Method and system for ordering a product or service

• US 20020123940A1
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Suomen Posti OY
• Original Assignee: Suomen Posti OY
• Inventors: Spets, Jouni
• Application Number:
  US10/041,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20020123940A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (200) and system (300) for ordering a product or service. In particular the invention relates to the technology of communicating an order code (304) from a customer (302) to a vendor. An idea of the invention is that customer data are recorded in an intermediary'"'"'s system (310), for example. When ordering a product or service in accordance with the method of the invention, at least one order code (304) is input on the customer'"'"'s terminal (306), which code is then sent to the intermediary'"'"'s system (310). According to an idea of the invention, the customer is identified and customer data are read using the intermediary'"'"'s system (310). After that, the order code (304) sent by the customer and at least part of the customer data are forwarded to at least one vendor (314) through the intermediary'"'"'s information system (310).

Claims

1. A method (200) for ordering a product or service, characterized in that the method comprises steps in which

customer data are recorded (216),

at least one order code (304) is input on a customer'"'"'s terminal (306) and said code is transmitted (202) to an intermediary'"'"'s system (310),

said order code or corresponding information is forwarded (206) to at least one vendor (314),

the order code is received and saved (207), and

the customer is identified and the customer data are read (204).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediary (310) reserves for said vendor the right to use said order code (304) in the intermediary'"'"'s system.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said order code (304) can be linked to at least one product and/or at least one vendor (314).

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said order code (304) is delivered in a text message in a mobile communications system.

5. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said order code (304) is delivered in a message in a digital TV system.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said customer (302) is identified on the basis of an identification code of the customer'"'"'s terminal (306).

7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said customer (302) is identified on the basis of said customer data.

8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said customer data comprise the customer'"'"'s name, address and/or identification code of the customer'"'"'s terminal (306).

9. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that an inquiry for customer data is sent to the customer'"'"'s terminal (306) through the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

10. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the customer data are recorded (216) in the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

11. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the availability of the product or service corresponding to said order code (304) is verified (208) in the vendor'"'"'s system (314) and/or in the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

12. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transaction corresponding to the order is confirmed by the vendor.

13. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a confirmation of order and/or information about the availability of the product or service is sent (210) to the customer'"'"'s terminal (306).

14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the confirmation of order comprises information about the product ordered, delivery address and/or delivery time.

16. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that said terminal (306) is a wireless mobile phone.

17. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that said terminal (306) is a computer that can be connected to a communications network.

18. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that said terminal (306) is a digital TV.

19. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that said terminal (306) is a terminal utilizing a WAP service.

20. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for linking said order code (304) to at least one product and/or at least one vendor (314).

21. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for identifying said customer (302) on the basis of an identification code of the customer'"'"'s terminal (306).

22. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for identifying said customer (302) on the basis of said customer data.

23. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for sending an inquiry for customer data to the customer'"'"'s terminal (306) through the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

24. A system according to claim 15. characterized in that it comprises a means for recording customer (302) data in the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

25. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for verifying the availability of the product or service corresponding to said order code (304) through the vendor'"'"'s system (314) and/or the intermediary'"'"'s system (310).

26. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a means for sending a confirmation of order and/or information about the availability of the product or service to the customer'"'"'s terminal (306) through the intermediary.

15. A system (300) for ordering a product or service, characterized in that the system comprises

a means for recording customer (302) data,

a means for inputting at least one order code (304) on a customer'"'"'s terminal (306) and a means for transmitting said code to an intermediary'"'"'s system (310),

a means for forwarding said order code or corresponding information to at least one vendor (314),

a means for receiving and saving the order code, and

a means for identifying the customer and reading the customer data.