Appeal No. 2002-1475 Page 9
Application No. 09/370,935
vendors without a rigid structure operating through a centralized
computer database as required by existing methods (col. 2, lines
28-31). In Giovannoli’s invention, requests for goods and/or
services are broadcast to network members over the Internet. No
centralized database of goods, prices, etc. is involved.
Instead, requests for quotation (RFQs) are transmitted based upon
filter conditions set by the buyer and/or seller, and/or network
operator. The filter compatible seller’s responses are either
directly communicated to the buyer or to the computerized system
which transmits the received quote to the requesting buyer (col.
2, line 35 through col. 3, line 4). Thus, there is no central
pricing database to limit the number of buyers and vendors of
goods and services or to limit the number of goods and services
which can be processed (col. 3, lines 60-62). By joining the
network, all vendors are potential class members no matter where
in the world they are located (col. 7, lines 14-16). It is
additionally disclosed by Giovannoli (col. 8, lines 6-9) that the
network is a routing service with the routing being controlled by
class description filters which can be specified by the buyer,
the network computer and the vendors.
Turning to Berent, we find that Berent relates to commercial
motor vehicle auctions, of vehicles which have been assembled at
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