Online method and apparatus for management of collectibles

Abstract

An online system for permitting users in a data network to manage inventories of their collectibles (including antiques) includes a database of collectibles, user inventory files, user information files, a database of needed items and items available for sale, and a server-based task for managing and searching the database of needed items and items available for sale. The database of collectibles includes object classes indexed by primary classes and subclasses, and user inventory files storing inventories of instances of the object classes, including instances that each user has, instances that each user would like to sell, and instances that each user would like to buy. Users may access their respective inventories by inspecting, editing, and adding the instances to the user inventories; obtaining valuations of instances in their inventories; and insuring instances in their inventories. The server-based task finds buy-sell opportunities between the users.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of Morris D. Weiss et al., U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 704,973 filed Nov. 2, 2000, entitled “Online Method and System for Management of Collectibles,” issued on ______ as U.S. patent No. ______, incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to Internet services, and more particularly to a web site permitting users (both businesses and individuals) to manage inventories of their collectibles. In the following specification and claims, the term “collectibles” shall mean any objects of personal property. Therefore, “collectibles” include (i) secondary market items (i.e., an item traded or sold after its initial distribution and / or sale), (ii) antiquities, (iii) antiques (i.e., items 100 years old or older), (iv) vintage items, and (v) contemporary, current and modern items. A collectible could be manufactured as a limited edition, or it could be mass p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a computer-implemented method and apparatus for managing inventories of collectibles on the internet. The method allows users to access a site and manage their own inventories of collectibles by inspecting, editing, and adding to instances of object classes defined in a computer-implemented database. The method also notifies users of possible or consummated buy-sell transactions. The invention provides a computer-implemented method for accessing a site on the internet that is accessible to a multiplicity of users for managing inventories of their collectibles."

Problems solved by technology

Although the available software and online services provide features and advantages unobtainable from traditional methods, they do not provide, at a single web site, all of the services of interest to collectors and businesses catering to collectors.

Moreover, the management of large collections introduces a problem of requiring users to navigate through a variety of display screens for the various features.

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