US6141653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for interative, multivariate negotiations over a network
Assignee: WHITELIGHT TECHNOLOGY LLC
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Filing: 1998-11-16
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2018-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A multivariate negotiations engine for iterative bargaining which: enables a sponsor to create and administer a community between participants such as buyers and sellers having similar interests; allows a buyer/participant to search and evaluate seller information, propose and negotiate orders and counteroffers that include all desired terms, request sample quantities, and track activity; allows a seller/participant to use remote authoring templates to create a complete Website for immediate integration and activation in the community, to evaluate proposed buyer orders and counteroffers, and to negotiate multiple variables such as prices, terms, conditions etc., iteratively with a buyer. The system provides secure databases, search engines, and other tools for use by the sponsor, which enable the sponsor to define the terms of community participation, establish standards, help promote the visibility of participating companies, monitor activity, collect fees, and promote successes. All this is done through a multivariate negotiations engine system operated at the system provider's Internet site, thus requiring no additional software at the sponsors', or participant sellers', or buyer's sites. This also allows buyers and sellers to use and negotiate payment options and methods that are accepted internationally. The system maintains internal databases that contain the history of all transactions in each community, so that sponsors, buyers and sellers may retrieve appropriate records to document each stage of interaction and negotiation. Documents are created by the system during the negotiation process.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Conklin
- 👤 David Foucher
- 👤 Daniel Foucher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/10; G06Q50/18; G06Q50/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for processing multivariate negotiations, comprising: a network; a multivariate negotiations system including storage space, and negotiations software, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user, the multivariate negotiations system being connected to the network; a destination terminal for a first user connected to the network, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; an initiating terminal for a second user connected to the network, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further recognizing any changes in the terms and storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for processing multivariate negotiations, comprising: a network; a multivariate negotiations system including storage space, and negotiations software, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user, the multivariate negotiations system being connected to the network; a destination terminal for a first user connected to the network, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; an initiating terminal for a second user connected to the network, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further recognizing any changes in the terms and storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negotiations software enables iterative bargaining about the terms proposed by individuals at the respective terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negotiations software includes international processing software which enables proposed terms to be selected from and processed in internationally accepted formats.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system includes sponsorship software which enables the creation of a sponsore community with prescribed rules and procedures for participants.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system includes remote website authoring software which enables a participant to create a website remotely, using predefined templates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system includes sample quantity ordering software which allows a negotiator to order and purchase a sample quantity for evaluation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system includes archival software for recording and retrieving each set of proposed terms from each terminal to minimize the risk that final terms can be repudiated later.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system includes integrated database soft ware to store and retrieve terms proposed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negotiations software includes commercial transaction software for enabling commercial transactions over a network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the negotiations software includes non-commercial transaction software for enabling non-commercial negotiations over a network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multivariate negotiations system is physically located at one or more central sites on a network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a multivariate negotiations system is physically located at a sponsor site on a network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a multivariate negotiations system is physically located at a participant's site on a network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network comprises an open public network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a private network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a virtual private network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a local area network internal to an entity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software for sending and receiving terms comprises a web browser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each terminal includes multimedia equipment capable of capturing additional content for inclusion in the terms.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for processing multivariate negotiations, comprising the steps of: establishing communications paths over a network; connecting a multivariate negotiations system including storage space and negotiations software to the network, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to that purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; connecting a destination terminal for a first user to the network, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; connecting an initiating terminal for a second user to the network, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the inultivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for processing multivariate negotiations, comprising the steps of: establishing communications paths over a network; connecting a multivariate negotiations system including storage space and negotiations software to the network, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to that purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; connecting a destination terminal for a first user to the network, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; connecting an initiating terminal for a second user to the network, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path over the network which flows through the inultivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of including negotiations software further comprises the step of enabling iterative bargaining about the terms proposed by individuals at the respective terminals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of including negotiations software further comprises the step of international processing to enables proposed terms to be selected from and processed in internationally accepted formats.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to the network further comprises the step of enabling the creation of a sponsored community with prescribed rules and procedures for participants.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to the network further comprises the step of enabling a participant to create a website remotely, using predefined templates.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting the multivariate negotiations system to the network further comprises the step of allowing a negotiator to order and purchase a sample quantity for evaluation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to the network further comprises the step of enabling the recording and retrieval of each set of proposed terms from each terminal to minimize the risk that final terms can be repudiated later.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to the network further comprises the step of including integrated database software to store and retrieve terms proposed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of including negotiations software further comprises the step of enabling commercial transactions over a network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of including negotiations software further comprises the step of enabling non-commercial negotiations over a network.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to a network further comprises the step of physically locating said multivariate negotiations system at one or more central sites on a network.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The Method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariaty negotiations system to a network further comprise the step of physically locating said multivariate negotiations system at a sponsor site on a network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a multivariate negotiations system to a network further comprises the step of physically locating said multivariate negotiations system at a participant's site on a network.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of establishing communications paths over a network further comprises the step of using an open, public network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of establishing communications paths over a network further comprises the step of using a private network.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of establishing communications paths over a network further comprises the step of using a virtual private network.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of establishing communications paths over a network further comprises the step of using a local area network internal to an entity.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of including software for sending and receiving terms further comprises the step of including a web browser.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of connecting a terminal to a network further comprises the step of including multimedia equipment capable of capturing additional content for inclusion in the terms.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for processing iterative, multivariate bargaining, comprising: a multivariate negotiations system including storage space, and negotiations software such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; a destination terminal for a first user communicating with the multivariate negotiations system, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; an initiating terminal for a second user communicating with the multivariate negotiations system, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further recognizing any changes in the terms and storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, and sending terms to the indicated terminal the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus for processing iterative, multivariate bargaining, comprising: a multivariate negotiations system including storage space, and negotiations software such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing terms, the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; a destination terminal for a first user communicating with the multivariate negotiations system, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system; an initiating terminal for a second user communicating with the multivariate negotiations system, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and recognizing one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further recognizing any changes in the terms and storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, and sending terms to the indicated terminal the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the software for sending and receiving terms includes editable forms.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the editable forms are pre-formatted.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the editable forms contain open field boxes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the editable forms contain text areas.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the automated negotiations engine notifies users of activity by separate, electronic mail that does not contain any confidential information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein terms which have been acted upon in a final manner are incorporated into a concluding document.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the negotiations software can detect the need for a state change in the negotiations.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a state change further comprises a payment authorization.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein a state change further comprises a user-defined procedure.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for processing iterative, multivariate bargaining, comprising the steps of: operating a multivariate negotiations system including storage space and negotiations software, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; communicating with the multivariate negotiations system through a destination terminal for a first user, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations engine system; communicating with the multivariate negotiations system through an initiating terminal for a second user, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and designating one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for processing iterative, multivariate bargaining, comprising the steps of: operating a multivariate negotiations system including storage space and negotiations software, such negotiations software including an automated negotiations engine for analyzing the analysis of terms comprising understanding the purpose of the terms, formatting the terms according to the purpose, and placing them into user supplied context for use by a user; communicating with the multivariate negotiations system through a destination terminal for a first user, the destination terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations engine system; communicating with the multivariate negotiations system through an initiating terminal for a second user, the initiating terminal including software for sending and receiving terms along a communications path which flows through the multivariate negotiations system, during iterative processing the automated negotiations engine recognizing the users at the destination terminal and the initiating terminal as negotiators and designating one of the users as a deciding entity, such automated negotiations engine further storing in the storage space the terms each terminal proposes, and recognizing the terminal to which proposed terms are being sent as the indicated terminal, sending terms to the indicated terminal, the automated negotiations engine indicating any changes in the terms until a set of terms is acted upon in a final manner by the deciding entity.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the step of sending and receiving terms includes the step of using editable forms.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the step of using editable forms includes the step of pre-formatting them.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the step of using editable forms includes the step of providing editable forms containing open field boxes.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the step of using editable forms includes the step of using editable forms containing text areas.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the step of sending terms with an indication of any changes includes the step of the automated negotiations engine notifying users of activity by separate, electronic mail that does not contain any confidential information.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the step of sending terms to the indicated terminal includes the step of incorporating terms which have been acted upon in a final manner into a concluding document.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 49, wherein the step of sending terms to the indicated terminal includes the step of detecting the need for a state change in the negotiations.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 56, wherein the step of detecting the need for a state change further comprises the step of detecting the need for a payment authorization.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 56, wherein he step of detecting the need for a state change further comprises the step of detecting a user-defined procedure.
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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) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |