System and method for selling time-based inventory

Abstract

A method for selling time-based inventory over a communications network includes permitting a seller via a graphical user interface to define a total time to be sold for a time based-inventory; permitting the seller via the graphical user interface to define a sales time interval amount smaller than the total time to be sold; dividing the total time as a function of the sales time interval amount so as to define a plurality of time intervals of the total time; and selling the plurality of time intervals via the communications network.

1 . A system for selling time-based inventory comprising:
 a server receiving instructions from a seller of time-based inventory to set a total time to be sold for a time-based inventory, the server also receiving further instructions from the seller to set a sales time interval smaller than the total time to be sold, the server determining a plurality of time-intervals of the total time as a function of the sales time interval;   the server permitting display of the plurality of time intervals to a plurality of potential buyers of the time-based inventory.   
     
     
         2 . A method for selling time-based inventory over a communications network comprising:
 permitting a seller via a graphical user interface to define a total time to be sold for a time based-inventory;   permitting a plurality of potential buyers to define a sales time interval amount smaller than or equal to the total time to be sold and to submit offer prices with the sales time interval; and   maximizing a value for the total time to be sold as a function of the submitted offer prices.   
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2  further comprising receiving bids from the plurality of potential buyers for the time intervals so as to define an auction. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3  further comprising permitting the seller to set an auction close time, the auction close time being before the start of the total time to be sold. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein the value is monetary value. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein the time-based inventory has at least one associated rule defined by the seller, the time based-inventory being sold differently when the rule is applied. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 2  wherein the time-based inventory is sold based both on duration and consumption information. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 2  further comprising permitting the seller submit a description of a right associated with the time-based inventory. 
     
     
         9 . A system for selling time-based inventory comprising a server receiving instructions from a seller of time-based inventory to set a total time to be sold for a time-based inventory, the server also receiving further instructions from a plurality of potential buyers to define a sales time interval smaller than or equal to the total time to be sold and to submit offer prices associated with the sales time interval, the server maximizing a value for the total time to be sold as a function of the submitted offer prices. 
     
     
         10 . A time-based inventory selling system comprising a server providing an interface for a plurality of sellers of time-based inventory, the server permitting a first of the plurality of sellers to define first time intervals of a first time-based inventory and permitting a second of the plurality of sellers to define second time intervals of a second time-based inventory. 
     
     
         11 . A graphical user interface comprising a display permitting a seller of time-based inventory to set a total time to be sold, and to choose at least one time interval, a sale of the time-based inventory capable of being conducted as a function of the time interval and the total time to be sold. 
     
     
         12 . A graphical user interface comprising a display permitting a seller of time-based inventory to set a total time to be sold, and a further display permitting a potential buyer to define a time interval smaller than or equal to the total time to be sold and to submit a bid for the time interval.