US 5758328

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 5,758,328:

Title: Computerized quotation system and method

Current Assignee: SOURCE SEARCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Original Assignee: Individual
Inventor: Joseph Giovannoli

Filing Date: 1996-02-22
Issue Date: 1998-05-26

Abstract:
A computerized system for forming a computer-based communications network connects buyers and vendors to process requests for quotation (RFQs) for goods and services. It utilizes at least one central processing unit (CPU) with operating system software and storage for network member identification. Network buyers generate RFQs, which are transmitted to the CPU. A filter means selects appropriate network members (vendors) to receive the RFQ based on filter conditions set by the buyer, the vendor, and/or the central processing unit. The system then broadcasts the RFQ to these selected members and responds to the buyer either with the quotations received or with a list of selected network members for direct communication. Filter conditions can include geographical location, quantity, language, currency, and special conditions of sale.

Plain-language overview of independent claims:

• Claim 1 (System): This claim describes a computer system that creates a communication network for buyers and sellers. It includes a central computer (CPU) with software and a list of all network members. Buyers send requests for quotes (RFQs) to this central computer. The system then uses "filters" (conditions specified by the buyer or the system) to decide which specific sellers in the network should receive the RFQ. These selected sellers are "remotely located" and connected via a "communications channel." The system then sends the RFQ to these selected sellers and can either return their responses directly to the buyer or provide the buyer with a list of the selected sellers so the buyer can contact them directly.

• Claim 3 (Method): This claim outlines a step-by-step process for using the computerized system to handle RFQs. It involves:

  1. Receiving an RFQ from a buyer over a network.
  2. Using filter conditions (set by the buyer, the seller, or the network's software) to choose which appropriate sellers should receive the RFQ.
  3. Sending the buyer's RFQ to only those selected sellers over the network.
  4. Allowing these selected sellers to send their price quotes either directly back to the buyer or to the central system, which then forwards them to the buyer.

• Claim 4 (System for Transactions): This describes a computerized system designed for various transactions over a data network. It consists of multiple user terminals, where some are "requestors" (buyers) and others are "vendor terminals" (sellers). The system has a filtering and broadcasting mechanism that receives transaction requests from requestors for unspecified vendors. It then filters these requests to determine which vendor terminals are a match. The system also matches these requests with vendor terminals that meet specific filter conditions, enabling them to generate quotes from their own databases. It can also accept these quotes from the vendor terminals. A crucial point is that the central database does not hold enough information to complete the entire transaction on its own.

• Claim 12 (Method of Purchasing): This claim describes a method for buying goods or services using a data network. The steps include:

  1. A potential buyer sends an RFQ to a "filter means" (the filtering part of the system) over the data network.
  2. This filter means then screens the request to identify a group of sellers who could potentially supply the goods or services.
  3. The system then obtains quotes from at least one of these potential sellers via the data network.
  4. Finally, these quotes are forwarded to the potential buyer. A key characteristic is that at least some of the quote information itself is stored at a location separate from the filter means (i.e., at the seller's end).

• Claim 17 (Method of Matching Buyers/Sellers): This claim details a method for connecting buyers and sellers on a data network. It involves:

  1. Buyers send RFQs to a filter means.
  2. The RFQs are filtered so that only sellers who meet a first set of specific conditions (filter conditions) receive them.
  3. These filtered RFQs are then transmitted to the sellers' databases, which are located remotely.
  4. The system accepts quotes from the sellers who met the first set of conditions.
  5. These received quotes are further filtered based on additional filter conditions before only the qualifying quotes are sent to the buyer who originally requested them.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 5758328 did not return any specific results for the current year (2026). It is noted that the patent's legal status is "Expired - Lifetime" with an anticipated expiration of 2016-02-22. While Google Patents lists prior litigation up to 2017, there is no information about current litigation in 2026. Therefore, there is no authoritative information about litigation for US5758328 in CAFC 2026 dockets.## US Patent 5,758,328: Computerized Quotation System and Method

Title: Computerized quotation system and method

Assignee: The current assignee is SOURCE SEARCH TECHNOLOGIES LLC. The original assignee was listed as an individual.

Inventor: Joseph Giovannoli

Filing Date: 1996-02-22

Issue Date: 1998-05-26

Abstract:
US Patent 5,758,328 describes a computerized system that establishes a network of buyers and vendors to process requests for quotation (RFQs) for goods and services. The system operates via at least one central processing unit (CPU) containing operating software and a database of network member identifications. Buyers generate RFQs and transmit them to the CPU. A "filter means" then selects appropriate network members (vendors), who are remotely located and connected via a communications channel, based on specific filter conditions defined by the buyer within the RFQ, by the vendor, or by the central processing unit's preestablished conditions. The system broadcasts the RFQ to these selected vendors. In response, the system provides the buyer with either the received quotations from the selected vendors or a list of those selected vendors, allowing the buyer to initiate direct communication. Filter conditions can encompass criteria such as geographical location, quantity, preferred language, currency, and special terms of sale.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes a computer-based system that forms a communication network connecting buyers and sellers. This system includes a central computer (central processing unit) with software to manage its operations and storage to hold the identities of all network members. These members (buyers and sellers) are located remotely but connected to the central computer. Buyers use this system to create and send requests for quotations (RFQs) for goods or services to the central computer. The system then employs a "filter" to review its list of members and determine which specific sellers should receive the buyer's RFQ. This filtering is based on conditions set by the buyer in their RFQ or by predefined conditions within the system itself. Once selected, the RFQ is broadcast to these particular sellers. The system then provides the buyer with either the quotes received from these sellers or a list of the selected sellers, enabling the buyer to communicate with them independently.

• Claim 3 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method (a series of steps) for processing RFQs through a computer network. The method involves:

  1. Receiving an RFQ from a buyer through a communication network.
  2. Selecting suitable vendors to receive this RFQ, based on filter conditions established by the buyer, the vendor, and the network software.
  3. Transmitting the buyer's RFQ separately to each of these selected vendors over the communication network.
  4. The selected vendors then send their price quotations either directly back to the buyer or to the computerized system, which subsequently transmits those quotations to the requesting buyer.

• Claim 4 (System for Engaging in Transactions Claim): This claim outlines a computerized system for facilitating transactions over a data network. The system comprises multiple user terminals, some designated as "requestors" (buyers) and others as "vendor terminals" (sellers). It features a "filter and broadcast means" that receives transaction requests from requestors seeking to engage with unspecified vendor terminals. This means filters these requests to identify compatible vendor terminals. The system then matches requests with vendor terminals that meet specific filter conditions, enabling those vendors to generate quotes using information from their associated databases. The system also accepts these quotes from the vendor terminals. A key aspect is that the central database of this system contains insufficient information to finalize (consummate) the transaction.

• Claim 12 (Method of Purchasing Claim): This claim describes a method for buying goods or services via a data network. The method includes these steps:

  1. A potential buyer sends at least one request for a quotation (RFQ) to a "filter means" (a filtering component) over the data network.
  2. At the filter means, this RFQ is processed to identify a group of sellers potentially capable of providing the requested goods or services.
  3. The system then obtains quotes for the goods or services from at least one of these potential sellers over the data network.
  4. These obtained quotes are then forwarded to the potential buyer. A notable feature is that at least part of the quote information itself is stored at a location remote from the filter means (e.g., at the seller's own database).

• Claim 17 (Method of Matching Buyers and Sellers Claim): This claim describes a method for connecting buyers and sellers on a data network. The steps involve:

  1. Buyers communicate their RFQs to a "filter means."
  2. These RFQs are filtered such that only sellers meeting a first set of predefined filter conditions actually receive the RFQs.
  3. The filtered RFQs are transmitted to remotely located databases belonging to the sellers.
  4. The system accepts quotes from those sellers who met the first set of filter conditions.
  5. Finally, these received quotes are subjected to an additional round of filtering so that only those quotes meeting these further conditions are ultimately sent to the buyer who initiated the request.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number US5758328 did not yield any active litigation results for the current year. The patent's legal status is listed as "Expired - Lifetime," with an anticipated expiration date of February 22, 2016. Previous litigation cases were noted up to 2017 in the Google Patents record, but no current dockets for 2026 were found.