Patent Application
20060287941
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Auctions and classified advertisements are well established methods for buying and selling items, such as products and services. Auctions are based on a bidding process, and classifieds in the print media are simply advertisements.
With the advent of the World Wide Web, online (or electronic) auction and classified services are increasing in popularity. An online auction allows multiple buyers to bid on a particular item during a predetermined time frame. Online classified advertisements allow a buyer to enter into an individual negotiation with a seller. Buyers may bid or negotiate at any time and sellers are not restricted to traditional geographic limitations of the pool of potential buyers.
Online auction and classified advertisements are segregated, with an online auction service not offering classified advertisements and vice versa. Many differences between classifieds and auctions have led to this segregation. Auction services typically entail minimal involvement by the seller, while classifieds typically involve equal participation by the buyer and seller. Further, with an auction, the highest bid wins at the time of closing. However, with classified advertisements, a buyer and seller may decide to buy or sell at anytime during negotiations. Another difference is that auction services generally have a larger pool of buyers and sellers which requires a higher degree of scalability than classifieds. These differences between online auctions and classifieds limit the options available to both buyer and seller.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies described above by providing a system and method that combines online classified advertisements and auctions into a single, unified service. With such a service, a seller may sell products for an auction or a classified transaction within the same service, and a buyer may purchase products without limitations as to the type of transaction.
In one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for enabling remote users to selectively participate in electronic auctions and electronic classified advertisements. The system includes a user interface operable to communicate with the remote users over a network. The user interface provides the remote users with an option to select from two or more available transaction types, including at least electronic classified advertisements and electronic auctions. The system also includes a negotiation engine operable to process transactions relating to electronic classified advertisements and operable to process transactions relating to electronic auctions.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for facilitating electronic transactions between prospective buyers and sellers. The method includes providing a user interface to communicate with remote users over a network and obtaining over the network from at least a first remote user a request that an action be performed in connection with one or more electronic transactions. The method further includes providing a negotiation engine operable to process transactions relating to electronic classified advertisements and operable to process transactions relating to electronic auctions and obtaining over the network from the first remote user a selection from a plurality of available transaction types, including at least electronic classified advertisements and electronic auctions. Finally, the method includes performing the requested action in connection with the one or more electronic transactions.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a data structure stored on one or more computer-readable media is provided, wherein the data structure represents an item record. The data structure includes a first field containing data identifying the item and a second field containing data indicating the item type, e.g., whether the item is an auction item or a classified advertisement item.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein:
The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description provided below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which describe, for example, methods and systems for facilitating electronic transactions between prospective buyers and sellers by providing a unified service for electronic auctions and electronic classified advertisements. The detailed description and drawings, however, should not be read to limit the invention to the specific embodiments. Rather, these specifics are provided for explanatory purposes that help the invention to be better understood.
Having briefly described an overview of the present invention, an exemplary operating environment for the present invention is described below.
Exemplary Operating Environment
Referring to the drawings in general and initially to
The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, cellular telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system (BIOS) 133, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the network interface 170, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
Although many other internal components of the computer 110 are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such components and the interconnection are well known. Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction of the computer 110 need not be disclosed in connection with the present invention.
When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133, which is stored in the ROM 131, instructs the processing unit 120 to load the operating system, or necessary portion thereof, from the hard disk drive 141 into the RAM 132. Once the copied portion of the operating system, designated as operating system 144, is loaded in RAM 132, the processing unit 120 executes the operating system code and causes the visual elements associated with the user interface of the operating system 134 to be displayed on the monitor 191. Typically, when an application program 145 is opened by a user, the program code and relevant data are read from the hard disk drive 141 and the necessary portions are copied into RAM 132, the copied portion represented herein by reference numeral 135.
It should be noted that the term “item”—as used herein in the context of the present invention—refers broadly to any product, service, etc. that might be listed for sale in an auction or classified advertisement. An individual instance of an “item” is referred to herein as a “unit.” For example, a seller listing three identical watches for auction has listed three units of a single item, which in this example is a product.
If the user chooses not to continue browsing at 212, then the user has the option at 214 of making an offer. If the user chooses to make an offer at 214, the method determines at 216 whether or not the user is logged in. If so, the user proceeds to enter a bid price and submit the bid at 217, which is further described below in connection with
Users not wishing to make an offer at 214 can proceed to list an item at 220. Those users who wish to list an item at 220 must be logged in before proceeding to the add item page at 224, which is described below in further detail in connection with
When it is determined at 304 that the user is not a seller, then the method proceeds to 314 and the user can IM with the seller. If the user elects not to IM with the seller, then the user/buyer uses the email tool at 316 to send email to the seller. On the other hand, a user who chooses to IM with the seller at 314 proceeds to 312 to start the IM conversation with the seller.
Once the IM conversation starts at 312, the user can select at 318 whether or not to invite other buyers to the IM conversation. If the user chooses to do so, then the other buyers are invited at 320 from the list for the item and the method returns to 318 to determine whether yet another buyer should be invited. If no other buyers are to be invited, the method proceeds to 322 to determine whether or not the question that prompted the communication in the first place (at 208 in
By contrast, if the user is a member at 402, the method proceeds to login at 414. Next, the method prompts the user to update his or her profile information at 416. If the user chooses to update his or her profile information, then the method proceeds to update the profile information at 406, select communication options at 408, and select notification subscriptions at 410 before returning to the context of the call at 412. If the user chooses not to update his or her profile information at 416, the method proceeds directly to 412.
The user is prompted at 514 to indicate whether to list the item as an auction item or a classifieds item. If the item is for a classifieds listing, then the method proceeds to 516 to obtain a listing price from the user. The listing price may be based on one or more of the following: listing duration, category, quantity, sale price floor, etc. However, if the item is for an auction listing, then the method instead proceeds to 518 to obtain a listing price from the user based on one or more of the following: listing duration, auction time, category, etc. Then, the user supplies a reserve price at 520. For both auction items and classifieds items, the method advances to 522 to determine whether the price chosen has additional image sizes and formats. If not, the method return's to the user's context at 526. Otherwise, the user is prompted for additional images at 524 before proceeding to 526.
If the user is a seller, the method 600 proceeds to 606 to determine whether the item is an auction item or a classifieds item. If the item is an auction item, bidding is disabled on the item details page at 608 because sellers are not allowed to bid. But if the item is a classifieds item, then the seller indicates whether he or she will accept a bid at 610. If so, the method proceeds to 612 so that the seller can select which bid to accept and then sends a notification to the buyer at 614. However, if the seller decides not to accept a bid at 610, the seller enters an asking price at 616. Next, the method 600 determines at 618 whether or not the asking price is greater than the last asking price or less than the last bid price or greater than the buy now price. If so, the seller is returned to 616 to enter a different asking price. Otherwise, the method advances to 620 and the bid is accepted.
Alternatively, if it is determined at 604 that the user is not a seller, then the method 600 proceeds to 622 to determine whether the item is an auction item or a classifieds item. If the item is a classifieds item, then the user is prompted to accept the asking price at 624. If the user chooses to accept the asking price, the method proceeds to fulfillment at 626, which is further described below in connection with
Referring initially to
With continued reference to
In the event that the user is determined to be a seller at 702, then the method proceeds to 740 (
In method 800, the user may add an item at 802, in which case the method collects the item category, item name, description and thumbnail at 804. The user may also renew an item before the item expires at 806. Upon adding or renewing an item, the user is prompted at 808 for any additional images (e.g., pictures) of the item. If so, one or more additional images are collected at 810 and an advanced placement price is determined at 812. Preferably, the advanced placement price includes the base price plus an additional listing price based on the size and number of additional images. If there are no additional images, then a base price is determined at 814. The base price can vary based on the item category, and the base price might be discounted for renewal of an existing item. As an example, a furniture item might have a base price of $2.25 with an additional listing price of $1.25 for six additional thumbnails and $0.50 for each 4×6 picture.
Upon determining a price at 812 or 814, the method advances to 816 to determine whether the item is an auction item or a classifieds item. If the item is a classifieds item, then the user is prompted whether or not to apply the standard duration for classifieds at 818. If so, the method obtains credit card information at 820 to charge the user for the listing. However, if the standard duration does not apply, the method proceeds to 822 to determine the appropriate duration, which could be more or less than the standard duration, typically measured in days. For instance, if the standard duration for classifieds is 14 days, a user could be permitted to purchase additional days (e.g., 50% additional fee for an extra seven days).
By contrast, if the item is an auction item, the method progresses from 816 to 824 to determine whether or not the standard auction time slot is applicable. If so, the method obtains credit card information at 820 to charge the user for the listing. However, if the standard time slot does not apply, the method proceeds to 826 to determine the appropriate time slot, which could be more or less than the standard time slot, typically measured in hours. For example, if the standard auction time slot is eight hours, a user could be permitted to purchase additional hours (e.g., $0.30 for each additional hour the auction remains open).
Referring now to
The various connections represented in
Because the tables in this exemplary schema are related to each other and normalized, all tables are required for all of the operations. However, some tables are used more immediately and have specific relevance to certain operations. For example, the catalog of products is stored in the following tables: Product, Product_Status, Category, and Catalog. These tables are primarily used for browsing of items, adding or listing an item, and fulfillment. The UnitTransStatus, Inventory, UnitType, Unit, and UnitStatus tables are used by most of the operations, including bidding and fulfillment. The Inventory, Fulfillment, and Bid tables are used in bidding and fulfillment. The User table contains all the user information including buyer and seller information. Whether the user is a buyer or seller is based on the foreign key to the user table (i.e., the context determines if the user is a seller or buyer for that transaction). Other operations, such as communications (
Turning to
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. For example, a user interface may be implemented with various method elements (e.g., determining whether the user is a member) in which the determination can either be made by the system, or the system can prompt the user for a response. These and other such implementation details are contemplated by the present invention, even though only a single implementation is described above. Moreover, although reference numerals, the terms “step” and/or “block”, and the like may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, these reference numerals and terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between the various method elements herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual method elements is explicitly described as being required.
From the foregoing it will appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
