US20030177026A1 - Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system - Google Patents
Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030177026A1 US20030177026A1 US10/364,979 US36497903A US2003177026A1 US 20030177026 A1 US20030177026 A1 US 20030177026A1 US 36497903 A US36497903 A US 36497903A US 2003177026 A1 US2003177026 A1 US 2003177026A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- information
- sellers
- buyers
- buyer
- seller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 230000010365 information processing Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 60
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 34
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 9
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000013475 authorization Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0609—Buyer or seller confidence or verification
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0623—Item investigation
- G06Q30/0625—Directed, with specific intent or strategy
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
- G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
- G06Q30/0641—Shopping interfaces
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
- G06Q40/04—Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99931—Database or file accessing
- Y10S707/99937—Sorting
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99941—Database schema or data structure
- Y10S707/99942—Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99941—Database schema or data structure
- Y10S707/99944—Object-oriented database structure
- Y10S707/99945—Object-oriented database structure processing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99941—Database schema or data structure
- Y10S707/99948—Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to apparatus and method for matching buyers and sellers of products and services. More particularly, it pertains to automated, and usually computerized methods and systems for creating a depository for sellers to indicate inventory availability and a source for buyers to access to review those seller's inventories for purchase purposes.
- the system may be used by a single entity to manage assets where multiple users require the ability to independently access the management system, often times from remote and varying locations.
- a fundamental need of sellers of merchandise and providers of services is an effective means for communicating inventory availabilities to potential buyers.
- effective and persuasive means for communicating information to buyers is a paramount concern for providers.
- the advent of broadcast media provided a revolutionary step and improvement in the ability to disseminate information to purchasers. Broadcast communications, however, are unidirectional in that sellers are able to disseminate information to potential buyers, but those buyers who receive the information are not able to react in a direct manner and “broadcast” a response.
- radio and television has made it easier for a seller to distribute product and service information to a broader audience than traditional print media, it has not provided a highly effective means for selecting the receivers of the information, nor does it provide a closed environment within which the parties may review the needs and abilities of the other.
- a related system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,336 that discloses a system and method for allocating resources of a retailer among multiple wholesalers.
- This system provides a means by which information may be provided about a plurality of wholesalers and their inventories and purchases made by retailers based on those retailers' collective needs.
- the purchaser has the ability to access information in an automated environment and review merchandise information. Orders may even be placed on these systems once the purchaser has made an appropriate selection. In each situation, however, the merchandise provider has no interactive capabilities for accessing the systems. Instead, the sellers are dependant upon information about their products and services being entered and made available by the system administrator.
- the present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed methods and incorporates several additionally beneficial features.
- This invention includes features and/or components that have been invented and selected for their individual and combined benefits and superior performance as an automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system.
- the system includes multiple aspects that individually and collectively provide new and novel features in and of themselves.
- Each of the individual components or processes, however, work in association with, and are optimally mated to the others. Together, they yield an overall information management system that has superior collective effectiveness in providing an automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system.
- the method includes the steps of establishing a host operated information management system wherein the information management system is a computer having information processing and storage capabilities.
- the host also has electronic communication connections such as modems that permit third parties to electronically connect with the information management system for exchanging information therewith.
- Host approved sellers of products and services are granted limited electronic access to the information management system so that each approved seller then has a self-initiated capability to exclusively access that seller's inventory information that is maintained on the information management system for adding, amending and deleting portions of the seller's inventory information.
- the seller's inventory information is analyzed and assimilated into a buyers listing of products and services available through the information management system to potential buyers.
- Host approved buyers of products and services are granted limited electronic access to the information management system so that each approved buyer has a self-initiatable capability to access the buyers listing for reviewing products and services of interest to that buyer.
- the capability is provided for a purchase transaction to be initiated by an approved buyer who electronically designates a product or service of interest for purchase from the buyers listing.
- a seller is assessed a service charge determined by the amount of inventory information stored on the seller's behalf in the host information management system.
- the seller is assessed a transactional service charge, the amount of that service charge being determined by the sale price of the item sold in a sale transaction completed on the host information management system.
- the seller is assessed a uniform transactional service charge per sale transaction completed on the host information management system.
- Each approved buyer's capability to access the buyers listing for reviewing products further comprises the capability to filter the buyers listing so that only products or services meeting that buyer's specified criteria are listed for review.
- the host system may alter the status of a selected item upon its designation by a buyer for purchase so that the item is subsequently removed from display on the buyers listing.
- the selected item designated by a buyer for purchase may be blocked from future selection by that or other buyers until the item's previous “available” status is restored.
- Each seller and each buyer is issued a unique identifier utilized by the host information management system to identify each upon their log in into the host information management system.
- This log in identifier such as a company identification number and/or password will be recognized and recorded by the host information management system for usage tracking, billing, and other purposes.
- the host operated information management system is interfaced to the sellers and the buyers as a site accessible through the Internet. Easy access is provided to the host Internet site to the sellers and buyers, each of whom may access the host site upon their own initiative remotely through an Internet access provider of their choice. Because this preferred embodiment operates within the framework of the Internet, the system is substantially continuously available to a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers, except during very brief times during which system maintenance is performed.
- the host information management system operates in a database format in which information pertaining to a particular product or service item is maintained as one of a plurality of records of the database and the buyers listing is produced through a report that surveys the plurality of records and compiles the buyers listing from selected information contained within those records.
- each record is assigned a unique identifier for tracking and processing purposes. Since each record usually reflects a discrete item of product or a particular service, the record identifier, such as an identification number, also serves to identify individual products or services among the possibly many that are maintained not only by a particular seller, but also among the several sellers' inventories.
- Each record is formatted to a base template that has a plurality of fields wherein each field is intended to contain a specific type of information about the product or service item of that record. Because each seller is identified upon log in into the host system, a customized template may be created for each seller wherein each field that is likely to contain the same information for each product or service record of that seller is partially pre-completed to facilitate the entry of product and service information into the host information management system by the seller. Therefore, instead of displaying a generic template to a seller when his or her inventories are being manipulated to add, change or delete items, their customized template may be displayed for making the manipulation process go more quickly and with less effort.
- This same or abbreviated version of the template may be displayed to a buyer upon log in. That buyer may then complete chosen fields with information to be used in a matching process with like fields in the sellers' inventory records for filtering product and service information to be listed on the buyers listing to that information which meets the buyer's specified filter criteria. As an option to the buyer, the buyer's filtered product and service information to be listed on the buyers listing may be further condensed so that multiple items of like or similar products and services meeting certain host or buyer specified criteria are reduced to single entries on that buyer's listing for brevity and simplification purposes to the reviewing buyer.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the inventory information exchange system.
- FIG. 2 is a flowcharted representation of the method of utilizing the automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system of the present invention as employed by a plurality of buyers and sellers in an Internet environment.
- FIG. 3 is a flowcharted representation of the method of utilizing the automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system of the present invention as employed by an entity for asset management purposes wherein a plurality of users access the system via the Internet.
- the present invention provides a means by which product and service information may be made available to select buyers or users and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 3 .
- the basic concept of the present invention is to provide a data base to which sellers and buyers have limited, but independent access for exchanging sales information. Each seller has the ability to access information about his or her own inventory on the system. It is contemplated that multiple sellers will have inventory information on the system in “areas” that contain their information alone. Each of those several sellers will only have access to their own inventory information, and not the information of the other sellers.
- purchasers may place an order with the host or administrator of the system who later conveys the information to an appropriate seller.
- the purchaser may place an order directly with a specific seller based on either product criteria or seller's identification, if that is made available.
- both sellers and purchasers may access their sides of the system at any time; sellers may manipulate and change their inventory information and buyers may review an updated product listing that is maintained and updated on a substantially continuous basis.
- the present invention may be maintained within any one of several available environments that allows limited user accessibility as well as processing capabilities for manipulating the information to be exchanged. Because of the compiling and assimilating features required of the administrative system, it is incumbent that the hosting system be computerized and that the sellers and buyers have a means by which they can independently gain access on their own initiative. A dedicated computer base or system having dial-up and on-line capabilities would satisfy these requirements, as would the more elaborate, but exceedingly popular Internet. Within each of these computerized systems, it is possible to partition off special areas for each sellers inventory information, and to which a particular seller has exclusive access.
- each seller's inventory area is formatted and input in such a way that the administrative portion of the system can retrieve that information and analyze and compile it with information about the inventories of other sellers.
- the information from the several sellers' areas is either continuously monitored or intermittently examined on a regular, but frequent basis to extract relevant changes about the several available inventories.
- the withdrawn information is then compiled to present a uniform product listing that may include a listing of each product of each seller, or alternatively the listing may be filtered to show a unified listing of products wherein each product has a single entry regardless of the number of sellers having that particular product for sale. This listing is typically not directly accessible by the sellers.
- a seller will have to also be authorized as a buyer to gain access to the compiled listing.
- the merchandise display domain for subscribing buyers desiring to review the information compiled from the several sellers' data bases.
- the buyer will be able to communicate with the host and specify criteria for the display listing that will limit the displayed listing to only those products and/or services of immediate interest. In this way a greater array of products may be maintained on any given system without causing confusion or becoming burdensome since the buyers can filter what is displayed at any one time on their own.
- the buyers will typically view the administrator of the system as a sole provider of the listed products and services, and not a representative of the plurality of sellers.
- the host acts as a clearing house through which information is collected from sellers and then displayed for buyers who can then place orders through the system.
- the administrator may then order appropriate product and service corresponding to the buyers' requirements.
- it is anticipated that the buyers may place orders directly with the sellers and that the host receives a commission or fee for providing the information exchange service.
- the system and process of the present invention may be differentiated from others presently known by its ability to serve as an administrator or host that coordinates between a sellers' domain and a buyers' domain with the interface therebetween being a site having an analyzed display of products and services available upon the system.
- the intermediary administrator By having the intermediary administrator, the necessity of providing interactive and simultaneous communication between the buyer and seller is eliminated. It does, however, provide continuous access to the system for both buyers and sellers.
- the system permits the buyer to order product and service through the administrator at any time, just as it permits sellers to access and amend their inventory information.
- neither party on either side of the administrator need be logged into the system at the same time.
- this system may be provided on any electronic medium capable of providing a means for limiting access to a plurality of authorized users.
- an appropriate host system may be a dedicated computer having dial-up and on-line capabilities, as well as computational capabilities.
- the system is administered in an Internet environment wherein a host site serves as the administrator and both buyers and sellers are permitted access to the site based on authorized access codes. Information for transacting actual purchases may be exchanged outside of this system in a more traditional manner of placing an order by either telephone, telecopy, or mail service from the sellers to the administrator. It is anticipated, however, that the host site will accommodate direct orders on-line by the purchaser.
- PC personal computer
- the host either a dedicated computer system, Webb site or other hosting environment will be “open” at all times and available to receive log-ins from a plurality of users, be they buyers and/or sellers, at different times, or simultaneously.
- the users will be able to effectively leave messages that are to be communicated either directly or indirectly to the users on the opposite side of the host for affecting a commercial transaction.
- the administrator of the product listing will have capabilities for reviewing and analyzing the sellers' information utilizing an information processor 11 such as a computer's CPU on a continuous basis so that the listing is always up-to-date, or at sufficiently frequent intervals that the likelihood of a buyer purchasing a product based on specifications that have been changed since the last update is minimized.
- an information processor 11 such as a computer's CPU
- a substantially identical information exchange system as described herein above may be utilized by a single entity for the purpose of managing certain asset and service availabilities within a particular organization or “domain”.
- a system used by such an organization may be run on an identical platform to that described herein above, or there may be greater leniencies between the divisions for what has previously been described as sellers and buyers domains.
- an asset manager responsible for tracking and inventorying a company's assets will be similarly positioned to a seller. That assets manager may wish to have information about its inventories displayed to others within the organization, but to also prevent them from making unauthorized changes to the item inventories.
- the system of controls may be more relaxed wherein those who survey the inventories from a position similar to a buyer may be provided the ability to manipulate inventory entries based on that reviewing user's needs and actions taken relative to listed items.
- the basic framework of the information exchange system need not vary greatly from the buyers and sellers format.
- An example of an information exchange system 05 according to the present invention intended to be utilized by a plurality of sellers 21 a , 22 a and buyers 41 a , 42 a may be seen through the following example of a domain within which oil field products and services are exchangeable.
- a host information management system 10 is established within a computer system that manages and processes all the information entered and stored within the system, and controls the access granted to both buyers and sellers.
- a seller After a seller has been initially approved for access, he or she will communicate basic information that is common to the products and services he or she expects to be listed in the system. Based upon the nature of the domain 20 or forum to which that seller is granted access, a template record will be created by the administrator to be used when the seller's itemized inventory information 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 is entered into the system. This “standard” information for a particular seller's products will be amendably inserted into a seller's sample template that will be available upon log in and which is partially pre completed with that standard information. This pre-completion facilities entry of individual items and speeds the input process.
- each record will comprise a plurality of fields, each field representing a specific type of information relevant to each piece of equipment or service.
- casing pipe of various sizes, wall thicknesses, and thread specifications may be usual products exchanged. Therefore, each of these three characteristics may be provided a field wherein the specifics about an item being entered are described. For uniformity, when a limited number of possibilities is appropriate for a field entry, those possibilities may be made displayable in “drop-down” menus common to databases.
- a similarly customized template will optionally be provided.
- the template is used by the buyer for making selection criteria entries.
- a partially completed template may be displayed to a buyer upon his or her log in that has certain pre-filled fields designated by the individual buyer when he or she subscribes to the system.
- An example would be a subscribing buyer who only supplies casing pipe for the drilling of oil wells. In that instance, the buyer would desire to have pre-filled fields that automatically specify his search criteria to be limited to tubing casing. If there are predominate features that are more often than not required by a buyer, those indications may also be pre-filled. Generally, anything that can be pre-filled and not repetitively typed will be desirable to a buyer.
- the buyer logs into the information exchange system he or she is recognized by the host based on the entered identifier and a pre-filled selection criteria template is made available for further customization before a search of the sellers' inventories is executed by the database. It is also possible that the format for display of the buyer's listing may be customized for a particular buyer based on his or her recurring needs. For instance, all casing pipe may be considered to be fungible, therefore it is not necessary for the buyer to know how many different sellers such pipe available.
- the buyer reviews the same and makes decisions based thereon. It may be that a purchase decision is made and the transaction is initiated within the host system. Based upon the degree of control retained by the host over such sale transactions, the two parties may be permitted to deal directly through the host system. Alternatively, the host may remain an intermediary who conveys messages. In each case, the transaction may be electronically processed through the several physical connections established between the buyer and seller by way of the interface of the host system. Transaction that are controlled by the host may be tracked, administered, and charged for. It is possible that the host will charge transactional service fees that are unit based per transaction or proportionally based on such things as selling price and quantities. Alternatively, a seller may be assessed a fee based upon the amount of inventory maintained on the host's system. This type of pricing, however, will be more suitable to asset management systems, a use which is detailed herein below.
- the present invention provides significant benefits to both sellers and buyers in that access may be achieved from any remote location 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 41 , 42 , 43 at which the buyer or seller can make suitable connections to the Internet. Most often, this will be accomplished through the buyers or sellers regular Internet access provider. This, however, is not a limitation in that the website of the host is “blind” to the avenue through which access is sought, other than that such access comes through the expected Internet network to the host site.
- an asset manager 70 may desire to out-source substantially all overhead associated with in-house information management facilities.
- the above described system provides a superior solution for such a manager with very little amendment to the procedures and programming described in the example immediately above.
- users 81 , 82 need to review available inventories 75 of assets and services displayed in user listings 77 within their particular organization. Because it is anticipated that the specific domain will be accessed by users within the same organizations, the partitions otherwise provider between buyers and sellers may be relaxed. At the same time, however, they may be desirably maintained so that strict controls are made available to the asset manager.
- a world wide oilfield service company may have similar needs to a market wherein a plurality of sellers and buyers operate.
- the administrator or manager of the assets will act as a unified “seller” of product and service available within the organization and users throughout the company will act as “buyers” who can review assets currently owned by the company before going outside the company to purchase items.
- Each of these embodiments of the present invention are viewed as information exchange systems that may be suited for any product or service wherein information is desired in an easy to comprehend format by either (1) asset managers and users of the inventoried properties or (2) a plurality of purchasers and a plurality of sellers who desire access to a focused marketing medium for the products and services in which each is interested.
- asset managers and users of the inventoried properties or (2) a plurality of purchasers and a plurality of sellers who desire access to a focused marketing medium for the products and services in which each is interested.
- the limits upon the information management system and its applications are viewed as being almost without bound and capable of providing great benefit to all participating users.
- the present invention finds utility in businesses and industries requiring the controlled exchange of inventory information. These inventories may include both products and services with the management of the same being accomplished in any processing environment, but particularly in computer settings.
- the system operates on what is generally known as the Internet providing remote and continuous access to a plurality of persons desiring to sell products or services and others who desire to buy the same.
- the present invention finds utility in an organization wherein that organization's complexity requires sophisticated information management systems for controlling inventories within the bound of that organization.
Abstract
A method for exchanging information between providers and users of products and services in which an information management system is established that is computer based and has information processing and storage capabilities. The system also has electronic communication connections that permit buyers and sellers to electronically connect with the information management system for information exchange. Limited electronic access to the information management system is granted to approved sellers of products and services. After approval, each such seller is enabled to access inventory information of that seller for amendment purposes. Similarly, limited electronic access to the information management system is granted to approved buyers of products and services and are provided a searching capability to search a compilation of a plurality of seller's inventory information using criteria specified by that approved buyer. Last, a buyer's listing of products and services is compiled from the compilation of the seller's inventory information for that buyer based on that buyer's search criteria and in which duplicate inventory items are removed therefrom.
Description
- This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/227,723 filed Jan. 8, 1999 entitled AUTOMATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCESSIBLE INVENTORY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/864314 filed May 27, 1997 also entitled AUTOMATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCESSIBLE INVENTORY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/08750 filed May 27, 1997, published under International Publication No. WO 97/44749 on Nov. 27, 1997 entitled AUTOMATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCESSIBLE INVENTORY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/018,293 filed May 24, 1996 and also entitled AUTOMATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCESSIBLE INVENTORY INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM now U.S. Patent No. 5,940,807; each of said applications in their entirety are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
- 1.TECHNICAL FIELD
- This invention relates generally to apparatus and method for matching buyers and sellers of products and services. More particularly, it pertains to automated, and usually computerized methods and systems for creating a depository for sellers to indicate inventory availability and a source for buyers to access to review those seller's inventories for purchase purposes. Optionally, the system may be used by a single entity to manage assets where multiple users require the ability to independently access the management system, often times from remote and varying locations.
- 2. Background Art
- The cornerstone of a free trade system is the ability of merchants to make the availability of their products and services known to potential purchasers. The concept of trading between sellers and buyers is well known and transactions between the two originally occurred in face-to-face meetings. Subsequently, as markets became more sophisticated, buyers and sellers turned to written documentation for both placing orders and filling orders. Of late, however, the advent of electronic transactional capabilities has made it exceedingly advantageous for businesses to automate many of their methods of doing business. Among those methods and processes is the activity of merchandising goods and services. A common goal in these automations is to increase accuracy, while at the same time reduce costs and time-frames between the initiation of a purchase and its completion.
- A fundamental need of sellers of merchandise and providers of services is an effective means for communicating inventory availabilities to potential buyers. As evidenced by the thriving, advertizing industry, effective and persuasive means for communicating information to buyers is a paramount concern for providers. The advent of broadcast media provided a revolutionary step and improvement in the ability to disseminate information to purchasers. Broadcast communications, however, are unidirectional in that sellers are able to disseminate information to potential buyers, but those buyers who receive the information are not able to react in a direct manner and “broadcast” a response. Though radio and television has made it easier for a seller to distribute product and service information to a broader audience than traditional print media, it has not provided a highly effective means for selecting the receivers of the information, nor does it provide a closed environment within which the parties may review the needs and abilities of the other.
- Because of the broadcast media's ability to disseminate information in a rather scattered manner to parties who may or may not have a need for the advertised product or service, consumers are regularly bombarded with information from sellers that is of no interest, and in many cases serves only to irritate. As a result, a majority of the resources expended on broadcast advertising are wasted on the distribution of information that is never likely to achieve a sale.
- As opposed to advertising to consumers, marketing between businesses is often more successful at affecting a sale. The reason for this is that more focused communication is possible when a supplier knows with some degree of certainty who its potential customers are. In that case, information may be provided to those who are at least likely to purchase goods and services of the seller. Some sellers choose systems in which information about their merchandise is made available to potential purchasers, but it is the purchaser that originates a transaction by accessing the information and initiating a purchase. In this type of system, there is almost a 100% percent certainty that the potential purchaser at least has a need for the product, and because they are actively seeking to review available products and services that will meet their needs, they are also likely to affect and complete a purchase. The problem of such a system is providing an environment within which the providers information is conveniently deposited and held until selectively accessed by interested buyers. In a more traditional format, catalogs of merchandise available from a provider have been printed and which may in turn be requested by buyers interested in those types of products. Without some advertising of the availability of these catalogs, however, it is unlikely that many purchasers will either know about the catalog's availability, or how to order and receive one.
- The catalog concept has been automated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,956 that discloses an interactive system for retail transactions. In use, a purchaser may access a computer system and select information about a particular product that is then displayed on a video screen, together with certain data and specification about the product. In this invention, a transaction may be affected and a purchase made through the displaying computer system.
- A related system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,336 that discloses a system and method for allocating resources of a retailer among multiple wholesalers. This system provides a means by which information may be provided about a plurality of wholesalers and their inventories and purchases made by retailers based on those retailers' collective needs.
- In each of the described patented systems, the purchaser has the ability to access information in an automated environment and review merchandise information. Orders may even be placed on these systems once the purchaser has made an appropriate selection. In each situation, however, the merchandise provider has no interactive capabilities for accessing the systems. Instead, the sellers are dependant upon information about their products and services being entered and made available by the system administrator.
- An alternative system for exchanging information has been described in U. S. Patent No. 4,799,156 that discloses an interactive market management system. Therein, a system is described for interactive on-line electronic communications and processing of business transactions between a plurality of different types of independent users including at least a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers, as well as financial institutions and freight service providers. The concept is to provide each member participating in a transaction simultaneous on-line communication with the other members. The environment for the communication is a computer system, but the interaction is akin to a conference call or “chat line” wherein each member communicates with the others and is ultimately able to make commitments for their contributions to the transaction on the system. While certain benefits may be achieved by such an interactive system, there are many times when all parties are not available at the same time to interact with one another. As a result, utilization of a system of this nature will be limited to those times at which all parties are simultaneously available to correspond with each other. The ability to fully utilize a system of this nature is obviously hindered by this requirement that all parties be available at the same time. Furthermore, it has the limitation of being able to be utilized for only a single transaction at any one time. That is, multiple purchasers cannot converse with the seller about separate and different transactions at the same time.
- In reviewing the above needs of purchasers and sellers, as well as the known systems that are presently available for their transactions, the need for an improved means for exchanging product and service information between parties has been recognized and resolved through the use of the present invention.
- The present invention in its several disclosed embodiments alleviates the drawbacks described above with respect to conventionally designed methods and incorporates several additionally beneficial features.
- This invention includes features and/or components that have been invented and selected for their individual and combined benefits and superior performance as an automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system. The system includes multiple aspects that individually and collectively provide new and novel features in and of themselves. Each of the individual components or processes, however, work in association with, and are optimally mated to the others. Together, they yield an overall information management system that has superior collective effectiveness in providing an automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system.
- Referring now to specific embodiments of the information management system of the automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system of the present invention, additional benefits and advantageous features will be appreciated. The following optional and alternative embodiments of the present invention are provided as exemplifications to aid in the understanding of the invention, but are not to be considered necessarily limitations on the scope of protection claimed herein regarding the method for controlling the collection, processing and dissemination of information by a host regarding product and service availability.
- In these regards, the method includes the steps of establishing a host operated information management system wherein the information management system is a computer having information processing and storage capabilities. The host also has electronic communication connections such as modems that permit third parties to electronically connect with the information management system for exchanging information therewith. Host approved sellers of products and services are granted limited electronic access to the information management system so that each approved seller then has a self-initiated capability to exclusively access that seller's inventory information that is maintained on the information management system for adding, amending and deleting portions of the seller's inventory information. The seller's inventory information is analyzed and assimilated into a buyers listing of products and services available through the information management system to potential buyers. Host approved buyers of products and services are granted limited electronic access to the information management system so that each approved buyer has a self-initiatable capability to access the buyers listing for reviewing products and services of interest to that buyer. Within the information management system, the capability is provided for a purchase transaction to be initiated by an approved buyer who electronically designates a product or service of interest for purchase from the buyers listing.
- In one embodiment, a seller is assessed a service charge determined by the amount of inventory information stored on the seller's behalf in the host information management system. In another embodiment, the seller is assessed a transactional service charge, the amount of that service charge being determined by the sale price of the item sold in a sale transaction completed on the host information management system. In yet another embodiment, the seller is assessed a uniform transactional service charge per sale transaction completed on the host information management system.
- Each approved buyer's capability to access the buyers listing for reviewing products further comprises the capability to filter the buyers listing so that only products or services meeting that buyer's specified criteria are listed for review. To aid in assuring that buyers may select only available products and services, the host system may alter the status of a selected item upon its designation by a buyer for purchase so that the item is subsequently removed from display on the buyers listing. Alternatively, the selected item designated by a buyer for purchase may be blocked from future selection by that or other buyers until the item's previous “available” status is restored.
- Each seller and each buyer is issued a unique identifier utilized by the host information management system to identify each upon their log in into the host information management system. This log in identifier, such as a company identification number and/or password will be recognized and recorded by the host information management system for usage tracking, billing, and other purposes.
- In a preferred embodiment, the host operated information management system is interfaced to the sellers and the buyers as a site accessible through the Internet. Easy access is provided to the host Internet site to the sellers and buyers, each of whom may access the host site upon their own initiative remotely through an Internet access provider of their choice. Because this preferred embodiment operates within the framework of the Internet, the system is substantially continuously available to a plurality of sellers and a plurality of buyers, except during very brief times during which system maintenance is performed.
- The host information management system operates in a database format in which information pertaining to a particular product or service item is maintained as one of a plurality of records of the database and the buyers listing is produced through a report that surveys the plurality of records and compiles the buyers listing from selected information contained within those records. When input, each record is assigned a unique identifier for tracking and processing purposes. Since each record usually reflects a discrete item of product or a particular service, the record identifier, such as an identification number, also serves to identify individual products or services among the possibly many that are maintained not only by a particular seller, but also among the several sellers' inventories.
