The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 25, 2011
Filed:
May. 10, 2007
Andrew S. Van Luchene, Norwalk, CT (US);
John C. Caine, Ivoryton, CT (US);
Kathleen Van Luchene, Norwalk, CT (US);
Michiko Kobayashi, Stamford, CT (US);
Ronald E. Zepp, Ii, Winston, GA (US);
Robert J. Anderson, Smyrna, GA (US);
Andrew S. Van Luchene, Norwalk, CT (US);
John C. Caine, Ivoryton, CT (US);
Kathleen Van Luchene, Norwalk, CT (US);
Michiko Kobayashi, Stamford, CT (US);
Ronald E. Zepp, II, Winston, GA (US);
Robert J. Anderson, Smyrna, GA (US);
Walker Digital, LLC, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A method is provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. Buyer information regarding a desired product is received. A controller then searches through a plurality of seller database records associated with products offered for sale by sellers, for a seller database record that corresponds to the buyer information. Based on the searching a determination is made that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information. Upon determination that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information the buyer submits additional information defining a commitment to purchase the product. This information indicating a quality associated with the desired product and a maximum price that the buyer commits to pay. After receiving this information a new seller database record is created with a specific product offered for sale by a specific seller that corresponds with the additional buyer information, and the buyer is automatically charged for the specific product. According to other embodiments, an appropriate item price is determined based on the seller offer information. According to another embodiment, a subsidy is determined, the subsidy being associated with a benefit from a subsidy provider to be applied to the transaction. In this case, it is arranged for the seller to provide the item to the buyer in accordance with the benefit. A seller offer and or a buyer offer may be binding, and a penalty may be applied if a seller and or a buyer does not complete a transaction.