Automobile transaction facilitation based on customer selection of a specific automobile

• US 8,744,925 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2011
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sidekick Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Sidekick Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Seergy, Michael J., Brown, Benjamin N. S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zukanovich, Brandy A
• Application Number:
  US13/176,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20110264552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/26.3, 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: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A system, methods, and apparatus for performing 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, inventory, and consumer interest information received from dealers, manufacturers, and consumers. A consumer may provide a request for a response regarding a specific automobile using an image of a vehicle identification number or a graphical user interface. Automobile market data may be provided to a dealer based on the request. Bids to sell the specific automobile may be requested from dealers based on the request. Dealer bids may be provided to the consumer with prices and a delivery options. The consumer may select a bid which specifies a pickup location at a first dealer.

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 consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, wherein the first request is made by a consumer using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number and the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition;

causing at least one processing device to;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request, wherein the at least two dealers engage in inventoryless bidding by providing a bid on the first automobile when the first automobile is at least one of yet to be manufactured and in the inventory of another entity;

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

receiving a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to purchase the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option, wherein the first bid is an inventoryless bid requiring the first automobile to be at least one of manufactured and transferred from the inventory of another entity to the first dealer.

2. 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

receiving, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including a vehicle identification number;

causing at least one processing device to;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receiving a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the pricing data includes normal listing prices, sale prices, manufacturer incentives, actual prices of executed transactions, and consumer offers.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the inventory data includes at least one of inventory data by location, inventory in transit data, production lead time data, production schedule data, and shipping schedule data.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first request is made by a consumer using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the first request includes geolocation information of the consumer.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile is one of a particular type of car with a specific set of features and a particular car with a specific vehicle identification number.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile market data provided to the first manufacturer consists of at least one of the first request and a suggested bid price.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the first bid is an inventoryless bid requiring the first automobile to be at least one of manufactured and transferred from the inventory of another entity to the first dealer.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the consumer selection of the first bid indicates that the consumer intends to lease the first automobile.

12. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to process the consumer 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.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first automobile is made available for pickup at the first dealer according to the consumer selected first delivery option.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a consumer interface from a plurality of consumers.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a manufacturer interface from at least one manufacturer.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the first dealer at least one of provides and offers at least one of a financing plan, a service plan, an insurance plan, a warranty, and a hard add accessory, for at least the first automobile.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the first dealer is at least one of a franchise dealer and a non-franchise distribution location.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the automobile market data includes consumer interest data.

19. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including an acknowledgement of interest.

20. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including at least one of a verification, a confirmation, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the first automobile market data provides a recommended deal of the day.

22. 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

receiving, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including 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 dealer interface, wherein the first automobile market data is based on real-time automobile market data and actual sales data for comparable automobiles within a predetermined time period and within a predetermined geographic area;

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receiving a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first request is made by a consumer on a website.

24. The method of claim 23, 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.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the first bid is an inventoryless bid requiring the first automobile to be at least one of manufactured and transferred from the inventory of another entity to the first dealer.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to process the consumer 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.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first automobile is made available for pickup at the first dealer according to the consumer selected first delivery option.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a consumer interface from a plurality of consumers.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a manufacturer interface from at least one manufacturer.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the first dealer at least one of provides and offers at least one of a financing plan, a service plan, an insurance plan, a warranty, and a hard add accessory, for at least the first automobile.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including an acknowledgement of interest.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including at least one of a verification, a confirmation, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer.

33. The method of claim 22, wherein the first automobile market data provides a recommended deal of the day.

34. 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

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

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including a vehicle identification number;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receive a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the pricing data includes normal listing prices, sale prices, manufacturer incentives, actual prices of executed transactions, and consumer offers.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the inventory data includes at least one of inventory data by location, inventory in transit data, production lead time data, production schedule data, and shipping schedule data.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the first request is made by a consumer using a mobile device which takes a picture of a vehicle identification number.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the vehicle identification number is recognized using optical character recognition.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the first request includes geolocation information of the consumer.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the first automobile is one of a particular type of car with a specific set of features and a particular car with a specific vehicle identification number.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the first automobile market data provided to the first manufacturer consists of at least one of the first request and a suggested bid price.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the first bid is an inventoryless bid requiring the first automobile to be at least one of manufactured and transferred from the inventory of another entity to the first dealer.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the consumer selection of the first bid indicates that the consumer intends to lease the first automobile.

44. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to process the consumer 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.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the first automobile is made available for pickup at the first dealer according to the consumer selected first delivery option.

46. The system of claim 34, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a consumer interface from a plurality of consumers.

47. The system of claim 34, wherein the dealer interface allows a dealer to request data via a manufacturer interface from at least one manufacturer.

48. The system of claim 34, wherein the first dealer at least one of provides and offers at least one of a financing plan, a service plan, an insurance plan, a warranty, and a hard add accessory, for at least the first automobile.

49. The system of claim 34, wherein the first dealer is at least one of a franchise dealer and a non-franchise distribution location.

50. The system of claim 34, wherein the automobile market data includes consumer interest data.

51. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including an acknowledgement of interest.

52. The system of claim 34, further comprising:

causing the at least one processing device to provide a manufacturer response via the consumer interface including at least one of a verification, a confirmation, and an offer indicating that the first automobile can be provided for the consumer.

53. The system of claim 34, wherein the first automobile market data provides a recommended deal of the day.

54. 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

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

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including data provided with at least one graphical user interface component;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receive a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

55. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software instructions which, when executed, cause an information processing apparatus to:

store 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including a vehicle identification number;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receive a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.

56. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing software instructions which, when executed, cause an information processing apparatus to:

store 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 a plurality of dealers and a plurality of consumers;

receive, via a consumer interface, a first request for a response regarding a first automobile, the first request including data provided with at least one graphical user interface component;

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

request, via a dealer interface from at least two dealers, a bid to sell the first automobile based on the first request;

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

receive a consumer selection of a first bid including a first delivery option which specifies a first pickup location at a first dealer and a second delivery option which specifies a different second pickup location, wherein the consumer selection indicates a consumer intention to one of purchase the first automobile and lease the first automobile based on the first bid and specifies one of the first delivery option and the second delivery option.