US6064981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for online display and negotiation of cargo rates
Assignee: Planet Traders Inc
•
Filing: 1999-06-17
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Granted: 2000-05-16
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Expires: 2019-06-17
Abstract
Abstract Freight forwarders and carriers post published rate and discount information for land, sea and air bearing cargo vessels to allow customers the opportunity to evaluate competitive prices, preferably in one consolidated location (e.g., a web site). A customer navigates to the site to obtain published or discounted rate information offered by a freight forwarder or carrier. The customer may accept a posted rate, in which case the site operator notifies the freight forwarder or carrier. Alternatively, customers, freight forwarders and carriers may negotiate rates for particular lanes of interest using an online interactive auction block.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil A. Barni
- 👤 Daniel M. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/08; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0633; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/10; G06Q50/18; G06Q50/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method operative at a server for enabling a first entity to negotiate with a second entity online to secure a cargo shipping commitment, comprising the steps of: having the first entity post a bid to an online auction block maintained at the server; in response to a request from the second entity to the server identifying a given cargo shipping lane, identifying a set of bids for that shipping lane; and in response to the second entity accepting a given one of the set of bids posted by the first entity, sending a message to the first and second entities confirming a cargo shipping commitment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method operative at a server for enabling a first entity to negotiate with a second entity online to secure a cargo shipping commitment, comprising the steps of: having the first entity post a bid to an online auction block maintained at the server; in response to a request from the second entity to the server identifying a given cargo shipping lane, identifying a set of bids for that shipping lane; and in response to the second entity accepting a given one of the set of bids posted by the first entity, sending a message to the first and second entities confirming a cargo shipping commitment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the identity of the first entity is anonymous.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 2 further including the step of notifying the second entity of the identity of the first entity after sending the message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the first entity is a customer that desires to ship goods, and the second entity is a carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the first entity is a carrier, and the second entity is a customer that desires to ship goods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein each of the first and second entities remain anonymous to each other until after the message is sent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the second entity is charged a fee for the accepted bid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the bid identifies a number of freight units.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the bid identifies a desired ship date and time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the bid identifies a desired price.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A server connectable to a computer network, comprising: a database of shipping information; a display routine for displaying a table of cargo rates indexed by user-selected shipping lane; and an auction routine for enabling users of client machines to negotiate to buy and sell cargo shipping commitments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A server connectable to a computer network, comprising: a database of shipping information; a display routine for displaying a table of cargo rates indexed by user-selected shipping lane; and an auction routine for enabling users of client machines to negotiate to buy and sell cargo shipping commitments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The server as described in claim 11 wherein the auction routine includes means for enabling a customer to post a bid for a given cargo shipping lane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The server as described in claim 12 wherein the auction routine further includes means for enabling a carrier to accept the bid for the given cargo shipping lane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The server as described in claim 11 wherein the auction routine includes means for enabling a carrier to post a bid for a given cargo shipping lane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The server as described in claim 14 wherein the auction routine further includes means for enabling a customer to accept the bid for the given cargo shipping lane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The server as described in claim 11 wherein the auction routine further includes means for notifying users that a given cargo shipping commitment has been made.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The server as described in claim 11 further including means for authorizing a given user to access the auction routine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |