System and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller where the seller is one of multiple available providers
The present invention provides a computer system and method for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller. The seller is one of multiple available providers of a product and/or service. Initially, the buyer sends out an order, and the order is automatically verified. A seller is then determined based on at least one desirable characteristic of that particular seller. Then, the order is automatically translated into a format understandable by the desired seller. The order is communicated to the desired seller and the status of the order is later communicated to the buyer.
1. A computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller, the seller being one of many sellers and being capable of fulfilling an order, comprising:
a storage device storing a program; and
a processor operative with the program to:
a) receive (i) from the buyer a description of the order and (ii) from the device of the buyer a GPS determined location of the buyer;
b) translate the description into a form understandable by the computer system, wherein the step of translating the description into a form understandable by the computer system is performed by the processor;
c) automatically verify whether the description is valid, wherein the step of automatically verifying whether the description is valid is performed by the processor without buyer interaction;
d) choose the most desirable seller from a group of sellers capable of fulfilling the order, the most desirable seller having desirable characteristics, wherein one of the desirable characteristics is proximity of the buyer to the seller based on the GPS determined location of the buyer, and wherein the seller provides taxi, transportation, or towing services;
e) convert the description into a format understandable by a device of the seller, wherein the step of converting the description into a format understandable by a device of the seller is performed by the processor for the seller; and
f) provide the order to the device of the seller.
2. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to charge the seller a fee.
3. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to charge the buyer a fee.
4. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to receive the description through electronic means utilizing at least one of an SMS, an email and a web browser.
5. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the order is provided to the seller by inserting the order into an ordering queue of the seller.
6. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to provide verification through additional communication with the buyer.
7. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 6 , wherein the verification is done via at least one of an SMS, an email, and a web browser.
8. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 6 , wherein the verification is determined by an operator dispatch.
9. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to enable the buyer to cancel the order.
10. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to enable the buyer to obtain a status of the order.
11. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the order is created by the buyer utilizing at least one of an SMS application, a text messaging application, a web browser, a wap browser, a Brew applet, a Java applet, an email application, a blackberry application, an iPhone application, and a Google android application.
12. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to receive the description through electronic means and to send an order status through the electronic means.
13. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to receive the description through electronic means, and wherein the buyer is enabled to cancel the order through the electronic means.
14. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the description includes an address, and wherein the address is optionally based on a GPS unit located with the buyer.
15. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the most desirable seller is determined based on at least one of a geographic proximity to the buyer and an estimated time for fulfillment of the order.
16. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to check if the buyer is registered with the seller and registering the buyer if the buyer is not registered with the seller, wherein the step of checking if the buyer is registered with the seller and registering the buyer if the buyer is not registered with the seller is performed by the processor without buyer interaction.
17. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operative with the program to parse the description of the order for keywords.
18. The computer system for facilitating a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 1 , wherein the processor operative with the program to automatically verify whether the description is valid includes detecting and screening malicious or repetitive orders.
19. A method of using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and a desired seller, comprising the steps of:
receiving into the computer (i) a description of an order received from a potential buyer and (ii) from the device of the buyer a GPS determined location of the buyer;
automatically verifying the validity of the order, wherein the step of automatically verifying the validity of the order is performed by the computer without buyer interaction;
identifying the desired seller from multiple sellers based on desirable characteristics of the seller, wherein one of the desirable characteristics is proximity of the buyer to the seller based on the GPS determined location of the buyer, and wherein the desired seller provides taxi, transportation, or towing services;
translating the description of the order into a format understandable by a device of the desired seller, wherein the step of translating the description of the order into a format understandable by a device of the desired seller is performed by the computer for the seller; and
communicating the order to the device of the desired seller.
20. The method of using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 19 , further comprising the step of charging the seller a fee.
21. The method of using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 19 , further comprising the step of charging the buyer a fee.
22. The method of using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 19 , further comprising the step of canceling the order.
23. The method of using a computer to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and a seller of claim 19 , further comprising the step of obtaining a status of the order.