Method and system for forming a list-based value discovery network
First Claim
1. A method performed by a bid engine computer system, the method comprisingpresenting, to a consumer, by the bid engine computer system, types of goods available for sale including at least one of milk, bread, eggs, beef and olives,receiving, from the consumer, by the bid engine computer system, selections from among said types of goods,causing, by the bid engine computer system, a list comprising the consumer'"'"'s selections to be presented to the consumer,automatically formulating, by the bid engine computer system, at least two bids for the list of items in response to the list being submitted to the bid engine computer system for auction by said consumer, each of said bids including terms under which the bidder is willing to sell the list of items to the consumer, at least one of the terms of each bid a) being different from any term in each other bid, b) being other than the price of the list of items, and c) being other than a delivery term,presenting, by the bid engine computer system, the bids concurrently to the consumer, andreceiving, by the bid engine computer system, an indication from the consumer as to which of the concurrently presented bids the consumer wishes to accept.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention describe a network-based reverse auction system value discovery system including at least four major customers: consumers, and the three sell-side customers bidder/sellers, product manufacturers, and advertisers who are not also product manufacturers. Initially, a shopping list is constructed containing e.g., widely available goods (WAGs). The shopping list is the base of the value discovery network and ads significant value for each of the four key customers. For consumers, the value discovery system is an easy and convenient way to obtain and feel assured that they have obtained the best deal possible, consistent with their own definition of value. For bidder/sellers, the value discovery system offers a chance to sell products effectively, e.g., in a manner that maximizes profits while building consumer relationships one by one. For product manufacturers, the value discovery system offers a buying channel where marketing and trade promotion of brands, categories, and relationships can be nurtured in direct relationships with consumers and their shopping lists, unmediated by the conflicts and inefficiencies of conventional retail channels. For other advertisers, the data-rich value discovery facilitates communication with those who make important household spending decisions, enabling crafted, precise, messages to be delivered to the right audience.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method performed by a bid engine computer system, the method comprising
presenting, to a consumer, by the bid engine computer system, types of goods available for sale including at least one of milk, bread, eggs, beef and olives, receiving, from the consumer, by the bid engine computer system, selections from among said types of goods, causing, by the bid engine computer system, a list comprising the consumer'"'"'s selections to be presented to the consumer, automatically formulating, by the bid engine computer system, at least two bids for the list of items in response to the list being submitted to the bid engine computer system for auction by said consumer, each of said bids including terms under which the bidder is willing to sell the list of items to the consumer, at least one of the terms of each bid a) being different from any term in each other bid, b) being other than the price of the list of items, and c) being other than a delivery term, presenting, by the bid engine computer system, the bids concurrently to the consumer, and receiving, by the bid engine computer system, an indication from the consumer as to which of the concurrently presented bids the consumer wishes to accept.
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27. Apparatus comprising
a database arranged to store product and price information from bidder/sellers, the store product and price information being for goods including at least one of milk, bread, eggs, beef and olives, a customer interface arranged to receive a request from a consumer for bids on a list of items specified by the consumer, said list of items including at least one of said milk, bread, eggs, beef and olives, and a bid engine computer system arranged to use said product and price information and pre-defined bidding rules that have been placed by the bidder/sellers to formulate at least two bids responsive to said consumer request, each of said at least two bids including terms under which the bidder is willing to sell the list of items to the consumer, each bid having at least one non-price term that is different from any term in each other bid, said at least one non-price term being other than a delivery term, said customer interface being further adapted to concurrently present said bids to said consumer and to receive an indication from the consumer as to which of the concurrently presented bids the consumer wishes to accept.
- 41. A method comprising conducting an on-line reverse auction wherein bidder/sellers submit reverse bids for a list of at least twenty different consumable consumer goods specified by a consumer, wherein the reverse bids differ in at least one term other than the price of the goods and other than a delivery term, the on-line reverse auction being conducted by a bid engine computer system that formulates bids on behalf of bidder/sellers based on product information, product prices and bidding rules previously provided to said bid engine computer system by each bidder/seller and that concurrently presents the formulated bids to the consumer.
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42. A method for use by a bid engine computer system to conduct a reverse auction for a list of at least twenty different consumable consumer items specified by a consumer, the method comprising
formulating, by the bid engine computer system, at least two reverse bids for the list of items on behalf of a single bidder/seller, each said bid including a price for the list of items, the reverse bids differing in the price of the items and also differing in at least one term other than the total price of the items, one of the reverse bids specifying a first brand for a particular one of the items and another one of the reverse bids specifying a second brand for said particular one of the items, and causing, by the bid engine computer system, each of the reverse bids to be delivered to the consumer.
Specification