Abstract:
The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/952,249 filed on Jul. 27, 2007 entitled “System and Method of Intelligent Ordering Across Multiple Providers,” which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this application for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to electronic commerce systems, and, more particularly, to a computer based system for facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Sales of goods and services are typically made using traditional ordering techniques. For instance, a potential buyer reviews goods or services from multiple providers, and then the potential buyer places an order based on a particular seller&#39;s quality, price, location or the like. One known method for ordering a product or service is initiating the process by electronic means, such as a text message. 
         [0004]    Many of these systems require that certain preferences be predetermined. For example, if a customer desires a taxi, the customer can electronically contact the taxi company with a predetermined destination such as “home”. The drawback in the current example is that the customer cannot choose a new location during the ordering process other than one which was predetermined and already provided to the taxi company. In another example, food may be ordered in a similar manner. The customer may set up a profile with the food provider. Later, when the customer wants to electronically order the food, electronic contact is made, and the preset order is processed. 
         [0005]    Typically when a customer sends an order for a particular product or service, the order is sent directly to the company as the provider. In an example such as this, a customer desires a taxi; the customer sends a request to a particular taxi company for a car. The operator then will make a determination as to the best taxi for the customer based upon their particular fleet. The drawback to this method is that the customer is limited to the single, particular taxi company which may not have the best available taxi available for that customer as compared to a competitor. If a customer wants to pick from multiple taxi companies, then the customer must know contact information for all different providers and must contact them individually. Another drawback for this system is that there must be an operator involved; therefore the system requires the cost of an operator to make the decision and communicate to the taxi driver. 
         [0006]    A system choosing from multiple providers may also involve a call center or operator who chooses a provider for the customer&#39;s request. For example, a customer desires a tow truck and sends an electronic message to a towing service. The towing service then uses a call center to call various operators of tow trucks to find which truck can respond. The drawback of this system is the need for additional labor to make phone calls, and the potential for the address to be not communicated clearly to the different tow truck drivers depending on the person making the call and the person receiving the call. 
         [0007]    A common method of allocating the location for the product or service to be delivered involves locating the customer&#39;s address based on the GPS unit on the mobile phone. In an example such as this, a taxi driver would be dispatched to the location where the customer is currently located once the request for service is sent. The drawback in this system is that the customer may not want to have the taxi in that current location. The customer could desire for the taxi to be waiting at a later time or at a different location. In a similar example, a customer may order some goods to be delivered to a particular location and not want them sent to where the customer is located based on a GPS system. Systems using a GPS as a locator cannot handle this type of request. 
         [0008]    A practice in electronic text messaging or an SMS based system involves using abbreviations or other type of notations that convey a request in a method that is understandable by the sender. For example, a customer sends an order for flowers to be delivered to a particular address using a notation of the letter “S” to designate the “South”. The receiver on the end may not interpret this correctly and the flowers are sent to an incorrect address. Another practice in electronic text messaging based systems is not providing complete information. For example, a customer sends an order for food items to be delivered to a desired location and the customer omits sending a postal code or city. The ordering system may not be able to complete the order correctly without the missing information. 
         [0009]    Other methods involving ordering services or goods involve transferring the funds during the ordering process to a third party intermediary. For example, when ordering a food item, the customer will be billed by their mobile phone carrier for the price of the item. The provider then must have an account with the carrier and collect the funds from said carrier. Using a third party creates a drawback by requiring an extra step in the transaction and creating the potential for complications if an order is not processed correctly. 
         [0010]    Prior ordering techniques have many short comings. The present invention addresses many of these short comings to provide an improved system for purchasing goods and services. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  Illustrates a representative system of the prior art; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  Illustrates one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  Illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  Illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  Illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  Illustrates a modular, high-level design of the process of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  Illustrates the Receive order and Prepare to Process module of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  Illustrates the Parse Message module of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  Illustrates the Validate Address module of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  Illustrates the Send Order module of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  Illustrates a representative system of the prior art. The system includes a device  110  running an application  111 . Device  110  may be a mobile phone or other computer device or system. Application  111  may be an SMS application, or Web browser. 
         [0023]    Device  110  transmits information over a communication channel  113  to a provider  116 . Communication channel  113  may be an SMS gateway or Internet connection. Provider  116  may be a vendor who provides a service or a product. 
         [0024]    In a typical embodiment of the prior art, a user would send a message on application  111  of device  110  over communication channel  113  to each individual provider  116 . This would involve sending and receiving messages through the system to each provider until a single provider is able to meet the user&#39;s needs. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  Illustrates a representative system in which the preset invention may be implemented. The system includes a client device  210 , running a software application  211 , connected to a server  212  via a communication channel  213 . Client device  210  may be, for example, a computer, iPhone, Blackberry, PDA, or a mobile phone running software application  211  such as an SMS application, a text messaging application, a web browser, a wap browser, a Brew applet, a Java applet, an email application, a blackberry application, an iPhone application, a Google android application, or other known methods of sending electronic messages. Communication channel  213  may be an SMS, an Email, or a Data gateway. It may alternatively comprise an Internet connection or other known connection methods. Server  212  may be a computer or processor operating software application  214 . 
         [0026]    Server  212  will be connected with client device  210 , and one or more providers  216  via communication channels  215 . Providers  216  may be vendors who provide services or products. The provider may be a service such as a taxi, transportation, or towing service and a product such as food, beverages, flowers, entertainment, and general consumer goods. The provider can also provide any other commercially available service or product. Providers  216  utilize devices to electronically receive order information. For example, a computer, iPhone, Blackberry, PDA, or a mobile phone running software a application such as an SMS application, a text messaging application, a web browser, a wap browser, a Brew applet, a Java applet, an email application, a blackberry application, an iPhone application, a Google android application, or other known methods of sending and receiving electronic messages may be utilized by provides 216 to receive messages related to buyer orders. Communication channel  215  may be an internet connection or other known connection methods. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, software application  214  will be a program which may be implemented as follows. First, it may verify the user&#39;s eligibility to order. If a customer is ineligible to order, and there are no suitable providers  216  participating, or if the order cannot be accepted by a provider, a message is sent to the user indicating that the order cannot be completed. If the order information cannot be recognized, is incomplete, or needs clarification, the system will communicate with the user over communication channel  213 , to client device  210 , asking for an input on software application  211  to confirm the order information or resend in a proper format. 
         [0028]    Second, in one embodiment, software application  214  will interpret/validate the order information. Third, it may check for suitable participating providers  216  for fulfillment. Fourth, it may automatically select a provider based on its ability to fulfill, geographic proximity to the user, and/or estimated time for order fulfillment by obtaining information from providers  216  over connection channel  215 . Other selection criteria may be used. Fifth, it may reformat the order data as necessary so that the provider&#39;s native electronic ordering system can recognize it. Sixth, it may attempt to establish a connection with the provider by communicating over communication channel  215  and attempt to queue an order with the selected provider. Finally, if the order is successfully queued, it may send a confirmation message to client device  210 , for software application  211 , via communication channel  213  and the order will be fulfilled by the selected provider. This implementation is one method for the present invention, however variations and steps may be adjusted accordingly. The user may then obtain the status of the order or cancel the order by using client device  210  with software application  211  through communication channel  213  with server  212  running software application  214  connected to provider  216  over communication channel  215 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment for selecting a provider using an SMS message from a mobile phone. A mobile phone  310  with an SMS application  311  sends a message to a carrier  317  over an SMS gateway  313 . Carrier  317  then relays the message to a SMS aggregator  318  over similar SMS gateway  313 . The SMS aggregator then communicates the message over a communication channel  215  to server  212 . Communication channel  215  may be the internet between SMS aggregator  318  and server  212 , and communication channel  215  may also be another network, such as a wireless network, between software application  214  and provider  216  during a single transaction. Other commercially available media for electronic communication may be used for communication channel  215 . 
         [0030]    Next, Server  212  operates as previously stated using software application  214  with communication channel  215 , SMS aggregator  318 , communication channel  313 , and carrier  317  to interface with mobile device  310  instead of using communication channel  213  and client device  210  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The software application selects desired provider  216  using communication channel  215 . 
