Methods and Systems for Searching for Goods in a Virtual Marketplace
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for performing a search for a good offered for sale via an electronic marketplace, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a first computer, search parameters to facilitate the search for the good;
communicating the search parameters to a second computer having a database of data records corresponding with goods offered for sale via the electronic marketplace;
receiving, from the second computer, search results from the database of data records of the second computer, the search results satisfying the search parameters; and
displaying the search results.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for creating a computerized market for used and collectible goods by use of a plurality of low cost posting terminals and a market maker computer in a legal framework that establishes a bailee relationship and consignment contract with a purchaser of a good at the market maker computer that allows the purchaser to change the price of the good once the purchaser has purchased the good thereby to allow the purchaser to speculate on the price of collectibles in an electronic market for used goods while assuring the safe and trusted physical possession of a good with a vetted bailee.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for performing a search for a good offered for sale via an electronic marketplace, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a first computer, search parameters to facilitate the search for the good; communicating the search parameters to a second computer having a database of data records corresponding with goods offered for sale via the electronic marketplace; receiving, from the second computer, search results from the database of data records of the second computer, the search results satisfying the search parameters; and displaying the search results. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-based electronic marketplace, comprising:
a computer executing instructions representing an instance of an agent handler, the agent handler to; receive search parameters to facilitate a search for a good; communicate the search parameters to a second computer having a second instance of an agent handler, the second computer coupled with a database of data records corresponding with goods offered for sale via the electronic marketplace; receive, from the second computer, search results from the database of data records of the second computer, the search results satisfying the search parameters; and cause the search results to be displayed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A server-based electronic marketplace to facilitate a search for a good, the server comprising:
a processor executing instructions representing an electronic agent to facilitate a search of a plurality of network-connected computers for the good, each network-connected computer managing a database of data records corresponding with goods being offered for sale, the electronic agent i) to receive a search parameter via a web-based form, ii) to communicate the search parameters to one or more of the plurality of network-connected computers, iii) to receive search results satisfying the search parameters from one or more of the plurality of network-connected computers, and iv) to display the search results. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
Specification