WO2009085744A1 - Système web pour assurer une vitrine de commerce électronique - Google Patents

Système web pour assurer une vitrine de commerce électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009085744A1
WO2009085744A1 PCT/US2008/086960 US2008086960W WO2009085744A1 WO 2009085744 A1 WO2009085744 A1 WO 2009085744A1 US 2008086960 W US2008086960 W US 2008086960W WO 2009085744 A1 WO2009085744 A1 WO 2009085744A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
seller
user
buyer
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/086960
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Simon Rothman
Original Assignee
Glyde Corporation
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/963,470 external-priority patent/US20090164273A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,592 external-priority patent/US7831584B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,718 external-priority patent/US20090164339A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,382 external-priority patent/US8447645B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,601 external-priority patent/US7899716B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,711 external-priority patent/US8244590B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/963,675 external-priority patent/US8630923B2/en
Application filed by Glyde Corporation filed Critical Glyde Corporation
Priority to EP08868775A priority Critical patent/EP2248087A4/fr
Publication of WO2009085744A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009085744A1/fr

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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
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • G06Q30/0603—Catalogue ordering

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a website selling products or services over the Internet, and in particular to websites offering products or services from multiple vendors.
  • Amazon Technologies Inc. US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0144052 shows the Amazon display of multiple sellers of an item. The system described identifies those sellers (1) that are offering the item for sale, (2) whose availability level for the selected item exceeds a predetermined availability threshold, and (3) that have a seller score relating to a number of different items offered for sale by the seller that exceeds a predetermined score threshold.
  • Catalog City US Patent No. 7,197,475 is an example of a multi-vendor Internet site. It describes sharing certain facilities among multiple vendors (consumer database, shopping cart facility, checkout facility, etc.).
  • IBM US Patent Application Publication No. 20030023499 describes an automated purchasing system over the Internet which compares products from multiple vendors and automatically selects one. The criteria for selecting can include price, vendor reputation (such as fulfillment history) and shipping times and costs.
  • Deja.com US Patent Application Publication No. 20020107861 is another example of a website that displays a product and includes a list of multiple vendors offering that product using scraper technology.
  • 20010054008 describes a system where a user inputs a list of products by entering their bar codes, and a vendor is selected based on criteria such as the number of products on the list available from the vendor, price, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.
  • Ads take many forms on the internet.
  • a "banner ad” is a rectangular graphic element on a webpage has the artwork and product description, with a hyperlink. If the user clicks on the ad, the user is taken to the website offering the product or service.
  • ticker-type information can be provided which scrolls across the bottom of the screen, such as a stock ticker.
  • RSS feeds can provide customized content, such as news subjects the viewer is interested in, pushed to a webpage for viewing.
  • US Patent Application Publication No. 20030020758 describes providing dynamically alterable banner ads.
  • the ads can scroll either horizontally or vertically.
  • a banner ad is generally produced by embedding HTML code for that banner within the HTML coding for a given web page. Consumers can obtain more information by clicking through the ad, thus being referred to the advertiser's site, and click through counts can be monitored. Interstitial ads are displayed in an interval of time that occurs after a user has clicked on a hot-link displayed by a browser to retrieve a desired web page but before that browser has started rendering that page. Ads can also be provided via a "push" application program that connects with a server, typically during off-hours. Ads are downloaded for later display.
  • a user profile is used to determine the type of ads for that user.
  • Real-time downloading and rendering of advertising HTML files uses advertising files stored on remote web servers. These ads show content in a "streamed" media file that relies on a continuous real-time network connection existing to a remote web server.
  • the '663 patent goes on to describe decoupling referring web page content from its corresponding advertising content, allowing an advertiser to easily update ads. Multithreaded pipelining is used, processing each ad as a different thread.
  • US Patent Application Publication No. 20070083440 describes electronic advertising that enables a consumer to purchase advertised products while remaining connected to a hosting web site.
  • the banner ads contain links that are activated to send a request to the banner applet for additional product information, or for an order form to allow the consumer to purchase the advertised product.
  • the banner applet supplies on-demand information to the consumer workstations without causing the workstations to query the hosting server, or to terminate or suspend their active sessions with the sessions manager.
  • US Patent Application Publication No. 20020113815 describes images forming a cover or door, that is placed over internet ads. When the ad door image is selected, it disappears in the manner of a door opening, or another uncovering manner, to reveal the advertising contents beneath and explode into a larger space if needed. The idea is to get the user curious by showing nothing but a door, with the user having to take action to see advertising content.
  • US Patent No. 7,111,252 shows three-dimensional representations of products being sold over the Internet.
  • an aspirin bottle may be shown, with the user being able to rotate the bottle using movement keys. The bottle can be rotated, for example, to show an ingredient label on the back.
  • E PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF
  • Postal mailing services are one of the oldest and most reliable forms of parcel and document delivery. Holiday cards, letters, bills, and small goods are just a few of the many items commonly sent through the mail. Envelopes and boxes of different sizes are used to package and send the letters and small goods to a recipient. For example, when shopping for a holiday card, there are many different sized cards to choose from. Fortunately, most card stores conveniently place an appropriate sized envelope behind each card.
  • remittance envelopes are used by charities, schools, and billing agencies to provide a quick and efficient way for sending payment of fees. These remittance envelopes are prepaid and are included within the original envelope sent to the remittee. Though, this delivery method is convenient for check and money order payments, it is not as convenient for small goods.
  • NetFlix the largest online rental DVD service, provides flat-rate rental by mail to millions of customers.
  • a subscriber creates a list of desired DVDs to rent, and NetFlix sends the subscriber a DVD within a pre-addressed, pre-stamped return envelope.
  • the subscriber When a subscriber would like to rent a new DVD, the subscriber simply places the previous DVD in the preaddressed envelope and drops it in the mailbox. Accordingly, an efficient and timely delivery service can be accomplished between the subscriber and the NetFlix distribution center.
  • This delivery method is practical because all the products are the same size, have the same return address, and require the same postage amount. However, this delivery method is not as convenient when the products vary in size and when the return address varies from purchase to purchase.
  • Mr. Swap.com U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0032668, describes a delivery method for goods offered over the internet.
  • a buyer locates an on-line seller in order to initiate a product(s) swap.
  • a mailer with appropriate postage calculated is sent to the seller for the seller to place the ⁇ roduct(s) in the mailer and send the mailer along with the product(s) to the buyer.
  • an inconvenience still lies in that a buyer must search through a litany of sellers offering the same product, and must also choose a proper delivery method (mail class).
  • Google developed an application called "Google Suggest.” Other web sites, such as Ask.com, Yahoo.com and Kayak.com, offer similar features. After a few letters of a search query are typed in, a drop down list of possible search terms appears. In addition, spelling corrections are suggested. The suggestions are typically based on the most popular search terms having the same word(s) or combination of letters.
  • Examples of patents relating to search queries include Microsoft U.S. Patent No. 7,254,774 provides a mechanism provides search suggestion based on spelling and search query logs.
  • Amazon.com, Inc. U.S. Patent No. 6,564,213 provides an auto completion mechanism for search strings using a dynamically updated database, which is based on popularity of database items.
  • Amazon Marketplace processes payment from the buyer and deposits it in the seller's payments account.
  • the buyer is responsible for dealing directly with the seller if there is a problem.
  • the buyer pays for shipment back to the seller, then the seller requests a refund using Amazon.com Payments.
  • eBay leaves it to individual sellers to handle how payments are received and processed. According to eBay's policy as posted on its web site, the buyer who is unsatisfied with merchandise(s) shipped from a seller needs to resort to a dispute process. Among other things, the buyer has to initiate a dispute process on eBay's website, and a dispute process ensues.
  • Paypal provides for payment from the buyer to the seller when an item is ordered, and an email is sent to the buyer's email address to confirm it was an authorized payment. If the goods don't arrive, or the wrong or damaged goods arrive, the buyer can use a PayPal dispute resolution process. PayPal also offers a Buyer Protection plan up to $2000 for items purchased on eBay.
  • the present invention provides a retail front-end experience for the user with a multi-seller back-end.
  • a product is displayed on a webpage, and if the user views it, the software automatically selects at least one best supplier for each item and condition (new, used, etc.) for that user, and then displays the one specific price from only those vendors.
  • the price includes the shipping costs from that vendor's location to the user's location.
  • the back end is hidden from the user - the user is not forced to choose from a list of vendors.
  • the software selects the best vendor based on a variety of criteria, such as item selection (condition, price and version), the geographic closeness of the vendor (reduced shipping costs and/or improved shipping speed), the reliability rating of the vendor (responsiveness, product description accuracy, etc.).
  • Embodiments of the present invention optimize as many factors as possible for a buyer to have a simplified buying experience.
  • the "best" vendor is selected by balancing the lowest item price, the lowest cost and fastest shipping (seller) location and highest seller reliability rating. These are calculated without visibility to the user.
  • a multi-seller site appears to be a normal retail site to the user. The user is simply buying a certain product from that site, without having to select or worry about which seller is providing it.
  • the present invention provides the advantage of simplifying the selection among multiple vendors. At the same time, it preserves the user's ability to decide between specific items and specific item conditions, and in one embodiment makes that decision easy to execute with a one page buy window.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for dynamic product pricing.
  • sale characteristics for a plurality of products are stored in a database.
  • a user places a sale order including information associated with a product to be listed on a website, and a market price for the product is calculated based on the stored sales characteristics of the product.
  • the sales characteristics include a queue of current list prices for the product, with the queue having the number of products available for sale at each different price.
  • a suggested list price is displayed to the seller based on the calculated market price.
  • the seller is provided with a means for adjusting the suggested list price or listing the product at the suggested list price.
  • a specific product is given a true market price, or one true value at any one moment of time. The true market price thus varies with supply and demand.
  • the specific product corresponds to a stock keeping unit (SKU), with a market price for SKU, which may be a particular version, color, condition, etc.
  • SKU stock keeping unit
  • the seller is shown sale statistics concerning the likelihood of the product being sold at the suggested price or the adjusted price.
  • the seller can either select the adjusted price or simply select the suggested list price as the list price.
  • the list price of the product is placed in a sale queue associated with the product.
  • the seller when the seller agrees to list at the suggested list price, the seller can choose a dynamic or static market order. In this way, the list price will change with the market until the product is sold (dynamic) or remain at the initial list price (static).
  • the market pricing is applied to a multi-vendor website where only a single vendor item is displayed to a potential buyer. Thus, the lowest priced, best vendor item will be displayed, and higher priced ones will wait in the sale queue until all the lower priced ones have sold. Thus, buyers see only one list price.
  • the market price is automatically determined and a suggested list price associated with the market price is displayed to the seller prior to listing the product. Accordingly, with just one click the seller can quickly list the product based on the current market price. Moreover, since sale statistics of the suggested list price and the adjusted price are shown to the seller, the seller can evaluate and determine an optimum price for sale.
  • This technique enables a seller to quickly and effectively price a product relative to the supply and demand for the product, ultimately allowing the market price for the product to reach equilibrium, and giving the buyer and seller the confidence that a product was priced based on the current market for the product.
  • C SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR DECENTRALIZING eCOMMERCE WITH SINGLE PAGE BUY
  • the present invention provides software system with a "single-page buy" capability - both product information and purchase information on a single webpage, eliminating the need to go to a separate checkout page.
  • the software does the backend work needed to display both, in order to simplify the user experience.
  • a database includes data on (1) products, including dimensions and weight, (2) sellers, including location, and the user (buyer), including the buyer location and credit card information.
  • the software when the user first navigates to the page, the software already has all the data needed to calculate shipping price (knowing the product weight, dimensions, and in some cases where it is to be shipped from and to), allowing a total number to be displayed on the page.
  • the removal of the need for additional information to be displayed and collected allows the purchase function (checkout) to fit on the same page as the product information.
  • commerce is "atomized” by pushing out the capability to purchase throughout the Internet, not just on a company's website.
  • the capability can be pushed out with ads on 3rd party sites, widgets on social networking sites, references in blogs, articles, etc.
  • an ad on a 3rd party website contains the information needed to make a purchase, without necessarily having to leave the 3rd party website.
  • an "ad” can be anything which references a product or service, such as images, text, a widget, etc.
  • the code for this can actually be on the webpage where the ad is displayed, or a channel is opened to the a seller server.
  • the "ad” may know who the user is, with all the user's credit card and shipping address data, if the user had previously registered with the site/system. Thus, all this information is filled in automatically. Alternately, ths user can sign up on a 3rd party site within a widget. Similarly, a reference to the product (book name, CD title, etc.), can act as an ad in a blog, article, etc., such that when a user clicks on it, the single-page buy window appears.
  • a gliding product display has a banner-type ad dimension, with product icons scrolling or gliding across it.
  • the multiple products can be from different sellers. Graphics for different products glide or slide across an area, which may be a traditional banner ad area. This is done not only on the system website, but in banner ad areas on 3rd party sites. Combined with the single-page buy feature (described above), this allows multiple products purchasing to be pushed out all over the web so buyers can purchases items wherever they are without having to go to a centralized destination site.
  • the display may be a subset or category of products based on a user's preferences, publisher's preferences, or system discretion or algorithmic determination.
  • Registered users are detected when they enter a website, and their data is retrieved to allow displaying product information deemed most applicable to that user.
  • the ad could have check boxes or a drop-down list to allow the user to select a category of products to be displayed.
  • subscribing websites can have links to such a single- page buy.
  • a blog site can have software or use a webservice that recognizes when the name of a product offered by the system or any seller on the system is typed (such as in a review or comment on the product). The product name is automatically hyperlinked in the blog to the seller single page buy.
  • the present invention provides a 3 dimensional use of an area to provide information.
  • an image or representation e.g., cover art for a book or DVD
  • the art is replaced with descriptive material in the same space, as if the book or DVD were flipped over (but not a literal showing of the backside of the physical product).
  • the display shows the art being turned over, like a slide transition (e.g., PowerPoint presentation software).
  • the image is "flipped" by a user clicking on it, or moving a cursor over it.
  • the flip side shows either (1) content data, (2) transaction data, or (3) community data.
  • content data can be select songs for a CD or chapters for a book.
  • Transaction data can show a market price, or, for a seller, whether a product has been sold.
  • Community data can be how popular the product is, such as how many other people have bought it.
  • the image flipped over may relate to a product or service simply displayed, but not necessarily for sale.
  • the type of information provided on the "back" can be varied depending upon who is looking at it.
  • the system can tell who is looking at it by whether, for example, it is in a listing of products for sale (presumed buyer looking) or on a seller's inventory list of products (seller looking).
  • E PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF
  • Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method for distributing a product purchased over the internet. More particularly, embodiments of the invention provide a method for automatically determining an appropriate size mailer, postage amount, and optimum mail class while facilitating an on-line transaction for any item between any two parties.
  • information associated with a plurality of sellers is stored in a database. This information includes the address of each seller and the dimensions and weight associated with a product to be sold by the seller.
  • Buyer information is also stored in a database.
  • an appropriate mailer is automatically determined based upon the dimensions and weight of the product.
  • an optimum mail class is automatically determined based on the geographic location of the buyer and seller, and the type, size, and weight of the product. The mailer is pre-addressed and pre-stamped and then sent to the seller for the seller to insert the product for final delivery to the buyer.
  • a preferred seller amongst the plurality of sellers is determined based on the delivery speed, delivery costs, item price, and a reliability rating of a particular seller.
  • the distribution center utilizes an outer mailer for sending the inner mailer to the seller. Only mail classes that provide tracking are used, so that the system can automatically track product shipping dates from the seller to the buyer, and thus determine seller reliability without the need to rely on user feedback. Multiple mail distribution centers may be provided, and the system will select the center geographically closest to the preferred seller, so that the cost and time to get the mailer to the preferred seller will be minimized.
  • the present invention applies a real-time search result suggestion system and method to a product/service database, and provides an improved, bifurcated search result results algorithm.
  • a vectored index of a product/service database is first generated.
  • the letters/words are processed through a lexographical matching module, compared to the index, and a subset of the index is identified.
  • the subset is then ranked according to a ranking database which includes (1) the user's history, (2) most popular sales data, (3) most often viewed product data, and (4) lexographical weight.
  • the highest ranked items, which are search results, are then displayed in a drop-down list to the user.
  • the ranking database includes both offline and online sales data.
  • the sales data is grouped and weighted bases on sales to the user, sales to all users, sales on the website being searched, and sales on other websites.
  • the algorithm is adaptive. For example, a users own purchases normally have a higher weighting. However, for a new user with little purchase history, the sales to others are given a higher weighting (products actually bought).
  • the sales to others includes sales to all others, and sales to others with a similar profile to the user. The similar profile sales are normally weighted higher, except where there is insufficient profile data, in which case the data from all others is considered more likely to be more accurate.
  • the search data is handled similarly, with a user's own previous searches being weighted higher, except for a user with little search history, or little search history relating to the letters being typed in. Again, searches done by all others and searches done by others with similar profiles are weighted similarly to the sales data. In addition to previous searches, other user data is considered, such as items viewed, ratings the user has given to products, genres the user has expressed an interest in, catalogs the user has stored, etc.
  • the present invention provides a product distribution module integrated with a payment module. Actions in the distribution module trigger actions in the payment module. For example, a user clicking a "buy" button triggers the creation of a product mailer for a seller, and triggers the payment module to collect and hold the purchase price and shipping costs from the buyer. Acceptance of delivery by the buyer, or the expiration of a time-out period after tracking delivery by the distribution module, triggers release of the purchase price to the seller.
  • a "shared responsibility" return method and system is provided.
  • a product purchased over the Internet from a multi-seller website is delivered to a buyer, with the delivery monitored by the multi-seller website.
  • the buyer has until a time out period to object to the product.
  • the product can be returned, but the buyer may be required to pay a portion of the return shipping costs subject to an algorithm.
  • the algorithm for the return shipping costs may typically split the costs between the seller and the buyer.
  • the multi-seller website tracks the historical performance of sellers and buyers. If a buyer has a sufficiently high rating, and the seller a sufficiently low rating, the amount of return shipping costs borne by the buyer may be reduced to as much as zero. Alternately, the buyer may return the products to the multi-seller website, instead of the seller, so that product defects can be verified. If the defects are verified, the buyer's rating is not affected by the return, the seller's rating is downgraded, and up to all the shipping costs are borne by the seller.
  • an integrated payment system is provided.
  • the multi-seller website provides the functions of (1) maintaining accounts for both sellers and buyers, (2) providing shipping mailers for delivery and return, and (3) tracking delivery and return. Both seller and buyer can go to one site to track all aspects of the transaction, including payment and delivery.
  • the user's sales proceeds are maintained in their respective accounts for future purchases through the multi-seller website. For example, a buyer can use funds in the buyer's account for a purchase. If there is a return, the buyer's account will be credited with the product cost, less the shipping costs from the seller and a portion of the shipping costs for the return.
  • a credit is provided through the credit card company to the buyer, rather than through the multi-seller website account.
  • Fig. Al is a diagram illustrating a user interface according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. A2 shows the diagram of Fig. Al modified with a drop-down list according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. A3 is a diagram illustrating the selection and presentation of a single product offered by multiple vendors upon the selection of a product in Fig. Al according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. A4 shows the diagram of Fig. A3 altered to show a buyer receipt upon clicking of a buy button by a user.
  • Fig. A5 is a diagram of an overall system supporting the present invention.
  • FIG. Bl is a simplified diagram illustrating the overall product pricing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. B2 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating the process of the dynamic product pricing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. B3 is a screenshot illustrating of the pricing feature according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • C SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR DECENTRALIZING eCOMMERCE WITH SINGLE PAGE BUY
  • Fig. Cl is a diagram illustrating a single page buy window according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. C2 is a diagram of an overall system supporting the present invention.
  • Fig. C3 is a diagram illustrating the atomization of commerce according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. C4 is a diagram of a user interface for configuring a widget according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. C5 is a diagram of an example of a widget with product images on a Facebook page according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. Dl is a diagram illustrating a single-page buy window according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. D2 is a diagram of an overall system supporting the present invention.
  • FIG. El is a simplified diagram illustrating the overall system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. E2 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of the product distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. E3 A and E3B are simplified perspective views of an inner and outer mailer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure Fl is a diagram of a user interface for search results suggestion according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure F2 is a diagram of the user interface of Fig. 1 after a user clicks on a results suggestion according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure F3 is a simplified diagram illustrating a system for providing search results suggestions according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure F4 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a process for search results suggestion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure Gl is a simplified diagram illustrating a transaction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure G2 is a block diagram of an integrated payment system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure G3 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a purchase through return process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure Al is a diagram of a user interface for search query results according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the interface prior to any user input, includes a text input box 102 (note there is no search click button as in prior art systems).
  • a window 108 shows artwork for multiple products which glide across in a stream. Buttons 119 allows user selection of what genre or category of products is shown in window 108.
  • a dropdown list 106 appears as shown in Fig. A2 (alternately, other methods of displaying results could be used).
  • the dropdown list includes search results. The letters or words typed by the user are highlighted.
  • the user can select an item from the drop down list. Alternately, a separate click button could be provided. Once the user clicks, a window 104 is brought up, as shown in Fig. A3, displaying the product along with information allowing the user to buy. Alternately, the user can click on one of the images in scrolling window 108 to bring up window 104.
  • a single static ad could be clicked on to bring up window 104, or even just text with the product name in an article, blog, etc.
  • the selected product is offered by multiple vendors, this information is hidden from the user, with an ideal vendor for that user being automatically selected.
  • a set of suitable vendors are automatically selected, and upon purchase (buy button clicked) the final, best vendor is chosen.
  • a single, common product presentation is provided (rather than having separate product presentations for each vendor).
  • Fig. A3 illustrates window 104 showing more information on a selected product which has been clicked on.
  • Window 104 includes artwork 103 and product description 112, including a version 107. Alternate versions are represented by smaller images 101 and 105. Upon clicking on either image 101 or 105, that version will replace image 103, as well as making appropriate changes to the text 112 (such as changing the version reference 107). In addition, the pricing information is changed as discussed below.
  • Window 104 can show one product, or a number of versions or conditions of product.
  • Fig. A3 shows 3 versions, and 3 conditions for each version.
  • the user thus has the option of buying a new DVD 109 (or book or other product), a used DVD in excellent condition 111, or a used DVD in good condition 113.
  • a single seller is selected for each stock keeping unit (SKU) and each condition category for that SKU.
  • SKU stock keeping unit
  • the 3 versions and 3 conditions give 9 combinations, and there could be from one to thousands of sellers for each combination.
  • poor condition products are not displayed.
  • Alternate embodiments may provide more options for the user, such as more degrees of product condition, or different ranges of prices or different seller reliability.
  • Each product is listed with price information 114.
  • the price information includes the shipping costs.
  • the shipping cost is calculated based on the dimensions and weight of the product, the address of the seller, and the address of the buyer. Because both seller and buyer information is stored, it is available at the time the user clicks on the product, and the calculation is run before window 104 is displayed. In one embodiment, a particular seller is not selected until the user decides to buy; the software simply determines if there is at least one seller available with the right and/or lowest product price and a sufficient reliability rating and a best shipping cost/speed.
  • a local database can be used. If the windows are on a 3rd-party computer or device, the information is pushed over the Internet from the database to the window.
  • the product is offered by multiple sellers.
  • the price information is calculated by first determining that there is at least one appropriate seller using a number of factors, including seller reliability, item price and seller proximity to the user, to select a seller with the right item price, low shipping costs and high responsiveness and reliability.
  • the price 114 reflects the offer price and shipping price for such appropriate sellers.
  • an actual seller is not picked until a buyer makes a buy decision.
  • the software merely determines that there are one or more sellers who can supply the product at the price and shipping costs displayed.
  • the buyer preferred payment information 116 is displayed, in this instance the last digits of a credit card.
  • the buyer's online account that account will be used first, and the name of the account and/or the available balance may be displayed instead of, or in addition to, the credit card information.
  • both the online account and credit card may be used if there are insufficient funds in the online account.
  • the buyer's preferred shipping address 118 is displayed for the buyer to see. Thus, no matter what site the buyer is browsing on, the buyer information is readily available. If the buyer agrees, the buyer can initiate what is truly a single click, or a single page, buy. This is done by clicking on one of buy buttons 120. If the buyer instead wants to select a different payment mechanism or shipping address, the buyer can click on payment information 116 or address 118 to bring up other options the buyer has previously entered, and a form for entering new data. If the buyer enters a different shipping address, the shipping costs and/or seller selection may be re-calculated.
  • the product pricing information is replaced by a receipt 121 as shown in Fig. A4.
  • the receipt includes a date stamp 124, the pricing 126 for the selected option, and the payment information 116.
  • the receipt may, in alternate embodiments, also include the version and condition selected. Alternately, instead of or in addition to date stamp 124, an estimated delivery time may be displayed. If the user doesn't like the delivery time, the user can choose a different, perhaps more expensive, delivery option, such as by clicking on the delivery date.
  • the payment information can include an apportionment between the buyer's online account and a credit card or other external payment instrument.
  • an email with the same information is sent to the user's registered email address, along with an estimated delivery date.
  • tracking information and an estimated shipping date could be provided to the user.
  • only the delivery date may be shown, with tracking done without requiring user involvement.
  • user preferences are stored, including a preferred shipping speed and cost. Some users may prefer cheaper shipping costs as a default with longer shipping time. Other users may prefer quicker, more costly shipping.
  • This preference data can be stored explicitly, by the user entering the data. Alternately, the preference can be determined implicitly, by inferring the preference from the user behavior. If the user always selects the quicker, more expensive delivery, the preference can be changed to that.
  • the user address is not known because it is stored on the remote server's database. In such a case, a shipping speed and cost that will reach anywhere in the service area is used. Once the user selects the buy option, the user will be prompted to log in so that user address information can be obtained, and an accurate shipping speed and cost calculated and displayed.
  • a "no-packaging” option is displayed. This is particularly useful for DVDs, CDs and other disc products, where only the bare disc can be sent, without the packaging and its cover art. Since most damage occurs to the packaging, a seller can list a product as being in excellent condition without the packaging, whereas with the packaging it would have to be listed as merely good. The user benefits as well. Since the risk of mis- described condition lies mostly with the condition of the packaging, the no-packaging option is more likely to have a correct description. Additionally, the shipping costs may be less. If the buyer selects such an option, the sellers are recalculated along with the shipping costs. In one option, the mailer includes an insert to go with the unpackaged disk inserted by the seller. The insert can be a song list, liner notes, collateral (marking materials), etc.
  • Fig. A5 illustrates a system supporting the present invention.
  • a server 201 hosting the multi-vendor website is connected to a network 203 (e.g., the internet). Also connected to the Internet is a 3rd party vendor 204 which may list products for sale, barter, rent, or for cataloging purposes, with a link to the data on the multi-vendor website.
  • a user computer 205 is shown connected to the Internet, for browsing either the multi-vendor or 3rd party website.
  • the server 201 is configured to provide the interface of Fig. Al with a display of products, and react to user actions.
  • the server 201 may be implemented using multiple computing devices.
  • a database 202 stores data on both vendors and users.
  • database 202 is directly connected to server 201.
  • database 202 includes multiple storage devices that are accessible over network 203 or another network.
  • a partially completed search query is entered through the user interface at one of the user terminals.
  • the search query is sent to the server 201 through the network 203.
  • the server 201 determines what results to show based on the partially completed search query, the user profile, search pattern, search query rank, and other factors as well. Vendor Selection Algorithm
  • a user first registers on the multi-vendor website, providing address information and billing information, such as a credit card number. Sellers also provide other information, such as a bank account to send payments to.
  • address information and billing information such as a credit card number.
  • Sellers also provide other information, such as a bank account to send payments to.
  • the software When a user clicks on a product, the software first does a primary sort to find all vendors at the lowest price. The software then accesses the user's address information, and determines the closest vendors for the product selected at the right price with high reliability and that optimize shipping speed and cost (such as by being located nearby). Vendors are considered equally close if the shipping times and shipping costs would be the same, regardless of whether one vendor is actually geographically closer to the customer.
  • the system tracks seller history, and may know that a seller farther away typically ships earlier than a closer seller, thus offsetting the additional shipping time
  • the ratings of the closest vendors at the same item price are then compared, hi particular, the vendor with the best rating for responsiveness and accuracy of product description and with the best shipping time and cost is selected. If multiple eligible vendors have the same rating, one can be selected according to a round-robin or other method. One other method of selecting vendors is based on a weighted algorithm taking into account the number of transactions that seller has handled, the tenure of the seller on the site, and other factors.
  • Vendor ratings include data on the vendor's record of (1) responsiveness, (2) accuracy of description of products and (3) accuracy of shipment.
  • the responsiveness can be automatically tracked with the shipping mailers as described above.
  • the accuracy can be assumed in the absence of buyer complaints.
  • the buyer has the option to provide feedback on whether the product was the right model, condition, etc.
  • the shipping cost from the known vendor location to the known customer location is calculated.
  • the product dimensions and weight are also known, as well as the best shipping method. All these calculations are done before the product information is even displayed to the user after clicking on the product image (except that the system determines that at least one vendor is available at that shipping price, but doesn't necessarily select the exact vendor until after the user clicks the buy button).
  • the user will see the item price and shipping costs for the selected vendor, with the vendor selection happening in the background opaque to the user, simplifying the user experience.
  • the present invention is able to determine an appropriate vendor in time to display that vendor to the customer without a noticeable delay. This is accomplished through a number of techniques. First, as soon as the customer's browser accesses the multi-vendor website, either directly or through an ad link from a third party site, a cookie on the user's computer is read to determine the user identity. If the user is already registered, and logs in to the multi-vendor server, the payment and shipping address data is retrieved from the remote multi-vendor server. Alternately, payment and shipping data could be stored on the customer computer, with appropriate techniques used to identify the correct user for shared computers.
  • the time-sensitive data (like market price, vendor availability, etc.) is updated using a Comet software program or similar program.
  • Comet enables web servers to send data to the browser without the need by the browser to continually re-request it. It allows creation of event-driven web applications, enabling real-time interaction in a browser.
  • An open connection is established by the browser with the server allowing the server to update data on the client in real time. For example, as shown in Fig. A3, the item price (DVD price) is updated in real time so the user will always get the best price. If the user decides to change the genre by selecting a genre button at the bottom of the page (action, comedy, etc.), new ads for just that genre will be provided in real time by pushing them to the browser.
  • the process of selection of the best vendor can employ user preference data. For example, when the user registers, the user can express a preference for new vs. used books, or hardcover vs. paperback. That information can be used not only to determine what vendor to select, but what product to display in scroll windows for the user. A user can also express a default preference for quicker shipping time over low shipping costs and/or seller reliability (which can be overridden at purchase time). This user preference can be explicitly stated or implicitly inferred from user actions. As noted above with respect to Fig. Al, genre selection buttons 119 allow a user to express a preference. For example, with respect to DVDs, the user can express a preference for comedies instead of horror movies.
  • the display can also be tailored to a user with the use of collaborative filtering.
  • the user history of what the user has sold, bought, searched, etc. can be used to select products likely to be of interest to the user to display.
  • the examples and embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
  • the products can be DVDs, CDs, video games, books, consumer electronics (i.e., PDAs, cell phones, etc.), jewelry, toys, software or any other product or service.
  • the product or service can be bought, bartered for or rented.
  • the embodiments can be applied to single or multi- vendor websites, and the vendors can be individuals, large corporations, small businesses, charities or any other organization.
  • the term "products” includes services. Therefore, the above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 1.
  • a method for selling over a network comprising: storing vendor information for a plurality of vendors in a database, said vendor information including a vendor address, a product price, and a product condition; storing user information, said user information including a payment mechanism and a user address; displaying a product representation; in response to a user selection of said product representation corresponding to a product, determining that there is at least one vendor of said vendors offering said product; and displaying product data for said one vendor along with price data reflecting a price for said product and a shipping cost for said product from an address of said one vendor to said address of said user.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: offering said product in different conditions; and selecting, by said user, a desired condition.
  • one of said vendors is selected to provide said product to said user, the selection of said one vendor is based upon said product priced offered by the vendor, expected shipping time and cost from the vendor to the user and a reliability rating of the vendor.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: selecting a buy option by said user; and displaying a shipping speed for said product prior to said selecting a buy option.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying a general shipping speed for any user in a region serviced by a server associated with said database when a user is not logged in to permit locating a user address.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying a specific shipping speed for said user when said user is logged in, by retrieving address information for said user.
  • one of said vendors is selected to provide said product to said user based at least in part on a reliability rating of said vendors, said reliability rating including a rating of the past responsiveness of said vendor and the accuracy of product description by said vendor.
  • said one vendor is further selected based on one of a shipping price and a shipping time from an address of said one vendor.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising providing a single-page buy display window to said buyer, said single-page buy display window including (a) an image of said product, (b) a description of said product, (c) a cost of said product, said cost including said shipping cost; and (d) a buy button.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising storing user preferences relating to delivery speed and delivery cost.
  • the method of claim 14 further comprising implicitly determining said user preferences by observing user behavior.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store (a) seller information for a plurality of sellers, the seller information including a seller address, and product information for a product to be sold over the internet, and (b) buyer information for a plurality of buyers, said buyer information including a buyer shipping address and payment information; a server configured to generate product data using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a buyer; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying a product for sale; code for, in response to a user selection of said product representation corresponding to a product, determining that there is at least one vendor of said vendors offering said product; and code for displaying product data for said one vendor along with price data reflecting a price for said product and a shipping cost for said product from an address of said one vendor to said address of said user.
  • the system of claim 16 further comprising: code for offering said product in different conditions; and code for selecting, by said user, a desired condition.
  • one of said vendors is selected to provide said product to said user based on a reliability rating of said vendors, said reliability rating includes a rating of the past responsiveness of said vendor.
  • the method of claim 16 further comprising code for providing a single page buy display window to said buyer, said single page buy display window including (a) an image of said product, (b) a description of said product, (c) a cost of said product, said cost including said shipping cost; and (d) a buy button.
  • the system of claim 16 further comprising: code for selecting a buy option by said user; and code for displaying a shipping speed for said product prior to said selecting a buy option.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for dynamic product pricing.
  • the following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.
  • Various modifications will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating of an overall product pricing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 100 includes terminals 102 and 108, network 104 (i.e. the internet), server 105, server application 110, graphical user interface (GUI) 120, and database 118.
  • the terminals 102 and 108 are connected to server 105 via network 104.
  • Terminal 102 is a buyer terminal, and terminals 108 are seller terminals.
  • the server 105 includes server application 110, GUI 120, and database 118.
  • the server 105 hosts a multi-vendor website that offers certain products for sale.
  • the server may be implemented using multiple computing devices.
  • the server application 110 includes a market price calculating section 112, sale probability calculating section 114, and projected time to sale calculating section 116. These components will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure B2.
  • the database 118 is configured to store sale characteristics for a particular product.
  • the database 118 is integrated in the server 105 and may also include multiple storage devices linked to one another.
  • the sale characteristics of a product include a history of list and sold prices, the product condition, the product identification number (SKU, UPC, ISBN, etc.), current rate of sale, and sale queue information.
  • the database 118 stores the price at which it was originally listed, the final sale price of the product, the condition of the product (new, excellent, good), the number identifying the specifications of the product, the length of time from list to sale, and a queue of current list prices of the product.
  • the database 118 may also store other information such as the number of products which have sold at a given price, and a minimum and maximum suggested list price, hi addition, the database may store bid characteristics for a particular item including a list of offer prices and the current rate of bidding.
  • the user terminals 102 and 108 are shown connected to network 104 for browsing the multi-vendor website provided by the server 105 (for buyers, to search for products to buy; for sellers, to post products for sale).
  • the terminals 102 and 108 may be any type of computing device that provides network connectivity and allows a user to browse a website.
  • terminals 102 and 108 may be a personal computer, a cellular phone, or a personal digital assistant, hi one embodiment, seller terminals 108 represent a plurality of sellers that offer products to be sold on the multi- vendor website.
  • User terminal 102 represents a buyer searching for a desired product offered on the multi-vendor website.
  • the market pricing of the present invention is applied to a multi- vendor website where only the lowest priced vendor item is displayed to a potential buyer.
  • the lowest price item is typically the lowest priced item offered by any vendor, but can also be the lowest priced item offered by the best vendor (i.e. the vendor with a highest reliability rating).
  • the best vendor i.e. the vendor with a highest reliability rating.
  • the lowest price, best vendor item will be displayed, and higher priced ones will not be displayed until all the lower priced ones have sold.
  • This model may vary based on region due to the shipping costs.
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart of the product pricing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • step 202 sale characteristics of a particular product are stored in a database.
  • the sale characteristics of the product include the suggested list price of the item, the history of sold prices, and the current sale queue information.
  • a minimum and maximum price list price can be set based on external market information, internal market dynamics, and the condition of the product.
  • the maximum list price of a particular product may be determined by calculating the price distribution of the same condition product from the stored sale characteristics or from external sources offering the product for sale. As for an item of highest condition (i.e. new or excellent), the maximum list price may be determined based on the current market price on the multi-vendor website and the price of the product on external sources. In one embodiment, a reasonable price range for the product is determined based on these prices, and a maximum range is set so that the product may not be priced above this range. Alternately, the maximum list price can be set by examining the demand for the product and the availability of that product at various prices, and determining a likelihood of selling above a certain price.
  • the maximum list price can then be set at a threshold where the likelihood of selling is minimal.
  • the minimum list price if shipping is not independently added, sale transaction fees plus the packaging fees (mailer fees) may be used as a minimum list price.
  • a product may not be listed below the minimum list price unless the seller indicates that the sale has a charitable component.
  • the server receives a sale order from a seller.
  • the sale order includes product information concerning a product to be listed on the multi-vendor website.
  • the product information includes a product title, a unique product identification number (UPC, SKU, ISBN, etc.), and a product condition.
  • UPC unique product identification number
  • SKU unique product identification number
  • ISBN ISBN
  • a product condition For example, if a seller desires to sell a particular book on the multi- vendor website, the sale order would include the title of the book, the ISBN of the book, and the condition of the book (new, excellent, or good).
  • the server calculates a market price for the product to be listed (hereinafter "list product").
  • the server utilizes the market price calculating section of the server application, which queries the database for the sales characteristics associated with the list product.
  • the market price calculating section identifies the prior list prices and sold prices of a like product of the same condition from the stored sale characteristics and from the pricing information on external sources, and then calculates a current market price.
  • the list prices in the sale queue, the prior list and sold prices, and the current pricing information on third party websites are weighed together in order to determine the current market price. When demand exceeds supply, the market price will go up.
  • the server calculates a suggested list price, a sale probability and a projected time to sale for the list product based on the market price.
  • the market price is used as the suggested list price.
  • the suggested list price may also be higher or lower than the calculated market price. For instance, the current demand (number of purchases per unit of time, such as the last hour or day) may be compared to the current inventory available. If the current demand exceeds the amount of products available, and the sellers are unwilling to sell the product at the current suggested list price, the suggested list price will be raised.
  • the server utilizes the sale probability calculating section and the projected time of sale calculating section of the server application to calculate a probability that the list product will sell at the suggested list price, and a projected length of time for the list product to sell at the suggested list price, respectively.
  • the sale probability section calculates the probability of sale at the suggested list price within a predetermined time frame (e.g. five days) based on the number of times the list product has previously sold at the suggested list price.
  • the sale probability calculating section queries the database for the sale characteristics of the list product (i.e. historic list and sold prices, sale queue length, current rate of sale, etc.).
  • the sale probability calculating section may utilize the current market conditions such as the season (Christmas, summer), appreciation/depreciation factors (high demand/low demand), and even the price distribution from external sources. Through the use of such a large number of pricing factors, an accurate sale probability can be calculated giving the buyer a dependable likelihood of sale. The probability may be returned to the user via the GUI as a percentage or as wording in a message box.
  • a projected time to sale is calculated based on the sale queue at the suggested list price and the current rate of sale for the list product.
  • the suggested list price, the probability of sale, and projected time to sale are displayed to the seller using the GUI of the multi-vendor website.
  • step 212 the seller determines whether to list the product at the suggested list price, or adjust the suggested list price to an alternate price.
  • the GUI of the multi-vendor website provides a means for easily adjusting the displayed suggested list price. If the current suggested list price is not adjusted, and the seller selects the suggest list price using one-click functionality, the suggested list price is then stored in the database as the list price of the list product in step 218.
  • This configuration provides a "single click market order" technique, enabling a seller to easily list a product based on the existing market price for the product.
  • the seller can also select a dynamic market order or static market order.
  • the product is listed at the suggested list price, and as the market price changes, the seller's list price is automatically adjusted to the current market price. If the seller selects a static market order, the suggested list price is again selected as the list price, but the list price does not automatically change as the market changes.
  • the server is also configured such that a seller can later adjust the list price to a dynamic or static market price after the initial pricing.
  • step 214 the probability of sale and the projected time to sale are recalculated based on the adjusted list price.
  • the sale probability calculating section and the projected time to sale calculating section are utilized in the same manner described above with respect to the suggested list price.
  • the adjusted list price, the sale probability, the projected time to sale, and the sale queue position at the adjusted list price are then displayed to the seller.
  • step 216 a determination is made as to whether the adjusted price is selected by the user. If the user adjusts the suggested list price and uses the one-click functionality to select the adjusted price, the adjusted price is stored as the list price for the list product in step 220. Following step 220 or 218, in step 222, the list price is added to the sale queue of the list product.
  • Figure B3 is a screen shot illustrating the GUI of the product pricing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a sell window 300 is displayed to a user.
  • the sell window includes an availability option 320, product condition setting 324, sale information 328, suggested list price 304, sell button 332, list product 316, and adjustment arrows 308 and 312.
  • the suggested list price 304 is shown as the calculated market price described above in reference to Figure B2.
  • the adjustment arrows 308 and 312 allow the seller to adjust the suggested list price up or down, respectively.
  • the suggested list price 304 is adjusted in increments of $0.25, however, the increments may also be much smaller or much larger.
  • the seller simply clicks the adjustment arrow 312 once, adjusting the suggested list price 304 from $10.50 to $10.25.
  • sale information 328 which includes the probability of sale 334, the projected time to sale 336, and the sale queue position 338 associated with the suggested list price or the adjusted price, is shown to the right side of the adjustment arrows 308 and 312.
  • features of the present invention act to drive sellers to a common market price that takes into account changing supply and demand, similar to the stock market. Sellers will be motivated to list at the lowest price in order to assure a sale of their products. By providing this information to the sellers, this behavior is encouraged.
  • the product pricing system is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, if an adjusted price is selected as the list price, the seller may later return to the multi-vendor website and using the one-click functionality, place a "mark-to-market" order to change the list price to the current market price (static or dynamic). Similarly, the seller may also opt to change all products currently being sold by the seller to a dynamic or static "mark- to-market" order. This technique allows a user to rapidly and efficiently adjust to changing market conditions.
  • bid information including a bid queue may be used to track the number of buyers and offer prices for a product.
  • a list of offer prices will be stored in the database.
  • the market price calculating section would then calculate a market price based on the number of products offered by the seller, the number of bids, and the current list of offer prices in the bid queue. Based on the calculated market price, a suggested offer price is displayed to the buyer.
  • This scenario is especially beneficial in the case of pre-orders, as sellers are able to know the true market value of a product pre-release, and buyers are given the opportunity to be the first to acquire a newly released product.
  • a new release of a product in limited numbers may cause its sale price to be bid up, with buyers paying a premium for early delivery from a limited supply, while knowing how high to bid up and still get the product.
  • the method of the invention applies equally to individual, amateur sellers and to professional sellers. It applies to a single, multi-vendor website or multiple websites where sales data is collected from other websites and used in the market price calculations, hi addition, the market price can be based on a combination of a price at a multi-vendor website and other websites.
  • the invention can also be applied to non-Internet sales, such as text message sales promotions to mobile phones or hard copy listing of products in catalogs or other media.
  • a method for pricing a product to be sold over the internet comprising: storing sales characteristics for each of a plurality of products in a database, the sales characteristics including sale history and sale queue information; receiving a sale order from a seller, the sale order including product information of a list product associated with one of the plurality of products; calculating a market price based on the product information in the sale order and the sale characteristics of the list product; and displaying a suggested list price to the seller based on the market price.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: listing, in response to agreement by the seller, the list product at the suggested list price; and varying the price of the list product in accordance with variations in the market price, without further input from said seller.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying only a lowest price for each product, with higher prices by other vendors being held in said queue and displayed only after sale of products at lower prices. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: calculating a sale probability and a projected time to sale for the list product based upon the suggested list price, the market price, and the sale queue information of the list product; and displaying to the seller at least one of the sale probability, the projected time to sale, and the sale queue information of the list product based upon the suggested list price.
  • the method of claim 5 further comprising: recalculating the sale probability and the projected time to sale for the list product based upon the adjusted list price, the market price, and the sale queue information of the list product; and displaying to the seller at least one of the sale probability, the projected time to sale, and the sale queue information of the list product based upon the adjusted list price.
  • the sales history includes list price history, sold price history, and a current rate of sale of the list product.
  • the product information includes a title of the product, a product identification number, and a product condition.
  • the product identification number is one of a Universal Product Code (UPC), an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), and a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).
  • UPC Universal Product Code
  • ISBN International Standard Book Number
  • SKU Stock Keeping Unit
  • a computer-implemented system for distributing a product sold over the internet comprising: a database configured to store sale characteristics for a plurality of products, the sales characteristics including sales history and sale queue information; a communication interface configured to receive a sale order from a seller, the sale order including product information of a list product associated with one of the plurality of products; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: a market price calculating section configured to calculate a market price based on the product information in the sale order and the sale characteristics of the list product; and a user interface for displaying a suggested list price to the seller based on the market price.
  • the computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application further comprises: a sale probability calculating section configured to calculate a sale probability for the suggested list price or the adjusted list price based upon the market price, the sales history, and the sale queue information of the list product; and a projected time to sale calculating section configured to calculate a projected time to sale for the suggested list price or adjusted list price based upon the market price and the sale queue information of the list product; and wherein the user interface is configured to display to the seller, the sale probability, the projected time to sale, and the sale queue information of the list product based upon the suggested list price or the adjusted list price.
  • the sales history includes list price history, sold price history, a current rate of sale for the list product.
  • the product information includes a title of the product, a product identification number, and a product condition.
  • a method for pricing a product to be sold over the internet comprising: storing sales characteristics for each of a plurality of products in a database; receiving a sale order from a seller, the sale order including product information of a list product associated with one of the plurality of products; calculating a market price based on the product information in the sale order and the sale characteristics of the list product; displaying a suggested list price to the seller based on the market price; listing, in response to agreement by the seller, the list product at the suggested list price; and varying the price of the list product in accordance with variations in the market price, without further input from said seller.
  • UPC Universal Product Code
  • ISBN International Standard Book Number
  • SKU Stock Keeping Unit
  • a method for pricing a product to be sold over the internet comprising: offering a product for sale from a plurality of vendors on a multi- vendor website; displaying only a lowest price for said product, with higher prices by other vendors being held in a queue and displayed only after sales by vendors with lower prices receiving a sale order from a seller, the sale order including product information of a list product associated with said product; and displaying to the seller a current price displayed to users, said current price being a market price, as a suggested listing price for said seller.
  • a method for pricing a product to be sold over the internet comprising: storing bid characteristics for each of a plurality of products in a database, the bid characteristics including bid history and bid queue information; receiving a bid order from a buyer, the bid order including product identification of a list product associated with one of the plurality of products; calculating a market price based on the bid characteristics of the list product; and displaying a suggested offer price to the buyer based on the market price.
  • Fig. Cl illustrates one embodiment of a display according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a window 102 shows artwork for multiple products which glide across in a stream.
  • a second, expanded, single-page buy window 104 shows more information on a selected product which has been clicked on.
  • a single static ad could be clicked on to bring up window 104, or even just text with the product name in an article, blog, etc.
  • just the buy box 103 from window 104 could be displayed, or just a pricing information box 114 plus a buy button 120, or any other combination allowing a buy to be accomplished.
  • the buy window can be just the cover art, with the price, condition and buy button above, below or on the cover art. Alternately, any other combination of information may be provided to give a small footprint buy window.
  • Window 104 includes artwork 108 and product description 112, including a version 107.
  • Window 104 can show one product, or a number of versions or conditions of product.
  • the example of Fig. Cl shows 3 products, which can all be offered by the same seller, or 2 or all 3 could be from different sellers.
  • the user thus has the option of buying a new DVD 109 (or book or other product), a used DVD in excellent condition 111, or a used DVD in good condition 113.
  • Other conditions could be used as well, such as acceptable condition.
  • other parameters could be used, such as disc-only sales, where a bare disk without the package is sent, instead of a packaged disc.
  • SKU stock keeping unit
  • each condition category for that SKU.
  • Alternate embodiments may provide more options for the user, such as more degrees of condition, or different ranges of prices or different seller reliability ratings.
  • Each product is listed with price information 114, which includes item cost, shipping cost and total cost.
  • the price information includes the shipping costs.
  • the shipping cost is calculated based on the dimensions and weight of the product, the address of the seller, and the address of the buyer. Because both seller and buyer information is stored, it is available at the time the user clicks on the product, and the calculation is run before window 104 is displayed. If the windows are on the system server, a local database can be used. If the windows are an ad on a 3rd party database, the information is pushed or fetched over the Internet to the window.
  • the product is offered by multiple sellers.
  • the price information is calculated by first selecting the appropriate seller using a number of factors, including item price, seller reliability rating, and shipping price and speed from the seller location.
  • the price 114 reflects the selection of the appropriate seller.
  • an actual seller is not picked until a buyer makes a buy decision.
  • the software merely determines that there are one or more sellers who can supply the product at the price and shipping costs displayed.
  • the buyer preferred payment information 116 is displayed, in this instance the last digits of a credit card.
  • the buyer's preferred shipping address 118 is displayed for the buyer to see.
  • the buyer is identified from a cookie on the buyer's computer. Thus, no matter on what website the buyer is browsing, the buyer information is readily available. If the buyer agrees, the buyer can initiate what is truly a single-click, or a single-page, buy. This is done by clicking on buy button 120. If the buyer instead wants to select a different payment mechanism or shipping address, the buyer can click on payment information 116 or address 118 to bring up other options the buyer has previously entered, and a form for entering new data. If the buyer enters a different shipping address, the shipping costs and/or seller selection may be re-calculated.
  • the buyer can indicate interest in an ad by clicking on it, moving a cursor over it, having eye gaze at the ad detected, etc.
  • the user can click on an image, words describing a product, a buy button on an ad, etc.
  • the time-sensitive data (such as price and product availability) in the window is updated using Comet software program or similar technology.
  • Comet enables web servers to send data to the browser without the need by the browser to continually request it. It allows creation of event-driven web applications, enabling real-time interaction in a browser. An open connection is established with the browser to update the web window in real time. For a gliding ad display 102, the various ads are pushed to the browser. When a buyer clicks on one, part or all of the additional information in window 104 is pushed to the browser. This information is designed so that it rarely needs to be updated, minimizing the bandwidth needed. For example, the cover art, description, version, buy buttons, etc. should be stable, almost never changing.
  • Fig. C2 illustrates a system supporting the present invention.
  • a server 201 hosting the multi-seller website is connected to a network 203 (e.g., the Internet). Also connected to the Internet is a 3rd party seller 204 which may display ads for products on the multi-seller website.
  • a user computer 205 is shown connected to the Internet, for browsing either the multi-seller or 3rd party website.
  • the server 201 is configured to provide the window 104 with a display of products, and react to user actions.
  • the server 201 may be implemented using multiple computing devices.
  • a database 202 stores data on both sellers and users.
  • database 202 is directly connected to server 201.
  • database 202 includes multiple storage devices that are accessible over network 203 or another network.
  • Fig. C3 illustrates one embodiment of how commerce can be atomized. Not only are ads (in particular, widgets) pushed out everywhere on the Internet, but the user experience is one of all or most of the buy capability being in the widget itself.
  • Fig. C3 shows an example of a blog 302 mentioning a movie 304 available on DVD.
  • the blog author will have subscribed to the multi-seller website, downloaded software or embedded a code snippet.
  • software is provided to the blogger that compares what the blogger writes to product descriptions at the multi-seller website. If there is a match, the words are hyperlinked.
  • a single page buy window 306 is generated, as described above with respect to Fig. Cl .
  • the information for identifying the buyer for the single-page buy window comes from a cookie 308 on the reader's computer, and a pipeline 310 opened by the Comet application to retrieve the product information including current market price from the multi-seller server 311.
  • the buyer is identified by the cookie which is sent to the multi-seller server. From identifying the buyer, the multi-seller server looks up the buyer's address, which can be used to determine the best market price (by determining the best seller from the item price, seller reliability, and shipping costs and time from the seller location). That information is used to generate the single-page buy window. If the user clicks the buy button on the single-page buy window, the purchase is made and a receipt is displayed to the buyer, as well as an email receipt being sent to the buyer's registered address. Thus, from the user's perspective, it appears as if the blog site handles the purchase. Note that this works only if both the blogger and the buyer are registered. If the blogger doesn't register, the text isn't highlighted.
  • the single page buy page may prompt the user to enter a zip code or other aspects of an address, or sign in or log in. With or without that information, the best market price can be determined and displayed. If the new buyer clicks "buy,” the user will be directed to enter a credit card or other payment information, as well as completing the full address information, if that hasn't already been done. The buy is then completed as for a true single-page buy. A cookie is placed on the user computer, and the user is registered, with the payment and shipping address information being stored at the multi-seller server. If desired, the user could instead opt-out of registration.
  • Window 310 of Fig. C3 is another example of the atomization of commerce.
  • the buy trigger is pushed out into an article 312, which is a review of a product 314.
  • the review website with article 312 first registers, and product descriptions matching those on the multi-seller website are hyperlinked.
  • a single page buy window 316 pops up, pulling information from cookie 308 and a pipeline 318 to the Multi- Seller Server 311 opened by a Comet application, as described above.
  • anything could be hyperlinked - a traditional ad, a word description, an image, etc.
  • the ads could be hyperlinked text or images on a person's MySpace or Facebook or other social networking page, or in an email, hi another example, a blog 302 includes a product reference 304 (Pirates of the Caribbean). When a user clicks on reference 304, a single page buy window 306 pops up. Window 306 pulls information from cookie 308 and a pipeline 310 to the Multi-Seller Server 311.
  • a buyer ad display is provided.
  • the ad display is associated with the buyer, not with the multi-seller website or 3rd party websites the buyer visits.
  • a gliding display 102 can be placed by the buyer on his/her desktop, phone, etc.
  • the user can download a plug-in application for the user's browser to do this function.
  • the gliding display will appear as the buyer browses around the Internet. Any other ad described herein can also be used.
  • the display or widget can be in a toolbar, in a window at the bottom of the display, or in any other location on the desktop.
  • the application for producing the ad or widget can be a client added to a desktop or a plug-in for a browser, or any other local application.
  • a link to activate a remote application can be downloaded.
  • Words can also be highlighted as in the blog example described above, for either online or offline content.
  • documents the user has locally saved, or even as they are being typed can have keywords linked to an ad.
  • the ad software can highlight items in the article and link them to ads.
  • the user may receive an incentive for accepting such software, such as a discount on items bought.
  • Fig. Cl illustrates a gliding display 102 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a product image 120 moves off the display to the left, a new product image 122 appears from the right.
  • the product images move, or glide, in a scrolling movement across the display window 102.
  • This display window can be placed in a banner ad area on any website or as a widget anywhere on a 3rd party site.
  • the information is provided and updated in real time using Comet or a similar technology.
  • the scrolling movement is similar to a ticker-tape.
  • multi-product, multi-seller information can be easily distributed throughout the internet on 3rd party sites.
  • this format can be used for the multi-seller site itself, with multiple gliding windows being displayed on a page.
  • the type of product information displayed can be controlled by the user if desired. Alternately, it can be controlled by the publisher's preferences, or multi- seller website system discretion or algorithmic determination. For example, if DVDs are being displayed, as illustrated, the user can click on one of buttons 124 to select a genre of movies. Alternately, or in addition, the user could select other classes of products to be displayed, or a random mix of different products. For a registered user, the multi-vendor website will have historical data on that user stored in a database. That information is used to generate personalized product ads that are most likely to appeal to that particular user.
  • any where that user goes on the Internet anytime the user's browser is opened
  • specialized ads will be displayed at any site also registered.
  • variations may be used.
  • the ads could flip over or be replaced to reveal the new ads, instead of scrolling.
  • a single or double click could cause the ad to flip over, revealing more information, with the changing of ads being paused for a period of time.
  • a widget can be used to display images of products.
  • Widgets are downloadable interactive virtual tools. They can be loaded into social networking pages, such as MySpace or Facebook, or could be put on retailer or other sites. Typical uses of widgets include showing the user the latest news, the current weather, a dictionary, a map program, etc.
  • Fig. C4 is a diagram of a user interface for configuring a widget according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a box 402 shows how the gliding display described above can be imported as a widget, configured as the user desires. For example, the user can select a category 406 and a genre 408.
  • the user can use box 404 to create a scrolling display of a list of that user.
  • the user can select an existing user list 410, import a list 412, or create a list 414.
  • the software of the multi-user site will access the list, compare it to items in its database, and generate a scrolling display of just those products.
  • the user can also customize the title 416 that will appear on the widget, such as "Check out these CDs. Guess which are in my top 10.”
  • the user is provided radio buttons 418 to select one or more locations to download the widget to.
  • An option to turn on or off the glide function is provided by buttons 420.
  • the user can preview the widget with button 422, and if satisfied, can export and download it with button 424.
  • a scrolling window 426 is shown, and is configured on the fly as the user makes the selections, giving an instant preview.
  • Figure C5 is a diagram of an embodiment of a users Facebook page showing the widget 428 having been imported. The user can click on a portion of the widget display, such as the title, to bring up the configuration screen of Fig. C4 to modify the widget display or turn it on or off.
  • gliding ads could be left to right, or vertical, or spiral shaped.
  • a non-open connection could be used, with static ads that are periodically replaced, but still using the single-page buy with its open connection when clicked on.
  • the ads could be placed in video games, such as an image of a DVD on a shelf in a virtual room being linked to a single page buy when clicked.
  • the products can be DVDs, CDs, video games, books, consumer electronics (i.e., PDAs, cell phones, etc.), jewelry, toys, software or any other product or service.
  • the product or service can be bought, bartered for or rented.
  • the embodiments can be applied to single or multi-vendor websites, and the vendors can be individuals, large corporations, small businesses, charities or any other organization.
  • the term "products" includes services. Therefore, the above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
  • a software method comprising: storing data in a database on a plurality of products, said data including shipping data of said products; storing data on at least one seller, including the seller's shipping address; storing data on at least one buyer, including the buyer's shipping address and payment information; displaying a product for sale; calculating a shipping cost to said buyer based on the product shipping data, the address of said seller, and the address of said buyer; and providing a single-page buy display window to said buyer, said single-page buy display window including (a) an image of said product, (b) a description of said product, (c) a cost of said product, said cost including said shipping cost; and (d) a buy button.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising selecting one of a plurality of sellers for said product based on a product price, a location of said sellers and a rating of said sellers.
  • step of displaying a product for sale comprises providing a text reference to said product within a writing, and hyperlinking said text reference.
  • said text reference comprises a link to an ad generated by software downloaded to said buyer's computer.
  • a software method comprising: storing data in a database on a plurality of products; displaying product data on a subset of said products in a display window; and repeatedly replacing at least one of said products, and displaying an alternate product, such that a stream of products is displayed.
  • the method of claim 11 further comprising: collecting data on product preferences of a user; detecting said user; and selecting products in accordance with said product preferences to display.
  • the method of claim 11 further comprising: storing data in a database on a plurality of products, said data including shipping data of said products; storing data on at least one seller, including the seller's shipping address; storing data on at least one buyer, including the buyer's shipping address and payment information; in response to a buyer action indicating interest in said product, calculating a shipping cost to said buyer based on the product shipping data, the address of said seller, and the address of said buyer; and providing a single page buy display window to said buyer, said single page buy display window including (a) an image of said product, (b) a description of said product, (c) a cost of said product, said cost including said shipping cost; and (d) a buy button.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store (a) seller information for a plurality of sellers, the seller information including a seller address, and product information for a product to be sold over the internet, and (b) buyer information for a plurality of buyers, said buyer information including a buyer shipping address and payment information; a server configured to generate ads using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a buyer; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying a product for sale; code for calculating a shipping cost to said buyer based on the product shipping data, the address of said seller, and the address of said buyer; and code for providing a single-page buy display window to said buyer, said single-page buy display window including (a) an image of said product, (b) a description of said product, (c) a cost of said product, said cost including said shipping cost; and (d) a buy button.
  • the system of claim 17 further comprising code for selecting one of a plurality of sellers for said product based on a location of said sellers and a rating of said sellers.
  • code for displaying a product for sale displays said product on a third party website, distinct from a seller server, and further comprising code for, responsive to said buyer action, communicating with said seller server via a persistent connection enabling real time communication between said third party website server and said seller server.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store product information for a product to be sold over the internet; a server configured to generate images using data from said database; computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying product data on a subset of said products in a display window; and code for repeatedly replacing at least one of said products, and displaying an alternate product, within a time period of less than five seconds, such that a stream of products is displayed.
  • code for displaying comprises code for scrolling said product data across a window.
  • the system of claim 20 further comprising: code for collecting data on product preferences of a user; code for detecting said user; and code for selecting products in accordance with said product preferences to display.
  • the system of claim 20 further comprising: code for configuring a widget for displaying said product data.
  • a method for advertising products over the Internet comprising: providing an advertising application to a user; said advertising application causing ads to be displayed on pages viewed by said user; and said advertising application causing a buy capability to be displayed upon an action by said user with respect to said ads.
  • said advertising application is a plug-in for a browser of said user, said plug-in being configured to display an ad on said user's browser window as said user navigates the Internet.
  • a computer-implemented apparatus comprising: a user computer; computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application stored on said user computer, comprising: code for displaying a product for sale; and code for providing a buy display window to said buyer upon action by said user with respect to said product for sale.
  • said code for displaying a product for sale comprises a plug-in for a browser of said user, said plug-in being configured to display an ad on said user's browser window as said user navigates the Internet.
  • Fig. Dl illustrates a display of a seller's inventory according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the seller is an individual selling products or services (in this example, DVDs) on a multi-seller website.
  • the display shows cover art for a collection of 12 DVDs being sold.
  • the DVDs are normally displayed with an image of the cover art, as for DVDs 102 and 104.
  • the image is replaced with sales data.
  • the sales data is the price it is being sold at, the market price, its condition (good, excellent), and the status (for sale, sold, sale in process). If multiple copies of the same DVD are being sold, the number sold can be presented behind the same image.
  • Functionality can be added to the information displays. For example, by clicking on the market price, the seller can change the seller's price to the market price. Note that the seller can also list or catalog other products the seller has, without putting them up for sale. Thus, a tracking mechanism is provided. The back side of such products not for sale can simply designate "not listed for sale," and a date the image was posted, for example.
  • the products or services are displayed to potential buyers.
  • the flip side of the DVD image may contain some of the same information, such as the sales price and condition.
  • the flip side can provide information about the contents, such as the rating of the DVD, its length, the actors and director and a brief summary.
  • the flip side may contain a listing of a subset of the songs. Listing all of the songs is typically not possible in a small ad space. If the song title is clicked on, a sample of the song is played.
  • a buyer page is shown displaying items purchased by the buyer. Where a user both buys and sells, this could be a section of a page that also lists items for sale from that user, or it could be a separate page.
  • the listing could be all products historically bought, or the display could initially just show items bought but not delivered yet.
  • the flip side of such items displays (1) the price paid, (2) the date purchased, (3) the estimated arrival time, and (4) the delivery status.
  • the system usually knows from what page is being viewed whether the viewer is a seller or a buyer, or whether the user is on a page or section of a page for sold or bought items. If it is an inventory page or section, it is a seller viewing. If it is a list of products for sale, it is assumed to be a buyer viewing. Thus, the information presented on the backside of the image depends on who is clicking or in what capacity the user is clicking.
  • the flipping of the cover art image may be accomplished in number of ways.
  • the image can simply be replaced, or it can be shown as flipping, fading to the backside information, or any number of other transitions.
  • any of the transitions between slides available in presentation software may be used.
  • the initiation of the flipping may be in response to a mouse click on the image, a double click or a right click. Alternately, simply moving the cursor over the image may cause it to flip.
  • a webcam with eye tracking software could flip the image the user is detected looking at, if the user's gaze rests on the image for more than a couple seconds.
  • the flip side can be shown for any product or service being sold, not just DVDs or CDs.
  • An image of an electronic device may have a flip side with basic product information.
  • a camera for sale for example, may list an image pixel size, amount of zoom, size and weight, and warranty length.
  • a babysitting service may include the babysitter's qualifications and hourly rate.
  • a third option is presented to the user, of seeing the actual backside (or other side, such as the spine of a book) upon a double click or other action by the user.
  • the user can see (1) the original image, (2) pertinent information (depending upon product type and user status as seller or buyer), or (3) the actual back or other view of the product.
  • certain images may be pre- flipped over.
  • products already purchased by a user may be pre-flipped.
  • items may be randomly flipped by the system to give a visual cue to the user that the items can be flipped. This might be done for the first five times the user views the display, or until the user executes a flip.
  • the data on the flip side of the image is provided using a Comet software program or similar technology.
  • Comet enables web servers to send data to the browser without the need by the browser to continually re-request it. It allows creation of event-driven web applications, enabling real-time interaction in a browser. An open connection is established by the browser to the server allowing the server to update data on the client in real time.
  • the flip side information which was fetched by or pushed to the browser is displayed.
  • the flipping can be activated by a cursor passing over the image or representation, by detecting a user gazing at the image (through a camera with eye recognition and tracking software), or otherwise.
  • the software knows whether the user is a seller or potential buyer, and provides different flip side information depending on the user identity.
  • the seller can log into the seller's personal web page on the multi-seller server, and thus the system knows the information is for a seller, and displays seller information.
  • a buyer may log into a personal web page of products bought and see an image display. Flipping the images will provide status data, such as whether the product has been shipped yet and its tracking number. Functionality can be added to this information as well. For example, clicking on the tracking number can bring up a tracking page with more details. Clicking on shipped date may show the anticipated delivery date, or other information about the order.
  • the image is an ad and the user is not known to be a seller, the user is presumed to be a potential buyer, and buyer information is provided.
  • the best market price for the potential buyer is calculated and displayed when the ad is flipped.
  • the price information includes the shipping costs.
  • the shipping cost is calculated based on the dimensions and weight of the product, the address of the seller, and the address of the buyer. Because both seller and buyer information is stored, it is available at the time the user clicks on the product, and the calculation is run before the image is flipped.
  • a local database can be used. If the image is an ad on a 3rd party database, the information is pushed or fetched over the Internet to the window.
  • the product is offered by multiple sellers.
  • the price information is calculated by first selecting the appropriate seller using a number of factors, including seller reliability (rating, reputation, etc.), product price and seller shipping speed and cost based on postal proximity to the user, to select a seller with low shipping costs and high reliability.
  • the price reflects the selection of the appropriate seller.
  • an actual seller is not picked until a buyer makes a buy decision.
  • the software merely determines that there are one or more sellers who can supply the product at the price and shipping costs displayed.
  • Fig. D2 illustrates a system supporting the present invention.
  • a server 201 hosting the multi-seller website is connected to a network 203 (e.g., the Internet). Also connected to the Internet is a 3rd party seller 204 which may display ads for products on the multi-seller website. Finally, a user computer 205 is shown connected to the Internet, for browsing either the multi-seller or 3rd party website.
  • the server 201 is configured to provide the display of Fig. Dl, and react to user actions.
  • the server 201 may be implemented using multiple computing devices.
  • a database 202 stores data on both sellers and users. In one embodiment, database 202 is directly connected to server 201. In another embodiment, database 202 includes multiple storage devices that are accessible over network 203 or another network.
  • the displayed "image" of the claims could include text or be solely text.
  • the product could be rented, bartered, or subject to any other commerce transaction.
