Systems and methods for locating and purchasing proximal inventory items
First Claim
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1. A method for facilitating sales of inventory items, comprising the steps of:
- (a) maintaining at least one database having information relating to an inventory item, wherein said inventory item is listed by a plurality of sellers, and wherein said information comprises at least availability information and location information for said inventory item, which is available for sale from at least one seller;
(b) permitting a buyer to input a search request to generate a search in said database(s) for current availability and current location of such inventory item; and
(c) generating a search result which provides said buyer with information comprising the availability and location of an inventory item which is actually available for sale by one or more sellers.
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Abstract
The inventive subject matter relates to novel systems and methods for creating and/or maintaining at least one database with availability and location information for inventory items available for sale by one or more sellers; for permitting potential customers to search, preferably in near real time, for the availability and location of such inventory items; for permitting customers to reserve, and purchase, such inventory items at location(s) of their choosing; and for permitting sellers to improve their inventory management based on customer search requests.
206 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating sales of inventory items, comprising the steps of:
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(a) maintaining at least one database having information relating to an inventory item, wherein said inventory item is listed by a plurality of sellers, and wherein said information comprises at least availability information and location information for said inventory item, which is available for sale from at least one seller;
(b) permitting a buyer to input a search request to generate a search in said database(s) for current availability and current location of such inventory item; and
(c) generating a search result which provides said buyer with information comprising the availability and location of an inventory item which is actually available for sale by one or more sellers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for facilitating sales of inventory items, comprising the steps of:
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(a) maintaining at least one database having information relating to an inventory item, wherein said inventory item is listed by a plurality of sellers, wherein said inventory item is tracked by an RFID-enabled inventory tracking system, and wherein said information comprises at least availability information and location information for said inventory item, which is available for sale from at least one seller;
(b) permitting a buyer to input a search request to generate a search in said database(s) for current availability and current location of such inventory item; and
(c) generating a search result which provides said buyer with information comprising the availability and location of an inventory item which is actually available for sale by one or more sellers. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for facilitating sales of inventory items, comprising the following elements, operably connected:
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(a) at least one database, in which at least the following data is stored;
availability and location information for at least one inventory item, listed by a plurality of sellers;
maintaining at least one database having information relating to an inventory item, wherein said inventory item is listed by sellers as being available for sale, and wherein said information comprises at least availability information and location information for said inventory item, which is available for sale from at least one seller;
(b) software providing an interface for initiating a search request by a buyer;
(c) software for providing access to a search engine for executing said search request in at least one database;
(d) software for processing a search request and providing a search result comprising the availability and location of such inventory item which is actually available for sale by one or more sellers; and
(e) software for providing an interface for displaying the result of the search of said at least one database. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification