Method for online display and negotiation of cargo rates

US6064981A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Neil A Barni · Dallas, US
• Daniel Miller · Finningen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 17, 1999
• Grant date: May 16, 2000
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q50/188
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Freight forwarders and carriers post published rate and discount information for land, sea and air bearing cargo vessels to allow customers the opportunity to evaluate competitive prices, preferably in one consolidated location (e.g., a web site). A customer navigates to the site to obtain published or discounted rate information offered by a freight forwarder or carrier. The customer may accept a posted rate, in which case the site operator notifies the freight forwarder or carrier. Alternatively, customers, freight forwarders and carriers may negotiate rates for particular lanes of interest using an online interactive auction block.