(12) United States Patent
`Ritzel
`
`USOO6904.407B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,904,407 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`(54) REPOSITORY FOR JOBSEEKERS
`REFERENCES ON THE INTERNET
`
`6,385,620 B1 * 5/2002 Kurzius et al. .......... 707/104.1
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75) Inventor: William D. Ritzel, 5325 Sandy Point
`La., Clifton, VA (US) 20124-0943
`(73) Assignee: William D. Ritzel, Las Vegas, NV (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 803 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/960,512
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 24, 2001
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0049774 A1 Apr. 25, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/241,369, filed on Oct. 19,
`2000.
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................ G06F 17/60
`(52)
`(58) Field of Search ........................................ 705/1, 34
`(56)
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,758.324 A 5/1998 Hartman et al.
`5,864,871 A 1/1999 Kitain et al.
`5,884.270 A 3/1999 Walker et al.
`5,978,768 A 11/1999 McGovern et al.
`6,026,374. A 2/2000 Chess
`6,029,149 A 2/2000 Dykstra et al.
`6,064.980 A 5/2000 Jacobi et al.
`
`JP
`
`2004302972 A * 10/2004 ........... GO6F/12/00
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Proquest article Recruit.com Announces Van Ella Alliance
`for Online Candidate Background Checks. BusinessWire
`Sep. 7, 2000.*
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner John Weiss
`ASSistant Examiner Traci Smith
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Litman Law Offices Ltd.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An electronic repository for jobseekers’ references on the
`Internet. The jobseeker registers himself and his reference
`Sources on an Internet Site. The references are notified via
`e-mail, they Subsequently log in and enter their personal or
`professional reference or letter of reference for the job
`Seeker. The jobseeker gives perspective Recruiters/
`Employers information on accessing his references. The list
`of references is available at no charge, but the detail of the
`reference document can be purchased by the Recruiter/
`Employer. All required Security is implemented. The advan
`tages of this process include: (1) elimination of repeated
`contact of jobseekers references for positions that change
`frequently; (2) virtually instant checking of references,
`eliminating loss of potential employee through extended
`process; and (3) Significant reduction in cost and time of
`checking reference by recruiter/Employer.
`
`20 Claims, 31 Drawing Sheets
`
`EMPLOYEE
`REFERENCE
`SERVER
`
`3O
`Y--
`
`32
`
`1 4
`
`
`
`PROSPECTIVE
`EMPLOYEE
`
`16
`
`O
`
`12
`
`NAMED
`REFERENCE
`AUTHOR
`
`PROSPECTIVE
`EMPLOYEE/
`NOURER
`
`GUARDIAN EXHIBIT 1017
`Guardian Alliance Technologies, Inc. v. Miller
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`33,\OTd W3
`
`Z |
`
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`
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`
`
`
`3.3)\OTCH WN3
`
`9 Z
`
`92 O)
`
`09:
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`
`
`REFERENCEDEPOT.COM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`JOBSEEKER
`DEMOGRAPHC
`DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`LIST OF
`REF
`EFENS
`JOBSEEKER
`
`
`
`Fig. 1 B
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`2 REFERENCE
`
`32
`
`26
`
`REFERENCEDEPOT.COM
`
`28
`
`30
`
`
`
`DETALED
`REFERENCES FOR
`THE REGISTERED
`JOBSEEKER
`
`Fig. 1 C
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`
`
`EMPLOYER RECRUTER s
`S
`
`
`
`22
`
`
`
`
`
`S4
`
`MERCHANT
`ACCOUNT
`
`32
`
`26
`
`REFERENCEDEPOT.COM
`
`3
`O
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LST OF
`REFERENCES
`FOR THIS
`JOBSEEKER
`
`Fig. 1 D
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`4O
`
`r
`
`
`
`EMPLOYEE
`REGISTERS
`WITH
`SERVER
`
`REFERENCE
`PROVIDER
`SENDS
`REFERENCE
`TO
`SERVER
`
`PROSPECTIVE
`EMPLOYER
`GETS
`REFERENCE
`FROM
`SERVER
`
`Fig. 2
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`54
`
`JOBSEEKER
`
`
`
`
`
`TO
`FIG.3B
`
`JOBSEEKER
`RECRUTER
`REFERENCE
`
`TO
`FIG.3C
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECRUITER
`
`6O
`
`RECRUTER
`LOG IN
`
`62
`
`64
`
`
`
`66
`
`RECRUITER
`EXISTS
`p
`
`
`
`68
`
`RECRUITER
`REGISTRATION
`
`74
`
`7 6
`
`SELECT JOBSEEKER
`BY ACCOUNT if
`
`78
`
`82
`
`"-gs YES
`
`7 Fig. 3A
`
`84
`
`PURCHASE
`EXISTS
`
`88
`
`YES 90
`
`
`
`ADD SELECTED
`REFERENCES TO
`CHECK-OUT
`LIST
`
`92
`
`94
`
`YES
`
`96
`
`- 102
`
`NO
`Y
`100
`PURCHASE
`REFERENCES
`-
`104 W - 106
`END
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`JOBSEEKERS
`56
`
`FROM
`FG.3A
`
`JOBSEEKERS
`LOG IN
`
`2
`
`11 O
`14
`
`
`
`JOBSEEKERN YES
`EXISTS
`NO
`
`116
`
`118
`
`22
`
`JOBSEEKERS
`REGISTRATION
`
`12O
`
`124
`
`s YES
`
`134
`
`NO
`
`REFERENCE
`REGISTRATION
`
`- 132
`
`136
`
`1so
`
`
`
`REFERENCE LIST
`MANTENANCE
`(VIEW REFERENCE
`SET AVAILABLITY
`SEND E-MAIL)
`
`138
`
`Fig. 3B
`
`p- END
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`FROM
`FG.3A
`531) REFERENCE
`
`REFERENCE
`LOG IN
`
`156
`
`
`
`LOG IN
`RECOGNIZED
`2
`
`CREATE REFERENCE
`NFORMATION VA
`OUESTIONS OR
`LETTER OF REFERENCE
`
`1 S6
`
`END
`
`168
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`16O
`
`164
`
`Fig. 3C
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`Jun.7,2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 31
`Sheet9 0f31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 of 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jun. 7, 2005
`Jun.7,2005
`
`Sheet 13 of 31
`Sheet13 0f31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 of 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 of 31
`Sheet 15 0f 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 31
`Sheet 16 0f 31
`
`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 Of 31
`Sheet 17 0f 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`US 6,904,407 B2
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`US 6,904,407 B2
`US 6,904,407 132
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 7, 2005
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`Sheet 31 of 31
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`US 6,904,407 B2
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`32
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`

`

`1
`REPOSITORY FOR JOBSEEKERS
`REFERENCES ON THE INTERNET
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/241,369, filed Oct. 19, 2000.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a method for employing
`an Internet web site to conduct business and, more
`particularly, to the employment of a Website to register the
`references of jobseekers for access to letters of recommen
`dation by prospective employers.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`One aspect of the job Seeking process which can be a
`Source of delay in the hiring process is the reference list. For
`the jobseeker (also job Seeker), updating the reference list is
`a constant chore and may require reprinting of the resume on
`expensive paper in Significant numbers, leading to time
`consumption and added cost in the job Seeking activity.
`Likewise, the reference provider may likely be contacted
`many times, becoming a Source of annoyance to the refer
`ence provider. The process of contacting of the reference
`provider by the prospective employer can also be a signifi
`cant Source of delay.
`There are presently in existence a number of Internet
`Websites which provide access by a prospective employer to
`obtain relevant resumes from jobseekers. Examples include
`America's Talent Bank at http://WWW.atb.org., Careersite
`.com at http://WWW.careersite.com/, and HeadHunter.net at
`http://WWW.headhunter.net/ Also, many prospective
`employerS maintain Internet WebSites for receiving resumes
`from jobseekers.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,324, issued May 26, 1998, to Hartman
`et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,270, issued Mar. 16, 1999, to
`Walker et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,768, issued on Mar.
`16, 1999, to McGovernet al. describe computerized systems
`for resume Storage and retrieval, useful in an Internet
`System.
`Internet on-line referral systems have been the subject of
`existing patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,871, issued on Jan. 26,
`1999, to Kitain et al. describes an information delivery
`System wherein one or more second parties (brokerage
`firms) place information about a first party (a corporation) in
`a database for viewing by third parties (users). The deposi
`tors control who has access to the information, and where
`the deposit and access of information occur on Separate
`computers in a distributed system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,980,
`issued May 16, 2000, to Jacobi et al., describes a comput
`erized Internet System for recommendations of literary
`works. U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,374, issued Feb. 15, 2000 to
`Chess, D. describes a computerized System for generating
`trusted descriptions of products wherein one or more Second
`parties place information about a first party's product in a
`node of a network for view by a third party and wherein the
`database controls the information released to the general
`public. U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,149, issued on Feb. 22, 2000, to
`Dykstra et al. describes an analysis of Service providers
`wherein one or more Second parties (credit bureaus) place
`information about a first party (a loan applicant) in a
`computer for inspection by a third party (a lender), and
`wherein the information is operated on to present an evalu
`ation.
`
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`US 6,904,407 B2
`
`2
`The present invention is a System and methodology
`embodied in an Internet Website and associated hardware
`and Software. The problem to overcome, as discussed above,
`is that of a perSon, Such as a consultant, who, by nature of
`his frequently changing positions has his references checked
`repeatedly. The number of times his references are called
`becomes Somewhat annoying to the reference givers. The
`consultant also has the burden of giving references for a
`number of his associates, leading one to the realization that
`the same questions are asked and answered each time a
`reference is checked. Contacting the references always
`Seems to be a problem, i.e. endleSS telephone tag.
`The jobseekers cannot be hired without the references, so
`both the employer and prospective employee are held up
`until the process is completed. The consultant reasons that if
`the references are readily available in a formatted, machine
`readable form that recruiters, employers and jobseekers
`would all benefit. One of the most inefficient, time consum
`ing and costly parts of the hiring proceSS would be obviated.
`The inventive Website operates on the basis that there are
`three categories of potential users, recruiters/employers,
`jobseekers, and Reference Sources. The jobseeker is
`assigned a user identification (ID) and password which
`allows him access to his demographic information and list of
`Reference Sources. The website assigns a unique user ID
`and password for each Reference Source Next, the Refer
`ence Sources enter the assigned User ID and password, and
`are asked to answer a Series of questions about the jobseeker.
`This is basically the same as responding to a phone call, but
`at the Reference Sources convenience.
`The jobseeker then gives the recruiter/employer an
`account number, and that perSon can enter the Site to retrieve
`the references. The Recruiter/Employer can always ran
`domly verify one or more of the references via telephone, or
`purchase the complete reference text right off the Website.
`The reference documents Selected are formatted and
`e-mailed immediately to the Recruiter/Employer.
`Advantages of the Website are that the reference giver has
`time to consider his answer and think of examples and
`Situations that typify the jobseeker's actions and capabilities.
`Since the recruiter or prospective employer doesn’t need to
`take notes during a telephone conversation and type them
`up, the inventive Website is a faster, easier, more accurate,
`and leSS expensive way to ensure reliable references. Ref
`erences are available almost instantly, twenty-four hours a
`day, So there is no delay in the hiring process.
`The cost of using the inventive website is not passed to the
`jobseeker or to the Reference Source, but to the prospective
`Recruiter/Employer. A list of references available is avail
`able on the Website cost free. If an employer wants the detail
`of the reference, they pay a very nominal fee, certainly leSS
`than their time and phone bill, for obtaining basically the
`SC SWCS.
`The Inventive Website will be useful to the Recruiter/
`Employer as an alternative to them Setting up their own
`Website, because of they need a reference only once. The
`jobseeker, however, may want multiple employers to view
`the references. Use of the inventive Website eliminates
`multiple telephone calls to his references, along with the
`other advantages presented above.
`None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
`Singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant
`invention as claimed. Thus a repository for jobseekers
`references on the Internet Solving the aforementioned prob
`lems is desired.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An electronic repository for jobseekers’ references is
`desired. The jobSeeker registers himself and his reference
`
`33
`
`

`

`3
`Sources on an Internet Site. The references are notified via
`e-mail. they Subsequently log in (Login) and enter their
`personal or professional reference or letter of reference for
`the jobseeker. The jobseeker gives perspective RecruiterS/
`Employers information on accessing his references. The list
`of references is available at no charge, but the detailed
`document of the references can be purchased by the
`Recruiter/Employer. All required Security, known in the art,
`is implemented. The advantages of this process include, (1)
`elimination of repeated contact of jobseekers’ references for
`positions that change frequently; (2) virtually instant check
`ing of references, eliminating loSS of potential employee
`through extended process; and (3) Significant reduction in
`cost and time of checking reference by recruiter/employee.
`Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
`provide an Internet Site for registration of jobseekers’ ref
`CCCS.
`It is another object of the invention to provide an Internet
`Site as above where jobseekers may update their references.
`It is a further object of the invention to provide an Internet
`Site as above where listed references are e-mailed a request
`for a professional or personal reference letter and are encour
`aged to enter Such letter into the Internet Site for Storage in
`a data repository.
`Still another object of the invention is to provide an
`Internet site as above which provides a list of references for
`a particular jobseeker to an inquiring employer or recruiter
`upon their request.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
`Internet Site which makes individual reference letters avail
`able to an inquiring employer or recruiter upon payment of
`a fee.
`It is an object of the invention to provide improved
`elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes
`described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effec
`tive in accomplishing its intended purposes.
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`become readily apparent upon further review of the follow
`ing Specification and drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1A is a diagrammatical representation of a repository
`for jobseekers’ references on the Internet according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 1B is a diagrammatical representation according to
`FIG. 1A illustrating the jobseeker's physical interaction with
`the Website according to the present invention.
`FIG. 1C is a diagrammatical representation according to
`FIG. 1A illustrating the Reference Source's interaction with
`the Website according to the present invention.
`FIG. 1D is a diagrammatical representation according to
`FIG. 1A illustrating the Recruiter/Employer's interaction
`with the Website according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart of steps taken in the implementation
`of the method of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3A is a flowchart further illustrating the prospective
`Recruiter/Employer interface process of the invention of
`FIG. 2.
`FIG. 3B is a flowchart further illustrating the prospective
`employee or jobseeker reference registration interface pro
`cess of the invention of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 3C is a flowchart illustrating the Reference Provider
`interface process of the invention of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4A is a Website screen illustrating the Home Page
`according to the present invention.
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`FIG. 4B is a Website screen illustrating the Jobseeker
`Login procedure according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4C is a Website screen illustrating the Jobseeker
`Registration procedure according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4D is a Website screen illustrating the Jobseeker
`main menu according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4E is a Website screen illustrating the Jobseeker's
`References registration procedure according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4F is a Website screen illustrating the Jobseeker
`main menu according to the present invention with at least
`one register Reference Source displayed.
`FIG. 4G is a Website Screen illustrating an e-mail message
`Sent to the Reference Source according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4H is a Website screen which comprises the Job
`Seeker Thank-You Screen according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4I is a Website Screen available from the Jobseeker
`main menu of FIG. 4F providing additional functionality
`available to the JobSeeker according to the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4J is a Website Screen available from the Jobseeker
`main menu of FIG. 4F for the Jobseeker to update his/her
`demographic information according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4K is a Website screen illustrating the Reference
`Source Login procedure according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4L is a Website screen illustrating the Reference
`Source Info Questions (for professional option) asked
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4M is a Website screen illustrating the Reference
`Source Info Questions (for personal option) asked according
`to the present invention.
`FIG. 4N is a Website screen illustrating the Reference
`Source Info Questions (for letter of reference option) asked
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4O is a Website screen illustrating the Reference
`Source Thank-You screen of the present invention.
`FIG. 4P is a Website screen illustrating the I Recruiter/
`Employer Login procedure according to the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4Q is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer Registration procedure of the present invention.
`FIG. 4R is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer main menu according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4S is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer Reference Source Lookup procedure according to
`the present invention.
`FIG. 4T is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer Reference Source Lookup procedure with a box
`check marked according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4U is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer Thank-You Screen according to the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4V is a Website screen illustrating a printout of a
`Reference detail or document as purchased according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 4W is a Website screen illustrating the Recruiter/
`Employer demographic information update procedure
`according to the present invention.
`Similar reference characters denote corresponding fea
`tures consistently throughout the attached drawings.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The present invention is an electronic repository for
`jobseekers’ references. The jobseeker registers himself and
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`his reference Sources on an Internet Site. The references are
`notified via e-mail, they Subsequently log in and enter their
`personal or professional reference or letter of reference for
`the jobseeker. The jobSeeker gives prospective RecruiterS/
`Employers information on accessing his references. The list
`of references is available at no charge, but the detailed
`documents corresponding to the references can be purchased
`by the Recruiter/Employer. All required Security is imple
`mented. The advantages of this process include: (1) elimi
`nation of repeated contact of jobseekers’ references for
`positions that change frequently; (2) virtually instant check
`ing of references, eliminating loSS of potential employee
`through extended process; and (3) Significant reduction in
`cost and time of checking reference by recruiter/employee.
`Business System Description
`Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1D, there is illustrated a
`diagrammatical representation of a repository for jobSeek
`ers references on the Internet according to the present
`invention. Internet Website 10 includes Internet 12 in two
`way communication with the prospective employee com
`puter 14 by first two-way communication means 16, the
`named reference author computer 18 by Second two-way
`communication means 20, and the computer of prospective
`employee/inquirer, i.e. Recruiter/Employer 22 by third two
`way communication means 24. An employee reference
`Server 26 is in two-way communication with data repository
`28 by fourth two-way communication means 30 and the
`Internet 12 by fifth two-way communications means 32. The
`database computer program may be Stored in an appropriate
`element as listed above and makes up no part of the
`invention.
`Referring more particularly to FIG. 1B, jobseeker com
`puter 14 is in communication with Internet 12 by first
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`two-way communication means 16 which Internet 12 is in
`comm