact identifiers may include, but
are not limited to, a unique email address, a unique account
identifier, or any other type of unique identifier related to a
service center. In one specific embodiment, the unique contact
identifier is a unique telephone number for a sponsored service
center that is not made available elsewhere. Upon receiving the one
or more unique contact numbers, the user is able to contact a
sponsored service center 108. In embodiments, the user may contact
the sponsored service center 108 using the client computer 102 via
network 106. In other embodiments, the client may contact the
sponsored service center 108 via other means, such as a phone. One
of skill in the art will appreciate that any means of contacting
the sponsored service center 108 are contemplated within the
present disclosure and may be practiced with the embodiments
disclosed herein.
[0025] In embodiments of the present disclosure, unique
identifiers, also referred to as unique contact numbers, may change
based upon the type of webpage and the context and/or portion of
the webpage that they are included on. For example, there may be
one or more unique identifiers that refer to the same sponsored
service center. In embodiments, a first unique identifier for a
sponsored service center 108 may be included in a general search
page. A second unique identifier for the same service center 108
may be included in a webpage for an affiliated service provider.
Furthermore, a third unique identifier for the same sponsored
service 108 center may be included in a webpage for a
non-affiliated service provider. In embodiments, different unique
identifiers are included in different webpages or different
sections on the same webpage to provide for metrics tracking. The
system 100 uses the different unique identifiers to track user
access to the sponsored service center 108. One of skill in the art
will appreciate that any number of unique identifiers may be
assigned to a sponsored service center 108.
[0026] In embodiments, the user is directed to the sponsored
service center 108 because of the service center's affiliation with
a specific service provider selected by the user. In other
embodiments, the user may specifically request that he or she is
directed to the sponsored service center 108. The sponsored service
center 108 acts as a gateway to specific service providers. For
example, in one embodiment, the sponsored service center may be a
hospital call center that is capable of directing the user to one
of its affiliated medical service providers. Directing the user to
a sponsored service center 108 rather than to the specific service
provider provides several benefits. For example, the sponsored
service center 108 is able to answer any questions the user may
have before connecting the user to a specific medical service
provider. In other instances, the user may seek a specific medical
service provider with a specialty that is not suited to diagnose
and treat the user. In such instances, the representatives at the
sponsored service center 108 can redirect the user to a different
medical service provider that is suited for the user's needs.
Additionally, directing the user to a sponsored service center 108
rather than the specific medical service provider allows for
metrics monitoring, such as the uptake of new patients by the
sponsored service center's affiliated service providers. For
example, a hospital may be interested in acting as a gateway to its
affiliated physicians to monitor the practice, performance,
business generation, and/or advertising success of the hospital's
programs and physicians. In addition to these examples, one of
skill in the art will appreciate that there are other benefits, not
discussed, to directing the user to a sponsored service center
rather than a specific medical provider.
[0027] In embodiments, the sponsored service center 108 is operable
to take information from the user and then direct the user to an
affiliated service provider. For example, upon being contacted by
the user, the sponsored service center may gather information
related to the user's name, address, phone number, medical history,
or any other information related to the user. In embodiments, upon
gathering the user's information, the sponsoring service center
connects the user to a service provider 112 via network 110.
Although network 110 is illustrated as different from network 106,
one of skill in the art will appreciate that network 110 may be the
same as network 106. The service provider 112 has a relationship
with the sponsored service center 108. In one embodiment, the
service provider 112 may be affiliated with the sponsored service
center. For example, the service provider may be a physician that
is affiliated with a hospital. In embodiments, the sponsored
service center may connect the user to the service provider's
office, at which point the user can schedule an appointment with
the service provider 112. In yet another embodiment, the sponsored
service center 108 may schedule an appointment with the service
provider 112 on behalf of the client.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a method 200 for generating a
user direct connect service webpage at a server. Flow begins at
step 202 where the server, such as server 104 (FIG. 1), receives a
request from a client, such as client 102 (FIG. 2). Flow proceeds
to step 204, where the server determines the type of request that
the client made.
[0029] If the client made a search request, flow branches SEARCH to
step 206 where the server generates the search results based upon
search parameters received from the client. For example, in one
embodiment the client may request a search for medical service
providers in a specific geographic location having a specific
specialty (e.g., search parameters). Upon receiving the request,
the server will query its database to produce a list of all medical
service providers that satisfy the user's search request. In
embodiments, the results may be aggregated into a webpage that can
be displayed by the client.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4A, the figure illustrates an
embodiment of a search result page 400 that may be generated by the
server at step 206. The webpage 400 may include one or more search
areas, such as search area 402. As illustrated in this particular
embodiment, a client may request a search for a medical service
provider having a specific geographic location and specialty. In
the illustrated embodiment, the client requested a cardiothoracic
surgeon in Jacksonville, Fla. The server queries a database of
medical service providers and returns the results in a results
section 404 of the webpage 400. In embodiments, the webpage 400
draws attention to sponsored service providers and their affiliated
doctors. For example, webpage 400 draws attention to a sponsored
service center by displaying a unique identifier 406 for the
sponsored service center (e.g., the sponsored service center's
unique 1-800 contact number) predominately at the top of the
results section immediately followed by the sponsored service
center's affiliated doctors. The sponsored service center's unique
identifier 406 may also be displayed at the bottom of the page to
draw additional attention to the sponsored service center.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the search result webpage 400
also displays lists of medical service providers that satisfy the
submitted search query. The lists of medical service providers
contain information 408 related to the medical service provider. In
embodiments, the information may include, but is not limited to,
information regarding the medical service providers name,
specialties, gender, location, affiliations, links to further
information about the service provider, and/or contact information.
As illustrated in the embodiment, the sponsored service center's
affiliated doctors also display the sponsored service center's
unique identifier 406. Further, as illustrated, the service
center's unique identifier 406 may be placed in different sections
of the webpage. In embodiments, each of unique identifier 406 may
be the same unique identifier for the same service center or
different unique identifiers for the same service center (e.g.,
different contact numbers that direct the user to the same service
center).
[0032] In order to draw more attention to the sponsored service
center and its affiliated service providers, the webpage 400 may
list all of the affiliated service providers before the
unaffiliated providers. In other embodiments, the webpage 400 may
contain additional information about the affiliated providers that
is not provided for the unaffiliated service providers, offer free
reports for the affiliated providers, or use any other known
methods to draw a user's attention to the sponsored service center
and its affiliated providers.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 2, after generating the search result
webpage, flow proceeds to step 216 where the generated search page
is sent to the client.
[0034] If the client made a request for a specific medical
provider, flow branches PROVIDER to step 208. In embodiments, a
client may request a specific medical service provider by entering
the specific service provider as a search parameter or by clicking
a link to the specific service provider that was included in a
previously generated search page, such as the webpage illustrated
in FIG. 4A. At step 208, the server determines the type of provider
that the client requested. If the provider is affiliated with a
sponsoring service center, flow branches AFFILIATED to step 210. At
step 210, the server generates an affiliated service provider
webpage.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4B, an example of an embodiment of an
affiliated service provider webpage 410 is illustrated. In an
embodiment, the affiliated provider webpage contains an information
section 412 that includes information about the affiliated provider
and his or her practice. In embodiments, information section 412
contains information that is related to the service provider's
practice, personal information, experience, training, education,
recommendations and/or comments about the service provider's
performance, any disciplinary action taken against the service
provider, and/or the malpractice history of the service provider.
Although the embodiment of webpage 410 relates to a medical service
provider and provides examples of displayed information that is
relevant to such, one of skill in the art will appreciate that any
type of service provider may be illustrated in webpage 410 in which
case the information displayed on webpage 410 will be specific to
the type of the service provider.
[0036] In embodiments, the webpage 410 also includes a unique
identifier 414 and sponsored service center information. In
embodiments, the unique identifier directs the user to the
sponsoring service center affiliated with the service provider. In
embodiments, the unique identifier is different from the unique
identifier placed on the search result webpage 400 (FIG. 4A) on a
non-affiliated service provider webpage (e.g., webpage 430 (FIG.
4C)), or on the sponsor information webpage (e.g., webpage 440
(FIG. 4D)) even though the unique identifier may reference the same
sponsored service center. The different unique identifier signifies
that the user was directed to the sponsored service center from the
affiliated service provider webpage 410. This allows for metric
tracking that differentiates on the type of search and/or webpage
that the user received the unique identifier. For example,
providing different unique identifiers allows for the service to
determine whether more users are directed to a sponsoring service
center from a search page, an affiliated service provider page, a
non-affiliated service provider page, or a sponsor information
page. Such determinations and the information provided metric
tracking based upon the unique identifier provides information to
the sponsors that they can use to determine correlations between
advertising and business generation.
[0037] In further embodiments, the webpage 410 also includes an
interactive section 416. For example, the interactive section
provides links that allow the user to perform actions related to
the webpage such as printing the page, emailing the page, saving
the page, etc. In additional embodiments, the interactive section
416 also provides a link in which the service provider can use to
update or edit the information on the page or contact a
representative to update or edit the page. In further embodiments,
the interactive section may provide the user the ability to leave a
comment about the service provider that can be made available to
other users examining the affiliated service provider's
webpage.
[0038] Referring back to FIG. 2, after generating the affiliated
service provider webpage 410, flow proceeds to step 216 where the
generated search page is sent to the client. If, at step 208 the
server determines that the provider is not affiliated with a
sponsoring service center, flow branches NON-AFFILIATED to step
212. At step 212, the server generates a non-affiliated service
provider webpage.
[0039] FIG. 4C is an embodiment of a non-affiliated service
provider webpage 420 that may be generated at step 212. In an
embodiment, the non-affiliated provider webpage 420 contains an
information section 422 that includes information about the
non-affiliated provider and his or her practice. In embodiments,
information section 422 contains information that is related to the
non-affiliated service provider's practice, personal information,
experience, training, education, comments about the non-affiliated
service provider's performance, any disciplinary action taken
against the non-affiliated service provider, and/or the malpractice
history of the non-affiliated service provider. In other
embodiments, information section 422 may contain more information,
less information, or different types of information than the
information illustrated in information section 412 (FIG. 4B)
because the information is related to a non-affiliated service
provider. In embodiments, the information in the non-affiliated
service provider webpage 420 may be limited in order to attract the
user to a sponsored service center or an affiliated service
provider. In embodiments, the non-affiliated service provider
webpage 420 may provide a mechanism for a user to access a report
or more detailed information about the service provider. For
example, webpage 420 includes a link 422 that allows the user to
receive more information. In some embodiments, the user may have to
pay to access the report or additional information. In other
embodiments, webpage 420 may contain additional advertisements that
are not present in the affiliated service provider webpage 410. The
extra steps of requiring the user to pay or click on multiple links
to received detailed information about a non-affiliated service
provider and the extra advertisements placed on the non-affiliated
service provider webpage 420 result in the non-affiliated service
provider's online profile, and thereby the non-affiliated service
provider, less attractive to the customer.
[0040] The patient direct connect systems and methods disclosed
herein capitalize on the unattractiveness of non-affiliated service
provider webpages (such as webpage 420) to direct users to
affiliated service providers. In embodiments, the non-affiliated
webpage 420 includes a sponsored service center unique identifier
424 (e.g., a unique call center number) and sponsored service
center information (e.g., the sponsor call center name, logo,
trademark, etc.) at a prevalent position in the page. For example,
the sponsored service center unique identifier may be located at
the top of the non-affiliated service provider webpage 420. In
embodiments, a sponsor service is selected that is within the same
geographic location and can provide the same services or has
affiliated service providers that offer the same services as the
non-affiliated service provider. A sponsor service center unique
identifier 426 is displayed on the webpage 420 for a sponsor
service center that satisfies these requirements.
[0041] In further embodiments, the non-affiliated service provider
webpage may include additional sponsor information sections, such
as sponsor information section 426. In embodiments, sponsor
information section 426 includes information about a sponsor
service center that is within the same geographic location and can
provide the same services or has affiliated service providers that
offer the same services as the non-affiliated service provider. In
one embodiment, the sponsored service center may be the same
sponsored service center identified by unique identifier 424. In
other embodiments, it may be a different sponsored service provider
than the sponsored service center identified by unique identifier
424. The sponsor information section may contain additional
information about the sponsor such as the sponsor service center's
name, its location, offered services, specialties, affiliated
service providers, the sponsored service center's unique
identifier, or any other information relevant to the sponsored
service center. In one embodiment, the sponsor information section
426 may include a list of affiliated service providers offering the
same services or having the same specialty as the non-affiliated
service provider. In further embodiments, the sponsor information
section has links to additional information about the sponsored
service center or its affiliated service providers.
[0042] As discussed, in embodiments the unique identifier for the
sponsored service center 423 displayed on the non-affiliated
service provider webpage 420 may be a different unique identifier
than the unique identifiers displayed a search page (e.g., 400
(FIG. 4A)), the affiliated service provider webpage (e.g., 410
(FIG. 4B)), or the sponsor information webpage (e.g., webpage 430
(FIG. 4D)) even though the unique identifiers may direct the user
to the same sponsored service center. As discussed, this provides
the ability to determine from which webpage the user was ultimately
directed to the sponsored service center.
[0043] Referring again back to FIG. 2, after generating the
affiliated service provider webpage 410, flow proceeds to step 216
where the generated search page is sent to the client. If, at step
204 the server determines that the client made a request for
sponsor information, then flow branches SPONSOR to step 214. At
step 214, the server generates a sponsor information webpage.
[0044] FIG. 4D is an embodiment of a sponsor information webpage
430 that may be generated at step 214. The sponsor information
webpage 430 includes a sponsor information section 434. The sponsor
information section 434 includes information about the sponsor. In
embodiments, the information about the sponsor may be information
regarding the sponsor's name, location, specialties, mission
statement, services, affiliated service providers, certifications,
pictures, logos, or any other information related to the sponsor.
Sponsor information webpage 430 also includes a unique identifier
434 for the sponsored service center. Again, in embodiments unique
identifier for the sponsored service center 432 displayed on the
sponsor information webpage 420 may be a different unique
identifier than the unique identifiers displayed the search page
(e.g., 400 (FIG. 4A)), the affiliated service provider webpage
(e.g., 410 (FIG. 4B)), or the non-affiliated service provider
webpage (e.g., webpage 420 (FIG. 4C)) even though the unique
identifiers may direct the user to the same sponsored service
center.
[0045] The various webpages generated at steps 206, 210, 212, and
214 may include additional functionality to further draw a user's
attention to a sponsored service center. FIG. 4E is an illustration
of yet another embodiment 420 of a competing service provider
result page illustrating a rollover display 428. The rollover
display draws additional attention to a sponsored service provider.
In embodiments, the rollover display is generated upon the user
positioning a mouse cursor over a particular portion of a webpage.
For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4E, a rollover
display is generated when the user places the mouse cursor over, or
within the vicinity, of a sponsor information section. In
embodiments, the rollover display provides a blown up portion of a
rollover area to draw the user's attention to the rollover area. In
the illustrated embodiment, the sponsor information section is
blown up to make it easier to read the sponsor information. In
other embodiments, the rollover display area contains additional
information about the sponsor that is not displayed in the webpage
430. While the rollover display functionality is illustrated with
respect to the sponsor information section of a non-affiliated
service provider webpage, one of skill in the art will appreciate
that a rollover display can be included in any section of any
webpage disclosed herein. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the
rollover display may automatically be generated without interaction
from the user to further draw the user's attention to a sponsored
service center.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 300 for generating one or more unique identifiers to be
included in a direct connect service webpage. Flow begins at step
302 sponsor service information is received. For example, a server,
such as server 102 (FIG. 1), receives information about a sponsor
service center. In one embodiment, the information may include an
indication that a particular service center is a sponsored service
center. In another embodiment, the received information may include
information regarding the sponsored service center, the sponsored
service center's affiliated service provider, the sponsor's
services and/or specialties, the sponsored service centers
geographic location, or any other information relevant to the
sponsored service center. The information received by the server at
step 302 may be stored on the server, or on an associated datastore
(e.g., datastore 114 (FIG. 1)) for later use in the generated
webpages.
[0047] In response to receiving the sponsor information, flow
proceeds to step 304. At step 304, one or more unique identifiers
are generated for the sponsored service center. In embodiments, the
one or more unique identifiers may be unique phone numbers, unique
email addresses, unique postage addresses, or any other type of
unique identifier. The identifiers are unique because they are only
available to the user via the disclosed systems and methods. For
example, if the unique identifier is a phone number for the
sponsored service center, the phone number is unique such that it
is not the existing phone number for the sponsored service center
and it is not available anywhere else (e.g., it is not published in
a phone directory).
[0048] The one or more identifiers generated at step 304 are unique
such that each identifier generated is different. For example, if
the identifiers are all phone numbers, each generated phone number
is different despite the fact that each of the generated phone
numbers connect to the same sponsored service center. As discussed,
the different unique identifiers are used to determine how a user
was ultimately directed to the sponsored service center. For
example, referring to webpages 400, 410, 420, and 430, four
different unique identifiers may be generated for the same sponsor
such that each webpage 400, 410, 420, and 430 contain a different
unique identifier. This allows the disclosed systems and methods to
determine if the user was directed to the sponsored service center
from webpage 400, 410, 420, or 430. In another embodiment, a unique
identifier may be generated based upon the different services
offered (e.g., a unique identifier for each type of service). One
of skill in the art will appreciate that any number of unique
identifiers may be generated at step 304 depending on the number of
different ways in which the sponsored service center wants to track
the access patterns of its users.
[0049] Flow proceeds to step 306 where the one or more unique
identifiers are stored for later use. In embodiments, the unique
identifiers may be stored in the server's memory or in an
associated datastore. In further embodiments, the unique
identifiers are stored such that they remain associated with their
respective sponsored service center.
[0050] Flow proceeds to step 308, where the server, at a later
time, receives a request for the webpage. The server processes the
request and determines the type of webpage that is being requested
by the method discussed with respect to FIG. 2. Upon determining
the type of webpage requested, flow proceeds to step 310 where the
server determines which of the one or more unique identifiers to
include in the requested webpage. In one embodiment, the
determination is based upon two factors. First, the server
determines which sponsored service center to include in the
webpage. In one embodiment, the determination is based off of the
parameters of the webpage request. For example, if the webpage
request is for a search page listing service providers having a
particular geographic location and/or specialty, the server selects
a sponsored service center matching the parameters of the webpage
request. In another embodiment, the determination may be based off
of the content of the requested webpage. For example, if the
requested webpage includes information regarding a service provider
that is affiliated with a sponsored service center, the server
selects the sponsored service center. If the webpage contains
information regarding a non-affiliated service provider, the server
selects a sponsored service center having characteristics similar
to the non-affiliated service provider (e.g., same geographic
location, same services, same specialties, etc).
[0051] After selecting the sponsored service center, the server
next determines which unique identifier to display in the webpage.
This determination is based off of the number of different ways in
which the sponsored service center wants to track access to it. For
example, if the sponsored service center only wants to track user
access from the disclosed systems and methods, only one unique
identifier is required an the one unique identifier is always
selected for inclusion in the webpage. If the sponsored service
center desires to track user access from specific webpages, then a
unique identifier is selected that corresponds to the sponsor for
the specific webpage. For example, if the sponsored service center
want to track user access from both affiliated service provider
webpages and non-affiliated service provider webpages, two
different unique identifiers are created at step 304 to correspond
with each type of webpage. The server then determines which type of
webpage is requested at step 310 and selects the unique identifier
for requested webpage.
[0052] In further embodiments, the unique identifier displayed may
vary based upon the position of the unique identifier within the
webpage. In such embodiments, the server must also determine where
the unique identifier is to be placed on the webpage before it
determines which unique identifier to include at step 310. Upon
selecting the one or more correct unique identifier, flow proceeds
to step 312 where the server includes the one or more selected
unique identifiers in the webpage.
[0053] The use of the one or more unique identifiers for each
sponsored service center provides additional functionality to the
disclosed systems and methods. For example, the unique identifiers
are useful to determine how users are directed to the sponsored
service centers. This information is then used by the sponsored
service centers to determine whether their advertising is
generating business. Additionally, the unique identifiers provide
the ability for the disclosed systems and methods to determine
billing information.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 500 for providing a price per search with embodiments of the
present disclosure. Flow begins at step 502 where a generated
webpage is analyzed to determine which sponsored service centers
are included in the webpage. In embodiments, the analysis at step
502 may be conducted concurrently with the methods for generating
webpages disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 or after the webpage is
generated. The webpage is analyzed at step 502 to determine the
sponsored service centers included in the webpage. In one
embodiment, each sponsored service center is determined by the one
or more unique identifiers contained in the webpage.
[0055] Upon determining which unique identifiers are included in
the webpage, the accounts associated with the displayed unique
identifiers are charged at step 504. This allows the disclosed
systems and methods to implement a pay structure in which sponsored
service centers are charged per display, rather than simply
charging sponsored service providers on a flat fee basis. The pay
per search method benefits the sponsored service providers by
ensuring that they are only paying based on the amount of exposure
they actually receive. Additionally, the pay per search method
allows for price differentiation based upon the type of exposure
the sponsored service center is receiving (e.g., based upon the
type of webpage or the position of the sponsored service center's
information in a webpage). For example, it might be more valuable,
and thus more expensive, to have the sponsored service center
displayed on a non-affiliated service provider's webpage. This
allows an implementer of the disclosed systems and methods to
detect when a sponsored service provider is displayed on a
non-affiliated physician's webpage and charge accordingly.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing an embodiment of a
method 600 for providing report tracking with embodiments of the
present disclosure. Flow begins with operation 602 where
information from the sponsored service center is aggregated. In
embodiments, the information aggregated from the sponsored service
center is information regarding the number of times users contacted
the sponsored service center using a particular unique identifier.
The information may be aggregated in a datastore connected to the
sponsored service center, in a remote server, or in a datastore
connected to a remote server. In embodiments, if a sponsored
service center is associated with more than one unique identifier,
the information is aggregated per each unique identifier associated
with the sponsored service center. Because the unique identifier
connects a user to a sponsored service center rather than a
specific service provider, user information can be maintained in a
centralized location rather than distributed among various
locations.
[0057] Flow proceeds to step 604 where the aggregated information
is compared against the number of times a unique identifier has
been included in a webpage. In embodiments, the disclosed systems
and methods maintain a count of the number of times a unique
identifier was displayed to a user. In further embodiments, more
detailed information about the display of the unique identifier may
also be collected (e.g., time of day displayed, geographic location
of user that the unique number was displayed to, or any other
relevant information). The aggregated information collected from
the sponsored service center may be compared against the collected
unique identifier data to generate reporting information related to
the success of the sponsored service center's participation in the
disclosed patient direct connect systems and methods.
[0058] Upon making the comparison of the collected sponsored center
information and the unique identifier information, flow proceeds to
step 606. Various different reports can be generated based on the
information aggregated in steps 602 and 604. For example, if a
sponsored service center was contacted using a particular unique
identifier 670 times and the unique identifier was displayed a
total of 1000 times, the success rate of business generation would
be 67%. While the disclosure has provided a specific example of a
type of report generated, one of skill in the art will appreciate
that various different types of reports can be generated at step
606.
[0059] The disclosed systems and methods may be performed using
logic implemented in hardware or in software executed by hardware.
With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a computing environment
for implementing the various embodiments described herein includes
a computer system, such as computer system 700. Any and all
components of the described embodiments may execute as or on a
client computer system, a server computer system, a combination of
client and server computer systems, a handheld device, and other
possible computing environments or systems described herein. As
such, a basic computer system applicable to all these environments
is described hereinafter.
[0060] In its most basic configuration, computer system 700
comprises at least one processing unit or processor 704 and system
memory 706. The most basic configuration of the computer system 700
is illustrated in FIG. 7 by dashed line 702. In some embodiments,
one or more components of the described system are loaded into
system memory 706 and executed by the processing unit 704 from
system memory 706. Depending on the exact configuration and type of
computer system 700, system memory 706 may be volatile (such as
RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or some
combination of the two.
[0061] Additionally, computer system 700 may also have additional
features/functionality. For example, computer system 700 includes
additional storage media 708, such as removable and/or
non-removable storage, including, but not limited to, magnetic or
optical disks or tape. In some embodiments, software or executable
code and any data used for the described system is permanently
stored in storage media 708. Storage media 708 includes volatile
and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in
any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
or other data. In embodiments, the capability negotiation methods
and wrapper inner methods are stored in storage media 708.
[0062] System memory 706 and storage media 708 are examples of
computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not
limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory
technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks ("DVD") or other
optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage, other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which
is used to store the desired information and which is accessed by
computer system 700 and processor 704. Any such computer storage
media may be part of computer system 700. In some embodiments,
mammogram images and/or results of probability determination are
stored in system memory 706. In embodiments, system memory 706
and/or storage media 708 stores data used to perform the methods or
form the system(s) disclosed herein, such as generating unique
identifiers, generating webpages, generating reports, etc. In
embodiments, system memory 706 would store information such as
unique identifier generation methods 714 and webpage generation
instructions 716. In embodiments, unique identifier methods 714 may
be used to generate unique identifiers, display unique identifiers,
determine pay per search based on unique identifiers, or generating
reports based on unique identifiers. Generation instructions 716,
in embodiments, store the instructions necessary to generate the
various webpages disclosed herein. For example, generation
instructions 716 may include functions for generating a search
result page, an affiliated provider page, a non-affiliated provider
page, or sponsor information page.
[0063] Computer system 700 may also contain communications
connection(s) 710 that allow the device to communicate with other
devices. In embodiments, communications connection(s) 710 may be
used to transmit and receive messages between sender devices,
intermediary devices, and recipient devices. Communication
connection(s) 710 is an example of communication media.
Communication media may embody a modulated data signal, such as a
carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any
information delivery media, which may embody computer readable
instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a
modulated data signal. The term "modulated data signal" means a
signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed
in such a manner as to encode information or a message in the data
signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media
includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired
connection, and wireless media such as an acoustic, RF, infrared,
and other wireless media. In an embodiment, webpages may be
transmitted over the communication connection(s) 710.
[0064] In some embodiments, computer system 700 also includes input
and output connections 712, and interfaces and peripheral devices,
such as a graphical user interface. Input device(s) are also
referred to as user interface selection devices and include, but
are not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice input
device, a touch input device, etc. Output device(s) are also
referred to as displays and include, but are not limited to,
cathode ray tube displays, plasma screen displays, liquid crystal
screen displays, speakers, printers, etc. These devices, either
individually or in combination, connected to input and output
connections 712 are used to display the information as described
herein. All these devices are well known in the art and need not be
discussed at length here.
[0065] In some embodiments, the component described herein comprise
such modules or instructions executable by computer system 700 that
may be stored on computer storage medium and other tangible mediums
and transmitted in communication media. Computer storage media
includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable
media implemented in any method or technology for storage of
information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, program modules, or other data. Combinations of any of
the above should also be included within the scope of readable
media. In some embodiments, computer system 700 is part of a
network that stores data in remote storage media for use by the
computer system 700.
[0066] This disclosure described some embodiments of the present
disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
only some of the possible embodiments were shown. Other aspects
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments were provided so that this disclosure was
thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible
embodiments to those skilled in the art.
[0067] Although the embodiments have been described in language
specific to structural features, methodological acts, and
computer-readable media containing such acts, it is to be
understood that the possible embodiments, as defined in the
appended claims, are not necessarily limited to the specific
structure, acts, or media described. One skilled in the art will
recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the
scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific
structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative
embodiments. The disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *