U.S. patent application number 13/924678 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for system and method for generating exponential expansion of commerce.
The applicant listed for this patent is EXP COMMERCE DOT COM LTD.. Invention is credited to ANDREW ALTSCHULER.
Application Number | 20130282505 13/924678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38625680 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130282505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALTSCHULER; ANDREW |
October 24, 2013 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING EXPONENTIAL EXPANSION OF
COMMERCE
Abstract
A system and method for turning a buyer into a prospective
seller in an electronic marketplace. After the buyer enters into a
binding agreement to purchase an item, the buyer is provided with
an option of re-listing the purchased item for resale. The
purchased item is re-listed if the buyer opts to re-list it. An
ecommerce listing to sell the purchased item is automatically
generated based on the previous listing. The user only needs to
provide the selling price to complete the listing. The purchased
item can be re-listed in the same marketplace where the item was
purchased or in a different marketplace.
Inventors: |
ALTSCHULER; ANDREW; (MIAMI,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EXP COMMERCE DOT COM LTD. |
JERUSALEM |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
38625680 |
Appl. No.: |
13/924678 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13366625 |
Feb 6, 2012 |
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13924678 |
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13155353 |
Jun 7, 2011 |
8112319 |
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13366625 |
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11789666 |
Apr 24, 2007 |
7962374 |
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13155353 |
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60794793 |
Apr 24, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G06Q 30/0611 20130101; G06Q 30/00 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101;
G06Q 30/0603 20130101; G06Q 30/0613 20130101; G06Q 30/0205
20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 30/08 20130101; G06Q 30/0623
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20120101
G06Q030/06 |
Claims
1-135. (canceled)
136. A computer implemented method for generating multiple buy/sell
transactions during or prior to a completion of a buy/sell
transaction of an item, comprising the steps of: receiving an offer
to buy the item from a client device associated with a second
purchaser before a first purchaser completes a buy/sell transaction
of the item by a communications module of a server over the
communications network; processing the buy/sell transaction with
the first purchaser by a transaction module of the server when the
offer to buy the item from the second purchaser is not accepted by
the first purchaser; and processing the buy/sell transaction with
the second purchaser by the transaction module when the offer to
buy the item from the second purchaser is accepted by the first
purchaser, thereby facilitating multiple buy/sell transactions
prior to the completion of the buy/sell transaction of the item by
the first purchaser.
137. The method of claim 136, further comprising the step of
publishing the offer to buy the item from the second purchaser to
the first purchaser by a listing module of the server during a
checkout process to complete the buy/sell transaction by the first
purchaser.
138. The method of claim 137, further comprising the step of
receiving an acceptance of the second purchaser's offer to buy the
item from a client device associated with a first purchaser by the
communications module of the server over the communications
network.
139. A system for generating multiple buy/sell transactions during
or prior to the completion of a buy/sell transaction of an item,
comprising: a plurality of client devices connected to a
communications network, each client device associated with a unique
user; a server connected to the communications network and
comprising: a communications module for receiving an offer to buy
the item over the communications network from a client device
associated with a second purchaser before a first purchaser
completes a buy/sell transaction of the item; and a transaction
module for processing the buy/sell transaction with the first
purchaser when the offer to buy the item from the second purchaser
is not accepted by the first purchaser, and processing the buy/sell
transaction with the second purchaser when the offer to buy the
item from the second purchaser is accepted by the first purchaser,
thereby facilitating multiple buy/sell transactions prior to the
completion of the buy/sell transaction of the item by the first
purchaser; and a database for storing the offer to buy the item
from the second purchaser and a processed buy/sell transaction of
the item.
140. The system of claim 139, wherein the server comprises a
listing module for publishing the offer to buy the item from the
second purchaser to the first purchaser during a checkout process
to complete the buy/sell transaction by the first purchaser.
141. The system of claim 140, wherein the communications module of
the server receives an acceptance of the second purchaser's offer
to buy the item from a client device associated with a first
purchaser.
142. The system of claim 139, wherein the client device is a
personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a web-enabled
handheld device, or a phone.
143. The system of claim 139, wherein the communications network is
Internet.
144. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer
executable code for generating multiple buy/sell transactions
during or prior to a completion of a buy/sell transaction of an
item, the code comprising instructions for: receiving an offer to
buy the item from a client device associated with a second
purchaser before a first purchaser completes a buy/sell transaction
of the item by a communications module of the server over the
communications network; processing the buy/sell transaction with
the first purchaser by a transaction module of the server when the
offer to buy the item from the second purchaser is not accepted by
the first purchaser; and processing the buy/sell transaction with
the second purchaser by the transaction module when the offer to
buy the item from the second purchaser is accepted by the first
purchaser, thereby facilitating multiple buy/sell transactions
prior to the completion of the buy/sell transaction of the item by
the first purchaser.
145. The computer readable medium of claim 144, wherein the
computer executable code further comprises instructions for
publishing the offer to buy the item from the second purchaser to
the first purchaser by a listing module of the server during a
checkout process to complete the buy/sell transaction by the first
purchaser.
146. The computer readable medium of claim 145, wherein the
computer executable code further comprises instructions for
receiving an acceptance of the second purchaser's offer to buy the
item from a client device associated with a first purchaser by the
communications module of the server over the communications
network.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No.
13/366,625 filed Feb. 6, 2012, which is continuation of application
Ser. No. 13/155,353 filed Jun. 7, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,112,319, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/789,666 filed Apr. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,962,374, which
claims priority benefit under Title 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of
provisional patent application No. 60/794,793 filed Apr. 24, 2006,
each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to commerce generally, more
specifically, the invention relates to a method and system for
turning a buyer into a prospective seller and providing interfaces
and modules for seamlessly placing items for resale and performing
related actions within an ecommerce site.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Commerce--the marketing, buying, selling, and exchanging of
products and services between two or more entities--has been around
since the beginning of humankind. From its origins in local
face-to-face transactions to 21st century global ecommerce,
commerce continues to evolve. As ecommerce becomes increasingly
sophisticated, and marketing and transaction channels that were
once clearly distinct become more and more integrated, the
distinction between offline and online commerce is
disappearing.
[0004] The ecommerce systems have attracted large numbers of users,
thereby generating large and varied product listings of both new
and used products. However, such ecommerce systems commonly suffer
from an inability to efficiently convert buyers into prospective
sellers. Typically, sellers supply descriptions and images of the
products they are selling. The task of generating ecommerce
listings can be cumbersome, particularly for small merchants and
non-merchant individuals.
[0005] That is, current ecommerce marketplace or sites and system
supporting such sites and marketplaces are designed for products to
be sold once to an end consumer. These ecommerce systems are not
designed to handle where the products change hands many times over
the life of the product. Typically, when an item is sold, the
listing disappears and the item is no longer available for sale
until the buyer (i.e., prospective seller) re-lists the item in the
ecommerce site using the standard procedure of listing an item. The
prospective buyers cannot view any listing associated with a sold
item or any ownership history associated with that item. Certain
ecommerce system providers have attempted to address this problem
by providing their buyers with access to a list of items they
bought on their ecommerce site or marketplace. The buyers can
select to re-list a particular item from their purchase history
list with the same ecommerce system provider. These ecommerce
systems alleviate the prospective sellers from having to re-type
the item descriptions and uploading images, but the prospective
seller must go through the standard process of listing the item
with the ecommerce system provider. That is, the ecommerce system
does not differentiate between a newly listed and a re-listed
item.
[0006] Today there are numerous multi-module e-commerce systems and
providers offering technology, methods and services to enable a
buyer and seller to transact in a multitude of ways, locally and
globally, across multiple online and offline channels. Even with
all of the sophistication, current e-commerce systems are designed
for a product to be sold once; they have not been designed for a
product to be bought and sold multiple times throughout a product's
life. Current ecommerce systems suffer from an inability to
efficiently, effortlessly and seamlessly transform the most recent
buyer (current owner) of a product into a seller of the
product.
[0007] Typically, when an item is listed on the ecommerce site for
sale, the terms of that listing are binding on the seller. That is,
if the buyer agrees to the terms on the listing, the seller must
sell the item to the buyer. Similarly, if the item is listed for an
auction, the seller must sell the item to the winning or the
highest bidder. Accordingly, it may be desirable for a prospective
seller to list the item to gauge interest in the marketplace for a
particular item before actually listing the item for sale. For
example, the prospective seller can use such information to
determine the appropriate listing price when he/she decides to list
the item for sale.
[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an efficient system
and method which seamlessly transforms the most recent buyer
(current owner) of a product into the seller of the product, and to
enable the buying and selling of a product multiple times
throughout the life of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention overcomes aforementioned shortcomings
in prior art by providing a system and method that seamlessly turns
buyers into prospective sellers.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an integrated multi-mode computer commerce system reaching
across the entire online and offline spectrum of local and global
commerce.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
system and method that is the next dimension in the rapid evolution
of commerce.
[0012] It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a system and method that propels the resale of a product
multiple times throughout the product's life.
[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method provides the buyer with an option of listing
the purchased item for sale in the marketplace or soliciting
interests or bids for the purchased item from prospective
buyers.
[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method as aforesaid provides such option to the
buyer at the time of the sale, e.g., during, before or after the
checkout process.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method as aforesaid maintains transaction history
for each item in the marketplace. That is, the transaction history
includes at least one of the following: owner names, owner's user
identifications, owner's email addresses, purchase dates, purchase
price, method of sale, product description and product
conditions.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method as aforesaid provides an option for a seller
or a prospective seller to add an ecommerce listing of a purchased
product using the information contained in the corresponding
transaction history. Since all the information required for a
listing is already in the transaction history, the seller or
prospective seller only needs to provide the selling price to
complete the listing.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method as aforesaid provides the buyer, at the time
of the sale, the option of scheduling a reminder to place the
purchased item for sale.
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the system and method as aforesaid provides a prospective seller to
generate a non-binding listing, i.e., a prospective listing.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
computer implemented method for generating multiple transactions
from a buy/sell transaction of a product comprises the steps of:
providing an option to list the product for resale by a buyer of
the buy/sell transaction in an electronic marketplace; and
generating a new listing based on information relating to the
buy/sell transaction if the buyer elects to resale the product,
thereby enabling the product to be sold multiple times.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
computer implemented method of managing an electronic marketplace
for facilitating a plurality of users to purchase a product from a
browsable electronic catalog comprises the steps of: generating a
prospect list of a plurality of products interested or sought by a
prospective buyer and notifying the prospective buyer if the
product on the prospect list becomes available in any marketplace.
Each product on the prospect list is identified by a product
identifier, the product identifier being at least one of the
following: universal product code (UPC), brand or model number.
[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
computer implemented method for managing an electronic marketplace
for facilitating purchase products from a browsable electronic
catalog by a plurality of users. The computer implemented method
comprises the steps of: receiving an interest or an offer to
purchase from a prospective buyer of a product; and appending a
listing associated with the product to include the interest or the
offer to purchase from the prospective buyer.
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
computer implemented method for generating multiple transactions
from a buy/sell transaction of a product comprises the steps of:
receiving an option to list the product for resale by a buyer of
the buy/sell transaction in an electronic marketplace; and
receiving a new listing generated based on information relating to
the buy/sell transaction if the buyer elects to resale the product,
thereby enabling the product to be sold multiple times.
[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
system for generating multiple transactions from a buy/sell
transaction of a product comprises a client device, a server and a
listing database. The client device is connected to a
communications network and associated with a buyer. The server is
connected to the communications network and manages an electronic
marketplace. The server comprises a creation module and a listing
module. The creation module receives information related to the
buy/sell transaction of the product and transmitting an option to
list the product for resale to the client device associated with
the buyer of the buy/sell transaction in the electronic
marketplace. The listing module generates a new listing based on
information relating to the buy/sell transaction if the buyer
elects to resale the product, thereby enabling the product to be
sold multiple times. The listing database stores said new
listing.
[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
computer readable media comprising a code for generating multiple
transactions from a buy/sell transaction of a product. The code
comprises instructions for: providing an option to list the product
for resale to a buyer of the buy/sell transaction in an electronic
marketplace; and generating a new listing based on information
relating to the buy/sell transaction if the buyer elects to resale
the product, thereby enabling the product to be sold multiple
times.
[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the computer implemented method as aforesaid further comprises the
step of specifying a minimum price for the product.
[0026] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the computer implemented method as aforesaid further comprises the
step of maintaining a user history record comprising at least one
of the following: user identification, products bought, products
sold, names of counter-parties and user identifications of said
counter-parties.
[0027] Various other objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing
detailed description, and the novel features will be particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The following detailed description, given by way of example,
and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto,
will best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the ecommerce system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flow chart detailing the process whereby a sold
product is captured into the EXPCommerce System and the buyer of
the product is immediately transformed into seller/prospective
seller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flow chart detailing the process of creating a
product listing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing the process of creating an
auction in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] An ecommerce system which embodies the above and other
inventive features will now be described in detail. As will be
apparent, many of the disclosed features may be used without
others, and may be implemented differently than described herein
and/or in combination with features not disclosed herein. Although
described primarily in the context of a website system, the various
inventive features are also applicable to other types of multi-user
interactive systems in which users may browse and make purchases
from an electronic listing, including but not limited to online
services networks, interactive television systems, in-store kiosk
systems, and systems that support browsing by voice.
[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the ecommerce system or the EXP Commerce system comprises various
computer-implemented services through which ecommerce sellers can
list products for sale and prospective sellers can re-list
purchased products for resale and ecommerce buyers can browse
through the ecommerce listings to purchase items from ecommerce
sellers. The ecommerce site or marketplace is generally controlled,
maintained or administered by an ecommerce provider or
operator.
[0035] As used herein, commerce includes but is not limited to the
marketing, buying, selling and exchanging of products and services
or something of economic value between two or more individuals,
businesses, governments or other entities, whether wholesale,
retail, business-to-business, business-to-consumer, manufacturer to
end buyer (manufacturer direct), consumer to consumer, domestic,
international, online or offline, multichannel, cross-channel or
the like.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, the EXPCommerce System 613 ("EXPCommerce")
comprises a server 615 which is connected to a communications
network 600, e.g., the Internet. Server 615 comprises modules that
perform the functionality and methods of the present invention as
described herein. Primary modules include: the Creation Module 620,
the Listing Module 625, the Prospect Module 630, the Communications
Module 635, the Website Module 640, the Promotion Module 645 and
the Transaction Module 650. Server 615 further comprises databases
which can either be integral to the server or separately connected
storage. Primary databases include the User Database 655, the
Product Database 660, the Listing Database 665, the Prospect
Database 660 and the Transaction Database 675. It is appreciated
that all of these databases can be integrated into a single
database. Users can remotely or directly access the EXPCommerce 613
through the electronic communications network 600 using Client
Point of Entry Devices 605 including but not limited to PCs, PDAs,
standard web browsers, web-enabled handheld devices, interactive
kiosks, telephones, faxes, POS systems, EDIs, and the like. An
individual, business, or other entity registers with the
EXPCommerce 613 to become a user. Once registered, the user can
access, perform buy/sell transactions acting as a buyer and/or
seller and use the functionality of the EXPCommerce 613 as
described herein.
[0037] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises the User Database 655 that stores
information about the registered users of the EXPCommerce 613. For
each registered user, the User Database 655 stores user unique
parameters including but not limited to a user name, password,
seller/buyer status, business information if applicable, shipping
address, contact information, e-mail address, payment information,
bank account information, preference settings, and other such
relevant parameters. Users include but are not limited to buyers,
sellers, prospective buyers, prospective sellers, and any other
entities, whether individuals, businesses, or governments and the
like. In addition, the User Database 655 stores event history
parameters including but not limited to a user's listing,
prospecting, communications, websites, promotions, transactions,
feedback, payments, and other such relevant parameters.
[0038] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce system 613 can operate as a stand-alone electronic
marketplace or as an add-on to an existing electronic marketplace
to provide various features of the present invention as described
herein.
[0039] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Creation Module 620. The Creation
Module 620 comprises web crawlers, spiders, bots and the like that
search multiple third-party online and offline transaction channels
and capture and import any sold product into the EXPCommerce 613
for the possible future re-sale of the product. Products include
but are not limited to: products, services, physical products,
intangible services, digital products, content, software, a
combination of products and services, currencies, real estate,
securities, leases, licenses, rentals, subscriptions, information,
and other types of business transactions.
[0040] Online transaction channels include but are not limited to
third-party business to business (b2b), business to customer (b2c),
and customer to customer (c2c) websites and shopping portals. The
Creation Module 620 can be electronically integrated with most
shopping cart checkout systems of online transaction channels by
methods and procedures known to those of skill in the art. For
online transaction channels that are not electronically integrated
with the EXPCommerce 613, a buyer can send EXPCommerce 613 a form
email or a copy of the transaction confirmation page from the
non-integrated electronic transaction channel. In a further
embodiment, EXPCommerce 613 further comprises a toolbar that can be
downloaded and integrated into a standard web browser. The toolbar
provides the user with the ability to capture information from a
transaction confirmation page and thus facilitates entering the
information into EXPCommerce 613. For a product purchased through
an offline transaction channel, a user (i.e., a buyer) can enter
the product into the Creation Module 620 by accessing the
EXPCommerce 613 through the communications network 600 using a
Client Point of Entry Device 605.
