Internet strawman and user interface therefor

• US 8,296,405 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (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:
  US13/219,057
• Publication Number:
  US 20110313838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/220, 709/227, 713/201
• US Class Current: 709/220
• 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-usable storage device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that when executed perform a method comprising:

receiving, at an intermediary, a request from a subscriber to enter into a transaction with a vendor, said subscriber having an account comprising financial information for said subscriber that allows said subscriber to pay for said transaction;

said intermediary validating said subscriber and said financial information and then performing said transaction, said transaction comprising transferring payment for a product purchased in said transaction to said vendor without disclosing said financial information to said vendor; and

said intermediary notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

2. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises preparing an account activity statement for said subscriber, wherein said account activity statement includes information about transactions completed through said account during a statement period.

3. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises:

notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said product; and

placing a hold on said product for pick-up by said subscriber.

4. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said product is shipped from said vendor to said intermediary and forwarded from said intermediary to said subscriber.

5. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises:

receiving at said intermediary a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said product; and

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

6. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 5 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.

7. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises:

maintaining at said intermediary rating information about said vendor; and

providing said rating information to said subscriber.

8. A computer-usable storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein said transaction is conducted over the Internet.

9. A computer system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory unit coupled to said processor, said memory unit having stored therein instructions that when executed cause said computer system to perform a method comprising;

receiving a request from a subscriber to enter into a transaction with a vendor, said subscriber having an account comprising financial information for said subscriber that allows said subscriber to pay for said transaction;

validating said subscriber and said financial information and then performing said transaction, said transaction comprising transferring payment for a product purchased in said transaction to said vendor without disclosing said financial information to said vendor; and

notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises 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.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said product; and

placing a hold on said product for pick-up by said subscriber.

12. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said product is shipped from said vendor to an intermediary and forwarded from said intermediary to said subscriber.

13. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

receiving at said intermediary a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said product; and

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

14. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said method further comprises:

maintaining at said intermediary rating information about said vendor; and

providing said rating information to said subscriber.

15. The computer system as recited in claim 9 wherein said transaction is conducted over the Internet.

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

means for receiving a request from a subscriber to enter into a transaction with a vendor on behalf of said subscriber, said subscriber having an account

comprising financial information for said subscriber that allows said subscriber to pay for said transaction;

means for validating said subscriber and said financial information;

means for performing said transaction upon validating said subscriber and financial information, said transaction comprising transferring payment for a product purchased in said transaction to said vendor without disclosing said financial information to said vendor; and

means for notifying said subscriber upon completion of said transaction.

17. The computer system as recited in claim 16 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.

18. The computer system as recited in claim 16 further comprising means for notifying said subscriber upon receipt of said product, and wherein said computer system further comprises means for placing a hold on said product for pick-up by said subscriber.

19. The computer system as recited in claim 16 wherein said product is shipped from said vendor to said intermediary and forwarded from said intermediary to said subscriber.

20. The computer system as recited in claim 16 further comprising:

means for receiving a post-delivery request from said subscriber, said post-delivery request relating to said product, and

means for handling said post-delivery request on behalf of said subscriber.