Web-enabled method and system for assisting a consumer to reach a purchasing decision regarding a product

• US 6,795,810 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ruppelt, Kevin Michael, Clay, Tamara Yvette
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20030050844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 702/183, 702/184
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

Computerized method and system for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer is provided. The method allows for providing to the consumer a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes. The method further allows for processing the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to stored economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer. The processing is configured to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer. The consumer is provided with a Web page hierarchically displaying the options and wherein each of the options includes a respective hyperlink for enabling the consumer to select one of the options.

Claims

1. A computerized method for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer, the method comprising:

providing to the consumer a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes;

processing the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to stored economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer, the processing being configured to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer;

generating a Web page comprising a hierarchical arrangement of the options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product;

displaying a pointer in the generated Web page for identifying a preferred one of said options; and

providing a respective hyperlink with each of said options for enabling the consumer to select one of said options.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a first one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of respective families of products about which the customer seeks assistance.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a second one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product type within a given family of products.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein a third one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product operational capacity.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein a fourth one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product age.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein a fifth one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of symptoms that may be associated with product malfunctions.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a first of the options available to the consumer is to purchase a new product.

8. The method of claim 1 where the respective hyperlink associated with said first option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said product online.

9. The method of claim of claim 7 wherein a second of the options available to the consumer is to have service executed on the product.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the respective hyperlink associated with said second option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said service online.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein a third of the options available to the consumer is to purchase parts for the product.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the respective hyperlink associated with said third option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said parts online.

13. A computerized system for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer, the system comprising:

a processor configured to provide a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes;

memory for storing economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer;

a processor configured to process the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to the stored economic value data to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer;

a processor configured to generate a Web page comprising a hierarchical arrangement of the options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product;

a pointer displayed in the generated Web page for identifying a preferred one of said options; and

a respective hyperlink provided with each of said options for enabling the consumer to select one of said options.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein a first one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of respective families of products about which the customer seeks assistance.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein a second one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product type within a given family of products.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein a third one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product operational capacity.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein a fourth one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of product age.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein a fifth one of the plurality of menus comprises data indicative of symptoms that may be associated with product malfunctions.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein a first of the options available to the consumer is to purchase a new product.

20. The system of claim 13 where the respective hyperlink associated with said first option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said product online.

21. The system of claim of claim 19 wherein a second of the options available to the consumer is to have service executed on the product.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the respective hyperlink associated with said second option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said service online.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein a third of the options available to the consumer is to purchase parts for the product.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the respective hyperlink associated with said third option provides electronic access to a site configured to execute a transaction that enables the consumer to purchase said parts online.