Automatically processing user requests for supplier services subject to excess demand using a flexible market based mechanism - systems, methods and program products

摘要

A system, method and program product automatically processes user requests for services subject to excess demand using a flexible market based mechanism. A coordinating server automatically manages a plurality of users in obtaining desired services from a plurality of service providers. The server is seamlessly coupled to the users and the service provider(s) via a network, e.g. Internet, PSTN, Wireless, Cable, Satellite. Each service provider maintains a queue of service requests in process. The service provider may also maintain multiple queues for lower levels of service, service priority, etc. Each user service request is provided to the server via the network as a competitive offer for the desired service. Where the current price, terms, conditions for the service are beyond the users bid, the user bid may opt to be disconnected from the server. Alternatively, the user bid may request the service provider to call back or provide the user with an appointment for call back by the service provider. The server selects the user providing the highest and best bid for entrance into the service provider queue and transmit to the selected user a token as evidence of the successful offer, after payment of the offer price. The payment may be made by another in behalf of the winning user, provided the payer has a good standing with the server. The user presents the token to the service provider at the time the services become available, which may be in real time or downloaded to the user in the case of software, video, audio, etc. The user may offer the service provider a special payment to reduce the queuing time by being assigned to the priority queue. Alternatively, a lesser delivery of service may be made by the service provider at the option of the user or the service provider, which would entail a payment from the service provider to the user.