111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007236983Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.: US 7,236,983 Bl
`c12) United States Patent
`
`Nabors et al.
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`Jun.26,2007
`
`(54) HIERARCHICAL DATA STRUCTURE FOR
`VE HICLE IDENTIFICATION AND
`CONFIGURATION DATA INCLUDING
`PROTECTED CUSTOMER DATA
`
`(75) Inventors: Forrest Nabors, Tigard, OR (US); Tom
`
`
`Garrigus, Portland, OR (US); Celas
`
`Hug, Beaverton, OR (US); Charlie
`Zhang, Lake Oswego, OR (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Chrome Data Corporation, Oregon
`
`City, OR (US)
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any discl
`
`aimer, the term of this
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`5,515,524 A * 5/1996 Lynch eta!. ..................
`703/13
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`wo
`
`wo 98/21679
`
`5/1998
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`f'Lycos deploys Seven of PersonaLogic's Interactive Decision
`
`Guides for an Enhanced Online Shopping Experience" PR
`
`Newswire, Jun. 8, 1998 Dialog File 20, Record# 01863400.*
`
`(Continued)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/374,577
`
`(22) Filed: Aug. 13, 1999
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/188,863,
`filed on Nov. 9, 1998.
`
`Zafman
`
`Primary Examiner-Jack
`
`
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely Sokoloff Taylor &
`
`Choules
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`
`G06F 17130 (2006.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A description language providing a hierarchical data struc­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ture that includes a public portion, hierarchically storing
`
`
`
`
`product information including identification of the product
`
`
`
`and standard and optional features desired for the product.
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................... 707/104.1; 707/9; 707/10
`
`
`
`
`
`The data structure further includes a private portion for
`707/9, (58) Field of Classification Search ....................
`
`
`
`
`secure storage of customer information. The discloser
`
`
`707/10, 100, 104.1, 26, 27
`
`
`includes a system comprising a server with a product
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`database, an intermediary subsystem, and a seller sub­
`
`
`
`
`system. A product is configured which stores the configured
`
`
`
`product and features in the data structure. A request for quote
`
`
`
`(RFQ) is transmitted, with the data structure, to sellers in the
`
`
`customer' s geographic area, based on a comparison of
`111989 Shavit eta!.
`4,799,156 A
`
`4,992,940 A * 2/1991 Dworkin ...................... 705/26
`
`
`product features with sellers stock. Quotes are returned from
`5,021,953 A
`6/1991 Webber eta!.
`
`
`
`the sellers in response to which the customer sends an
`
`
`
`5,113,341 A * 5/1992 Kozol et al. ................ 707/513
`
`
`
`
`acceptance of a quote to the appropriate seller. While the
`5,117,354 A
`5/1992 Long eta!.
`
`
`
`invention is applicable to any product available in multiple
`
`5,185,698 A * 2/1993 Hesse et al . ................ 707/513
`
`
`
`
`
`configurations, specific embodiments are directed to vehicle
`
`5,283,731 A * 2/1994 Lalonde et a!. ................ 705/1
`
`implementations.
`5,307,261 A
`4/1994 Maki eta!.
`5,471,619 A * 1111995 Messina ........................
`707/8
`12 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`5,515,269 A
`
`5/1996 Willis eta!.
`
`----------------,
`Interface
`User
`Modem
`g Communications
`Interface
`Control
`�
`Processor+
`�
`Computer : Memory
`I
`�
`24------1 I I I I I I L ______________
`
`_
`
`To/From
`Central Server
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 1
`
`

`
`Bl
`
`US 7,236,983
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,748,618 A * 5/1998 Rothrock .................... 370/260
`
`9/2000 Peckover ..................... 705/27
`
`6,041,310 A *
`3/2000 Green et a!. .................. 705/26
`
`6,052,669 A *
`
`4/2000 Smith et al ................... 705/26
`5,592,375 A * 111997 Salmon eta!. .................
`705/7
`6,112,189 A
`8/2000 Rickard et a!.
`
`5,689,652 A 1111997 Lupien eta!.
`6,119,101 A *
`
`5,701,458 A * 12/1997 Bsaibes et al. ................
`707/9
`
`6,131,087 A 10/2000 Luke et a!.
`5,708,798 A
`111998 Lynch eta!.
`6,131,118 A * 10/2000 Stupek et a!. ............... 709/223
`
`
`
`*
`
`
`6,154,738 A 1112000 Call ............................ 705/20
`5,774,121 A
`
`6/1998 Stiegler
`5,794,207 A
`8/1998 Walker eta!.
`5,825,651 A
`10/1998 Gupta et al.
`5,897,620 A
`4/1999 Walker eta!.
`
`File 813:PR Newswire, Apr. 22, 1997.*
`5,924,082 A
`
`7/1999 Silverman et a!.
`
`ask.chrysler.com webpage, copyright 1996-2000.*
`5,966,699 A
`10/1999 Zandi
`5,970,475 A
`10/1999 Barnes et al.
`and Import of Automotive Customer Leads, 21 pages from www.
`5,997,475 A
`12/1999 Bortz
`6,009,406 A
`12/1999 Nick
`carpoint.msn.corn/xml/.
`
`
`6,012,051 A * 112000 Sanunon et al. .............. 705/26
`* cited by examiner
`6,041,308 A
`3/2000 Walker eta!.
`
`Draft Proposal. An Industry Standard Data Format for the Export
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"PCAgent and CMP Partner to Launch TechShopper", DIALOG,
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 2
`
`

`
`Intermediary
`Intermediary
`Subsystem
`Send
`Request for
`Quote '
`(RFQ) 56
`..
`
`Modem 26
`
`�--
`
`Quote
`62
`
`20
`/
`
`Send
`Acceptance
`Information
`64
`Quote
`
`'
`
`24
`
`Quote
`
`( 60
`
`r 60
`
`�
`
`Server
`
`22
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`� Quote
`60
`Send _.)
`
`RFQ58
`
`Send
`RFQ 58
`
`1\.- Acceptance
`Information
`66
`
`Seller
`
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`
`30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`
`30
`FIG. 1
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`
`30
`
`e • 00 • � �
`� � =
`�
`2' :=
`
`N �Cl\ N 0 0 -....l
`rFJ =­('D ('D ..... .... 0 ..... .... -....l
`
`d
`rJl -....l 'N
`w 0'1 \c
`00 w =
`""""'
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 3
`
`

`
`1
`Intermediary/Buyer
`Communication
`42 I
`I Query �1�1
`I. Result �..........--------= _J
`
`Query r---
`_......,
`Product
`32 Result Database 34
`-
`
`Input/Query
`
`I
`Result -I
`PROCESSING
`UNIT+ MEMORY
`lnpuUQuery
`RFQ ,.
`Result
`
`y
`Seller
`
`I
`Communication 44 I
`
`To Seller(s)
`
`FIG. 2
`
`To/From Intermediary
`and/or Buyer
`
`22
`
`/
`
`
`
`e •
`00 •
`�
`�
`� � =
`�
`� = :=
`N �Cl\ N 0
`0 -....l
`rFJ =-('D
`('D .....
`N
`0 .....
`.... -....l
`
`d
`rJl
`-....l 'N
`w 0'1 \c
`00 w =
`""""'
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 3 of 17
`
`Jun. 26, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Us 7,236,983 B1
`
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`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 5
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 5
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007
`
`Sheet 4 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Obtain Customer Personal
`and Demographic
`
`Information 68
`Determine EAIGA 70
`
`Obtain EA/GA
`Flexibility
`
`Issues 11.
`+
`
`Obtain Additional
`
`Has
`Customer
`Used the No
`
`Find Customer in
`
`Enter Additional
`
`Enter New
`
`Customer Info. 78
`
`EAIGA Constraints 74 1-----+<.y>-----------,
`6 OS
`Customer Database 80
`J
`Customer Info. 82
`Configure EAIGA 86
`
`Transmit Customer
`
`Demographic and EAIGA
`Information to a Second
`
`Intermediary 85
`_T
`Customer �
`84
`
`Write Customer Info. To
`Intermediary's
`List on Customer Database
`
`Query Product
`Database
`
`�
`
`Enter EAIGA
`Flexibility
`
`+
`Constraints 94
`
`Enter Additional EAIGA
`
`Query Seller
`Database
`
`
`
`Enter Additional Seller
`
`Criteria 100
`
`Product No
`>-------�
`Configuration
`90
`Okay?
`Yes
`
`Access Intermediary's I+
`Preferred r--
`Seller List 102
`
`Sellers to Send 96 �
`+
`Server 1 04 1--
`1+---1
`FIG. 4
`114
`
`Select Target Set of
`
`-
`-,....__ __
`
`RFQto
`"""T""" __
`
`____.
`
`Transmit EAIGA to
`
`Notify Target Sellers that
`RFQ was T ansmitted
`
`Assign RFQ ID .1Q.§
`
`Write RFQ to RFQ
`
`�
`Database 1 08
`Log Event 11 0
`
`Transmit RFQ to Target
`
`Set of Sellers 112
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 5 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`RFQ Tranmitted
`Seller 112
`
`to �
`
`+
`
`Check RFQ Against
`Inventory 116
`
`RFQ Appears in Seller
`Subsystem 114
`
`J
`Seller
`Have No
`Vehicle?
`118
`
`Yes
`
`Respond with a.me nt
`
`vehicle in stock 120
`
`Respond with a GA
`within customer's
`flexibility
`can be ordered from
`factory 122
`
`or an EA that �
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`124
`Information
`
`Verify Dealership
`126
`Information
`
`Enter Quote Vehide 1+-
`•
`-i-
`
`Verify Response
`128
`Information
`
`+
`
`Tansmit Quote to Server
`130
`
`-
`
`Assign Quote ID
`
`132 r-
`
`Update RFQ
`134
`
`�
`ID Rec �
`.�
`
`136
`Log Transaction
`
`T ansmit Quote to
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`138
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 6 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Determine Adequacy
`
`of Quote with �
`t
`
`Customer 142
`
`-
`
`Quote
`Adequate Yes __..
`?
`
`144
`
`No
`
`Notify Sellers Whose
`
`Quotes Were Not
`Accepted 145
`
`-
`
`r-.--
`Receive All Quotes from Transmit All Quotes to
`
`Sellers 140
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`138
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Transmit Quote
`
`Acceptance to
`148
`Intermediary
`
`-
`
`�
`
`Enter Quote Acceptance
`
`Information into
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`150
`
`-+
`Transmit Quote r---+ Generate
`+
`
`Acceptance Information Acceptance 154
`
`to Server 152
`
`-
`
`Quote Expires and
`is placed in
`Archives 146
`
`-
`
`Update RFQ Database
`and ID Rec 156
`+
`•
`
`Log Transaction 158
`
`Transmit Quote
`
`Acceptance to
`Seller Subsystem of
`Appropriate
`Seller 159
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 8
`
`

`
`1 Customer
`24 ... , Intermediary
`1,. "' Subsystem160
`Customer
`Modem 26
`Modem162
`Quote62�
`v- Send Customer
`64 -
`Send Acceptance I-f-
`� [...-- I Send customer info
`60 ")
`C ,
`.I Server I.
`Quote� I'
`Send _.)
`
`Intermediary
`Subsystem
`
`Information
`
`Send Request for --...
`Quote (RFQ) 56
`
`Quote
`
`Send_
`RFQ58
`
`60
`
`RFQ58
`
`info to server 164
`
`to
`Intermediary for review and
`
`
`RFQ transmission 166 Quote
`60
`
`22
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`1'- Acceptance
`
`Information
`66
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`28
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`28
`
`Seller
`Subsystem
`28
`
`FIG. 7
`
`e • 00 • � �
`� � =
`�
`2' :=
`
`N �Cl\ N 0 0 -....l
`rFJ =­('D ('D .....
`-....l 0 ..... .... -....l
`
`d
`rJl -....l 'N
`w 0'1 \c
`00 w =
`""""'
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 8 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Customer Establishes
`
`Connection between
`customer subsystem
`and Server 166
`
`j.
`
`Enter Customer
`Personal and
`Demographic
`178
`Information
`
`-
`
`Write Customer Info. To
`Intermediar
`List on Customer Database
`176
`
`Database 188
`
`EAJGA 186
`
`to Intermediary
`
`through Server 192
`
`J
`�
`•
`
`Enter EAJGA 180
`
`Enter EAJGA Flexibility
`Issues 182
`
`y 's Customer � Enter Additional
`Customer Info. 17 4 �
`I
`Query Product r---+l Configure
`r+ Transmit All Information
`•
`
`Product
`No
`Configuration
`Okay?
`190
`Yes
`
`Notify Intermediary Enter Additional EA/GA
`
`184
`of Customer
`Constraints
`Request 194
`
`j_
`
`I
`
`•
`
`Intermediary Reviews
`
`Customer
`Request 196
`
`Intermediary Continues
`
`
`Process, starting at
`Step 96 (Figure 4)
`
`Fig. 8
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 26, 2007
`Jun.26,2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 17
`Sheet 9 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Us 7,236,983 B1
`
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`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 11
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 11
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.26,2007 Sheet 10 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Enter Customer
`Personal and
`Demographic
`202
`Information
`
`Enter EAJGA 204
`
`Enter EAJGA Flexibility
`Issues 206
`
`Enter Additional EAJGA
`
`
`Constraints 208
`
`Query Product
`Database 212
`
`Build EAJGA 210
`
`No
`
`Write Customer Info. To
`
`Intermediary's Customer
`List on Customer
`Database
`225
`
`Yes
`
`T ransmit
`Customer
`Information
`to Server
`220
`
`Transmit Customer
`information to
`Server 226
`
`Continue Process,
`
`starting at Step 96
`(Figure 4)
`
`Fig. 10
`
`Find Customer in
`Customer
`Database 224
`
`Enter Additional
`Customer
`Info. 222
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 11 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`RFQ Transferred from
`
`Server to Seller
`Subsystem 112
`
`RFQ Appears in Seller
`Subsystem 228
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Respond with current
`
`vehicle in stock m
`
`Respond with a GA
`
`fitting within customer's
`
`flexibility or vehicle that
`can be ordered from
`factory 238
`
`Query Product
`Database 234
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Enter Quote Vehide
`Information 240
`
`Verify Dealership
`Information 242
`
`Verify Response
`244
`Information
`
`Assign Quote ID 248
`
`T ansmit Quote to Server
`246
`
`Update RFQ
`ID Rec 250
`
`Log Transaction 252
`
`T ansmit Quote to
`
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`254
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 13
`
`

`
`Quote � � �Send Quote T lr Send RFQ
`Foreign
`Foreign
`Send
`ServerB23
`Server A23
`Info. 64 -::::=:::::-h.[
`Acceptance
`Quote
`I'\ Send RFQ
`Quote� �
`62--...
`c 60
`
`62 Send RFQ�
`56
`Quote
`
`56
`
`Quote
`
`{ 60
`
`Intermediary
`Subsystem 24
`
`63 Send RFQ
`55
`
`Intermediary
`Intermediary
`Modem 26
`Modem 26
`Acceptance 63 ' Y 55
`
`Info. 65
`
`Intermediary
`Subsystem 24
`
`Server
`22
`
`� Quote
`Send _,1
`
`60
`
`RFQ58
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem 28
`FIG.12
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`I'- Acceptance
`
`lnfonnation
`66
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem 28
`
`Seller
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem 28
`
`e • 00 • � �
`� � =
`�
`2' :=
`
`N �Cl\ N 0 0 -....l
`rFJ =­('D ('D ..... .... N 0 ..... .... -....l
`
`d
`rJl -....l 'N
`w 0'1 \c
`00 w =
`""""'
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 13 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Obtain Customer Personal
`and Demographic
`Information 256
`
`
`Determine EA/GA 258
`-
`
`J,
`+
`
`Obtain Additional
`259
`EA/GA Information
`
`!
`!
`.!.
`+
`
`Enter New Customer
`Info. 260
`
`Enter Additional
`Customer Info. 262
`
`
`
`Configure EA/GA 264
`
`Enter Additional EA/GA
`
`266
`-
`Constraints
`
`.!.
`�
`Transmit RFQ to
`Foreign Server 268
`-
`
`!
`
`Transmit RFQ to Server
`270
`
`+
`
`Select Target Set of
`
`Sellers to Send RFQ To
`272
`Access Intermediary's
`Preferred
`Seller List 278
`
`1+-
`
`....--r+
`I+ 1--
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Notify Target Sellers that
`RFQ was Tansmitted
`114
`
`I
`+
`-+
`+
`
`Query Seller
`Database 274
`-
`
`.!.
`
`Enter Additional Seller
`
`Criteria 276
`
`Assign RFQ ID 280
`
`Write RFQ to RFQ
`Database 282
`
`Log Event 284
`
`Transmit RFQ to Target
`Set of Sellers 112
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 14 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`RFQ Tranmitted to
`
`Seller 112
`
`RFQ Appears in Seller
`Subsystem 114
`
`Check RFQ Against
`Inventory 116
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`Respond with current
`
`vehicle in stock .1l.Q
`
`Respond with a GA
`within customers
`
`flexibility or an EA that
`can be ordered from
`factory 122
`
`Enter Quote Vehide
`124
`Information
`
`Verify Dealership
`Information 126
`
`Verify Response
`128
`Information
`
`Assign Quote ID 132
`
`T ansmit Quote to Server
`130
`
`Update RFQ
`
`ID Rec 134
`
`Log T ransaction 136
`
`Transmit Quote to
`137
`Foreign Server
`
`T ansmit Quote to
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`138
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 15 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Determine Adequacy
`
`Customer 142
`
`of Quote with I+-
`-•
`
`Quote
`Adequate Yes
`?
`
`144
`
`No
`
`Notify Sellers Whose
`
`Quotes Were Not
`Accepted 145
`
`Receive All Quotes from
`Sellers
`140
`
`I+-
`
`Transmit All Quotes to
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`138
`
`Transmit Quote
`
`Acceptance to
`
`Intermediary 148
`
`�
`
`Enter Quote Acceptance
`
`Information into
`Transmit Quote
`
`Intermediary Subsystem
`
`Acceptance Information
`150
`to Server 152
`
`r+
`
`-!.
`
`Transmit Quote
`
`Acceptance Info. to
`Foreign Server 151
`
`1-
`
`Generate
`Acceptance 154
`
`�
`-•
`
`Update RFQ Database
`and ID Rec 156
`
`-+
`+
`
`Log Transaction 158
`
`Transmit Quote
`
`Acceptance to
`Seller Subsystem of
`Appropriate
`Seller 159
`
`Quote Expires and
`is placed in
`Archives 146
`
`FIG. 15
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 17
`
`

`
`Customer
`Customer
`1� ��Subsystem
`160
`162
`Modem
`
`Intermediary
`
`55
`
`Intermediary
`Modem 26
`Send
`Cust. Info.
`
`164'""'\
`
`Acceptance
`Info. 65
`
`Subsystem 24
`Quote � � �Send
`63 Send RFQ
`Server B 23
`Server A23 Foreign
`(
`--­
`� end
`Info. 64
`Server 22 \_Quote 60
`� Quote
`Send 1 I !'-Acceptance
`60
`lnfor�;tion
`RFQ 5�
`Modem 30
`
`Intermediary
`
`Send Cust. Info. to
`
`intermediary
`
`166
`Quote 63
`Modem 25
`1
`Subsystem 24
`
`Send
`Acceptance
`Intermediary
`
`RFQ56
`
`Foreign
`Send
`Acceptance
`
`Info. 64 ---­
`Quote�
`L 6o
`
`62 Send RFQ�
`56
`Quote
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`Send
`RFQ58
`
`Seller
`
`Modem 30
`t
`Subsystem 28
`FIG.16
`
`Seller
`
`I
`Seller
`
`Seller
`
`Subsystem 28
`
`Seller
`
`Modem 30
`
`Seller
`Subsystem 28
`
`e • 00 • � �
`� � =
`�
`� = :=
`N 0\ � N 0 0 -....l
`rFJ =­('D a
`......
`0\ 0 ...... ...... -....l
`
`d
`rJl -....l 'N
`w 0'1 \c
`00 w =
`""""'
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Jun.26,2007 Sheet 17 of 17
`
`
`
`US 7,236,983 Bl
`
`Customer Establishes
`
`
`Connection between
`customer subsystem
`
`and Server 286
`+
`
`Enter Customer
`
`Personal and
`Demographic
`Information
`
`288
`
`Enter Additional
`..
`Customer Info.
`
`290 ....
`
`Configure
`
`•
`Enter EA/GA 292
`
`I
`EA/GA 294 ..
`.... I
`..
`Server 296
`•
`
`Transmit All Information
`
`to Intermediary
`through
`
`Notify Intermediary
`of Customer
`-
`
`Request 298
`+
`
`Intermediary Reviews
`
`Customer
`-
`
`{270
`
`Transmit Customer Intermediary Continues
`
`Request to
`
`Process, starting at
`
`Request 300
`�
`Server 302 Step 273 (Figure 13)
`
`- F
`
`ig. 17
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 19
`
`

`
`US 7,236,983
`
`B l
`
`1
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`HIERARCHICAL DATA STRUCTURE FOR
`VE HICLE IDENTIFICATION AND
`CONFIGURATION DATA INCLUDING
`PROTECTED CUSTOMER DATA
`
`2
`Despite their advantages, existing customer-driven sys­
`
`
`
`
`
`tems have some drawbacks. Sellers are deterred from using
`
`
`
`
`customer-driven systems because sellers do not want to be
`
`
`
`inundated with numerous requests from potential customers,
`
`
`many of whom may be marginal or unqualified. Moreover,
`
`
`
`if each customer has a different set of purchasing specifi­
`
`
`
`
`cations and communicates his or her needs to sellers using
`
`
`
`a non-standard format with different conditions, terms, and
`
`
`
`
`
`language styles, the specification may require too much time
`This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims
`
`
`
`
`10 for the seller
`
`
`to interpret. Furthermore, sellers are deterred
`
`
`priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/188,863,
`
`
`from using customer-driven systems because there is no
`
`
`filed Nov. 9, 1998, and still pending.
`
`
`
`guarantee of the authenticity of the request, and the financial
`
`
`
`
`ability of the customer to enter into the transaction is
`
`
`
`
`uncertain. In addition, such "customers" may actual be rival
`
`
`The invention provides an apparatus and a process for 15
`
`
`sellers looking for competitor pricing information.
`
`
`
`
`
`News groups scattered across the Internet make it difficult,
`
`
`
`facilitating customer-driven sales of products having mul­
`
`
`
`
`if not impossible, for sellers to find customer requests. In
`
`
`
`tiple configurations over a wide area electronic network, and
`
`
`practice, these customer-driven systems are ineffective
`
`
`
`more particularly a process for facilitating customer-driven
`
`
`because potential sellers do not frequent all the various
`
`sales of automobiles over the Internet.
`20 news groups or bulletin
`
`
`boards or respond to posting in those
`
`
`
`
`places. Customers are deterred from using customer-driven
`
`
`
`systems for many of the same reasons sellers are deterred.
`
`
`
`
`For example, a potential seller does not want to be inundated
`The Internet has developed as an important vehicle for
`
`
`
`
`
`with offers from many marginal or unqualified customers.
`or 25
`
`information exchange, as well as a forum for conducting,
`
`
`
`
`The problems inherent in existing customer-driven sys-
`
`
`
`at least facilitating, commerce. Systems using the Internet as
`
`tems are compounded where the product being sold is
`
`a commercial forum fall broadly into two categories: seller­
`
`
`
`
`available in multiple configurations, for example motor
`driven or customer-driven. The difference between customer
`
`vehicles such as an automobile or a truck. These products
`and seller driven systems lies in which party takes the
`
`
`cause problems because for any given product there are
`30 thousands
`
`initiative to find the other. In a seller-driven system, the
`
`
`
`
`
`of possible option configurations, and not all
`
`
`
`seller finds the customer; in a customer-driven system the
`
`
`
`combinations of options are feasible. For example, automo­
`
`customer finds the seller.
`
`
`bile manufacturers usually do not make vehicles having
`
`
`Most Internet commerce systems in use today are seller­
`
`
`
`every possible combination of options, but rather make the
`
`
`
`driven and are either passive sites or active sites. A typical
`
`
`most popular ones. Thus, for example, if a potential cus-
`35 tamer wants a purple Ford
`
`
`
`seller' s Internet site is a passive advertising site that pro­
`
`truck with a yellow interior and
`
`
`vides information about the product and directs potential
`
`
`
`a V-12 engine, that engine and combination of colors may
`
`
`customers to places they can obtain the product. Automobile
`
`
`not be available from the manufacturer (Ford). The cus­
`
`
`
`manufacturers are a typical example: their sites provide
`
`tomer, however, has no way of knowing this before sending
`
`
`information about the manufacturer's line of cars, available
`
`
`the request to potential sellers.
`40
`
`
`
`options, and locations of authorized dealers.
`Attempts have been made to implement customer-driven
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A smaller number of sellers have active selling sites that
`
`
`systems that address some of the above problems. U.S. Pat.
`
`not only provide product information but allow potential
`
`
`No. 5,794,207 to Walker et. a!. ("Walker") is illustrative.
`
`
`customers to conduct a transaction over the Internet and
`
`
`
`Walker does not, however, solve all the foregoing problems.
`
`
`purchase the product. The seller prices and packages the
`
`Among other things, Walker does not direct the customer' s
`
`
`
`product and then holds it out for sale to potential customers
`
`
`45 request to a target set of sellers who are likely, if not certain,
`
`
`
`via the Internet. The seller specifies, through their web site,
`
`
`
`to have the desired product. Instead, Walker merely places
`
`the terms of the sale, and potential customers must either
`
`
`
`the customer's request where interested sellers can access it.
`
`
`accept the seller's terms or find another seller whose terms
`
`
`
`Walker, although it provides for guaranteeing payment by
`
`are acceptable. Products sold on these sites are typically
`
`
`
`the customer, does not guarantee that the sellers will be
`50 credible and able to
`
`
`lower-priced standardized goods such as books, compact
`
`
`deliver. Walker does not provide means
`
`
`disks, and videos.
`
`
`for checking whether a complex product the customer wants
`
`
`is feasible, that is, whether it exists or can be manufactured.
`
`
`
`
`In a customer-driven system, the customer specifies the
`
`
`
`Finally, Walker provides a system where the customer must
`
`
`
`product they want and the terms under which they will buy
`
`
`
`
`send a binding purchase offer that can be accepted by any
`
`
`
`
`it, and then sends this specification to sellers. Some attempts
`55 seller,
`
`
`
`thereby binding the customer to a contract. This opens
`
`
`
`have been made to implement customer-driven systems on
`
`
`
`up the possibility that an unscrupulous seller could accept
`
`
`the Internet. Examples are news groups and bulletin boards
`
`
`the offer. There is thus a need in the art for an apparatus and
`
`
`where any potential customer can post "wanted" ads at little
`
`
`
`
`or no cost. Customer driven systems has certain method that solves the above problems. benefits that
`
`other systems do not. Where a large number of potential
`
`to 60
`
`
`
`sellers exist, but those sellers do not have the resources
`
`
`
`advertise globally, it makes sense for customers, if they can,
`to take the initiative in communicating their needs to a seller. The present invention provides a vehicle description
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The Internet is ideal in this situation because Internet language (VDL) being designed to implement a hierarchical
`
`
`
`
`
`
`postings are global, and the customer theoretically can data structure stored in and transmitted between computers
`65 connected
`
`
`
`
`
`communicate his offer to a large number of potential sellers. to a digital communication network such as the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Moreover, customers can usually exercise more control over Internet. The networked computers are linked through an
`
`the terms and conditions of their purchases. intermediary
`
`
`
`
`subsystem and communicate information asso-
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 20
`
`

`
`US 7,236,983
`
`B l
`
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an intermediary's portion
`
`as used with 30
`
`ons, the product being sold by manufac-35
`
`DETA ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`4
`3
`FIG. 3 illustrates details of an intermediary subsystem or
`
`
`
`ciated with a vehicle, for example a request for quote (RFQ)
`
`a seller subsystem usable with the first embodiment of the
`
`
`seeking a quote on a specific vehicle. The hierarchical data
`apparatus and process.
`structure with vehicle information is communicated between
`
`
`
`
`network computers in support of applications for facilitating
`
`of the process of the first embodiment.
`
`
`
`customer-driven sales. The hierarchical data structure is
`
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the process
`made up of blocks and sub blocks each containing further
`
`of the first embodiment carried out by a target seller.
`
`
`sub-blocks or organized data items and having delimiters to
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the process
`
`identify the beginning and end of each block or sub block.
`
`used by the intermediary to reply to a quote received from
`
`
`The hierarchical data structure includes a public data block
`10 a seller,
`
`the seller having responded using the process of
`
`and a private data block. The public data block is made up
`FIG. 5 .
`
`o f a vehicle sub-block with data items such a s manufacturer,
`FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus and process of a second
`
`
`
`model, a model year and style of the vehicle, a vehicle detail
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`sub-block has further sub-blocks including a standard fea­
`
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the process
`15
`
`ture sub-block with standard feature categories containing
`of the second embodiment that is carried out by a customer.
`
`data items relating to the standard equipment available on
`
`
`FIG. 9 illustrates the apparatus of an intermediary sub­
`the vehicle and an optional feature sub block with optional
`system which, when combined with the apparatus and
`
`
`feature categories containing data items relating to a par­
`process shown in FIG. 1 or 7 , forms a third embodiment
`ticular category of optional equipment desired on a particu-
`apparatus and method.
`20
`
`lar vehicle. The private data block is made up of a plurality
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process used by an
`
`
`of data items relating to the customer who is ordering the
`
`intermediary in a third embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the process used by a
`vehicle and other data items such as ranking of product
`seller in a fourth embodiment of the invention.
`
`attributes. One of the computers connected to the network
`
`FIG. 12 illustrates the apparatus and process of a sixth
`
`
`
`receives the hierarchical data structure implemented with the
`the data in the vehicle detail 25
`embodiment of the invention.
`VDL and uses data including
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an intermediary's
`
`
`sub-block to select some sellers from a predetermined group
`portion of the process of the sixth embodiment.
`
`of vehicle sellers by comparing features of the vehicle in
`
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the
`RFQ with the features in vehicles of the sellers in the
`process of the sixth embodiment carried out by a target
`
`predetermined group.
`seller.
`The hierarchical data structure is disclosed
`
`
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the
`
`
`
`an apparatus and process for facilitating customer-driven
`
`process used by the intermediary to reply to a quote received
`
`sales of products having multiple configurations. The appa­
`
`from a seller, the seller having responded using the process
`
`ratus of the present invention comprises a computer network
`of FIG. 14.
`
`apparatus to facilitate the purchase of a product having
`FIG. 16 illustrates the apparatus and process of a seventh
`
`
`multiple configurati
`embodiment of the invention.
`turer-licensed sellers and each product configuration being
`
`
`FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the portion of the
`
`
`described by a set of product attributes. The computer
`process of the seventh embodiment that is carried out by a
`
`network apparatus comprises a server, an intermediary sub­
`customer.
`
`system, and a seller subsystem.
`40
`The process uses a computer network to facilitate the
`
`
`purchase of a product having multiple configurations, the
`
`product being sold by manufacturer-licensed sellers and
`
`each product configuration being described by a set of
`Several embodiments of the present invention are
`45 described in detail herein. The embodiments illustrate
`
`
`product attributes. The process includes configuring a cus­
`sev-
`
`
`tomer's desired product by selecting the customer's desired
`era! ways in which the present invention may be imple­
`
`
`set of product attributes; selecting a target set of sellers in the
`mented. A lthough the embodiments are described in the
`
`
`customer's geographical area, the target set comprising at
`
`
`context of automobile purchases, they could easily be used
`
`least one seller; and transmitting a request for quote (RFQ)
`
`for other products with multiple configurations and manu­
`50
`
`
`to the target set of sellers, the RFQ including the customer's
`
`
`
`facturer-authorized sellers, as well. In the description that
`
`desired set of product attributes and the RFQ being trans­
`
`follows, like numerals represent like elements or steps in all
`mitted to a seller subsystem using the computer network.
`
`
`figures. For example, if the numeral10 is used in one figure
`
`When sellers receive an RFQ, at least one seller from the
`to refer to a specific element or step, the numeral 10
`
`target set of sellers' responds to the RFQ with a quote, the
`
`appearing in any other figure refers to the same element.
`55
`
`quote being input through a seller subsystem and transmitted
`
`using the computer network. The quotes received are trans­
`mitted to the customer. The customer selects for acceptance
`
`a quote that matches their desired attributes and transmits
`FIGS. 1 through 3 together illustrate a first embodiment of
`
`
`their acceptance to the seller.
`the inventive apparatus and process. The apparatus and
`60 process of the first embodiment are used to facilitate
`the
`purchase of a product having multiple possible configura­
`tions, such as an automobile, and are intended to be used by
`FIG. 1 illustrates the inventive apparatus and inventive
`
`
`
`an intermediary and one or more sellers to facilitate a
`process of a first embodiment of the invention.
`product purchase on behalf
`65 is a professional
`customer, such as a bank, credit union, auto
`
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates details of a server used in the first
`
`
`broker or other automobile-buying professional, and in some
`
`
`embodiment of the inventive apparatus and inventive pro­
`
`cases the intermediary and the customer may be the same
`cess.
`
`of a customer. An intermediary
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA W INGS
`
`First Embodiment
`
`Petitioner Askeladden - Exhibit 1008 - Page 21
`
`

`