METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A TIME-AWARE OR CALENDAR-AWARE FACILITATOR TO IMPROVE UTILIZATION OF TIME-SENSITIVE OR PERISHABLE RESOURCES

• US 20100145801A1
• Filed: 11/03/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tivamo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tivamo, Inc.
• Inventors: Chekuri, Jagannadha Raju
• Application Number:
  US12/264,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20100145801A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.510
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0645 Rental transactions; Leasing transactions

Abstract

A first interface is provided to enable one or more suppliers to publish listings of available time-valued resources. Each of the available time-valued resources is associated with a predetermined time slot of availability. A second interface is provided to enable one or more consumers to publish listings of needed time-valued resources. Each of the needed time-valued resources is associated with a predetermined time slot of need. The first interface and the second interface are provided by a matching engine. A notification is generated when it is determined that a listing of an available time-valued resource matches with a listing of a needed time valued resource based on time information and calendar information.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing time-valued resources, the method comprising:

providing a first interface to enable one or more suppliers to publish listings of

available time-valued resources, wherein each of the available time-valued

resources is associated with a predetermined time slot of availability;

providing a second interface to enable one or more consumers to publish listings of

needed time-valued resources, wherein each of the needed time-valued

resources is associated with a predetermined time slot of need, wherein the first

interface and the second interface are provided by a matching engine; and

generating a notification when it is determined that a listing of an available time-valued

resource matches with a listing of a needed time valued resource based on time

information and calendar information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the one or more suppliers and the one or more consumers to provide attribute information and calendar information associated with the available time-valued resources and with the needed time-valued resources, respectively.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to determine matches based on auction or fixed prices.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the notification is sent to a supplier and a consumer associated with a match.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising managing an agreement formed between the supplier and the consumer associated with the match.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein managing the agreement comprises managing payment associated with the agreement.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein managing the agreement comprises managing dispute resolution associated with the agreement.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable one or more suppliers to enter into agreements with one or more consumers.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more suppliers to promote the available time-valued resources to the one or more consumers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more suppliers to form panels of available time-valued resources to promote to the one or more consumers.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more consumers to promote the needed time-valued resources to the one or more suppliers.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more consumers to form panels of needed time-valued resources to promote to the one or more suppliers.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more consumers to promote their needs to one or more suppliers.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the one or more suppliers and the one or more consumers to donate to social causes to promote their rankings as related to the matching engine.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to suggest promotion actions to the one or more consumers or to the one or more suppliers.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to promote cross selling among the one or more consumers and the one or more suppliers.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more suppliers to restrict association with a group of predetermined consumers.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to enable the one or more consumers to restrict association with a group of predetermined suppliers.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the matching engine is to promote the one or more consumers and the one or more suppliers based on a set of criteria.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the set of criteria comprises one or more of confidence level, social cause donation level, service level, activity level.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein a time-valued resource associated with a supplier or a consumer is temporal.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein utilization of a time-valued resource comprises renting the time-valued resource.