BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In many fields of business when one wishes to engage the services of an individual or a company in a new area, selection is typically based on prior recommendations or knowledge of the reputation of the individual or business in that area. Where neither of these are available, the selection process may be reduced to leafing through a business directory such as the Yellow Pages and picking the advert that is most appealing. With the advent of the World Wide Web, many individuals and businesses have their own WWW site, or at least a page on a WWW site, advertising their products and services. Many sites and pages can be extremely useful if you know exactly what it is that you are looking for and whose products or services you are interested in. Unfortunately the sites and pages of less technologically developed businesses are frequently nothing more than adverts which are not representative of their skills, services or products and may not provide sufficient detail in the particular areas of interest.

In order to find relevant WWW sites and pages, there exist computer software driven search engines that are accessible and useable without charge. However, the majority of search engines are based in the USA and only provide a generic search mechanism. Most search engines have related systems or departments for finding new WWW sites and pages and creating entries in a search database that associates the site or pages location with appropriate search keywords. In order to find a WWW site using such a search engine, it is necessary to match the search term with the keywords. The process of determining keywords is commonly automated and in some cases incorrect keywords may be allocated. Therefore, even if a correct search statement is entered, some WWW sites may not be found. Equally, different search engines may use different keywords (such as synonyms or abbreviations) to classify the same content, thereby requiring searchers to repeat their searches to cover these variations. Furthermore, keywords automatically associated with a WWW site are mostly derived from the content of the WWW site without any interaction with the sites owner. The keywords are therefore dependant on the content of the WWW site, which, as discussed above, may not be representative of that business.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, a computer implemented transaction system includes a server configured to host a World Wide Web site, the system comprising an interface for accepting inputs from visitors to the site, an input comprising an

offer of, or a request for, a product or service classified according to a plurality (n) of predetermined criteria, an n-dimensional database for storing inputted offers or requests according to their classification and a search engine for searching the database according to one or more of the n classifications.

In the present invention a WWW site provides a two-way searchable database and a corresponding search engine. The site enables users to place requests for the supply of products or services by submitting a form provided at the WWW site. Submitted requests are preferably classified by the user according to a number of predetermined criteria, the user selecting a value from a limited set for each criterion. Requests are stored in a multi-dimensional database, each dimension corresponding to one of the criteria so that the user's classification of the request defines a point in the multi-dimensional space of the database at which the request is to be stored. The database is then searchable by users who use appropriate criteria to define their search statements and are alerted to requests occupying space in the database covered by their search statement. The two-way use of classifications means that users have control over classification of their requests. Similarly, searchers are guaranteed that by being limited to searching according to the same predetermined criteria used to classify the requests, requests will not be missed due to the use of synonyms, similes or varying abbreviations. The system is equally applicable to the situation where offers are posted in the multi-dimensional database and users requiring products or services search the database in the same way. Users posting requests are preferably notified of existing offers in that particular

classification and vice versa. Accordingly, the present invention provides a quick and powerful two-way search and advertising medium.

In another aspect of the present invention, in a computer implemented transaction system including a server configured to host a World Wide Web site, a method for the storage and retrieval of requests and offers comprises the steps of accepting inputs from visitors to the site, an input comprising an offer of, or a request for, a product or service classified according to a plurality (n) of predetermined criteria, storing inputted offers or requests in an n-dimensional database according to their classification and allowing retrieving requests and offers by searching the database according to one or more of the n classifications.

In a further aspect of the present invention, in a computer implemented transaction system including a server configured to host a World Wide Web site, a method for posting requests comprises the steps of visiting the site, completing an electronic form including fields for details of the request, contact details and a plurality (n) of predetermined criteria which serve to classify the request and define the point in an n-dimensional database in which the request is stored, wherein the predetermined criteria include the visitor's industry sector, function within the industry sector, geographical location and a potential supplier's industry sector.

Preferably, each of the predetermined criteria has a discrete number of possible values. The interface may present the values for each criteria for selection by the visitor.

