Internet strawman and user interface therefor

• US 7,330,884 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2000
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Eubanks, Gina C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, KHANH Q
• Application Number:
  US09/661,578
• Time in Patent Office: 2,707 Days
• Field of Search: 709/218, 709/220, 709/224, 709/226, 709/228, 709/206, 705/27, 705/28, 705/14, 705/15, 705/26, 713/1, 713/201, 713/203, 707/4, 707/10, 380/233
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6254 by anonymising data, e.g. decorrelating personal data from the owner's identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0836 Recipient pick-ups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/012 Providing warranty services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0282 Rating or review of business operators or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0615 Anonymizing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0629 for generating comparisons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 : Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 : Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 : Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method for implementing an intermediary to preserve user privacy and anonymity in electronic transactions. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method for facilitating a transaction between a subscriber and a vendor through an intermediary is provided. In this embodiment, the method comprises the step of receiving at the intermediary personal information from the subscriber to establish a user account. The method also comprises the step of storing the personal information for subsequent access. The method further comprises the step of receiving a request from the subscriber to access the user account, upon which the subscriber'"'"'s identity is verified by the intermediary against the personal information. The method also comprises the step of the intermediary entering into a transaction with the vendor on behalf of the subscriber based on the subscriber'"'"'s instruction once the subscriber'"'"'s identity is successfully verified. The method further comprises the step of notifying the subscriber upon completion of the transaction. Importantly, the transaction is completed without disclosing the subscriber'"'"'s personal information to the vendor. As such, the consumer remains anonymous with respect to the vendor.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for facilitating a transaction between a subscriber and a vendor through an intermediary, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving at said intermediary personal information from said subscriber to establish a user account;

b) storing said personal information for subsequent access;

c) receiving at said intermediary a request from said subscriber to access said user account, whereupon said subscriber'"'"'s identity is verified by said intermediary against said personal information;

d) responsive to successful verification of said subscriber'"'"'s identity, said intermediary conducting a transaction with said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction, wherein said transaction is conducted utilizing information about said intermediary and without disclosing said personal information about said subscriber to said vendor; and

e) notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of preparing an account activity statement for said subscriber, wherein said account activity statement includes information about transactions completed through said user account during a statement period.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

f) receiving at said intermediary an item ordered from said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction; and

g) billing said subscriber for services rendered.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said item;

and holding said item for pick-up by said subscriber.

5. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the step of shipping said item to said subscriber.

6. The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of receiving at said intermediary a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said item;

and handling said post-delivery request on behalf of said subscriber.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said post-delivery request is selected from the group consisting of a return request, a repair request, an exchange request, a warranty submission request, and a rebate request.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of maintaining at said intermediary rating information about said vendor;

and providing said rating information to said subscriber.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said intermediary provides purchase financing to said subscriber in said transaction.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said transaction is conducted over the Internet.

29. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said transaction comprises purchasing an item.

30. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said transaction comprises conducting a financial transaction.

11. A computer system comprising a processor coupled to a bus and a memory unit coupled to said bus, said memory unit having stored therein instructions that when executed implement a method for facilitating a transaction between a subscriber and a vendor through an intermediary, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving at said intermediary a request from said subscriber to access a user account, whereupon said subscriber'"'"'s identity is verified by said intermediary against personal information stored by said intermediary;

b) responsive to successful verification of said subscriber'"'"'s identity, said intermediary conducting a transaction with said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction, wherein said transaction is conducted utilizing an account of said intermediary and without disclosing said personal information about said subscriber to said vendor; and

c) notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the step of preparing an account activity statement for said subscriber, said account activity statement including information about transactions completed through said user account during a statement period.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

d) receiving at said intermediary an item ordered from said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction; and

e) billing said subscriber for services rendered.

14. The computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises the steps of notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said item;

and

holding said item for pick-up by said subscriber.

15. The computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises the step of shipping said item to said subscriber.

16. The computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises the steps of receiving at said intermediary a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said item;

and handling said post-delivery request on behalf of said subscriber.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 16 wherein said post-delivery request is selected from the group consisting of a return request, a repair request, an exchange request, a warranty submission request, and a rebate request.

18. The computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said method further comprises the steps of maintaining at said intermediary rating information about said vendor;

and providing said rating information to said subscriber.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said intermediary provides purchase financing to said subscriber in said transaction.

20. The computer system as recited in claim 11 wherein said transaction is conducted over the Internet.

21. A computer system for facilitating a transaction between a subscriber and a vendor through an intermediary, said computer system comprising:

input means for receiving at said intermediary personal information from said subscriber to establish a user account;

storage means for storing said personal information for subsequent access;

said input means also for receiving at said intermediary a request from said subscriber to access said user account, whereupon said subscriber'"'"'s identity is verified by said intermediary against said personal information;

means for enabling said intermediary to conduct a transaction with said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction responsive to successful verification of said subscriber'"'"'s identity, wherein said transaction is conducted utilizing an account of said intermediary and without disclosing said personal information about said subscriber to said vendor; and

notification means for notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

22. The computer system as recited in claim 21 further comprising means for preparing an account activity statement for said subscriber, wherein said account activity statement includes information about transactions completed through said user account during a statement period.

23. The computer system as recited in claim 21 wherein said input means is also for receiving at said intermediary an item ordered from said vendor on behalf of said subscriber pursuant to said subscriber'"'"'s instruction, and wherein said computer system further comprises means for billing said subscriber for services rendered.

24. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein said notification means is also for notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said item, and wherein said computer system further comprises means for holding said item for pick-up by said subscriber.

25. The computer system as recited in claim 23 further comprising shipping means for shipping said item to said subscriber.

26. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein said input means is also for receiving at said intermediary a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said item, and wherein said computer system further comprises means for handling said post-delivery request on behalf of said subscriber.

27. The computer system as recited in claim 26 wherein said post-delivery request is selected from the group consisting of a return request, a repair request, an exchange request, a warranty submission request, and a rebate request.

28. The computer system as recited in claim 21 wherein said transaction is conducted over the Internet.