Internet-based duty-free goods electronic commerce system and method

• US 20060242027A1
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Leon Falic
• Original Assignee: Leon Falic
• Inventors: Falic, Leon
• Application Number:
  US11/410,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20060242027A1
• 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 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders

Abstract

An Internet-based duty-free goods electronic commerce system comprising an Internet communications server for Internet-based communications with system users, flight data (or other travel means data) sources, duty-free merchants and other system participants, a system application server comprising computer processor means at the system-end for processing communications among the Internet communications server and system-end databases, software applications and other system-end elements; data storage means communicating with said applications server storing databases with system user data, duty-free rules and restrictions data applicable to various arrival and departure points, and information about duty-free goods available for purchase at various arrival and departure points; and system software applications providing a graphical user interface for system users to input data and transact with the system. A method of engaging in electronic commerce relating to duty-free goods is also disclosed and claimed.

Claims

1. An Internet-based duty-free goods electronic commerce system comprising:

one or more Internet communications servers for Internet-based communications with system consumer users, travel transportation method data sources, duty-free merchants and other system participants;

one or more system application servers comprising computer processor means at the system-end for processing communications to and from said Internet communications server and system-end databases, software applications and other system-end elements;

one or more data storage devices communicating with said one or more system applications servers which store one or more databases including data regarding system users, duty-free rules and restrictions data applicable to various arrival and departure points, and information about duty-free goods available for purchase at various arrival and departure points;

one or more system software applications run by said applications server computer processor providing a graphical user interface and content for system consumer users and duty-free merchants to input data and transact with the system;

a user-end input device communicating with said Internet communications server for system users to input data regarding user identification, travel transportation method information, arrival and departure points, information pertaining to duty-free goods to be purchased, and payment form information.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more travel transportation means data sources.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a merchant-end input device communicating with the system'"'"'s Internet communications server for said merchants to provide information pertaining to said merchants'"'"' duty-free goods to said system for review by said consumer users and engage in electronic commerce with respect to said duty-free goods with said consumer users.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said system software applications enable said duty-free merchant system users to create online promotions for duty-free goods.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image server providing high resolution images of duty-free goods, providing image configuration and integration with said graphical user interface screen content provided by said one or more system application servers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said travel method is aircraft travel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said travel method is ocean vessel travel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said travel method is land vehicle travel.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system software applications provide notification to system users of duty-free goods sales promotions.

10. A method for engaging in electronic commerce involving duty-free goods, comprising the following steps:

receiving and verifying a consumer user'"'"'s travel information;

identifying one or more duty-free stores located at or near said consumer user'"'"'s travel departure or arrival point;

identifying the duty-free restrictions applicable to purchases from said one or more duty-free stores for importation into said consumer user'"'"'s home country or other arrival point;

providing information regarding the duty-free goods available for purchase from said one or more duty-free stores;

processing consumer duty-free goods purchase selections and payment for same; and

fulfilling said purchases.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said consumer user plans to travel by aircraft and said consumer user'"'"'s travel information comprises consumer personal identification data, aircraft flight number, date and time of departure and departure and arrival points.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said consumer user plans to travel by sea and said consumer user'"'"'s travel information comprises consumer personal identification data, ship data and time of departure and departure and arrival points.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said consumer user plans to travel by land and said consumer user'"'"'s travel information comprises consumer personal identification data, data and time of departure and departure and arrival points.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said order fulfillment is accomplished by delivery of the purchased duty-free goods to said consumer user at said consumer user'"'"'s travel method boarding point.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said order fulfillment is accomplished by delivery of the purchased goods to said consumer user at said consumer user'"'"'s departure point jet way.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said order fulfillment is accomplished by delivery of the purchased duty-free goods to said consumer at said consumer'"'"'s ocean vessel boarding area.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said order fulfillment is accomplished by pickup of said purchased duty-free goods by said consumer user at the designated duty-free store.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein payment for said purchased duty-free goods is made at the delivery/pickup point rather than at the time of ordering.

19. An Internet-based duty-free goods electronic commerce system comprising:

one or more Internet communications servers for Internet-based communications with system consumer users, travel transportation method data sources, duty-free merchants and other system participants;

one or more travel transportation means data sources;

one or more system application servers comprising computer processor means at the system-end for processing communications to and from said Internet communications server and system-end databases, software applications and other system-end elements;

one or more data storage devices communicating with said one or more system applications servers which store one or more databases including data regarding system users, duty-free rules and restrictions data applicable to various arrival and departure points, and information about duty-free goods available for purchase at various arrival and departure points;

one or more system software applications run by said applications server computer processor providing a graphical user interface and content for system consumer users and duty-free merchants to input data and transact with the system;

means for system consumer users to input data regarding user identification, travel transportation method information, arrival and departure points, information pertaining to duty-free goods to be purchased, and payment form information; and

means for duty-free goods merchants to provide information pertaining to said merchants'"'"' duty-free goods to said system for review by said consumer users and engage in electronic commerce with respect to said duty-free goods with said consumer users.