Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus for performing used automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing and consumer interest information received from consumers, dealers, and manufacturers. A consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may provide a request for a response regarding a specific used automobile with a specific a vehicle identification number. Automobile market data may be provided to a used automobile buyer based on the request. Bids to purchase the specific used automobile may be requested from used automobile buyers based on the request. Buyer bids may be provided to the consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller with prices and a delivery options. The consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may select a bid to sell the specific used automobile based on the bid.

Abstract: A method of determining services pricing, the method comprising: a server receiving vehicle identification information from a user via a network connection, wherein the vehicle identification information indicates a vehicle type; the server receiving service type information from the user via the network connection, wherein the service type information indicates a service type; the server determining an estimate range based on the vehicle identification information and the service type information, wherein the estimate range comprises a minimum value and maximum value for the indicated vehicle type and service type, and wherein determining the estimate range comprises determining a labor estimate and a parts estimate; and the server providing the estimate range to the user via the network connection.

Abstract: A system and method for providing moving insurance according to an automatically generated quote.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for distributing a resource (such as electricity) using a resource allocation system. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of requests for electricity are received from a plurality of end-use consumers. The requests indicate a requested quantity of electricity and a consumer-requested index value indicative of a maximum price a respective end-use consumer will pay for the requested quantity of electricity. A plurality of offers for supplying electricity are received from a plurality of resource suppliers. The offers indicate an offered quantity of electricity and a supplier-requested index value indicative of a minimum price for which a respective supplier will produce the offered quantity of electricity. A dispatched index value is computed at which electricity is to be supplied based at least in part on the consumer-requested index values and the supplier-requested index values.

Abstract: A potential transaction between a first party and a second party involves multiple issues. A current offer made by the second party is received. A set of candidate counteroffers that satisfy a target utility value for the first party is identified. A counteroffer is selected from among the set of candidate counteroffers and presented to the second party.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium contains instructions that cause one or more computing devices to receive a product specification data set identifying one or more items, and price data sets that include one or more items and corresponding price data. For each price data set, metric data is obtained which includes one or more market reference prices for the items in the price data set. A market value of the items is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data set. The instructions may also cause the one or more computing devices to compare the price data in the price data set to the calculated market value to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, metric data is obtained for each item in a product specification data set, and a market value of each item is calculated for comparison to the price data in the price data sets.

Abstract: A supply chain management system/method that incorporates a Customer Order Entry/Status Console (COESC), part/product quoting, vendor order fulfillment, manufacturer claims processing, transportation tracking, and integrated product advertising is disclosed. The disclosed system/method uses a COESC that permits decentralized deployment of customer orders to a plethora of potential vendors for potential fulfillment. Participating vendors may provide feedback pertaining to product pricing, availability, manufacturer incentives, and delivery timing to the COESC. Vendor product shipments to the customer may be tracked on the COESC utilizing a transportation tracking subsystem incorporating vendor delivery optimizations and mobile tracking of parts/products deliveries. A context-sensitive advertising subsystem integrating manufacturer claims processing may be implemented to permit promotion of vendor/manufacturer products and/or services to customers via the COESC.

Abstract: A system may comprise: a web server for posting matters of clients for bidding by contingency professionals; a client matter engine for enabling a particular client to post a particular group of related matters and to select a particular contingency professional bidding on the particular group of matters to handle the particular group of matters; a professional bidding engine for enabling the particular contingency professional to review at least a portion of the posted matters and to bid on the particular group of matters; and a bidding exchange engine for enabling the particular client and the particular contingency professional to communicate without exchanging direct contact information.

Abstract: A method of communications network shopping by buyers of products and services for purchasing such from sellers in which buyers request an automatic reverse auctioneer or auction controller to initiate a reverse auction in real time amongst willing sellers and to it their automatic real-time iterative bidding price quotations for such products and services to be returned automatically over the network back to the controller under the iterative processing guidance of the controller to assure a best bid price quotation for the buyer; and automatically effecting buyer notification or purchase at such best price, all while the buyer may remain online, and without any manual intervention.

Abstract: A system and method for intention aggregation for conditional reverse auction purchasing to achieve economies of scale. Non-binding purchase intentions are aggregated from a number of potential buyers by a computer system to generate a purchase statement. The purchase statement is used to solicit participation in and conduct a reverse auction among a number of potential suppliers. A supply offer from the winning bid is then used to make purchase conversion offers to the potential buyers. The supply offer includes a minimum purchase requirement to provide the necessary economy of scale for the supplier. Potential buyers place conditional purchase orders that are conditioned on achieving the minimum purchase requirement to activate the supply offer. Once the supply offer is activated, the conditional purchase orders are converted into binding purchase orders and secure transactions to address payment and delivery can proceed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein an indication of a plurality of product categories is received, each product category being associated with a plurality of products. For example, the indication of the plurality of product categories may be received from a buyer. Buyer offer information, including an indication of an offer amount associated with the plurality of product categories, is also received. A subset of the plurality of products is selected for each of the product categories, and an indication of the selected products is provided. The buyer's offer may then be evaluated. If the buyer's offer is accepted, the selected products may be provided to the buyer in exchange for payment of the offer amount.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products provide e-commerce capabilities that enable integration of manufacturers, dealers and customers. An application may be utilized by a dealer to integrate manufacturer and customer information, including cost information, into a coordinated application. The e-commerce application may also be utilized to quickly and efficiently construct customer-specific web-based homepages that custom-tailor the display of information to a customer's needs or perceived needs. Further, the invention provides for the integration of information amongst multiple manufacturers, dealers and customers. The e-commerce application may also be utilized to provide numerous other features and aspects, as set out more fully herein.

Abstract: In one example, a user interface may be configured to receive input from a hosting device, a transmitter may be configured to solicit competing bids to subscribing devices for a requested service based on the input from the hosting device, a queue may be configured to store bids from third-parties in response to the transmitted request for bids for the requested service, and a receiver may be configured to receive a manifestation of the requested service from one of the third-parties whose received bid was accepted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking and billing expenses throughout a transaction, such as the sale or management of a real estate property. In one embodiment, a budget is created that details expected incomes on the property and costs associated with the sale or management of the property. The budget may be developed in accordance with specifications, such as line item maxima or total budget maxima, developed by the owner of the property. After a vendor has delivered goods or services described in the budget, the vendor creates an electronic invoice. Payment is delivered to the vendor through an Automated Clearing House system.

Abstract: A program for encouraging homebuyers and current homeowners to purchase more efficient HVAC equipment at the time they purchase a home or refinance a home loan is described. Realtors, bankers, lenders, mortgage brokers, and like individuals involved in the purchase or refinancing of a home present an opportunity to purchase energy efficient HVAC equipment to a client at a time when the purchase price of the equipment can be included in the mortgage or refinance loan. The realtors, bankers, lenders, mortgage brokers, and other individuals presenting the opportunity to the client act as marketers or salespeople for the program and the new equipment. These new salespeople work with a facilitator who coordinates the efforts of everyone involved in the transaction. The program provides the client with lower total homeownership costs through utility and maintenance savings.

Abstract: A computerized urgent goods and services fulfillment system matches a seeker with a provider of an urgent service or goods (URGS). The fulfillment system includes a server and a database for storing provider profiles. The server proffers one or more providers of URGS requested by a seeker. The server may proffer additional service or goods associated with the requested URGS. The server confirms the seeker's selection of a provider. The server tracks at least one of proximal data and temporal data associated with the seeker and/or the selected provider.

Abstract: A method, system, and network for interfacing the work-flow monitoring and reporting of a host computer, a local network of information technology devices, a community of network users, and third party vendors is provided. This includes processes and systems for initiating an inventory, including software, of a plurality of information technology devices associated with a local network of information technology devices from a host computer and determining the operational status of the information technology devices associated with the local network. The operational status of the information technology devices associated with the local network is monitored and presented to a host computer. Needs relating to the local network are identified and determined and a purchasing platform for purchasing product solutions from third party vendors is provided.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for management of sourcing of strategic resources for commercial entities is described. Internet/intranet-based portals are accessible by an administrator and one or more respondents representing prospective vendors to enable an administrator to create requests for information, proposals and/or quotations (RFx), and for respondents to submit responses to an RFx by answering questions presented in the RFx. The system also generates reports based on criteria established by the administrator and/or the commercial entity for which the RFx has been issued, using data compiled and/or generated from the answers provided by the respondents to the RFx.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow users to view historical price information for a product, and which allow users to specify a desired purchase price. Historical price information may be collected and displayed to the user in a graphical format. The user may specify a desired purchase price that the user is willing to pay for the product. The user provided price may be presented to a seller of the product. The user may be targeted with an offer to purchase the product at the user provided price or may be targeted with advertisements or recommendations for a similar product. Some techniques include targeting a group of users including the user with the offer if the group of users includes at least a predetermined number of users, where each user in the group provided the user provided price.

Abstract: Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant.

Abstract: A system includes a database that stores an expert knowledgebase, and one or more servers configured to implement an expert system. The one or more servers receive sensor data associated with sensors from automobile maintenance systems associated with respective ones of multiple automobiles, and analyze the sensor data, using the expert system and the expert knowledgebase, to diagnose whether the multiple automobiles require maintenance and/or repair. The one or more servers send, via a network, results of the analysis of the sensor data to service stations for scheduling maintenance and/or repair of the multiple automobiles.

Abstract: Exemplary product marketing systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a product marketing system receiving, from an access device, a product search request and image data representative of an image associated with a product, searching, in response to the product search request, a repository of product image data to identify at least one match to the image associated with the product, generating, based on the at least one match, search results data comprising product information for at least one product, and transmitting the search results data to the access device. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse auction system of the present disclosure is provided and includes an account module, a server center, a searching module, a publishing module, and a bidding module. The account module registers or charges a desired article request from a buyer side. The server center converts the desired article request into publishing data and searching data. The searching module connects to at least one auction website for collaborating therewith to perform comparison in accordance with the searching data, and then returns a feedback signal of a comparison result. Furthermore, the publishing module publishes the publishing data, and then the bidding module offers a platform to the suppliers or bidders to bid for the buyer's desired article described in the publishing data. The work of the publishing module and the bidding module is in parallel with the work of the searching module.

Abstract: An ecommerce application for soliciting invitations to offer whereby a buyer or lessee, creates an account with a website based Controller, and a seller or lessor enlists in a subscription service with the Controller. The Controller creates an algorithm driven email distribution process comprising a plurality of emails sent to appropriate subscribers including vendors that contain an invitation to make an offer based on the information in a buyer's query. Subscribers then submit invitations for offers directly to the buyer or to the Controller for viewing by the buyer.

Abstract: Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price.

Abstract: A method of communications network shopping by buyers of products and services for purchasing such from sellers in which buyers request an automatic reverse auctioneer or auction controller to initiate a reverse auction in real time amongst willing sellers and to it their automatic real-time iterative bidding price quotations for such products and services to be returned automatically over the network back to the controller under the iterative processing guidance of the controller to assure a best bid price quotation for the buyer; and automatically effecting buyer notification or purchase at such best price, all while the buyer may remain online, and without any manual intervention.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a solution in determining a lead value and making an introduction accordingly. In some embodiments, in response to a consumer's search request for a retail item within a geographical area, a decision system may obtain from a local database a list of dealers capable of provisioning the retail item—such as a new or used vehicle—at various locations within the geographical area. For each dealer, the system may calculate a dealer score across a plurality of tests and set a dollar value to an introduction utilizing the dealer score associated therewith. The performance measures of the tests may be normalized and adjusted utilizing a set of coefficients. The list of dealers may be sorted per dollar value of introduction and presented to the consumer. To provide more accurate dealer evaluations, the system may periodically reset the set of coefficients using sales data.

Abstract: A system for generating a price quote to demanufacture a lot of electronic equipment is disclosed. Representative equipment groups are defined which include default values, based upon knowledge and experience, and study values, based upon dismantle studies. When a quote is requested to demanufacture a given lot of equipment, the equipment in the lot is categorized into representative equipment groups. As profit or loss is calculated for each equipment group, if study values are available, the study values are used; otherwise default values are used. Pricing contingency and profit may further be calculated to generate the price quote.

Abstract: A method of marketing automobiles (other high priced products) to a plurality of parties (individuals) includes using a micro-chip-based computing device (computer), for example, at least one computer and at least one internet website associated with the at least one computer, to obtain information from a plurality of parties regarding the identity of one or more automobiles each party wants and is willing to purchase; and processing the information to identify a particular automobile which is willing to be purchased by at least a minimum number of the parties from whom the information is obtained.

Abstract: In one example embodiment of a method for automating business negotiations, a vendor offers a product for sale at an original price. Subsequently, an automated haggling system receives a counteroffer to buy the product from a mobile device controlled by a shopper. The counteroffer proposes a second price for the product. In response to the counteroffer, the automated haggling system automatically determines whether the second price is acceptable. This determination may be based on data from a negotiation database with data identifying acceptable reduced prices. If the counteroffer proposes an acceptable price, the automated haggling system sends a message to the mobile device of the shopper to signify acceptance the counteroffer. In response to a determination that the shopper is purchasing the product at a point-of-sale (POS) station, the POS station automatically charges the shopper the negotiated price tier the product. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided are computer-based systems, software, and computer-implemented methods for providing a marketplace for e-procurement that leverages asymmetric market forces to the benefit of an advantaged market participant. Such a marketplace additionally, creates a synergistic effect by offering a wide range of procurement methods.

Abstract: Selling intangible property rights may include receiving content from a seller and determining one or more potential purchasers for the content's intangible property rights. The potential purchasers may be determined according to the subject of the content, the audience for the content, and the intangible property rights being sold. An offer to sell the intangible property rights may then be transmitted to one or more potential purchasers, along with a portion of the content. Upon receiving the one or more purchaser's acceptance of the offer, a complete copy of the content may be transmitted to the purchaser.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for improving communications between real estate professionals and clients or potential clients are provided. The systems and methods are designed to provide improved lead routing and tracking mechanisms, as well as means to provide analysis. The system and method includes a virtual agent communication platform that associates a virtual telephone number to a real estate lead, and manages communication between a real estate agent and the real estate lead. The system and method can further be designed to adjust lead routing decisions and optionally enable tracking of analytics about lead follow up and lead management.

Abstract: A commerce router is disclosed. The commerce router includes a plurality of commercial transaction databases and an application server module. Each of the databases can contain commercial transaction information related to one of a number of offering types (e.g., categories of products, services and/or the like). An application server module is communicatively coupled to the each one of the databases. The application server module can be configured to receive a request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request to the database for inclusion in the commercial transaction information and allow review of the request by virtue of being configured to communicate information regarding the request from the database by accessing the commercial transaction information. application server module can be configured to receive a response and allow review of the response.

Abstract: A transaction arbiter system and method is disclosed which incorporates a merchant function database under control of a transaction arbiter that permits merchants to interact in an automated way with bids generated by other merchants. Rather than utilizing fixed price schedules as taught by the prior art, the present invention permits each merchant to define a set of functions which describe how the merchant will respond to a customer request-for-quote for a given product or service. These merchant functions interact with both the customer request-for-quote and the results of other merchant functions to generate a dynamic real-time bidding system which integrates competition among merchant bidders to achieve an optimal consumer price for a given product or service.

Abstract: The subject matter of this document can be embodied in, among other things, a computer-method that includes receiving a text message associated with a first telephone number, and establishing a communication session associated with the received text message. The communication session is established by modifying the received text message so that the received text message is associated with a second telephone number that is different from the first telephone number, and subsequent text messages associated with the second telephone number are included as part of the communication session. The method also includes transmitting the text message to a text messaging system, such that the text message appears to have originated from the second telephone number. Upon receiving a text message reply from a user in response to the transmitted text message, the text message reply is associated with the established communication session.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method that enables individuals, partnerships, companies and any other entity to ease the ownership and administration of ticket lots and other properties by alleviating the difficulties mentioned above. The system achieves this by providing a utility to build ticket or time-share member groups by matching compatible users and to allocate to the group's members shares of ticket lots or access to properties by time-share or rental. The system establishes user compatibility and ticket and property allocation based on requirements, preferences and attributes of the group, the ticket or property, and the system users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in acquiring parts from suppliers using auction information including a requested part and decision criteria from an ordering manager agent and from supplier agents associated with part suppliers. A criteria comparison matrix representing a relative importance of each decision criterion is created. A criteria importance vector is created based on the criteria comparison matrix, and a supplier comparison matrix corresponding to each decision criterion is also created. The supplier comparison matrix represents a relative ranking of each supplier with respect to the corresponding decision criterion. A supplier criteria ranking vector corresponding to each decision criterion is created based on the supplier comparison matrix that corresponds to the decision criterion. The supplier criteria ranking vectors and the criteria importance vector are combined to create a supplier score matrix associated with the ordering manager agent and indicating a score associated with each supplier.

Abstract: The application discloses systems and methods for evaluating bids submitted by providers in response to a reverse auction process initiated by a buyer. The disclosed system determines an attribute utility score of the bid and total performance scores of providers based on the past performance records of the providers. The total performance scores of providers are determined by computing a positive deviation score, a negative deviation score, a performance among peers score, and a bid performance score of the provider. The system further sums the determined attribute utility score and the total performance score to obtain a rank of the submitted bid.

Abstract: A part location system is described that utilizes computer-based techniques for bringing together repair facilities and suppliers to increase the efficiency of locating recycled, used or aftermarket parts using a computer network, such as the Internet. The part location system receives an estimate from a first user over a communication network. The part location system then parses the estimate to extract information that identifies a list of parts needed by the first user and automatically generates a request for quote (RFQ) using the information extracted from the estimate. The part location system then sends the RFQ to suppliers via the communication network. Subsequently, the part location system receives quotations from at least one of the suppliers via the communication network in response to the RFQ and presents the quotations received in response to the RFQ to a repair facility via the communication network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selling and purchasing items in an online environment, including a set price purchase process and a negotiated price/value purchase process. The system presents to a potential buyer one or more specific product(s) which is/are available for immediate purchase at a pre-set price; provides the potential buyer with the option to request sellers to offer product(s) at a lower price (which may be set forth by the potential buyer), and/or offer the product(s) with different options, and/or to offer similar product(s); and provides sellers with the opportunity to offer the product and/or options to the potential buyer at the requested price/with the requested option, and/or to make offers to the potential buyer to provide the product(s) at different price(s) and/or with different options and/or to provide a different but similar product.

Abstract: A system and method prepares and distributes structured Requests for Proposal (“RFPs”) to qualified vendors and collects proposals responsive to such RFPs, The system includes a tool, for creating Statements of Work (SOW) that are consistent with the RFP and with other SOWs. The vendors submit bids responding to the SOW in the RFP. The bids are organized into an easily reviewed summary having line by line comparisons of the various bids and detailed proposals, along with vendor compliance documents, compiled into a finished report.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for splitting user-lists. A described technique includes obtaining a master user-list, the master user-list including object identifiers that are respectively associated with web clients; obtaining a splitting factor that controls a splitting of the master user-list; creating a reduced user-list from the master user-list based on the splitting factor such that the reduced user-list maintains a statistical fidelity of the master user-list, the reduced user-list including fewer than all of the object identifiers included in the master user-list; and providing the reduced user-list.

Abstract: A method of selecting a real estate company using a computer-based network (100) to sell a property asset of a vendor or vendor representative, the method including the steps of obtaining information from the vendor or representative about the asset using information entry means (200) available from a server (104) in the computer-based network (100) and storing the information on the server (104); referring a plurality of agencies in the vicinity of the location of the property asset to be sold; enabling the referred agencies to assess the value of the asset; obtaining a tender submission from the referred agencies using tender submission entry means (600) available from the server (104) in the computer-based network (100); enabling the vendor or representative to review each tender submission; and the vendor or representative selecting an agency from the referred agencies to sell the asset based on the reviewed tender submissions.

Abstract: An online system and method for a computer or web-based system enabling users to estimate, schedule, and purchase a variety of home-related services from a trusted group of professional contractors. The system manages a list of prescreened, reputable, and local contractors. Through the present invention, consumers may find local contractors, obtain real time competitively priced quotes from contractors for their services, schedule work to be preformed, and pay or finance the cost of the service. Contractors may also purchase subscriptions tied to U.S. postal codes or zip codes from which they will receive all leads of consumers needing services originating from that postal code for the services they offer.

Abstract: A sales lead generation system for a company in a service industry is disclosed. The sales lead generation system may comprise a master database for storing information for customers of the company, and a mobile device for communicating sales lead information for service work to the master database. The sales lead information may include identifying information for the customers and at least one media file indicating an anomaly condition at a location of the customer. A related method and computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for turning a buyer into a prospective seller in an electronic marketplace. After the buyer enters into a binding agreement to purchase an item, the buyer is provided with an option of re-listing the purchased item for resale. The purchased item is re-listed if the buyer opts to re-list it. An ecommerce listing to sell the purchased item is automatically generated based on the previous listing. The user only needs to provide the selling price to complete the listing. The purchased item can be re-listed in the same marketplace where the item was purchased or in a different marketplace.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and apparatus for providing reverse auction services are provided. A reverse auction request for transportation or a reverse auction request for delivery is received from a communications device. Geographical location information of an origination location and a destination location for the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is received from the communications device. The reverse auction request for transportation or delivery is transmitted. Bids to the reverse auction request for transportation or delivery are received. The bids to the request for transportation or delivery are transmitted to the communications device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that provides an exchange marketplace for the use of vacation properties and other assets such as airplanes, yachts, etc. An inventory of items available for purchase or auction, each representing a use of an asset, is maintained. Auction bids or offers to purchase items in the inventory may be made either by offering to pay cash or by offering in trade a new item also representing use of an asset. An equivalent cash value is determined for new items offered in trade, and the transaction allowed to proceed if the determined value of the new item offered equals or exceeds the price of current bid of the item sought. The system thus allows for maximum flexibility in renting and trading the use of vacation properties and other assets.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting electronic business between buyers and sellers is provided. The system and method disclose a means for at least one buyer to request and receive online bids from one or more sellers of a particular product according to a price curve or price schedule. A price schedule or curve for a product defining a product's unit price as a function of the volume of product ordered. Upon receipt of a plurality of bids from sellers, a buyer can then select a seller-supplier based at least in part on the price schedule.