The contact details of the visitor making the offer or request may be linked to the offer or request in the multi-dimensional database. The contact details may be stored with the offer or request. Preferably, the contact details are hidden from searchers and are released upon payment of a fee.

Typical classification criteria may include industry sector, the function within the industry sector, and geographical location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Examples of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system for implementing the present invention; Figure 2 is a simplified representation of a database for use in the present invention; and, Figure 3 is a simplified representation of a search performed on the database of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system for implementing the present invention. The computer system includes a server 10 hosting a WWW site 20 on

the Internet 30. The WWW site 20 is accessible by users via computer terminals 40 with Internet access and appropriate WWW browsing software. A user wishing to retain the services of a business or an individual (for example, a business consultant) visits the WWW site 20 and completes an electronic form classifying the request by selecting values for the criteria of: the requested industry sector (for example, legal); the user's industry sector (for example, manufacture of consumer electronics); their function within that sector (for example, Human Resources); and their geographical location (for example, UK-North East). The user also provides additional details which form the body of their request. In this case these may include the particular legal problems or tasks, due dates and particular areas of expertise required. The user placing the request also provides the system with contact details by which they wish suppliers offering to fulfil their request should contact them. However, the user's request is initially anonymous to searchers until they make a payment to the system to release the contact details. The data submitted in the form is processed by the server 10 and stored in a database 50.

The database 50 is multi-dimensional, its dimensions being defined by the above criteria. The values for the criteria specified by the user therefore link the request to a point in the multi-dimensional space of the database and the request is stored at the particular point determined by that classification.

Figure 2 is a simplified representation of a four-dimensional database in which 3 of the criteria dimensions are shown. The point in space in which the user's request would be stored is marked"Record".

Another user, having goods or services they wish to supply, visits the WWW site 20 and completes an electronic search form. The fields on the form correspond to the criteria previously used by those posting requests. However, in this instance the use of the criteria is reversed and the supplier enters their target buyer's and their own details regarding industry sector and is then able to select values for searching the criteria of the requesting user's industry sector, function and geographical location.

This information is matched to a position or range in the database 50 from which requests submitted by other users are obtained and shown to the supplier. If the supplier finds any requests they are willing to fulfil, they pay an appropriate fee to the WWW site 20 which then releases the contact details allowing contact to be made.

The reverse of this arrangement, in which suppliers place offers in the database which are searched for by purchasers, operates in exactly the same manner as has been described above with the roles of the two parties interchanged. Indeed, the system does not discriminate between offers and requests, storing both in the same spaces in the database, the search engine offering searchers the simple option of searching for offers and/or requests.

Usage of the system is charged for at present, payment being required for the system to release the contact details of a user that has placed an offer or request.

Optionally, a supplier placing an offer may pay a one off or repeated fee for a more sophisticated advert, including a URL link to their own WWW site if appropriate, to

be placed in the database with their contact details accessible without charge to users.

Figure 3 is a simplified representation of a search performed on the database of Figure 2. In order to search the database, it is not necessary to specify a value for each of its n criteria dimensions. Obviously, the more dimensions which have a value specified, the more specific and focussed the search results will be. Figure 3 shows highlighted areas of the database from which requests or offers would be obtained if the searcher's industry sector was set as"Mortgages"and the geographical location set as"South East England". Results would be returned irrespective of the buyer's industry sector or function.

The above example of the present invention may be expanded upon to create a two- way blind market. Once a supplier has found a request he or she is willing to fulfil, they post a response to the database in reply to the request. The response is stored with the request in the database and accessible only to the requesting user. Once the requesting user has reviewed the responses, he or she selects those to be followed up and instructs the WWW site to issue contact invitations. Suppliers receiving contact invitations may then access the requesting user's contact details and make contact. The requesting user is notified next time they log on a response is posted in reply to their request.

