SYSTEM FOR MARKETING GOODS AND SERVICES UTILIZING COMPUTERIZED CENTRAL AND REMOTE FACILITIES

• US 20030046186A1
• Filed: 05/20/1996
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Variant Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Variant Holdings LLC
• Inventors: WREN, STEPHEN C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems

Abstract

A system and means for facilitating transactions between central and remote facilities utilizes electronic communications devices, and computing equipment for concurrently or nonconcurrently transmitting voice, music, audio, data, images, video, optic information, and/or signals. Such systems are used to market, sell, finance, and insure goods and/or services. A study of these systems shows that they fall short because none of them take all types of customer personalities into consideration. A system is needed which provides the customers with more latitude and fewer limitations in shopping for goods and services, or for engaging in business transactions. Such a system and means are provided herein, which meet the needs and desires of independent customers, more dependent customers, and a third, or passive, group of customers. All customer types can at anytime request help from a centrally staffed live attendant.

Claims

1. In a system for marketing products and services which includes a customer computerized communications facility, a central computerized communications facility remote therefrom, and a data link between them, the improvement including:

computer means at both the customer computerized communications facility and the central computerized communications facility, adapted to transmit and receive images and data between them;

means for also establishing voice contact between the two communications facilities;

a database located at the central computerized communications facility containing products and services information;

input means at the customer computerized communications facility adapted to enable a passive type of customer to access that database to view a presentation established to educate the customer about goods and services;

input means adapted to enable a dependent type of customer to contact a representative at the central computerized communications facility, and concomitantly to access the database to go to his desired level of information; and

input means adapted to enable an independent type customer to proceed to a higher level of information and, in a self-service mode, to browse through the database to view desired information to learn about goods and services at his desired level of knowledge;

means enabling all types of customer at any time they desire personal assistance to utilize the means establishing voice contact to talk to a representative at the central computerized communications facility;

input means located at the customer computerized communications facility and application software located at the central computerized communications facility enabling any type of customer to download from the central computerized communications facility to the customer computerized communications facility information desired by the customer.

3. The improved system of claim 1 wherein the customer computerized communication facility includes means for communicating with a number of different central computerized communications facilities.

4. The improved system of claim 3 including means enabling a customer to speak with more than one representative.

5. The improved system of claim 4 wherein one representative is located at a retail sales store, and the other representative is located at a banking institution.

2. The improved system of 1 wherein the computerized communications facility includes input means located at the customer computerized communications facility and application software located at the central computerized communications facility enabling either type of customer to download from the central facility to the customer computerized communications facility instruments finalizing a transaction relative to the goods and services.