System, method and computer program product for dynamic pricing

• US 7,966,221 B1
• Filed: 12/22/2009
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amdocs Development Limited (Amdocs Ltd.), Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Amdocs Software Systems Limited (Amdocs Ltd.)
• Inventors: Givoly, Tal, Sabbah, Michael, Sharon, Nitsan
• Primary Examiner(s): Airapetian; Mila
• Application Number:
  US12/645,338
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0629 for generating comparisons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for various pricing techniques. Initially, data associated with a sale of goods or services may be received. A plurality of values associated with the sale of goods or services may then be calculated based on the received data. At least one of the values is then optionally compared to a low threshold and at least one of the values is also optionally compared to a high threshold, although any threshold may be used. Even still, the threshold may be altered based on the received data. Consequently, the price of the goods or services may also be altered based on the comparisons, wherein the price may be altered, at least in part, in a random manner. Further, the altered price may be output.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving data associated with a sale of goods or services, utilizing an input device;

calculating a plurality of values associated with the sale of goods or services based on the received data, utilizing a processor in communication with the input device;

comparing at least one of the values to a first low threshold, utilizing the processor;

comparing at least one of the values to a second high threshold, utilizing the processor;

determining a price of the goods or services based on the comparisons, utilizing the processor; and

outputting the determined price, utilizing an output device in communication with the processor;

wherein the data associated with the sale of goods or services is received in response to a price request for the goods or services by a buyer;

wherein the price of the goods or services is an optimal price determined in real-time, such that the price of the goods or services is attributed to the sale of the goods or services and reflects a current optimal price that is optimal at the time of the determination of the price of the goods or services and in which maximum revenues are capable of being realized based on the values associated with the sale of goods or services.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a number of buyers that have requested a price for the goods or services.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a number of goods or services purchased within a predefined time period.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a time period between the price request for the goods or services by the buyer and an actual purchase of the goods or services by the buyer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of values that are calculated include a ratio between a number of goods or services purchased and a number of price requests made for the goods or services within a predefined time period.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of values that are calculated include a sum of goods or services sold within a predefined time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the price of the goods or services is determined according to a first rule if at least one calculated value is less than the first low threshold.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first rule includes decreasing the price of the goods or services by a predetermined amount.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the price of the goods or services is determined according to a second rule if at least one calculated value is greater than the first low threshold and less than the second high threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining includes altering and the second rule includes not altering the price of the goods or services.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the price of the goods or services is determined according to a third rule if at least one calculated value is greater than the second high threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining includes altering and the third rule includes increasing the price of the goods or services by a predetermined amount.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first low threshold and the second high threshold each include a random value.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging the buyer a price lower than the determined price if the buyer agrees to purchase the goods or services at the determined price.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging the buyer a price lower than the determined price if the buyer agrees to purchase the goods or services when the determined price is greater than a predetermined price.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the price of the goods or services is determined according to a policy associated with environmental changes.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a number of goods and/or services purchased for a specific type.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes an amount of time passed since a last purchase for the goods or services.

13. A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for receiving data associated with a sale of goods or services;

computer code for calculating a plurality of values associated with the sale of goods or services based on the received data;

computer code for comparing at least one of the values to a first low threshold;

computer code for comparing at least one of the values to a second high threshold;

computer code for determining a price of the goods or services based on the comparisons; and

computer code for outputting the determined price;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the data associated with the sale of goods or services is received in response to a price request for the goods or services by a buyer;

wherein the computer program product is operable such that the price of the goods or services is an optimal price determined in real-time, such that the price of the goods or services is attributed to the sale of the goods or services and reflects a current optimal price that is optimal at the time of the determination of the price of the goods or services and in which maximum revenues are capable of being realized based on the values associated with the sale of goods or services.

14. A system, comprising:

a processor for;

receiving data associated with a sale of goods or services, utilizing an input device;

calculating a plurality of values associated with the sale of goods or services based on the received data;

comparing at least one of the values to a first low threshold;

comparing at least one of the values to a second high threshold;

determining a price of the goods or services based on the comparisons; and

outputting the determined price;

wherein the system is operable such that the data associated with the sale of goods or services is received in response to a price request for the goods or services by a buyer;

wherein the system is operable such that the price of the goods or services is an optimal price determined in real-time, such that the price of the goods or services is attributed to the sale of the goods or services and reflects a current optimal price that is optimal at the time of the determination of the price of the goods or services and in which maximum revenues are capable of being realized based on the values associated with the sale of goods or services.