Examples of values for the criteria dimensions of Industry Sector, Function and Geographical location include:

Industry Sector: 1. Agriculture, forestry & fishing Agriculture production-crops Agriculture production-livestock Agriculture services Forestry Fishing 2. Mining & Quarrying Metal mining Coal mining Oil & Gas extraction Other Mineral mining 3. Construction General house builders General commercial builders Heavy/infrastructure construction Building trades-commercial/contractors Building trades-domestic 4. Manufacturing Food and beverages

Textiles Clothes/shoes/leather goods Lumber/wood products Furniture, fittings & fixtures Paper products Printing Chemicals & pharmaceuticals Petroleum & nuclear products Rubber & plastics Stone, clay, glass, concrete Primary/basic metals Fabricated metal products Engineering, machinery & equipment Computer & office machinery Electrical machinery Consumer electronics & appliances Medical, scientific & precision equipment Cameras, watches, pens, jewellery, music, toys Cars, transport & aerospace 5. Electricity, gas & water supply 6. Media, post & communications Newspapers

Books Periodicals & magazines Music TV Radio Film Internet Telephone, fax & cable Post/parcel courier 7. Transport, travel & vehicles Rail passenger Rail freight Bus/coach/taxi Road freight & warehousing Shipping-commercial Boats and watersports Air-commercial Planes and airsports Transport services Travel agencies & tourist services Cars Motorbikes Caravans

Lorries and commercial vehicles Fuel distribution & garages Motor sports 8. Wholesalers Durable goods Non-durable goods 9. Retailers & repair Building, DIY & garden materials General/department stores Food shops Clothes, shoes & leather goods Furniture and household fittings Domestic appliances Consumer electronics, computers & cameras Newsagents, books, music & stationery Chemists Sports & bicycles Household fuels Gifts, jewellery, hobbies, toys, games, flowers Antiques, second hand, pawn shops Off-licences Mail order/direct sales companies

Estate agents Domestic/personal services 10. Finance Consumer bank accounts Personal loans Mortgages Insurance Life assurance Pensions Credit cards Consumer share dealing Corporate lending & financial services Investment banking and corporate transactions Securities trading and fund management Leasing & renting Commodity trading 11. Professional & business services Accounting, audit, tax Legal Business consultancy IT-consultancy, software, hardware, services Employment, recruitment agencies

Public relations Marketing & advertising Architects Design, photography, graphics, copying Cleaning & maintenance Security Research & development Analysis & testing Property & real estate 12. Recreation, entertainment & membership organisations Cinemas, theatres, video, dance clubs Hotels, pubs, camping & restaurants Bands, actors, entertainers Museums & galleries Amusement parks & arcades Racing-athletics, horse etc Membership health, golf, sports clubs Professional sports clubs & promoters Business & professional organisations Political & labour organisations Civic & social organisations Religious organisations Charities

13. Government & private services Central government Local government Health Education Police, fire, courts, prisons Social services 14. Consumers Function: Research & development Procurement Manufacturing/Operations Marketing Sales Service Executive/strategy Corporate development/transactions Finance Human Resources IT Legal

Facilities/property Investor/public/stakeholder relations Consumer Geographical location: UK South East excluding London London South West East Midlands West Midlands & Wales North East North West Scotland Northern Ireland US all 50 states Canada all states Australia all states/territories all other countries, including Eire, at country level

It will be apparent to the skilled person that modifications and additions to the above examples are possible whilst falling within the scope of the present invention. The WWW interface may be supplemented by some form of intelligent guidance which functions to process a user's registration details and the body of his request in order to offer guesses to the values for the predetermined criteria for the user to agree to or overrule. Common computer program functions such as user management, archiving and reporting may also be used in the maintenance and running of systems according to the present invention. In addition to those suggested, there are many opportunities for charging for use of the above system, including on posting requests and offers, posting replies, issuing invitations for contact and obtaining contact details.

In addition to the anonymous systems discussed above, the architecture used in the present invention also lends itself to browseable and searchable directory listings using the same multi-dimensional database. Directory listings may include adverts, links to other WWW sites and periodic offers for the provision of goods or services.

Such a service is likely to be chargeable on a renewal basis by those advertising.