Patents Assigned to autobytel.com, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120130859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating a purchase request to a dealer immediately. A Data Center system has a system database accessible to a plurality of dealers. A potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network to the Data Center system. The purchase request may include product identification data and buyer location information. The Data Center system identifies at least one appropriate dealer to receive the purchase request. The Data Center creates a purchase request record from the data and information provided in the purchase request. The Data Center then communicates the purchase request to the appropriate dealer by immediately storing the purchase request record into the system database such that the purchase request is accessible only to the at least one identified dealer. The purchase request becomes available to the at least one identified dealer immediately upon the creation of the purchase request record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Don P. Wolfe, Douglas S. Nottage, Kevin J. Waggoner, Tim E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8005731
    Abstract: A method and system for managing a purchase request in a Data Center system. The Data Center system receives a purchase request from a plurality of potential buyers. The Data Center system provides access to a plurality of remotely located vehicle dealer or dealer groups. The dealer accesses the purchase request and displays its details. The dealer may then assign the handling of the purchase request to a salesperson. The salesperson ascertains a purchase request property such as an immediate buyer, based upon the purchase request property. The Data Center system further contains one or more action response modules which assist the user to act in response to the ascertained purchase request property. Thus, the Data Center system assists the dealership to efficiently act upon a purchase request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Autobytel.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Don P. Wolfe, Douglas S. Nottage, Kevin J. Wagoner, Tim E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7536318
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating a purchase request to a dealer immediately. A Data Center system has a system database accessible to a plurality of dealers. A potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network to the Data Center system. The purchase request may include product identification data and buyer location information. The Data Center system identifies at least one appropriate dealer to receive the purchase request. The Data Center creates a purchase request record from the data and information provided in the purchase request. The Data Center then communicates the purchase request to the appropriate dealer by immediately storing the purchase request record into the system database such that the purchase request is accessible only to the at least one identified dealer. The purchase request becomes available to the at least one identified dealer immediately upon the creation of the purchase request record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: autobytel.com.inc
    Inventors: Don P. Wolfe, Douglas S. Nottage, Kevin J. Waggoner, Tim E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7219080
    Abstract: A continuous online auction system and method enabling the auctioning of products. An online product auction system comprises an auction center having a microprocessor operably connected to a storage media. The online product auction system also includes a product receive module configured to execute in the auction center. The product receive module is further configured to receive a set of product data for a first product to be auctioned wherein the product data includes one or more seller parameters. The online product auction system further includes a seller proxy module configured to execute in the auction center. The seller proxy module is configured to modify one or more seller parameters for the product based upon one or more auction parameters for the first product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Autobytel.Com, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Wagoner, Tim Walker, Jin Seo Lee, Michael C. Tedesco, Danny Le, Zane Adam Rathwick, Max Adeli
  • Patent number: 6282517
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and submitting a purchase request over a computer network and making said purchase request available to a dealer immediately. A Data Center system has a system database, a buyer interface, and a dealer interface. The system database includes an exclusive database region for each participating dealer. A potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network to the Data Center system. The purchase request includes a product identification data and a buyer location information. The Data Center system further contains dealer information, product information, and the like. The Data Center system determines at least one appropriate dealer to receive the purchase request. The Data Center creates a purchase request record from the data and information provided in the purchase request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: autobytel.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Don P. Wolfe, Douglas S. Nottage, Kevin J. Waggoner, Tim E. Nelson