Computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an internet-based environment

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment that includes a first user that is selling vehicle, e.g., a dealership, a plurality of secondary users looking to buy a vehicle, and a third-party administering at least one server that, upon an electronic request being initiated by the first user, will execute a buyer identification and ranking algorithm that is effectively programed to accurately and quickly identify prospective buyers from the plurality of secondary users and aggregate them on a list for the user to notify. The buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizes key inputs and data, including the geographic location of the secondary users and vehicle data inserted by the secondary users in a searching query field, that may be weighted to generate the accurate and quick list of prospective buyers.

Description

[0001] COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM OF IDENTIFYING A VEHICLE BUYER IN AN INTERNET-BASED ENVIRONMENT

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to computer-implemented methods and systems associated with identifying prospective vehicle buyers for a vehicle seller in an Internet-based environment and, more particular, is directed to a computer-implemented method and system for identifying prospective vehicle buyers for a vehicle utilizing specific user information inserted by prospective vehicle buyers through a search query field on an electronic user interface and as part of an algorithm that is configured to generate a prospective buyer list for the vehicle seller.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Known systems and methods of facilitating a vehicle buyer-seller transaction routinely have challenges for both the buyers and seller, wherein ‘ vehicle" is generally defined herein as a thing (preferably that is motorized) used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, truck, or cart. These challenges are less prevalent in the context of an Internet-based environment due to the efficiencies associated with buyer-seller communication carried out by a number of computers, but even those known Internet-based systems and methods have significant challenges and inefficiencies. For example, Griffiths, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0085283 Al. is directed toward a system and method for marketing automobiles through a web-based platform, namely by creating a database the “partitions” said database and requiring prospective vehicle buyers to “set up home web pages” in their respective partition. This is a timeintensive task most vehicle buyers do not want to engage in and is an unnecessary and inefficient waste of computer resources. Vehicle sellers that are interested in sourcing “leads” are only given said information if a “match criteria” is obtained in comparison to vehicle buyer’s wish list and an “ad” ran on the vehicle seller’s web page. The complexity of this system is not advantageous to any efficient vehicle buyer-seller transaction. Further, systems and methods like Griffiths are directed more toward facilitating a buyer in a buyer-seller transaction, not the vehicle seller.

[0006] Other known systems and methods that are configured to facilitate in a vehicle buyer-seller transaction are similarly inefficient and ineffective. See, e.g., Carco Technologies. Inc., U.S. Patent No. 10,692,122 B2 and DML Holding, LLC, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0071177 Al. For example, the invention disclosed in Carco Technologies, Inc. is directed toward a method of implementing a machine learning model indicative of a propensity of a buyer to buy a respective vehicle of a plurality of vehicles for sale. This method is carried out by the specific process of displaying “a blank car panels diagram of a sell vehicle” for a prospective buyer to indicate where a defect may be and then utilize “a data science engine” to determine the “buy score” or propensity of buyer to buy the vehicle. Said another way, Carco Technologies, Inc. is focused on figuring out what a buyer would pay for a vehicle in a vehicle buyer-seller transaction and while it may give prospective buyers to a vehicle seller, it does not utilize tailored vehicle buyer preference data (often times without the buyer being aware of the same) to generate a list of prospective buyers for a vehicle seller. Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore -known devices and methods of this general type and that is configured to provide an electronic prospective vehicle buyer list for a vehicle seller (e g., a car dealership) based on an electronic request being initiated by the vehicle seller and executable computer readable instructions to initiate a buyer identification and ranking algorithm to accurately and quickly identify' prospective buyers from a plurality of vehicle buyers. Importantly, this invention is carried out over an Internet-based environment that requires the use of electronic computing devices of said secondary users. The ranking algorithm utilizes key inputs and data, including the geographic location of the secondary users and vehicle data inserted by the secondary users in a searching query field, that may be weighted to generate the accurate and quick list of prospective buyers for the vehicle seller.

[0009] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a computer- implemented method of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment that includes the steps of providing a first electronic computing device of a first user, a plurality of electronic computing devices of secondary users, and at least one server communicatively coupled to the first and the plurality of electronic computing devices over a network, registering the first user to create a first user account resident on the at least one server, generating an Internet-based webpage displaying on the plurality of electronic computing devices for each of the plurality of secondary users and the Internet -based webpage having a vehicle search query field configured to receive alphanumeric characters therein, receiving, at the least one server, at least one vehicle search alphameric term and at least one secondary user identification data provided by each of the plurality of secondary users, wherein the at least one vehicle search alphameric term inserted by each of the plurality of secondary users in the vehicle search query field is associated with one or preferably all of a vehicle year, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model, receiving, at the least one server, a captured a geographical location from each of the plurality of secondary users through use of the Internet-based webpage, storing each of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term and the geographical location on the at least one server, receiving, at the least one server, an Internet -based request for prospective vehicle buyers on a sale vehicle from the first electronic computing device and executing a buyer identification and ranking algorithm with a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one server and that is a function of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term, the sale vehicle, and the geographical location and that generates a list of secondary users each individually associated with the secondary user identification data, and electronically communicating, after receiving the Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers and after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, the list of secondary users to the first electronic computing device of a first user.

[0010] In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the step of executing the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing buyer inputs associated with the vehicle year, the vehicle make, the vehicle model, and the geographical location and seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle that includes data associated with a vehicle make, a vehicle model, and a vehicle year of the sale vehicle.

[0011] In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the secondary users being individually ranked in a sequentially higher order on the list of secondary users in correlation to an amount of matching buyer inputs to seller inputs.

[0012] In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the vehicle make and the geographical location of the buyer inputs being weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

[0013] In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle having data associated with a current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and further comprising the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing a numerical milage difference between the current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and the geographical location of the buyer inputs.

[0014] In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the secondary user being excluded from the list of secondary users if the numerical milage difference exceeds 2000 miles.

[0015] In accordance with an exemplary feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes associating an electronic date stamp with the buyer inputs and then weighted said electronic date stamp in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

[0016] In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes generating an Internet-based webpage displaying on tire first electronic computing devices and having graphical user interface icon programed to communicate the Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers on the sale vehicle to the at least one server.

[0017] Also in accordance with the present invention, a computer implemented system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment is disclosed that includes at least one processor resident on a first electronic computing device of a first user and at least one non-transitory memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the first electronic computing device and storing processor-executable instructions having instructions to validate a network connection with the first electronic computing device and at least one server and request the first user register to create a first user account resident on the at least one server and generate a user interface on an electronic display of the first electronic computing device that includes a graphical user icon operably configured to electronically communicate a request for prospective vehicle buyers on a sale vehicle. The system also includes at least one processor resident on a secondary electronic computing device of a secondary user and at least one non-transitory memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the secondary electronic computing device and storing processor-executable instructions having instructions to validate a network connection with tire secondary electronic computing device and the at least one server, communicate a captured a geographical location from the secondary electronic computing device, and generate a user interface on an electronic display of the secondary7electronic computing device that includes at least one vehicle search query field configured to receive alphanumeric characters therein associated with at least one vehicle search alphameric term and that includes a request to obtain at least one secondary user identification data, wherein the at least one vehicle search alphameric term is associated with at least one of a vehicle year, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model. The system also includes at least one processor resident on at least one server and at least one non -transitory7memory7communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the at least one server and storing processorexecutable instructions having instructions to execute, after receiving the request for prospective vehicle buyers on the sale vehicle, a buyer identification and ranking algorithm that is a function of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term, the sale vehicle, and the geographical location and that is operably configured to generate a list of secondary users each individually associated with the secondary user identification data and electronically communicate, after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, the list of secondary users to the first electronic computing device of a first user.

[0018] In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the processorexecutable instructions on the secondary electronic computing device further comprising instructions to request the secondary user register to create a secondary user account resident on the at least one server and the processor-executable instructions on the at least one server further comprising instructions to electronically communicate, after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, an electronic notification to the secondary electronic computing device of being identified on the list of secondary users.

[0019] In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the at least one vehicle search alphameric term and the geographical location are stored on the at least one server.

[0020] In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizes buyer inputs associated with the vehicle year, the vehicle make, the vehicle model, and the geographical location and seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle that includes data associated with a vehicle make, a vehicle model, and a vehicle year of the sale vehicle.

[0021] In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the processorexecutable instructions on the secondary electronic computing device having instructions to associate an electronic date stamp with the least one vehicle search alphameric term and the at least one secondary user identification data, the electronic date stamp associated with the buyer inputs.

[0022] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein: however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting: but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. Tire figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0023] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and / or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The temr “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The tenn “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing / coming into physical existence, making available, and / or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front.” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user’s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

[0024] As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Tire terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program.” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library / dynamic load library and / or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-implemented system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internetbased environment in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram depicting steps associated with a computer-implemented method of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

[0029] FIG. 3 is a representative screenshot of a user interface implemented in a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a representative screenshot of another user interface implemented in a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] FIG. 5 is a representative screenshot of another user interface implemented in a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet -based environment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0034] The present invention provides a novel and efficient a computer-implemented method and system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment associated therewith. Referring now to FIG. 1 for example, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a block diagram view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but. as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components.

[0035] Further, FIG. 1 will also be described in conjunction with the process flow chart of FIG. 2. Although FIG. 2 shows a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted in FIG. 2 for the sake of brevity. Tn some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included in FIG. 2 can be combined into a single process.

[0036] The process begins at step 200 and immediately proceeds to step 202 of providing a first electronic computing device 102 of a first user 104, a plurality of electronic computing devices 112a-n of secondary users 114a-n, and at least one server 106 communicatively coupled to the first and the plurality of electronic computing devices 102, 112a-n over a network 108. In practice, the present invention is preferably operable with a significant number (e.g., hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands) of electronic computing devices 112a-n, wherein “n” represents any number greater than one. As seen in FIG. 1, each electronic computing device includes an electronic display with a user input interface and includes an internal processor, a memory, and a network interface. The first electronic computing device 102 may consist of a cell phone, smart phone, laptop, tablet, desktop computer, or other comparable electronic computing or processing device. The memory is non-transitory wherein ’non-transitory" is defined as a resident memory-, although there may be more than one memory- unit or processor within any one electronic computing device. Said differently, the present invention may include at least three independent electronic computing device each configured to carry- out specifically programmed instructions. Said another way, the computer implemented system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment may include at least one processor resident on a first electronic computing device 102 of a first user 104 and at least one non-transitory memory- communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the first electronic computing device 102, at least one processor resident on a secondary- electronic computing device 102 of a secondary- user 104 and at least one non- transitory memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the secondary electronic computing device 102, and at least one processor resident on at least one server 106 and at least one non- transitory- memory- communicatively- coupled to the at least one processor on the at least one server and storing processor-executable instructions.

[0037] The electronic computing devices, which may be a cellphone or tablet, for example, are operable to execute programming instructions embodying in the process in FIG. 2 and that can be received from a computer server via a wide area network (WAN). Said differently, the electronic computing devices are operable to execute the programming instructions received from the computer server over the WAN. The process can also be embodied in a downloadable software program or application executable by the electronic computing device, namely- the processor therein. In other embodiments, the process is embodied in a web-based software application or a desktop software application. In one embodiment, the WAN is the Internet. The Internet represents a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP / IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, the network 108 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an Intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a cellular network. FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1. the network 108 includes connections HOa-n. which are the medium used to provide communication links between various devices and computers connected together within the network 108. The connections 1 lOa-n may be wired or wireless connections, but said connections are preferably wireless. A few exemplary wired connections are cable, phone line, and fiber optic. Exemplary wireless connections include radio frequency (RF) and infrared radiation (IR) transmission. Many other wired and wireless connections are known in the art and can be used with the present invention.

[0038] Tire network interface on each electronic computing device may include one or more network interface cards (NIC) or a network controller. In some embodiments, the network interface may include a personal area network (PAN) interface. Tire PAN interface may provide the capability for the user's computing devices to network using a short-range communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth communication protocol. The PAN interface may permit one personal computing device to connect wirelessly to another personal computing device via a peer-to-peer connection. The network interface may also include a local area network (LAN) interface. Tire LAN interface may be, for example, an interface to a wireless LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network. The range of the LAN interface may generally exceed the range available via the PAN interface. Typically, a connection between two electronic devices via the LAN interface may involve communication through a network router or other intermediary device. Additionally, the network interface 204 may include the capability to connect to a wide area network (WAN) via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit a connection to, for example, a cellular mobile communications network. The WAN interface may include communications circuitry, such as an antenna coupled to a radio circuit having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the antenna. The radio circuit may be configured to operate in a mobile communications network, including but not limited to global systems for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like.

[0039] Once the electronic computing devices 102, 106, 112a-n arc communicatively coupled (not necessarily at the same time), step 204 may include registering the first user to create a first user account resident on the at least one server 106 so the first user, i.e., buyer, can receive the list of prospective vehicle buyers (e.g., approximately ten vetted and determined buyers). More specifically, the registration process may include the first user 104 providing personal information on the user, including the name dealership the user is associated with, the type(s) of sale vehicle(s), the price of said vehicle(s), information associated with the sale vehicle(s), the address of the dealership and / or the sale vehicle(s), etc. The first user 104 may enter said information through the device’s digital graphical user interface (GUI) on the electronic display and using a plurality of digital data input fields operably configured to receive alpha-numeric text. Each user account for the plurality of users are independent of one another. While it is preferred the first user account is stored on the at least one server, and equivalent set up will include said information by stored on the first user’s device 102.

[0040] Step 206 of the process may include, with reference also to FIG. 3, generating an Internet-based webpage (similar to the webpage 300) displaying on the plurality of electronic computing devices 112a-n for each of the plurality of secondary users 114a-n and the Internet-based webpage 300 having a vehicle search query field 302 configured to receive alphanumeric characters therein. The Internet webpage 300 will generally be generated at different time intervals and, unlike many known systems and methods, include vehicle search query field 302 where information for the prospective buyers is taken from. This vehicle search query field 302 is located on a graphical user interface. The next step 208 includes receiving, at the least one server 106, at least one vehicle search alphameric term and at least one secondary user identification data provided by each of the plurality of secondary users 1 Mair. The vehicle search alphameric term(s) (in any order) inserted by each of the plurality of secondary users 1 14a-n in the vehicle search query field 302 is associated with at least one of a vehicle year, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model. Other tenns include price range, distance, trim, and / or vehicle condition. Said differently, the vehicle search query field 302 will be a field where a secondary user 114 will look for one or more vehicles listed by one or more other users (e.g., dealerships). To that end, the system may employ a database of available vehicles for sale that may be independent updated by users (e.g., the first user) in real or near-real time for display to the secondary users 114a-n or, in preferred embodiments may provide access of the sale vehicles through their inventory management system. The display of sale vehicles from the database may include vehicle images, vehicles description, vehicle location, etc. Each time the secondary user 114 searches for a vehicle through the vehicle search query field 302, that data is captured and stored (preferably at the server 106). Each secondary user will preferably search the query field 302 in a separate and independent web session. In preferred embodiments, the vehicle search query field 302 will have a GUI icon 304 initiating the search based on the vehicle search alphameric term (e.g., “2021 Mercedes SUV 10,000 miles”). In one embodiment, the vehicle search alphameric term(s) are only captured and stored for future use in accordance with the present invention when the GUI icon 304 is depressed or otherwise initiated by the secondary user. The secondary user identification data provided by each of the plurality of secondary users 114a-n (voluntarily or involuntarily) may include a secondary user’s 114a email address, phone number, mailing address, social media handle, etc.

[0041] Next the process includes step 210 of receiving, preferably at the least one server 106, a captured a geographical location from each of the plurality of secondary users 114a-n through use of the Internet -based webpage 300. The geographical location may be taken voluntarily from secondary user using, e.g., a website prompt requesting the secondary user share his or her location. Alternatively, when executing the software, the secondary user may enable location sharing, whereby the electronic device 102 will share, e.g., using GPS, the secondary user’s location with the server 106. In some embodiments, the geographical location from each of the plurality of secondary users 114a-n will be obtained involuntarily using an IP address of the secondary user that approximates the secondary user’s location. In one embodiment, if the geographical location is outside of the United States, the default location is set to Miami, Florida and secondary' users will only see cars from Miami, Florida. In some embodiments, an application user interface (API) will be utilized such as the following: function ipLookUp () {

[0042] $ . aj ax('bttp: / / ip-api .com / j son')

[0043] ,then( function success(response) { console. log('User\'s Location Data is ', response); console. log('User\'s Country', response. country);}, function fail(data, status) { console. logfRequest failed. Returned status of, status);

[0044] }

[0045] ); } ipLookUp()

[0046] The process may continue to step 212 of storing each of the vehicle search alphameric term(s) and the geographical location of each of the secondary users 114a-n on the at least one server 106 for future use hr particular, the next step 214 may include receiving, at the least one server 106, an Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers on a sale vehicle from the first electronic computing device 102 and executing a buyer identification and ranking algorithm with a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one server 106. The buyer identification and ranking algorithm is preferably a function of the vehicle search alphameric tenn(s), the sale vehicle, and the geographical location and that generates a list of secondary users 114a-n each individually associated with the secondary user identification data. The sale vehicle information or data may include make, model, mileage, color, year, etc. of the vehicle the first user (i.e., dealer) desires to have a generated list for. Importantly and with reference to FIG. 4. the present invention utilizes a quick and effective call to action or execution tool that entirely speeds up the buyer sourcing process by utilizing an icon 402 on the webpage 400 of the first user electronic computing device 112. Said another way, the process would include generating an Internet-based webpage 400 displaying on the first electronic computing devices 102 and having graphical user interface icon 402 programed to communicate the Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers on the sale vehicle to the at least one server 106.

[0047] For example, if a secondary user 114 inserts ‘’2021 Mercedes SUV 10,000 miles” in the vehicle search query field 302 and has a location in south Florida (e.g., with a zip code of 33324) and the sale vehicle is a 2020 Mercedes GLS 450 with 20,000 miles located in Florida, the algorithm will associate that secondary user as a prospective buyer for the vehicle seller. The buyer identification and ranking algorithm is configured to be powerful and versatile as it is configured to auto-correct misspellings in a search query, fill in blanks, and make intuitive logic comparisons based on a searching query. As an example, if a secondary user 114 inserts ‘'202 Audi SUV 10,000 miles” in the vehicle search query field 302 and has a location in south Florida, that same buyer may be generated as a prospective buyer for the sale vehicle as the buyer identification and ranking algorithm will assume any “202* -formative year vehicle” is what the buyer was looking for, i.e., 2020, 2021, etc. The buyer identification and ranking algorithm may also be programmed with assumptions that a Mercedes is designated or characterized as a luxury vehicle, similar to an Audi, wherein this search will not necessarily omit said secondary user from the prospective buyer list. There are numerous examples of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm’s versatility, including having programmed array(s) or other similar computing logic associating the different models of a particular vehicle make as an “SUV” and having built in programmed and set data variances associated with a particular search (e.g., + / - 5-year vehicle variances from the year searched by the secondary user, + / - 10,000 milage variances from the mileage searched by the secondary user, etc.). In another embodiment of the present invention, the buyer identification and ranking algorithm may be programed to find a buyer a sale vehicle using a very similar protocol as discussed above and using the searching query field. Specifically, when the secondary user(s) 114a-n inserts terms regarding a desired vehicle in the query field and activates said search by accessing the aforementioned database(s) of one or more vehicle dealers (first users), the algorithm uses similar or the same matching and variance criteria described above. The software may also be programmed to enable the secondary user(s) 114a-n to search for a vehicle using specific filters and, once one or more matches are generated, a notification is sent to the searching secondary user. Additionally, the geographic location of the secondary user is also obtained. As a seller’s infomration (e.g., geographic location) is associated with each sale vehicle, the notification may also include access to or display of a geographic map displaying where each sale vehicle is located and the information associated with each sale vehicle, wherein the system preferably only displays approximately ten prospective vehicles to the buyer, i.e., the vehicles having the best ranking. The software may also be programmed to enable communication between the secondary7user searching for a vehicle and the seller, e.g., through a chat screen and / or direct call icon. This communication feature may also be programmed for the “find a buyer” feature of the present invention.

[0048] Tire present invention may also include programming enabling individual secondary user(s) to sell their own vehicle. Specifically, the process may include registering a secondary user and then uploading information on the vehicle and user, including permitting the secondary user to take vehicle photos with their electronic device or upload from photo gallery and post the car after a detailed description. In one embodiment, the software requires a minimum of five photos, category of car, trim, condition, mileage, and vehicle year / make / model from the secondary user.

[0049] The buyer identification and ranking algorithm beneficially facilitates in creating a hierarchy or ranking of secondary users for tire generated list based on how many terms, numbers, or words match (or substantially match using the intuitive logic discussed above) the terms, numbers, or words for the sale vehicle and other criteria, such as the distance between the prospective buyer and the location of the sale vehicle and the date / time from when the searching query was made and when the request for the list was made or received by the server 106. Said another way, the process may include specifically associating an electronic date stamp with the least one vehicle search alphameric term (e.g., at the server 106) provided by each of the plurality of secondary users 114a-n and generally with all buyer inputs. In some embodiments, only secondary7users 114a-n searching within a 72-hour window are utilized as part of the algorithm or are given the highest ranking. Thereafter, the electronic date stamp may be then weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm i.e., a greater weight for a score or matching value for the number of the words, terms, numbers, etc. is given when more recent. For example, the more recent of two searches for a “2021 Mercedes SUV 10,000 miles” spaced within a week apart from one another will be ranked higher on tire generated list.

[0050] More specifically, in one embodiment, the secondary users 114a-n are individually ranked in a sequentially higher order on the list of secondary users 114a-n in correlation to an amount of matching buyer inputs to seller inputs. In yet another example that will produce a more effective vehicle buyer-seller transaction, the vehicle make and the geographical location of the buyer inputs are weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, i.e., testing has shown these two inputs produce a higher probability of generating a prospective buyer ready to purchase the sale vehicle. To that end. the seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle includes data associated with a current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and also includes the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing a numerical milage difference between the current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and the geographical location of the buyer inputs. Said another way, the buyer identification and ranking algorithm may be communicatively coupled to an API that maps and calculates the distance between the sale vehicle and where the secondary user is located when the query was initiated. In one preferred embodiment, a secondary user is excluded from the list of secondaryusers 114a-n if the numerical milage difference exceeds 2000 miles, i.e., research has shown that even identically matching criteria will not lead to a fruitful transaction if exceeding 2000 miles.

[0051] As such, the process includes executing the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing buyer inputs associated with the vehicle year, the vehicle make, the vehicle model, and the geographical location and seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle that includes data associated with a vehicle make, a vehicle model, location of sale vehicle, and a vehicle year of the sale vehicle. For example, let’s assume one searching criteria inserted into the query field was ‘“2021 Mercedes SUV 10,000 miles”. Said searching criteria will be stored (preferably at the server 106) and the secondary user 114 will then be presented with a number of vehicles potentially matching said criteria, along with a means to potentially contact a seller for those vehicles. A seller utilizing the present invention may then request the system identify prospective buyers for a sale vehicle, i.e., 2020 Mercedes GLS 450 with 20,000 miles, which would initiate the system to execute the buyer identification and ranking algorithm. The system will have obtained said secondary user’s geographic location (e.g., Miami) and also receive the first user’s location or location of the sale vehicle (e.g., Fort Lauderdale). To that end, the buyer identification and ranking algorithm may then generate a ranking score or output as follows: (absolute value | 2021-2020 |) (1) + (identical match for Mercedes) (0) + (identical match for make) (0) + (non-match for model) (1) + (approximate distance from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, 30 miles, wherein 0-25 miles = 1, 26-100=2, 101-250 miles = 3, 251-1000 miles = 4, 1001-2000 miles = 5) (1) = 3, wherein an average between all inputs may be 0.6 (wherein a lower score value will be indicative of a greater match). Other inputs may be utilized as discussed herein (e.g., 0-2 days from query to request = 0, 3-5 days from query- to request = 1, etc.) and may also be advantageously weighted (i.e., modified to show its value over other inputs, e g., 0.5(x)) to provide a more accurate match. While generating a lower score in the abovereferenced example was indicative of a better match, the buyer identification and ranking algorithm may be modified such that a greater score is indicative of a better match. As the buyer identification and ranking algorithm will be implemented over many search queries, the system will organize and rank the respective outputs for generation of the list of secondary users.

[0052] Thereafter, the process will continue to step 216 of electronically communicating, after receiving the Internetbased request for prospective vehicle buyers and after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, the list of secondary users 114a-n to the first electronic computing device 102 of a first user 104. A screenshot depicting an exemplary list of secondary users 114a-n and their respective contact infonnation (email, phone numbers, address, social media handle, etc.) can be seen in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the prospective buyers depicted on the list are also provided notification that they have been identified as prospective buyers on a sale vehicle. A benefit to the present invention, however, is that the secondary users / prospective buyers do not need to be logged in for the list to be generated. That said, a secondary user would need to be registered or otherwise logged in to receive notification. To that end, the system may include processor-executable instructions on the secondary electronic computing device 102 that includes instructions to request the secondary user register to create a secondary user account resident on the at least one server 106 and processor-executable instructions on the at least one server 106 including instructions to electronically communicate, after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, an electronic notification to the secondary electronic computing device 112 of being identified on the list of secondary users 114a-n. The electronically communication will preferably be through the webpage (which could also be interpreted to include an application page), wherein said list with the contact information for each secondary user associated therewith will be presented to the first user initiating the Internet-based request. The process may terminate at step 218.

[0053] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet-based environment and comprising the steps of: providing a first electronic computing device of a first user, a plurality of electronic computing devices of secondary users, and at least one server communicatively coupled to the first and the plurality of electronic computing devices over a network; registering the first user to create a first user account resident on the at least one server; generating an Internet-based webpage displaying on the plurality of electronic computing devices for each of the plurality of secondary users and the Internet-based webpage having a vehicle search query field configured to receive alphanumeric characters therein; receiving, at the least one server, at least one vehicle search alphameric term and at least one secondary user identification data provided by each of the plurality of secondary users, the at least one vehicle search alphameric term inserted by each of the plurality of secondary users in the vehicle search query field and that is associated with at least one of a vehicle year, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model; receiving, at the least one server, a captured a geographical location from each of the plurality of secondary users through use of the Internet-based webpage; storing each of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term and the geographical location on the at least one server; receiving, at the least one server, an Internet -based request for prospective vehicle buyers on a sale vehicle from the first electronic computing device and executing a buyer identification and ranking algorithm with a processor communicatively coupled to the at least one server and that is a fiinction of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term, the sale vehicle, and the geographical location and that generates a list of secondary users each individually associated with the secondary user identification data; and electronically communicating, after receiving the Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers and after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, the list of secondary users to the first electronic computing device of a first user.

2. Tire computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:executing the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing buyer inputs associated with the vehicle year, tire vehicle make, the vehicle model, and the geographical location and seller inputs associated with tire sale vehicle that includes data associated with a vehicle make, a vehicle model, and a vehicle year of the sale vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 2, wherein the secondary users are individually ranked in a sequentially higher order on the list of secondary users in correlation to an amount of matching buyer inputs to seller inputs.

4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle make and tire geographical location of the buyer inputs are weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

5. Tire computer-implemented method according to claim 4, wherein the seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle includes data associated with a current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and further comprising the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizing a numerical milage difference between the current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and the geographical location of the buyer inputs.

6. The computer-implemented method according to claim 5, wherein a secondary user is excluded from the list of secondary users if the numerical milage difference exceeds 2000 miles.

7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 5, further comprising: associating an electronic date stamp with the buyer inputs.

8. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7. wherein the electronic date stamp is weighted in tire buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

9. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1, further comprising:generating an Internet -based webpage displaying on the first electronic computing devices and having graphical user interface icon programed to communicate the Internet-based request for prospective vehicle buyers on the sale vehicle to the at least one server.

10. A computer implemented system of identifying a vehicle buyer in an Internet -based environment comprising: at least one processor resident on a first electronic computing device of a first user and at least one non-transitory memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the first electronic computing device and storing processor-executable instructions comprising instructions to: validate a network connection with the first electronic computing device and at least one server and request the first user register to create a first user account resident on the at least one server; and generate a user interface on an electronic display of the first electronic computing device that includes a graphical user icon operably configured to electronically communicate a request for prospective vehicle buyers on a sale vehicle; at least one processor resident on a secondary electronic computing device of a secondary user and at least one non-transitory memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the secondary electronic computing device and storing processor-executable instructions comprising instructions to: validate a network connection with the secondary electronic computing device and the at least one server; communicate a captured a geographical location from the secondary electronic computing device; and generate a user interface on an electronic display of the secondary electronic computing device that includes at least one vehicle search query- field configured to receive alphanumeric characters therein associated with at least one vehicle search alphameric term and that includes a request to obtain at least one secondary user identification data, wherein the at least one vehicle search alphameric term is associated with at least one of a vehicle year, a vehicle make, and a vehicle model; and at least one processor resident on at least one server and at least one non-transitory- memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor on the at least one server and storing processorexecutable instructions comprising instructions to:execute, after receiving the request for prospective vehicle buyers on the sale vehicle, a buyer identification and ranking algorithm that is a function of the at least one vehicle search alphameric term, the sale vehicle, and the geographical location and that is operably configured to generate a list of secondary users each individually associated with the secondary user identification data; and electronically communicate, after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, the list of secondary users to the first electronic computing device of a first user.

11. Tire computer implemented system according to claim 10, further comprising: the processor-executable instructions on the secondary electronic computing device further comprising instructions to request the secondary user register to create a secondary user account resident on the at least one server: and the processor-executable instructions on the at least one server further comprising instructions to electronically communicate, after the execution of the buyer identification and ranking algorithm, an electronic notification to the secondary electronic computing device of being identified on the list of secondary users.

12. The computer implemented system according to claim 10, wherein the at least one vehicle search alphameric tenu and the geographical location are stored on the at least one server.

13. The computer implemented system according to claim 10, wherein the buyer identification and ranking algorithm utilizes buyer inputs associated with the vehicle year, the vehicle make, the vehicle model, and the geographical location and seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle that includes data associated with a vehicle make, a vehicle model, and a vehicle year of the sale vehicle.

14. The computer implemented system according to claim 13, wherein the list of secondary users are individually ranked in a sequentially higher order in correlation to an amount of matching buyer inputs to seller inputs.

15. The computer implemented system according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle make and the geographical location of the buyer inputs are weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

16. The computer implemented system according to claim 15. wherein the seller inputs associated with the sale vehicle includes data associated with a current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and further comprising the buyer identification and ranking algorithm configured to utilize a numerical milage difference between the current geographic vehicle location of the sale vehicle and the geographical location of the buyer inputs.

17. The computer implemented system according to claim 16, wherein the processor-executable instructions on the secondary electronic computing device include instructions to associate an electronic date stamp with the least one vehicle search alphameric term and the at least one secondary user identification data, the electronic date stamp associated with the buyer inputs.

18. The computer implemented system according to claim 17, wherein the electronic date stamp is weighted in the buyer identification and ranking algorithm.

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