APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR GENERATION AND UTILIZATION OF SALES LEADS
First Claim
1. A method for generating and utilizing sales leads, said method comprising:
- receiving a request for first information regarding an item for sale from a user device;
transmitting second information associated with said request to one or more advertising entities;
receiving in response to said second information, at least one advertisement;
obtaining said requested first information;
formatting said requested first information and said at least one advertisement into a format suitable for use by said user device; and
transmitting said requested first information and said at least one advertisement to said user device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for generating and utilizing sales leads and related information. In one embodiment, an item information collection (IIC) server communicates with a plurality of client devices via a web server and/or an SMS server. The IIC server services requests for information regarding subject vehicles by forwarding information in the request to vehicle information sources. The resulting information is compiled and formatted for provision to the customer. The IIC server provides portions of the information to advertisers and related product/service providers according to one or more business rules. An operator of the IIC server may charge a premium to the advertisers and related product/service providers for the ability to present information and advertisements to the customer. Where the information includes customer contact information, the advertiser may optionally contact the customer directly. Business methods and rules for lead generation and utilization are also disclosed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for generating and utilizing sales leads, said method comprising:
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receiving a request for first information regarding an item for sale from a user device; transmitting second information associated with said request to one or more advertising entities; receiving in response to said second information, at least one advertisement; obtaining said requested first information; formatting said requested first information and said at least one advertisement into a format suitable for use by said user device; and transmitting said requested first information and said at least one advertisement to said user device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for generating and utilizing sales leads, said method comprising:
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receiving a request for information regarding a particular item for sale from a client device, said request being received in the form of a short message service (SMS) message; transmitting at least a portion of information contained in said request to one or more item information sources, said item information sources being configured to provide information regarding said particular item for sale based at least in part on said at least portion of information; extracting data contained in said request; providing said extracted data to one or more advertising entities, said advertising entities being configured to provide advertisements for products or services related to said particular item for sale; receiving said requested information regarding said particular item for sale; and formatting said requested information into a format suitable for transmission to said client device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A server apparatus, comprising:
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at least one interface configured to provide communication between the server apparatus and one or more remote entities; and at least one processor, said processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program configured to, when executed; receive a request for information regarding an item for sale from a user device; query one or more information-containing entities for said information regarding said item for sale; compile information regarding at least one of a user of said user device, said user device itself, and said item for sale for transmission to one or more advertisement-generating entities; receive said information regarding said item for sale; and transmit said information regarding said item for sale to said user device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A client device adapted for issuing requests relating to goods or services comprising:
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at least one interface for communication between said client device and other remote entities; and a processor, said processor comprising at least one client application thereon, said client application which, when executed; enables a user of said client device to create a message requesting information regarding an item for sale, said message comprising at least information descriptive of said item; transmits said message to a remote server entity; receives said information regarding said item and at least one advertisement related to said item; and enables said user to request additional information regarding said item or said advertisement. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification