System and method for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables

• US 7,747,471 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Lay, Allen Bryant, Baird, Lisa Ott, Brown, Kathy Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian; Mila
• Application Number:
  US11/320,074
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A method and system for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables is disclosed. A user accesses a web site and is provided with a web page enabling the user to choose a product with multiple optional features. Upon selection of the product and desired features, the user is provided with pricing information for the selected products and features and provided with the option to modify the product be selecting different features. Upon selection of the modification, the user is provided with a web page simultaneously displaying the original selection and associated feature prices and the modification and associated feature prices.

Claims

1. A computer system for providing multiple real time pricing quotes to a user for a desired product based on optional features for said desired product, said system comprising:

a first subsystem comprising a processor configured to;

generate a first web page having a list of products offered for sale, and a display of a plurality of optional features;

provide a first user interface that enables a user to select a product with a first set of selected optional features from said plurality of optional features on said first web page; and

provide instructions to display on said first web page prices for each selected optional feature on said first set of selected optional features;

a second subsystem comprising a processor configured to receive information about the first set of optional features;

a third subsystem comprising a processor configured to;

generate a second web page having a second display of said plurality of optional features to customize the optional features that are selected, and

provide a second user interface on said second web page that enables the user to select a second set of selected optional features from said plurality of features;

a fourth subsystem comprising a processor configured to receive information about said second set of selected optional features; and

a fifth subsystem comprising a processor configured to;

generate a third web page that displays the first set of selected optional features, the prices for the first set of selected optional features, the total price of the product with the first set of selected optional features, the prices for the second set of selected optional features, the second set of selected optional features, the prices for the second set of selected optional feastures, and the total price of the product with the second set of selected optional features, in response to instructions from said second user interface and

provide a third user interface on said third web page that enables the user to change the second set of selected optional features.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said fifth subsystem configured to generate a third web page comprises:

at least one subsystem comprising a processor configured to generate a web page having a first column identifying the desired product and said first set of selected optional features, a second column disposed adjacent to the first column listing the prices for the first set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the first set of selected optional features, a third column disposed adjacent to the second column identifying the desired product and said second set of selected optional features; and

a fourth column disposed adjacent to the third column listing the prices for the second set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the second set of selected optional features.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said fifth subsystem to generate a third web page comprises:

at least one subsystem comprising a processor configured to generate a web page having a first row identifying the desired product and first set of selected optional features, a second row disposed below the first row listing the prices for the first set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the first set of selected optional features, a third row disposed below the second row identifying the desired product and said second set of selected optional features; and

a fourth row disposed below the third row listing the prices for the second set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the second set of selected optional features.

4. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said second web page further comprises a drop down menu for selecting the second set of selected optional features.

5. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said desired product is automobile insurance and said plurality of features comprise type of coverage, limits of coverage and deductibles.

6. The computer system of claim 5 wherein said first subsystem that generates a first web page having a list of products offered for sale comprises at least one subsystem that generates a web page listing the user'"'"'s existing automobile coverage.

7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein said second web page further comprises a user interface that enables the user to input a type of coverage, a deductible amount and a coverage limit.

8. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for providing information from a first computer to a user computer, said computer readable medium comprising instructions to:

generate a first web page having a list of products to be offered for sale and a plurality of optional features;

provide a user interface to select a desired product with a first set of selected optional features on said first web page;

generate a second web page, said second web page displaying the prices for each of optional feature on said first set of selected optional features and providing an option to the user to select a second set of selected optional features to customize the optional features that are selected; and

generate a third web page said third web page simultaneously comprising;

a display of said first set of selected optional features;

a display of the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features;

a user interface to select a third set of optional features; and

a display of the prices of each feature of said second set of selected optional features, in response to instructions from said second user interface.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein said instructions to provide a user interface to select a desired product with a first set of selected optional features comprise instructions to:

provide a user interface to identify the desired product;

determine whether the user has previously purchased a product similar to the desired product; and

display the features associated with the previously purchased product and the current price for the desired product having the features associated with the previously purchased product.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein said instructions to generate a third web page comprise instructions to generate a third web page having a tabular format with a first column listing the first set of selected optional features;

a second column listing the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features;

a third column for listing a second set of selected optional features;

a user interface to select a third set of optional features and a fourth column displaying the prices of each feature of said second set of selected optional features.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein said instructions to generate a third web page comprise instructions to generate a third web page having a tabular format with a first row listing the first set of selected optional features;

a second row listing the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features;

a third row for listing a second set of selected optional features;

a user interface to select a third set of optional features and a fourth row displaying the prices of each feature of said second set of selected optional features.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein said desired product is automobile insurance and said plurality of features comprise type of coverage, limits of coverage and deductibles.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein said instructions to generate a third web page comprise instructions to provide a user interface that enables the user to input the type of coverage, the deductible amount and the coverage limits for the desired product.

14. A computerized method for providing multiple real time pricing quotes to a user for a desired product based on optional features for said desired product comprising:

generating, in a first computer, a first web page including;

a list of products offered for sale and a plurality of optional features;

a first user interface to select a product with a first set of selected optional features; and

a first display of prices for each of optional feature on said first set of selected optional features;

generating, in at least one of the first computer or a second computer, a second web page including;

a second display of said plurality of optional features; and

a second user interface that enables the user to select a second set of selected optional features from said plurality of optional features to customize the optional features that are selected;

electronically calculating a first total price of the product with the first set of selected optional features;

electronically calculating a second total price of the product with the second set of selected optional features; and

generating, using at least one of the first computer, the second computer, and a third computer, a third web page that simultaneously displays prices for the first set of selected optional features, the prices for the second set of selected optional features, the first total price of the product with the first set of selected optional features and the second total price of the product with the second set of selected optional features, in response to instructions from said second user interface.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said method element for generating a third web page comprises:

generating a web page having a first column identifying the desired product and first set of selected optional features, a second column disposed adjacent to the first column listing the prices for the first set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the first set of selected optional features, a third column disposed adjacent to the second column identifying the desired product and the second set of selected optional features; and

a fourth column disposed adjacent to the third column listing the prices for the second set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the second set of selected optional features.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said method element for generating a third web page comprises:

generating a web page having a first row identifying the desired product and displaying the first set of selected optional features, a second row disposed below the first row listing the prices for the first set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the first set of selected optional features, a third row disposed below the second row identifying the desired product and said second set of selected optional features; and

a fourth row disposed below the third row listing the prices for the second set of selected optional features and the total price for the desired product with the second set of selected optional features.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said method element for generating a second web page comprises:

generating a web page including;

a listing of said first set of selected optional features;

a listing of the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features; and

a user interface to select a second set of selected optional features.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

determining whether the user has previously purchased a product similar to the desired product; and

generating a web page including a display of the features associated with the previously purchased product and the current price for the features associated with the previously purchased products.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said method element for generating a third web page comprises generating a web page having a tabular format with a first column listing the first set of selected optional features;

a second column listing the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features;

a third column for listing said second set of selected optional features, and having a user interface enabling the user to change said second set of selected optional features.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said method element for generating a third web page comprises generating a web page having a tabular format with a first row listing the first set of selected optional features;

a second row listing the prices for each of the first set of selected optional features;

a third row for listing a second set of selected optional features and having a user interface enabling the user to change said second set of selected optional features; and

a fourth row displaying the prices of each feature of said second set of selected optional features.