Computerized system and method permitting a buyer to interactively barter/negotiate and arrangement to make a purchase from at least one seller

• US 20080313092A1
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Unation Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mister Money Holdings, Inc. (EZCorp Inc)
• Inventors: Lanham, Timothy S., Will, Ralph D., Gearhardt, Michael C., Ricker, Jeffrey T (Ty)
• Application Number:
  US12/214,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20080313092A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

A computer implemented process, associated storage medium having program code, and system, for bartering for at least one term relating to the purchase of a product by interacting with a motional graphic displayed on a screen of a client-device. The process includes: (a) displaying a product indicia for each of a plurality of the products; (b) displaying a first pre-recorded motional graphic inviting a user to barter for one of said plurality of the products; (c) displaying offer-request indicia permitting entry by the user of data in connection with the at least one term; (d) in response to entry of first data, using a user interface for the client-device: i) an acceptance price, having been determined for the product by taking into account at least a Low Price set for the product, is displayed; ii) if said first data entered is less than said acceptance price, display a Counter-Offer value, having been determined using a Tier level value associated with the user, along with a second pre-recorded motional graphic. Additionally, if said first data entered is greater-than or equal-to said acceptance price, display a third pre-recorded motional graphic communicating offer acceptance. The first and second pre-recorded motional graphics preferably comprise a clip of a character communicating a respective response.

Claims

1. A computer implemented process for bartering for at least one term relating to the purchase of a product by interacting with a motional graphic displayed on a screen of a client-device, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a product indicia for each of a plurality of the products;

(b) displaying a first pre-recorded motional graphic inviting a user to barter for one of said plurality of the products;

(c) displaying an offer-request indicia permitting entry by the user of data in connection with the at least one term;

(d) in response to entry of first data, using a user interface for the client-device;

i) an acceptance price, having been determined for the product by taking into account at least a Low Price set for the product, is displayed; and

ii) if said first data entered is less than said acceptance price, display a Counter-Offer value, having been determined using a Tier level value associated with the user, along with a second pre-recorded motional graphic to aid in communicating said Counter-Offer value.

2. The computer implemented process of claim 1, wherein said first and second pre-recorded motional graphics comprise a clip of a character communicating a respective response.

3. The computer implemented process of claim 2, wherein said clip is selected from the group consisting of:

a video clip of a human or other animal, a short clip of an animated cartoon personality, and a short clip of an animated motional portion of a cartoon personality.

4. The computer implemented process of claim 1, wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of:

an item, a batch of items, a financial product, a service, a coupon, a combination of a plurality of different items, an item and a service, an item and a coupon, and an item and a special offer.

5. The computer implemented process of claim 1, further comprising the step of, if said first data entered is greater-than or equal-to said acceptance price, display a third pre-recorded motional graphic communicating offer acceptance.

6. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, program code for automatically bartering for at least one term relating to the purchase of a product by interacting with a motional graphic displayed on a screen of a client-device, the program code comprising:

(a) a first program sub-code for displaying a product indicia for each of a plurality of the products;

(b) a second program sub-code for displaying a first pre-recorded motional graphic inviting a user to barter for one of said plurality of the products by entering data in connection with the at least one term;

(c) a third program sub-code for, in response to entry of first data;

i) determining an acceptance price for the product, taking into account at least a Low Price set for the product; and

ii) if said first data entered is less than said acceptance price, determining a Counter-Offer value, using a Tier level value determined and associated with the user; and

(d) a fourth program sub-code for displaying a second pre-recorded motional graphic to aid in communicating said Counter-Offer value.

7. The program code of claim 6, wherein said first and second pre-recorded motional graphics comprise a clip of a character communicating a respective response.

8. The program code of claim 7, wherein said clip is selected from the group consisting of:

a video clip of a human or other animal, a short clip of an animated cartoon personality, and a short clip of an animated motional portion of a cartoon personality.

9. The program code of claim 6, wherein said product is selected from the group consisting of:

an item, a batch of items, a financial product, a service, a coupon, a combination of a plurality of different items, an item and a service, an item and a coupon, and an item and a special offer.

10. The program code of claim 6, further comprising a fifth program sub-code for, if said first data entered is greater-than or equal-to said acceptance price, displaying a third pre-recorded motional graphic communicating offer acceptance.