INCREASING THE UTILITY OF OPPORTUNISTIC AND TIME CRITICAL GOODS AND SERVICES

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide a service to goods and/or service providers and consumers in the traditional context of a “first-come, first-served queue” or “class based” queue. A provider presents a listing of one or offerings to consumers to solicit bids for a good or service associated with the offering. After receiving an acceptable bid from a user, the provider provides feedback regarding the bid that indicates the ranking of the user with respect to other bidders in the bidding process. Based on the feedback, the user may submit a modified bid. Following confirmation of a bid by a user, a winning bid is determined and the user is notified.

主权项

1. A method for acquiring a time critical offering, the method comprising:
receiving a request for the time critical offering, wherein the request for the time critical offering is entered into an electronic device by a user of the electronic device; transmitting the time critical offering request, wherein the transmitting of the time critical offering request is transmitted through a data communication network from the electronic device to a remote electronic device; receiving a first indication of a time corresponding to a time when the time critical offering can be provided, wherein the first indication of the time is transmitted through the data communication network from the remote electronic device; transmitting a confirmation to the remote electronic device committing to acquire the time critical offering; and receiving feedback from the remote electronic device, wherein the feedback indicates that the user has acquired the critical time offering.