Internet online order method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for exchanging data in a distributed computer system comprising a plurality of client computers and at least one server computer connected by a communications link to the client computers, the server computer capable of connecting by one or more communications links to a plurality of vendors, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing vendor data associated with the vendors;
associating with each vendor at least one geocode representing a geographic location associated with a particular vendor;
receiving a request for vendor data from one of the client computers, the request including a geographic location associated with the requesting client computer;
converting the requesting client computer'"'"'s associated geographic location into a corresponding geocode;
selecting vendor data that is associated with zero or more vendors having a geocode that is compatible with the requesting client computer'"'"'s geocode; and
providing the selected vendor data to the requesting client computer.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing an online ordering machine that manages the distribution of home delivered products over a distributed computer system is herein disclosed. The distributed computer system includes a group of customers connected to client computers and at least one server computer system that executes the online ordering machine. The online ordering machine provides the customers with product information from various vendors whose delivery range is within the customer'"'"'s location or with product information from vendors having take out service within a specified range from the customer'"'"'s location. The vendor'"'"'s and customer'"'"'s location is associated with a geocode representing the latitude and longitude coordinates of the location. The search for the vendors servicing the customer'"'"'s location is done using the geocodes. The online ordering machine accepts orders from the customer for a particular product from a selected vendor. The order is converted into voice instructions which are transmitted to the vendor through a telephone call. The vendor receives the telephonic order and responds to voice-prompted instructions used to confirm the order.
891 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for exchanging data in a distributed computer system comprising a plurality of client computers and at least one server computer connected by a communications link to the client computers, the server computer capable of connecting by one or more communications links to a plurality of vendors, said method comprising the steps of:
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storing vendor data associated with the vendors; associating with each vendor at least one geocode representing a geographic location associated with a particular vendor; receiving a request for vendor data from one of the client computers, the request including a geographic location associated with the requesting client computer; converting the requesting client computer'"'"'s associated geographic location into a corresponding geocode; selecting vendor data that is associated with zero or more vendors having a geocode that is compatible with the requesting client computer'"'"'s geocode; and providing the selected vendor data to the requesting client computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 31, 32)
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11. An order entry apparatus for managing the procurement of orders for vendor products on a computer network, said computer network comprising a plurality of client computers in communication with the order entry apparatus by a first communication link, the order entry apparatus capable of being connected by one or more communications links to a plurality of vendors, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of vendors, each vendor associated with a vendor geocode representing a location associated with the vendor; a plurality of users, each user associated with a particular client computer, each user associated with a user geocode representing a geographic location associated with the user; a plurality of vendor data; and an online ordering procedure having a capability to receive a request for vendor data from a requesting user and to select vendor data associated with vendors having a geocode compatible with the geocode of the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 33, 34)
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21. A computer readable storage medium that directs a computer to function in a specified manner, comprising:
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a plurality of vendors, each vendor associated with a vendor geocode representing a location associated with the vendor; a plurality of users, each user associated with a particular client computer, each user associated with a user geocode representing a geographic location associated with the user; a plurality of vendor data; and an online ordering procedure having a capability to receive a request for vendor data from a requesting user and to select vendor data associated with vendors having a geocode compatible with the geocode of the requesting user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification