Method and apparatus for selling a plurality of units
First Claim
1. A method of using a computer to facilitate a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to a plurality of similar units, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) displaying an initial price per unit to the buyers;
(b) periodically and monotonically altering the price per unit and displaying it to the buyers;
(c) accepting from each of one or more of the buyers an offer to buy one or more of the units at the initial or any of the subsequent prices per unit, each offer being indicative of a number of units to be purchased at the price per unit that is current when that offer is submitted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for facilitating a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to large numbers of similar units. A seller offers the units to buyers, starting at an initial price. The potential buyers make offers to buy a given number of units at that price. The price is incrementally reduced, with buyers being given the opportunity to bid with each reduction. In other embodiments, the buyer makes an offer to multiple sellers at a given price, specifying the number of units the buyer wants. Sellers offer to fulfil some or the entire offer, and the buyer subsequently reduces the price and makes additional offers until the buyer'"'"'s requirements are met.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of using a computer to facilitate a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to a plurality of similar units, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying an initial price per unit to the buyers;
(b) periodically and monotonically altering the price per unit and displaying it to the buyers;
(c) accepting from each of one or more of the buyers an offer to buy one or more of the units at the initial or any of the subsequent prices per unit, each offer being indicative of a number of units to be purchased at the price per unit that is current when that offer is submitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of using a computer to facilitate a sales transaction between a buyer and at least one potential seller in relation to a plurality of similar units, the method comprising the steps of, in the computer:
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(a) receiving a first offer from a buyer, the offer being indicative of a number of units the buyer wishes to purchase and the price per unit the buyer is willing to pay;
(b) presenting the offer to a plurality of sellers of the units;
(c) receiving from each of the sellers an indication of the numbers of units that seller is willing to sell at the price per unit in the offer;
(d) in the event the sellers offer, in aggregate, enough units to satisfy the number of units requested by the buyer, sending a message to the buyer confirming the sale of the units by respective sellers;
(e) in the event the sellers do not offer, in aggregate, enough units to satisfy the number of units requested by the buyer;
(i) accepting the units offered in aggregate by the sellers so far; and
(ii) accepting a further offer from the buyer, the offer being indicative of the number of units the buyer still wishes to purchase and a higher price per unit the buyer is willing to pay; and
(f) repeating steps (b) to (e). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. Computer apparatus configured and programmed to facilitate a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to a plurality of similar units, the computer apparatus including:
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(a) display means for displaying an initial price per unit to the buyers;
(b) means for periodically and monotonically altering the price per unit, and providing the altered price per unit to the display means for display to the buyers;
(c) means for accepting from each of one or more of the buyers an offer to buy one or more of the units at the initial or any of the subsequent prices per unit displayed to the buyers, each offer being indicative of a number of units to be purchased at the price per unit that is current when that offer is submitted. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Computer apparatus configured and programmed to facilitate a sales transaction between a buyer and at least one potential seller in relation to a plurality of similar units, computer apparatus including:
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(a) means for receiving a first offer from a buyer, the offer being indicative of a number of units the buyer wishes to purchase and the price per unit the buyer is willing to pay;
(b) means for presenting the offer to a plurality of sellers of the units;
(c) means for receiving from each of the sellers an indication of the numbers of units that seller is willing to sell at the price per unit in the offer;
the computer apparatus being configured to;
(d) in the event the sellers offer, in aggregate, enough units to satisfy the number of units requested by the buyer, send a message to the buyer confirming the sale of the units by respective sellers;
(e) in the event the sellers do not offer, in aggregate, enough units to satisfy the number of units requested by the buyer;
(i) accept the units offered in aggregate by the sellers so far; and
(ii) accept a further offer from the buyer, the offer being indicative of the number of units the buyer still wishes to purchase and a higher price per unit the buyer is willing to pay;
(f) repeat the steps of offering and acceptance by the buyers and sellers.
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Specification