Computer system and method for negotiating the purchase and sale of goods or services using virtual sales
First Claim
1. A network system for facilitating the negotiation and purchase of goods or services for buyers and sellers, the system comprising:
- a host processor system;
at least one buyer computer terminal including a display, operated by buyer of goods or services;
at least one primary seller computer terminal including a display, operated by a primary seller of goods or services for selling the goods or services of the primary seller;
a virtual seller computer terminal including a display, operated by a virtual seller of goods or services who is not the primary seller for selling the goods or services of the primary seller, said virtual seller not possessing custody or control of the goods or services of the primary seller but having a database storing product information concerning the goods or services of the primary seller;
a first real time two-way communication connection for selectively connecting said buyer computer terminal to said primary seller computer terminal or said virtual computer seller through said host processor system, said first communication connection for transmitting transaction data concerning the purchase of goods or services of said primary seller, input by a buyer into said buyer computer terminal, in real time to said seller computer terminal or to said virtual seller computer terminal for display to said seller and for transmitting transaction data, input by a seller into said seller computer terminal or said virtual seller computer terminal, in real time to said buyer computer terminal for display to the buyer;
said host processor system including processing means for selectively connecting a buyer computer terminal to either a primary seller computer terminal or a virtual seller computer based upon predetermined criteria, anda sale agreement means for enabling a buyer to reach an agreement concerning the purchase of goods or services from a either a virtual or a primary seller over the network system.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer and human interactive system and method for negotiating the purchase and sale of goods or services is provided. The system includes a plurality of primary seller terminals and at least one virtual seller terminal which are connected over a network, preferably the Internet, by a host processor to buyer terminals. The host processor connects buyers to sellers of goods according to information provided by the buyer such as the buyer'"'"'s location and/or goods or services to be purchased. Where a primary dealer is unavailable to complete purchasing transactions, such as where the seller has closed for the day, a virtual seller is connected to the buyer to complete the purchasing transaction. Once a primary seller or virtual seller has been selected to complete a purchasing transaction with a buyer, the buyer and seller are connected by a real time data communications connection and a real time speech communications connection so that the buyer and seller may negotiate and complete a purchasing transaction.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A network system for facilitating the negotiation and purchase of goods or services for buyers and sellers, the system comprising:
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a host processor system; at least one buyer computer terminal including a display, operated by buyer of goods or services; at least one primary seller computer terminal including a display, operated by a primary seller of goods or services for selling the goods or services of the primary seller; a virtual seller computer terminal including a display, operated by a virtual seller of goods or services who is not the primary seller for selling the goods or services of the primary seller, said virtual seller not possessing custody or control of the goods or services of the primary seller but having a database storing product information concerning the goods or services of the primary seller; a first real time two-way communication connection for selectively connecting said buyer computer terminal to said primary seller computer terminal or said virtual computer seller through said host processor system, said first communication connection for transmitting transaction data concerning the purchase of goods or services of said primary seller, input by a buyer into said buyer computer terminal, in real time to said seller computer terminal or to said virtual seller computer terminal for display to said seller and for transmitting transaction data, input by a seller into said seller computer terminal or said virtual seller computer terminal, in real time to said buyer computer terminal for display to the buyer; said host processor system including processing means for selectively connecting a buyer computer terminal to either a primary seller computer terminal or a virtual seller computer based upon predetermined criteria, and a sale agreement means for enabling a buyer to reach an agreement concerning the purchase of goods or services from a either a virtual or a primary seller over the network system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of facilitating the negotiation and purchase of goods or services for buyers and sellers comprising the steps of:
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providing a host processor system interconnected with at least one primary seller of goods or services, at least one virtual seller who is not the primary seller for selling the goods or services of the primary seller, said virtual seller not possessing custody or control of the goods or services of the primary seller but having a database storing product information concerning the goods or services of the primary seller; and
a plurality of buyers of goods or services;transmitting buyer identification information by a buyer to the host processor system; selecting the virtual seller or a primary seller by the host processor system based upon predetermined criteria; providing a real time two-way data connection between the buyer and the selected primary seller or virtual seller for transmitting transaction data from the buyer in real time for visual display of the purchase data to the seller and for transmitting transaction data from the seller in real time for visual display of the purchase data to the buyer, and agreeing over the network system to the purchase of goods or services from a primary or virtual seller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification