Online store using common carrier
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for an online store to assist a customer in ordering a product online via a computer network, the computer network including a customer interface system, an order fulfillment system, a delivery system and a billing system, the method comprising:
- allowing a customer to access information regarding a plurality of products via the customer interface system;
receiving a customer order from the customer who selects a product from the plurality of products, whereby the product is placed in an electronic shopping cart to order the product, and the customer order including a location specified by the customer to receive the product;
fulfilling the customer order via the order fulfillment system so that the product is ready to be delivered to the customer;
arranging for delivery of the customer order via the delivery system so that the product is delivered to the customer; and
generating billing data related to the customer order via the billing system so that the customer can pay for at least the product, wherein the integrated nature of the computer network where the customer interface system is electrically coupled to the order fulfillment system, the delivery system and the billing system, to allow the order fulfillment system to automatically fulfill the customer order, the delivery system to automatically arrange the delivery of the customer order, and the billing system to automatically generate billing data, upon receiving and subsequently deciding to send the product to the customer, wherein the product is delivered to the location by a common carrier that does not belong to the online store, and wherein the common carrier not only delivers products for the online store, but also delivers products for other companies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique for effecting electronic commerce using a data network is described. The data network includes a plurality of subsystems which, together, form an integrated system for receiving customer orders for selected items via a data network, fulfilling the customer orders, and delivering the ordered products to the customers. Moreover, according to a specific embodiment, the integrated nature of the system architecture of the present invention allows the on-line merchant to provide a guarantee to the customer that the ordered items will be available to be delivered to the customer at the specified delivery date, time, and location.
178 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for an online store to assist a customer in ordering a product online via a computer network, the computer network including a customer interface system, an order fulfillment system, a delivery system and a billing system, the method comprising:
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allowing a customer to access information regarding a plurality of products via the customer interface system;
receiving a customer order from the customer who selects a product from the plurality of products, whereby the product is placed in an electronic shopping cart to order the product, and the customer order including a location specified by the customer to receive the product;
fulfilling the customer order via the order fulfillment system so that the product is ready to be delivered to the customer;
arranging for delivery of the customer order via the delivery system so that the product is delivered to the customer; and
generating billing data related to the customer order via the billing system so that the customer can pay for at least the product, wherein the integrated nature of the computer network where the customer interface system is electrically coupled to the order fulfillment system, the delivery system and the billing system, to allow the order fulfillment system to automatically fulfill the customer order, the delivery system to automatically arrange the delivery of the customer order, and the billing system to automatically generate billing data, upon receiving and subsequently deciding to send the product to the customer, wherein the product is delivered to the location by a common carrier that does not belong to the online store, and wherein the common carrier not only delivers products for the online store, but also delivers products for other companies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-implemented method for an online store to assist a customer in ordering a product online via a computer network, the computer network including a customer interface system, an order fulfillment system, a delivery system and a billing system, the method comprising:
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allowing a customer to access information regarding a plurality of products via the customer interface system;
receiving a customer order from the customer who selects a product from the plurality of products, whereby the product is placed in an electronic shopping cart to order the product, and the customer order including a location specified by the customer to receive the product;
fulfilling the customer order via the order fulfillment system so that the product is ready to be delivered to the customer;
arranging for delivery of the customer order via the delivery system so that the product is delivered to the customer; and
generating billing data related to the customer order via the billing system so that the customer can pay for at least the product, wherein the integrated nature of the computer network where the customer interface system is electrically coupled to the order fulfillment system, the delivery system and the billing system, to allow the order fulfillment system to automatically fulfill the customer order, the delivery system to automatically arrange the delivery of the customer order, and the billing system to automatically generate billing data, upon receiving and subsequently deciding to send the product to the customer, wherein the delivery system classifies locations to deliver products into at least a first zone and a second zone, wherein if the location specified by the customer falls under the first zone, the product will be delivered by a common carrier that not only delivers products for the online store but also delivers products for other companies, and wherein if the location specified by the customer falls under the second zone, the product will be delivered by a carrier that delivers products for the online store, but not for other companies.
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Specification