Online store product availability
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for assisting a customer in ordering a product from an online store via a computer network, the computer network including at least a customer interface system, the method comprising:
- providing availability information regarding a product that can be purchased by the customer via the customer interface system, wherein the availability information informs the customer that the product can be pre-ordered when the product is not yet in stock;
receiving a customer order for the product from the customer via the customer interface system;
providing delivery-time information regarding the product to the customer via the customer interface system; and
automatically updating the availability information when the product is in stock, wherein the delivery-time information depends on the availability information, and wherein the customer is allowed to access information regarding the status of the order, including the updated availability information of the product via the customer interface system.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method for assisting a customer in ordering a product from an online store via a computer network, the computer network including at least a customer interface system, the method comprising:
-
providing availability information regarding a product that can be purchased by the customer via the customer interface system, wherein the availability information informs the customer that the product can be pre-ordered when the product is not yet in stock;
receiving a customer order for the product from the customer via the customer interface system;
providing delivery-time information regarding the product to the customer via the customer interface system; and
automatically updating the availability information when the product is in stock, wherein the delivery-time information depends on the availability information, and wherein the customer is allowed to access information regarding the status of the order, including the updated availability information of the product via the customer interface system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A computer-implemented method for assisting a customer in ordering a product from an online store via a computer network, the computer network including at least a customer interface system, the method comprising:
-
providing availability information regarding a product that can be ordered by the customer via the customer interface system;
receiving a customer order for the product from the customer via the customer interface system, wherein the product being ordered is currently not available to be delivered to the customer by the online store; and
providing timing information regarding when the online store expects to be able to get the product to the customer; and
subsequently shipping the customer the product when the product becomes available to be shipped. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
Specification