  • the system can be used by large or small businesses or other groups, and the images could be displayed on any other internet site or other electronic media, including in a blog, an RSS feed, a text or media message for mobile phones, a TV ad that can be clicked with a remote, etc.
  • a cursor instead of clicking to reverse an image, a cursor could just be paused on the image for a second or other measure of time. Therefore, the above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
  • a method for displaying information about products for sale comprising: displaying a representation of a product; replacing said representation, in the same space as said representation, with product information responsive to action by a user with respect to said representation; wherein said product information is descriptive information relating to a product other than a literal showing of the backside of a physical product.
  • product information is one of (a) content data, (b) transaction data, and (c) community data.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: determining whether said user is a seller or a potential buyer; and displaying different information for said product information depending upon whether said user is a seller or a potential buyer.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store product information for a product to be displayed over the internet; a server configured to generate representations of products using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a user; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying said representations; code for detecting a user action related to a selected one of said representations; and code for replacing said representation, in the same space as said representation, with product information responsive to said user action; wherein said product information is descriptive information relating to a product other than a literal showing of the backside of a physical product.
  • product information is one of (a) content data, (b) transaction data, and (c) community data.
  • the system of claim 10 further comprising: code for determining whether said user is a seller or a potential buyer; and code for displaying different information for said product information depending upon whether said user is a seller or a potential buyer.
  • the system of claim 10 further comprising: code for detecting a user click on said descriptive information; and code for performing a designated action in response to said user click.
  • Figure El is a simplified diagram of the overall product distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system 200 includes terminals 202 and 208, network 204 (i.e. the internet), server 205, application 210, and database 220.
  • the terminals 202 and 208 are connected to server 205 via network 204.
  • Terminal 202 is a buyer terminal, and terminals 208 are seller terminals.
  • the server 205 includes application 210 and database 220.
  • the server 205 hosts a multi-vendor website that offers certain products for sale. The server may be implemented using multiple computing devices.
  • Application 210 includes a mailer determining section 212, mail class determining section 214, postage calculating section 216, and preferred seller determining section 218 (determining as used in this application means selecting from a pre-calculated table or calculating in real-time). These four components will be described in more detail below.
  • the database 220 is configured to store user profiles and product information.
  • the database 220 is integrated in the server 205 and may include multiple storage devices linked to one another.
  • the database 220 stores information of each seller offering a particular product for sale.
  • the database 220 stores the name, address, reliability rating, and transaction history of each seller.
  • the database 220 stores information of each product offered for sale.
  • the database 220 stores the dimensions, weight, model/version, and condition of the product.
  • the database may also store other information such as payment information, user preferences, and a reliability rating associated with a user.
  • the user terminals 202 and 208 are shown connected to network 204 for browsing the multi- vendor website provided by the server 205 (for buyers, to search for products to buy; for sellers, to post products for sale).
  • the terminals 202 and 208 may be any type of computing device that provides network connectivity and allows a user to browse a website.
  • terminals 202 and 208 may be a personal computer, a cellular phone, or a personal digital assistant, hi one embodiment, seller terminals 208 represent a plurality of sellers that offer products to be sold on the multi-vendor website.
  • User terminal 202 represents a buyer searching for a desired product offered on the multi- vendor website.
  • FIG. E2 is a simplified flowchart of the product distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the seller registers with the multi- vendor website by providing contact information, mailing address and billing information, hi one embodiment, for most products, information about the product is already pre-stored in the database, and the seller simply selects the product that the seller has for sale.
  • each product has stored product information including a product identification number, product specifications, product model and/or version number, product dimensions, and product weight.
  • the user can enter this information.
  • the seller then enters the condition of the product (e.g. good, excellent, or new) and a preferred list price for the product.
  • This data is stored in the database as seller information and product information, respectively, hi the same or a separate database, registration information on buyers is stored, including the buyer shipping address and payment information (e.g., credit card number).
  • the multi-vendor server receives a product information request from a user.
  • the product information request includes identification information of a product including the product name, product model and/or version, and product condition. Additionally, the product information request can be generated when a user clicks on a picture illustration of a particular product.
  • step 306 the server determines if the user is registered with the multi-vendor website. If the user is logged in, then the server determines that the user has previously registered on the multi -vendor website and proceeds to retrieve the user information (e.g. user address, billing information, etc.).
  • user information e.g. user address, billing information, etc.
  • the server determines a general mail class and associated postal rate, and displays a general sale price to the user.
  • the server determines the general mail class and postal rate based on the longest national delivery time in mailing the product.
  • the general mail class and postal rate are added to the list price of the item, creating a general sale price.
  • the general sale price is then displayed to the user. In this way, the user is given up to the most expensive shipping price for the product at a particular mail class.
  • a message is provided under the general sales price stating that the general sales price will change, or be updated, upon user registration with the multi-vendor website.
  • step 310 After displaying the general sales price to the user in step 308, in step 310, the user can then choose to update the sales price by registering with the multi- vendor website. If the user does not elect to update the price, the server performs no other functions. If the user does elect to update the general sales price, then in step 312, a registration information request form is displayed to the user. In one embodiment, the registration information request form includes the text boxes for entry of the user name, user address, and billing information. [0182] After verifying that the user is registered with the multi-vendor website in step 306, in step 314, the server determines a preferred seller, and an inner mailer and outer mailer size. The multi-vendor website determines a preferred seller to deliver the product to be purchased by the user.
  • the multi-vendor website utilizes the preferred seller determining section 218 for selecting the preferred seller.
  • the preferred seller determining section retrieves the buyer address from the purchase order and then queries the seller information in the database for a seller having a seller address geographically closest to the buyer address. Additional information may be used to determine the preferred seller such as the reliability rating of the seller including seller responsiveness and product description accuracy, item price, delivery speed, delivery cost, or even the listing date of the product may be used.
  • the inner mailer size is based on the dimensions and weight of the requested product.
  • the multi-vendor website utilizes the mailer determining section 212, which retrieves from the database the product information associated with the requested product.
  • the mailer determining section uses a look-up table including various mailer sizes, and matches the dimensions of the requested product with an inner mailer package having dimensions closest to the dimensions of the product. For example, if the requested product is a DVD, the mailer determining section selects an inner mailer having an appropriate size for sending that specific DVD (e.g. 8 by 11 inch number one bubble envelope).
  • the database includes a predetermined inner mailer size for each product description.
  • the outer mailer size is determined based on the size of the inner mailer.
  • the outer mailer is used to house the inner mailer in order to ship the inner mailer to the seller. As such, the outer mailer needs to be large enough to place the inner mailer within, hi one embodiment, a list of outer mailer sizes are associated with a particular inner mailer size. For example, for an 8 by 11 inch number one bubble envelope, a 9 by 12 inch outer envelope may be used as the outer mailer.
  • the multi-vendor website automatically determines an optimum mail class and optimum mail class postage for sending the inner mailer.
  • the mail class determining section retrieves the seller address of the preferred seller, the product dimensions, and the product weight from the database.
  • the buyer address is retrieved from the user registration information in the database.
  • a look-up table of various mail classes are matched with the information retrieved.
  • the mail class determining section considers the speed of the mail class, the price of the mail class, the location of the buyer and seller, and the seller reliability rating. Considering all of these factors, the mail class determining section determines the least expensive and/or fastest mail class service.
  • the mail class determining section may consider the price of the product. If the price of a certain mail class is high in relation to the price of the product, then another mail class will be chosen.
  • step 318 the multi- vendor website automatically calculates a seller mail class and associated seller postage for sending the outer mailer to the seller.
  • the outer postage calculating section 216 of the application retrieves the weight and dimensions of the inner mailer from the mailer determining section, and the seller address from the database.
  • the outer postage calculating section determines the third-party distribution center responsible for sending the outer mailer to the seller.
  • the outer postage calculating section determines the cheapest and/or fastest mail class for sending the outer mailer and inner mailer to the seller.
  • step 320 the rate of optimum mail class postage for the inner mailer and the rate of the seller postage for the outer mailer are added to the price of the requested product to create a custom sale price for the product requested by the user.
  • the custom sale price is then displayed to the user along with a purchase button.
  • an expected time for delivery, or the delivery speed may be displayed to a registered user.
  • the user clicks on the purchase button, thereby creating a purchase order then in step 324, the inner and outer mailers are prepared for shipment to the seller.
  • the inner mailer is affixed with a buyer mailing label that includes the address of the buyer, the optimum mail class, and the optimum mail class postage.
  • the outer mailer is affixed with the seller mailing label that includes the address of the seller, the seller mail class and the seller postage. After the buyer and seller labels are checked for accuracy, the inner mailer is then placed within the outer mailer for delivery to the seller.
  • the inner mailer may be used as a reusable two way mailer. For example, a removable seller shipping label may overlie the buyer shipping label. In this case, upon receiving the reusable mailer, the seller simply removes the seller shipping label to reveal the buyer shipping label.
  • a single mailer may be used as a multi-use mailer. In this case, the seller can print a pre-addressed buyer shipping label from a local computer and affix the buyer shipping label over the original seller shipping label. This allows the single mailer to be used multiple times by multiple parties. Moreover, in the case of a bulk seller, multiple multi-use mailers may be pre-sold to a particular bulk seller.
  • Figure E3A is a simplified perspective view of an inner mailer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the inner mailer 400 includes a buyer shipping label 410.
  • the buyer shipping label is made from an adhesive and is affixed to the inner mailer 400.
  • the buyer shipping label could be printed directly on the inner mailer 400.
  • the buyer shipping label includes the buyer information 408, and the optimum mail class postage 404 from the optimum mail class determining section.
  • the distribution center address 402 may be included on the buyer shipping label 410as a return to sender address.
  • FIG. E3B is a simplified perspective view of an outer mailer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the outer mailer 500 includes a seller shipping label 510.
  • the seller shipping label 510 is made from an adhesive and affixed to the outer mailer 500.
  • the seller shipping label 510 includes the preferred seller name and address 508, and the seller postage 504. Additionally, the distribution center address may be included on the seller shipping label 510 as a return address.
  • the product distribution system is not limited to the embodiments described above.
  • the server system and multi-vendor website may include tracking information for each product shipped to a user. This tracking information would be provided on the inner mailer and/or the outer mailer for tracking the product from the seller to the buyer, buyer to seller (in the case of returns), or from the distribution center to the seller. Accordingly, the buyer and seller can both track the inner mailer and product using the tracking information provided by the multi-vendor website. Additionally, the multi-vendor website can use the tracking information to provide electronic notifications (e.g. email, text message, etc.) to the seller and buyer regarding the shipment status of the product.
  • electronic notifications e.g. email, text message, etc.
  • the inner and outer mailers may be sent to the buyer for returning the product to the seller.
  • the optimum mail class determination would remain the same (same buyer and seller address), however, the postage for the outer mailer would be determined from the distribution center to the buyer.
  • the product distribution system can also apply to video games, consumer electronics (i.e., PDAs, cell phones, etc.), jewelry, toys, software or any other product or service.
  • the products can be delivered by any class of any delivery service, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, or any other delivery service.
  • USPS United States Postal Service
  • UPS United Parcel Service
  • FedEx Federal Communications Commission
  • the product distribution system according to embodiments of the present invention may also apply to rental or barter transactions.
  • a method for distributing a product comprising: storing seller information for a plurality of sellers in a database, the seller information including a seller address and product information associated with a product to be sold over the internet; wherein the product information includes product size and product weight; storing buyer address information: receiving a purchase order from a buyer, the purchase order including at least one product to be purchased from one of the plurality of sellers; determining an appropriate mailer to send to a seller based upon the product size and product weight; determining an optimum mail class and optimum mail class postage based upon the buyer address, the seller address, and the product size and the product weight of the product to be purchased; and sending the mailer to the seller.
  • a preferred seller is selected based upon a delivery speed, a delivery cost, and a reliability rating associated with the seller.
  • a buyer mailing label is affixed on the mailer and includes the buyer address, the optimum mail class, and the optimum mail class postage;
  • a seller mailing label is affixed on the packing housing the mailer and includes the seller address, a seller mail class, and a seller postage.
  • the mailer comprises: a buyer mailing label including the buyer address, the optimum mail class, and the optimum mail class postage; and a removable seller label overlying the buyer mailing label and including the seller address, a seller mail class, and a seller postage.
  • a preferred distribution center having a shortest delivery time is selected from a plurality of distribution centers, wherein the preferred distribution center is responsible for sending the mailer to the seller.
  • a computer-implemented system for distributing a product sold over the internet comprising: a database configured to store (a) seller information for a plurality of sellers, the seller information including a seller address, and product information for a product to be sold over the internet, the product information including product dimension and product weight, and (b) buyer information for a plurality of buyers, said buyer information including a buyer shipping address and payment information; a communication interface configured to receive a purchase order from a buyer, the purchase order including at least one product to be purchased from one of the plurality of sellers; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: a mailer determining section configured to determine a mailer to send to a seller based upon the product dimension and weight; a mail class determining section configured to determine an optimum mail class and optimum mail class postage based upon the buyer address, the seller address, the product dimension and the product weight of the product to be purchased; and a postage amount calculating section configured to calculate a postage amount based upon the mail
  • the software application further comprises a preferred seller determining section configured to determine a preferred seller based upon a delivery speed, a delivery cost, and a reliability rating associated with the seller.
  • the mailer determining section determines an appropriate package for housing the mailer based on the size of the mailer and the preferred seller address.
  • a buyer mailing label is affixed to the mailer and includes the buyer address, the optimum mail class, and the optimum mail class postage; and a seller mailing label is affixed to the package housing the mailer and includes the preferred seller address, a seller mail class, and a seller postage.
  • the mailer comprises: a buyer mailing label including the buyer address, the optimum mail class, and the optimum mail class postage; and a removable seller label overlying the buyer mailing label and including the seller address and a seller postage.
  • a preferred distribution center having a shortest delivery time is selected from a plurality of distribution centers, wherein the preferred distribution center is responsible for sending the mailer to the seller.
  • Figure Fl is a diagram of a user interface for search results suggestion according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the interface prior to any user input, includes a text input box 102 (note there is no search click button as in prior art systems).
  • a dropdown list 106 appears.
  • the dropdown list includes real-time search results. The letters or words typed by the user are highlighted. Although the list would typically be arranged in order of which products are the best match, it could be arranged in other ways, such as in alphabetical order.
  • a window 110 is brought up, as shown in Fig. F2, displaying the product along with information allowing the user to buy.
  • the system determines that at least one seller is available, based on factors including a sufficient reliability rating and/or location that minimizes shipping costs.
  • the product is then displayed with the total costs, allowing a single page buy, as described in detail in copending application serial no. 11/963,675, "Virtual Shelf with Single Product Choice and Automatic Multiple Vendor Selection" [Attorney Docket no. 027050-000100US], which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • a window 108 provides a scrolling display of images of products.
  • the products displayed can be tailored to fit the products the user is likely to want to purchase. The details of such a display are also set forth in co-pending "Virtual Shelf application referenced above.
  • the particular products listed can be changed and/or updated based on the search terms being typed in.
  • the scrolling window 108 may be used for this purpose.
  • window 108 may display similar, but different, products, thus expanding the number of options presented to the user.
  • the user has some options which are textual (drop down window 106), and others with images (scrolling window 108).
  • the dropdown list 106 displays search results in real-time based on the search query, partial or full, from the user.
  • search result By selecting a search result from the dropdown list 106, the user is directed to a specific link and/or products (e.g., the product as shown in the window 108).
  • conventional techniques such as the Google Suggest, merely provides search results suggestions, and by click of which the user is directed to search results, not the specific links and/or products.
  • conventional techniques requires user to perform extra (or intermediate) steps during search processes.
  • the drop down list 106 extends over window 108.
  • window 108 may be positioned where it is still completely viewable, such as by putting it lower on the page, using a shorter drop down list, having superimposed, faded images, etc.
  • the user click on the word the user can click on an image in window 108. Both produce the same result of displaying window 110 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a system for providing search results according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a server 201 is configured to perform search operations based on search queries received from users entered through the user terminals 204, 205.
  • a database 202 is accessed by server 201.
  • the database stores, among other things, products and services available for sale, rent, barter, etc., along with a vectored index.
  • the database also stores (1) the user's history, (2) most popular sales data, and (3) most often viewed product data.
  • the database 202 is integrated with the server 201.
  • the database 202 includes multiple storage devices that are linked to one another.
  • the network 203 provides a communication gateway between the server and the user terminals.
  • the network 203 is the Internet.
  • a secured connection may be established between the network 203 and the user terminals.
  • the user terminal is used to provide a user interface and network connectivity.
  • the user terminals may be a personal computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, and others.
  • a partially completed search query is entered through the user interface at one or the user terminals.
  • the search query is sent to the server 201 through the network 203.
  • the server 201 determines what search results to suggest based on the partially completed search query, the user profile, search pattern, search query rank, and other factors as well.
  • the search results suggestion may be determined by a remote network server or a local computer.
  • Fig. F4 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a process for search results according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a partial search term 402 is entered by a user.
  • the partial search term is provided to a lexography module 404, which compares it to possible matches in a vectored index 406 of a database 408 of products/services for sale.
  • a subset of results 410 from the index is identified.
  • the index is prepared based on a variety of factors. For example, one portion of the index is specifically prepared for movie titles. Depending on the specific application, many types of indices may be used. For example, for selling media-type merchandises, indices may be organized based on a DVD title, name of director, names of actors, studio name, names of screen writers, genre, release date, language, etc.
  • the lexographical module 404 is configured to assign rank the partial matches.
  • the ranking process can be based on a variety of factors, such as the matching location (e.g., does the partial query match beginning or middle of a term?), matching category (e.g., title, genre, etc.), and others.
  • the subset of names 410 is then provided to a search result algorithm module 412 which compares them to product names with the most sales from most popular sales module 414, the most searched products from search history module 416, matches from the lexographical match module 419, and products identified using a user history module 418.
  • These modules in turn draw their information from a database 420.
  • the lexographical match module 419 is a separate module from the lexgraphical module 404, where the module 404 provides a preliminary search suggestions and the module 419 is utilized by the search result algorithm module 412 to provide a ranked list that is to be displayed.
  • Database 420 stores a variety of data which is supplied to modules 414, 416, 418, and 419.
  • Offline industry data 422 is stored and provided to module 414. This shows what products and services have sold in various types of stores, such as the traditional brick and mortar stores, local rentals, etc.
  • online sales 424 from the same website by all users is stored.
  • the website is a multi-seller website.
  • industry data includes an aggregate sales data for all types of sales and rental activities, both online and offline.
  • Data 426 reflects sales from users with similar profiles.
  • online sales data 428 across all sites is stored. This data is obtained through arrangements with operators of other websites.
  • only sites offering products or services are used, not sites providing information such as news. Alternately, such other sites can be used, and can be ranked according to relevance. For example, a site with product reviews would have a higher weighting than a web blog that may happen to mention products once in a while.
  • Search history module 416 draws data based on the popularity of products used by users on the same site, all search terms 432 by users with similar profiles and all search terms 434 on other sites.
  • User history module 418 draws data from purchases 436 by the user, sales 438 of products by the user to other buyers, product views 440, catalogs or wish lists 442 and other items 444 (such as product ratings the user input, genre preferences, etc.).
  • the purchases 436 are preferably used to generate a list of similar products, which is what is actually provided to user history module 418. This list is calculated and stored before the user initiates a search, so that it is instantly available. It is updated each time the user makes a purchase, so the updated list of similar items is then available for future searches.
  • the other data categorized are compiled, stored, and available prior to the user entering the search terms. The particular user doing the search is identified by logging in, and/or from a cookie on the user's computer.
  • each module 414, 416 418, and 419 is weighted, and the results from each of these three modules are themselves weighted by search result algorithm 412 to come up with a ranked list 450 which is provided in drop down window 106 of Fig. Fl .
  • the algorithm is adaptive. For example, a users own purchases normally have a higher weighting. However, for a new user with little purchase history, the sales to others are given a higher weighting (products actually bought).
  • the data is weighted as follows, with Wl being the highest weighting, W2, W3, and W4 being successively lower weightings:
  • Wl user history
  • W2 most popular sales
  • W3 search history
  • W4 lexographical weight
  • weighting For example, for most popular sales the weighting may be:
  • Wl similar user purchases 426) +W2 (all purchases on the site 424) + W3 (other sites purchases 428) + W4 (industry data 422).
  • weightings can dynamically change. For example, if the site is new, without much sales history, industry data or other sites purchases will be weighted higher.
  • the algorithm updates the search result list. For each new letter, the whole of index 406 need not be searched again, but rather subset 410, generating a further subset. Each time a new letter is added, a new subset is identified, narrowing the choices that are applied to the search result algorithm. The narrowed subset then causes a re-ranking of results provided the first time through by modules 414, 416, 418, and 419. Since the first letter or letters do not normally change, the previously obtained product names continues to be the superset of relevant products, hi one embodiment, 100 product names may be obtained from each of modules 414, 416, 418, and 419 in response to the first letter, and then cached.
  • the transaction history of a user includes the merchandise that the user in the past has bought, sold, rented, and/or traded.
  • the user profile may also include other user preferences, supplied by the user or other parties.
  • the user preference includes the merchandises that the user owns, user ratings, genre selections, and others.
  • the user transaction history also includes information related to the genre, year, artists, and/or other information for media products, such as movies, music, books, etc. It is understood that the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to facilitate the sales of other types of products, which includes toys, electronics, clothing, books, jewelry, etc.
  • transactions can include sales, rental, barter, and others.
  • the user profile includes the user's previous search history and/or click stream associated with specific types of merchandises.
  • a user pattern is determined from the user transaction history. For example, the user may prefer action movies, rock and roll music, thriller novels and electronic gadgets.
  • the user pattern is determined based on the transactional histories and preferences of other users who are "similar" to the user. For example, these users, based on their respective transactional history, may have similar user preferences, or have viewed and/or performed transaction on similar merchandises.
  • the search algorithm is performed on a multi-seller website. Alternately, it may be a single seller website. Or, the search box could be in a banner add box on an unrelated website, with a connection being opened to the main website when letters are typed in.
  • a method for providing search result suggestions comprising: providing an index to a product/service database; detecting an entered partial search query from a user; lexographically matching said partial search query to said index; identifying a matching subset of said index; ranking products/services in said subset according to a ranking database which includes (a) said user's history, (b) most popular sales data, (c) most often viewed products, and (d) lexographical weights to produce a highest ranked list of search results; and displaying said highest ranked list of search results.
  • the ranking database further includes (e) histories of similar users to said user, and (f) most often viewed product data by the similar users.
  • a system for providing search result suggestions comprising: a processor;
  • a product/service database the database being configured to store product/service information
  • a communication interface the communication interface being configured to receive one or more user inputs
  • a computer-readable medium for storing program instructions, said instructions including: code for providing an index to said product/service database; code for detecting an entered partial search query from a user; code for lexographically matching said partial search query to said index; code for identifying a matching subset of said index; code for ranking products/services in said subset according to a ranking database which includes (a) said user's history, (b) most popular sales data, (c) most often viewed products, and (d) lexographical weights to produce a highest ranked list of search results; and code for displaying said highest ranked list, of search results.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a transaction system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications.
  • the network 104 is the Internet.
  • the server 101 is used to facilitate communication and transactions that are performed between the terminals 103 and 105, which are used by individual sellers and buyers.
  • the server 101 is configured to list a variety of merchandise (e.g., DVDs, CDs, books, toys, PDAs, digital cameras, other electronics, etc.) for sale from individual sellers.
  • the prices for the merchandise are set by the individual sellers based on recommendations suggested by the server 101.
  • the user may be an individual user, a large corporation, a smaller business, partnership, or other group, and others.
  • the server 101 stores profile information of buyers and sellers in the database 102.
  • the profile information includes the past transaction history, buying preferences, merchandise to be bought or sold, etc.
  • buyers and sellers provide account information to the server 101 through the network 104 using the terminals.
  • the server 101 stores the received information into the database 102.
  • a secured connection is provided between the server and the terminals to ensure that sensitive information (e.g., financial information, personal information, etc.) is securely transmitted.
  • the server 101 is a part of a commercial website.
  • the commercial website lists merchandise and facilitates transactions.
  • the server 101 stores information and provides an integrated payment and/or shipping system.
  • the finance module 107 includes an account for the user.
  • a user can be both a buyer and a seller.
  • Money is held as virtual money in the account until the user decides to withdraw it.
  • the virtual money can be used for purchases from other sellers, or for return fees or other expenses incurred on the website.
  • the virtual money is the default payment method that is accessed first, unless overridden by the user.
  • payment information is stored, such as credit card, debit card, PayPal account information, etc.
  • Finance module 107 also includes holding accounts, which are set up temporarily for each purchase, with money being held for a seller until confirmed and accepted delivery, as described below. In one embodiment, users can earn points or rewards, which are translated into virtual money in the user's account.
  • Shipping module 106 handles generating a mailer for the seller to use, with postage and tracking information already on it.
  • the mailer is sent to the seller, who places the merchandise in the mailer and deposits it with the Post Office or other carrier.
  • the tracking information is obtained from the carrier by the server 101 and may be provided for viewing by seller and buyer, as well as being put in emails to seller and buyer.
  • the carrier can be the USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, or any other carrier.
  • An example of a mailer and tracking system is set forth in application serial no. 1 l/963,470,"Product Distribution System and Method Thereof " [Attorney Docket No.: 027050-000500US], which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
  • the present invention provides an integrated payment system as illustrated in Fig. G2.
  • Various functions of the integrated payment system are performed by various modules. Depending on the application, these modules can be implemented as a combination of computer hardware, software, and other facilities.
  • Fig. G2 shows shipping module 106 and finance module 107 which interact with a buyer 114 and a seller 116. Also included are a buyer/seller reputation module 118 and a dispute resolution - return module 120.
  • the system includes a database (102 of Fig. Gl), which can be a common database or separate databases associated with the different modules.
  • the database is configured to store user accounts and user histories. The user accounts are associated with payment information and user reputation information.
  • the system also includes a listing module on server 101 of Fig. Gl for providing a user interface and other functions.
  • the user interface is adapted for listing and facilitating transactions of products on a website.
  • the user interface can be a web page listing a variety of products for sale.
  • the products are listed by one or more sellers.
  • the listing module is configured to receive a purchase order of a product and to record the purchase order by the buyer from a seller on the website. For example, a buyer can place a purchase order for the product listed on the user interface through a secured web page.
  • a notification (5A) is provided to shipping module 106.
  • a notification (6A) is then triggered to finance module 107 to release the purchase price to the seller (the shipping costs are held by the system of server 101).
  • a notification (5B) is provided to shipping module 106).
  • a return mailer is generated and sent to the buyer (6B).
  • the reputation module 118 is notified of the return (7B), and the product is returned to the seller (8B).
  • the dispute resolution - return module 120 is notified (9B).
  • a notification (1 IB) is sent to the payment system for allocation of the delivery and return costs between the buyer and seller.
  • the "shared responsibility" scheme is used in allocating the return cost, can allocate the cost of return shipping, or even the initial delivery costs, based on the relative reputations of the buyer and seller as tracked by the reputation module 120.
  • the reputation module has the benefit of tracking information from shipping module 106, and thus doesn't need to rely on the word of the buyer or seller regarding delivery time, etc.
  • the reputations can be independently evaluated. For example, if a buyer consistently returns products from seller who has good reputation, the buyer's reputation may be lowered and more or all of the shipping costs can be allocated to the buyer.
  • Figure G3 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a purchase through return process according to an embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims.
  • One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. For example, various steps may be added, removed, replaced, modified, repeated, rearranged, and/or overlapped.
  • account information is obtained from users.
  • the server 101 in Figure Gl is configured to receive account information from users.
  • the account information may include users' financial information, transactional histories, user product preferences, user product ratings, etc.
  • account information may be retrieved in various ways, such as through the Internet, telephone, mail, etc. It is to be appreciated that that the system of the present has a wide range of applicability and is scalable.
  • the financial account information is stored.
  • account information is stored in a secured database.
  • the database is accessible to the server, which updates the account information.
  • merchandise is listed.
  • the merchandise may be media products, toys, electronics, services, etc.
  • the merchandise may be either from an individual seller, small business, big business, and/or a retail entity.
  • the merchandise, when listed, is shown with description, prices, condition, and/or other characteristics.
  • images of the item are also shown with the listed merchandise.
  • information associated with sellers of the merchandise may also be displayed and listed, hi an example, a virtual retail listing with a hidden, multi- seller backend is provided. A detailed description is provided in a related application serial no.
  • a buy (or other transaction) decision by a buyer is recorded.
  • the transaction involves the seller selling merchandises to the buyer. But it is to be understood that there might be other types of transactions as well.
  • the transaction may also include trading merchandise between a first entity and a second entity.
  • the transaction may also involve rental or other activities.
  • the server provides detailed instruction to both the seller and the buyer for the transaction.
  • the server additionally maintains financial and payment information from both parties to the transaction.
  • the server stores contact information of the buyer and seller to allow handling the payment and shipping aspects of the transaction.
  • the buyer is charged.
  • the payment is charged at the time when the buyer places an order for the merchandise.
  • the default source of funds is the virtual account of the buyer, and when depleted, a designated credit card or other financial instrument or account.
  • the server holds the payment in a holding account, and the payment is not credited to the seller until certain conditions (e.g., buyer received the package in a good condition) are satisfied. It is to be appreciated that such arrangement protects both the buyer and the seller for the transaction. For example, the debit of payment from the buyer's account ensures that a payment is available to the seller. Putting the payment in the holding account ensures that buyer may get a refund if the buyer is not satisfied with the merchandise.
  • a mailer includes a shipping label with the buyer address, postage, and tracking information, hi a specific embodiment, the address of the buyer and/or seller may be anonymous. For example, if it is determined that the buyer wish to remain anonymous, the user name associated with the buyer's account (as opposed to the buyer's real name) is used for shipping.
  • the seller sends the package to the shipper. For example, the seller drops off the package at a shipper, which maybe UPS, USPS, DHL, FedEx, or others.
  • a shipper which maybe UPS, USPS, DHL, FedEx, or others.
  • tracking information is obtained. The carriers provide tracking of the package to the server 101.
  • a status indication is provided to the buyer and seller.
  • the status indication may include various types of information.
  • an email to buyer and seller of the status indication may indicate that the merchandise has been shipped and provides an estimated arrival date.
  • the buyer (or seller) can go to the server webpage for information about their transactions.
  • An image of the product bought is displayed. Upon clicking on the image, it is replaced with information including (1) the price paid, (2) the date purchased, (3) the estimated arrival date, and (4) delivery status (e.g., mailer sent to seller, deposited with carrier, en-route or other detailed information provided by the carrier, and delivered).
  • the arrival time is determined based on the tracking information.
  • the arrival time may be actual and/or estimate.
  • the arrival time may be updated according to the confirmation that the merchandise(s) has been received.
  • a timer is initiated based on the arrival time. More specifically, the timer is user to provide a time period within which the buyer may decide to return the package. For example, a buyer is given two days after the arrival time to inspect the merchandise and indicate to the server that the merchandise does not conform and therefore needs to be returned.
  • step 212 if the buyer either does not provide any communication within the time set by the timer, or sends an affirmative message that the merchandise is acceptable, the funds are released from holding to the seller's account. The absence of communication from the buyer is construed as the buyer accepting the shipped merchandise.
  • account information is updated.
  • the account information of both the buyer and the seller are updated to reflect the completion of the transaction involving the shipped merchandise.
  • other information such as buyer and/or seller ratings provided by the parties involved, may be used to update the account information. Ratings of buyer and seller can be adjusted, since the system tracks whether the seller promptly sent the merchandise and whether it was returned. Thus, an automatic rating of both seller and buyer is supported, without requiring action by either.
  • the buyer sends a communication (e.g., an email, or by clicking a button) to the server 101, or a check box on the user's transactions page is clicked.
  • a return mailer is sent to the buyer so the buyer can return the merchandise directly to the seller.
  • embodiments of the present invention allow the buyer to return the shipped merchandise without providing any reasons. The buyer is discouraged from doing this frivolously because the buyer needs to share in the shipping costs for both the shipment to the buyer and the return to the seller. It is to be appreciated that such a return policy reduces the administrative overhead and potential friction between the buyer and the seller, thereby allowing an efficient and smooth transaction experience.
  • both buyer and the seller are charged for the return shipping costs. It is to be appreciated that by charging both buyer and seller (preferably by an equal amount), the two sides share the shipping costs. In addition such a scheme reinforces the "shared responsibility" return policy and minimizes friction.
  • a shipping cost distribution is determined based on the account information of buyer and the seller. For example, if the buyer has a good purchase history and the seller has a poor sales history, it is determined that the seller should bear a higher portion of the total shipping cost.
  • account information is updated to reflect the returned merchandise.
  • a repeated pattern of returning merchandise by a buyer especially for the merchandise shipped from a seller with good history of past transactions, would adversely affect the buyer's record and/or account.
  • a buyer with too many "bad faith" returns and/or a pattern of repeated returns may be required to bear all the shipping costs or be suspended from using the service.
  • the buyer indicates that the shipped package includes illegal content (e.g., bootleg media product)
  • a mailer will be sent to the buyer to forward the illegal content to the company.
  • remedies may include reporting to the authorities and/or expelling the seller from using the service.
  • a return to the operator may be done for verification of other defects, such as a DVD or CD with no content, an incorrect version of the product (which the operator can verify against the version listed).
  • a refund is provided to the buyer. If the buyer's virtual account was debited, it is credited with the refund. If the buyer's credit card was debited, a credit is applied to the buyer's account, or would appear on the buyer's credit card statement.
  • the present technique provides a novel mechanism for a buyer to return merchandise to a seller with minimal hassle
  • the present invention provides a mechanism for smooth and efficient transaction, where a "shared responsibility" return policy is used.
  • buyer and seller split the cost of return shipping.
  • timers are used, which provides that if the buyer does not return and/or indicate a return within a predetermined time, the buyer is charged for the shipped merchandise.
  • transactional history are recorded and used for future references.
  • various embodiments of the present invention are compatible with existing systems and can be implemented in a cost-effective manner. There are other benefits as well.
  • a method for returning a product ordered from a multi-seller website comprising: recording a purchase of a product by a buyer from a seller on said website; charging an account of said buyer for a purchase price of said product and delivery costs; providing to said seller a mailer with tracking data for delivery of said product to said buyer; electronically tracking a delivery of said product to said buyer; initiating a timer for a time-out period upon tracking confirmation of delivery of said product to said buyer; receiving a communication from said buyer within said time-out period requesting a return of said product to said seller; providing to said buyer a mailer with tracking data for return of said product; providing a refund to said buyer for up to said purchase price; and allocating said delivery costs and return costs between said seller and said buyer according to an allocation algorithm.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising providing said mailer for return with an address of an operator of said multi-seller website upon a request of said buyer indicating a defect verifiable by said operator.
  • the method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a privacy preference for said buyer and said seller; determining a shipping name to be used for said mailers based upon said privacy preference
  • a method for handling payments between buyers and sellers on a multi-seller website comprising: establishing a virtual financial account for each user of said website, each user being at least one of a buyer and a seller; crediting a virtual financial account of a user with virtual cash upon completion of a sale by said user; and debiting virtual cash from a virtual account of user upon a buy decision by said user, provided there is virtual cash in said user's virtual financial account.
  • the method of claim 6 further comprising charging a third party payment account of said user for said purchase if there are insufficient funds in said virtual account.
  • the method of claim 6 further comprising: receiving a communication from a buyer within a time-out period requesting a return of a product to a seller; providing a credit to a virtual account of said buyer for up to a purchase price; and allocating a delivery cost and a return cost between said seller and said buyer according to an allocation algorithm, and debiting the virtual accounts of said seller and said buyer; and charging a third party payment account if there are insufficient funds in said virtual accounts.
  • a method for selling products ordered from a multi-seller website comprising: maintaining accounts for both sellers and buyers; providing shipping mailers for delivery and return; and electronically tracking delivery and return.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store product information for a product to be displayed over the internet; a server configured to generate images of products using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a user; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying said images; code for recording a purchase of a product by a buyer from a seller on said website; code for charging an account of said buyer for a purchase price of said product and delivery costs; code for providing to said seller a mailer with tracking data for delivery of said product; code for electronically tracking a delivery of said product to said buyer; code for initiating a timer for a time-out period upon tracking confirmation of delivery of said product to said buyer; code for receiving a communication from said buyer within said time-out period requesting a return of said product to said seller; code for providing to said buyer a mailer with tracking data for return of said product; code for providing a credit to said buyer for up to said purchase price
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store product information for a product to be displayed over the internet; a server configured to generate representations of products using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a user; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying said representations; code for establishing a virtual account for each user of said website, each user being at least one of a buyer and a seller; code for crediting a virtual account of a user with virtual cash upon completion of a purchase from said user; and code for debiting virtual cash from a virtual account of user upon a buy decision by said user, provided there is virtual cash in said user's virtual account.
  • a computer-implemented system comprising: a database configured to store product information for a product to be displayed over the internet; a server configured to generate representations of products using data from said database; a communication interface configured to provide a link between said server and a browser of a user; and computer readable media including computer readable code for a software application comprising: code for displaying said representations; code for maintaining accounts for both sellers and buyers; code for providing shipping mailers for delivery and return; and code for electronically tracking delivery and return.
  • An integrated payment system comprising: a database configured to store user accounts and user histories, the user accounts being associated with payment information and user reputation information; a listing module for providing at least a user interface, the user interface being adapted for listing and facilitating transactions of products on a website, the products being listed by one or more sellers, the listing module being configured to receive a purchase order of a product and to record the purchase order by a buyer from a seller on the website; a payment module for charging an account of the buyer for a purchase price of the product and delivery costs, the payment module being configured to send a payment to an account of the seller if the buyer does not request a return within a determined time-out period, the payment module further being configured to allocate a return cost between the seller and the buyer if the buyer returns the product; a delivery module for providing to the seller a first mailer with tracking data for delivery, the delivery module being configured to track a delivery of the product to the buyer, the delivery module further being configured to provide a second mailer with tracking data if the buyer requests a return within
  • the system of claim 13 further comprising a dispute resolution module for allocating the return cost.
  • the payment module is configured to store the purchase price of the product in a holding account for the seller.
  • An integrated payment method comprising: automatically facilitating the shipment of a product from a seller to a buyer in response to a buy indication by said buyer; electronically tracking the receipt of said product by said buyer with a shipping module; providing a receipt notification from said shipping module to a payment module upon acceptance of said product by said buyer; and providing a payment to said seller in response to said receipt notification by said payment module.
  • said automatically facilitating the shipment comprises generating a product mailer for delivery of said product, and further comprising: generating a seller mailer for delivery of said product mailer to said seller; tracking receipt of said seller mailer by said seller, mailing of said product mailer by said seller, and receipt of said product mailer by said buyer; and providing tracking data by said shipping module to a seller reputation module.

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  • Finance (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une vitrine de vente au détail de commerce électronique avec une finalisation de commande par des vendeurs multiples. La sélection automatique d'un meilleur fournisseur est assurée. Un utilisateur passe une commande comprenant des informations associées à un produit à lister sur un site Web, et un prix de marché pour le produit est calculé sur la base des caractéristiques de vente stockées du produit. L'invention permet une capacité 'd'achat en une seule page', comportant à la fois des informations sur le produit et des informations d'achat sur une seule page Web. Une fonctionnalité tridimensionnelle fait basculer une couverture avec un envers représentant (1) des données de contenus, (2) des données de transactions ou (3) des données de collectivités. Une brochure et un tarif de courrier appropriés sont déterminés automatiquement en fonction des dimensions et du poids du produit, et de l'emplacement géographique de l'acheteur et du vendeur. Un résultat de recherche amélioré et jumelé est obtenu. Un module de distribution de produit est intégré à un module de paiement.
PCT/US2008/086960 2007-12-21 2008-12-16 Système web pour assurer une vitrine de commerce électronique WO2009085744A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08868775A EP2248087A4 (fr) 2007-12-21 2008-12-16 Système web pour assurer une vitrine de commerce électronique

Applications Claiming Priority (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/963,470 US20090164273A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 Product distribution system and method thereof
US11/963,592 US7831584B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 System and method for providing real-time search results on merchandise
US11/963,718 2007-12-21
US11/963,718 US20090164339A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 3d product display on internet with content or transaction data on back of image
US11/963,675 2007-12-21
US11/963,382 US8447645B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 System and method for dynamic product pricing
US11/963,711 2007-12-21
US11/963,592 2007-12-21
US11/963,601 US7899716B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 System and method for integrated payment and shipping information
US11/963,711 US8244590B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 Software system for decentralizing ecommerce with single page buy
US11/963,675 US8630923B2 (en) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 Virtual shelf with single-product choice and automatic multiple-vendor selection
US11/963,470 2007-12-21
US11/963,601 2007-12-21
US11/963,382 2007-12-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009085744A1 true WO2009085744A1 (fr) 2009-07-09

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EP (1) EP2248087A4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009085744A1 (fr)

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EP2248087A1 (fr) 2010-11-10

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