Computer network system for shopping and method therefor
First Claim
1. A system for secure and private on-line shopping comprising, in combination:
- a store housing a plurality of computers, the store functioning as an on-line shopping store where individuals order merchandise using the plurality of computers and have the merchandise delivered to the store for pick-up, one enters a delivery location for the merchandise on one of the plurality of computers if delivery is not to the store;
an on-line shopping store server coupled to the plurality of computers of the on-line shopping store for hosting an on-line shopping store web site and for hosting a plurality of on-line retailers formed into a single membership network of sites;
at least one home computer coupled to the on-line shopping store server for accessing on-line retailers from a remote location, a user of the home computer needing a subscription to access the on-line shopping store server;
an on-line store shopping card as the only means for purchasing items from the on-line shopping store and the on-line retailers by individuals using the plurality of computers at the store and remotely at the at least one home computer, wherein the on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value, individuals using the on-line store shopping card being able to return the on-line store shopping card for cash on unused credit after shopping at the store; and
an in-system on-line store shopping card server coupled to the on-line shopping store server for verifying authenticity and monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, for crediting and debiting the monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, and for transferring payments to and from a user of the on-line store shopping card and the on-line retailers.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for secure and private on-line shopping has an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers. An on-line shopping store server is provided and is coupled to the plurality of computers. The on-line shopping store server is used for hosting an on-line shopping store web site. An on-line store shopping card is further provided and is used for purchasing items from the on-line retailers. The on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value and identification number. A shopping card server is coupled to the on-line shopping store server. The shopping card server is used for verifying authenticity and monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, for crediting and debiting the monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, and for transferring payments to and from a user of the on-line store shopping card and the on-line retailers.
27 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for secure and private on-line shopping comprising, in combination:
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a store housing a plurality of computers, the store functioning as an on-line shopping store where individuals order merchandise using the plurality of computers and have the merchandise delivered to the store for pick-up, one enters a delivery location for the merchandise on one of the plurality of computers if delivery is not to the store; an on-line shopping store server coupled to the plurality of computers of the on-line shopping store for hosting an on-line shopping store web site and for hosting a plurality of on-line retailers formed into a single membership network of sites; at least one home computer coupled to the on-line shopping store server for accessing on-line retailers from a remote location, a user of the home computer needing a subscription to access the on-line shopping store server; an on-line store shopping card as the only means for purchasing items from the on-line shopping store and the on-line retailers by individuals using the plurality of computers at the store and remotely at the at least one home computer, wherein the on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value, individuals using the on-line store shopping card being able to return the on-line store shopping card for cash on unused credit after shopping at the store; and an in-system on-line store shopping card server coupled to the on-line shopping store server for verifying authenticity and monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, for crediting and debiting the monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, and for transferring payments to and from a user of the on-line store shopping card and the on-line retailers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for making secure and private on-line purchases comprising the steps of:
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providing a store housing a plurality of computers, the store functioning as an on-line shopping store where individuals order merchandise using the plurality of computers and have the merchandise delivered to the store for pick-up; providing at least one home computer for ordering merchandise from a remote location; providing an on-line shopping store server coupled to the plurality of computers of the on-line shopping store and the at least one home computer for hosting an on-line shopping store web site and for hosting a plurality of on-line retailers formed into a single membership network of sites, a user of the home computer needing a subscription to access the on-line shopping store server; purchasing an on-line store shopping card, the on-line store shopping card is the only means for purchasing items from the on line shopping store and the on-line retailers wherein the on-line shopping card is a prepaid card having an assigned monetary value and identification number, individuals using the on-line store shopping card being able to return the on-line store shopping card for cash on unused credit after shopping at the store; selecting goods and items to purchase; entering the identification number of the on-line store-shopping card; verification of the identification number and funds remaining on the on-line store shopping card by an in-network server; and entering a delivery location using one of the plurality of computers of the goods and items purchased if delivery is not to the store when the identification number and funds are verified. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification