Performing predictive pricing based on historical data

Abstract

Techniques are described for using predictive pricing information for items to assist in evaluating buying and/or selling decisions in various ways, such as on behalf of end-user item acquirers and/or intermediate item providers. The predictive pricing for an item may be based on an analysis of historical pricing information for that item and/or related items, and can be used to make predictions about future pricing information for the item. Such predictions may then be provided to users in various ways to enable comparison of current prices to predicted future prices. In some situations, predictive pricing information is used to assist customers when purchasing airline tickets and/or to assist travel agents when selling airline tickets. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-readable memory storing computer-executable instructions for controlling a computer to provide pricing information for items with use dates, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions that:
 receive a request for pricing information for a requested item with a requested use date;   for each of a plurality of suppliers of the requested item, obtain an offer for the supplier to provide the requested item with the requested use date at a current offer price;   determine a prediction for a future direction of offer prices for the requested item based on the obtained offers; and   provide a response to the request that indicates of a current offer price for the requested item and the prediction of the future direction of offer prices for the requested item.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the prediction is provided so that a user can decide whether to accept the offer from a supplier at the current offer price or defer accepting an offer based on the prediction of the future direction of the offer prices. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the prediction is provided so that a supplier can set its prices based on analysis of the predictions. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions that receive from a user an indication to accept the offer of a supplier to purchase the item and direct the item to be purchased from that supplier at the current offer price of that supplier. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions that receive from a user an indication to delay accepting an offer of a supplier and direct the item to be purchased from a supplier at a later time under a specific future condition. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the instructions that determine the prediction base the prediction on analysis of historical pricing information that includes offer prices at which the suppliers offered to provide items. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the instructions that determine the prediction base the prediction on analysis of historical pricing information that includes the prices at which the suppliers sold items. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions that generate a prediction of a time to wait until a user should purchase the requested item. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 1  wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions that determine a prediction for a future price of the requested item. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable memory of  claim 9  wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions that compare the predictions of future prices of items to later offer prices for those items to determine how well the prices compare. 
     
     
         11 . A computer system for providing pricing information for items with use dates, comprising:
 a memory storing computer-executable instructions that include:
 a component that receives a request from a user for pricing information for a requested item with a requested use date; 
 a component that, for each of a plurality of suppliers of the requested item, obtains from the supplier an offer to provide the requested item with the requested use date, each offer including a current offer price at which the supplier is offering to provide the requested item; 
 a component that determines a prediction for a future direction of offer prices for the requested item based on the obtained offers and historical pricing information; 
 a component that provides to the user an indication of the prediction of the future direction of offer prices for the requested item; and 
   a processor that executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory whereby the computer system predicts the future direction of offer prices for the requested item provided by the plurality of suppliers and provides that prediction to the user so that the user can decide on an action to take.   
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein the requested item is an airline ticket. 
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein the action to take is a supplier setting its prices based on analysis of the predictions. 
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein the computer-executable instructions further include a component that receives from the user an indication to accept the offer of a supplier to purchase the item and directs the item to be purchased from that supplier at the current offer price of that supplier. 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein the computer-executable instructions further include a component that receives from the user an indication to delay accepting an offer of a supplier to purchase the item and directs the item to be purchased from a supplier at a later time under a specific future condition. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 11  wherein the component that determines the prediction bases the prediction on analysis of historical pricing information that includes the prices at which the suppliers sold the items. 
     
     
         17 . A method performed by a computer to provide pricing information for items with use dates, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for pricing information for a requested item with a requested use date;   for each of a plurality of suppliers of the requested item, obtaining an offer for the supplier to provide the requested item with the requested use date at a current offer price;   determining a prediction for a future direction of offer prices for the requested item based on the obtained offers; and   providing a response to the request that indicates the prediction of the future direction of offer prices for the requested item.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the prediction is provided so that a person can decide whether to accept the offer from a supplier at the current offer price or defer accepting an offer based on the prediction of the future direction of the offer prices. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the prediction is provided so that a supplier can set its prices based on analysis of the predictions. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  including:
 upon receiving from a user an indication to accept the offer of a supplier to purchase the item, directing the item to be purchased at a current offer price of a supplier; and 
 upon receiving from the user an indication to delay accepting an offer of a supplier, directing the item to be purchased from a supplier at a later time under a specific future condition.