Patents Assigned to Autobytel Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140122297
    Abstract: A tethering and tagging system is especially advantageous for automobile sales. Tethering provides the seller with the portable means to text message a consumer from a mobile device while keeping an ongoing record within the main system. The tagging element provides the seller with detailed information about the product for which the end-user has an interest. This is done through a direct database query and does not require the end-user to enter or select the product on a web page (or mobile web page) form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: Bret J. DUNLAP, Eric C. Deininger, David G. Sawyer
  • Patent number: 8352306
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that use the leads and/or forward the leads to another destination. A quality level is assessed for each lead source, based in part on a percentage of leads from the source that result in a desired business transaction with the ultimate user of the lead. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while maintaining a desired overall quality level and flow rate of leads routed to each destination. Adjusting the quality ratings of the lead sources may advantageously be used to affect the placement of their leads with destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney, Glenn S. Davis
  • Patent number: 8326676
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead based on a margin score, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and destinations. Each lead source is associated with at least one cost score, reflective of a monetary cost for the lead and of other business considerations associated with the lead source. Candidate destinations are each associated with a revenue score, reflective of an amount to be paid for a lead and of other business considerations associated with the destination. A margin score for each destination is calculated based on the cost and revenue scores, and the lead is distributed, based at least in part on the calculated margin scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney, Glenn S. Davis
  • Patent number: 8321256
    Abstract: Opportunity distribution systems and methods distribute business opportunities received from lead sources for routing to one or more destination businesses that will make use the opportunity, such as an opportunity to place a webpage advertisement on a webpage that is being served to a viewer. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each opportunity, for each routing, while complying with business rules associated with the opportunity source and the destination businesses. System variables associated with the lead source and the destinations may be advantageously adjusted to maintain desired flow rate and quality levels of leads to each destination and to maximize profit to the system. A system administrator module and log of lead transactions allows the system to review previous performance and to carry out simulations in order to identify desired adjustments to system variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney, Glenn S. Davis
  • Patent number: 8255270
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and the destinations. For each lead, the system identifies a set of candidate destinations, each with associated business rules. The candidate destinations may include destinations with which the system has established business rules, destinations with which the lead source has established business rules, or both. For leads that may be multi-distributed, different business rules may apply to each time the lead is distributed. When both the lead distribution system and the source have different business rules established with a destination, the rules established by the source may take precedence over those of the lead distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney, Glenn S. Davis
  • Publication number: 20080201202
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and the destinations. For each lead, the system identifies a set of candidate destinations, each with associated business rules. The candidate destinations may include destinations with which the system has established business rules, destinations with which the lead source has established business rules, or both. For leads that may be multi-distributed, different business rules may apply to each time the lead is distributed. When both the lead distribution system and the source have different business rules established with a destination, the rules established by the source may take precedence over those of the lead distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL INC.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney
  • Publication number: 20080201204
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that use the leads and/or forward the leads to another destination. A quality level is assessed for each lead source, based in part on a percentage of leads from the source that result in a desired business transaction with the ultimate user of the lead. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while maintaining a desired overall quality level and flow rate of leads routed to each destination. Adjusting the quality ratings of the lead sources may advantageously be used to affect the placement of their leads with destinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL INC.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney
  • Publication number: 20080201205
    Abstract: Opportunity distribution systems and methods distribute business opportunities received from lead sources for routing to one or more destination businesses that will make use the opportunity, such as an opportunity to place a webpage advertisement on a webpage that is being served to a viewer. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each opportunity, for each routing, while complying with business rules associated with the opportunity source and the destination businesses. System variables associated with the lead source and the destinations may be advantageously adjusted to maintain desired flow rate and quality levels of leads to each destination and to maximize profit to the system. A system administrator module and log of lead transactions allows the system to review previous performance and to carry out simulations in order to identify desired adjustments to system variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL INC.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney
  • Publication number: 20080201203
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead based on a margin score, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and destinations. Each lead source is associated with at least one cost score, reflective of a monetary cost for the lead and of other business considerations associated with the lead source. Candidate destinations are each associated with a revenue score, reflective of an amount to be paid for a lead and of other business considerations associated with the destination. A margin score for each destination is calculated based on the cost and revenue scores, and the lead is distributed, based at least in part on the calculated margin scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL INC.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney
  • Publication number: 20080201184
    Abstract: Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and the destinations. For each lead, the system identifies a set of candidate destinations. The candidate destinations may include destinations for which the system has established exclusions, destinations for which the lead source has established exclusions, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: AUTOBYTEL INC.
    Inventors: C. Michael Rose, Peter D. Mathews, Jeffrey E. Sward, Glenn R. Dunkle, John L. Dohoney
  • Patent number: 7353192
    Abstract: A product configuration display system and method enabling the configuration and displaying of a product for purchase by a potential buyer. A product configuration display system comprises a data center having a microprocessor operably connected to a storage media. The data center is configured to be networked with at least a buyer terminal, and to receive at least one request to change a product presentation from the buyer terminal. The product configuration display system also includes at least one three-dimensional digital representation or model of a product. The three-dimensional representation of the product is stored in the storage media and is capable of illustrating multiple perspective views of the product by rotating. The product configuration display system further includes a product display module that is operably connected to the storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Autobytel Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Ellis, Douglas S. Nottage, Dylan Bromby