Ebay, Incorporated

Paypal, Inc.

Erik Anderson Stuart

Brian Alan Grove

Valerie K Shirk

Arturo Manuel Zacarias

Jason Scott Steinhorn

Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described herein. In example embodiments, as system identifies a number of user devices actively viewing a web page that includes a real-time contact option. The system then determines whether the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds a predetermined limit. If the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option exceeds the predetermined limit, the system prevents presentation, to a further user device, of the real-time contact option on the web page. Conversely, if the number of user devices actively viewing the web page that includes the real-time contact option does not exceed the predetermined limit, the system causes presentation of the web page with the real-time contact option to the further user device.

Selective presentation of real-time contact options based on user and system parameters

Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.

A method and system are configured to assess a fee for communication facilitation. An electronic publication system includes a publication module configured to generate a user interface. The user interface includes search result information associated with a first entity and communication initiation information associated with the first entity. The communication initiation information includes identification information configured to identify a contact module of the first entity. The communication initiation information may be selectable to facilitate communication with the first entity. The publication system also includes a receiving module configured to receive a lead data record from a communication system for communication between the first entity and a second entity via the contact module. The publication system also includes a fee assessment module configured to receive the lead data record and to assess a fee to the first entity.

Method and system configured to assess a fee for communication facilitation regarding publication information

Embodiments for presenting real-time contact options are described generally herein. The system receives information from a first user about an offered item via a web page and communication preferences for use with a real-time contact option to be presented on the web page, whereby the communication preferences including a first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition. The system selectively presents to a second user the information about the offered item and the real-time contact option based on a determination that the first-user-defined real-time contact option presentation condition is satisfied. The system enables the second user to select the real-time contact option. In response to the second user selecting the real-time contact option, the system communicates to the first user a real-time contact request and information identifying the second user.

A method and system to contact a provider are described. The system may include a communication module to receive a referral request, a referral generator, and a call module. The referral generator may be configured to respond to the referral request by selecting a provider from a network of providers. The call module may be configured to initiate a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) call in order to contact the selected provider.

Method and system to contact a provider

Embodiments of configuring elements of a publication server of a product or server sales architecture in mechanisms are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A method and system to contact a provider are described. The system may include a communication module to detect a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) call to a seller; a suitable representative associated with the seller; a decision module to determine, utilizing the detected VoIP call to the seller; and a call routing module to route the VoIP call to the suitable representative.

Method and system to route a VoIP call to a representative at a provider's site

A method includes presenting to a buyer a multi-unit auction, permitting the buyer to bid one or more of a price and a number of units in the auction, and permitting the buyer to re-bid in the auction. The auction includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the price in the re-bid, and the auction further includes a rule that prevents the buyer from reducing the number of units in the re-bid.

Method and system to enable a fixed price purchase within a multi-unit online auction environment

A method and system are configured to assess a fee for communication facilitation regarding publication information. An electronic publication system includes a publication module configured to generate a user interface based on an information search. The user interface includes search result information associated with a first entity and communication initiation information associated with the first entity. The communication initiation information includes identification information configured to identify a contact module of the first entity. The communication initiation information is configured to be selectable to facilitate communication between a second entity and the first entity. The publication system also includes a receiving module configured to receive a lead data record from a communication system that facilitates communication between the first entity and a second entity via the contact module upon selection of the communication initiation information generated from the publication module. The publication system also includes a fee assessment module configured to receive the lead data record from the receiving module and to assess a fee to the first entity based on the lead data record.

A method of allowing a seller in a multi-unit auction facility to offer buyers the option of buying an offering at a pre-auction seller determined price or using a regular auction process. In one embodiment, the option to buy at the pre-auction seller determined price remains throughout the auction as long as there are units of an item remaining that have not yet been bid on. In another embodiment, the duration of an option of purchasing an item at a pre-auction seller determined prices depends on a configurable threshold, the current auction price in relation to the threshold, and whether the unit has been bid on. In another embodiment, a participant in an auction is allowed to re-bid, but is not allowed to reduce the price in that re-bid, or the quantity in that re-bid, unless that participant is currently not winning any units. In yet another embodiment, purchases during an auction at the pre-auction determined price reduces the quantity of that bidder's previous bid (if there is one), and reduces the quantity available for bid for any later bidders (but does not reduce the quantity of any other bidders who bid before the fixed-price purchase).

Growing community of inventors

San Mateo, CA, United States of America

Erik Anderson Stuart