METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ELECTRONIC COMMERCE THROUGH PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITS DURING A TRANSACTION

• US 20060224464A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, John M. Packes
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, John M. Packes
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Walker, Jay S., Packes, John M. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/423,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224464A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0213 Consumer transaction fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• 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 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 Checkout procedures

Abstract

A merchant server of a first merchant receives an indication of items that a customer is to purchase via a web site. The indication may be, for example, a signal indicating that the customer is ready to “check out” his shopping cart of items on the web site. In response, the merchant server provides an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant. The offer is provided before the items are purchased, and thus the offer is not provided unless and until the customer has manifested an intent to make a purchase from the first merchant. A response is received from the customer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, then the subsidy is applied to the items purchased. For example, the total price paid for the items may be reduced, or the items may even be provided to the customer without charge. In exchange, the customer agrees to participate in a transaction with the second merchant. For example, the customer may be required to switch service providers (e.g. long distance telephone service) or initiate a new service agreement (e.g. sign up for a credit card account).

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving an indication of at least one item that a customer is to purchase from a first merchant via a web site;

providing, in response to the received indication, an offer for a benefit from a second merchant, the step of providing the offer being performed before the at least one item is purchased;

receiving from the customer a response to the offer; and

applying the benefit to the at least one item if the response indicates acceptance of the offer.

2-64. -64. (canceled)