Commercial product routing system with video vending capability

• US 7,839,984 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• 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:
  US10/259,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,979 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/14.12, 348/14.14, 705/26, 379/93.12, 379/93.25, 379/93.17
• US Class Current: 379/93.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• 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 3/564 whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• 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 traffick-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 system including one or more multiple coordinated control units for accomplishing electronic transaction communications including video between multiple buyers and one or more vendors, wherein the commercial transaction communication system is associated with (1) a site for storing data for the at least one vendor and (2) an audio response unit and (3) an operator interface, comprising:

processor capability within the one or more multiple coordinated control units configured for selective control of communications between certain multiple buyers and the at least one site, the processor capability configured for selective processing of communications based on an area of interest indicated by certain multiple buyers either (a) via remote terminals with a video display, (b) via remote telephonic terminals responding to automated voice prompts from the audio response unit, or (c) via the operator interface, the processor capability configured to utilize the area of interest to provide responsive data relating to the area of interest from the site including select video data and providing the responsive data to the certain multiple buyers at the remote terminals with a video display;

a dynamic video storage system associated with the site for the at least one vendor for storing video data including dynamic video data or high resolution still video images or both, wherein select video data is determined for the certain multiple buyers and provided under control of the processor capability, the select video data responsive to the area of interest indicated by certain of the multiple buyers via the remote terminals with a video display; and

an interconnect system adapted to electronically couple the remote terminals with the video display with the at least one vendor and to provide certain of the multiple buyers with text data from the at least one vendor and the select video data responsive to the area of interest and wherein the select data is displayed at the remote terminals with the video display for use by certain of the multiple buyers, wherein certain of the multiple buyers can manipulate the select video data at their remote terminals.

2. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1, wherein each remote terminal with the video display for use by certain of the multiple buyers has a video codec.

3. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1, wherein the form of communication is analog.

4. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1, wherein the form of communication is digital.

5. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 4, wherein the digital communication includes digital video.

6. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1 wherein an on-line service is incorporated within the commercial transaction communication system.

7. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1, further including a memory for storing data on the multiple buyers including buyer identification data and commercial transaction data relating to at least certain buyers.

8. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 1, wherein the processor capability selectively provides only dynamic video data.

9. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, further including an audio system for provision of audio for the at least one vendor to certain multiple buyers in combination with a high resolution still image.

10. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 9, wherein the audio system provides voice from the at least one vendor.

11. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 10, wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication from the at least one vendor.

12. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic video storage is compatible with a camera input associated with the at least one vendor.

13. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 12, wherein the camera is adapted to image a person associated with the at least one vendor.

14. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic video storage stores both dynamic video data and high resolution still video images at, the at least one vendor at the site for storing data or at another location remote from the site for storing data.

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

16. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the select video data provided to the remote terminal with the video display facilitates freeze frame images.

17. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the select video data displayed at the remote terminal with the video display includes high-resolution still video.

18. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the select video data displayed at the remote terminal with the video display includes real-time video.

19. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 18, wherein the video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor may include two-way video.

20. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 19, wherein the two-way video includes live person-to-person video communication.

21. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the text data includes commercial transaction data.

22. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 21, wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

23. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 21, wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

24. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 21, wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

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

26. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 1, wherein the identification data for at least certain multiple buyers is obtained from an on-line computer service.

27. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein said commercial transaction data includes electronic data at both the buyer location and the site for storing data for the at least one vendor.

28. The commercial transaction system of claim 27, wherein the electronic data includes electronic commercial transaction forms.

29. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the multiple buyers are members of a group.

30. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the multiple buyers provide identification data on-line for registration or billing purposes.

31. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 30, wherein the identification data has a check digit as part of the identification data.

32. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, wherein the at least one vendor may be identified with select classifications.

33. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 1, wherein the select video data includes high-resolution images with text data.

34. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 1, wherein the select video data includes both still images and dynamic images.

35. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein the processor capability further includes an inventory control system to track vendor products or services in relation to the at least one vendor.

36. The commercial transaction system of claim 35, wherein the at least one vendor indicates to the multiple buyers when a particular product or service relating to the area of interest is unavailable.

37. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein certain multiple buyers provide identification data to the at least one vendor under control of the processor capability, wherein at least a part of the identification data is an electronic mail address for each of the certain multiple buyers.

38. The commercial transaction system of claim 37, wherein the at least one vendor routes electronic mail to the electronic mail address for each of the certain multiple buyers, the electronic mail including select video data as a part of the electronic mail, the select video data being either high resolution or dynamic.

