Used automobile transaction facilitation for a specific used automobile

• US 8,650,093 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
• Inventors: Seergy, Michael J., Brown, Benjamin N. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zukanovich, Brandy A
• Application Number:
  US13/207,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20120036033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/27.1, 705/26.4
• US Class Current: 705/26.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

A system, methods, and apparatus for performing used automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing and consumer interest information received from consumers, dealers, and manufacturers. A consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may provide a request for a response regarding a specific used automobile with a specific a vehicle identification number. Automobile market data may be provided to a used automobile buyer based on the request. Bids to purchase the specific used automobile may be requested from used automobile buyers based on the request. Buyer bids may be provided to the consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller with prices and a delivery options. The consumer seller or manufacturer off-lease seller may select a bid to sell the specific used automobile based on the bid.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing, on a computer readable medium, automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers, wherein at least a portion of the automobile market data is updated in real-time;

receiving, via a used automobile consumer seller interface, a first request for a response regarding a first used automobile, wherein the first request is made by a consumer seller using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number and the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition, and the first request includes data provided with at least one graphical user interface component;

causing at least one processing device to;

provide first automobile market data, based on the first request, via a used automobile buyer interface, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data and actual sales data for comparable automobiles within a specified time period and within a specified geographic area;

request, via the used automobile buyer interface from at least two used automobile buyers, a bid to purchase the first used automobile based on the first request, wherein the at least two used automobile buyers include at least one dealer and at least one consumer;

provide the response including at least two bids via the used automobile consumer seller interface, the at least two bids each including at least a price and a delivery option for the first used automobile, the at least two bids based on the first automobile market data; and

receiving a consumer seller selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer seller selection indicates a consumer seller intention to sell the first used automobile based on the first bid to a first used automobile buyer and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first used automobile buyer is one of a consumer and a dealer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one graphical user interface component includes at least one of a text box, a drop down list, a list box, a radio button, a checkbox, and a slider bar.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request includes a picture of at least one of the exterior of the automobile, the interior of the automobile, the dashboard of the automobile, the odometer of the automobile, service records of the automobile, and ownership records of the automobile.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request includes geolocation information of the consumer used automobile seller.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request includes at least one price parameter.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing data includes used automobile data and new automobile data, including actual prices of executed transactions, dealer listing prices, dealer sale prices, manufacturer incentives, dealer bids, consumer bids, and consumer pricing parameters.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to process the consumer seller selection of the first bid to facilitate executing a sale including at least one of providing for electronic signature of documents and providing for an electronic funds transfer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein an add-on, including at least one of insurance, financing, a service contract, a warranty, and a hard-add accessory, is provided by a third party with the first request, via the used automobile buyer interface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the add-on is selected for inclusion in the first bid by the first used automobile buyer.

11. A system comprising:

a computer readable medium storing automobile market data which is representative of recent automobile market characteristics, including at least pricing data and inventory data, wherein the automobile market data includes information received from at least one manufacturer, a plurality of dealers, and a plurality of consumers, wherein at least a portion of the automobile market data is updated in real-time;

at least one processing device operably coupled to the computer readable medium, the at least one processing device executing instructions to;

receive, via a used automobile consumer seller interface, a first request for a response regarding a first used automobile, wherein the first request is made by a consumer seller using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number and the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition, and the first request includes data provided with at least one graphical user interface component;

provide first automobile market data, based on the first request, via a used automobile buyer interface, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data and actual sales data for comparable automobiles within a specified time period and within a specified geographic area;

request, via the used automobile buyer interface from at least two used automobile buyers, a bid to purchase the first used automobile based on the first request, wherein the at least two used automobile buyers include at least one dealer and at least one consumer;

provide the response including at least two bids via the used automobile consumer seller interface, the at least two bids each including at least a price and a delivery option for the first used automobile, the at least two bids based on the first automobile market data; and

receive a consumer seller selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer seller selection indicates a consumer seller intention to sell the first used automobile based on the first bid to a first used automobile buyer and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.