A method and apparatus for facilitating direct internet appointments using personalised identification number

摘要

An internet-based system for enabling a user to make an appointment with a service provider is disclosed. The system includes a user interface for communicating with the user and an identifying unit in communication with the user interface for accepting private information from the user. The identifying unit includes algorithm means for generating a unique user identification code based on the private information. The system further includes an appointment database in communication with the user interface for holding latest available appointment information. The user interface includes processing means for: accepting preferred appointment information from the user; communicating the preferred appointment information to the appointment database to provide the user with a choice of available appointment times; accepting a preferred appointment time from the user; communicating the preferred appointment time to the appointment database and advising the user of a confirmed appointment time. The database includes means for updating its appointment information such that the user is identified in the database by means of the unique user identification data.