TIME CRITICAL INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a perishable product inventory control system configured to predict a perishable product surplus quantity at a location and time determined as a function of product expiration time, associate the predicted product surplus to a shopper seeking the product at the predicted location and time, and, automatically offer the shopper a portion of the product surplus discounted as a function of the perishable product surplus expiration time. In an illustrative example, the product surplus quantity, location, and time may be calculated based on inventory level and consumption rate. The product surplus location and time may be, for example, a restaurant's closing time, permitting the shopper to receive an offer to purchase a meal discounted as a function of time remaining until closing. Various examples may advantageously reduce cost and waste, based on matching shoppers with perishable products discounted as a function of product expiration time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate generally to inventory control, and more specifically, to time critical perishable inventory control.

BACKGROUND

Business transactions are transactions that exchange assets having value. Some business transactions include a buyer and a seller. In some examples, a buyer may pay a price determined by a seller to purchase a good or service offered for sale by the seller. In an illustrative example, some business transactions may involve assets with value that may change with time.

Some business transaction assets may have greater value as time advances. For example, in various examples, real estate may increase in value over time. Various assets may have value that decreases with time. In an illustrative example, a hotel room's value may decline significantly if the room is not rented early in the evening. Some assets may become a total loss to a business if not exchanged for another valuable asset in a business transaction before a certain time. For example, a sandwich for sale in a delicatessen may need to be discarded if the sandwich is not sold before the delicatessen closes.

Various assets having time-dependent value may be produced in quantity and offered in advance at a discount to shoppers. Some products or services to be offered at a discount may be overproduced, leading to a monetary loss for the business. A business offering products or services with time-critical value may waste or dispose of valuable inventory or resources as the expiration time of the product, service, or resource passes.

SUMMARY

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a perishable product inventory control system configured to predict a perishable product surplus quantity at a location and time determined as a function of product expiration time, associate the predicted product surplus to a shopper seeking the product at the predicted location and time, and, automatically offer the shopper a portion of the product surplus discounted as a function of the perishable product surplus expiration time. In an illustrative example, the product surplus quantity, location, and time may be calculated based on inventory level and consumption rate. The product surplus location and time may be, for example, a restaurant's closing time, permitting the shopper to receive an offer to purchase a meal discounted as a function of time remaining until closing. Various examples may advantageously reduce cost and waste, based on matching shoppers with perishable products discounted as a function of product expiration time.

Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, some embodiments may improve a shopper's ease of access to products or services. This facilitation may be a result of reducing the shopper's effort locating products or services preferred by the shopper. In some embodiments, discounted products or service may be automatically offered to a shopper interested in the product or service. Such automatic product or service discounts may reduce a shopper's cost obtaining the shopper's preferred products or services. Some embodiments may make premium products or services more affordable to a shopper. Such increased affordability may be a result of offering the shopper discounted premium products or services. In some examples, a shopper's trust in new products or services may be expanded. This facilitation may be a result of providing a trusted service offering the shopper discounted products and services.

In some embodiments, the effort required by a seller to reach new customers may be reduced. This facilitation may be a result of associating a product surplus predicted at a particular location and time with a potential customer seeking the product at the predicted location and time. For example, a shopper who registers interest in a delicatessen sandwich at closing time may receive a discounted offer to purchase a sandwich not previously affordable to the shopper. In some embodiments, a seller's product waste may be reduced. Such reduced waste may be a result of turning a total loss when a product perishes to a partial gain in revenue after discounting. In various examples, a seller's brand building effectiveness may be improved. Such brand building effectiveness may be a result of providing a trusted platform service marketing perishable products and services. In an illustrative example, a seller's ability to maintain a regular price structure while offering deep discounts may be enhanced. This facilitation may be a result of discreetly offering deep time-dependent discounts on perishable goods to individual customers while maintaining a regular pricing structure facing the public.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, predicting a perishable product surplus quantity, associating the predicted product surplus to a shopper, and, automatically offering the shopper a discounted product surplus portion, is briefly introduced with reference toFIG. 1. Then, with reference toFIGS. 2-11, the discussion turns to exemplary embodiments that illustrate automatically offering the shopper a discounted product surplus portion predicted at a location and time determined as a function of product expiration time. Specifically, embodiment systems and methods illustrating automatically offering a discounted product surplus predicted at a location and time to a shopper, from platform, seller, buyer, and agent perspectives, are disclosed.

FIG. 1depicts an exemplary operational scenario illustrative of an embodiment collaboration network configured with a perishable product inventory control system adapted to predict a perishable product surplus quantity at a location and time determined as a function of product expiration time, associate the predicted product surplus to a shopper seeking the product at the predicted location and time, and, automatically offer the shopper a portion of the product surplus discounted as a function of the perishable product surplus expiration time. InFIG. 1, the seller105employs the mobile device110to manage business assets including the delicatessen115and the hotel120. In the illustrated embodiment, the network cloud122communicatively and operably couples the mobile device110with the delicatessen115and the hotel120. In the illustrated example, the mobile device110receives real-time business intelligence data from the delicatessen115and the hotel120. In the depicted example, the real-time business intelligence data received by the mobile device110includes periodically updated inventory, expiration time, and location of delicatessen115and hotel120products and resources, in addition to the rate at which products are sold, consumed, or discarded. In the depicted example, the delicatessen115initially has an inventory of two sandwiches subject to disposal when a future expiration time is reached. In the illustrated example, the sandwich125was made the previous day and must be discarded at closing time unless sold, resulting in a business loss to the seller105. In the depicted example, the sandwich130was made on the current day, and must be discarded at closing time the next day if not sold, resulting in a business loss to the seller105. In some exemplary scenarios, the delicatessen115may represent multiple delicatessens at various locations. In the illustrated example, the hotel120has a vacant room135available for rent. In an illustrative example, the seller105will not earn revenue from the vacant room135unless the room135is rented before midnight. In some exemplary scenarios, the hotel120may represent multiple hotels at various locations. In the depicted embodiment the seller agent140is communicatively and operably coupled with the network cloud122. In the illustrated example, the seller agent140may send a query to the seller105to establish the seller agent140interest and availability to promote seller105goods and services. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller105mobile device110may collaborate with the seller agent140to market the perishable delicatessen115and hotel120business inventory assets, with goals including selling the perishable goods and services before they expire. In the illustrated example, the seller105and seller agent140negotiate pricing parameters governing the revenue the seller105will receive from the seller agent140for the seller105goods and services sold by the seller agent140. In the depicted example, the seller105and seller agent140also negotiate fee parameters governing the fee the seller105will pay the seller agent140if the goods or services are sold by the seller agent140. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140and the seller105negotiate an agreement permitting the seller agent to sell the seller105goods and services at any selling price as long as the seller105receives the negotiated revenue from the seller agent140when the goods and services are sold. In the depicted embodiment, the seller105provides the seller agent140with periodically updated delicatessen115and hotel120business intelligence data including product inventory level, and the rate at which products are sold, consumed, or discarded. In the depicted example, the seller agent140is communicatively and operably coupled with the seller agent database145. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent database145includes the product inventory records150. In the depicted embodiment, the seller agent database145includes the product expiration time records155. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent database145includes the product location records160. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores in the seller agent140database145product inventory records150the periodically updated delicatessen115sandwich125and sandwich130product inventory data received from the mobile device110. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores in the seller agent140database145product expiration time records155the periodically updated delicatessen115sandwich125and sandwich130expiration time data received from the mobile device110. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores in the seller agent database145product location records160the periodically updated delicatessen115sandwich125and sandwich130product locations received from the mobile device110. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores periodically updated hotel120room135product inventory data received from the mobile device110in the seller agent140database145product inventory records150. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores periodically updated hotel120vacant room135expiration time data received from the mobile device110in the seller agent140database145product expiration time records155. In the illustrated embodiment, the seller agent140stores periodically updated hotel120vacant room135product locations received from the mobile device110in the seller agent database145product location records160. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165is communicatively and operably coupled with the network cloud122. In the depicted example, the seller agent140sends the seller105delicatessen115and hotel120business intelligence data to the perishable product inventory control system165. In the illustrated example, the seller agent140includes with the seller105business intelligence data a request for the perishable product inventory control system165to market seller105perishable goods and services including the sandwich125, the sandwich130, and the vacant room135. In the depicted embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165is communicatively and operably coupled with the perishable product inventory control system database170. In the illustrated example, the shopper175employs the mobile device177to create an account and register the shopper175interest in goods and services with the perishable product inventory control system165. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175account with the perishable product inventory control system165may include shopper175account data sent by the mobile device177, such as, for example, shopper175account access credentials, name, address, and payment information. In an illustrative example, the perishable product inventory control system165may store the shopper175account data in the perishable product inventory control system database170customer account data180records. In the illustrated embodiment, the shopper175also employs the mobile device177to provide the perishable product inventory control system165with identification of products or product types the shopper175may be interested in purchasing. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175also employs the mobile device175to provide the perishable product inventory control system165with the shopper175preferred price, location, or time at which the shopper would like to purchase the goods, services, or products of interest to the shopper175. In some embodiments, the shopper175may employ the mobile device177to register to receive alerts triggered from the perishable product inventory control system165when goods or services are offered at price thresholds determined by the shopper175. In various examples, alerts sent to the mobile device177may be triggered by the perishable product inventory control system165based on the location, time, product type, or price of a product offered for sale. In an illustrative example, the perishable product inventory control system165may store the shopper175preferred product, price, location, and time received from the mobile device177in the perishable product inventory control system database170customer preference data185records. In the depicted embodiment, the mobile device177periodically provides updates to the perishable product inventory control system165including periodically updated shopper175location data. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165stores the periodically updated shopper175location data received from the mobile device177in the perishable product inventory control system database170customer location190records. In the depicted embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165predicts future inventory levels at the delicatessen115and the hotel120based on the business intelligence information periodically updated by the seller105mobile device110. In some embodiments, the perishable product inventory control system165may predict a future product inventory surplus determined as a function of the real time business intelligence data based on a predictive model adapted from the fields of queueing theory or operations research. For example, some queueing theory models predict service times, queue lengths, arrival rates, and utilization rates. In various examples, some queueing theory models may be adapted to predict time-varying surplus probabilities by considering available business assets such as sandwiches and hotel rooms as, for example, servers in various queueing models. In the illustrated example, the perishable product inventory control system165determines there will be a perishable product surplus of one sandwich125at the delicatessen115current day closing time. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175has registered with the perishable product inventory control system165an interest in purchasing a discounted sandwich. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175has registered to receive an alert when products of interest are available for purchase within a predetermined radius of the shopper175location. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165determines the shopper175location is within the alert radius predetermined by the shopper175. In the depicted embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165associates the predicted product surplus sandwich125to the shopper175and automatically offers the shopper175the sandwich125at 80% off the regular selling price, calculated as a function of the time remaining to the sandwich125expiration time of the current day delicatessen115closing time. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165also offers shopper175the sandwich130at 100% of the regular selling price, at the current time. In various embodiments, the offer price of a product may be determined by the perishable product inventory control system165as a linear function of the perishable product surplus expiration time. For example, the product offer price may be incrementally discounted by a percentage reduction from the selling price. In an illustrative example, if the offer price is 100% of the regular selling price twenty-four hours from the expiration time, the offer price may be reduced by five percent of the regular selling price each hour, until the offer price reaches a predetermined business loss limit threshold. In the depicted example, the perishable product inventory control system165determines there will be a perishable product surplus of one hotel room135at the hotel120at midnight. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175has registered with the perishable product inventory control system165an interest in renting a discounted hotel room. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165offers the shopper175the hotel room135at 50% off the regular selling price, based on the time of day and the time remaining until the vacant hotel room135expiration time of midnight the current day. In the depicted embodiment, the shopper175accepts the sandwich125and hotel room135offers, completing the purchases using stored payment information, through the perishable product inventory control system165. In the illustrated example, the perishable product inventory control system165directs the shopper175to the delicatessen115, to pick up the sandwich125, and to the hotel120, to take occupancy in the room135.

FIG. 2depicts a schematic view of an exemplary perishable product inventory control network configured to sell time-critical perishable goods and services. InFIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, data may be transferred to the system, stored by the system and/or transferred by the system to users of the system across local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs). In accordance with various embodiments, the system may be comprised of numerous servers, data mining hardware, computing devices, or any combination thereof, communicatively connected across one or more LANs and/or WANs. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous manners in which the system could be configured, and embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated for use with any configuration. Referring toFIG. 2, a schematic overview of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In the depicted embodiment, an exemplary system includes the exemplary computing device110configured to enable the seller105, depicted inFIG. 1, to collaborate with the seller agent140and the perishable product inventory control system165to sell goods and services. In the depicted example, the computing device110is a smart phone. In an illustrative example, exemplary collaboration between the computing device110, the seller agent140, and the perishable product inventory control system165may facilitate the sale of time-critical perishable goods via the exemplary computing device177employed by the shopper175, depicted inFIG. 1. In the illustrated example, the computing device177is a smart phone. In the illustrated embodiment, the device110is communicatively and operably coupled by the wireless access point201and the wireless link202with the network cloud122(e.g., the Internet) to send, retrieve, or manipulate information in storage devices, servers, and network components, and exchange information with various other systems and devices via the network cloud122. In the depicted example, the illustrative system includes the router203configured to communicatively and operably couple the delicatessen115to the network cloud122via the communication link204. In the illustrated example, the router203also communicatively and operably couples the hotel120to the network cloud122via the communication link205. In the depicted embodiment, the seller agent140is communicatively and operably coupled with the network cloud122by the wireless access point206and the wireless communication link207. In the illustrated embodiment, the perishable product inventory control system165is communicatively and operably coupled with the network cloud122by the wireless access point206and the wireless communication link208. In the depicted embodiment, the wireless access point209wireless communication link210communicatively and operably couples the network cloud with the mobile computing device177employed by the shopper175, depicted inFIG. 1. In various examples, one or more of the computing device110, seller agent140, perishable product inventory control system165, or mobile device177may include an application server configured to store or provide access to information used by the system. In various embodiments, one or more application server may retrieve or manipulate information in storage devices and exchange information through the network cloud122. In some examples, one or more of the computing device110, seller agent140, perishable product inventory control system165, or mobile device177may include various applications implemented as processor-executable program instructions. In some embodiments, various processor-executable program instruction applications may also be used to manipulate information stored remotely and process and analyze data stored remotely across the network cloud122(e.g., the Internet). According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, exchange of information through the network cloud122or other network may occur through one or more high speed connections. In some cases, high speed connections may be over-the-air (OTA), passed through networked systems, directly connected to one or more network cloud122or directed through one or more router. In various implementations, one or more router may be optional, and other embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may or may not utilize one or more router. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous ways any or all of the depicted devices may connect with the network cloud122for the exchange of information, and embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated for use with any method for connecting to networks for the purpose of exchanging information. Further, while this application may refer to high speed connections, embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized with connections of any speed. In an illustrative example, components or modules of the system may connect to one or more of the computing device110, seller agent140, perishable product inventory control system165, or mobile device177via the network cloud122or other network in numerous ways. For instance, a component or module may connect to the system i) through a computing device directly connected to the network cloud122, ii) through a computing device connected to the network cloud122through a routing device, or iii) through a computing device connected to a wireless access point. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are numerous ways that a component or module may connect to a device via network cloud122or other network, and embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated for use with any network connection method. In various examples, one or more of the computing device110, seller agent140, perishable product inventory control system165, or mobile device177could be comprised of a personal computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, wearable computing device, cloud-based computing device, virtual computing device, or desktop computing device, configured to operate as a host for other computing devices to connect to. In some examples, one or more communications means of the system may be any circuitry or other means for communicating data over one or more networks or to one or more peripheral devices attached to the system, or to a system module or component. Appropriate communications means may include, but are not limited to, wireless connections, wired connections, cellular connections, data port connections, Bluetooth® connections, near field communications (NFC) connections, or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are numerous communications means that may be utilized with embodiments of the present disclosure, and embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated for use with any communications means.

FIG. 3depicts a structural view of an exemplary mobile device adapted to collaborate with a cloud based software platform to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. InFIG. 3, the block diagram of the exemplary mobile device110includes processor305and memory310. The processor305is in electrical communication with the memory310. The depicted memory310includes program memory315and data memory320. The depicted program memory315includes processor-executable program instructions implementing the Perishable Product Seller Engine (PPSE)325. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory315may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement an OS (Operating System). In various embodiments, the OS may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor305. In some embodiments, the OS may be omitted. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory315may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement various Application Software. In various embodiments, the Application Software may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor305. In some embodiments, the Application Software may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor305is communicatively and operably coupled with the network interface330. In various implementations, the network interface may be a wireless network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a Wi-Fi interface. In some embodiments, the network interface may be a Bluetooth interface. In an illustrative example, the mobile device110may include more than one network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a wireline interface. In some designs, the network interface may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor305is communicatively and operably coupled with the user interface335. In various implementations, the user interface335may be adapted to receive input from a user or send output to a user. In some embodiments, the user interface335may be adapted to an input-only or output-only user interface mode. In various implementations, the user interface335may include an imaging display. In some embodiments, the user interface335may include an audio interface. In some designs, the audio interface may include an audio input. In various designs, the audio interface may include an audio output. In some implementations, the user interface335may be touch-sensitive. In some designs, the mobile device110may include an accelerometer operably coupled with the processor305. In various embodiments, the mobile device110may include a GPS module operably coupled with the processor305. In an illustrative example, the mobile device110may include a magnetometer operably coupled with the processor305. In some embodiments, some or all parts of an exemplary mobile device110system may be included within a client device, such that the functionalities could operate in a distributed manner. In some embodiments, the user interface335may include an input sensor array. In various implementations, the input sensor array may include one or more imaging sensor. In various designs, the input sensor array may include one or more audio transducer. In some implementations, the input sensor array may include a radio-frequency detector. In an illustrative example, the input sensor array may include an ultrasonic audio transducer. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include image sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor305to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory310may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor305to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include audio sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor305to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory310may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor305to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In the depicted embodiment, the processor305is communicatively and operably coupled with the multimedia interface340. In the illustrated embodiment, the multimedia interface340includes interfaces adapted to input and output of audio, video, and image data. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface340may include one or more still image camera or video camera. In various designs, the multimedia interface340may include one or more microphone. In some implementations, the multimedia interface340may include a wireless communication means configured to operably and communicatively couple the multimedia interface340with a multimedia data source or sink external to the mobile device110. In various designs, the multimedia interface340may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process encoded audio or video. In various embodiments, the multimedia interface340may include one or more video, image, or audio encoder. In various designs, the multimedia interface340may include one or more video, image, or audio decoder. In various implementations, the multimedia interface340may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process one or more multimedia stream. In various implementations, the multimedia interface340may include a GPU. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface340may be omitted. Useful examples of the illustrated mobile device110include, but are not limited to, personal computers, servers, tablet PCs, smartphones, or other computing devices. In some embodiments, multiple mobile devices110may be operably linked to form a computer network in a manner as to distribute and share one or more resources, such as clustered computing devices and server banks/farms. Various examples of such general-purpose multi-unit computer networks suitable for embodiments of the disclosure, their typical configuration and many standardized communication links are well known to one skilled in the art, as explained in more detail in the foregoingFIG. 2description. In some embodiments, an exemplary mobile device110design may be realized in a distributed implementation. In an illustrative example, some mobile device110designs may be partitioned between a client device, such as, for example, a phone, and, a more powerful server system, configured, for example, in a network such as depicted inFIG. 2. In various designs, a mobile device110partition hosted on a PC or mobile device may choose to delegate some parts of computation, such as, for example, machine learning or deep learning, to a mobile device110host server. In some embodiments, a client mobile device110partition may delegate computation-intensive tasks to a mobile device110host server to take advantage of a more powerful processor, or to offload excess work. In an illustrative example, some mobile devices may be configured with a mobile chip including an engine adapted to implement specialized processing, such as, for example, neural networks, machine learning, artificial intelligence, image recognition, audio processing, or digital signal processing. In some embodiments, such an engine adapted to specialized processing may have sufficient processing power to implement some mobile device110features. However, in some embodiments, an exemplary mobile device110may be configured to operate on device with less processing power, such as, for example, various gaming consoles or phones, which may not have sufficient processor power, or a suitable CPU architecture, to adequately support mobile device110. Various embodiment mobile device110designs configured to operate on a such a device with reduced processor power may work in conjunction with a more powerful mobile device110server system.

FIG. 4depicts a structural view of an exemplary computing device configured to collaborate as an agent with a cloud based software platform to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. InFIG. 4, the block diagram of the exemplary agent computing device140includes processor405and memory410. The processor405is in electrical communication with the memory410. The depicted memory410includes program memory415and data memory420. The depicted program memory415includes processor-executable program instructions implementing the Perishable Product Platform Agent Engine (PPPAE)425. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory415may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement an OS (Operating System). In various embodiments, the OS may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor405. In some embodiments, the OS may be omitted. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory415may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement various Application Software. In various embodiments, the Application Software may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor405. In some embodiments, the Application Software may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor405is communicatively and operably coupled with the network interface430. In various implementations, the network interface may be a wireless network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a Wi-Fi interface. In some embodiments, the network interface may be a Bluetooth interface. In an illustrative example, the agent computing device140may include more than one network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a wireline interface. In some designs, the network interface may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor405is communicatively and operably coupled with the user interface435. In various implementations, the user interface435may be adapted to receive input from a user or send output to a user. In some embodiments, the user interface435may be adapted to an input-only or output-only user interface mode. In various implementations, the user interface435may include an imaging display. In some embodiments, the user interface435may include an audio interface. In some designs, the audio interface may include an audio input. In various designs, the audio interface may include an audio output. In some implementations, the user interface435may be touch-sensitive. In some designs, the agent computing device140may include an accelerometer operably coupled with the processor405. In various embodiments, the computing device140may include a GPS module operably coupled with the processor405. In an illustrative example, the computing device140may include a magnetometer operably coupled with the processor405. In some embodiments, some or all parts of an exemplary agent computing device140system may be included within a client device, such that the functionalities could operate in a distributed manner. In some embodiments, the user interface435may include an input sensor array. In various implementations, the input sensor array may include one or more imaging sensor. In various designs, the input sensor array may include one or more audio transducer. In some implementations, the input sensor array may include a radio-frequency detector. In an illustrative example, the input sensor array may include an ultrasonic audio transducer. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include image sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor405to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory410may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor405to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include audio sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor405to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory410may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor405to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. Useful examples of the illustrated agent computing device140include, but are not limited to, personal computers, servers, tablet PCs, smartphones, or other computing devices. In some embodiments, multiple agent computing devices140may be operably linked to form a computer network in a manner as to distribute and share one or more resources, such as clustered computing devices and server banks/farms. Various examples of such general-purpose multi-unit computer networks suitable for embodiments of the disclosure, their typical configuration and many standardized communication links are well known to one skilled in the art, as explained in more detail in the foregoingFIG. 2description. In some embodiments, an exemplary agent computing device140design may be realized in a distributed implementation. In an illustrative example, some agent computing device140designs may be partitioned between a client device, such as, for example, a phone, and, a more powerful server system, configured, for example, in a network such as depicted inFIG. 2. In various designs, an agent computing device140partition hosted on a PC or mobile device may choose to delegate some parts of computation, such as, for example, machine learning or deep learning, to an agent computing device140host server. In some embodiments, a client agent computing device140partition may delegate computation-intensive tasks to an agent computing device140host server to take advantage of a more powerful processor, or to offload excess work. In an illustrative example, an embodiment agent computing device140may be configured with a mobile chip including an engine adapted to implement specialized processing, such as, for example, neural networks, machine learning, artificial intelligence, image recognition, audio processing, or digital signal processing. In some embodiments, such an engine adapted to specialized processing may have sufficient processing power to implement some agent computing device140features. However, in some embodiments, an exemplary agent computing device140may be configured to operate on device with less processing power, such as, for example, various gaming consoles or phones, which may not have sufficient processor power, or a suitable CPU architecture, to adequately support agent computing device140. Various embodiment agent computing device140designs configured to operate on a such a device with reduced processor power may work in conjunction with a more powerful agent computing device140server system.

FIG. 5depicts a structural view of an exemplary computing device configured as a cloud-based transaction platform adapted to collaborate with sellers and buyers and coordinate transactions to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. InFIG. 5, the block diagram of the exemplary perishable product transaction platform165includes processor505and memory510. The processor505is in electrical communication with the memory510. The depicted memory510includes program memory515and data memory520. The depicted program memory515includes processor-executable program instructions implementing the Perishable Product Transaction Platform Engine (PPTPE)525. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory515may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement an OS (Operating System). In various embodiments, the OS may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor505. In some embodiments, the OS may be omitted. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory515may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement various Application Software. In various embodiments, the Application Software may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor505. In some embodiments, the Application Software may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor505is communicatively and operably coupled with the storage medium530. In various embodiment implementations, the storage medium530may encode program instructions, including program instructions executable by the processor505, configured to implement any disclosed or depicted function. In the depicted embodiment, the processor505is communicatively and operably coupled with the I/O (Input/Output) Interface535. In the depicted embodiment, the I/O Interface535includes a network interface. In various implementations, the network interface may be a wireless network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a Wi-Fi interface. In some embodiments, the network interface may be a Bluetooth interface. In an illustrative example, the perishable product transaction platform165may include more than one network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a wireline interface. In some designs, the network interface may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor505is communicatively and operably coupled with the user interface540. In various implementations, the user interface540may be adapted to receive input from a user or send output to a user. In some embodiments, the user interface540may be adapted to an input-only or output-only user interface mode. In various implementations, the user interface540may include an imaging display. In some embodiments, the user interface540may include an audio interface. In some designs, the audio interface may include an audio input. In various designs, the audio interface may include an audio output. In some implementations, the user interface540may be touch-sensitive. In some designs, the perishable product transaction platform165may include an accelerometer operably coupled with the processor505. In various embodiments, the perishable product transaction platform165may include a GPS module operably coupled with the processor505. In an illustrative example, the perishable product transaction platform165may include a magnetometer operably coupled with the processor505. In some embodiments, some or all parts of an exemplary perishable product transaction platform165system may be included within a client device, such that the functionalities could operate in a distributed manner. In some embodiments, the user interface540may include an input sensor array. In various implementations, the input sensor array may include one or more imaging sensor. In various designs, the input sensor array may include one or more audio transducer. In some implementations, the input sensor array may include a radio-frequency detector. In an illustrative example, the input sensor array may include an ultrasonic audio transducer. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include image sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor505to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory510may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor505to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include audio sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor505to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory510may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor505to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In the depicted embodiment, the processor505is communicatively and operably coupled with the multimedia interface545. In the illustrated embodiment, the multimedia interface545includes interfaces adapted to input and output of audio, video, and image data. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface545may include one or more still image camera or video camera. In various designs, the multimedia interface545may include one or more microphone. In some implementations, the multimedia interface545may include a wireless communication means configured to operably and communicatively couple the multimedia interface545with a multimedia data source or sink external to the perishable product transaction platform165. In various designs, the multimedia interface545may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process encoded audio or video. In various embodiments, the multimedia interface545may include one or more video, image, or audio encoder. In various designs, the multimedia interface545may include one or more video, image, or audio decoder. In various implementations, the multimedia interface545may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process one or more multimedia stream. In various implementations, the multimedia interface545may include a GPU. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface545may be omitted. Useful examples of the illustrated perishable product transaction platform165include, but are not limited to, personal computers, servers, tablet PCs, smartphones, or other computing devices. In some embodiments, multiple perishable product transaction platform165devices may be operably linked to form a computer network in a manner as to distribute and share one or more resources, such as clustered computing devices and server banks/farms. Various examples of such general-purpose multi-unit computer networks suitable for embodiments of the disclosure, their typical configuration and many standardized communication links are well known to one skilled in the art, as explained in more detail in the foregoingFIG. 2description. In some embodiments, an exemplary perishable product transaction platform165design may be realized in a distributed implementation. In an illustrative example, some perishable product transaction platform165designs may be partitioned between a client device, such as, for example, a phone, and, a more powerful server system, such as depicted inFIG. 2. In various designs, a perishable product transaction platform165partition hosted on a PC or mobile device may choose to delegate some parts of computation, such as, for example, machine learning or deep learning, to a perishable product transaction platform165host server. In some embodiments, a client device perishable product transaction platform165partition may delegate computation-intensive tasks to a perishable product transaction platform165host server to take advantage of a more powerful processor, or to offload excess work. In an illustrative example, some perishable product transaction platform165devices may be configured with a mobile chip including an engine adapted to implement specialized processing, such as, for example, neural networks, machine learning, artificial intelligence, image recognition, audio processing, or digital signal processing. In some embodiments, such an engine adapted to specialized processing may have sufficient processing power to implement some perishable product transaction platform165features. However, in some embodiments, an exemplary perishable product transaction platform165may be configured to operate on device with less processing power, such as, for example, various gaming consoles or phones, which may not have sufficient processor power, or a suitable CPU architecture, to adequately support perishable product transaction platform165. Various embodiment perishable product transaction platform165designs configured to operate on a such a device with reduced processor power may work in conjunction with a more powerful perishable product transaction platform165server system.

FIG. 6depicts a structural view of an exemplary mobile device adapted to collaborate with a cloud based software platform to buy time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. InFIG. 6, the block diagram of the exemplary mobile device177includes processor605and memory610. The processor605is in electrical communication with the memory610. The depicted memory610includes program memory615and data memory620. The depicted program memory615includes processor-executable program instructions implementing the Perishable Product Buyer Engine (PPBE)625. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory615may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement an OS (Operating System). In various embodiments, the OS may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor605. In some embodiments, the OS may be omitted. In some embodiments, the illustrated program memory615may include processor-executable program instructions configured to implement various Application Software. In various embodiments, the Application Software may include processor executable program instructions configured to implement various operations when executed by the processor605. In some embodiments, the Application Software may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor605is communicatively and operably coupled with the network interface630. In various implementations, the network interface may be a wireless network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a Wi-Fi interface. In some embodiments, the network interface may be a Bluetooth interface. In an illustrative example, the mobile device177may include more than one network interface. In some designs, the network interface may be a wireline interface. In some designs, the network interface may be omitted. In the depicted embodiment, the processor605is communicatively and operably coupled with the user interface635. In various implementations, the user interface635may be adapted to receive input from a user or send output to a user. In some embodiments, the user interface635may be adapted to an input-only or output-only user interface mode. In various implementations, the user interface635may include an imaging display. In some embodiments, the user interface635may include an audio interface. In some designs, the audio interface may include an audio input. In various designs, the audio interface may include an audio output. In some implementations, the user interface635may be touch-sensitive. In some designs, the mobile device177may include an accelerometer operably coupled with the processor605. In various embodiments, the mobile device177may include a GPS module operably coupled with the processor605. In an illustrative example, the mobile device177may include a magnetometer operably coupled with the processor605. In some embodiments, some or all parts of an exemplary mobile device177system may be included within a client device, such that the functionalities could operate in a distributed manner. In some embodiments, the user interface635may include an input sensor array. In various implementations, the input sensor array may include one or more imaging sensor. In various designs, the input sensor array may include one or more audio transducer. In some implementations, the input sensor array may include a radio-frequency detector. In an illustrative example, the input sensor array may include an ultrasonic audio transducer. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include image sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor605to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory610may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor605to be adapted to provide image input capability, image output capability, image sampling, spectral image analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, image buffering, image filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of spatial domain and frequency domain filters, image recognition, pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In some embodiments, the input sensor array may include audio sensing subsystems or modules configurable by the processor605to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In various implementations, the depicted memory610may contain processor executable program instruction modules configurable by the processor605to be adapted to provide audio input capability, audio output capability, audio sampling, spectral audio analysis, correlation, autocorrelation, Fourier transforms, audio buffering, audio filtering operations including adjusting frequency response and attenuation characteristics of temporal domain and frequency domain filters, audio pattern recognition, or anomaly detection. In the depicted embodiment, the processor605is communicatively and operably coupled with the multimedia interface640. In the illustrated embodiment, the multimedia interface640includes interfaces adapted to input and output of audio, video, and image data. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface640may include one or more still image camera or video camera. In various designs, the multimedia interface640may include one or more microphone. In some implementations, the multimedia interface640may include a wireless communication means configured to operably and communicatively couple the multimedia interface640with a multimedia data source or sink external to the mobile device177. In various designs, the multimedia interface640may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process encoded audio or video. In various embodiments, the multimedia interface640may include one or more video, image, or audio encoder. In various designs, the multimedia interface640may include one or more video, image, or audio decoder. In various implementations, the multimedia interface640may include interfaces adapted to send, receive, or process one or more multimedia stream. In various implementations, the multimedia interface640may include a GPU. In some embodiments, the multimedia interface640may be omitted. Useful examples of the illustrated mobile device177include, but are not limited to, personal computers, servers, tablet PCs, smartphones, or other computing devices. In some embodiments, multiple mobile devices177may be operably linked to form a computer network in a manner as to distribute and share one or more resources, such as clustered computing devices and server banks/farms. Various examples of such general-purpose multi-unit computer networks suitable for embodiments of the disclosure, their typical configuration and many standardized communication links are well known to one skilled in the art, as explained in more detail in the foregoingFIG. 2description. In some embodiments, an exemplary mobile device177design may be realized in a distributed implementation. In an illustrative example, some mobile device177designs may be partitioned between a client device, such as, for example, a phone, and, a more powerful server system, configured, for example, in a network such as depicted inFIG. 2. In various designs, a mobile device177partition hosted on a PC or mobile device may choose to delegate some parts of computation, such as, for example, machine learning or deep learning, to a mobile device177host server. In some embodiments, a client mobile device177partition may delegate computation-intensive tasks to a mobile device177host server to take advantage of a more powerful processor, or to offload excess work. In an illustrative example, some mobile devices may be configured with a mobile chip including an engine adapted to implement specialized processing, such as, for example, neural networks, machine learning, artificial intelligence, image recognition, audio processing, or digital signal processing. In some embodiments, such an engine adapted to specialized processing may have sufficient processing power to implement some mobile device177features. However, in some embodiments, an exemplary mobile device177may be configured to operate on device with less processing power, such as, for example, various gaming consoles or phones, which may not have sufficient processor power, or a suitable CPU architecture, to adequately support mobile device177. Various embodiment mobile device177designs configured to operate on a such a device with reduced processor power may work in conjunction with a more powerful mobile device177server system.

FIG. 7depicts a process flow of an exemplary PPSE (Perishable Product Seller Engine) collaborating with a cloud based software platform to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. The method depicted inFIG. 7is given from the perspective of the PPSE (Perishable Product Seller Engine)325executing as program instructions on the processor (CPU)305, depicted inFIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the PPSE325executes as program instructions on the processor305configured in the PPSE host mobile computing device110, depicted in at leastFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3. In some embodiments, the PPSE325may execute as a cloud service communicatively coupled with system services, hardware resources, or software elements local to and/or external to the PPSE host mobile device110. The depicted method700begins at step705with the processor305sending an electronic message identifying products for sale. The method continues at step710with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising product quantity. The method continues at step715with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising product expiration time. The method continues at step720with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising product location. The method continues at step725with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising product consumption rate. The method continues at step730with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising preferred product discount. The method continues at step735with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising a request to receive a shopper preference alert triggered when a shopper preferring a discounted product is within a specified radius. The method continues at step740with the processor305performing a test to determine if the shopper preference alert was received. Upon a determination by the processor305at step740the shopper preference alert was received, the method continues at step745with the processor305sending an electronic message offering the product to the shopper within the specified radius. Upon a determination by the processor305at step740the shopper preference alert was not received, the method continues at step750with the processor305sending an electronic message comprising updated product inventory and preferred product discount, and the method continues at step705with the processor305sending an electronic message identifying products for sale.

FIG. 8depicts a process flow of an exemplary Perishable Product Platform Agent Engine (PPPAE) collaborating as an agent with a cloud based software platform to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. The method depicted inFIG. 8is given from the perspective of the Perishable Product Platform Agent Engine (PPPAE)425executing as program instructions on the processor (CPU)405, depicted inFIG. 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the PPPAE425executes as program instructions on the processor405configured in the PPPAE agent host computing device140, depicted in at leastFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4. In some embodiments, the PPPAE425may execute as a cloud service communicatively coupled with system services, hardware resources, or software elements local to and/or external to the PPPAE agent host computing device140. The depicted method800begins at step805with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising a solicitation to promote products. The method continues at step810with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising identification of products to sell. The method continues at step815with the processor405receiving an electronic message comprising a product selling price. The method continues at step820with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising a fee amount to be added to the product selling price. The method continues at step825with the processor405receiving an electronic message comprising an acknowledgement the fee amount will be paid upon product sale. The method continues at step830with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising initiating the product sale on an Internet platform. The method continues at step835with the processor405receiving an electronic message comprising payment including the selling price and fee amount. The method continues at step840with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising payment including the selling price, and the method continues at step805with the processor405sending an electronic message comprising a solicitation to promote products.

FIG. 9depicts a process flow of an exemplary Perishable Product Transaction Platform Engine (PPTPE) collaborating with sellers and buyers and coordinating transactions as a cloud based software platform to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. The method depicted inFIG. 9is given from the perspective of the Perishable Product Transaction Platform Engine (PPTPE)525executing as program instructions on the processor (CPU)505, depicted inFIG. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the PPTPE525executes as program instructions on the processor505configured in the PPTPE platform host computing device165, depicted in at leastFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 5. In some embodiments, the PPTPE525may execute as a cloud service communicatively coupled with system services, hardware resources, or software elements local to and/or external to the PPTPE platform host computing device165. The depicted method900begins at step905with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising identification of products to be sold. The method continues at step910with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising product inventory. The method continues at step915with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising product expiration time. The method continues at step920with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising product location. The method continues at step925with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising buyer location. The method continues at step930with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising buyer product preference. The method continues at step935with the processor505associating an interested buyer location to the product and seller location. The method continues at step940with the processor505sending an electronic message comprising offering the product to the buyer for a discount determined as a function of product expiration time. The method continues at step945with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising payment. The method continues at step950with the processor505sending an electronic message comprising pick-up location directions, and the method continues at step905with the processor505receiving an electronic message comprising identification of products to be sold.

FIG. 10depicts a process flow of an exemplary PPBE (Perishable Product Buyer Engine) collaborating with a cloud based software platform to buy time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. The method depicted inFIG. 10is given from the perspective of the PPBE (Perishable Product Buyer Engine)625executing as program instructions on the processor (CPU)605, depicted inFIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the PPBE625executes as program instructions on the processor605configured in the PPBE host mobile computing device177, depicted in at leastFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 6. In some embodiments, the PPBE625may execute as a cloud service communicatively coupled with system services, hardware resources, or software elements local to and/or external to the PPBE host mobile computing device177. The depicted method1000begins at step1005with the processor605sending an electronic message identifying discounted products wanted to buy. The method continues at step1010with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising the desired product quantity. The method continues at step1015with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising the preferred product purchase time. The method continues at step1020with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising the preferred product location. The method continues at step1025with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising the preferred product location radius. The method continues at step1030with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising the preferred product price. The method continues at step1035with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising a request to receive a buyer preference alert triggered when a seller offering a preferred discounted product is within the specified radius. At step1040, the processor605performs a test to determine if the buyer preference alert was received. Upon a determination by the processor605at step1040the buyer preference alert was received, the method continues at step1045with the processor605sending an electronic message purchasing the product from the seller within the specified radius. Upon a determination by the processor605at step1040the buyer preference alert was not received, the method continues at step1050with the processor605sending an electronic message comprising updated buyer product preference, and the method continues at step1005with the processor605sending an electronic message identifying discounted products wanted to buy.

FIG. 11depicts an illustrative collaboration view of an exemplary cloud based software platform configured to sell a merchant's time critical perishable goods. InFIG. 11, the illustrated seller computing device110acts in an exemplary Seller role. In the illustrated example, the depicted seller agent140acts in an exemplary Agent role. The perishable product inventory control system165is depicted acting in an exemplary Platform role. In the depicted example, the shopper mobile device177is illustrated in an exemplary Buyer role. In the illustrated embodiment, the Seller device110, the Agent device140, the Platform device165, and the Buyer device177engage in exemplary collaborative transactions. The exemplary collaboration depicted inFIG. 11illustrates exemplary roles of the various entities collaborating to sell time critical perishable goods. In an illustrative example, the Platform performs marketing, training, accounting, warranty, and credibility assurance for the Agent, Buyer, and Seller, and arbitrates any disputes. In the depicted embodiment, the Platform makes money by keeping a percentage of the Agent's fees. In the illustrated embodiment, the Platform authenticates the Agent for the Seller. In the depicted embodiment, the Platform also provides a payment gateway for the Agent and Buyer. In an illustrative example, the Seller agrees to sell a product for a predetermined selling price, for example, $10X, and agrees to give the Agent $B as the Agent's fee. In the depicted embodiment, the Agent can advertise the product for $10X+$B on the Platform. In the illustrated embodiment, the Agent negotiates cash discounts with the Seller. In the illustrated embodiment, the Platform authenticates the Agent for the Buyer. In the depicted embodiment, the Buyer pays $B as a deposit to the Agent/Platform. In the illustrated embodiment, the Buyer also pays $10X to the Seller for the product.

Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the Figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, various embodiment designs may include a business model having four players. In an illustrative example, the four players all work towards creating an economic value for themselves in a transaction. In some embodiments, the four players may take the roles of Seller, Agent, Buyer, and Platform. In various implementations, the Agent may obtain an agreement from the Seller to offer a discounted price for a product on the Platform. In some designs, the Seller may agree to give the Agent a service fee of $B upon a sale. In some embodiments, the Seller may agree to let the Agent set any value for $B. In an illustrative example, the Agent may advertise the Seller's product for $10X+$B on the Platform. In various designs, the Buyer may be told to pay $B in advance as a deposit before picking up the product. In some embodiments, the Buyer may pay the Seller $10X and get the product at the Seller's premises. In some examples, the Agent may keep the $B deposit as the Seller's fee payment. Various implementations may enable the Agent to allow the Platform to take a cut, for example $B, as Platform fees. In an example illustrative of various embodiments, the Platform may serve a unique role in providing credibility, assurance, accounting services, and mediation for Business, Agent, and Consumer. In various embodiment implementations, the Platform and Agent may be the same entity. Various embodiment implementations provide a business model that brings together four interested parties to a commercial transaction in such a manner that each contributes tangible and intangible assets that in aggregate they make the transaction more attractive for all the parties. In various examples illustrative of some business transactions, there may be buyers and sellers; in some scenarios, there may be additional facilitators, such as agents and service providers. In a well-constructed arrangement, the seller and buyer get the prices they want, and the facilitators get the fees the deserve. Ideally, the accounting should be simple, and the cash is immediately available to the recipients without further discounts and delays. We have presented a design and method to achieve this goal. For example, an agent may solicit a seller to promote the seller's products. In some scenarios, the seller may agree, and set a price he wants to sell a product for, say at $10X, instead of its normal price of $20X. In an illustrative example, the seller may further agree that if the product is sold, he shall pay a fee to the agent. In some examples, the seller may additionally agree that the agent can set the platform's selling price to anything he wants as long as the seller receives $10X, net of all fees, from the buyer, and the difference between the platform's price and $10X is the agent's fee. In some embodiments, the agent may put the product on an internet platform and set the price for the product at $10X+$B. In some exemplary scenarios, a buyer may decide to buy, and may be told that he has to put down a deposit of $B to reserve the product. In an illustrative scenario, when the buyer meets the seller, the buyer pays $10X to the seller and gets his product, and the agent keeps $B as his fee. In an illustrative example, the agent may remit a certain percentage of $B to the internet platform as service fees. Note that the agent and the platform can be the same party or two parties. Various embodiments provide a cloud based software platform for merchants to sell time critical perishable goods quickly and cost effectively. In some embodiments, exemplary platform implementations may bring buyers and sellers together to help the buyers to buy products at a discount and the sellers to sell products that would normally diminish or perish in values in a matter of hours. For example, a sandwich if not sold in late evening hours would rapidly diminish in value; the same goes for a hotel room after perhaps 9 pm each day. The benefits of various embodiment designs include putting more money in the hands of retail merchants and consumers. Some exemplary embodiment platform implementations allow retail merchants and consumers to meet in a very cost-efficient manner. In various exemplary scenarios, some small businesses face a challenging task each day to get rid of their over produced perishable inventories. The surplus inventory amounts may be very small and may not be worth the time and the expenses to run promotions; and, the time to react is very short before the product becomes unsellable. In various embodiment platform designs, a merchant with a small perishable inventory can quickly upload the product information and the minimum price desired, and the platform will find the most opportune buyers to look at the product. Once the product is sold, the platform will handle the back room accounting and direct the buyer to pick up the product from the merchant. Various embodiment platform examples may provide substantial benefits for the seller, including: No up-front membership cost, a seller may use the platform as needed; discounts are discreet; that is, the regular price structure does not get affected, such that most regular customers may never know some potential customer received a potentially deeply-discounted product or service; Able to reach certain customers normally not available to the merchant; Can serve as brand building; May turn a total loss when a product perishes, to a partial gain in revenue after discounting; and, a seller may rely on our platform as a trust provider to market their perishable products and collect payments from the new buyers.

Various embodiment platform examples may provide substantial benefits for the buyer, including: No up-front membership cost, a buyer may use the platform as needed; a buyer may be able to enjoy good products at a discount; a buyer may be able to patronize businesses who were previously not affordable; and, a buyer may rely on the platform as a trust provider to try new products and new merchants. Various embodiment designs may provide a means to help merchants in various ways. For example, some embodiments may enable merchants to sell their overproduced and perishable goods. In some scenarios, various embodiments may permit a merchant to sell overproduced and perishable goods without affecting their regular marketing and sales. In some designs, a merchant may be able to move very small quantities of perishable goods, for example, one sandwich or one hotel room, while avoiding costly marketing to move small amounts of perishable goods.

In various exemplary scenarios, some embodiments may provide a means to help consumers. For example, some embodiment designs may provide consumers with a secure platform to browse any special just-happened local offers from their local community. Some embodiments may provide a trust worthy platform for consumers to place orders for goods that are new to them, or to try quality goods at more affordable prices.

Various embodiment platform designs deal with perishable goods in terms of hours before the goods become worthless. In an illustrative example, exemplary scenarios illustrative of some embodiments' usage may market even small quantities in real-time; for example, marketing one sandwich or two slices of pizza. In various embodiment implementations, merchants may have no long-term commitments.

Various embodiment platform designs may find more goods and services that would fall into the perishable category. Perishable goods or services marketed and sold by an embodiment platform implementation may take various forms. For example, perishable goods or services may include food, or perishable space. For example, seating in a manicure or nail shop is perishable; the store manager should use an embodiment platform to offer a deep discount if a consumer would come in within a limited time, for example, within one hour. In various example scenarios, some hotel and hospitality resources or assets may be perishable.

In an illustrative example, some embodiment platform implementations may perform various tasks for a buyer, including:Create an account for the buyerDetermine the buyer's physical location and match this to the available merchant offers within a certain radius preferred by the buyerCheck periodically about the available inventory from the merchantProvide product info for the buyer to make a purchase decisionProvide product pick up instructions and conditionsGuarantee the product sold would be availableCollect payments and returns

In an illustrative example, some embodiment platform implementations may perform various tasks for a seller, including:Let the merchant post products on our platformQualify the merchant for their reputation and history in businessCommunicate with the merchant periodically about inventory availabilityInform the merchant about any product sold and pick-ups expectedCollect payments and disburse payments to the merchantHandle returns and credits requests

In some exemplary scenarios, various embodiment platform implementations may be referred to as a ‘Manager Special’ platform. Some Manager Special designs may have various specialized characteristics, including, for example:Limited Quantity: A merchant does not produce new goods for our buyers; instead, the merchant attempts to sell his overproduced perishable goods at discount to our buyers, to mitigate his lossLimited Time: A merchant offers discounts on specific items for a limited time, bounded by an item expiration time; in some examples, the discount may be determined as a function of time remaining until an item's expiration timeDiscreet: A merchant's regular customers do not have to know the discounts offeredAuto reprising setting: A merchant can for example configure a 30% discount starting at 4 pm, and automatically and progressively increasing the discount at an additional 10% off per hour until it is finally 60% offAuto alert for buyers: a user can set auto alerts instructing the platform to look for any combination or all of:A specific or similar product, orIn a specific or similar category orFrom a specific or similar merchant orAt a given time periodAuto alerts for sellers: A seller can receive alerts telling him how many of the people are looking for products or services similar to what he offers in a particular time period and price rangeBuyer's ability to set an alert for him when a certain price level for the product he wants is reached, for example, any buyer is able to set an alert to notify him when the price level for the product he is interested in is reached; for example, the buyer can indicate he would like to be notified when a product reached 50% off from a specific buyer, or any buyer, and for a specific product, or any similar product

Various embodiment implementations may provide substantial new benefits for a Seller. For example, some embodiments may enable a Seller to improve efficiency in a controlled, trusted, discreet, and zero up front cost method to attract new buyers. Some embodiment designs may provide significant new benefits to an Agent. For example, various embodiments may empower an Agent to become a business operator in a trusted relationship to monetize available time to serve as Agent to bring buyers and sellers together. Some embodiments provide valuable new benefits for a Buyer. In an illustrative example, various embodiment designs may provide a means for a Buyer in a trusted environment to enjoy discounted services and products. In various scenarios illustrative of some embodiment implementations' usage, a platform user or operator may enjoy various substantial new benefits, including, for example, providing for a platform operator to monetize the platform operator's service as a trust provider for Seller, Agent, and Buyer, to facilitate their transactions.

In various examples illustrative of some prior art usage scenarios, entities such as, for example, GroupOn or Yelp may provide platforms to bring merchants and buyers together, however such entities do not deal exclusively with merchants who have already over produced some perishable goods. They are more for longer-term brand building and bulk purchases. One significant distinction is that the merchant would normally increase production for the demand brought on by GroupOn and Yelp; whereas, in various scenarios exemplary of some embodiments of the present invention, the merchant may need the embodiment platform because they have already over produced some perishable goods.

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the Claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of embodiments of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments.

In the present disclosure, various features may be described as being optional, for example, through the use of the verb “may;”, or, through the use of any of the phrases: “in some embodiments,” “in some implementations,” “in some designs,” “in various embodiments,” “in various implementations,”, “in various designs,” “in an illustrative example,” or “for example;” or, through the use of parentheses. For the sake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does not explicitly recite each and every permutation that may be obtained by choosing from the set of optional features. However, the present disclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all such permutations. For example, a system described as having three optional features may be embodied in seven different ways, namely with just one of the three possible features, with any two of the three possible features or with all three of the three possible features.

In various embodiments, elements described herein as coupled or connected may have an effectual relationship realizable by a direct connection or indirectly with one or more other intervening elements.

In the present disclosure, the term “any” may be understood as designating any number of the respective elements, i.e. as designating one, at least one, at least two, each or all of the respective elements. Similarly, the term “any” may be understood as designating any collection(s) of the respective elements, i.e. as designating one or more collections of the respective elements, a collection comprising one, at least one, at least two, each or all of the respective elements. The respective collections need not comprise the same number of elements.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made to the configuration, operation and form of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. In particular, it is noted that the respective features of embodiments of the invention, even those disclosed solely in combination with other features of embodiments of the invention, may be combined in any configuration excepting those readily apparent to the person skilled in the art as nonsensical. Likewise, use of the singular and plural is solely for the sake of illustration and is not to be interpreted as limiting.

In the present disclosure, all embodiments where “comprising” is used may have as alternatives “consisting essentially of,” or “consisting of.” In the present disclosure, any method or apparatus embodiment may be devoid of one or more process steps or components. In the present disclosure, embodiments employing negative limitations are expressly disclosed and considered a part of this disclosure.

Many suitable methods and corresponding materials to make each of the individual parts of embodiment apparatus are known in the art. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the parts may be formed by machining, 3D printing (also known as “additive” manufacturing), CNC machined parts (also known as “subtractive” manufacturing), and injection molding, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Metals, wood, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, resins and elastomers as may be described herein-above may be used. Many suitable materials are known and available and can be selected and mixed depending on desired strength and flexibility, preferred manufacturing method and particular use, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system and method may be accomplished through the use of one or more computing devices. As depicted, for example, at least inFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 3, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that an exemplary system appropriate for use with embodiments in accordance with the present application may generally include one or more of a Central processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), a storage medium (e.g., hard disk drive, solid state drive, flash memory, cloud storage), an operating system (OS), one or more application software, a display element, one or more communications means, or one or more input/output devices/means. Examples of computing devices usable with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, proprietary computing devices, personal computers, mobile computing devices, tablet PCs, mini-PCs, servers or any combination thereof. The term computing device may also describe two or more computing devices communicatively linked in a manner as to distribute and share one or more resources, such as clustered computing devices and server banks/farms. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that any number of computing devices could be used, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any computing device.

In various embodiments, communications means, data store(s), processor(s), or memory may interact with other components on the computing device, in order to effect the provisioning and display of various functionalities associated with the system and method detailed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous configurations that could be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any appropriate configuration.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communications means of the system may be, for instance, any means for communicating data over one or more networks or to one or more peripheral devices attached to the system. Appropriate communications means may include, but are not limited to, circuitry and control systems for providing wireless connections, wired connections, cellular connections, data port connections, Bluetooth connections, or any combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous communications means that may be utilized with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any communications means.

Throughout this disclosure and elsewhere, block diagrams and flowchart illustrations depict methods, apparatuses (i.e., systems), and computer program products. Each element of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, as well as each respective combination of elements in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, illustrates a function of the methods, apparatuses, and computer program products. Any and all such functions (“depicted functions”) can be implemented by computer program instructions; by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems; by combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions; by combinations of general purpose hardware and computer instructions; and so on—any and all of which may be generally referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”

While the foregoing drawings and description may set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functional aspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context.

Each element in flowchart illustrations may depict a step, or group of steps, of a computer-implemented method. Further, each step may contain one or more sub-steps. For the purpose of illustration, these steps (as well as any and all other steps identified and described above) are presented in order. It will be understood that an embodiment can contain an alternate order of the steps adapted to a particular application of a technique disclosed herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. The depiction and description of steps in any particular order is not intended to exclude embodiments having the steps in a different order, unless required by a particular application, explicitly stated, or otherwise clear from the context.

Traditionally, a computer program consists of a sequence of computational instructions or program instructions. It will be appreciated that a programmable apparatus (i.e., computing device) can receive such a computer program and, by processing the computational instructions thereof, produce a further technical effect.

A programmable apparatus may include one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, programmable devices, programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, memory devices, application specific integrated circuits, or the like, which can be suitably employed or configured to process computer program instructions, execute computer logic, store computer data, and so on. Throughout this disclosure and elsewhere a computer can include any and all suitable combinations of at least one general purpose computer, special-purpose computer, programmable data processing apparatus, processor, processor architecture, and so on.

It will be understood that a computer can include a computer-readable storage medium and that this medium may be internal or external, removable and replaceable, or fixed. It will also be understood that a computer can include a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), firmware, an operating system, a database, or the like that can include, interface with, or support the software and hardware described herein.

Embodiments of the system as described herein are not limited to applications involving conventional computer programs or programmable apparatuses that run them. It is contemplated, for example, that embodiments of the invention as claimed herein could include an optical computer, quantum computer, analog computer, or the like.

Regardless of the type of computer program or computer involved, a computer program can be loaded onto a computer to produce a particular machine that can perform any and all of the depicted functions. This particular machine provides a means for carrying out any and all of the depicted functions.

Computer program instructions can be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner. The instructions stored in the computer-readable memory constitute an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing any and all of the depicted functions.

The elements depicted in flowchart illustrations and block diagrams throughout the figures imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented as parts of a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these. All such implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context, the verbs “execute” and “process” are used interchangeably to indicate execute, process, interpret, compile, assemble, link, load, any and all combinations of the foregoing, or the like. Therefore, embodiments that execute or process computer program instructions, computer-executable code, or the like can suitably act upon the instructions or code in any and all of the ways just described.

The functions and operations presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent to those of skill in the art, along with equivalent variations. In addition, embodiments of the invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It is appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the present teachings as described herein, and any references to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention are well suited to a wide variety of computer network systems over numerous topologies. Within this field, the configuration and management of large networks include storage devices and computers that are communicatively coupled to dissimilar computers and storage devices over a network, such as the Internet.