Patent ID: 6553347
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for an automatic negotiation process between a vendor's computer and any user through an electronic interface for a product having a starting price, the steps of the method being performed by the computer, the method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving a natural language query from a user, the query not having been restricted as to the choice of words; (b) attempting to extract an identifiable meaning from said query and to classify said meaning into one of a group of classes includingâ€”(i) a refusal to purchase the product, (ii) a price offer for the product and (iii) an agreement to purchase the product at the suggested price and (iv) an opinion about the product; (c) if a meaning has been extracted from said query and classified as a price offer, weighing said price offer against the starting price and against stored negotiation parameters by means of a negotiation comparator; (d) if said negotiation comparator is fulfilled by said price offer, accepting said price offer; and (e) alternatively, if said negotiation comparator is not fulfilled by said price offer, offering a discount incentive to the user, determined by a discount incentive comparator.