Computer system and method to automate the shipping market and wireless marketing services for consumers
First Claim
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1. A method of delievering time-limited discount information for products offered for sale by businesses, comprising the steps of:
- querying, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, a system to determine if a business has provided special time-limited discount listing information for products offered for sale;
transmitting, using a computer in communication with a cellphone, said special time-limited discount listing information to a cellphone, with said computer recording the time of this transmission;
viewing for the initial time, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, said time-limited discount listing information on a cellphone screen;
presenting for authorization, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, said special time-limited discount listing information for approval by said business;
transmitting said approval, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, by said business for a discount for a product during the processing of a sales transaction;
transmitting a message, using a computer in communication with a cellphone, to verify a discount for a product, when the time-limit for a discount for a product has not been exceeded since said viewing for the initial time; and
recording the time and discount information of said sales transaction, using a computer.
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Abstract
A computer based transportation system enables shippers to bid to move loads, from parties offering goods for sale to parties bidding to purchase those goods, using an automated auction system. Transportation costs are integrated into the prices of goods traded on the auction system. Additionally, consumers, including truckers and other transportation workers, are given the ability to obtain time-limited promotional messages using their cellphones and other devices which are in communication with the computer system described.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of delievering time-limited discount information for products offered for sale by businesses, comprising the steps of:
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querying, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, a system to determine if a business has provided special time-limited discount listing information for products offered for sale;
transmitting, using a computer in communication with a cellphone, said special time-limited discount listing information to a cellphone, with said computer recording the time of this transmission;
viewing for the initial time, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, said time-limited discount listing information on a cellphone screen;
presenting for authorization, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, said special time-limited discount listing information for approval by said business;
transmitting said approval, using a cellphone in communication with a computer, by said business for a discount for a product during the processing of a sales transaction;
transmitting a message, using a computer in communication with a cellphone, to verify a discount for a product, when the time-limit for a discount for a product has not been exceeded since said viewing for the initial time; and
recording the time and discount information of said sales transaction, using a computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system comprising:
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means for creating a special time-limited discount information listing for a product offered for sale for a business;
means for making available said special time-limited discount information listing via communication with wireless devices;
means for selecting a particular said business to display a special time-limited discount information listing for product offered for sale by said business;
means for providing authorization notification for a time-limited discount for a product offered for sale by said business; and
means for calculating the passage of time between an initial time a discount item is displayed for viewing and the time when authorization is granted for a discount. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system comprising:
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a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality of special time-limited discount information listings for products offered for sale by businesses and authorization information for said products;
a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;
receive a request to select discount information for products offered for sale by a particular business;
format a listing of said select discount information for products offered for sale by a particular business;
transmit said formatted listing to other devices in communication with said processor;
receive requests to authorize discounts for said products for sale;
determine if authorization criteria for said products is satisified;
transmit authorization messages to devices in communication with said processor; and
store in said memory device information related to sales transactions for said products on discount;
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11. A method of using a computer to process bids to transport goods offered for auction, comprising the steps of:
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viewing special listing information for a good offered for auction including the origination pickup location, quantity, notable conditions, and price of said good along with an indication of whether shippers may place bids to transport said good from said origination pickup location to a delivery destination location;
viewing special listing information for a bid placed for a good offered for auction including a delivery destination location, notable conditions, and price of said good along with an indication of whether shippers may place bids to transport said good to said delivery destination location from said origination pickup location;
negotiating a shipping cost agreement with a shipper to transport said good offered for auction from said origination pickup location to said delivery destination location, specifying said quantity and circumstances of transport;
calculating a net price for said good offered for auction by subtracting said shipping cost from said price of good offered for auction, if the party offering said good for auction agrees with said shipper to pay some portion of said shipping cost;
calculating a net price for said bid placed for a good offered for auction by subtracting said shipping cost from said bid placed for a good offered for auction, if the party placing said bid for a good offered for auction agrees with said shipper to pay some portion of said shipping cost;
matching said good offered for auction and said bid for a good offered for auction into a binding agreement to transport said good from the origination pickup location to the delivery destination location;
setting the price said good offered for auction will be entered into the auction market to said net price if it was calculated in the step above;
setting the price of said bid placed for a good offered for auction will be entered into the auction market to said net price if it was calculated in the step above; and
entering said matching good offered for auction and bid for good offered at auction, into the auction market, at their respective price and quantity levels as calculated in the prior steps. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 15)
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14. A system comprising:
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means for creating an auction system for goods, said auction system further enabling inspection of details regarding said goods, said details including the geographic location of said goods and any special conditions of said goods;
means for bidding to ship goods traded on said auction system, with these shipping bidding means integral with said auction system; and
means to calculate adjusted prices for goods traded on said auction system as affected by bids to ship goods traded on said auction system.
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16. A system comprising:
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a memory device having embodied therein information relating to a plurality goods and a plurality of shipping bids;
a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured to;
display a listing of said goods in an auction format;
display a listing of characteristic information about said goods;
display a listing of said shipping bids;
receive information relating to said goods and said shipping bids;
store information relating to said goods and said shipping bids;
perform calculations using information relating to said goods and said shipping bids; and
provide information about results of auctions and shipping agreements.
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Specification