ONLINE AND OFFLINE COLLABORATION ASSOCIATED WITH SHOPPING AND PURCHASING

• US 20140337169A1
• Filed: 05/07/2013
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kilroy, Jonathan, Watfa, Allie K., Nussel, Dale, Pardeshi, Mangesh
• Granted Patent: US 10,108,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification

Abstract

Techniques are provided that include using a collaborative arrangement between a first entity associated with a physical location, such as a physical store or residence that has or sells one or more products of a first product type, and a second entity, such as a Web site offering for purchase products of the first product type. According to some such arrangements, if, for example, a user purchases a product from the Web site after the user evidently made a visit to the physical location, or received a display or demonstration of a product of the first product type at the physical location, then revenue or value resulting from the purchase may be split or shared between entities including the first entity and the second entity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

using one or more computers, obtaining evidence that a first online user has made a visit to a physical location, associated with a first entity, that includes or sells one or more products of a first product type;

using one or more computers, following the evidenced visit, determining that the first online user has made a purchase of a product of the first product type from a Web site, or an online store, associated with a second entity;

using one or more computers, obtaining stored information specifying a collaborative arrangement at least between the first entity and the second entity at least regarding sale of products of the first product type; and

using one or more computers, in accordance with the arrangement, facilitating or implementing revenue sharing or splitting, resulting from the purchase of the product, between at least the first entity and the second entity.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining the stored information, wherein the collaborative arrangement specifies a revenue splitting arrangement, and wherein the revenue splitting arrangement is at least in part to account for a contribution, or possible contribution, by the first entity, in connection with allowing the online user to, at least, see in-person a product of the first product type, and at least in part to account for a contribution, by the second entity in connection with allowing the first user to purchase a product of the first product type from the Web site.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the evidence comprises utilizing a physical beaconing technique, wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which information regarding physical location of the first online user is wirelessly transmitted, received, and stored, and wherein the information regarding physical location provides at least a portion of the evidence.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the evidence comprises utilizing a physical beaconing technique, wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which GPS information regarding physical location of the first online user is wirelessly transmitted, received, and stored, and wherein the GPS information provides at least a portion of the evidence.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the evidence comprises utilizing a physical beaconing technique, wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which GPS information regarding physical location of the first online user is wirelessly transmitted, from a smart phone, GPS system or other portable electronic device on the first user, or on or in a vehicle used by the first user, and wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which the GPS information is received and stored, and wherein the GPS information provides at least a portion of the evidence.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining evidence that a first online user has made a visit to a physical location, associated with a first physical store that sells one or more products of a first product type.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining evidence that a first online user has made a visit to a physical location, associated with a first physical commercial facility that, at least, may offer or provide display or demonstration of one or more products of the first product type.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining the evidence, and wherein the first entity is an owner, manager or operator of the physical location or of a home, store or other commercial facility at the physical location.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining the evidence, and wherein the physical location is a region, an area, an approximate region, or an approximate area.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining the evidence, and wherein the first entity is a second online user, and wherein the physical location is a residence of the second online user, and wherein stored information indicates that a product of the first product type is or may be at the residence, or is or may be owned by the second online user.

11. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining the evidence, and wherein the first entity is a second online user, and wherein the physical location is a residence of a second online user, and wherein stored information indicates that a product of the first product type is at the residence or owned by the second online user, and wherein the second online user is determined by stored social graph information to be socially connected to the first online user.

12. The method of claim 1, comprising obtaining evidence that the first online user has obtained a physical demonstration of a product of the first product type during the visit.

13. The method of claim 1, comprising the user utilizing a coupon or other discount provided to the user at the Web site and relating at least in part to a visit to the physical location.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first online user proactively communicates information regarding the visit, and wherein, at least in part as a result, a coupon, discount or other incentive is provided to the first online user by the Web site for use for an online purchase of a product of the first product type.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first product type is a brand, model, model type, or among a specified group of brands, models, or model types.

16. A system comprising:

one or more server computers coupled to a network; and

one or more databases coupled to the one or more server computers;

wherein the one or more server computers are for;

obtaining evidence that a first online user has made a visit to a physical location, associated with a first entity, that includes or sells one or more products of a first product type;

following the evidenced visit, determining that the first online user has made a purchase of a product of the first product type from a Web site, or an online store, associated with a second entity;

obtaining stored information specifying a collaborative arrangement at least between the first entity and the second entity at least regarding sale of products of the first product type; and

in accordance with the arrangement, facilitating or implementing revenue sharing or splitting, resulting from the purchase of the product, between at least the first entity and the second entity.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more server computers are coupled to the Internet.

18. The system of claim 16, comprising obtaining the stored information, wherein the collaborative arrangement specifies a revenue splitting arrangement, and wherein the revenue splitting arrangement is at least in part to account for a contribution, or possible contribution, by the first entity, in connection with allowing the online user to, at least, see in-person a product of the first product type, and at least in part to account for a contribution, by the second entity in connection with allowing the first user to purchase a product of the first product type from the Web site.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein obtaining the evidence comprises utilizing a physical beaconing technique, wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which information regarding physical location of the first online user is wirelessly transmitted, received, and stored, and wherein the information regarding physical location provides at least a portion of the evidence.

20. A computer readable medium or media containing instructions for executing a method comprising:

using one or more computers, obtaining evidence that a first online user has made a visit to a physical location, associated with a first entity, that includes or sells one or more products of a first product type, comprising utilizing a physical beaconing technique, wherein a physical beaconing technique is a technique in which information regarding physical location of the first online user is wirelessly transmitted, received, and stored, and wherein the information regarding physical location of the first online user provides at least a portion of the evidence;

using one or more computers, following the evidenced visit, determining that the first online user has made a purchase of a product of the first product type from a Web site, or an online store, associated with a second entity;

using one or more computers, obtaining stored information specifying a collaborative arrangement at least between the first entity and the second entity at least regarding sale of products of the first product type, wherein the collaborative arrangement specifies a revenue splitting arrangement, and wherein the revenue splitting arrangement is at least in part to account for a contribution, or possible contribution, by the first entity, in connection with allowing the online user to, at least, see in-person a product of the first product type, and at least in part to account for a contribution, by the second entity, in connection with allowing the first user to purchase a product of the first product type from the Web site; and

using one or more computers, in accordance with the arrangement, facilitating or implementing revenue sharing or splitting, resulting from the purchase of the product, between at least the first entity and the second entity.