- Each record is formatted to a base template that has a plurality of fields wherein each field is intended to contain a specific type of information about the product or service item of that record. Because each seller is identified upon log in into the host system, a customized template may be created for each seller wherein each field that is likely to contain the same information for each product or service record of that seller is partially pre-completed to facilitate the entry of product and service information into the host information management system by the seller. Therefore, instead of displaying a generic template to a seller when his or her inventories are being manipulated to add, change or delete items, their customized template may be displayed for making the manipulation process go more quickly and with less effort.
- This same or abbreviated version of the template may be displayed to a buyer upon log in. That buyer may then complete chosen fields with information to be used in a matching process with like fields in the sellers' inventory records for filtering product and service information to be listed on the buyers listing to that information which meets the buyer's specified filter criteria. As an option to the buyer, the buyer's filtered product and service information to be listed on the buyers listing may be further condensed so that multiple items of like or similar products and services meeting certain host or buyer specified criteria are reduced to single entries on that buyer's listing for brevity and simplification purposes to the reviewing buyer.
- Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
- The invention will now be described in greater detail in the following way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the inventory information exchange system.
- FIG. 2 is a flowcharted representation of the method of utilizing the automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system of the present invention as employed by a plurality of buyers and sellers in an Internet environment.
- FIG. 3 is a flowcharted representation of the method of utilizing the automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system of the present invention as employed by an entity for asset management purposes wherein a plurality of users access the system via the Internet.
- As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
- Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only and not for purposes of limitation. For purposes of this invention, a person of ordinary skill in the art is considered to be one versed in the utilization of personal computers, programs employed on personal computers, and accessing and utilizing the network commonly referred to as the Internet or World Wide Webb.
- The present invention provides a means by which product and service information may be made available to select buyers or users and as illustrated in FIGS.1-3. The basic concept of the present invention is to provide a data base to which sellers and buyers have limited, but independent access for exchanging sales information. Each seller has the ability to access information about his or her own inventory on the system. It is contemplated that multiple sellers will have inventory information on the system in “areas” that contain their information alone. Each of those several sellers will only have access to their own inventory information, and not the information of the other sellers.
- From each of those sellers' areas, information will be retrieved, processed and manipulated into a buyer's display to which a plurality of buyers have access for reviewing up-to-date information about the several sellers' merchandise and/or services. In this embodiment of the system, there is no direct nor simultaneous communication between the sellers and buyers. Instead, the system is effectively divided into a sellers' domain and a buyers' domain that are interfaced by an administrative operating system. The operating system may be used as a filter of the several sellers' inventories for compiling a listing of total available merchandise for the member purchasers. Optionally, direct communication may be facilitated between a buyer and seller by accommodating the delivery of messages or if both are simultaneously logged into the system, each may be electronically interconnected. For obvious reasons, this type of direct communication will not be made available to users in all situations, thereby preserving the host's control over the exchanges enjoyed by the subscribing users on the information management system.
- In one embodiment of the invention, purchasers may place an order with the host or administrator of the system who later conveys the information to an appropriate seller. Alternatively, the purchaser may place an order directly with a specific seller based on either product criteria or seller's identification, if that is made available. In any event, both sellers and purchasers may access their sides of the system at any time; sellers may manipulate and change their inventory information and buyers may review an updated product listing that is maintained and updated on a substantially continuous basis.
- It is contemplated that the present invention may be maintained within any one of several available environments that allows limited user accessibility as well as processing capabilities for manipulating the information to be exchanged. Because of the compiling and assimilating features required of the administrative system, it is incumbent that the hosting system be computerized and that the sellers and buyers have a means by which they can independently gain access on their own initiative. A dedicated computer base or system having dial-up and on-line capabilities would satisfy these requirements, as would the more elaborate, but exceedingly popular Internet. Within each of these computerized systems, it is possible to partition off special areas for each sellers inventory information, and to which a particular seller has exclusive access.
- The information provided within each seller's inventory area is formatted and input in such a way that the administrative portion of the system can retrieve that information and analyze and compile it with information about the inventories of other sellers. The information from the several sellers' areas is either continuously monitored or intermittently examined on a regular, but frequent basis to extract relevant changes about the several available inventories. The withdrawn information is then compiled to present a uniform product listing that may include a listing of each product of each seller, or alternatively the listing may be filtered to show a unified listing of products wherein each product has a single entry regardless of the number of sellers having that particular product for sale. This listing is typically not directly accessible by the sellers. In at least one embodiment, a seller will have to also be authorized as a buyer to gain access to the compiled listing.
- On the opposite side of the administrative system from the sellers' domain is the merchandise display domain for subscribing buyers desiring to review the information compiled from the several sellers' data bases. In at least one embodiment, the buyer will be able to communicate with the host and specify criteria for the display listing that will limit the displayed listing to only those products and/or services of immediate interest. In this way a greater array of products may be maintained on any given system without causing confusion or becoming burdensome since the buyers can filter what is displayed at any one time on their own.
- The buyers will typically view the administrator of the system as a sole provider of the listed products and services, and not a representative of the plurality of sellers. In this way, the host acts as a clearing house through which information is collected from sellers and then displayed for buyers who can then place orders through the system. The administrator may then order appropriate product and service corresponding to the buyers' requirements. In an alternative embodiment, it is anticipated that the buyers may place orders directly with the sellers and that the host receives a commission or fee for providing the information exchange service.
- The system and process of the present invention may be differentiated from others presently known by its ability to serve as an administrator or host that coordinates between a sellers' domain and a buyers' domain with the interface therebetween being a site having an analyzed display of products and services available upon the system. By having the intermediary administrator, the necessity of providing interactive and simultaneous communication between the buyer and seller is eliminated. It does, however, provide continuous access to the system for both buyers and sellers. The system permits the buyer to order product and service through the administrator at any time, just as it permits sellers to access and amend their inventory information. Among the benefits of this system is that neither party on either side of the administrator need be logged into the system at the same time. This benefits all users in that the schedule of each may be accommodated and business can be transacted across multiple time zones from any point across the globe having connective capabilities. It further benefits the sellers in that exposure is provided to customers who have a defined need for the sellers' products and who are seeking at least information of the nature maintained on the system. From the buyers perspective, the exchange system eliminates the need to solicit information from multiple providers and permits them to review analyzed and organized information about relevant products of interest.
- It is anticipated that this system may be provided on any electronic medium capable of providing a means for limiting access to a plurality of authorized users. It is contemplated that an appropriate host system may be a dedicated computer having dial-up and on-line capabilities, as well as computational capabilities. In a preferred embodiment, however, the system is administered in an Internet environment wherein a host site serves as the administrator and both buyers and sellers are permitted access to the site based on authorized access codes. Information for transacting actual purchases may be exchanged outside of this system in a more traditional manner of placing an order by either telephone, telecopy, or mail service from the sellers to the administrator. It is anticipated, however, that the host site will accommodate direct orders on-line by the purchaser.
- From a hardware standpoint, it is well known in the art today to provide personal computer (PC) access to either a dial-up system or a web site by multiple users either simultaneously or at different times. Therefore, the users of the present invention are required only to have computing capabilities on site that permit electronic access to the host administrator at the initiative of that user. The host, either a dedicated computer system, Webb site or other hosting environment will be “open” at all times and available to receive log-ins from a plurality of users, be they buyers and/or sellers, at different times, or simultaneously. In either of the systems appropriate for creating such an environment, the users will be able to effectively leave messages that are to be communicated either directly or indirectly to the users on the opposite side of the host for affecting a commercial transaction. The administrator of the product listing will have capabilities for reviewing and analyzing the sellers' information utilizing an
information processor 11 such as a computer's CPU on a continuous basis so that the listing is always up-to-date, or at sufficiently frequent intervals that the likelihood of a buyer purchasing a product based on specifications that have been changed since the last update is minimized. - A substantially identical information exchange system as described herein above may be utilized by a single entity for the purpose of managing certain asset and service availabilities within a particular organization or “domain”. A system used by such an organization may be run on an identical platform to that described herein above, or there may be greater leniencies between the divisions for what has previously been described as sellers and buyers domains.
- As an example, an asset manager responsible for tracking and inventorying a company's assets will be similarly positioned to a seller. That assets manager may wish to have information about its inventories displayed to others within the organization, but to also prevent them from making unauthorized changes to the item inventories. Alternatively, the system of controls may be more relaxed wherein those who survey the inventories from a position similar to a buyer may be provided the ability to manipulate inventory entries based on that reviewing user's needs and actions taken relative to listed items. The basic framework of the information exchange system, however, need not vary greatly from the buyers and sellers format.
- An example of an
information exchange system 05 according to the present invention intended to be utilized by a plurality ofsellers buyers information management system 10 is established within a computer system that manages and processes all the information entered and stored within the system, and controls the access granted to both buyers and sellers. - It is anticipated that a database format and framework well known within the computer industries will be utilized as the present invention's primary platform or driver for the system. As with all databases, each domain will be customized to the needs and requirements of the buyers and sellers expected to utilize the same.
- Once the system for managing the information is established, access must be facilitated to both sellers and buyers. As previously described, the host and manager of this system will normally want only those entities who are approved subscribers to have access. Therefore, an initial step of both sellers and buyers is to solicit authorization for admission into the system from the host administrator or access approvers12, 15. In an Internet environment, this authorization will be sought electronically by accessing the website or
access gates - After a seller has been initially approved for access, he or she will communicate basic information that is common to the products and services he or she expects to be listed in the system. Based upon the nature of the
domain 20 or forum to which that seller is granted access, a template record will be created by the administrator to be used when the seller'sitemized inventory information - As in many database templates, each record will comprise a plurality of fields, each field representing a specific type of information relevant to each piece of equipment or service. Using the oil field products and services industry as an example, casing pipe of various sizes, wall thicknesses, and thread specifications may be usual products exchanged. Therefore, each of these three characteristics may be provided a field wherein the specifics about an item being entered are described. For uniformity, when a limited number of possibilities is appropriate for a field entry, those possibilities may be made displayable in “drop-down” menus common to databases. Once the sellers' information has been input, it is the host system's purpose to make it available in suitable format to potential buyers of the products and services.
- Once a buyer has been authorized and permitted access to a
buyers domain 40 of the exchange system, a similarly customized template will optionally be provided. The template, however, is used by the buyer for making selection criteria entries. A partially completed template may be displayed to a buyer upon his or her log in that has certain pre-filled fields designated by the individual buyer when he or she subscribes to the system. An example would be a subscribing buyer who only supplies casing pipe for the drilling of oil wells. In that instance, the buyer would desire to have pre-filled fields that automatically specify his search criteria to be limited to tubing casing. If there are predominate features that are more often than not required by a buyer, those indications may also be pre-filled. Generally, anything that can be pre-filled and not repetitively typed will be desirable to a buyer. - Once the buyer logs into the information exchange system he or she is recognized by the host based on the entered identifier and a pre-filled selection criteria template is made available for further customization before a search of the sellers' inventories is executed by the database. It is also possible that the format for display of the buyer's listing may be customized for a particular buyer based on his or her recurring needs. For instance, all casing pipe may be considered to be fungible, therefore it is not necessary for the buyer to know how many different sellers such pipe available.
- After the buyer listing44 indicating product and service availability meeting the buyer's specified criteria is displayed, the buyer reviews the same and makes decisions based thereon. It may be that a purchase decision is made and the transaction is initiated within the host system. Based upon the degree of control retained by the host over such sale transactions, the two parties may be permitted to deal directly through the host system. Alternatively, the host may remain an intermediary who conveys messages. In each case, the transaction may be electronically processed through the several physical connections established between the buyer and seller by way of the interface of the host system. Transaction that are controlled by the host may be tracked, administered, and charged for. It is possible that the host will charge transactional service fees that are unit based per transaction or proportionally based on such things as selling price and quantities. Alternatively, a seller may be assessed a fee based upon the amount of inventory maintained on the host's system. This type of pricing, however, will be more suitable to asset management systems, a use which is detailed herein below.
- In practice, the present invention provides significant benefits to both sellers and buyers in that access may be achieved from any
remote location - The particulars under which the information exchange system is administered will be controlled by the host though appropriate programming . It is anticipated that exemplary exchange systems described herein may be altered in any number of ways to better facilitate exchanges between different parties for relevant product and service classifications which have been designated herein as domains.
- As described herein above and illustrated in FIG. 3, an asset manager70 may desire to out-source substantially all overhead associated with in-house information management facilities. The above described system provides a superior solution for such a manager with very little amendment to the procedures and programming described in the example immediately above. In the instance of a large corporation, there may be widely spread and remote locations from which
users available inventories 75 of assets and services displayed inuser listings 77 within their particular organization. Because it is anticipated that the specific domain will be accessed by users within the same organizations, the partitions otherwise provider between buyers and sellers may be relaxed. At the same time, however, they may be desirably maintained so that strict controls are made available to the asset manager. Like the example above regarding oil field products and services, a world wide oilfield service company may have similar needs to a market wherein a plurality of sellers and buyers operate. In such a case, the administrator or manager of the assets will act as a unified “seller” of product and service available within the organization and users throughout the company will act as “buyers” who can review assets currently owned by the company before going outside the company to purchase items. - The benefits of using such systems are obvious. Not only does it stop the overhead charges to the asset administrator by removing the need for physical computer space and capabilities, but it also out-sources programming personnel who would otherwise be required to maintain an in-house system. Still further, the superior exchange of information that will be experienced within the organization will be reflected in lower costs and better utilization of assets. As mentioned herein above, the host provider of the information exchange system will most likely charge a user fee that may not be transactionally based, but more closely associated with the volume of inventory maintained in the management system.
- Each of these embodiments of the present invention are viewed as information exchange systems that may be suited for any product or service wherein information is desired in an easy to comprehend format by either (1) asset managers and users of the inventoried properties or (2) a plurality of purchasers and a plurality of sellers who desire access to a focused marketing medium for the products and services in which each is interested. Based upon the descriptions contained herein, the limits upon the information management system and its applications are viewed as being almost without bound and capable of providing great benefit to all participating users.
- Information management systems in the form of automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange systems and their methods of use have been described herein. These and other variations which will be appreciated by those skilled in the art are within the intended scope of this invention as claimed below. As previously stated, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms.
- The present invention finds utility in businesses and industries requiring the controlled exchange of inventory information. These inventories may include both products and services with the management of the same being accomplished in any processing environment, but particularly in computer settings. In a preferred embodiment, the system operates on what is generally known as the Internet providing remote and continuous access to a plurality of persons desiring to sell products or services and others who desire to buy the same. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention finds utility in an organization wherein that organization's complexity requires sophisticated information management systems for controlling inventories within the bound of that organization.
Claims (1)
1. A method for exchanging information between owners and potential purchasers of assets, said method comprising the following steps:
establishing an information management system, said information management system being Internet based and having information processing and storage capabilities and electronic access that permits potential purchasers to electronically access said information management system for reviewing available assets listed in said information management system;
granting electronic access to said information management system to potential purchasers of assets and providing a searching capability to such potential purchasers for searching an available asset listing using criteria specified by the potential purchaser; and
compiling a purchaser's listing of assets from said asset listing for said potential purchaser based on the potential purchaser's search criteria.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/364,979 US20030177026A1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2003-02-11 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US1829396P | 1996-05-24 | 1996-05-24 | |
PCT/US1997/008750 WO1997044749A1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1997-05-23 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US08/864,314 US5940807A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1997-05-28 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/227,723 US6081789A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1999-01-08 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/603,012 US6601043B1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2000-06-26 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US10/364,979 US20030177026A1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2003-02-11 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/603,012 Continuation US6601043B1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2000-06-26 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030177026A1 true US20030177026A1 (en) | 2003-09-18 |
Family
ID=26690943
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/864,314 Expired - Lifetime US5940807A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1997-05-28 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/227,723 Expired - Lifetime US6081789A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1999-01-08 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/603,012 Expired - Lifetime US6601043B1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2000-06-26 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US10/364,979 Abandoned US20030177026A1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2003-02-11 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/864,314 Expired - Lifetime US5940807A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1997-05-28 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/227,723 Expired - Lifetime US6081789A (en) | 1996-05-24 | 1999-01-08 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US09/603,012 Expired - Lifetime US6601043B1 (en) | 1996-05-24 | 2000-06-26 | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (4) | US5940807A (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040030611A1 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2004-02-12 | Patrick Byrne | Collaborative commerce hub |
US20050210066A1 (en) * | 2004-03-17 | 2005-09-22 | Marco Flavio Ianniello | Internet-based clearinghouse service for freight services |
US20070185775A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Lawton Daniel J | Method and system for facilitating a purchase process |
US20070219864A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-09-20 | Albert Vollrath | Automated broadcast advertising transaction system and method |
US20080027836A1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2008-01-31 | Christopher Chapin | Inventory Equalization System |
US20110238570A1 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2011-09-29 | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | System of Online Trading Through Intermediary Platform and Methods Thereof |
US20120209743A1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2012-08-16 | Mesaros Gregory J | Multiple Criteria Buying and Selling Model |
US20130226734A1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2013-08-29 | Ebay Inc. | Private embedded marketplace |
Families Citing this family (308)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7818212B1 (en) * | 1999-10-22 | 2010-10-19 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple criteria buying and selling model |
US7693748B1 (en) * | 1991-06-03 | 2010-04-06 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Method and system for configuring a set of information including a price and volume schedule for a product |
US6188989B1 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 2001-02-13 | I2 Technologies, Inc. | System and method for managing available to promised product (ATP) |
US7085729B1 (en) | 1995-06-16 | 2006-08-01 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | System and method for allocating manufactured products to sellers |
US5940807A (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1999-08-17 | Purcell; Daniel S. | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US6073124A (en) * | 1997-01-29 | 2000-06-06 | Shopnow.Com Inc. | Method and system for securely incorporating electronic information into an online purchasing application |
US20050021477A1 (en) * | 1997-01-29 | 2005-01-27 | Ganapathy Krishnan | Method and system for securely incorporating electronic information into an online purchasing application |
US6038668A (en) | 1997-09-08 | 2000-03-14 | Science Applications International Corporation | System, method, and medium for retrieving, organizing, and utilizing networked data |
US6799174B2 (en) | 1997-09-08 | 2004-09-28 | Science Applications International Corporation | Retrieving, organizing, and utilizing networked data using databases |
US6324522B2 (en) * | 1997-09-15 | 2001-11-27 | Mro Software, Inc. | Electronic information network for inventory control and transfer |
JP3296767B2 (en) * | 1997-11-13 | 2002-07-02 | 株式会社ジャストシステム | Online merchandise management system, server system, terminal device, management method in online merchandise management system, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for causing a computer to execute the method |
US6320952B1 (en) * | 1998-04-30 | 2001-11-20 | At&T Corp. | Method and system for transferring digital data calls between different destinations |
US6102287A (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 2000-08-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing product survey information in an electronic payment system |
CA2348402A1 (en) * | 1998-10-27 | 2000-05-04 | Amada Company, Limited | Sales assisting system |
US8005731B1 (en) * | 1999-01-14 | 2011-08-23 | Autobytel.Com, Inc. | Real time vehicle purchase request management method and system |
US7146330B1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2006-12-05 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Method and system for creating and managing groups for increasing buying power on the world wide web |
US7912689B1 (en) | 1999-02-11 | 2011-03-22 | Cambridgesoft Corporation | Enhancing structure diagram generation through use of symmetry |
US7295931B1 (en) * | 1999-02-18 | 2007-11-13 | Cambridgesoft Corporation | Deriving fixed bond information |
US7353194B1 (en) | 1999-03-02 | 2008-04-01 | Alticor Investments, Inc. | System and method for managing recurring orders in a computer network |
CN1423786A (en) | 1999-03-02 | 2003-06-11 | 奎克斯塔投资公司 | Electronic commerce transactions within a marketing system that may contain a member ship buying opportunity |
US7962367B1 (en) | 1999-03-09 | 2011-06-14 | Privateer Ltd. | Method and apparatus for permitting stage-door access to on-line vendor information |
US20020059139A1 (en) * | 1999-03-12 | 2002-05-16 | Scott Evans | System and method for debt presentment and resolution |
US20040019560A1 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2004-01-29 | Evans Scott L. | System and method for debt presentment and resolution |
US6631356B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2003-10-07 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Demand aggregation through online buying groups |
US6101484A (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2000-08-08 | Mercata, Inc. | Dynamic market equilibrium management system, process and article of manufacture |
US7194427B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2007-03-20 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | On-line group-buying sale with increased value system and method |
CN1353843A (en) * | 1999-04-06 | 2002-06-12 | 罗伯特·迪恩斯 | Method of exchanging property |
US6424998B2 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2002-07-23 | World Theatre, Inc. | System permitting the display of video or still image content on selected displays of an electronic display network according to customer dictates |
GB2349715B (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2003-10-01 | Mitel Corp | Quotation mechanism for service environments |
US7197547B1 (en) | 1999-05-11 | 2007-03-27 | Andrew Karl Miller | Load balancing technique implemented in a data network device utilizing a data cache |
US7139637B1 (en) | 1999-05-11 | 2006-11-21 | William Henry Waddington | Order allocation to minimize container stops in a distribution center |
US7370005B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2008-05-06 | Peter Ham | Inventory replication based upon order fulfillment rates |
US6975937B1 (en) | 1999-05-11 | 2005-12-13 | Christopher Kantarjiev | Technique for processing customer service transactions at customer site using mobile computing device |
US7177825B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2007-02-13 | Borders Louis H | Integrated system for ordering, fulfillment, and delivery of consumer products using a data network |
WO2000068856A2 (en) | 1999-05-11 | 2000-11-16 | Webvan Group, Inc. | Electronic commerce enabled delivery system and method |
US20110213648A1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2011-09-01 | Ewinwin, Inc. | e-COMMERCE VOLUME PRICING |
US8290824B1 (en) | 1999-05-12 | 2012-10-16 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Identifying incentives for a qualified buyer |
US8626605B2 (en) | 1999-05-12 | 2014-01-07 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple criteria buying and selling model |
AU4981400A (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2000-12-05 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple criteria buying and selling model, and system for managing open offer sheets |
US8140402B1 (en) | 2001-08-06 | 2012-03-20 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Social pricing |
US8311896B2 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2012-11-13 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple criteria buying and selling model |
US8732018B2 (en) | 1999-05-12 | 2014-05-20 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Real-time offers and dynamic price adjustments presented to mobile devices |
US7593871B1 (en) | 2004-06-14 | 2009-09-22 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple price curves and attributes |
US7334260B1 (en) * | 1999-05-21 | 2008-02-19 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium on which a program for executing the information processing is recorded |
US7480627B1 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 2009-01-20 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | System and method for extension of group buying throughout the internet |
US6934690B1 (en) | 1999-07-06 | 2005-08-23 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | System and method for extension of group buying throughout the internet |
US7343319B1 (en) * | 1999-07-09 | 2008-03-11 | Walker Digital, Llc | Multi-tier pricing of individual products based on volume discounts |
AU6118300A (en) * | 1999-07-22 | 2001-02-13 | Michael Walden | Consumer driven product analysis and production system |
US20060212908A1 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2006-09-21 | Ochoa Optics Llc | Video distribution system |
US6647417B1 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2003-11-11 | World Theatre, Inc. | Music distribution systems |
US6952685B1 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2005-10-04 | Ochoa Optics Llc | Music distribution system and associated antipiracy protection |
US8090619B1 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2012-01-03 | Ochoa Optics Llc | Method and system for music distribution |
US7647618B1 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2010-01-12 | Charles Eric Hunter | Video distribution system |
US7209900B2 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2007-04-24 | Charles Eric Hunter | Music distribution systems |
US7885856B1 (en) | 1999-09-01 | 2011-02-08 | Richard W. Berger | Distributing products from suppliers to consumers in a network environment |
WO2001016685A1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2001-03-08 | Funk, Berger & Berger | Distributing products from suppliers to consumers in a network environment |
KR100321488B1 (en) * | 1999-09-06 | 2002-03-18 | 원종호 | System and Method for Electronic Commerce |
US6901380B1 (en) | 1999-09-10 | 2005-05-31 | Dataforce, Inc. | Merchandising system method, and program product utilizing an intermittent network connection |
WO2001022282A1 (en) * | 1999-09-17 | 2001-03-29 | Michael Jay Langhammer | Merchant-affiliated direct wholesale marketing and fulfillment system |
US7797195B2 (en) * | 1999-09-17 | 2010-09-14 | Michael Jay Langhammer | Merchant-affiliated direct wholesale marketing and fulfillment system |
WO2001030022A2 (en) * | 1999-10-17 | 2001-04-26 | Ip2H Ag | Method and device for transmitting the operating data of an operating unit and method for making available operating data of one or more operating units |
US6751597B1 (en) * | 1999-10-26 | 2004-06-15 | B2E Sourcing Optimization, Inc. | System and method for adaptive trade specification and match-making optimization |
US7457761B2 (en) * | 1999-11-03 | 2008-11-25 | General Electric Company | Delivery management system |
US6980963B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2005-12-27 | Ford Motor Company | Online system and method of status inquiry and tracking related to orders for consumer product having specific configurations |
US7571131B1 (en) | 1999-11-05 | 2009-08-04 | Ford Motor Company | Method of conducting online competitive price quoting events |
US6876991B1 (en) | 1999-11-08 | 2005-04-05 | Collaborative Decision Platforms, Llc. | System, method and computer program product for a collaborative decision platform |
US6556976B1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2003-04-29 | Gershman, Brickner And Bratton, Inc. | Method and system for e-commerce and related data management, analysis and reporting |
US20050131729A1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2005-06-16 | Melby John M. | Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets |
US6952680B1 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2005-10-04 | Dana Corporation | Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets |
US20020077944A1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2002-06-20 | Bly J. Aaron | System and method for disposing of assets |
US7062446B1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2006-06-13 | Dana Corporation | Apparatus and method for tracking and managing physical assets |
US20020082966A1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2002-06-27 | Dana Commercial Credit Corporation | System and method for benchmarking asset characteristics |
US20020099577A1 (en) * | 1999-12-01 | 2002-07-25 | Stuart Black | Virtual production link system |
IL150220A0 (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2002-12-01 | World Theatre Inc | Centralized telephone order and distribution system |
AU2276301A (en) * | 1999-12-17 | 2001-06-25 | Technology, Patents And Licensing, Inc. | Global asset information registry |
US7610233B1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2009-10-27 | Accenture, Llp | System, method and article of manufacture for initiation of bidding in a virtual trade financial environment |
US7167844B1 (en) | 1999-12-22 | 2007-01-23 | Accenture Llp | Electronic menu document creator in a virtual financial environment |
US6922676B2 (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2005-07-26 | Jeffrey Alnwick | Method and system for ordering items over the internet |
KR100301618B1 (en) * | 1999-12-30 | 2001-09-29 | 박용진 | A package delivery service system and the method using electronic commerce |
US7191142B1 (en) * | 1999-12-30 | 2007-03-13 | General Electric Company | Internet based goods delivery system |
US7389252B2 (en) * | 2000-01-06 | 2008-06-17 | Anne E. Robb | Recursive method and system for accessing classification information |
US7251612B1 (en) | 2000-01-10 | 2007-07-31 | Parker John E | Method and system for scheduling distribution routes and timeslots |
AU2001229421A1 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2001-07-24 | Orbidex, Inc. | System and method of searching and gathering information on-line and off-line |
US10055772B1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2018-08-21 | Versata Development Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for product comparison |
US20060206412A1 (en) * | 2000-01-14 | 2006-09-14 | Van Luchene Andrew S | Systems and methods for facilitating a transaction by matching seller information and buyer information |
US7206756B1 (en) | 2000-01-14 | 2007-04-17 | Trilogy Development Group, Inc. | System and method for facilitating commercial transactions over a data network |
US20010034681A1 (en) * | 2000-01-26 | 2001-10-25 | Abbott Preston H. | Methods and systems for financing and executing transactions |
EP1257893A4 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2003-05-28 | Ronald Johnson | System and methods for on-line, real-time inventory display, monitoring and control |
US9252898B2 (en) | 2000-01-28 | 2016-02-02 | Zarbaña Digital Fund Llc | Music distribution systems |
US6505171B1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2003-01-07 | Robert H. Cohen | System and method for handling purchasing transactions over a computer network |
JP2001222624A (en) * | 2000-02-10 | 2001-08-17 | Sony Corp | System and method for providing information, and device and method for providing component information |
CN1365479A (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2002-08-21 | 佳能株式会社 | Collecting method by information processor, and ordering method or sale method |
US7401025B1 (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2008-07-15 | Elliott Lokitz | Accessible service provider clearinghouse |
US20010042030A1 (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2001-11-15 | Sadao Ito | Information providing system for providing information about parts |
US20080059329A1 (en) * | 2000-02-22 | 2008-03-06 | Luchene Andrew S V | Systems and methods wherein a transfer code facilitates a transaction between a seller and a buyer |
US6766361B1 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2004-07-20 | Cephire Technologies, Inc. | Machine-to-machine e-commerce interface using extensible markup language |
WO2001065459A1 (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-07 | Stern Telecommunications Corp. | Retail sale system and method |
US7069235B1 (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2006-06-27 | Pcorder.Com, Inc. | System and method for multi-source transaction processing |
US20070124216A1 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2007-05-31 | Michael Lucas | Systems and methods for locating and purchasing proximal inventory items |
JP2001256405A (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2001-09-21 | Toa Musen Denki Kk | Pysical distribution collection substitute system in internet mail order |
US20010049643A1 (en) * | 2000-03-13 | 2001-12-06 | Davis Bruce R. | System for preferred location pick-up for electronically purchased items |
US20040024657A1 (en) * | 2000-03-20 | 2004-02-05 | Siemens Energy & Automation | Method, system and apparatus for providing product information over the internet |
RU2002128748A (en) * | 2000-03-27 | 2004-02-27 | Тфхс, Инк. (Us) | Online Interactive Correspondence with Integrated Charge |
US7395223B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2008-07-01 | Caterpillar Inc. | E-commerce based method and system for manufacturer hosting of virtual dealer stores |
WO2001075734A1 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2001-10-11 | Softcoin, Inc. | Facilitating transactions between merchant, associate, and user |
JP2001306838A (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2001-11-02 | Nec Corp | Network transaction method, method and system for data processing, terminal equipment, and information storage medium |
US8412547B1 (en) | 2000-04-24 | 2013-04-02 | Trilogy Development Group, Inc. | Commerce server architecture and method for using same |
US7519544B1 (en) * | 2000-04-24 | 2009-04-14 | Ncr Corporation | Material browser |
US7295989B2 (en) * | 2000-04-28 | 2007-11-13 | Alan Rudnick | Method and system for providing direct and indirect sales channels for goods or services from a single point of purchase |
US20040078272A1 (en) * | 2000-04-28 | 2004-04-22 | Brown Michael Wayne | Managing store inventory |
US7272509B1 (en) * | 2000-05-05 | 2007-09-18 | Cambridgesoft Corporation | Managing product information |
US7240283B1 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2007-07-03 | Narasimha Rao Paila | Data transmission and rendering techniques implemented over a client-server system |
US7139721B2 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2006-11-21 | Borders Louis H | Scheduling delivery of products via the internet |
US8234203B1 (en) | 2000-05-12 | 2012-07-31 | Adventive, Inc. | E-commerce system including online automatable inventory monitor and control system |
US7908200B2 (en) | 2000-05-16 | 2011-03-15 | Versata Development Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for efficiently generating electronic requests for quote |
US7653583B1 (en) | 2000-05-16 | 2010-01-26 | Versata Development Group, Inc. | Method and apparatus for filtering and/or sorting responses to electronic requests for quote |
US7596500B1 (en) | 2000-05-23 | 2009-09-29 | Customspoint Inc. | System and method for processing import/export transactions |
US7263498B1 (en) | 2000-05-23 | 2007-08-28 | Vulcan Portals, Inc. | Attaining product inventory groupings for sales in a group-buying environment |
US7430523B1 (en) * | 2000-06-12 | 2008-09-30 | Tariq Khalidi | Automated competitive bidding system and process |
US7996295B1 (en) * | 2000-06-13 | 2011-08-09 | Dell Products L.P. | Data structure for use in an automated order entry system |
US7302403B1 (en) * | 2000-06-16 | 2007-11-27 | Osmio Llc | Order and accounting method and system for services provided via an interactive communication network |
US20020169626A1 (en) * | 2000-07-07 | 2002-11-14 | Walker Jay S. | Method and apparatus for providing a reference |
JP2002024574A (en) * | 2000-07-11 | 2002-01-25 | Kjs Net:Kk | Multi-dimensional space ordering/order reception matching system |
US6725204B1 (en) | 2000-07-12 | 2004-04-20 | Mark R. Gusley | System for facilitating the sale and shipment of cores |
US6684119B2 (en) * | 2000-07-19 | 2004-01-27 | Ford Motor Company | Method of providing dynamic production material replenishment information via an internet |
US7072855B1 (en) * | 2000-07-24 | 2006-07-04 | Omnicell, Inc. | Systems and methods for purchasing, invoicing and distributing items |
US6691112B1 (en) * | 2000-08-01 | 2004-02-10 | Darren Michael Siegal | Method for indexing and managing a searchable community of non-HTML information |
JP2002049659A (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2002-02-15 | Disco Abrasive Syst Ltd | Experimental information exchange system |
JP4540194B2 (en) * | 2000-08-22 | 2010-09-08 | フォルクスワーゲン グループ ジャパン 株式会社 | Centralized inventory management system and method |
US20030004825A1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2003-01-02 | Alatron Corporation | Sample administration process and system |
EP1189158A1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | INTERSHOP Software Entwicklungs GmbH | Apparatus and method to carry out remote e-business transactions |
JP2002092382A (en) * | 2000-09-20 | 2002-03-29 | Nec Corp | Part procurement system and parts procurement method |
US20020072992A1 (en) * | 2000-09-20 | 2002-06-13 | Elms Christopher Mark | Matching and assisting a buyer and a vendor from an inquiry, through a proposal, and to an order |
US7447643B1 (en) | 2000-09-21 | 2008-11-04 | Theradoc.Com, Inc. | Systems and methods for communicating between a decision-support system and one or more mobile information devices |
US8008081B1 (en) * | 2000-09-23 | 2011-08-30 | Demont & Breyer, Llc | Data processing system for providing an efficient market for specialty chemicals |
US7590558B2 (en) * | 2000-09-26 | 2009-09-15 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | System and method for facilitating electronic commerce transactions |
WO2002027612A1 (en) * | 2000-09-27 | 2002-04-04 | Church Diana L | On-line ingredient exchange system and method |
TW577003B (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2004-02-21 | Manugistics Inc | System, network, storage device, and method for supply chain management, including collaboration |
US7249044B2 (en) * | 2000-10-05 | 2007-07-24 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | Fulfillment management system for managing ATP data in a distributed supply chain environment |
JP2002123728A (en) * | 2000-10-13 | 2002-04-26 | Hitachi Ltd | Device and method for mediating article selling and buying |
US7054256B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2006-05-30 | Ochoa Optics Llc | High capacity digital data storage by transmission of radiant energy through arrays of small diameter holes |
TW541483B (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2003-07-11 | Manugistics Inc | System and method for ensuring order fulfillment |
AU2002224462A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2002-05-06 | Manugistics, Inc. | System and method of monitoring supply chain parameters |
WO2002037376A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2002-05-10 | Manugistics, Inc. | Supply chain demand forecasting and planning |
EP1350187A1 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2003-10-08 | Manugistics, Inc. | System and method for inventory and capacity availability management |
US20020052801A1 (en) * | 2000-11-02 | 2002-05-02 | Norton Phillip G. | Hosted asset procurement system and method |
US7991688B2 (en) * | 2000-11-14 | 2011-08-02 | Knowledge Works Inc. | Methods and apparatus for automatically exchanging credit information |
MXPA03004731A (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2005-02-14 | Choiceparts Llc | On-line parts location and transaction system. |
US20020154114A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-10-24 | Christensen Thomas Kragh | Method and system for customising build-to-order products |
US7299206B2 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2007-11-20 | Ebay Inc. | Method and system to implement seller authorized buying privileges within a network-based shopping facility |
US7054836B2 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2006-05-30 | Novo Nordisk A/S | Method for assisting a customer in building a build-to-order medical device |
US20020069142A1 (en) * | 2000-12-05 | 2002-06-06 | Tim Opstrup | Method and system for tracking and disseminating information concerning tools |
GB2370132A (en) * | 2000-12-13 | 2002-06-19 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Procument system |
US7475024B1 (en) * | 2000-12-13 | 2009-01-06 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for distributing in real-time, inventory data acquired from in-store point of sale terminals |
AU2002235208A1 (en) * | 2000-12-18 | 2002-07-01 | Manugistics, Inc. | System and method for enabling a configurable electronic business exchange platform |
US7286994B1 (en) | 2000-12-26 | 2007-10-23 | At&T Bls Intellectual Property, Inc. | System for facilitating technician sales referrals |
US7660754B1 (en) | 2000-12-26 | 2010-02-09 | At&T Delaware Intellectual Property Inc. | Technician communications system with automated claims processing |
US7233914B1 (en) | 2000-12-27 | 2007-06-19 | Joyo Wijaya | Technique for implementing item substitution for unavailable items relating to a customer order |
US6856968B2 (en) * | 2000-12-27 | 2005-02-15 | General Electric Company | Interactive search process for product inquiries |
JP2002203133A (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2002-07-19 | Komatsu Ltd | Product transaction system and method, and computer readable recording medium recording program for carrying out the method |
JP2002203152A (en) * | 2000-12-28 | 2002-07-19 | Brother Ind Ltd | System and method for electronic store management, and recording medium |
FI20010063A (en) * | 2001-01-11 | 2002-07-12 | Suomen Posti Oy | Method and procedure for ordering a product or service |
WO2002056140A2 (en) * | 2001-01-15 | 2002-07-18 | Ipower Logistics, Llc | Buyer managed order transmitting system and method |
US6684224B2 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2004-01-27 | Chipdata, Inc. | Remote database update method and apparatus |
US6886011B2 (en) | 2001-02-02 | 2005-04-26 | Datalign, Inc. | Good and service description system and method |
US8112311B2 (en) | 2001-02-12 | 2012-02-07 | Ochoa Optics Llc | Systems and methods for distribution of entertainment and advertising content |
US20020112243A1 (en) * | 2001-02-12 | 2002-08-15 | World Theatre | Video distribution system |
US7024382B2 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2006-04-04 | Jack Nelson | System and method for managing retail and wholesale operations |
US7013289B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2006-03-14 | Michel Horn | Global electronic commerce system |
US7127409B2 (en) * | 2001-03-01 | 2006-10-24 | General Electric Company | Methods and systems for aviation nonconformance component management |
US20020133414A1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2002-09-19 | Pradhan Salil Vjaykumar | Mediated shopping method and system |
US7065499B1 (en) * | 2001-03-19 | 2006-06-20 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | Intelligent order promising |
US7308423B1 (en) | 2001-03-19 | 2007-12-11 | Franklin Goodhue Woodward | Technique for handling sales of regulated items implemented over a data network |
JP2002288487A (en) * | 2001-03-27 | 2002-10-04 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Ordering method and ordering system |
US7270267B2 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2007-09-18 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | System for third party management of product manufacture ordering by a franchisee upon approved products of franchisor |
WO2002082342A1 (en) * | 2001-04-05 | 2002-10-17 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Apparatus unit exchange supporting method and system |
US7574383B1 (en) * | 2001-04-11 | 2009-08-11 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | System and method for providing distributed inventory management |
US8195573B2 (en) * | 2001-04-12 | 2012-06-05 | Catherine Lin-Hendel | System and method for list shopping over a computer network |
US7043444B2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2006-05-09 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | Synchronization of planning information in a high availability planning and scheduling architecture |
US7024371B2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2006-04-04 | I2 Technologies Us, Inc. | High availability planning and scheduling architecture |
US7299203B1 (en) * | 2001-04-19 | 2007-11-20 | Xilinx, Inc. | Method for storing and shipping programmable ASSP devices |
US20020156848A1 (en) * | 2001-04-24 | 2002-10-24 | Lawrence Grouse | Method and system for conducting a convention online |
DE10120369A1 (en) * | 2001-04-25 | 2002-11-07 | Axit Ag | Processes for processing data over the Internet |
US20020174024A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-11-21 | Chung-Yu Lin | Process of marketing web design between web designers and authorizers through internet and supporting interface thereof |
US6760707B2 (en) * | 2001-06-01 | 2004-07-06 | Amanda Provost | Method for advertising real estate over the internet |
US7093281B2 (en) * | 2001-06-04 | 2006-08-15 | G.E. Information Services, Inc. | Casual access application with context sensitive pin authentication |
US20030014325A1 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2003-01-16 | Peter Biffar | Automatic pricing and negotiation system |
US7606712B1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2009-10-20 | At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. | Speech recognition interface for voice actuation of legacy systems |
US7219137B1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2007-05-15 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp | Technician wireline and wireless intranet access via systems interface to legacy systems |
US7401144B1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2008-07-15 | At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. | Technician intranet access via systems interface to legacy systems |
US8831949B1 (en) | 2001-06-28 | 2014-09-09 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Voice recognition for performing authentication and completing transactions in a systems interface to legacy systems |
US20030009388A1 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-01-09 | Simonyi-Gindele Steven J. | Method and system for remote processing of orders for products and/or services from wireless devices |
US7343331B2 (en) * | 2001-07-06 | 2008-03-11 | General Electric Company | Methods and systems for managing supply chain processes |
US8386323B1 (en) | 2001-07-30 | 2013-02-26 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Determining item availability |
US8666846B1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2014-03-04 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Determining item availability |
US7200568B2 (en) * | 2001-08-16 | 2007-04-03 | The Procter & Gambel Company | Customized customer portal |
US20030115115A1 (en) * | 2001-08-25 | 2003-06-19 | Ouchi Norman Ken | Private exchange catalog system and methods |
US20030050849A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | Keller Beth A. | Supplier/reseller interaction |
US7960005B2 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2011-06-14 | Ochoa Optics Llc | Broadcast distribution of content for storage on hardware protected optical storage media |
US7233781B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2007-06-19 | Ochoa Optics Llc | System and method for emergency notification content delivery |
US20030074284A1 (en) * | 2001-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | Sumitomo Corporation Of America | System and method for forecasting material requirements and managing the accessability of the materials |
US20030083963A1 (en) * | 2001-10-31 | 2003-05-01 | Benson Thomas D. | Automated system for and method of inventory management control |
US20060053075A1 (en) * | 2001-11-26 | 2006-03-09 | Aaron Roth | System and method for tracking asset usage and performance |
US20040034567A1 (en) * | 2001-11-28 | 2004-02-19 | Gravett Antony Hugh | On-line transactions and system therefore |
US6990488B1 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2006-01-24 | Amazon.Com, Inc. | Maintaining the currency of availability information for bundles of items |
US20030110068A1 (en) * | 2001-12-10 | 2003-06-12 | Matheson Lesley R. | System for exchanging materials |
US20030120560A1 (en) * | 2001-12-20 | 2003-06-26 | John Almeida | Method for creating and maintaning worldwide e-commerce |
US8037091B2 (en) | 2001-12-20 | 2011-10-11 | Unoweb Inc. | Method of using a code to track user access to content |
US20030120565A1 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-06-26 | Church Barbara Jean | Inventory tracking and accounting system and method |
US7149702B1 (en) | 2001-12-31 | 2006-12-12 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. | System and method for document delays associated with a project |
US20030130900A1 (en) * | 2002-01-10 | 2003-07-10 | Telford Ian G. | Internet-based system and method for electronically fulfilling purchase orders for chemical and plastic products |
US7937294B1 (en) | 2002-01-12 | 2011-05-03 | Telegrow, Llc | System, and associated method, for configuring a buying club and a coop order |
US7680696B1 (en) | 2002-01-12 | 2010-03-16 | Murray Thomas G | Computer processing system for facilitating the order, purchase, and delivery of products |
US7499879B2 (en) * | 2002-01-30 | 2009-03-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Cooperative e-business complex |
US20030163364A1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-08-28 | Piercy Lee W. | Net delta change in inventory management |
US7467103B1 (en) | 2002-04-17 | 2008-12-16 | Murray Joseph L | Optimization system and method for buying clubs |
TW559720B (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2003-11-01 | Inventec Corp | Network-based supply-own-inventory (SOI) out-of-stock query system and method |
US7499871B1 (en) | 2002-05-20 | 2009-03-03 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | System and method for procurement of products |
US7899707B1 (en) | 2002-06-18 | 2011-03-01 | Ewinwin, Inc. | DAS predictive modeling and reporting function |
US7698231B2 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2010-04-13 | Ford Motor Company | Computer-implemented method and system for global purchasing |
US20040039735A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-02-26 | Ross Maria A. | Computer-implemented method and system for performing searching for products and services |
US20040030618A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-02-12 | Rosenquist Edward G. | Computer-implemented method and system of payment of indirect materials |
US20040030724A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-02-12 | Rosenquist Edward G. | Computer-implemented method and system for replenishing material inventories |
US7363253B2 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2008-04-22 | Ford Motor Company | Computer-implemented method and system for retroactive pricing for use in order procurement |
US20040030614A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-02-12 | Shields Jay C. | Computer-implemented method and system for managing workload of procurement individuals |
US20040044591A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-03-04 | Gilliland Ramelle L. | Method and system for electronic procurement involving electronic requests for quotation |
US20040030602A1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-02-12 | Rosenquist Edward G. | Computer-implemented method and system for managing supplier access to purchasing and inventory transactions |
DE10230442B3 (en) * | 2002-07-06 | 2004-02-19 | Daimlerchrysler Ag | Power transmission element |
US20040024661A1 (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2004-02-05 | Girish Shirhatti | Systems and methods for inventory management |
US7689463B1 (en) | 2002-08-28 | 2010-03-30 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Multiple supplier system and method for transacting business |
US10176476B2 (en) | 2005-10-06 | 2019-01-08 | Mastercard Mobile Transactions Solutions, Inc. | Secure ecosystem infrastructure enabling multiple types of electronic wallets in an ecosystem of issuers, service providers, and acquires of instruments |
WO2004084031A2 (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2004-09-30 | Abanco International Llc | System and method for sales and inventory reconciliation |
US8364547B2 (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2013-01-29 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland, Gmbh | System for real-time sales and inventory reconciliation |
US20060085308A1 (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2006-04-20 | Abanco International, Llc | System and method for sales and service reconciliation |
US8417572B1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2013-04-09 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Expected exhaustion time |
US20040220848A1 (en) * | 2003-04-28 | 2004-11-04 | Leventhal Jeffrey P. | System and method for managing requests for services |
US7856406B2 (en) * | 2003-04-28 | 2010-12-21 | Onforce, Inc. | System and method for managing accounts payable and accounts receivable |
WO2004102323A2 (en) * | 2003-05-06 | 2004-11-25 | Dana Corporation | System or method for analyzing information organized in a configurable manner |
US8590785B1 (en) | 2004-06-15 | 2013-11-26 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Discounts in a mobile device |
US7364086B2 (en) | 2003-06-16 | 2008-04-29 | Ewinwin, Inc. | Dynamic discount card tied to price curves and group discounts |
US20040260698A1 (en) * | 2003-06-23 | 2004-12-23 | Macmillan Bruce Daniel | Method and apparatus for accessing information in a private database |
US20040267550A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Hsu Liang H. | Automated method for authoring and delivering product catalogs |
US7313725B2 (en) * | 2003-07-29 | 2007-12-25 | Gateway Inc. | Replacement restoration disk drive and method |
US8543478B2 (en) * | 2003-08-18 | 2013-09-24 | Gilbert Leistner | System and method for identification of quasi-fungible goods and services, and financial instruments based thereon |
US8595115B2 (en) * | 2003-08-18 | 2013-11-26 | Gilbert Leistner | Methods for managing a medical event |
US8019655B2 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2011-09-13 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and computer system for providing spare parts for a client |
US7254567B2 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2007-08-07 | The Boeing Company | Systems and methods for aggregating information exchange requirements |
US7848946B2 (en) | 2004-01-12 | 2010-12-07 | Jda Software Group, Inc. | Sales history decomposition |
US8924247B2 (en) * | 2004-08-19 | 2014-12-30 | LoadPoint, Inc | Ranking system using instant post-transaction surveying of transaction judges |
US8571951B2 (en) | 2004-08-19 | 2013-10-29 | Leadpoint, Inc. | Automated attachment of segmentation data to hot contact leads for facilitating matching of leads to interested lead buyers |
US7970690B2 (en) * | 2004-08-19 | 2011-06-28 | Leadpoint, Inc. | System for implementing automated open market auctioning of leads |
US20070033112A1 (en) * | 2005-01-04 | 2007-02-08 | Nagle Patrick B Jr | Internet textbook exchange |
US8095392B1 (en) | 2005-01-20 | 2012-01-10 | Owen Daniel L | System, method and computer program product for facilitating informed decisions relating to family risk |
US8463625B1 (en) | 2005-01-20 | 2013-06-11 | Daniel L. Owen | System, method and computer program product for facilitating informed decisions relating to the fair sharing of the costs of insurance between a group and a third party |
US20060167811A1 (en) * | 2005-01-24 | 2006-07-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Product locker for multi-merchant purchasing environment for downloadable products |
US20090171847A2 (en) * | 2005-01-24 | 2009-07-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Multi-merchant purchasing environment for downloadable products |
KR100690245B1 (en) * | 2005-04-06 | 2007-03-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | solder joint method using lower-melting-point solder and method for repairing ball grid array package using the same |
US7971198B2 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2011-06-28 | Unoweb Inc. | Method for global resource sharing having logically linked means and integrated functionality for building solutions |
JP2007072605A (en) * | 2005-09-05 | 2007-03-22 | Canon Inc | Information processing apparatus and method |
US10032160B2 (en) | 2005-10-06 | 2018-07-24 | Mastercard Mobile Transactions Solutions, Inc. | Isolating distinct service provider widgets within a wallet container |
EP2667344A3 (en) | 2005-10-06 | 2014-08-27 | C-Sam, Inc. | Transactional services |
US7844500B2 (en) * | 2005-11-18 | 2010-11-30 | Manhattan Bridge Capital, Inc. | Method for matching vendors with consumers |
US20100042558A1 (en) * | 2006-04-18 | 2010-02-18 | Scott Dale Van Beek | Universal transaction code (UTC) used to standardize the method of capturing, storing, and retrieving transaction data |
EP2027135A4 (en) | 2006-04-24 | 2011-03-09 | Andrew Altschuler | System and method for selling a product multiple times during the life of the product |
US8260924B2 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2012-09-04 | Bluetie, Inc. | User load balancing systems and methods thereof |
US20070282694A1 (en) * | 2006-05-25 | 2007-12-06 | Alan Gould | Method and system for balancing stock |
US8056082B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2011-11-08 | Bluetie, Inc. | Capacity management and predictive planning systems based on trended rate change of monitored factors and methods thereof |
US20080065514A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-13 | Snitsig, Inc. | Personal inventory management and item exchange network |
US9767460B2 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2017-09-19 | Adventive, Inc. | Methods for integrating revenue generating features within a software application and systems thereof |
US8660941B2 (en) * | 2006-09-26 | 2014-02-25 | Collections Marketing Center, Inc. | Method and system for providing a multi-channel virtual collections center |
US20080082980A1 (en) * | 2006-09-28 | 2008-04-03 | Edge Inova International, Inc. | System and method for using filters and standardized messages to identify and schedule appointments in aggregate resource scheduling applications |
US20080091726A1 (en) * | 2006-10-16 | 2008-04-17 | Bluetie, Inc. | Methods for scheduling and completing reservations within an application and systems thereof |
US20080098000A1 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-04-24 | Blue Tie, Inc. | System and method for storing user data in a centralized database and intelligently reducing data entry |
US10430845B2 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2019-10-01 | Adventive, Inc. | Systems and methods for automated purchase requests |
US20080097815A1 (en) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-04-24 | Bluetie, Inc. | Methods for employing temporary time zones and predictive locations and systems thereof |
US20080120160A1 (en) * | 2006-11-20 | 2008-05-22 | Ebay Inc. | Method and system for listing an item |
US20080120570A1 (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2008-05-22 | Bluetie, Inc. | Methods for managing windows within an internet environment and systems thereof |
KR20090000038A (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2009-01-07 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Apparatus and method for providing electronic inventory service |
US20080270163A1 (en) * | 2006-12-26 | 2008-10-30 | Green Jermon D | System, program and method for experientially inducing user activity |
US20080243674A1 (en) * | 2007-03-30 | 2008-10-02 | Leadpoint, Inc. | System for automated trading of informational items and having integrated ask-and -post features |
US20080255694A1 (en) * | 2007-04-16 | 2008-10-16 | Sprague Cheryl A | Evaluating supplier capacity |
US20080313005A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2008-12-18 | Edgelnova International, Inc. | System and method for real-time scheduling of human and non-human resources |
US20100114955A1 (en) * | 2007-08-02 | 2010-05-06 | Marine Dealer Trader, Llc | Method For Sharing Inventory |
US8655753B2 (en) * | 2007-11-28 | 2014-02-18 | Ziti Technologies Limited Liability Company | Leveled-flow replenishment using deadband limits |
US20090171743A1 (en) * | 2008-01-02 | 2009-07-02 | Dana Spiegel | Service request system with natural service provider profiling and methods thereof |
US9489177B2 (en) * | 2008-02-25 | 2016-11-08 | Adventive, Inc. | Methods for integrating and managing one or more features in an application and systems thereof |
US8538788B1 (en) | 2008-04-02 | 2013-09-17 | Onforce, Inc. | System for work order refinement prior to acceptance and methods thereof |
US20100010861A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2010-01-14 | Collections Marketing Center, Llc | Method and system for providing a virtual collections call center system |
EP2148216B1 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2013-01-09 | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) | Time of flight estimation method using beamforming for acoustic tomography |
CN101650717B (en) * | 2008-08-13 | 2013-07-31 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | Method and system for saving storage space of database |
WO2010025301A2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2010-03-04 | Visa U.S.A. Inc. | Merchant registration web page interface and method for support of merchant data processing |
US20100057742A1 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2010-03-04 | Visa Usa, Inc. | Mrw interface and method for support of merchant data processing |
US8527474B2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2013-09-03 | Visa Usa, Inc. | Acquirer device and method for support of merchant data processing |
US20100077464A1 (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | Visa Usa, Inc. | Merchant device and method for support of merchant data processing |
US8744998B2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2014-06-03 | Visa Usa, Inc. | FTP device and method for merchant data processing |
US20100153238A1 (en) * | 2008-12-16 | 2010-06-17 | Basem Zaghloul | Suggesting a Transaction Between Parties Based on Inventory |
US8671009B1 (en) | 2009-04-28 | 2014-03-11 | Schedulicity Inc. | Systems and methods for on-line scheduling of appointments and other resources |
US8471708B1 (en) * | 2010-02-22 | 2013-06-25 | Impinj, Inc. | RFID tags and readers employing QT command to switch tag profiles |
US20120253992A1 (en) * | 2011-03-29 | 2012-10-04 | Ebay Inc. | Systems and methods for inventory generation and management |
EP2578797B1 (en) * | 2011-10-07 | 2017-05-03 | KEURO Besitz GmbH & Co. EDV-Dienstleistungs KG | Method for managing drilling rods, drilling tools, borehole piping and the like for boreholes |
EP2767110A4 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2015-01-28 | C Sam Inc | A multi-tiered secure mobile transactions enabling platform |
CN103106585B (en) * | 2011-11-11 | 2016-05-04 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | The real-time repetition removal method and apparatus of product information |
US9229621B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 | 2016-01-05 | Paletteapp, Inc. | Electronic palette system |
US10319055B2 (en) | 2013-06-04 | 2019-06-11 | AppNexus Inc. | Methods and systems for impression inventory trading |
US9336509B1 (en) | 2014-03-27 | 2016-05-10 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Crossdocking transshipments without sortation |
US20150348161A1 (en) * | 2014-06-02 | 2015-12-03 | Gerald Thomas Freeman | Electronic sample palette system and filters |
US10269077B2 (en) | 2014-06-09 | 2019-04-23 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods to detect changes in merchant identification information |
US20160086275A1 (en) * | 2014-09-24 | 2016-03-24 | Sourcewater, Inc. | Computerized techniques for facilitating exchange of a water resource |
Citations (52)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4516276A (en) * | 1979-12-18 | 1985-05-14 | Oscobal Ag | Bone substitute and a method of production thereof |
US4879648A (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1989-11-07 | Nancy P. Cochran | Search system which continuously displays search terms during scrolling and selections of individually displayed data sets |
US4880429A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1989-11-14 | Stone Kevin R | Prosthetic meniscus |
US5162430A (en) * | 1988-11-21 | 1992-11-10 | Collagen Corporation | Collagen-polymer conjugates |
US5167961A (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1992-12-01 | Ed. Geistlich Sohne Ag Fur Chemische Industrie | Process for preparing high purity bone mineral |
US5203023A (en) * | 1989-03-28 | 1993-04-13 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Phase likelihood comparison diversity receiver |
US5231566A (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1993-07-27 | Shoppers Express | Method and apparatus for producing a catalog |
US5241671A (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 1993-08-31 | Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. | Multimedia search system using a plurality of entry path means which indicate interrelatedness of information |
US5413597A (en) * | 1990-12-29 | 1995-05-09 | Krajicek; Milan | Three-layer vascular prostheses |
US5418713A (en) * | 1993-08-05 | 1995-05-23 | Allen; Richard | Apparatus and method for an on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at a remote location of previously recorded or programmed materials |
US5567806A (en) * | 1991-08-02 | 1996-10-22 | Abdul-Malak; Nabil | Collagen crosslinked with a crosslinking agent for the manufacture of a suturable, biocompatible slowresorbing membrane, and such a membrane |
US5573771A (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 1996-11-12 | Osteomedical Limited | Medicinal bone mineral products |
US5581601A (en) * | 1993-11-26 | 1996-12-03 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Communication system |
US5592375A (en) * | 1994-03-11 | 1997-01-07 | Eagleview, Inc. | Computer-assisted system for interactively brokering goods or services between buyers and sellers |
US5624463A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1997-04-29 | Regen Biologics, Inc. | Prosthetic articular cartilage |
US5675784A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1997-10-07 | International Business Machnes Corporation | Data structure for a relational database system for collecting component and specification level data related to products |
US5694551A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1997-12-02 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Computer integration network for channeling customer orders through a centralized computer to various suppliers |
US5696965A (en) * | 1994-11-03 | 1997-12-09 | Intel Corporation | Electronic information appraisal agent |
US5726898A (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1998-03-10 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving and delivering product data based on embedded expert judgements |
US5732400A (en) * | 1995-01-04 | 1998-03-24 | Citibank N.A. | System and method for a risk-based purchase of goods |
US5740425A (en) * | 1995-09-26 | 1998-04-14 | Povilus; David S. | Data structure and method for publishing electronic and printed product catalogs |
US5745882A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1998-04-28 | Us West Marketing Resources Group, Inc. | Electronic classified advertising interface method and instructions with continuous search notification |
US5757917A (en) * | 1995-11-01 | 1998-05-26 | First Virtual Holdings Incorporated | Computerized payment system for purchasing goods and services on the internet |
US5759190A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-06-02 | Vts Holdings Limited | Method and kit for autologous transplantation |
US5799285A (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1998-08-25 | Klingman; Edwin E. | Secure system for electronic selling |
US5812667A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1998-09-22 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Subscriber registration and authentication method |
US5819092A (en) * | 1994-11-08 | 1998-10-06 | Vermeer Technologies, Inc. | Online service development tool with fee setting capabilities |
US5832452A (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 1998-11-03 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | Hotel database inquiry system |
US5835896A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1998-11-10 | Onsale, Inc. | Method and system for processing and transmitting electronic auction information |
US5837278A (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1998-11-17 | Ed Geistlich Sohne Ag Fur Chemische Industrie | Resorbable collagen membrane for use in guided tissue regeneration |
US5845265A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 1998-12-01 | Mercexchange, L.L.C. | Consignment nodes |
US5873076A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1999-02-16 | Infonautics Corporation | Architecture for processing search queries, retrieving documents identified thereby, and method for using same |
US5878401A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1999-03-02 | Joseph; Joseph | Sales and inventory method and apparatus |
US5878141A (en) * | 1995-08-25 | 1999-03-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Computerized purchasing system and method for mediating purchase transactions over an interactive network |
US5890137A (en) * | 1995-12-15 | 1999-03-30 | Kabushiki Kaisha N.K. Kikaku | On-line shopping system and the method of payment settlement |
US5890175A (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1999-03-30 | Wong; Garland | Dynamic generation and display of catalogs |
US5895454A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 1999-04-20 | Harrington; Juliette | Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites |
US5897622A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1999-04-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Electronic shopping and merchandising system |
US5898594A (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1999-04-27 | Leason; David | Method and apparatus for enabling a selection of catalog items |
US5989269A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1999-11-23 | Vts Holdings L.L.C. | Method, instruments and kit for autologous transplantation |
US6026376A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 2000-02-15 | Kenney; John A. | Interactive electronic shopping system and method |
US6065047A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2000-05-16 | America Online, Inc. | System for providing subscriber with access to a content area customized for the combination of subscriber's responses to topic prompt, subtopic prompt, and action prompt |
US6085176A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 2000-07-04 | Mercexchange, Llc | Method and apparatus for using search agents to search plurality of markets for items |
US6120514A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 2000-09-19 | Vts Holdings, Llc | Method and kit for autologous transplantation |
US6153292A (en) * | 1994-11-22 | 2000-11-28 | Tissue Engineering, Inc. | Biopolymer foams for use in tissue repair and reconstruction |
US6221109B1 (en) * | 1999-09-15 | 2001-04-24 | Ed. Geistlich Söhne AG fur Chemische Industrie | Method of protecting spinal area |
US6253188B1 (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 2001-06-26 | Thomson Newspapers, Inc. | Automated interactive classified ad system for the internet |
US6352558B1 (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 2002-03-05 | Ed. Geistlich Soehne Ag Fuer Chemische Industrie | Method for promoting regeneration of surface cartilage in a damage joint |
US6460179B1 (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 2002-10-01 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Transmission of menus to a receiver |
US6480204B1 (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 2002-11-12 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Transparent sunpad for home shopping |
US6594692B1 (en) * | 1994-05-31 | 2003-07-15 | Richard R. Reisman | Methods for transacting electronic commerce |
US7133835B1 (en) * | 1995-08-08 | 2006-11-07 | Cxn, Inc. | Online exchange market system with a buyer auction and a seller auction |
Family Cites Families (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4903201A (en) * | 1983-11-03 | 1990-02-20 | World Energy Exchange Corporation | Automated futures trading exchange |
US4980826A (en) * | 1983-11-03 | 1990-12-25 | World Energy Exchange Corporation | Voice actuated automated futures trading exchange |
US5053956A (en) * | 1985-06-17 | 1991-10-01 | Coats Viyella | Interactive system for retail transactions |
US4799156A (en) * | 1986-10-01 | 1989-01-17 | Strategic Processing Corporation | Interactive market management system |
US5191410A (en) * | 1987-08-04 | 1993-03-02 | Telaction Corporation | Interactive multimedia presentation and communications system |
US5195092A (en) * | 1987-08-04 | 1993-03-16 | Telaction Corporation | Interactive multimedia presentation & communication system |
US5113496A (en) * | 1987-08-04 | 1992-05-12 | Mccalley Karl W | Bus interconnection structure with redundancy linking plurality of groups of processors, with servers for each group mounted on chassis |
US5208665A (en) * | 1987-08-20 | 1993-05-04 | Telaction Corporation | Presentation player for an interactive digital communication system |
US5485370A (en) * | 1988-05-05 | 1996-01-16 | Transaction Technology, Inc. | Home services delivery system with intelligent terminal emulator |
US4992940A (en) * | 1989-03-13 | 1991-02-12 | H-Renee, Incorporated | System and method for automated selection of equipment for purchase through input of user desired specifications |
US5168446A (en) * | 1989-05-23 | 1992-12-01 | Telerate Systems Incorporated | System for conducting and processing spot commodity transactions |
US5297031A (en) * | 1990-03-06 | 1994-03-22 | Chicago Board Of Trade | Method and apparatus for order management by market brokers |
US5361199A (en) * | 1990-07-31 | 1994-11-01 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Automated procurement system with multi-system data access |
US5963916A (en) | 1990-09-13 | 1999-10-05 | Intouch Group, Inc. | Network apparatus and method for preview of music products and compilation of market data |
US5351186A (en) * | 1991-01-16 | 1994-09-27 | Bullock Communications, Inc. | System and method for obtaining information concerning a product or a service |
US5727164A (en) | 1991-12-13 | 1998-03-10 | Max Software, Inc. | Apparatus for and method of managing the availability of items |
US5305195A (en) * | 1992-03-25 | 1994-04-19 | Gerald Singer | Interactive advertising system for on-line terminals |
JPH05307556A (en) * | 1992-04-30 | 1993-11-19 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Information processor using integrated data base |
US5402336A (en) * | 1993-01-15 | 1995-03-28 | Ss&D Corporation | System and method for allocating resources of a retailer among multiple wholesalers |
AU1333895A (en) | 1993-11-30 | 1995-06-19 | Raymond R. Burke | Computer system for allowing a consumer to purchase packaged goods at home |
US5664111A (en) | 1994-02-16 | 1997-09-02 | Honicorp, Inc. | Computerized, multimedia, network, real time, interactive marketing and transactional system |
US5440479A (en) * | 1994-03-22 | 1995-08-08 | Hutton; Glenn W. | Apparatus and method for purchasing floral arrangements |
US5451998A (en) * | 1994-04-04 | 1995-09-19 | Hamrick; Daniel C. | Home shopping video catalog |
US5754850A (en) | 1994-05-11 | 1998-05-19 | Realselect, Inc. | Real-estate method and apparatus for searching for homes in a search pool for exact and close matches according to primary and non-primary selection criteria |
US5630125A (en) | 1994-05-23 | 1997-05-13 | Zellweger; Paul | Method and apparatus for information management using an open hierarchical data structure |
US6023683A (en) * | 1994-08-10 | 2000-02-08 | Fisher Scientific Company | Electronic sourcing system and method |
US5915209A (en) * | 1994-11-21 | 1999-06-22 | Lawrence; David | Bond trading system |
US5664115A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-09-02 | Fraser; Richard | Interactive computer system to match buyers and sellers of real estate, businesses and other property using the internet |
US5884309A (en) | 1995-12-06 | 1999-03-16 | Dynamic Web Transaction Systems, Inc. | Order entry system for internet |
US5918213A (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1999-06-29 | Mci Communications Corporation | System and method for automated remote previewing and purchasing of music, video, software, and other multimedia products |
US6119101A (en) | 1996-01-17 | 2000-09-12 | Personal Agents, Inc. | Intelligent agents for electronic commerce |
US5758328A (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 1998-05-26 | Giovannoli; Joseph | Computerized quotation system and method |
JPH09231274A (en) * | 1996-02-26 | 1997-09-05 | Fujitsu Ltd | Retrieval server system |
US5940807A (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1999-08-17 | Purcell; Daniel S. | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system |
US6014643A (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 2000-01-11 | Minton; Vernon F. | Interactive securities trading system |
-
1997
- 1997-05-28 US US08/864,314 patent/US5940807A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-01-08 US US09/227,723 patent/US6081789A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-06-26 US US09/603,012 patent/US6601043B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2003
- 2003-02-11 US US10/364,979 patent/US20030177026A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (57)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4516276A (en) * | 1979-12-18 | 1985-05-14 | Oscobal Ag | Bone substitute and a method of production thereof |
US4879648A (en) * | 1986-09-19 | 1989-11-07 | Nancy P. Cochran | Search system which continuously displays search terms during scrolling and selections of individually displayed data sets |
US4880429A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1989-11-14 | Stone Kevin R | Prosthetic meniscus |
US5624463A (en) * | 1987-07-20 | 1997-04-29 | Regen Biologics, Inc. | Prosthetic articular cartilage |
US5417975A (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1995-05-23 | Osteomedical Limited | Chemical Compound |
US5167961A (en) * | 1988-06-02 | 1992-12-01 | Ed. Geistlich Sohne Ag Fur Chemische Industrie | Process for preparing high purity bone mineral |
US5573771A (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 1996-11-12 | Osteomedical Limited | Medicinal bone mineral products |
US5162430A (en) * | 1988-11-21 | 1992-11-10 | Collagen Corporation | Collagen-polymer conjugates |
US5203023A (en) * | 1989-03-28 | 1993-04-13 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Phase likelihood comparison diversity receiver |
US5241671A (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 1993-08-31 | Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. | Multimedia search system using a plurality of entry path means which indicate interrelatedness of information |
US5241671C1 (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 2002-07-02 | Encyclopaedia Britannica Educa | Multimedia search system using a plurality of entry path means which indicate interrelatedness of information |
US5413597A (en) * | 1990-12-29 | 1995-05-09 | Krajicek; Milan | Three-layer vascular prostheses |
US5231566A (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1993-07-27 | Shoppers Express | Method and apparatus for producing a catalog |
US5567806A (en) * | 1991-08-02 | 1996-10-22 | Abdul-Malak; Nabil | Collagen crosslinked with a crosslinking agent for the manufacture of a suturable, biocompatible slowresorbing membrane, and such a membrane |
US5694551A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1997-12-02 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Computer integration network for channeling customer orders through a centralized computer to various suppliers |
US5418713A (en) * | 1993-08-05 | 1995-05-23 | Allen; Richard | Apparatus and method for an on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at a remote location of previously recorded or programmed materials |
US5581601A (en) * | 1993-11-26 | 1996-12-03 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Communication system |
US5837278A (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1998-11-17 | Ed Geistlich Sohne Ag Fur Chemische Industrie | Resorbable collagen membrane for use in guided tissue regeneration |
US5592375A (en) * | 1994-03-11 | 1997-01-07 | Eagleview, Inc. | Computer-assisted system for interactively brokering goods or services between buyers and sellers |
US6594692B1 (en) * | 1994-05-31 | 2003-07-15 | Richard R. Reisman | Methods for transacting electronic commerce |
US5726898A (en) * | 1994-09-01 | 1998-03-10 | American Greetings Corporation | Method and apparatus for storing and selectively retrieving and delivering product data based on embedded expert judgements |
US5812667A (en) * | 1994-09-12 | 1998-09-22 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Subscriber registration and authentication method |
US5696965A (en) * | 1994-11-03 | 1997-12-09 | Intel Corporation | Electronic information appraisal agent |
US5819092A (en) * | 1994-11-08 | 1998-10-06 | Vermeer Technologies, Inc. | Online service development tool with fee setting capabilities |
US6153292A (en) * | 1994-11-22 | 2000-11-28 | Tissue Engineering, Inc. | Biopolymer foams for use in tissue repair and reconstruction |
US5732400A (en) * | 1995-01-04 | 1998-03-24 | Citibank N.A. | System and method for a risk-based purchase of goods |
US5745882A (en) * | 1995-01-09 | 1998-04-28 | Us West Marketing Resources Group, Inc. | Electronic classified advertising interface method and instructions with continuous search notification |
US5845265A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 1998-12-01 | Mercexchange, L.L.C. | Consignment nodes |
US6266651B1 (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 2001-07-24 | Mercexchange Llc (Va) | Facilitating electronic commerce through two-tiered electronic markets and auctions |
US6202051B1 (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 2001-03-13 | Merc Exchange Llc | Facilitating internet commerce through internetworked auctions |
US6085176A (en) * | 1995-04-26 | 2000-07-04 | Mercexchange, Llc | Method and apparatus for using search agents to search plurality of markets for items |
US5675784A (en) * | 1995-05-31 | 1997-10-07 | International Business Machnes Corporation | Data structure for a relational database system for collecting component and specification level data related to products |
US6460179B1 (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 2002-10-01 | U.S. Philips Corporation | Transmission of menus to a receiver |
US7133835B1 (en) * | 1995-08-08 | 2006-11-07 | Cxn, Inc. | Online exchange market system with a buyer auction and a seller auction |
US5878141A (en) * | 1995-08-25 | 1999-03-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Computerized purchasing system and method for mediating purchase transactions over an interactive network |
US5873076A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1999-02-16 | Infonautics Corporation | Architecture for processing search queries, retrieving documents identified thereby, and method for using same |
US5740425A (en) * | 1995-09-26 | 1998-04-14 | Povilus; David S. | Data structure and method for publishing electronic and printed product catalogs |
US5757917A (en) * | 1995-11-01 | 1998-05-26 | First Virtual Holdings Incorporated | Computerized payment system for purchasing goods and services on the internet |
US5890137A (en) * | 1995-12-15 | 1999-03-30 | Kabushiki Kaisha N.K. Kikaku | On-line shopping system and the method of payment settlement |
US6065047A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 2000-05-16 | America Online, Inc. | System for providing subscriber with access to a content area customized for the combination of subscriber's responses to topic prompt, subtopic prompt, and action prompt |
US5832452A (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 1998-11-03 | Electronic Data Systems Corporation | Hotel database inquiry system |
US5878401A (en) * | 1996-02-09 | 1999-03-02 | Joseph; Joseph | Sales and inventory method and apparatus |
US6352558B1 (en) * | 1996-02-22 | 2002-03-05 | Ed. Geistlich Soehne Ag Fuer Chemische Industrie | Method for promoting regeneration of surface cartilage in a damage joint |
US5835896A (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1998-11-10 | Onsale, Inc. | Method and system for processing and transmitting electronic auction information |
US6480204B1 (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 2002-11-12 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Transparent sunpad for home shopping |
US5799285A (en) * | 1996-06-07 | 1998-08-25 | Klingman; Edwin E. | Secure system for electronic selling |
US5898594A (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1999-04-27 | Leason; David | Method and apparatus for enabling a selection of catalog items |
US6120514A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 2000-09-19 | Vts Holdings, Llc | Method and kit for autologous transplantation |
US6283980B1 (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 2001-09-04 | Verigen Transplantation Services Internt'l | Method, instruments, and kit for autologous transplantation |
US5989269A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1999-11-23 | Vts Holdings L.L.C. | Method, instruments and kit for autologous transplantation |
US5759190A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-06-02 | Vts Holdings Limited | Method and kit for autologous transplantation |
US6253188B1 (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 2001-06-26 | Thomson Newspapers, Inc. | Automated interactive classified ad system for the internet |
US5890175A (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1999-03-30 | Wong; Garland | Dynamic generation and display of catalogs |
US5897622A (en) * | 1996-10-16 | 1999-04-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Electronic shopping and merchandising system |
US6026376A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 2000-02-15 | Kenney; John A. | Interactive electronic shopping system and method |
US5895454A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 1999-04-20 | Harrington; Juliette | Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites |
US6221109B1 (en) * | 1999-09-15 | 2001-04-24 | Ed. Geistlich Söhne AG fur Chemische Industrie | Method of protecting spinal area |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
"Smart Catalogs and Virtual Catalogs" Oct. 1995; Arthur Keller; Stanford University; presented at Internation Conference on Frontiers of Electronic Commerse. * |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120209743A1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2012-08-16 | Mesaros Gregory J | Multiple Criteria Buying and Selling Model |
US20120209740A1 (en) * | 1999-05-12 | 2012-08-16 | Mesaros Gregory J | Multiple Criteria Buying and Selling Model |
US7478058B2 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2009-01-13 | Spc Holdings Pty Limited | Collaborative commerce hub |
US20040030611A1 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2004-02-12 | Patrick Byrne | Collaborative commerce hub |
US20050060235A2 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2005-03-17 | Virtual Supply Logic Pty Limited | Collaborative commerce hub |
US20050210066A1 (en) * | 2004-03-17 | 2005-09-22 | Marco Flavio Ianniello | Internet-based clearinghouse service for freight services |
US20070219864A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-09-20 | Albert Vollrath | Automated broadcast advertising transaction system and method |
US8352305B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2013-01-08 | Starcom Mediavest Group, Inc. | Automated broadcast advertising transaction system and method |
US20080027836A1 (en) * | 2006-01-27 | 2008-01-31 | Christopher Chapin | Inventory Equalization System |
US20070185775A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Lawton Daniel J | Method and system for facilitating a purchase process |
US8676654B2 (en) | 2006-02-07 | 2014-03-18 | Ebiz Industries, Inc. | Method and system for facilitating a purchase process |
US20110238570A1 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2011-09-29 | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | System of Online Trading Through Intermediary Platform and Methods Thereof |
US20130226734A1 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2013-08-29 | Ebay Inc. | Private embedded marketplace |
US10535086B2 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2020-01-14 | Ebay Inc. | Private embedded marketplace |
US11443354B2 (en) | 2012-02-28 | 2022-09-13 | Ebay Inc. | Private embedded marketplace |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6081789A (en) | 2000-06-27 |
US5940807A (en) | 1999-08-17 |
US6601043B1 (en) | 2003-07-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6081789A (en) | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system | |
WO1997044749A1 (en) | Automated and independently accessible inventory information exchange system | |
US6850900B1 (en) | Full service secure commercial electronic marketplace | |
US7584192B2 (en) | Collection and analysis of document traffic in an electronic marketplace | |
US20130103547A1 (en) | System and Method for Franchise, Finance, Real Estate, And Supplier Relationship Management | |
US20020107756A1 (en) | Method for creating and operating a personalized virtual internet store including "disconnected" purchasing capability | |
US20130282480A1 (en) | System and method for collaborative affinity marketing | |
US20020002501A1 (en) | System and method for an independent retailer business-to-business market exchange | |
JP2001184412A (en) | Electronic purchase system and method thereof | |
US20020095346A1 (en) | System for marketing real estate | |
US7831468B1 (en) | System for customizing benefits for financial customers | |
WO2002054285A1 (en) | Method for commercializing goods and services over a global digital network | |
US20030105676A1 (en) | New order system | |
US20050021402A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing internet based marketing channels | |
US7505923B1 (en) | Network based franchise business system and method | |
WO2002001456A1 (en) | E-commerce real time demand and pricing system and method | |
Wyner | Researching channels | |
WO2000045628A2 (en) | Computer system and computer-implemented method for electronic commerce | |
JP2002230342A (en) | Method and system for electronic commerce intermediation, recording medium, database, and computer program | |
KR20010027128A (en) | Sales system and method in internet | |
WO2001084411A1 (en) | Electronic commerce system and method thereof | |
JP2002203138A (en) | Commodity selling system and selling method using network | |
JP2002269392A (en) | Purchase agent supporting server using internet | |
US20020138644A1 (en) | Internet-based transaction management system | |
Dinda | Electronic Business Platform and Performance in Global Operations by Kenyan Large-scale Manufacturing Firms |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: POINT REYES NATIONAL LIQUIDATION BUYER LLC, CALIFO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PURCELL, DANIEL;REEL/FRAME:014344/0980 Effective date: 20031208 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CXT SYSTEMS, INC., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS IN CERTAIN ASSETS;ASSIGNOR:INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 37 LLC;REEL/FRAME:046045/0608 Effective date: 20170804 |