[0041] A buyer can immediately be transformed into a
seller/prospective seller before, during and/or after the checkout
process and an immediately resell a product, list a product for
resale (as a binding or non-binding listing), receive/accept
solicitations for the newly purchased item, and/or at some time in
the future use the EXPCommerce 613 to relist and/or accept
solicitations for the purchased item.
[0042] The Creation Module 620 queries the buyer before, during, or
immediately after the time of purchase, and/or multiple times in
the future by presenting a graphical user interface containing the
query: "Do you want to relist this product for possible resale
now?" Typically the graphical user interface contains a "yes" and
"no" radio box with the "yes" box selected by default. Buyers who
wish to answer "no" can uncheck the "yes" radio box and check "no".
Typically if a buyer checks "no", then the Creation Module 620 will
cause another graphical user interface to appear containing the
query: "Is it possible that you may wish to relist this product for
possible resale at some time in the future?"
[0043] If the buyer does not register a product during the
checkout, the buyer can notify the EXPCommerce 613 that he/she is
ready to list the purchased item for resale in the future. In one
embodiment, the EXPCommerce 613 communicates with the buyer on a
periodic basis querying if the buyer wishes to sell the purchased
product or would consider selling the purchased product in the
future. In a further embodiment, the buyer can set reminders
instructing the EXPCommerce 613 to contact the buyer at a specific
time such as in a year. The EXPCommerce 613 will then query the
buyer in a year as to whether the buyer wishes to create a product
listing to resell the purchased product. The buyer can schedule the
EXPCommerce 613 to contact the buyer at a specified or
predetermined time in the future to query whether the buyer wishes
to create a listing to resell the purchased product. The buyer can
also schedule the EXPCommerce 613 to contact the buyer at a
specified time in the future with a reminder to list the purchased
product as a binding and/or non-binding offer for sale.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Listing Module 625 to generate a
listing for a product once it is captured by the Creation Module
620. The Listing Module 625 stores and retrieves the previous
listing associated with the product from the Listing Database 665.
The EXPCommerce 613 instantly and seamlessly transforms the most
recent buyer into a seller/prospective seller and generates a
listing to list a product for resale without going through the
current industry standard listing process of entering product
information. However, for a product being sold for the first time,
the Listing Module 625 also has standard tools to enable a user
(i.e., a seller) to generate an initial product listing.
[0045] The Listing Module 625 generates a listing for resale from
the product information captured previously by the Creation Module
620 and stored in the Product Database 660. The static product
information captured by the Creation Module 620 typically does not
change as a product is resold multiple times throughout its life.
Static product information includes but is not limited to: product
name/title, description, manufacturer, brand, model number, UPC,
product dimensions, product weight, shipping dimensions, shipping
weight, product materials, packaging, warranty information, author,
artist, ISBN, product images, merchandising collateral and/or other
relevant information. Although the static information typically
does not change, seller/prospective seller can modify any of this
static information. The EXPCommerce 613 stores any changes and
displays the changes in the product listing. For a product that is
being sold for the first time, and/or for which no product data
currently exists within EXPCommerce 613, a user can enter the
product data using the Listing Module 625.
[0046] Variable information typically changes each time a product
is listed for resale, and the variable information should be
updated by the seller/prospective seller. Variable information
includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
pricing, condition of the product, terms of availability, location,
shipping terms/options/limitations, and/or any other relevant
information.
[0047] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
product listings also contain historical transactional and
ownership information related to previous purchases of the product
that accumulates as the product is sold multiple times. The
EXPCommerce 613 stores and retrieves the historical transactional
and ownership information in and from the Transaction Database 675.
Historical transactional information includes but is not limited
to: transaction channel, unique transaction number, transaction
date, seller, buyer, communication/negotiations between seller and
buyer, location of product, ship method, listing price, transaction
price or other consideration (if different from listing price),
listing fees, commissions, product condition, condition update
notes, returns, exchanges, product reviews and other relevant
information. The EXPCommerce 613 updates and appends the historical
transactional and ownership information each time a product is
sold, and attaches it to the product listing each time a product is
listed for resale. Historical transactional and ownership
information cannot be modified. The seller/prospective seller can
select to hide the historical and ownership information, although
hiding such information may discourage a potential buyer.
[0048] In a further embodiment, the EXPCommerce 613 can suggest a
selling price based on at least one of the following: the current
selling price of a same or similar product in the marketplace or
other marketplaces; purchase price history of a same or similar
product; and/or the product ownership history for a same or similar
product. In addition, during the listing process and/or anytime
thereafter, seller/prospective seller can request and receive
information about prospective buyers, supply and demand for the
product, etc; which may influence the seller/prospective seller to
modify a selling price or other terms of the listing.
[0049] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
buyer can be transformed into a seller and can list a product for
resale in a binding manner in which the seller is obligated to sell
the product according to the terms of the product listing specified
by the seller. Alternatively, a buyer can be transformed into a
prospective seller and can create a non-binding listing, in which
the prospective seller: can explore the opportunity of selling the
product but is not obligated to sell the product; and can solicit
interested prospective buyers to communicate their interest in,
inquire about, and/or submit purchase offers for the product. A
non-binding listing can be used by a prospective seller to gauge
the level of current demand for a product and influence a
prospective seller to eventually decide to sell the product. The
prospective seller can select to generate a non-binding listing
with or without a price, and can select whether or not to display
the price.
[0050] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 supports fixed-price sales, auctions or both.
The Listing Module 625 enables a seller to generate listings to
sell a product via an auction. Auctions can occur within the
EXPCommerce 613 or on a third-party auction platform such as but
not limited to eBay.RTM., Ubid.RTM., Yahoo!.RTM. Auctions, Amazon
Auctions.RTM., and Overstock.com Auctions.sup.SM, or an offline
auction, whether live-in person or via telephone or mail or any
other industry standard method of conducting an auction.
[0051] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Communications Module 635 which
enables communication between registered users and between a
registered user and the EXPCommerce 613 system. The Communications
Module 635 enables communication via email, phone, fax, EDI, xml,
ftp mail, and other industry standard communication methods.
[0052] The seller/prospective seller can choose to initiate an
auction for a product after a select number of prospective buyers,
with or without qualifications, specified by the seller/prospective
seller, register to participate in the auction for the product. The
Communications Module 635 notifies the seller/prospective seller
when a predetermined number of prospective buyers or bidders
express an interest in bidding for the product and have registered
to participate in the auction for the product. The
seller/prospective seller can choose whether or not to make known
the select number of registered prospective buyers required to
initiate the auction, as well as whether or not to make known the
qualifications specified by the seller/prospective seller. The
Communications Module 635 communicates the above-mentioned
processes to the seller/prospective seller and prospective
buyer.
[0053] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Website Module 640 comprising one
or more websites for creating, listing, marketing, promoting,
prospecting, communicating, transacting, and performing all other
functions and methods described herein. In addition, the
EXPCommerce 613 provides a user with the option to create one or
more user-branded websites pointing to a domain name of their
choosing, hosted by the EXPCommerce 613, displaying product
listings of their choosing, and performing the functions and
methods described herein.
[0054] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Promotion Module 645 to place,
market, promote, or advertise a product listing on various suitable
platforms including but not limited to: [0055] the EXPCommerce
Website(s), user-branded EXPCommerce websites, and search and
paid/unpaid placement within the websites; [0056] across multiple
paid and/or unpaid online and offline marketing channels selected
by the seller/prospective seller including but not limited to
search engines, email marketing, affiliate marketing, CSE sites,
affiliate sites, shopping portals, viral marketing, and other such
channels in which the buyer/prospective buyer clicks through to the
EXPCommerce Website(s), and EXPCommerce user-branded websites;
[0057] integrated marketing-transaction channels in which
transactions occur on the channel, such as portals like eBay,
amazon.com, overstock.com, Shop.com.TM. and other third-party
websites; [0058] brick-and-mortar store displays, interactive
kiosks, POS systems, direct mail, catalogs, print, television,
telephone, and other online, offline, and online-offline integrated
channels.
[0059] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
buyers can locate listings for a particular product and buy the
same product multiple times throughout a product's life. The
buyer/prospective buyer can locate product listings across
marketing channels on which the seller/prospective sellers have
selected to promote product listings employing a number of industry
standard mechanisms to locate one or more products of interest. To
locate listings within the EXPCommerce Website(s), and/or the
EXPCommerce user-branded websites, users can browse a hierarchy of
product categories and associated products, enter search terms into
a search engine and obtain search results, and employ a number of
other conventional mechanisms to locate products of interest. For
products listed on online channels, the buyer/prospective buyer
typically locates and browses product listings over the Internet or
other network using a standard web browser.
[0060] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXP Commerce 613 comprises a Prospect Module 630. The Prospect
Module 630 stores and retrieves a prospective buyer's prospect list
in the Prospect Database 660. The EXPCommerce 613 gives the option
and ability for the buyer/prospective buyer to create and manage a
Prospect List (binding and/or non-binding) for one or more products
which the buyer/prospective buyer is interested in or desires to
buy, whether or not the product is currently available or
unavailable. Searching the Transactional Database 675 to determine
the current owner of a desired product, and using the
Communications Module 635, a prospective buyer can contact the
current product owner.
[0061] A product that a prospective buyer wishes to add to the
prospective buyer's Prospect List is specified/selected using the
Prospect Module 630 according to a unique identifier such as UPC,
brand, model, etc., or by browsing categories of products, or by
specifying a range of desired criteria including but not limited to
one or more of the following: categories, brands, models,
conditions, colors, price, geographic location, and the like. A
prospective buyer can add products to the Prospect List for a
multitude of reasons, including but not limited to: the product
supply is too high or too low, the product has been on the
market/available for sale for an inadequate period of time; the
prospective buyer is interested in the product at some time in the
future; the demand is too high or too low; the product is not
currently available for sale; the product is not available in a
respective geographic region; shipping limitations; the seller will
not sell to the prospective buyer; the prospective buyer does not
wish to buy from the seller; the current product price exceeds the
amount the prospective buyer wishes to pay; the product does not
exist.
[0062] The EXPCommerce 613 can utilize a product's ownership or
transactional history or other means to identify the owner(s)
(potential prospective sellers) of the product, and proactively
solicit the owner(s) to create a product listing for the product.
The proactive solicitations can be triggered by a change in
supply/demand for the product, by the addition of the product to a
prospective buyer's Prospect List, or for any other reason. In
addition, the existence of a product on a Prospect List is
communicated to all seller/prospective sellers during the creation
of a listing for the product, as well as after the listing is
created. The seller/prospective seller has the option and ability
to modify the listings accordingly. The existence of a product on a
prospective buyer's Prospect List is displayed on all listings for
the product. In addition, the EXPCommerce 613 can solicit
prospective buyers. Such solicitations are communicated via the
Communications Module 635 and/or displayed when the user(s)
accesses the EXPCommerce 613.
[0063] The seller/prospective seller can create one or more
conditions under which the Communications Module 635 should notify
the seller/prospective seller. Conditions may include but are not
limited to: a specified or predetermined change in supply or demand
of the product or any other specified product; when/if the product
has been on the market/available for sale for a specified period of
time; when a prospective buyer specifies to be notified now or at
some time in the future regarding the seller/prospective seller's
product; the qualifications of the prospective buyer, including the
feedback rating, geographic location, or transactional history.
[0064] A prospective buyer can specify certain conditions and
select whether to be notified when one or more specified conditions
are met. Conditions that can be specified include but are not
limited to: a specified change in the product supply/demand; the
product has been on the market/available for sale for a specified
or predetermined period of time; a specified future date arrives; a
specified or predetermined change in the product availability with
respect to a geographic region; a specified change in a shipping
limitation; a seller who would not sell to the prospective buyer is
now willing to sell; a specified/unspecified additional seller(s)
is/are now selling the product; a specified or predetermined change
in the product price; the product that did not exist now
exists.
[0065] The Communications Module 635 enables the buyer/prospective
buyer to communicate with the seller/prospective seller and send
offers. The Communications Module 635 notifies the
seller/prospective seller of offers from the prospective buyers
that equal or exceed a predetermined amount specified by the
seller/prospective seller, or an offer regardless of the amount of
the offer. The predetermined amount specified by the
seller/prospective seller may or may not be made available to the
buyer/prospective buyer. The buyer/prospective buyer can send and
the seller/prospective seller can receive notifications expressing
an interest in or requesting additional information about a
product, such as a condition update.
[0066] The EXPCommerce 613 enables a buyer to specify a desired
purchase price and/or other criteria (condition, location, seller
criteria) for a selected product on a Prospect List, and to
automatically transact on behalf of the buyer/prospective buyer to
buy the product when the product is available for sale and meets
the specified criteria.
[0067] In the case where there is a seller who creates a product
listing with the intent to sell the product (most frequently when
the product's value depreciates over time, although not always), a
prospective buyer (buyer 1), and a subsequent prospective buyer
(buyer2) who may buy the product from buyer1 after buyer1 takes
ownership of and wishes to resell the product in the future
(perhaps buyer2 cannot afford to buy the product at its current
selling price or does not need the product now but may need the
product in the future or does not like the current seller): for
buyer2 to commit (binding) or express interest (non-binding) to
being a future buyer of the product before buyer1 buys the product,
to register buyer2's commitment or interest, to display buyer2's
commitment or interest as part of the product listing, and to
communicate buyer2's commitment or interest to buyer1 prior to
buyer 1's purchase of the product. Such commitment or interest can
increase the value of the product and/or encourage buyer1 to buy
the product because buyer 1 knows that the product can/may
subsequently be resold to buyer2.
[0068] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a Transaction Module 650 to enable
the buying and selling of a product through the EXPCommerce
Website(s), the user-branded EXPCommerce websites, and across
multiple other third-party online and offline transaction channels.
The Transaction Module 650 contains a settlement system that
integrates with third-party payment processing systems such as
PayPal.RTM., Google Checkout.sup.SM, Western Union.RTM., credit
card gateways and other systems to process credit or debit card
payments, electronic checks, wire transfers, bank account
transactions and the like.
[0069] When a buyer purchases a product in accordance with the
present invention, the Transaction Module 650 can use pre-specified
shipping and payment information to expedite the completion of the
transaction. The Transaction Module 650 prompts the buyer to
confirm the shipping address and payment method retrieved from the
User Database 655 or to enter new or correct information. In
addition, the Transaction Module 650 also processes returns and
credits, and has the functionality to apply coupons and discounts
in a variety of fashions, and other industry standard transaction
processes.
[0070] The Communications Module 635 transmits purchase orders and
purchase confirmations to sellers. Sellers return confirmation of
receipt and ship confirmations. The Communications Module 635
transmits purchase confirmations and ship confirmations to buyers.
A purchase confirmation, preferably including shipping tracking
information, is typically transmitted by email to the buyer. In
addition, the Communications Module 635 notifies users of
initiated, processed and completed returns, credits, payment
notifications and the like.
[0071] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the EXPCommerce 613 comprises a feedback system giving the option
and ability for users to post feedback about other users with whom
they have transacted. The feedback postings are stored in and
retrieved from the User Database 655. Feedback for a user can be
found in the user's profile. Feedback for a seller/prospective
seller is displayed on each product listing created by the
seller/prospective seller. Through the Listing Module 625 and
Prospect Module 630, a user can set conditions based on feedback of
other users, such as whether or not the user wishes to transact
with another user.
[0072] FIG. 2 is a flow chart detailing the process whereby a
recently sold product is captured into the EXPCommerce 613 and the
buyer of the product is instantly transformed into a
seller/prospective seller in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] The buyer can immediately be transformed into a
seller/prospective seller before, during and/or after the checkout
process and can immediately list the product for re-sale (binding
or non-binding). The Creation Module 620 of the EXPCommerce 613
first queries the seller/prospective seller (who is now transformed
from the buyer to the seller/prospective seller) at step 1010. Step
1010 can occur before, during, or immediately after the time of
purchase of a product, and/or multiple times in the future
thereafter. Typically the Creation Module 620 will display the
query in a graphical user interface. At step 1010, the Creation
Module 620 displays a first query to the seller/prospective seller:
"Do you want to relist this product for possible resale now?" If
the Creation Module 620 receives an affirmative answer to the query
of step 1010, the Creation Module 620 invokes the Listing Module
625 at step 1020 (see FIG. 3). If the Creation Module 620 receives
a negative answer to the query of step 1010, the Creation Module
620 displays a second query to the seller/prospective seller at
step 1030: "Is it possible that you may wish to relist this product
for possible resale at some time in the future?" If the Creation
Module 620 receives a negative response to the query of step 1030,
the Creation Module 620 displays a third query to the
seller/prospective seller at step 1040: "Would you like us to ask
you again in the future if it is possible you will want to sell
this product at some time in the future?" If the Creation Module
620 receives a negative response to the query of step 1040, the
Creation Module 620 ends the queries (step 1045). If the Creation
Module 620 receives an affirmative response to the query of step
1040, or if the Creation Module 620 receives an affirmative
response to the inquiry of step 1030, the Creation Module 620
displays a fourth inquiry at step 1050: "When would you like to be
asked again about possibly selling this product?" If the Creation
Module 620 does not receive a date from the seller/prospective
seller, the Creation Module 620 then ends the queries. If the
Creation Module 620 receives a date entered by the
seller/prospective seller, the Creation Module 620 records the
selected date on which to contact the seller/prospective seller to
ask the seller/prospective seller again about possibly selling the
product at step 1060. The Creation Module 620 then displays a fifth
query on the selected date at step 1070: "Do you want to relist
this product for possible sale now?" and the process returns to
step 1010.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a flow chart detailing the process of generating a
product listing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention When the seller/prospective seller is ready to
generate the product listing, EXPCommerce 613 enables the
seller/prospective seller to do so without going through the
current industry standard listing process of entering all of the
product information.
[0075] Listing is created from the product information which was
captured previously from previous sale(s) and stored in the Product
Database 670, and which typically does not change as a product is
resold multiple times throughout its life. Static product
information can include but is not limited to: product name,
description, manufacturer, brand, model number, UPC, product
dimensions, product weight, shipping dimensions, shipping weight,
product materials, packaging, warranty information, author, artist,
ISBN, product images, merchandising collateral and/or other
relevant information. Although the static information typically
does not change, the seller/prospective seller is able to modify
the information.
[0076] Variable information typically does change each time a
product is listed for resale, and variable information should be
updated by the seller/prospective seller. Variable information
includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
pricing, condition update, terms of availability, location,
shipping terms/options/limitations, and/or any other relevant
information.
[0077] Product listings also contain historical transactional and
ownership information related to previous purchases of the product
that accumulates as the product is sold multiple times throughout
its life. The historical transactional and ownership information is
stored in and retrieved from the Transaction Database 675.
Historical transactional information includes but is not limited to
transaction channel, unique transaction number, transaction date,
seller, buyer, communication/negotiations between seller and buyer,
the location of a product, the ship method, listing price,
transaction price or other consideration (if different from listing
price), listing fees, commissions, product condition, condition
update notes, returns, exchanges, product reviews and other
relevant information. The EXPCommerce 613 updates and appends the
historical transactional and ownership information each time a
product sells, and attaches it to the product listing each time a
product is listed for resale. Historical transactional and
ownership information cannot be modified. The seller/prospective
seller may select to hide the historical transactional and
ownership information, although hiding this information may
discourage a potential buyer.
[0078] At step 2010, the Listing Module 625 first prompts the
seller/prospective seller to update the product listing's
information, and the EXPCommerce 613 stores any changes and
displays them in the product listing when the listing is
complete.
[0079] At step 2020, the Listing Module 625 then first displays a
query inquiring what type of sale the seller/prospective seller
would like to create: auction or non-auction. In accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, the EXPCommerce 613 supports
both fixed-price sale and auction; and a seller can generate a
listing to sell a product in an "auction" using the Listing Module
625. If the Listing Module 625 receives a reply of an auction to
the query of step 2020, the Listing Module 625 invokes the auction
processes at step 2022 (see FIG. 4). If the Listing Module 625
receives a reply of a non-auction to the query of step 2020, the
Listing Module 625 of the EXPCommerce 613 then displays a second
query inquiring whether the seller/prospective seller would like to
create a binding or non-binding product listing at step 2030. The
Seller/prospective seller can create a binding listing in which the
seller/prospective seller is obligated to sell the product
according to the terms of the product listing specified by the
seller/prospective seller. Alternatively, the seller/prospective
seller can create a non-binding listing, in which
seller/prospective seller may wish to explore selling the product,
but is not obligated to sell the product, and/or can solicit
interested prospective buyers to communicate their interest in,
inquire about, and/or submit purchase offers for the product. A
non-binding listing can be used by the seller/prospective seller to
gauge the level of current demand for a product, and influence the
seller/prospective seller to eventually decide to sell the product.
The Seller/prospective seller can select to create a non-binding
listing with or without a price, and can select whether or not to
display the price.
[0080] If the Listing Module 625 receives "binding" as a response
to the query of step 2030, the Listing Module 625 displays a third
query at step 3040 inquiring whether the seller/prospective seller
would like to receive a price recommendation. The EXPCommerce 613
can suggest a selling price based on at least one of the following
criteria: current selling price of a same or similar product; in
the marketplace or other marketplaces, purchase price history of a
same or similar product, and/or the product ownership history for a
same or similar product. In addition, during the listing process
and/or anytime thereafter, the seller/prospective seller can
request and receive information about the prospective buyers,
supply and demand for the product, etc, which may influence the
seller/prospective seller to modify the selling price or other
terms of the listing. If the Listing Module 625 receives an
affirmative response to the query of step 3040, the Listing Module
625 retrieves and displays price recommendations at step 3050. If
the Listing Module 625 receives a negative response to the query of
step 3040 or following step 3050, the Listing Module 625 prompts
the seller/prospective seller to enter a selling price at step
3060. After the Listing Module 625 receives a selling price, the
Listing Module 625 proceeds to step 2100.
[0081] If the Listing Module 625 receives "non-binding" as a
response to the second query (step 2030), the Listing Module 625
displays another query at step 2035 inquiring whether the
seller/prospective seller would like to enter a selling price. If
the Listing Module 625 receives a negative response, Listing Module
625 proceeds to step 2100. If the Listing Module 625 receives an
affirmative reply to the query of step 2035, the Listing Module 625
displays another query inquiring whether the seller/prospective
seller would like to receive a price recommendation at step 2040.
If the Listing Module 625 receives an affirmative response to the
inquiry of step 2040, the Listing Module 625 retrieves and displays
price recommendations at step 2050. If the Listing Module 625
receives a negative response to the inquiry of step 2040, or after
step 2050, the Listing Module 625 then prompts the
seller/prospective seller to enter a selling price at step
2060.
[0082] After the Listing Module 625 receives a selling price, the
Listing Module 625 displays a query at step 2070 inquiring whether
the seller/prospective seller would like to display the selling
price. If the Listing Module 625 receives an affirmative response
to the inquiry of step 2070, the Listing Module 625 then displays
the selling price in the listing at step 2072. If the Listing
Module 625 receives a negative response to the inquiry of step
2070, the Listing Module 625 does not display the selling price in
the listing.
[0083] After step 2070 or step 3060, or if the Listing Module 625
receives a negative response to the inquiry of step 2035, the
Listing Module 625 proceeds to step 2100. In step 2100, the Listing
Module 625 displays a query inquiring if there are any conditions
about which, when met, the seller/prospective seller would like to
be notified. If the Listing Module 625 receives an affirmative
response to the inquiry of step 2100, the Listing Module 625
prompts the seller/prospective seller to specify the notification
conditions at step 2110. The seller/prospective seller can create
one or more conditions under which the Communications Module 635
should notify the seller/prospective seller. Conditions may include
but are not limited to: a specified or predetermined change in
supply or demand of the product or any other specified product;
when/if the product has been on the market/available for sale for a
specified period of time; when a prospective buyer specifies to be
notified now or at some time in the future regarding a
seller/prospective seller's product; qualifications of a
prospective buyer, including feedback rating, geographic location,
transactional history. If the Listing Module 625 receives a
negative response to the inquiry of step 2100, or after the
seller/prospective seller has specified conditions in step 2110,
the listing is completed at step 2115.
[0084] The EXPCommerce 613 supports both fixed-price sale and
auction. The seller/prospective seller can generate a listing to
sell a product in an auction using the Listing Module 625. Auctions
can occur within EXPCommerce or on a third-party auction platform
such as but not limited to eBay.RTM., Ubid.RTM., Yahoo!.RTM.
Auctions, Amazon Auctions.RTM., and Overstock.com Auctions.sup.SM,
or an offline auction, whether live in person or via telephone or
mail or any other industry standard method of conducting an
auction.
[0085] If the Listing Module 625 receives a reply of an auction to
the query of step 2020, the Listing Module 625 invokes the auction
processes at step 2022. FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing the
process of creating an auction in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. The seller/prospective seller
can choose to initiate an auction for a product when a specified
number of prospective buyers, with or without qualifications
specified by the seller/prospective seller, register to participate
in the auction for a product. The auction specification can be
modified if the seller/prospective seller so desires. For example,
the seller/prospective seller can choose whether or not to make
known the select number of registered prospective buyers required
to initiate the auction, as well as whether or not to make known
the specified prospective buyer qualifications. In an alternate
embodiment of the present invention, the seller/prospective seller
can initiate an auction without prospective buyer registration.
[0086] At step 3000, the Listing Module 625 displays a query
inquiring if the seller/prospective seller would like to select the
number of prospective buyers, with or without qualifications, which
must register to participate in the auction prior to commencing the
auction. If the Listing Module 625 receives an affirmative response
to the inquiry of step 3000, the Listing Module 625 then prompts
the seller/prospective seller at step 3010: to specify the number
of prospective buyers required to register for the auction prior to
the commencement of the auction; to specify any qualifications of
the prospective buyers to choose whether or not to make known the
select number of registered prospective buyers required to initiate
the auction; and whether or not to make known the specified
prospective buyer qualifications. The EXPCommerce System 613
notifies the seller/prospective seller when the specified number of
qualified prospective buyers has registered. During step 3010 or at
any time thereafter, the seller/prospective seller can also choose
to receive additional notifications according to conditions
specified by the seller/prospective seller. For example, the
seller/prospective seller can choose to be notified: each time a
prospective buyer registers regardless of the qualifications of the
prospective buyer; each time a prospective buyer with select
qualifications registers; each time a certain number of prospective
buyers registers, etc. The seller/prospective seller can modify
communication conditions at any time thereafter.
[0087] If the Listing Module 625 receives a negative response to
the inquiry of step 3000, or after the Listing Module 625 receives
a specified number of prospective buyers required to register for
the auction and/or specified qualifications of the prospective
buyers at step 3010, the Listing Module 625 displays a query at
step 3020 inquiring if the seller/prospective seller would like to
receive price recommendations. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the EXPCommerce 613 can provide price
recommendations based on but not limited to at least one of the
following: current selling price of the same or similar product in
the marketplace or other marketplaces; purchase price history of
the same or similar product; and/or the product ownership history
for the same or similar product.
[0088] If the Listing Module 625 receives an affirmative response
to the inquiry of step 3020, the Listing Module 625 retrieves and
displays one or more price recommendations at step 3030. If the
Listing Module 625 receives a negative response to the inquiry of
step 3020 or after the Listing Module 625 retrieves and displays
one or more price recommendations at step 3030, the Listing Module
626 then prompts the seller/prospective seller at step 3040 to
complete the auction listing by entering additional auction
information. The auction information can include but is not limited
to: the auction site, the start date/time, duration, minimum bid,
buy-it-now price, reserve price if any, whether or not to hide the
reserve price, whether the auction listing is binding or
non-binding, and other relevant information. The Listing Module 625
records these values and the auction listing is complete at step
3038.
[0089] While the present invention has been particularly described
with respect to the illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated
that various alterations, modifications and adaptations may be made
based on the present disclosure, and are intended to be within the
scope of the present invention. It is intended that the appended
claims be interpreted as including the embodiments discussed above,
those various alternatives which have been described and all
equivalents thereto.
* * * * *