         [0031]    Mobile phone  310  can be any device capable of communicating messages over mobile phone networks including a PDA, an iPhone, a Blackberry or a Google Android device. SMS application  311  can be any application capable of sending SMS text messages over mobile networks or the Internet. Carrier  317  is any mobile phone carrier including CDMA, IDEN, GSM, TDMA, UMTS, WIMAX, LTE and future mobile phone based networks. SMS aggregator  318  converts SMS messages received to a format understandable and transmittable over communication channel  215 . SMS aggregator  318  can also convert messages received over communication channel  215  into SMS messages to be sent over SMS gateway  313 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment where the provider is a taxi company. Mobile phone  210  with software application  211  communicates to server  212  via communication channel  213 . Server  212  uses a software application  414  and communicates with an address verification server  419  via communication channel  215 . Server  212  also communicates with providers  416  via communication channel  215 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, software application  414  operates first by verifying the user&#39;s eligibility to order. If a customer is ineligible to order, and there are no suitable taxi companies  416  participating, or if the order cannot be accepted by a taxi company, a message is sent to the user indicating that the order cannot be completed. If the order information cannot be recognized, is incomplete, or needs clarification, the system will communicate with the user over communication channel  213 , to client device  210 , asking for an input on software application  211  to confirm the order information or resend in a proper format. Second, the software application may parse the message contents to obtain any keywords such as the address and unit number. Third, it may check if that address is valid using address verification server  419  over communication channel  215 . Address verification server  419  can be an external or online module which verifies the accuracy of addresses such as Google Maps, NAVTEQ, or Mapquest. Fourth, it may check for suitable participating taxi companies  416  for fulfillment. Fifth, it may automatically select a taxi company based on car availability, geographic proximity to the user, and/or estimated time for fulfillment. Other selection criteria may be used. Sixth, it may reformat the order data as necessary so that the taxi company&#39;s native electronic ordering system can recognize it. Seventh, it may attempt to establish a connection with the provider by communicating over communication channel  215  and attempt to queue an order with the taxi company. Finally, if the order is successfully queued, it may send a confirmation message to client device  210 , for software application  211 , via communication channel  213  and the order will be fulfilled by the taxi company. This implementation is one method for the present invention, however variations and steps may be adjusted accordingly. The user may then obtain the status of the order or cancel the order by using client device  210  with software application  211  through communication channel  213  with server  412  running software application  414  connected to provider  416  over communication channel  215 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth embodiment for selecting a taxi over SMS from a mobile phone. Mobile phone  310  with SMS application  311  sends a message to carrier  317  over SMS gateway  313 . Carrier  317  then relays the message to SMS aggregator  318  over similar SMS gateway  313 . SMS aggregator  318  then communicates the message over communication channel  215  to server  212 . Server  212  then operates as previously stated using software application  414  with communication channel  215 , SMS aggregator  318 , communication channel  313 , and carrier  317  to interface with mobile device  310  instead of using communication channel  213  and client device  210  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Software application  414  selects desired taxi company  416  using communication channel  215 . 
         [0035]    Turning now to the process flowcharts for the present invention,  FIG. 6  shows a modular, high-level design of the overall process. The following process applies to the ordering of a taxi, however this process can be used for any other provider for a service or product with slight modifications. 
         [0036]    The first component of the overall process  600  is a Receive Order and Prepare to Process module  610 . The second component is a Parse Message module  620 . The third component is a Validate Address module  630 . The final component is a Send Order module  640 . Together, they provide the overall step-by-step process provided by the present invention. 
         [0037]    Overall process  600  is also connected to five optional modules. These modules can be used at any time by the user but are not required for the operation of overall process  600 . The first optional module is a register module  650 . This module allows for the user to pre-register for the system. This may allow such benefits as pre-stored information and other preferences. For example, a user may want to pre-register with a food provider so that a menu item is delivered when an order is placed. The second module is a unregister module  660 . This always a user to remove pre-registered information including settings. The third module is a cancel module  670 . This module allows the user to cancel an order at any time during and after the process has begun. The fourth module is a status module  680 . This module allows the user to obtain status information on an order in progress. The fifth module is a help module  690 . This module allows the user to obtain information from the system on commands which can be used. This module may also help the user if they are in need of any assistance with the system. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  further illustrates Receive Order and Prepare to Process module  610 . The first step of this process starts with the order received from a user as shown in step  710 . At step  711 , the system will check if an order is already in process. If the customer is already waiting for a good or service (e.g., a taxicab) at step  721  or an order has already been initiated at step  723 , then the system will reply to the user with a message such as “Only 1 order at a time” at step  720 . If there is no order in progress at step  722 , the system will continue on to the next step  730 . 
         [0039]    At step  730 , the system will check if the user is previously registered. If the customer is registered at step  740 , the process of this module will be complete. If the customer is not registered at step  741 , the system will implicitly register the user at step  751  by taking the user&#39;s mobile phone number at step  750 . The customer is now registered at step  760  and the process of this module is complete. 
         [0040]    Continuing on from  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8  further illustrates Parse Message module  620 . At Step  810 , the customer is registered and the system will use the address originally sent, or at step  811 , the system will use a resent address. At step  820 , the system will parse the message to figure out what type of order is being sent. In this example process, the order is a taxicab order as shown in step  821 . 
         [0041]    Also during parse message at step  820 , the system will check to see if an address parameter is present. If the address is present at step  830 , the process of this module will be complete. If the parameter is not present, it will then depend on the number of iterations the system has parsed the address with no address present. If it is the second iteration at step  832 , the system will send a reply to the user with a message such as “Request to send address” at step  834  and the process will start over at user sending address at step  811  when the address is received. If it is the third iteration at step  833 , the system will reply to the user with a message such as “Request Unknown” at step  838  and the process of this module will be complete with no order being processed. 
         [0042]    If parse message at step  820  is on its first iteration with no address present at step  831 , the system will check for previous orders for that user at step  836 . If there is no previous order at step  841 , the system will reply to the user with a message such as “request to send address” at step  842  and the process will start over at user sending address at step  811  on its second iteration. If there is a previous order at step  840 , the system will send a message to the user asking if they would like to use the previous address at step  850  with a message such as “Previous Address?” at step  851 . 
         [0043]    Continuing to the next step  870 , the system will process the previous address as long as both a message for the previous address confirmation has been sent at step  860  and a reply from the user has been received at step  861 . The system will then complete the process in this module using the previous address at step  880 , or it will ask the user to resend the address at step  881  and the process will start over at the user sending an address at step  811  on its second iteration. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  further illustrates Validate address module  630 . Continuing on from  FIG. 8 , the address will either be from what was submitted at step  910 , or from a previous address at step  911 . This address will be validated at step  920 . The method of validation being used in this example is a web-based verification service shown in step  921 . The web-based verification service may be a mapping tool provided by systems such as Google Maps, NAVTEQ, or Mapquest. Other commercially available systems may be used for address verification. The next step in the process will depend on the validity of the address. 
         [0045]    If the validation was successful and there is exactly one match at step  930 , the system will use the address as received or an alternative address at step  940  that is the same. The system will then check to see if there is a participating operator in that area at step  950 . If no operator is found at step  961 , the system will reply to the user with a message such as “Area not served” at step  962  and the process will be completed with no order possible. If an operator is found at step  960 , the module is complete. 
         [0046]    If the validated address process at step  920  only finds zip code accuracy at step  931 , the system will check if there is a participating operator in the area at step  941 . If there is no operator at step  971 , the system will reply to the user with a message such as “Area not served” at step  981  and the process will be completed with no order possible. If there is an operator found at step  970 , the system will reply to the user by providing the operator name and phone number at step  980  and the process will be completed with no order possible. 
         [0047]    If the validated address process at step  920  finds one near match at step  932 , the system will send an alternative address and ask the user to confirm at step  942 . The reply will state, for example, “Alt. Address” with the alternative address provided at step  951 . The system will then send one address at step  953  to the user. Once the address is sent and the user has responded at step  963 , the system will process the alternative address reply at step  972 . If the user states the alternative address is incorrect at step  983 , the process will be completed with no order possible. If the user states the alternative address is correct, it will use the alternative address at step  982  and use the process under alternative address at step  940  to complete the process of this module as stated previously. 
         [0048]    If the validated address process at step  920  finds two or more near matches at step  933 , the system will send alternative address and ask the user to confirm at step  943 . The reply will state, for example, “Alt. Addresses” with the alternative addresses provided at step  952 . The system will then send two addresses to the user at step  954 . Once addresses are sent and the user has responded at step  963 , the system will process the alternative address reply at step  972  to complete the module as stated previously. 
         [0049]    If the validated address process at step  920  finds no match on the first attempt at step  934 , it will reply to user with a message such as “Please Resend request” at step  944 . If the validated address process at step  920  finds no match on its second attempt at step  935 , it will reply to user with a message such as “Sorry, cannot find address” at step  945  and the process will be completed with no order possible. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  further illustrates Send Order module  640 . Continuing on from  FIG. 9 , at step  1010 , the operator is found. At step  1020 , the system will connect to the operator queue. At step  1030 , the system will extract the street name, type, and direction from the address. At step  1040 , the system will find/replace words in street names according to the particular operator&#39;s rules. At step  1050 , the system will query the operator&#39;s databases for the street name. At step  1060 , the system will separate the operator matches into direction, type, and name. At step  1070 , the system will search for matching street, type, and name. 
         [0051]    If a match is not found at step  1072 , the system will reply to the user with a message such as “Order Failed”. The process will be complete with no order possible. 
         [0052]    If a match is found at step  1073 , the system will send the operator a matched address to queue at step  1080 . The system will then send the order to queue at step  1081  and verify that it was queued successfully at step  1082 . If the order failed at step  1092 , the system will send a message to the user that the order failed at step  1090  and the process will be complete with no order possible. If the order is added successfully at step  1093 , the system will send a message to the user that the order was successful at step  1094  and the process of this module as well as the entire process will be complete with a completed order. 
         [0053]    While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.