System and method enabling children to shop on-line

• US 8,793,164 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Ferrilla, Mark Sendo
• Original Assignee: Brian Ferrilla, Mark Sendo
• Inventors: Sendo, Mark, Ferrilla, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Pond, Rob
• Application Number:
  US11/767,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,591 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A system and method enabling people, including children, to shop on-line in a safe and secure manner. A gift card having a predetermined monetary value is purchased by a parent, friend or other third party. An account is established in conjunction with a web site with a starting account balance related to the predetermined monetary value. As a user shops at the web site, their account balance is reduced as items are purchased. One or more filters are used to limit the types of products that can be purchased on the web site. Such filters may relate to a user'"'"'s age, gender, hobbies or interests, price range, media maturity rating, and so forth. In the preferred embodiment, consent information is received in conjunction the COPPA (Child Online Privacy Protection Act) or other applicable law(s). The consent information includes usage options, opt-out provisions, child master records information, etc. The method further includes the step of funding the account by a third party. In the preferred embodiment the initial and subsequent funding, as well as the purchase prices for goods/services are in a whole dollar amounts to simplify buying. A desktop icon is preferably provided that allows access to the web site through a single click, and/or graphically indicates a user'"'"'s available funds. The system may further allow a user to purchase music, video, games or other media through a source other than the web site.

Claims

1. A method enabling a child or young adult to shop on-line for goods or services in a safe and controlled manner, comprising the steps of:

providing a web site with password-protected access;

providing a first set of features enabling a parent or guardian to control or monitor any activity on the web site by a child or young adult, including the selection, purchase and receipt of products or services by the child or young adult;

providing a second set of features specifically intended for use by the child or young adult in conjunction with the web site, the second set of features simplifying the accounting and funds management associated with purchasing products or services on the website;

wherein the first set of features provide the following capabilities to the parent or guardian;

accessing the web site to set up an account with a starting balance enabling a child or young adult to shop for products at the web site;

prescreening products at the website to select trusted products appropriate for purchase by a child or young adult known to the parent or guardian, wherein the step of prescreening includes the use of content filters associated with age, gender and interests;

purchasing a gift card storing a predetermined monetary value to be used only at the web site, and to purchase only the prescreened, trusted products selected by the parent or guardian using the content filters;

notifying the parent or guardian that the child or young adult has ordered a product or service through the web site enabling the parent or guardian to monitor the receipt thereof; and

wherein the second set of features provide the following capabilities to the child or young adult;

shopping at the web site through a computer or portable electronic device using the gift card, with the purchase price of trusted products or services being in whole currency amounts including tax and shipping;

reducing the account balance when the prescreened, trusted products are purchased; and

displaying an animated desktop icon that graphically indicates the funds available to the child or young adult as goods or services are purchased or if the account receives additional funds.

2. The method of claim 1, including a content filter relating to price range.

3. The method of claim 1, including a content filter relating to a maturity rating.

4. The method of claim 1, including the step of retrieving consent information associated with the COPPA (Child Online Privacy Protection Act).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the consent information includes usage options and opt-out provisions.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the consent information includes child master records information.

7. The method of claim 1, including the step of allowing a third party other than the parent or guardian to fund the account.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting balance is in a whole dollar amount.

9. The method of claim 1, further including the step of providing a desktop icon that allows access to the web site through a single click.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the products for purchase include music, video, games or other media.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the media are automatically placed into a music library for subsequent access by the purchaser.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the products may be purchased through a satellite radio service.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the products may be purchased through a predefined key sequence establishing a service-level agreement (SLA) contract.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the SLA is established through the key sequence in conjunction with the time the sequence was entered, the channel number, and an identification code.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the parent or guardian is notified via electronic mail that a product was purchased by the child or young adult.

16. The method of claim 1, including the step of funding the account of the child or young adult as a reward for chores completed or other positive behavior exhibited by the child or young adult.