System and method for enabling service providers to create real-time reverse auctions for location based services
First Claim
1. A method of enabling service providers to create real-time reverse auctions for location based services comprising the steps of:
- determining a location where service is requested;
providing details of the requested service;
identifying service affiliates capable of providing the requested service;
notifying identified service affiliates of an opportunity to bid in an auction;
providing auction related information to bidding service affiliates;
executing the auction;
notifying the winning bidder; and
settling with the winning bidder.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method facilitates the matching of service providers based on certain criteria such as, but not limited to, location of the provider in relation to a customer location, customer requests based on the location of the customer, the type of service requested and other possible attributes such as customer profile, customer past behavior and preferences and service price and quality. Service providers create real-time reverse auctions by using advanced data collection, filtering and disseminating algorithms. In addition, market-makers can provide value-added services, such as real-time traffic conditions and route planning, to their local affiliates. Such a scheme can allow market-makers to economically service customer requests by leveraging the real-time conditions and circumstances of their vast network of local service affiliates. Open competition will drive down prices for these services and increase revenues for the market-makers who will be able to service customer requests at the best prices available. This system will also benefit local service affiliates by notifying them and allowing them to compete for a broader number of service requests. A feedback mechanism will also encourage superior customer service since affiliates will want to ensure that they are considered for more jobs.
57 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of enabling service providers to create real-time reverse auctions for location based services comprising the steps of:
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determining a location where service is requested; providing details of the requested service; identifying service affiliates capable of providing the requested service; notifying identified service affiliates of an opportunity to bid in an auction; providing auction related information to bidding service affiliates; executing the auction; notifying the winning bidder; and settling with the winning bidder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for enabling service providers to create real-time reverse auctions for location based services comprising:
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means for determining a location where service is requested; means for receiving details of the requested service; means for identifying service affiliates capable of providing the requested service; notification means for notifying identified service affiliates of an opportunity to bid in an auction; means for providing auction related information to bidding service affiliates; a platform for executing the auction; means for notifying the winning bidder; and means for settling with the winning bidder. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification