Method for buyer-seller-on-line commerce

• US 7,848,496 B2
• Filed: 08/10/1999
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• 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:
  US09/371,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,137 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.12, 379/93.25, 379/93.17, 379/93.21, 379/93.01, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 348/14.01, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37
• 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 method of communication for the purpose of making sales-related transactions, involving a buyer terminal and at least one vendor, the method accomplished utilizing one or more multiple, coordinated, control systems, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing electronic communication from a buyer terminal to receive a buyer'"'"'s request via the one or more multiple, coordinated, control systems, the buyer request indicating a transaction relating to a good or service and a specified maximum purchase price that the buyer is willing to pay for the particular good or service, the buyer request provided at some points during communication;

establishing electronic communication with at least one vendor to transmit the buyer'"'"'s request whereby an interested vendor receiving the buyer'"'"'s request may respond with specific video data for the transaction relating to the particular good or service, the specific video data selected by the vendor and provided at the buyer terminal under control of the one or more multiple, coordinated, control systems;

making a record regarding the transaction for the particular good or service and utilizing data that identifies the buyer wherein the data includes a check digit;

qualifying the buyer for at least certain communication via control of the one or more control systems based at least in part on verification of the check digit, before allowing at least certain communications from the buyer relating to the transaction relating to the good or service; and

providing an electronic mail message to the buyer relating to the transaction.

2. A method according to claim 1 including a further step of registering said vendors with respect to various classifications.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said various classifications comprise merchandise classifications.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said various classifications comprise service classifications.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said various classifications comprise merchandise and service classifications.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes the buyer'"'"'s electronic mail (e-mail) address.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes a buyer'"'"'s name.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for a general category of a good or service of interest to the buyer.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for a specific good or service of interest to the buyer.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for quantity.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry relating to geography.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for delivery location.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for delivery date.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for the buyer'"'"'s telephone number.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein a response to a buyer request is via electronic mail (e-mail).

16. A method according to claim 1 further including a step of informing a buyer that the request has been received.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the step of informing the buyer includes indicating the number of vendors to whom the request has been transmitted.

18. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing the specific video data includes providing high resolution or dynamic video to the buyer relating to the good or service, wherein the high resolution or dynamic video includes a still image or a freeze frame image.

19. A method according to claim 1 wherein at least one buyer can access the system via an on-line computer service.

20. A method according to claim 1 further including a step of providing an indication that a transaction has been consummated.

21. A method according to claim 1 wherein the buyer enters qualification data in addition to the data to identify the buyer in order to access the system.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the qualification data is the buyer'"'"'s PIN number.

23. A method according to claim 1 wherein the vendor is associated with a vendor that includes a processing capability.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the vendor terminal site includes one or more data storage facilities.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the data storage facilities include permanent memory storage.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the data storage facilities include a video storage.

27. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing the buyer with an identification number to identify the transaction.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the buyer is provided with the identification number before the transaction.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the buyer is provided with the identification number after the transaction.

30. A method of communication for consummating sales transactions involving a buyer terminal and a plurality of different vendors, the method accomplished utilizing one or more multiple coordinated control systems, the method including the steps of:

establishing electronic communication from a buyer terminal to receive a buyer'"'"'s request expressing an area of interest via the one or more multiple coordinated control systems, the buyer request indicating a transaction relating to a good or service and a specified maximum purchase price that the buyer is willing to pay for the transaction relating to a good or service, the buyer request provided during a particular phase of the communication;

establishing communication with at least one vendor selected from the plurality of different vendors by the one or more multiple coordinated control systems to transmit the buyer request whereby an interested vendor receiving the buyer request responds to facilitate a transaction and whereby the interested vendor selects select video data that is provided via the one or more control systems to the buyer terminal, the select video data including dynamic or high resolution video data and text data, where the buyer utilizes a mouse coupled to the buyer terminals to manipulate the select video data at the buyer terminals;

making a record regarding the transaction; and

providing an electronic mail message to the buyer terminal relating to the transaction.

31. A method according to claim 30 including a further step of registering said vendors with respect to various classifications.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said various classifications comprise merchandise classifications.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said various classifications comprise merchandise classifications.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein said various classifications comprise merchandise classifications.

35. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes the buyer'"'"'s electronic mail (e-mail) address.

36. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes the buyer'"'"'s name.

37. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for a general category of a good or service of interest to the buyer.

38. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for a specific good or service of interest to the buyer.

39. A method according to claim 30 wherein buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for quantity.

40. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry relating to geography.

41. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for delivery location.

42. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for delivery date.

43. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer'"'"'s request is registered and includes an entry for the buyer'"'"'s telephone number.

44. A method according to claim 30 wherein a response to the buyer'"'"'s request is via electronic mail (e-mail).

45. A method according to claim 44 wherein the response includes an identification number to identify the transaction.

46. A method according to claim 30 further including a step of informing a buyer that the request has been received.

47. A method according to claim 46 wherein the step of informing the buyer includes indicating the number of vendors to whom the request has been transmitted.

48. A method according to claim 30 wherein the stored video data is provided with text data to the buyer relating to the good or service.

