Method and apparatus for electronic product information and business transactions

• US 20050086128A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Shanahan
• Original Assignee: Michael Shanahan
• Inventors: Shanahan, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US11/006,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20050086128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A shopping aid for electronically supplying product information is provided. In one aspect of the invention, product, sales, status, availability and/or other related product information may be transmitted locally from a computer system associated with a merchant or from the Internet to a portable electronic device of the consumer. The customer may consult the mobile device as a shopping aid to receive current and accurate information about a product, product status and availability or other information such as compatible products and/or services, promotional or other items of interest useful in making purchasing decisions.

Claims

1. A method for electronically providing a consumer with accurate product information in a physical retailing environment without involving store service personnel;

the method comprising;

allowing the consumer to electronically request the product information;

receiving the electronic product information request with a remote computer;

processing the electronic product information request with the remote computer;

electronically transmitting results of the electronic product information request to a mobile electronic device of the consumer; and

allowing the consumer to browse the results of the electronic product information request for use as a shopping aid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronically transmitting results further comprises transmitting text, image, or video results.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronically transmitting results further comprises transmitting a feature list of a product identified in the product information request.

4. The method of claim 1, characterized by the use of a wireless phone, handheld computer, or personal digital assistant as the mobile electronic device of the consumer.