Direct distribution system for consumer goods and services
First Claim
1. A system for enabling direct transactions between a customer and a provider, said system comprising:
- a plurality of provider data entries regarding offerings from a plurality of providers;
a software application integrating information from said provider data entries, and allowing the customer to complete a transaction directly with one of said plurality of providers; and
a distribution system for delivering a selected offering directly from the provider to the customer, said distribution system providing the customer with an option of delivery through a local business service and pick-up center.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enabling direct transactions between a customer and a provider of goods and/or services. A plurality of suppliers or service providers provide data regarding offerings and services, and a database of selected information is collected and integrated for review and comparison by potential customers. An efficient distribution system delivers products and services to local service and pick-up centers where the customer retrieves them, or delivers the products and services directly to the customer, depending on customer preference. The cost of delivery is dependent on the customer preference and is based on proximity of delivery to customer.
50 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for enabling direct transactions between a customer and a provider, said system comprising:
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a plurality of provider data entries regarding offerings from a plurality of providers;
a software application integrating information from said provider data entries, and allowing the customer to complete a transaction directly with one of said plurality of providers; and
a distribution system for delivering a selected offering directly from the provider to the customer, said distribution system providing the customer with an option of delivery through a local business service and pick-up center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for enabling delivery of consumer goods in a defined area, said system comprising:
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a software application for tracking orders and order status across at least one delivery unit;
at least one distribution and transportation center shared by a plurality of providers;
at least one warehouse and service center shared by a plurality of providers;
at least one local delivery center shared by a plurality of providers; and
at least one local pick-up center shared by a plurality of providers. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A system for facilitating purchase and delivery of consumer goods from a provider to a customer, said system comprising:
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a plurality of providers, each provider having at least one provider offering; and
a software application integrating data regarding the provider offerings, allowing a customer to complete a transaction with a selected one of said plurality of providers, tracking a status of the transaction, and presenting the customer with at least one delivery option for completing the transaction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for enabling delivery of a service wherein only information is exchanged between the customer and the provider, or wherein the provider receives information from the customer and provides the customer a tangible form or document, or wherein the provider only supplies a tangible object which is a credit for a future service to the customer, said system comprising:
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a software application for tracking orders and order status across at least one delivery unit; and
at least one local service station shared by a plurality of service providers.
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20. A system for facilitating purchase and delivery of an offering from a provider to a customer, wherein only information is exchanged between the customer and the provider, or wherein the provider receives information from the customer and provides the customer a tangible form or document, or wherein the provider only supplies a tangible object which is a credit for a future service to the customer, said system comprising:
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a plurality of providers, each provider making available at least one offering; and
a software application integrating data from said providers regarding available offerings, allowing a customer to order an available offering from a selected one of said plurality of providers, and tracking an order status regarding the selected available offering. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A system for enabling delivery of a service in a defined area wherein a service provider receives information or a tangible object from a customer and delivers goods or an object back to the customer after performing a service, said system comprising:
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a network for tracking orders and order status across at least one delivery unit;
a plurality of service providers accessible through a plurality of local service stations; and
at least one distribution center shared by said plurality of service providers and said plurality of local service stations for delivery of products between local service stations and service providers.
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24. A system for facilitating purchase and delivery of an offering from a provider to a customer where the provider receives information or a tangible object from the customer and delivers goods or an object back to the customer after performing a service, said system comprising:
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a plurality of service providers, each service provider making available at least one service; and
a network integrating data from said service providers regarding available services, allowing a customer to order an available service from a selected one of said plurality of service providers, and tracking an order status regarding the selected available service. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of completing a transaction directly between a provider and a customer, said method comprising:
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providing the customer with information regarding offerings from a plurality of providers;
communicating an acceptance of a selected one of said offerings from the customer to a selected one of said providers; and
delivering the selected one of said offerings from the selected one of said providers to the customer through a distribution system providing the customer with an option of delivery through a local business pick-up center in a geographic area selected by the customer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for delivering an offering from a provider to a customer, said system comprising:
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a software application communicating information regarding offerings from a plurality of providers to a customer, and communicating information from the customer to a selected one of the providers regarding a selected offering;
a distribution system for delivery of the selected offering to the customer, said distribution system comprising multiple business service areas, each business service area comprising a distinct geographical area and having at least one local business pick-up center located therein.
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38. A distribution system for delivering offerings from a plurality of providers to a plurality of customers, said distribution system comprising:
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at least one local business pick-up center for receiving offerings from a plurality of providers and holding said offerings for pick up by designated customers; and
at least one distribution center for receiving offerings from a plurality of providers and delivering said offerings to designated customers. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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Specification