Digital Online Exchange

Abstract

A system for dynamically pricing media content is operatively coupled to one or more clients over a network. The system dynamically adjusts pricing of the media content and delivers the media content to the clients that order the media content at a dynamically adjusted price. The price can be dynamically adjusted based on profit optimization. Alternatively or additionally, the price can be adjusted based to time between purchases. Further, the system is capable of rewarding institutions for allowing their members to access the system.

1 . A method, comprising:
 sending a first price of an item for sale from a processor to one or more clients over a network,   determining if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients, pricing the item at a second price with the processor based on predetermined criteria, the second price being less than the first price, and   sending the second price of the item from the processor to one or more clients over the network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises reducing the price of the item by a predetermined percentage of the first price of the item. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises selecting the second price of the item from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, wherein each of the plurality of predetermined prices of the item are less than the first price of the item. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises setting the second price as a random percentage below the first price. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises:
 receiving a minimum price for the item from a supplier of the item, and   setting the second price of the item to the minimum price for the item.   
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 sending a first price of an item for sale from a processor to one or more clients over a network,   determining if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients, pricing the item at a second price with the processor, the second price being less than the first price,   sending the second price of the item from the processor to one or more clients over the network,   receiving one or more orders for the item at the second price from one or more of the clients,   delivering the item to the one or more clients that ordered the item at the second price, pricing the item at a third price with the processor based at least on the one or more orders for the item at the second price, and   sending the third price over the network to one or more clients.   
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises reducing the price of the item by a predetermined percentage of the first price of the item. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises selecting the second price of the item from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, wherein each of the plurality of predetermined prices of the item are less than the first price of the item. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein pricing the item at the second price comprises setting the second price as a random percentage below the first price. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 sending a first price of an item for sale from a processor to one or more clients over a network,   receiving one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients, delivering the item to the one or more clients that ordered the item at the first price, pricing the item at a second price with the processor based at least on the one or more orders for the item at the first price, and   sending the second price over the network to one or more clients, wherein pricing the item at the second price includes at least one of:   (i) determining if a profit at the first price is at least equal to a best profit for one or more previous price levels for the item with the processor and increasing the first price to the second price if the profit at the first price is at least equal to the best profit for the one or more previous price levels for the item, wherein the second price is selected from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, and   (ii) determining if the profit at the first price is less than the best profit for the one or more previous price levels with the processor and reducing the first price to the second price if the profit at the first price is less than the best profit for the one or more previous price levels, wherein the second price is selected from the plurality of predetermined prices of the item.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, and   a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   (a) send a first price of an item for sale to one or more clients over a network,   (b) determine if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients,   (c) price the item at a second price based on predetermined criteria, the second price being less than the first price, and   (d) send the second price of the item to one or more clients over the network.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to reduce the price of the item by a predetermined percentage of the first price of the item. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to select the second price of the item from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, and   each of the plurality of predetermined prices of the item are less than the first price of the item.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to set the second price as a random percentage below the first price. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
 receive a minimum price for the item from a supplier of the item, and   set the second price of the item to the minimum price for the item.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, and   a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   (a) send a first price of an item for sale to one or more clients over a network,   (b) determine if a predetermined amount of time has lapsed without the processor having received one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients,   (c) price the item at a second price, the second price being less than the first price,   (d) send the second price of the item to one or more clients over the network,   (e) receive one or more orders for the item at the second price from one or more of the clients,   (f) deliver the item to the one or more clients that ordered the item at the second price,   (g) price the item at a third price based at least on the one or more orders for the item at the second price, and   (h) send the third price over the network to one or more clients.   
     
     
         20 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to set the second price of the item as a predetermined percentage of the first price of the item. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to select the second price of the item from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, and   each of the plurality of predetermined prices of the item are less than the first price of the item.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to set the second price as a random percentage below the first price. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, and   a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   (a) send a first price of an item for sale to one or more clients over a network,   (b) receiving one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients,   (c) deliver the item to the one or more clients that ordered the item at the first price,   (d) determine if a profit at the first price is at least equal to a best profit for one or more previous price levels for the item with the processor and increase the first price to a second price if the profit at the first price is at least equal to the best profit for the one or more previous price levels for the item, the second price being selected from a plurality of predetermined prices of the item, and   (e) send the second price over the network to one or more clients.   
     
     
         28 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a processor, and   a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   (a) send a first price of an item for sale to one or more clients over a network,   (b) receiving one or more orders for the item at the first price from one or more of the clients,   (c) deliver the item to the one or more clients that ordered the item at the first price,   (d) determine if the profit at the first price is less than the best profit for the one or more previous price levels and reduce the first price to the second price if the profit at the first price is less than the best profit for the one or more previous price levels, the second price being selected from the plurality of predetermined prices of the item, and   (e) send the second price over the network to one or more clients.