39. The commercial transaction system of claim 38, wherein the select video data is only dynamic video.

40. The commercial transaction system of claim 38, wherein the select video data is only high-resolution video.

41. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein certain vendor sites under control of the commercial transaction system isolate a subset of the multiple buyers and route electronic mail to each of the subset of the multiple buyers.

42. The commercial transaction system of claim 41, wherein the at least one vendor isolates the subset based on the area of interest indicated by the certain multiple buyers.

43. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein certain multiple buyers receive electronic mail from the at least one vendor, wherein the electronic mail includes data relating to a consummation of a transaction relating to the area of interest and includes an identification number identifying the consummation of the transaction.

44. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein the area of interest indicated by certain multiple buyers includes an indication of the maximum price that certain multiple buyers are willing to pay for a product or service.

45. The commercial transaction system of claim 1, wherein in search of data relating to an area of interest, a buyer is forwarded from the site for storing data for at least one vendor to a different vendor under control of the processor capability or the commercial transaction communication system.

46. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 1, for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor wherein an on-line service is coupled to the commercial transaction communication system and adapted to electronically communicate with the commercial transaction communication system.

47. A method for selectively enabling communications under control of a commercial transaction communication system relating to commercial transactions, including video, between multiple buyers and one or more vendors, at least one of which is associated with a site for storing data relating to at least one vendor and an audio response unit and a live operator interface for accomplishing electronic commerce transactions, the communications between the multiple buyers and the at least one site enabled through lines of a public communication system, comprising the steps of:

providing terminals with a video display for use by certain of the multiple buyers, wherein each of the multiple buyers are routed to any one of the plurality of vendors under control of the commercial transaction communication system, the certain of the multiple buyers indicating an area of interest via the terminals;

storing data on the buyers including buyer identification data and commercial transaction data relating to at least certain buyers;

providing telephonic terminals via which certain of the multiple buyers can have access to any particular one of the vendors, by dialing a toll free number, wherein the multiple buyers are coupled to either the audio response unit or the live operator interface or both, the audio response unit providing automated prompts to certain multiple buyers and the certain multiple buyers using the telephonic terminals to indicate an area of interest and solicit data on the area of interest;

selectively controlling communications between the certain multiple buyers and a vendor, whether initiated via the terminals with a video display or via the telephonic terminals or via the operator interface;

storing video data including dynamic video data or still video images at a video storage associated with the at least one vendor, and determining select video data for at least certain of the multiple buyers, the select video data responsive to the area of interest indicated by the certain multiple buyers; and

electronically coupling the terminals with video display, with the at least one vendor and providing certain of the multiple buyers with text data from the vendor and the select video data responsive to the area of interest and displaying the select video data at the terminals with video display used by the buyers.

48. The method of claim 47 for selectively enabling video communications between buyers and the vendor, wherein the communications occur in analog format.

49. The method of claim 47 for selectively enabling video communications between buyers and the at least one vendor, wherein the communications occur in digital format.

50. The method for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 49, wherein the digital communication includes transmission of digital video.

51. The method for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 47, wherein the communications involves transmission of only dynamic video.

52. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

providing audio from the at least one vendor to certain multiple buyers in combination with a high resolution still image.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the audio includes provision of voice from the at least one vendor.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the provision of audio further comprises the step of providing real-time voice communication from the at least one vendor.

55. The method of claim 47, wherein the select video data provided to the terminal with video display includes freeze frame dynamic.

56. The method of claim 47, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes transmission of high-resolution video.

57. The method of claim 47, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes transmission of real-time video.

58. The method of claim 47, wherein the video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor include two-way video.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the real-time video includes live person-to-person video communication.

60. The method of claim 47, wherein the text data includes commercial transaction data.

61. The method of claim 47, wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

62. The method of claim 47, wherein the identification data for at least certain multiple buyers is obtained from said on-line computer service.

63. The method of claim 47, wherein the commercial transaction data includes electronic data interchange (EDI) data provided at and transmitted from both the buyer location and the at least one vendor.

64. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

transmitting identification data for the multiple buyers on-line for registrations or billing purposes.

65. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

identifying the at least one vendor with select classifications.

66. The method of claim 47, wherein the transmission of select video data includes transmission of both still images and dynamic images.

67. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

facilitating manipulation by the multiple buyers of the select data that is displayed at the terminals with a video display.

68. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

providing electronic mail address for at least certain of the multiple buyers as part of the identification data provided to the site for storing data relating to at least one vendor site under control of the processor capability.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising the step of:

routing electronic mail to the electronic mail address for each of certain multiple buyers from the at least one vendor, the electronic mail including select video data as a part of the electronic mail, the select video data being either high resolution or dynamic.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the select video data transmitted is only dynamic video.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the select video data transmitted is only high-resolution video.

72. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

isolating a subset of the multiple buyers and routing electronic mail to each of the subset of the multiple buyers.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising the step of:

utilizing the area of interest indicated by the multiple buyers to isolate the subset of buyers.

74. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

transmitting electronic mail including data relating to the consummation of a transaction based at least in part on the indicated area of interest and including an identification number identifying the consummation of the transaction.

75. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

providing an indication of the maximum price that certain multiple buyers are willing to pay for a product or service.

76. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

forwarding a buyer from the at least one vendor to a different vendor under control of the processor or the commercial transaction system or both.

77. The method of claim 47, wherein the live operator interface is coupled to the audio response unit.

78. A commercial transaction communication system for communications including video between multiple buyers and one or more vendors, for accomplishing electronic commerce transactions, wherein at least one of the vendors or the commercial transaction communication system or both are associated with (1) a site for storing data for the at least one vendor and (2) an audio response unit, the communications between the multiple buyers and the at least one site enabled via one or more multiple coordinated control systems, comprising:

processor capability within the one or more coordinated control systems for selectively controlling communications between certain multiple buyers and the at least one vendor, the processor capability selectively processing communications based on an area of interest indicated by certain multiple buyers (a) via remote terminals with a video display, or (b) via remote telephonic terminals responding to automated voice prompts from the audio response unit, the processor capability utilizing the area of interest to determine responsive data relating to the area of interest from the vendor and providing the responsive data to the certain multiple buyers via the remote terminals with a video display or the remote telephonic terminals;

a dynamic video storage system associated with the at least one vendor for storing video data including dynamic video data or high resolution still video images or both, wherein select video data is determined for the certain multiple buyers and provided under control of the processor capability, the select video data responsive to the area of interest indicated by the multiple buyers via the remote terminals with a video display; and

an interconnect system adapted to electronically couple the terminals with video display, with the at least one vendor and to provide certain of the multiple buyers with text data from the vendor and the select video data responsive to the area of interest.

79. A commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, for selectively enabling communications including video between multiple buyers and one or more vendors, for accomplishing electronic commerce transactions, wherein the processor capability is comprised of many processors.

80. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor, wherein each terminal with video display for use by the multiple buyers has a video codec.

81. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 78, wherein the form of communication is analog.

82. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 78, wherein the form of communication is digital.

83. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 81, wherein the digital communication includes digital video.

84. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 79, wherein an on-line service is incorporated within the commercial transaction communication system.

85. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 79, further including a memory for storing data on said buyers including the buyer identification data and the commercial transaction data relating to at least certain buyers.

86. The commercial transaction communication system for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one vendor of claim 79, wherein the processor capability selectively provides only dynamic video.

87. The commercial transaction system of claim 79, further including an audio system for provision of audio from the at least one vendor to certain multiple buyers in combination with a high resolution still image.

88. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 87, wherein the audio system provides voice from the at least one vendor.

89. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 88, wherein the audio system provides real-time voice communication from the at least one vendor.

90. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the dynamic video storage is compatible with a camera input associated with the at least one vendor.

91. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 90, wherein the camera is adapted to image a person at the at least one vendor.

92. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the dynamic video storage stores both dynamic video and high resolution images at, the at least one site or at another location remote from the site.

93. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the system further includes a printer.

94. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the select video data provided to the terminal with video display includes freeze frame data.

95. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes high-resolution still video.

96. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes real-time video.

97. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 96, wherein the video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site may include two-way video.

98. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 97, wherein the real-time video includes live person-to-person video communication.

99. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the text data includes commercial transaction data.

100. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 99, wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

101. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 99, wherein the commercial transaction data includes order data.

102. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 99, wherein the commercial transaction data includes purchase order data.

103. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the text data includes alphanumeric data.

104. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 78, wherein identification data for at least certain multiple buyers is obtained from an on-line computer service.

105. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein said commercial transaction data includes electronic data at both the buyer location and the at least one site.

106. The commercial transaction system of claim 105, wherein the electronic data includes electronic commercial transaction forms.

107. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the multiple buyers are members of a group.

108. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the multiple buyers provide identification data on-line for registration or billing purposes.

109. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 108, wherein the identification data has a check digit as part of the identification data.

110. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, wherein the at least one site may be identified with select classifications.

111. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 78, wherein the select video data includes high-resolution images with text data.

112. The commercial transaction communication control system of claim 111, wherein the select video data includes both still images and dynamic images.

113. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein the processor capability further includes an inventory control system to track vendor products or services in relation to the at least one.

114. The commercial transaction system of claim 113, wherein the at least one indicates to the multiple buyers when a particular product or service relating to the area of interest is unavailable.

115. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein the select data is displayed at the terminals with a video display for use by certain multiple buyers, wherein the multiple buyers can manipulate the select video data at their terminals.

116. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein certain multiple buyers provide identification data to the at least one site under control of the processor, wherein at least a part of the identification data is an electronic mail address for each of the multiple buyers.

117. The commercial transaction system of claim 116, wherein the at least one site routes electronic mail to the electronic mail address for each of certain multiple buyers, the electronic mail including select video data as a part of the electronic mail, the select video data being either high resolution or dynamic.

118. The commercial transaction system of claim 117, wherein the select video data is only dynamic video.

119. The commercial transaction system of claim 117, wherein the select video data is only high-resolution video.

120. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein the sites under control of the commercial transaction system isolates a subset of the multiple buyers and route electronic mail to each of the subset of the multiple buyers.

121. The commercial transaction system of claim 120, wherein the at least one site isolates the subset based on the area of interest indicated by the multiple buyers.

122. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein certain multiple buyers receive electronic mail from the at least one site, wherein the electronic mail includes data relating to the consummation of a transaction relating to the area of interest and includes an identification number identifying the consummated transaction.

123. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein the area of interest indicated by certain multiple buyers includes an indication of the maximum price that certain multiple buyers are willing to pay for a product or service.

124. The commercial transaction system of claim 78, wherein in search of data relating to an area of interest, a buyer is forwarded from the at least one site to a different site under control of the processor capability or the commercial transaction system or both.

125. The commercial transaction communication system of claim 78, for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site wherein an on-line service is coupled to the commercial transaction communication system and adapted to electronically communicate with the commercial transaction communication system.

126. A method for communications relating to commercial transactions, including video, between multiple buyers and one or more vendors, at least one of which has a site for storing data relating to at least one vendor and an audio response unit and a live operator interface for accomplishing electronic commerce transactions, the communications between the multiple buyers and the at least one vendor for at least certain buyers enabled via one or more multiple coordinated control systems, comprising the steps of:

providing terminals with a video display for use by certain of the multiple buyers, wherein said certain buyers communicate with any one of the plurality of vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems, the multiple buyers indicating an area of interest via the terminals;

providing telephonic terminals via which certain of the multiple buyers can access any particular one of the vendors, by dialing a toll free number, wherein the multiple buyers are coupled to either the audio response unit or the live operator interface or both, the audio response unit providing automated prompts to certain multiple buyers and the multiple buyers using the telephonic terminals to indicate an area of interest and soliciting data on the area of interest via the audio response unit or the live operator interface or both;

selectively controlling communications between the multiple buyers and the at least one vendor, whether initiated via the terminals with a video display or via the telephonic terminals;

storing video data including dynamic video data or still video images at a video storage associated with the site for storing data relating to the at least one vendor, and determining select video data for certain of the multiple buyers, the select video data responsive to the area of interest indicated by the multiple buyers; and

electronically coupling the terminals with video display with the site and under control of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems providing certain of the multiple buyers with text data and the select video data responsive to the area of interest.

127. The method of claim 126, for selectively enabling video communications between buyers and the site, wherein the communications occur in analog format.

128. The method for selectively enabling video communications between buyers and the site of claim 126, wherein the communications occur in digital format.

129. The method for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site of claim 128, wherein the digital communication includes transmission of digital video.

130. The method for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

storing data on said buyers including buyer identification data and commercial transaction data relating to at least certain buyers.

131. The method for selectively enabling video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site of claim 126, wherein the communications involves transmission of only dynamic video.

132. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

providing audio from the at least one site to certain multiple buyers in combination with a high resolution still image.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein the audio includes provision of voice from the at least one site.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the provision of audio further comprises the step of providing real-time voice communication from the at least one site.

135. The method of claim 126, wherein the select video data provided to the terminal with video display includes transmission of still image data.

136. The method of claim 126, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes transmission of high-resolution video.

137. The method of claim 126, wherein the select video data displayed at the terminal with video display includes transmission of real-time video.

138. The method of claim 126, wherein the video communications between multiple buyers and the at least one site include two-way video.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the real-time video includes live person-to-person video communication.

140. The method of claim 126, wherein the text data includes commercial transaction data.

141. The method of claim 126, wherein the commercial transaction data includes product identification data.

142. The method of claim 126, wherein identification data for at least certain multiple buyers is obtained from an on-line computer service.

143. The method of claim 126, wherein the commercial transaction data includes electronic data interchange (EDI) data provided at and transmitted from both the buyer location and the at least one site.

144. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

transmitting identification data for the multiple buyers on-line for registrations or billing purposes.

145. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

identifying the at least one site with select classifications.

146. The method of claim 126, wherein the transmission of select video data includes transmission of both still images and dynamic images.

147. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

facilitating manipulation by the multiple buyers of the select data that is displayed at the terminals with a video display.

148. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

providing electronic mail address for at least certain of the multiple buyers as part of the identification data provided to the at least one site under control of the processor.

149. The method of claim 148, further comprising the step of:

routing electronic mail to the electronic mail address for each of certain multiple buyers from the at least one vendor site, the electronic mail including select video data as a part of the electronic mail, the select video data being either high resolution or dynamic.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein the select video data transmitted is only dynamic video.

151. The method of claim 150, wherein the select video data transmitted is only high-resolution video.

152. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

isolating a subset of the multiple buyers and routing electronic mail to each of the subset of the multiple buyers.

153. The method of claim 152, further comprising the step of:

utilizing the area of interest indicated by the multiple buyers to isolate the subset of buyers.

154. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

transmitting electronic mail including data relating to the consummation of a transaction based at least in part on the indicated area of interest and including an identification number identifying the consummated transaction.

155. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

providing an indication of the maximum price that certain multiple buyers are willing to pay for a product or service.

156. The method of claim 126, further comprising the step of:

forwarding a buyer from the at least one site to a different site under control of a processor or the one or more multiple coordinated control systems associated with the site or both.

157. A method for directing a communication from an interested party to one of a plurality of live operators at live operator stations associated with one or more vendors, the method accomplished via one or more multiple coordinated control units and utilizing public data communication links, wherein the communication includes provision of video data, comprising the steps of:

selectively interfacing, over the public data communication links, the interested party with a select vendor from a plurality of vendors, the interested party utilizing an electronic device adapted for video communication to provide an indication of an area of interest;

providing the interested party, under control of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems, with high resolution video data and text data relating to the area of interest from a select vendor data site associated with the select vendor, the high resolution video data and the text data provided for display at the electronic device utilized by the interested party; and

transferring, the interested party from the select data site to one of the plurality of the live operator stations for further communications with a live operator relating to the area of interest.

158. A method according to claim 157, wherein the live operator at one of the live operator stations interacts with the interested party via voice.

159. A method according to claim 158, wherein the live operator at one of the live operator stations interacts with the interested party via video.

160. A method according to claim 159, wherein the live operator at one of the live operator stations interacts with the interested party via live video.

161. A method according to claim 157, wherein the interested party manipulates the video data with a mouse associated with the electronic device.

162. A method according to claim 161, wherein the interested party manipulates the video data with a zoom operation.

163. A method according to claim 161, wherein the interested party manipulates the video data with a pan operation.

164. A method according to claim 157, wherein the data site further provides voice data to the interested party.

165. A method for communications under control of one or more multiple coordinated control systems to accomplish various transactions, the method involving selectively interfacing parties with one or more service sites, each site associated with a storage facility storing video and other data, comprising the steps of:

interfacing the parties via the one or more multiple coordinated control systems;

the one or more multiple coordinated control systems adapted to receive an indication of an area of interest from the various parties, the indication of the area of interest relating to one of a dating operation, a merchandise operation and a conferencing operation;

the one or more multiple coordinated control systems directing each party from which the one or more multiple coordinated control systems receives the indication of the area of interest to an appropriate one of the service sites relating to either the dating operation, the merchandise operation or the conferencing operation, each party electronically communicating with an appropriate site to receive select video data including high resolution still or dynamic video data capability and graphic data including text data, the select video data provided under control of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems for display at an electronic device utilized by the parties, wherein at least one of the parties electronically communicates with the appropriate site to consummate a transaction; and

qualifying a party in communication with the appropriate site before consummating a transaction, by receiving card number data from the party including check digit data.

166. A method according to claim 165, wherein the parties are interfaced with the one or more multiple coordinated control systems via an on-line computer service utilizing high speed digital access.

167. A method according to claim 165, wherein the step of consummating the transaction is followed by a subsequent communication from the appropriate site to the party via an email communication.

168. A method according to claim 167, wherein the email is transmitted via an on-line computer service.