System and method permitting customers to order selected products from a vast array of products offered by multiple participating merchants and related security applications

• US 20020095357A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 07/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: World Theatre, Inc.
• Inventors: Hunter, Charles Eric, Sparks, Kelly C., Hebrank, John H., Ballou, Bernard L. Jr., Summer, Robert D., Sykes, Ollin B.
• Application Number:
  US09/976,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095357A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7.36
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

A universal automated order processing system represents multiple (e.g., hundreds or thousands) participating merchants who offer their products through the system. Customers become qualified for using the system by supplying a set of information (e.g., name, credit card number, shipping address) that is stored in a customer database. When a customer wishes to order a product, the customer calls the system, customer identity is automatically confirmed, the customer enters a product order number and the complete order is routed to the appropriate merchant with the information necessary for the merchant to fulfill the order. Available credit verification and other aspects of credit card transactions may be handled by either the system operator or the merchant. The system operator may offer revolving credit. The system may also be used to provide potential customers of the merchants with free product information. In certain embodiments, the processing system may be used to verify customer identity at security check-in at public transportation sites (e.g., airports) or other public venues (e.g., concerts, sporting events).

Claims

1. An automated order processing system permitting customers who have already provided customer information to the system to order selected products from a vast array of products offered by multiple participating merchants, said system comprising:

a product/merchant database including information corresponding to an order number assigned to each product offered through the system by multiple participating merchants;

a customer database including a customer information set for each system customer, said information set including customer identification information, customer address information and method of payment information;

a customer interface for receiving incoming product orders from customers who have connected to the system via a system address and for identifying each customer placing an order;

means employing information from the customer database for matching each incoming customer order to the customer information set for that customer;

means employing information from the product/merchant database for matching each incoming customer order to a participating merchant; and

means for communicating processed orders to the participating merchant that provides the ordered product;

wherein the participating merchants include airlines or other entities providing security services at public transportation sites or other public venues and the product offered comprises check-in security clearance for customers.

2. A method permitting customers to use an order processing system to order selected products from a vast array of products offered by multiple participating merchants, said method comprising:

establishing accounts between an order processing system and multiple participating merchants who have agreed to offer their respective products for sale;

assigning an order number to each product offered by the participating merchants;

establishing a customer database including a customer information set for each customer, said information set including customer identification, customer address information and method of payment information;

each customer, when desiring to place a product order, utilizing a system address to establish contact with the system and entering the order number for the product desired;

identifying each customer placing an order and employing information from the customer database to match each incoming customer order to the customer information set for that customer; and

communicating processed orders to the participating merchant that provides the ordered product;

wherein the participating merchants include airlines or other entities providing security services at public transportation sites or other public venues and the product offered comprises check-in security clearance for customers.

3. A method permitting customers to use an order processing system to automatically provide customer identification information to security personnel at public transportation sites or other public venues where customers desire entry, said method comprising:

establishing accounts between an order processing system and security operations at public transportation sites and other public venues;

assigning an order number by which a customer'"'"'s desire to gain entry to public transportation site or other public venue may be communicated to the system;

establishing a customer database including a customer information set for each customer, said information set including customer identification information;

each customer, when desiring entry at a public transportation site or public venue that requires identity verification, utilizing a system address to establish contact with the system and entering an order number;

verifying the identity of each customer following the customer'"'"'s entry of an order number and employing information from the customer database to match each incoming customer order to the customer information set for that customer; and

communicating the system'"'"'s verification of the identity of the customer and selected portions of the customer identification information in the customer database to the public transportation site or public venue for use by security personnel at that site or venue in further verifying the identity of the customer desiring entry.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the customer identification information in the customer database includes digital photographs of customers.

5. The method of claim 3 including the step, performed by the order processing system, of monitoring activities associated with individual customers and cross referencing the activities of customers to generate a customer security rating that is communicated to the public transportation site or public venue for use by security personnel at the site or venue.