METHOD AND SYTEM FOR INTEGRATED ONLINE AND BRICK AND MORTAR PROVIDER SHOPPING

• US 20030074267A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tarquin Consulting Company LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Tarquin Consulting Company LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Tong, Vincent, Lingutla, Srinivas, Butler, Ellen F., Gremett, Peter, Crampton, Matthew, Acharya, Kamal
• Application Number:
  US09/975,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20030074267A1
• 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 30/0629 for generating comparisons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

The method and system of the present invention provides a comparison shopping experience that enables online shoppers to shop online confidently and conveniently, knowing that they are getting the best deal for a product/service based on online comparison information about both online and offline providers of a product/service. The system and method of the present invention provides a multi-channel search result, an integrated list of online and offline providers, and comparison information about providers of a selected product or service. Thus, the system and method of the present invention saves shopping time for bargain-seeker shoppers, attracts more physical product/service retail outlets to join online shopping services, and retains the existing online product/service providers.

Claims

1. A method for providing an integrated electronic list of providers, comprising the steps of:

determining at least one online provider for an item;

determining at least one offline provider for the item; and

integrating the at least one online provider with the at least one offline provider to provide an integrated list of providers for the item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining steps follow a request for a product.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the request is for a product category.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the request is for a desired geographical area.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the request is for a predetermined proximity to a target location.

6. The method of claim 1, further including:

providing comparison information for the at least one online provider and the at least one offline provider for the item.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes price comparison.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes rating comparison.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes review comparison.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes availability comparison.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes special promotion comparison.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes electronic wallet comparison.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparison information includes return-policy comparison.

14. The method of claim 1, further providing:

providing comparison information about at least two offline providers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes in-store return policy of online purchases.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes in-store pickup policy of online purchases.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes special promotions.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes coupon-availability information.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes proximity to the at least two offline providers.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes direction to the at least two offline providers.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the comparison information includes user review.

22. A computer readable medium embodying a method for providing an integrated electronic list of providers, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at least one online provider for an item;

determining at least one offline provider for the item; and

integrating the at least one online provider with the at least one offline provider to provide an integrated list of providers for the item.

23. A system for online shopping, comprising:

at least one user terminal;

at least one database containing information about online and offline providers;

means for searching the database and for providing an integrated list of online and offline providers in response to a search request for a selected item; and

means for comparing the online and offline providers for the selected item.

24. The computer system of claim 23, further implemented on a network environment.

25. The computer system of claim 24, wherein the network environment further comprising a global communications network.