CONSUMER-INITIATED DEMAND-DRIVEN INTERACTIVE MARKETPLACE
First Claim
1. A method for managing consumer initiated demand in an online marketplace, comprising:
- receiving a first request for a product or service from a first consumer;
identifying one of a plurality of categories as corresponding to the first request;
assigning the first request to the identified category;
receiving at least one additional request for a product or service from a second consumer and assigning the at least one additional request to the identified category;
determining, using a processor, a demand for the identified category based at least on the number of requests assigned to the identified category; and
selectively generating a merchant notification for at least one merchant based on the determined demand for the identified category.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing consumer demand in an online marketplace. In one aspect, a method for managing consumer initiated demand in an online marketplace comprises: receiving a first request for a product or service from a first consumer; identifying one of a plurality of categories as corresponding to the first request; assigning the first request to the identified category; receiving at least one additional request for a product or service from a second consumer and assigning the at least one additional request to the identified category; determining, using a processor, a demand for the identified category based at least on the number of requests assigned to the identified category; and selectively generating a merchant notification for at least one merchant based on the determined demand for the identified category.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for managing consumer initiated demand in an online marketplace, comprising:
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receiving a first request for a product or service from a first consumer; identifying one of a plurality of categories as corresponding to the first request; assigning the first request to the identified category; receiving at least one additional request for a product or service from a second consumer and assigning the at least one additional request to the identified category; determining, using a processor, a demand for the identified category based at least on the number of requests assigned to the identified category; and selectively generating a merchant notification for at least one merchant based on the determined demand for the identified category. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for managing consumer demand in an online marketplace, comprising:
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a memory; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to; receive a first request for a product or service from a first consumer; identify one of a plurality of categories as corresponding to the first request;
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assign the first request to the identified category;receive at least one additional request for a product or service from a second consumer and assigning the at least one additional request to the identified category; determine a demand for the identified category based at least on the number of requests assigned to the identified category; and selectively generate a merchant notification for at least one merchant based on the determined demand for the identified category. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for managing consumer initiated demand in an online marketplace, comprising:
receiving a first request for a product or service from a first consumer over a network, and, using a processor; comparing the first request against a database organized at least partially according to a plurality of categories, identifying one of a plurality of categories as corresponding to the first request based on the comparison, assigning the first request to the identified category, and receiving at least one additional request from a second consumer and assigning the at least one additional request for a product or service to the identified category. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification