Mir Baqar

US Patent:

8090617, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Aug 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/939949

Inventors:

Barton H. Ladd - Santa Clara CA, US
Mir M. Baqar - Sunnyvale CA, US
June S. Ellern - Lake Oswego OR, US
Tadashi Fujita - Kawasaki, JP
Priya R. Iyer - Fairfax VA, US
Gaku Ogura - Yokosuka, JP
Akikazu Yada - Setagaya-ku, JP
Nobuaki Yamamori - Sagamihara, JP

Assignee:

Renesas Electronics America Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06Q 30/00
G06F 17/50

US Classification:

705 26, 716 19

Abstract:

A method is taught of determining if a potential customer is a desirable customer. The manufacturer can determine if the potential customer is a potential competitor. If the potential customer can receive technical information from the potential customer and provide a price quotation for certain goods (or services). The manufacturer can determine if the potential customer intends to use a product other than for its intended application. In an embodiment, the potential customer can initially contact the manufacturer through an electronic communication network. In accordance with one feature of the invention, a design is prepared. The design can be prepared in cooperation between the manufacturer and the potential customer or a third party can be included. In accordance with another feature, the potential customer can agree not to disclose technical information. In accordance with a feature of the invention the manufacturer can communicate with the potential customer and internal organizations as the method progresses.