METHOD OF USING A NETWORK OF COMPUTERS TO CONTROL THE RESERVATION OR SALE OF AVAILABLE LIMITED FIXED OR TIME SENSITIVE INVENTORY BETWEEN A SELLER INTERFACE AND A BUYER INTERFACE USING TWO WAY COMMUNICATIONS
US6873969B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0641
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus that automatically updates the presentation of available limited, fixed or time sensitive inventory, for sale or reservation, on a buyer interface in a time-sensitive and time-appropriate basis. The automatic two-way network communications method of the present invention provides the necessary coordination of inventory and sales between the seller interface and the buyer interface in either real time or near real time or as delayed or batch processing. This can take place by either manual or automatic means from the invention or from third party management or inventory control software. The invention allows for a substantial reduction of the communications and computer resources necessary to control and coordinate the availability, presentation, and sales of common, unique, or time-sensitive products, goods, and services. The present invention allows for the sales process to be adjusted so as to optimize the communications and computer resources used in relationship to the sales volume and Seller, Buyer, and usage profiles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.