System, method and article of manufacture for selecting a vendor of a product based on a user request

• US 20020022963A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Michael R., Miller, Gregory P., Carpenter, William H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022963A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for selecting a vendor of a product. First, a textual message having a word generically referring to a product is received. The word is matched to one or more brands of product. A vendor of the brand(s) of product is selected. Information about the vendor is output.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a vendor of a product, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a textual message having a word generically referring to a product;

(b) matching the word to at least one brand of product;

(c) selecting a vendor of the at least one brand of product; and

(d) outputting information about the vendor.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the vendor is selected based on the number of brands of products available from the vendor.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the product, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining an availability of the product at the vendor, determining a cost of the product charged by the vendor, and outputting a summary of the determinations.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the selected vendor.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of placing an order for the product with the selected vendor.

7. A computer program product for selecting a vendor of a product, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a textual message having a word generically referring to a product;

(b) computer code for matching the word to at least one brand of product;

(c) computer code for selecting a vendor of the at least one brand of product; and

(d) computer code for outputting information about the vendor.

8. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein the vendor is selected based on the number of brands of products available from the vendor.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the product, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, further comprising computer code for determining an availability of the product at the vendor, computer code for determining a cost of the product charged by the vendor, and computer code for outputting a summary of the determinations.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the selected vendor.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, further comprising computer code for placing an order for the product with the selected vendor.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the vendor is selected based on the number of brands of products available from the vendor.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein criteria for selecting the vendor include at least one of price of the product, proximity to the vendor, availability of delivery, whether the products are in stock, wrapping availability, shipping availability, tracking availability, and a loyalty program.

16. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising logic for determining an availability of the product at the vendor, logic for determining a cost of the product charged by the vendor, and logic for outputting a summary of the determinations.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein a promotional offer is output with the information about the selected vendor.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising logic for placing an order for the product with the selected vendor.

13. A system for selecting a vendor of a product, comprising:

(a) logic for receiving a textual message having a word generically referring to a product;

(b) logic for matching the word to at least one brand of product;

(c) logic for selecting a vendor of the at least one brand of product; and

(d) logic for outputting information about the vendor.