• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A system and method for distributing CPOs (conditional purchase proposals) among multiple agency-based and peer sellers in a buyer operating commerce system. In one embodiment, the system determines whether agency-based or peer sellers can meet or meet the CPO and arrange these sellers in priority. In alternative embodiments, priority is determined by the relevant market share and the number of recent opportunities to meet the CPO. In alternative embodiments, priority is also determined by metrics and buyer information. In alternative embodiments, priority is determined arbitrarily. When a buyer can meet a CPO at multiple price levels, the system guarantees to meet the CPO at the highest price level. This guarantees maximum seller gain for each CPO.
    公开号:KR20020005588A
    申请号:KR1020017010346
    申请日:2000-02-17
    公开日:2002-01-17
    发明作者:월커제이에스.；스파리코토마스엠.；위세로버트에스.
    申请人:캐롤린 에이치. 블랭큰쉽；프라이스라인.콤 인코포레이티드；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    System and method for allocating business to one of a plurality of sellers in a buyer driven electronic commerce system}
    [2] Most systems for handling product sales are seller operations where sellers price, pack, place and offer products for sale, and buyers decide whether to accept a seller's offer. However, in the buyer operating system, the buyer describes the items of the offer and two or more sellers decide whether to accept the offer. For example, a "job" advertisement is a buyer's operation lookup because the employer wants to establish and hire a qualified employee's service. This inquiry is advertised to a number of potential employees so that potential employees can respond by submitting their resumes to prospective employers.
    [3] Priceline.com, established in Stamford, Connecticut, has successfully established a buyer operating system for the sale of products such as airline tickets and automobiles. Priceline.com is a US patent no. 5794207 and International Application No. PCT / Use the Conditional Purchase Offer (CPO) management system described in US97 / 15492, which handles conditional purchase proposals and / or binding CPOs received from each consumer. These CPOs include two or more buyer decision terms to purchase a service or product at a buyer decision price. Contracting CPOs are typically guaranteed by a general-purpose account such as debit or credit, and thus provide the seller with a mechanism to enforce any contract that may be reached by the consumer. CPOs are provided directly to sellers by the CPO management system or using seller supply regulations, and each seller accepts or rejects them. If the seller accepts the offer under the contract, the CPO management system connects with the buyer on behalf of the seller and creates a legally binding contract.
    [4] Thus, the CPO management system authorizes each consumer to obtain goods and services at a price set by the consumer. The CPO management system also provides the seller with a number of commercial conveniences. For example, when actual demand does not meet expected demand, the CPO management system allows each seller to sell excess capacity effectively. In particular, the CPO management system provides an effective mechanism for the seller to be sure that if the seller accepts the consumer's offer, the consumer can purchase the goods or services specified at the agreed price, and if the seller's competitors or customers If known, they will not immediately use information to identify the seller's basic level of price flexibility that could affect the seller's overall revenue structure.
    [5] For some sellers, especially airlines, it is difficult to respond to each CPO without significant rebuilding of existing transaction processing systems. As a result, these sellers authorize the agent to manage buyer operational transaction transactions. For CPO management systems that act as agents, these sellers become agency-based sellers. However, for multiple agency based sellers, there is no way for the CPO management system to distribute CPOs among agency based sellers.
    [6] It is also possible for agency-based sellers to satisfy a CPO with more than one seller-defined CPO rule. There is currently no way for the CPO management system to select seller-defined CPO rules that yield maximum returns to agency-based sellers.
    [7] For broadcast-based sellers, some form of distribution is also desired. This is particularly useful where distribution based on the order of seller responses is not possible or inappropriate. For example, if two peer sellers respond at the same time, there must be some way to allocate the CPO between them. Similarly, it may be reasonable to assign and limit CPOs to specific sellers based on business area, market area, service history or other factors.
    [1] The present invention relates generally to a system for handling the sale of goods and services, and more particularly, to a system and apparatus for distributing work among multiple sellers in a shopper operating system.
    [11] 1 is a block diagram illustrating key elements of the system of the present invention;
    [12] 2 is a block diagram showing elements of the central controller of the present invention;
    [13] 3A and 3B are flow charts showing CPO evaluation processing in the method of the present invention;
    [14] 4 is a flow chart showing regulatory evaluation subroutines in the method of the present invention;
    [15] 5 is a table from a database representing regulations in a CPO management system;
    [16] 6A and 6B are flow charts illustrating a preferred embodiment in the method of the present invention;
    [17] 7 is a flowchart showing an alternative embodiment in the method of the present invention; And
    [18] 8 is a flow chart showing an alternative embodiment in the method of the present invention.
    [8] The present invention provides a system and method for distributing CPOs (Conditional Purchase Offers) in a buyer operating system. Identify network 1 and network 2 sellers based on their market share in related markets. In identifying the first and second network vendors, the system and method also consider the given number of first network opportunities as if they are comparable to the number of sufficient first network opportunities. The first network seller is given the first opportunity to meet the CPO. If the first network seller cannot meet the CPO, then the second sight seller gives the opportunity to meet the CPO. If neither the first network seller nor the second-level seller can meet the CPO, the system performs a price-oriented search among the remaining sellers.
    [9] When a seller can meet a CPO with more than one rule or price, the system and method preferably identify the highest value or highest price that meets the CPO. In this way, the seller maximizes the benefit from the CPO.
    [10] The drawings are understood to provide a representative example of the invention and are not limited to the drawings.
    [19] 1 is a Conditional Proposal (CPO) management system for receiving and processing CPOs for two or more goods or services from two or more buyers 110 or agents 120 (on behalf of buyers 100). Shows 100. The CPO management system 100 determines whether two or more sellers, such as sellers 130, 140, 150, 160, will accept the given CPO. As described further below, if the seller accepts a given CPO, the CPO management system 100 enters into a contract with the buyer on behalf of the accepted seller and creates a legally binding contract.
    [20] The following terms used herein and in the claims are defined.
    [21] Agency-based seller: A seller who authorizes a CPO management system to accept or reject a given CPO using seller-defined CPO rules.
    [22] Broadcast-based seller: A seller who receives a CPO (directly or by accessing e-mail, for example) from a CPO management system for evaluation.
    [23] CPO: A proposal that includes one or more terms submitted by a buyer to purchase goods and / or services at a buyer determined price.
    [24] Binding CPO: A contract proposal that includes two or more terms submitted by a buyer to purchase goods and / or services at a buyer determined price. Compared with a CPO, a contract CPO includes a payment guarantee, for example a general purpose account, and the authority to debit an account under acceptance of the contract CPO.
    [25] CPO Regulations: Restrictions that are established by the distributor or agency-based seller and allow the operator of the CPO management system to determine whether to fill a CPO for that seller.
    [26] CPO management system: A controller that receives and processes CPOs for two or more goods or services from two or more buyers to determine whether two or more sellers (agents or companion vendors) will accept the CPO.
    [27] Universal Account: Any account that can be paid, including credit or debit accounts.
    [28] 1st Network Opportunity: Initial opportunity given to sellers to meet CPO when CPO management system distributes CPO among multiple sellers.
    [29] 2nd Network Opportunity: Follow-up opportunity given to Seller to satisfy CPO when CPO Management System distributes CPO among multiple sellers. If the CPO does not meet the first network opportunity, the seller is given a second network opportunity given a follow-up opportunity to meet the CPO.
    [30] Regulations: Any restrictions or restrictions set by the seller that must be met before the seller can receive or sell a certain price. At airlines, regulations include light control dates, start days, minimum and maximum stays, advanced purchase requirements, and cancellation / change deadlines, among other requirements.
    [31] Metric: A ranking parameter used to prioritize sellers. The metric may include seller factors such as market share, buyer factors such as taste, and random factors.
    [32] As shown in FIG. 1, the CPO management system 100 preferably includes a central controller 200, which is further described below in connection with FIG. 2. The CPO management system 100 provides a given CPO to selected sellers 130, 140, 150, 160 based on predetermined blocking criteria, so that sellers can be authorized or enforced to have their interests or block. Get only CPOs. Alternatively, the CPO management system 100 may block all CPOs from all sellers.
    [33] As further described below, each buyer 110 contacts the CPO system 100 via, for example, telephone, fax, online access (ie, the Internet), email, real-world contact or agent, and the buyer. Provide the CPO conditions to the CPO system (100). Note that each buyer 110 and seller 130, 140, 150, 160 may utilize a general purpose computer for communication with the CPO management system 100. Although not shown, the general purpose computer preferably includes a processing unit, communication device (eg, modem), memory means and any software necessary for communicating with the CPO management system 100.
    [34] The CPO management system 100 and any general purpose computers (collectively, "nodes") used by the buyers 110 or the sellers 130, 140, 150, 160 are preferably one another. Digitally encoded data and other information are transmitted between them. Communication links between nodes include cables, optical fibers or wireless connections through which electronic signals can be carried.
    [35] [Agency and companionship seller]
    [36] According to one aspect of the invention, the CPO management system 100 is preferably given a CPO management system 100 on behalf of any agency based sellers 130, 160 that delegates authority to the CPO management system 100. Provide optional agency features that allow you to accept or reject CPOs. Accordingly, the CPO management system 100 preferably evaluates the CPOs on behalf of any agency-based sellers who (i) have delegated the right to accept or reject the CPO given to the CPO management system 100, and (ii) Group vendors, such as sellers 140 and 150, can independently evaluate CPOs.
    [37] Thus, the CPO management system 100 may preferably provide two or more CPOs to each peer seller 140, 150 so that the peer seller 140, 150 independently determines whether to accept the given CPO. have. The CPO management system 100 may be adapted to each valid broadcast vendor, for example, by broadcast transmission, or by posting a CPO to an electronic bulletin board, for example accessible by each broadcast seller 140, 150. Note that CPO can be provided to (140, 150). Alternatively, the CPO management system 100 evaluates two or more CPOs against a number of CPO provisions defined by two or more agency-based sellers 130, 160, to determine a given CPO on behalf of the agency-based seller 130. Decide whether to accept or decline. An example setting of CPO rules for the agency-based sellers shown is shown in FIG. 5.
    [38] Accordingly, the CPO management system 100 receives two or more sellers (140, 150) to the seller (140, 150) by sending a CPO to accept or reject, or the CPO on behalf of agency-based sellers (130, 160) CPO rules for making a decision to accept, reject or cancel can be applied to a CPO to determine whether one or more sellers 140, 150 have accepted a given CPO.
    [39] As described further below, the CPO rules are defined by agency based sellers 130 and 160 and are a set of restrictions that allow sellers 130 and 160 to accept CPOs. For a more detailed review of the CPO rules, how they are created and related security issues, see US patent application number entitled "Conditional Purchase Offer Management System," filed July 8, 1997. See 08 / 889,319 and US Pat. No. 5,794,207.
    [40] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an exemplary central controller 200. The central controller 200 preferably includes a central processing unit (CPU) 205, a random access memory (RAM) 210, a read-only memory (ROM) 220, a clock 225, a data storage device 230, and It has some standard hardware components, such as communication port 240. As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 205 is preferably connected to each of the other listed components by a shared data bus or dedicated connections. The communication port 240 connects the central controller 200 to each of the purchasers 110 and the sellers 130, 140, 150, and 160. The communication port 240 preferably has multiple communication channels for simultaneously establishing a plurality of connections.
    [41] ROM 220 and / or data storage 230 may be operable to store two or more instructions, described further below with respect to FIGS. 3-8, and CPU 205 for retrieval, translation, and execution. It can work. For example, ROM 220 and / or data storage 230 preferably transmits fees and debits, which are required payments between sellers 130, 140, 150, 160 and buyers 110. Stores processes for executing The processing of such accounting transactions is preferably secured by existing methods, for example using known encryption techniques.
    [42] The data storage device 230 includes at least a seller database 231, a buyer database 232, a proposal database 233, and a seller specification database 234. The seller database 231 preferably stores information including contact information for each seller 130, 140, 150, 160 registered in the CPO management system 100 in order to sell goods or services to CPO buyers. The buyer database 232 preferably stores information including identification information, such as credit card numbers, and billing information for each buyer making a trading transaction through the CPO management system 100. The suggestion database 233 preferably includes a record of each CPO that is processed by the CPO management system 100 and includes the conditions and related states related to the CPO. Merchant regulation database 234 preferably maintains CPO regulations for two or more agency-based sellers (130, 160).
    [43] The data storage device 230 also includes a CPO evaluation process 235 and a regulatory evaluation subroutine 236, which are further described below in conjunction with FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. In general, the CPO evaluation process 235 (i) receives each CPO from the purchaser 110, (ii) provides each CPO to the appropriate broadcaster sellers 140 and 150, and each CPO is assigned to an agency-based seller ( 130, 160 and the relevant provisions are evaluated (iii) other vendors 130, 140, 150, 160 determine whether to accept the CPO. Regulatory evaluation subroutine 236 is a CPO evaluation process 235 that compares CPOs against the legitimate regulations of two or more agency-based sellers 130 and 160 to receive CPOs and respond on behalf of sellers for a given CPO. Is a subroutine executed by
    [44] With the system of the present invention described, the first method of the present invention is described. In step 301 of FIG. 3A, the system 100 receives a CPO from one of the plurality of buyers 110.
    [45] In step 303, the system determines whether the CPO is a valid proposal.
    [46] In step 305, if the system determines that the CPO is invalid, the system requests the buyer to resend the proposal.
    [47] In step 307, for a valid offer, the system receives a payment identifier.
    [48] In step 309, the system determines whether the payment identifier is valid.
    [49] In step 311, if the system determines that the payment identifier is invalid, the system requests the buyer to resend the payment identifier.
    [50] In step 313, the system sends the proposal to the companion vendors and executes a regulatory evaluation subroutine for agency-based sellers. The regulatory evaluation subroutine will be described below in relation to FIG. 4.
    [51] In step 315, when the seller accepts the CPO, the system receives at least one accept signal.
    [52] In step 317, when the system receives two or more accept signals, the system selects one accept signal.
    [53] In step 319, the system confirms the seller corresponding to the accept signal.
    [54] In step 321 of FIG. 3B, the system provides the buyer's personal information to the selected seller.
    [55] In step 323, if the CPO is not a contract CPO, the system determines whether the buyer is not performing or breaking the contract.
    [56] In step 327, if the buyer does not fulfill or break the contract, the system terminates the CPO evaluation process.
    [57] In step 325, if the buyer does not fulfill or break the contract, the system collects the penalty from the buyer and then terminates the CPO evaluation process in step 327.
    [58] As described above, the CPO evaluation process 235 executes the regulatory evaluation subroutine 236 during step 313 of FIG. 3A and determines whether two or more agency-based vendors 130 and 160 will accept the CPO.
    [59] In step 401 of FIG. 4, the system compares the CPO with the corresponding restrictions described in certain CPO rules defined by agency based sellers 130, 160.
    [60] In step 403, the system determines whether the CPO satisfies other CPO rules.
    [61] In step 405, if it is determined that the system satisfies the CPO rules, the system identifies the corresponding seller.
    [62] In step 407, the system returns to the rule evaluation subroutine with an indication of whether or not the rule has been met in step 403.
    [63] The steps described and illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 allow the system to accept and validate a CPO, send the CPO to the peer distributors, execute a regulatory evaluation routine for agency-based sellers. It determines whether or not any seller will accept, and contracts the CPO when the seller accepts (assuming the CPO is a contractual CPO). The method in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 does not provide a method of allocating CPOs among a plurality of agency based sellers 130, 160. A method for allocating CPO to a plurality of agency based sellers according to a predetermined strategy will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
    [64] For a number of agency-based sellers, the system 100 uses information from the seller database (231 in FIG. 2) and the seller specification database (234 in FIG. 2) to see if any of the agency-based sellers can meet the CPO. Determine whether or not. As in the example of FIG. 5, the Merchant Regulations database (234 of FIG. 2) includes information about flight schedules 505 for a number of agency based sellers regarding air travel. Depending on the CPO's restrictions, more than one of these agency-based sellers may meet the CPO. Thus, if a CPO only requires a New York-based California destination in the first quarter of 1997, two agency-based sellers can meet the CPO. An agency-based seller 510 has a flight arriving in Los Angeles via Chicago on January 1, 1997, starting from New York. Another agency-based seller 520 has a non-stop flight to San Francisco starting March 3, 1997 in New York. However, agency-based seller 530 cannot meet the CPO because the origin is not New York and the date is not the first quarter of 1997.
    [65] As described by way of example, for two or more agency-based sellers capable of implementing a CPO, the system 100 must have a method for allocating the CPO among agency-based sellers. Additionally, if multiple agency-based sellers can meet the CPO and, at the same time, meet the CPO at different prices, the system must properly allocate the CPO to one particular agency-based seller and also provide one of the possible prices. Must be distributed. These steps are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
    [66] A method for allocating CPOs among a plurality of agency based sellers is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In step 601, the system 100 receives data from the buyer and creates a CPO. This step is functionally the same as described in steps 301 to 311 in FIG. 3A.
    [67] In step 603, the system determines who among agency-based vendors can meet the CPO. For example, if the CPO is for air travel to specific departures and destinations, only agency-based sellers serving these departures and destinations will be able to meet the CPO. Other agency-based sellers cannot meet the CPO and are no longer considered. Similarly, if an agency-based seller does not have reasonable prices to meet a CPO, the seller cannot meet the CPO and is excluded from further consideration. Therefore, the system uses a plurality of factors to determine whether the seller can meet the CPO.
    [68] In step 605, the system determines the seller of the first network opportunity from agency based sellers that may possibly meet the CPO. This decision is based on a metric that, in the preferred embodiment, takes into account the relative market share of all agency-based sellers who can meet the CPO. The system considers the number of primary network opportunities offered to the agency-based seller for the number of primary network opportunities that should be given to that agency-based seller for the agency-based seller with the largest relative market share in the market proposed by the CPO. Assigns the first network opportunity.
    [69] The system records the number of first network opportunities offered to sellers for other CPOs. This historical information forms part of the considerations for the distribution of primary network opportunities. When the system receives a new CPO, historical information about the opportunities offered to each seller is compared with the number of opportunities that should be given to each seller. As a result of many factors, the number of opportunities to be given and the number of opportunities offered are rarely identical, and the system adds or skews the distribution to the least-matched sellers to make an approximate match. The discrepancy can be a simple numerical difference between the opportunities to be given and the opportunities offered, or a percentage difference between the opportunities to be given and the opportunities presented.
    [70] For a number of factors considered in the metric to determine which agency-based sellers will have the first network opportunity, some weighting or priority on the factors is required. If the relative market share is normalized (standardized) among agency-based sellers, which may possibly meet the CPO, the relative market share can be between 0% and 100%. For two sellers A and B, each of whom can meet the CPO and seller A has a relative market share of three times that of seller B, seller A with a large share has a relative market share of 75%. , Seller B with a small share has a relative market share of 25%.
    [71] With these relative market shares in the relevant market, Seller A has 75% of the primary network opportunities (3/4 of the primary network opportunities), while Seller B has 25% of the primary network opportunities. One quarter of the network opportunities.
    [72] In step 605, the system also determines a seller who receives the second network opportunity in the same way that the first network opportunity is determined.
    [73] In step 607, the system determines whether the seller who received the first network opportunity meets the CPO.
    [74] In step 609, if the seller who received the first network opportunity does not meet the CPO, the system determines whether the seller who received the second network opportunity meets the CPO.
    [75] In step 611, if either of the sellers who have received the first or second network opportunity meets the CPO, the system contracts the CPO to generate a contracted CPO and notifies both the buyer and the seller.
    [76] In step 613, if none of the sellers who have received the first or second network opportunity meet the CPO, the system determines whether there are remaining sellers.
    [77] In step 615, if there are no sellers remaining, the system notifies the buyer that the sellers cannot meet the CPO.
    [78] In step 617 of FIG. 6B, if there are remaining sellers, the system executes a low price inquiry from all sellers and selects the lowest price that meets the CPO.
    [79] In step 619, the system determines if any seller meets the CPO. If the seller can meet the CPO, the system contracts the CPO and notifies both the buyer and the seller in step 611 of FIG. 6A.
    [80] If the seller cannot meet the CPO during the low price lookup, the system notifies the buyer at step 615 of FIG. 6A.
    [81] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the system gives the highest priority agency based seller an opportunity to meet the CPO. Agency-based sellers can meet CPO with more than one rule. For example, if a CPO contains a $ 300 price category and an agency-based seller of that priority can meet the CPO with two rules, priced at $ 250 and $ 270, the system can determine which rule meets the CPO. You must decide. In the example, the CPO contracts for $ 300, but the special question is whether the system will meet the CPO at $ 250 or $ 270.
    [82] In the described embodiment, when more than one rule meets the CPO, the system selects the highest value or the highest priced rule to meet the CPO. In this way, the system contracts the CPO at the price specified by the buyer, while meeting the CPO at the highest price or value that meets the CPO. This ensures that agency-based sellers can also meet other CPOs that can be met at lower prices. It also ensures that agency-based sellers will receive the maximum possible benefit for each CPO they meet. Without these guarantees, no agency-based sellers would turn away.
    [83] When selecting a particular seller, factors other than price may be used in addition to or instead of price. At airlines, examples of these other factors include service level, flight time / date, seat class or booking options, and travel day.
    [84] Using the CPO management system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the method shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B allows agency-based sellers to grant first and second network opportunities based on certain metrics. Meet or satisfy the CPO. The metric described is the relative market share in the relevant market. When a seller can satisfy a CPO with more than one rule, the system allows the seller to maximize the benefit with the highest price or the highest CPO. Various alternative embodiments may also be used.
    [85] The metric the system 100 uses in step 605 of FIG. 6A to determine the first and second network vendors may be something other than an adjusted market share. For example, the metric may be based on total market share, without adjustments to the relevant market (eg, a starting point / destination pair). Alternatively, the metric can be based on a random number. Buyer preference metrics may also be used. The buyer preference metric can be a buyer's requirement to consider a specific agency-based seller as a condition of a CPO. For example, a buyer may indicate a preference for a particular agency-based seller or unwillingness to accept a particular agency-based seller.
    [86] 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of the method of the invention. In step 701 of the first alternative embodiment, the system 100 receives data from the purchaser and creates a CPO. This step is functionally the same as described in steps 301 to 311 of FIG. 3A.
    [87] In step 703, the system 100 orders agency-based sellers from highest to lowest priority order for the first network opportunity that meets the CPO. As described above, the system 100 orders sellers using metrics such as market share, adjusted market share, random number, or buyer specific metric.
    [88] In step 705, the system 100 gives the highest priority seller a first network opportunity to meet the CPO.
    [89] In step 707, the system 100 determines whether the seller can meet the CPO.
    [90] In step 709, if the seller can meet the CPO, the system contracts the CPO and notifies the buyer and the seller.
    [91] In step 711, if the system determines that the seller cannot meet the CPO, the system assumes that the highest priority seller cannot meet the CPO.
    [92] In step 713, the system determines if there are remaining sellers.
    [93] In step 715, if there are remaining sellers, the system raises the priority of all remaining sellers one by one.
    [94] The system then gives the new highest priority seller a second network opportunity to meet the CPO in step 705. Processing is repeated with other network opportunities (third, fourth network opportunity, etc.) until the seller meets the CPO in step 707 or the system determines that there are no sellers left in step 713.
    [95] In step 717, if the system determines that no sellers remain, the system notifies the buyer that there are no sellers that can meet the CPO.
    [96] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, at step 801 the system 100 receives data from the purchaser and creates a CPO. This step is functionally the same as described in step 301 to step 311 of Fig. 3A.
    [97] In step 803, the system 100 identifies the seller of the highest priority for the first network opportunity that meets the CPO. Determining sellers' priorities consists of metrics such as adjusted market share, market share, random numbers, and buyer-specific metrics described earlier.
    [98] In step 805, the system 100 gives the highest priority seller a first network opportunity to meet the CPO.
    [99] In step 807, the system 100 determines whether the seller can meet the CPO.
    [100] In step 809, if the seller meets the CPO, the system contracts the CPO and notifies the buyer and the seller.
    [101] In step 811, if the seller does not meet the CPO, the system determines that the seller with the highest priority cannot meet the CPO, and excludes the seller with the highest priority from the list of eligible sellers for that CPO.
    [102] In step 813, the system determines if there are remaining sellers.
    [103] If there are remaining sellers, at step 803, the system recognizes the seller with the highest priority for the second network opportunity that can meet the CPO. In this way, the method is based on other network opportunities (3rd, 4th network opportunity, etc.) until the system determines that the seller satisfies the CPO in step 807, or until the system determines that there are no sellers left in step 813. Continues).
    [104] In this way, sellers may reprioritize according to selected metrics that have some influence on high priority, but sellers that do not meet are eliminated.
    [105] At step 815, if there are no remaining sellers, the system notifies the buyer that there are no sellers who can meet the CPO.
    [106] 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of the method of the invention using the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In these alternative embodiments, sellers are prioritized according to metrics and sellers are given the opportunity to meet CPOs in their priority order.
    [107] Structurally Advantageous Embodiments
    [108] In an alternative embodiment, the distribution system is used to provide convenience or inconvenience to one or more participating agency-based vendors. In this embodiment, the purpose of the system is to disproportionately attempt to favor a particular seller without providing all preferred network opportunities to the favored seller.
    [109] In one example of this embodiment, the CPO management system distributes first network opportunities to a plurality of agency based sellers based on market share between two points. When the primary network opportunity is allocated to a "favored seller", it is not counted as allocated unless the favored seller satisfies the proposal or enters into a contract. This creates a structural bias that if the favored seller does not meet the proposal, the favored seller will automatically receive the first network opportunity in the next unit of demand between those two points.
    [110] It will be appreciated that there are many ways in which a CPO management system can provide structural convenience or inconvenience to one or more agency-based sellers.
    [111] [Other embodiments]
    [112] Although an airline company is used as an example, the systems and methods of the present invention are suitable for other companies to which a buyer operational commerce model can be applied.
    [113] Such embodiments initiate distribution among agency-based sellers. It may be contemplated that the present invention provides for distribution among peer sellers. Likewise, the present invention seeks distribution among a number of vendors, including a combination of agency-based and broadcaster vendors.
    [114] The examples illustrate the invention in connection with a contract CPO. However, it is also suitable in situations where a CPO is not contracted.
    [115] In other embodiments, the CPO may include variable or flexible conditions as defined by the seller, typically those terms specified using ranges. For example, the variable condition may be a date range in which the product will be shipped by the seller. Other variable conditions may include price ranges, performance ranges, quality ranges, and so on. The seller can then select a product that meets the buyer's flexible terms within the specified range. This variable condition can provide substantial help to the seller in meeting the buyer's CPO. For example, with respect to a ticket, if the CPO makes it possible for the seller to select an aircraft within a time or date range, the seller may have to match the price specified by the buyer.
    [116] In one embodiment, the present invention is required to include features that prevent buyers from repeatedly querying or 'pinging' the system to determine the seller's basic price elasticity. Such pinging can result in significant damage to the buyer's price margins and profits. As mentioned above, requiring the buyer to fill in the contractual CPO would stop pinging at least by ensuring that the product is actually purchased when the offer is accepted. Another way to discourage pinging includes preventing buyers from submitting similar offers repeatedly. For example, repetitive CPOs that change only suggested prices as part of determining price elasticity may be blocked by the system. In one embodiment, subsequent CPOs by the same purchaser are accepted by the CPO management system only after a few substantial changes to the purchaser statement that lead to the purchase of a radically different product. For example, with regard to the sale of tickets, significant changes in the itinerary will require that subsequent CPOs be accepted for processing. Another way to prevent pinging is to require payment for each submitted CPO.
    [117] In another embodiment of the present invention, the identifiers of the sellers are anonymously kept in the CPO management system until the CPO is accepted. This identifier anonymity, in combination with itself and the deterrence of priceing described herein, allows buyers to subscribe to CPO management system processing without fear of diminishing known price structures and fear of losing a loyal customer base. For example, most retailers have known product prices and customers who are willing to pay those prices. Subscribing to the CPO management system allows sellers to sell these products at potential discounts below known prices, thus satisfying offers from buyers who would otherwise not pay the known prices. With anonymity, these sellers are more free to join the CPO management system process, reducing the risk of losing their loyal customers and selling less than their known price structure.
    [118] While exemplary embodiments and various modifications of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and the described modifications, and various modifications are made by those skilled in the art. It will be understood that various changes and further modifications may be made without departing from the scope or concept of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
    [119] This application is incorporated by reference on July 8, 1997, which is part of US Patent Application No. 08 / 707,660 filed on September 4, 1996 (US Patent No. 5,794,207, issued August 11, 1998). Priority claim US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 889,319, filed under the conditional purchase proposal management system, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
    权利要求:
    Claims (50)
    [1" claim-type="Currently amended] In the distribution method of the buyer operating system,
    Identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller; And
    Providing the preferred seller with a first network opportunity to satisfy the conditional purchase offer.
    [2" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a second network opportunity to other conditional sellers of the at least two sellers to satisfy the conditional offer.
    [3" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, further comprising the purchaser contracting with a conditional purchase offer.
    [4" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the buyer that the conditional purchase offer has not been met.
    [5" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, further comprising determining which of the at least two sellers can satisfy the conditional purchase offer before identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller.
    [6" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two sellers is an agency based seller.
    [7" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two sellers is a peer seller.
    [8" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein the conditional purchase offer is a contractual purchase offer.
    [9" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller comprises: determining a number of first network opportunities to be given to the at least two sellers;
    Determining a number of first network opportunities given to at least two sellers; And
    Identifying as the preferred seller one of the at least two sellers that has the greatest deficiency between the opportunities to be given and the opportunities to be given.
    [10" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller comprises: determining a ratio of first network opportunities to be given to the at least two sellers based on the adjusted market share;
    Determining a percentage of first network opportunities given to at least two sellers; And
    Identifying, as at least two sellers, the preferred seller having the largest lack between a given percentage of first network opportunities and a percentage of first network opportunities to be given.
    [11" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller comprises: assigning a random number to each of the at least two sellers; And
    Identifying the preferred seller using a random number.
    [12" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller comprises: determining a market share for each of the at least two sellers; And
    Identifying as a preferred seller one of the sellers with the largest market share that may also meet the conditional purchase offer.
    [13" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller comprises: determining a buyer preference metric for each of the at least two sellers; And
    And identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller using the buyer first metric.
    [14" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller further comprises providing a convenience to one of the at least two sellers.
    [15" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether two or more seller prices meet a conditional purchase offer; And
    Further comprising selecting a best seller price.
    [16" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining if there are other sellers who can satisfy the conditional purchase offer; And
    And performing a low price search of the other sellers.
    [17" claim-type="Currently amended] In the distribution method of the buyer operating system,
    Determining who of the plurality of vendors can meet the conditional purchase offer;
    Based on the relative market share of the relevant market and the number of first network opportunities offered, the identification of one of the sellers who can satisfy the conditional purchase proposal as the first network opportunity seller step;
    Identifying another seller as a second network opportunity seller who may satisfy the conditional purchase offer; And
    Providing the first network opportunity seller with a first network opportunity that can satisfy the conditional purchase offer.
    [18" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a second network opportunity seller with a second network opportunity that can satisfy the conditional purchase offer.
    [19" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining whether two or more seller prices meet a conditional purchase offer; And
    Further comprising selecting a best seller price.
    [20" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining if there are other sellers who can satisfy the conditional purchase offer; And
    And performing a low price search of the other sellers.
    [21" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the relevant market is a pair of origins / destinations.
    [22" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a convenience to one of the plurality of vendors.
    [23" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, wherein one of the at least two sellers is an agency based seller.
    [24" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, wherein one of the at least two sellers is a peer seller.
    [25" claim-type="Currently amended] 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising contracting a conditional purchase offer.
    [26" claim-type="Currently amended] A data storage device for storing information of the seller, the conditional purchase proposal and the conditional purchase proposal regulations; And
    A processor for identifying at least one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller and providing the preferred seller with a first network opportunity to satisfy the conditional purchase proposal in accordance with the conditional purchase offer provisions.
    [27" claim-type="Currently amended] 27. The system of claim 26, further comprising a communication port for communication between sellers and buyers.
    [28" claim-type="Currently amended] In the system for the distribution of the buyer operating system,
    Means for identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller; And
    And a means for providing a preferred seller with a first network opportunity that can satisfy the conditional purchase proposal.
    [29" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for providing at least one of the two sellers with a second network opportunity that can satisfy the conditional offer.
    [30" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for the buyer to contract with the conditional purchase offer.
    [31" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for informing the buyer that the conditional purchase offer will not be met.
    [32" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for determining who of at least two sellers can satisfy the conditional purchase offer.
    [33" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, wherein one of the at least two sellers is an agency based seller.
    [34" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, wherein one of the at least two sellers is a peer seller.
    [35" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the conditional purchase offer is a contractual purchase offer.
    [36" claim-type="Currently amended] The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller comprises: means for determining the number of first network opportunities to be given to the at least two sellers;
    Means for determining a number of first network opportunities given to at least two sellers; And
    Means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as the preferred seller having the greatest lack between given opportunities and opportunities to be given.
    [37" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller,
    Means for determining a ratio of first network opportunities to be given to at least two sellers based on the adjusted market share;
    Means for determining a ratio of first network opportunities given to at least two sellers; And
    And a means for identifying, as a preferred seller, one of the at least two sellers having the greatest deficit between a given percentage of first network opportunities and a percentage of first network opportunities to be given.
    [38" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller comprises: means for assigning a random number to at least each two sellers; And
    Means for identifying a preferred seller using a random number.
    [39" claim-type="Currently amended] The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller comprises: means for determining market share for each of the at least two sellers; And
    A system comprising means for identifying one of the sellers with the largest market share that may satisfy the conditional purchase offer as a preferred seller.
    [40" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller comprises: means for determining a buyer preference metric for each of the at least two sellers; And
    And means for identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller using a buyer preference metric.
    [41" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the means for identifying one of the at least two sellers as a preferred seller further comprises means for providing convenience to one of the at least two sellers.
    [42" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for determining whether two or more seller prices meet a conditional purchase offer; And
    The system further comprises means for selecting the best seller price.
    [43" claim-type="Currently amended] 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for determining if there are other sellers that meet the conditional purchase offer; And
    And means for performing a low price search of said other merchants.
    [44" claim-type="Currently amended] In a computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium,
    Code for identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller; And
    Computer executable software code comprising code for providing a preferred vendor with a first network opportunity to satisfy a conditional purchase offer.
    [45" claim-type="Currently amended] A computer readable medium having computer executable software code, the code comprising:
    Code for identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller; And
    A computer-readable medium containing code for providing a preferred seller with a first network opportunity to satisfy a conditional purchase offer.
    [46" claim-type="Currently amended] In a programmed computer,
    A memory having at least one area for storing computer executable program code; And
    A processor for executing computer executable program code stored in memory, the program code comprising:
    Code for identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller; And
    A programmed computer comprising code for providing a preferred seller with a first network opportunity to satisfy a conditional purchase offer.
    [47" claim-type="Currently amended] In a method for distributing buyer proposals to sellers in a buyer operating commerce system,
    Receiving a conditional purchase offer from a buyer, the conditional purchase price comprising a condition, a price, a financial account identifier, and an authorization to fulfill the condition using the financial account identifier to pay the price;
    Based on a predetermined metric, identifying one of at least two sellers as a preferred seller;
    Providing the conditional purchase offer to the preferred seller;
    If the preferred seller meets the conditional purchase offer, rewarding the preferred seller using the financial account identifier; And
    If the preferred seller does not meet the conditional purchase offer, selecting a second seller and providing the conditional purchase offer to the second seller.
    [48" claim-type="Currently amended] 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the metric is selected from the group comprising total market share, related market share, random numbers, and buyer preference.
    [49" claim-type="Currently amended] 48. The method of claim 47, further comprising keeping the identifiers of the at least two sellers anonymous from the buyer until the conditional offer is satisfied.
    [50" claim-type="Currently amended] 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the conditional purchase offer further includes a flexible item that can be specified by the seller.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US9754302B2|2017-09-05|Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description
    US9824380B1|2017-11-21|Method for optimizing a business transaction
    US8738455B2|2014-05-27|Systems and methods to determine a value relating to a post
    US8831989B2|2014-09-09|Systems and methods for recalling a previously sold product
    US8732066B2|2014-05-20|Method and apparatus for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and one seller
    JP2014123400A|2014-07-03|Automated price improvement protocol processor
    US20160035020A1|2016-02-04|Multiple option auction method and system
    US8032428B2|2011-10-04|Method and system for universal gift registry
    US5319542A|1994-06-07|System for ordering items using an electronic catalogue
    JP5246982B2|2013-07-24|A system for electronic barter, exchange and redemption of points accumulated in the frequent use reward program
    RU2161819C2|2001-01-10|Summary network density schedule for satisfying customersт orders
    US7424449B2|2008-09-09|Computer-implemented method to provide options on products to enhance customer experience
    US7483857B2|2009-01-27|Online e-commerce transactions incorporating effects of uncertainty and risk factors
    US7269571B2|2007-09-11|System and method for facilitating consignment and sales of inventory or services
    US6131087A|2000-10-10|Method for automatically identifying, matching, and near-matching buyers and sellers in electronic market transactions
    AU2001294675B2|2005-08-25|Availability based value creation method and system
    US8224740B2|2012-07-17|Systems and methods for trading
    US5765141A|1998-06-09|Computerized merchandising system
    US6950801B2|2005-09-27|Method and apparatus for coordinating services
    US8010417B2|2011-08-30|System and process for local acquisition of products priced online
    US20150310468A1|2015-10-29|Flexible ship schedules and dynamic discounts
    US7475036B2|2009-01-06|Computer web-based auction platform
    US8655779B2|2014-02-18|Method and system for using reward points to liquidate products
    US7249062B2|2007-07-24|Method for transacting for a perishable object having an uncertain availability
    US6950806B2|2005-09-27|Sales transactions for transfer of commodities
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    JP2002537606A|2002-11-05|
    AU3234500A|2000-09-04|
    HK1045898A1|2002-12-13|
    CN1337027A|2002-02-20|
    WO2000049546A3|2001-04-19|
    EP1236133A2|2002-09-04|
    WO2000049546A2|2000-08-24|
    EP1236133A4|2005-11-09|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    1999-02-18|Priority to US09/252,574
    1999-02-18|Priority to US09/252,574
    2000-02-17|Application filed by 캐롤린 에이치. 블랭큰쉽, 프라이스라인.콤 인코포레이티드
    2000-02-17|Priority to PCT/US2000/004064
    2002-01-17|Publication of KR20020005588A
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US09/252,574|US7516089B1|1996-09-04|1999-02-18|System and method for allocating business to one of a plurality of sellers in a buyer driven electronic commerce system|
    US09/252,574|1999-02-18|
    PCT/US2000/004064|WO2000049546A2|1999-02-18|2000-02-17|Method for allocating business to a priority seller in an electronic commerce system|
    [返回顶部]