Method and apparatus for a network system designed to actively match buyers and sellers in a buyer-driven environment

• US 7,302,404 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2001
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sizmek Technologies Inc (Sizmek, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Auctionkiller, Ltd.
• Inventors: Solomon, Amiad
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, JAGDISH
• Application Number:
  US09/780,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,479 Days
• Field of Search: 705/37, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.44
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0619 Neutral agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

The present invention is a method for using a computer connected to a network to match buyers and sellers, the method including: receiving a buyer request from a buyer, the buyer request including a request to purchase a good or service, having the computer search sites on the network for sell ads from sellers, each of the sell ads referring to an advertised good or advertised service, matching the buyer request with at least one of the sell ads, and notifying the associated seller for each matched sell ad that the buyer has requested a good or service similar to the advertised good or advertised service advertised in the matched sell ad. According to some embodiments of the method and system, both a seller and a buyer may be identified and matched up without either sending a request.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating a transaction using a computer connected to a network to match buyers and sellers, the method comprising:

having said computer search websites on said network for want ads from buyers, said want ads referring to a wanted good or wanted service;

having said computer search websites on said network for sell ads from sellers, said sell ads referring to an advertised good or wanted service;

having said computer match at least one want ad with at least one sell ad based on programmed rules; and

notifying the associated buyer who posted said want ad that at least one sell ad has been matched to said want ad.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method further comprises:

notifying the associated seller for each matched sell ad that said notified buyer has requested a good or service similar to the advertised good or advertised service advertised in said matched sell ad.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said notifying the associated seller comprises:

inviting said notified seller to access said computer in order to said notified buyer.