Commercial product routing system with video vending capability

• US 7,835,508 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Original Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Stella L
• Application Number:
  US09/505,913
• Time in Patent Office: 3,925 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.12, 379/93.21, 379/93.25, 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.1, 348 1414- 1415, 705 26- 29
• US Class Current: 379/93.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5125 with remote located operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A traffic control system selectively interfaces members of plural groups, as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data, scheduling appointments, implementing conferences, consummating sales and the like. The traffic-control system comprises a telephonic interface apparatus for interfacing remote telephonic terminals of the dial-up telephone system identified with the members of plural groups, a video recording unit for recording and playing video transcriptions, a storage memory for storing data on the members, including telephonic terminal numbers and area-of-interest codes and a control computer to selectively interconnect the video recording unit with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to record and receive video communication.

Claims

1. A commercial transaction communication control system comprising one or more multiple coordinated central stations for communications between users utilizing an electronic device and at least one vendor from a plurality of such vendors for accomplishing electronic communication between the users and the at least one vendor, comprising:

an interface configured to facilitate access to said commercial transaction communication control system, wherein at least one user actively utilizes the electronic device to access the commercial transaction communication control system via the interface,

a dynamic video system configured to receive and store video for the at least one vendor and configured to provide select video to said user at the electronic device used by said user, upon selection based on a request for a proposal provided by said user via the electronic device, wherein the dynamic video system provides dynamic video as part of the select video at the electronic device used by said user and said electronic device has a freeze frame capability,

an audio system configured to receive and store audio for said at least one vendor and to provide audio communication to said user upon selection based on the request for a proposal provided by said user,

a text system for providing text between said at least one vendor and said user upon selection based on the request for a proposal provided by said user,

a storage memory for storing data associated with said user, including user identification data and commercial transaction data that includes request data entered by the user that indicates the request for a proposal, and

a control computer unit of the one or more multiple coordinated central stations configured for control of said interface and storage memory for storing of data from said user including user identification data and commercial transaction data, said control computer configured to utilize the request data entered by the user via the electronic device and to provide select relevant data based on commercial classifications from one or more vendors identified to the control computer unit, the control computer unit providing audio, dynamic video and text from at least one vendor to said user responsive to said commercial transaction data and wherein the user has a capability within the electronic device to manipulate the dynamic video and the text data and the control computer unit is configured to transmit an electronic mail message relating to the one select vendor to the user via the one or more multiple coordinated central stations.

2. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a camera associated with at least said one select vendor.

3. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 2 wherein the camera is adapted to image said one vendor.

4. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes video storage system.

5. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 4 wherein the dynamic video system provides stored video to at least said user from said video storage system.

6. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the system further includes a printer.

7. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes a high resolution video capability.

8. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes real-time video.

9. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system includes two-way video.

10. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 9 wherein the real-time video is live person-to-person video communication.

11. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the dynamic video system is non-real time video.

12. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the audio system provides recorded voice.

13. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 12 wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication.

14. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the text system includes provision of commercial transaction data.

15. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 14 wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

16. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 14 wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

17. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 14 wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

18. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the text data includes alphanumeric data.

19. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 1 wherein the identification data is obtained for at least certain of said users via an on-line computer service.

20. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the users belong to plural groups that include at least one user who is a potential buyer and a plurality of vendors.

21. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the plural groups include at least one vendor and a plurality of potential buyers.

22. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1 wherein the plural groups include a plurality of potential buyers and a plurality of vendors.

23. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 1 further including an image storage system for storing images for provision to said buyer.

24. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 23 wherein the image storage includes still images.

25. The commercial transaction system of claim 1 further including an inventory control system.

26. The commercial transaction system of claim 25 further including a notification prevention system when said inventory control system indicates that the product or service is unavailable.

27. A commercial transaction communication system comprising one or more multiple coordinated central stations for accomplishing electronic communications between at least one buyer and at least one vendor, said commercial transaction communication system, comprising:

video terminals configured to provide video display for each of said buyer or vendor, said terminals being connected to effect video communication,

a dynamic motion video system configured to provide video between said buyer and vendor, including at least the transmission of video from at least one vendor to at least one said buyer, the video system including a video storage system and a freeze frame capability,

a text system configured to provide text from at least said one vendor to said buyer, said text including commercial transaction data including product or service identification data,

a storage memory for receiving and storing data on said buyer and said vendor, including identification data and commercial transaction data including electronic data relating to said buyer and said vendor, and

a control computer unit within one or more multiple coordinated central stations configured to select a certain vendor based on certain criteria indicated by said buyer via said electronic device and to provide at least select video data and interchange commercial transaction data and including electronic data between said buyer and said vendor in accordance with said identification data and said commercial transaction data, and to access said storage memory at least with respect to said electronic data, the control computer unit also configured to transmit an electronic mail message between said vendor and said buyer relating to the commercial transaction data.

28. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system includes a camera associated at least with said vendor.

29. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 28 wherein the camera is adapted to image said vendor.

30. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system provides stored video to at least said buyer from said video storage system.

31. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the system further includes a printer.

32. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system includes a high resolution video capability.

33. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system includes real-time video.

34. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system includes two-way video.

35. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 34 wherein the real-time video is live person-to-person video communication.

36. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic video system is non-real time video.

37. The commercial transaction system of claim 27 wherein the dynamic motion video system provides stored video to at least said buyer.

38. The commercial transaction system of claim 27 further including an audio system for providing audio communication from said vendor to said buyer.

39. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 36 wherein the audio system provides voice.

40. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 39 wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication.

41. The commercial transaction system of claim 27 wherein the commercial transaction data specifies at least an individual physical item which is a subject of the commercial transaction.

42. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

43. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

44. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

45. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the text data includes alphanumeric data.

46. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 further including an image storage system for storing images for provision to said buyer.

47. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 46 wherein the image storage includes still or freeze frame images.

48. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the buyer and the vendor are associated with buyer and vendor groups, each of which includes at least one potential buyer and a plurality of vendors.

49. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the buyer and the vendor are associated with buyer and vendor plural groups, each of which includes at least one vendor and a plurality of potential buyers.

50. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 27 wherein the buyer and the vendor are associated with buyer and vendor plural groups, each of which includes a plurality of potential buyers and a plurality of vendors.

51. The commercial transaction system of claim 27 further including an inventory control system.

52. The commercial transaction system of claim 51 further including a notification prevention system when said inventory control system indicates that the product or service is unavailable.

53. The commercial transaction system of claim 27 wherein the buyer or the vendor are adapted to access said system via an on-line computer service.

54. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 53 wherein the identification data is obtained for at least certain of said members from said on-line computer service.

55. A commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling communications between buyer and vendor groups via an electronic device, including at least one buyer and at least one vendor at widely distributed remote locations, the system, comprising:

display terminals for each of said buyer and vendor groups, said terminals being connected to effect communication including video communication,

an interface configured to provide at least one buyer access to said system,

a text system for providing text relating to at least one said vendor and to at least one said buyer, said text including commercial transaction data, both expressed by said buyer and provided by said vendor,

a storage memory configured to receive and store data on said buyer and vendor groups, including identification data and commercial transaction data including electronic data relating to at least certain of the buyer and vendor groups, and

a control computer unit within one or more multiple coordinated central stations configured to select one or more vendor groups based on certain criteria indicated by a buyer via said electronic device and to provide interchange commercial transaction data between said members of said buyer and vendor groups including electronic data comprising select video data and text data via said control computer unit for display at the display terminals for the buyers, and the control computer unit also configured to access said storage memory at least with respect to said electronic data, the control computer unit also configured to transmit an electronic mail message between the one vendor and the buyer relating to the commercial transaction data.

56. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 further including a dynamic motion video system associated with the storage memory for providing video between said plural groups, including at least the transmission of video from at least one vendor to at least one said buyer.

57. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system includes a camera associated at least with said vendor.

58. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 57 wherein the camera is adapted to image said vendor.

59. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 58 wherein the dynamic video system includes a video storage system.

60. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system provides stored video to at least said buyer from said video storage system.

61. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the system further includes a printer.

62. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system includes a freeze frame capability at the electronic device used by the buyer or vendor groups.

63. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system includes a high resolution video capability.

64. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system includes real-time video.

65. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system includes two-way video.

66. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 64 wherein the real-time video is live person-to-person video communication.

67. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 56 wherein the dynamic video system is non-real time video.

68. The commercial transaction system of claim 55 wherein the dynamic motion video system provides stored video to at least said buyer.

69. The commercial transaction system of claim 55 further including an audio system for providing audio communication from said vendor to said buyer.

70. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 69 wherein the audio system provides voice.

71. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 69 wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication.

72. The commercial transaction system of claim 55 wherein the commercial transaction data specifies at least an individual physical item which is a subject of the commercial transaction.

73. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

74. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

75. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

76. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the text data includes alphanumeric data.

77. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 further including an image storage system for storing images for provision to said buyer.

78. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 77 wherein the image storage includes still images.

79. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the plural groups include at least one potential buyer and a plurality of vendors.

80. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the plural groups include at least one vendor and a plurality of potential buyers.

81. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the plural groups include a plurality of potential buyers and a plurality of vendors.

82. The commercial transaction system of claim 55 further including an inventory control system.

83. The commercial transaction system of claim 82 further including a notification prevention system when said inventory control system indicates that the product or service is unavailable.

84. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 55 wherein the identification data is obtained for at least certain of said buyer and vendor groups via said on-line computer service.

85. A commercial transaction control system for accomplishing electronic communications via an electronic device between members of buyer and vendor groups, including at least one buyer and at least one vendor, at remote locations, the commercial transaction communication control system, comprising:

an interface system configured to accomplish buyer and vendor interaction with said commercial transaction control system, said buyer expressing an area of interest via said electronic device for consideration in relation to the at least one vendor,

a storage memory configured for receiving and storing data on said members of said buyer and vendor groups, including identification data and commercial transaction data including video data relating to at least certain group members that also relates to the area of interest, and

a control computer unit within one or more multiple coordinated central stations distinct and remote from said buyer and vendor locations and configured to facilitate transmission of commercial transaction data, including electronic data comprising select video data selected for provision by said control computer unit, upon consideration of the area of interest in relation to one or more vendors selected based on certain criteria, the select video data provided via the control computer unit for display at the electronic device used by the buyer, the buyer having a capability to manipulate the electronic data and the control computer unit configured to transmit an electronic mail message between the one vendor and the buyer relating to the commercial transaction data.

86. The commercial transaction system of claim 85 further including an audio system for provision of audio to said buyer in combination with said select video data comprising a high resolution still image or a freeze frame image captured at the electronic device used by a member of at least a buyer group.

87. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 85 wherein the audio system provides voice.