RETAIL SYSTEM FOR SELLING PRODUCTS BASED ON A FLEXIBLE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

• US 20120330771A1
• Filed: 04/02/2012
• Published: 12/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew P. Golden, Daniel E. Tedesco, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Kathleen Van Luchene, Keith Bemer, Magdalena Mik, Peter Kim, Raymod J. Mueller, Russell Pratt Sammon
• Original Assignee: Andrew P. Golden, Daniel E. Tedesco, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Kathleen Van Luchene, Keith Bemer, Magdalena Mik, Peter Kim, Raymod J. Mueller, Russell Pratt Sammon
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Kim, Peter, Jorasch, James A., Mik, Magdalena, Sammon, Russell Pratt, Golden, Andrew P., Mueller, Raymod J., Bemer, Keith, Van Luchene, Kathleen, Tedesco, Daniel E.
• Application Number:
  US13/437,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20120330771A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining transaction information associated with

(i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and

(ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price;

transmitting information that facilitates the acquisition of the product, by the buyer, from the merchant, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer, to the central controller, of an amount based on the first price; and

providing an amount based on the second price to the merchant.