Method for acquiring a given product through a public infomation network, such as the internet

• US 20040236634A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Simit4 OY
• Original Assignee: Simit4 OY
• Inventors: Ruuttu, Jari
• Application Number:
  US10/488,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236634A1
• 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 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for acquiring a given product over a public network, such as the Internet. The method allows the customer using his computer to influence the appearance of the product, such as the surface pattern, colour, text, logos, figures etc., and then the customer orders the product he has designed from the manufacturing company. For the design of the product, the customer acquires an application program and contacts the product and service provider, selects the product he wants and designs the appearance of the product using his own computer.

Claims

1. A method for acquiring a given product over a public network such as the Internet, whereby the customer has the opportunity to influence with his computer the appearance of the product, such as the surface pattern, colour, text, logos, pictures etc., and after this the customer orders the product he has designed from the manufacturing company, characterised in that the customer acquires an application program for the design of the product and contacts the product and service provider, selects the product he desires and designs the appearance of the product using his own computer.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the application program comprises a fixed data transmission system, including, among other things:

teaching programs

design programs

graphic control programs

picture processing and editing programs

material files

letters and numbers

fonts and special signs.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the product data program, which is a variable data transmission system, includes among other things:

company data

instructions of use

3-dimensional shape of the product

product data

control data and a code indicating the programs in use

billing and delivery information.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the customer controls by, means of his own computer and without any program of his own, the computer of the product and service provider.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the customer is in permanent connection with the product and service provider during the design process over a broadband network, for instance.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the customer is in connection with the product and service provider via a modem and in that the design program is part of an application program.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the application program is divided into at least two parts.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, characterised in that the customer acquires the first part of the application program from the Internet or a shop in CD, DVD etc. form.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, characterised in that the application is divided into two parts with the first part comprising the following programs, among other things:

data packing programs

picture processing and editing programs

graphic programs

design programs

teaching programs

letters and numbers

fonts and special signs

and in that the second part includes the following programs, among other things;

company data

3-dimensional geometry, i.e. the shape of the product

prices

other variable product information.

10. A method as defined in claim 7, characterised in that the second program additionally comprises a control program, which opens/gives access to the correct programs and files in the first part of the application program, which the customer has acquired in a separate process.

11. A method as defined in claim 7, characterised in that the customer himself designs the first part of the application program to meet his individual design requirements.

12. A method as defined in claim 7, characterised in that the product and service provider designs the application program in conformity with his market segment.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the functions are controlled over a keyboard.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the functions are controlled using a text.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the functions are controlled by sound.