49. A method according to claim 30 wherein at least one buyer can access the system via an on-line computer service.

50. A method according to claim 30 further including a step of providing an indication that a transaction has been consummated.

51. A method according to claim 30 wherein the buyer enters qualification data to access the one or more multiple coordinated control systems.

52. A method according to claim 51 wherein the qualification data is a buyer'"'"'s PIN number.

53. A method according to claim 51 wherein the at least one vendor is associated with a processing capability.

54. A method according to claim 51 wherein the at least one vendor is associated with various data storage facilities.

55. A method according to claim 54 wherein the various data storage facilities include permanent memory storage.

56. A method according to claim 54 wherein the various data storage facilities include a video storage.

57. A method for enabling communications including video communications under control of one or more multiple coordinated control systems via a communication system between at least one user at a user terminal and at least one responding vendor, comprising the steps of:

establishing an interface between at least one user at the user terminal and the responding vendor, during which the user provides inquiry data including identification data relating to the user and an area of interest and an indication of the price that the user is willing to pay for a product or service relating to the area of interest;

receiving and storing data relating to the area of interest indicated by the user at a memory storage associated with a responding vendor via of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems;

selecting the responding vendor from a plurality of vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated control systems, based on the area of interest expressed by the user, and selecting video and text data relating to the area of interest and providing selected video and text data via the one or more multiple coordinated control systems to the user at the user terminal; and

providing an electronic mail message to the user terminal relating to the area of interest.

58. A method using one or more multiple coordinated central control units for communications via a public communication system from buyers to one or more vendors, comprising the steps of:

at least one buyer communicating via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the buyer utilizing an electronic device with a video capability, the buyer as part of the step of communication indicating an area of interest and an indication of the price that the buyer is willing to pay for a product or service relating to the area of interest;

selectively determining under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, a select vendor or vendors to which a communication from the buyer should be routed based on the area of interest;

routing the communication to a select vendor or vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units; and

providing the buyer with text and select video data relating to the area of interest, the text and video data relating to the select vendor or vendors and provided by the select vendor or vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control unit for display at the electronic device utilized by the buyer.

59. A control system including one or more multiple coordinated control units for enabling communications including video communications via a public communication system between at least one user at a user terminal and at least one responding party, comprising:

an interface for enabling a communication between at least one user at the user terminal and a select responding party by receiving inquiry data from the user when the user initiates the communication, the inquiry data relating to the user'"'"'s area of interest and including an indication of the price that the user is willing to pay for a product or service relating to the area of interest, the interface also receiving identification data provided from the user terminal;

memory storage associated with the at least one select responding party to receive and store data relating to the user'"'"'s area of interest;

a processor within the one or more multiple coordinated control systems coupled to the interface, wherein the processor utilizes the area of interest indicated by the user to selectively determine and select the responding party from a plurality of parties, and wherein the processor obtains select video and text data relating to the area of interest from the responding party and provides the select video and text data to the user for display at the user terminal; and

wherein an electronic mail message is transmitted to the user terminal relating to the user'"'"'s area of interest.

60. A system comprising one or more central control units for selectively directing communications via a public communication system from buyers to one or more vendors, comprising:

interface structure to facilitate communication between at least one buyer and the one or more central control units, the buyer utilizing an electronic device with a video capability, the buyer indicating an area of interest via the electronic device and an indication of the price that the buyer is willing to pay for a product or service relating to the area of interest;

processing capability for selecting under control of the one or more central control units, a select vendor or vendors to whom a communication from the buyer should be routed based on the area of interest; and

routing the communication to a select vendor or vendors under control of the one or more central control units;

a memory associated with the vendor or vendors wherein text and video data relating to the area of interest and other data is stored; and

whereby the processing capability provides the buyer with selective text and video data relating to the area of interest, the text and video data relating to the select vendor or vendors and provided under control of the one or more central units for display at the electronic device utilized by the buyer.

61. A system comprising one more multiple coordinated control units for facilitating selective commercial transactions between a plurality of buyers and a plurality of vendors of items, through a communication system capable of providing communication between a vendor and buyers where buyers have access to an input means and a display, the system comprising:

means for identifying at least a vendor for selection by at least one buyer when the buyer, via the input means, indicates an inquiry with an area of interest and an indication of the price that the buyer is willing to pay for merchandise items relating to the area of interest;

means for effecting presentation of the merchandise items including video presentations of the merchandise items with text data on the display for the at least one buyer'"'"'s observation;

an item database associated with the at least one vendor for storing information on identified merchandise items;

means for receiving information from the item database, including data to indicate a cost associated with a presented item;

a buyer information database for storing information relating to the at least one buyer; and

a control means within the one or more multiple coordinated control units for;

receiving the buyer'"'"'s selection of the presented merchandise item through the input means;

responding to the buyer inquiry, communicated through the input means, regarding a presented merchandise item by providing data from the at least one vendor obtained by accessing the item database to selectively determine and retrieve information relating to said merchandise item including select video data and presenting said information to the buyer at the buyer'"'"'s display, the select video data containing at least high resolution still images or dynamic video relating to the merchandise item;

exchanging communications between the at least one vendor and the buyer, during which a sale can be consummated for the presented merchandise item to the buyer, including communication by at least one electronic mail message relating to the presented merchandise item.