Dynamic demand management

• US 20020049632A1
• Filed: 04/11/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peapod LLC (Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Peapod LLC (Koninklijke Ahold N.V.)
• Inventors: Parkinson, Thomas L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,990,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0206 Price or cost determination based on market factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for allocating demand for a number of time periods is presented herein. The business volume is monitored during each time period, and wherein the business volume is found to lag or exceed certain thresholds, incentives or surcharges are imposed, respectively. Wherein an incentive is offered during a time period, the business volume during the time period is monitored and wherein the business volume exceeds a certain threshold, the incentive is withdrawn. Wherein a surcharged is imposed during a time period, the business volume during the time period is monitored and wherein the business volume drops to a certain threshold, the surcharge is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A method for allocating demand, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring demand associated with a plurality of time periods;

offering an incentive to customers placing an order during a particular one of the plurality of time periods, wherein the particular one of the plurality of time periods is associated with a low level of demand; and

withdrawing the incentive responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of deliveries during the particular one of the plurality of time periods.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive is a price discount.

3. A method for allocating demand, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring demand associated with a plurality of time periods;

imposing a surcharge to customers placing an order during a particular one of the plurality of time periods, wherein the particular one of the plurality of time periods is associated with a high level of demand; and

withdrawing the surcharge responsive to receipt of less than a predetermined number of deliveries during the particular one of the plurality of time periods.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium, said article of manufacture storing a plurality of executable instructions, wherein the plurality of executable instructions comprise means for:

monitoring demand associated with a plurality of time periods;

offering an incentive to customers placing an order during a particular one of the plurality of time periods, wherein the particular one of the plurality of time periods is associated with a low level of demand; and

withdrawing the incentive responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of deliveries during the particular one of the plurality of time periods.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 4, wherein the incentive is a price discount.

6. A system for allocating demand, said system comprising:

a server computer for receiving orders for a plurality of time periods, wherein the server is operable to;

monitoring demand associated with a plurality of time periods;

imposing a surcharge to customers placing an order during a particular one of the plurality of time periods, wherein the particular one of the plurality of time periods is associated with a high level of demand; and

withdrawing the surcharge responsive to receipt of less than a predetermined number of deliveries during the particular one of the plurality of time periods.