Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites

• US 5,895,454 A
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Juliette Harrington
• Inventors: Harrington, Juliette
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jeanty, Romain
• Application Number:
  US08/837,400
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 380/24, 380/23, 435/5
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus

Abstract

A method of effecting commerce in a networked computer environment in a computerized system is disclosed. A database of vendor product data and an associated database interface is established on a first computer. The interface allows remote access by one or more user(s). A local user interacts with the database by querying the database to specify a local users product/service specification. The database provides the local user with a selection of remote vendor network sites, where the selection is determined on the basis of the user querying the database. After the local user interactively connects with one or more of the remote vendor network sites, the user selects products/services from the information provided on the remote vendor network site. The selection of a particular product/service triggers a transaction notification which records the users selection and associated financial transaction data which is transmitted to the database and associated database interface. The local user may connect to subsequent remote vendor network sites, and each selection of a product/service also triggers a transaction notification which is transmitted to the database. The database and associated database interface provides information relating to the users realtime selection of products/services. During or at the conclusion of a local users shopping session, the user confirms the selection(s) whereby the database and associated database interface transmits purchase/ordering data to the remote vendor sites corresponding to the users selection.

Claims

1. In a computerized system, a method of effecting commerce in a networked computer environment, the method comprising:

establishing a database of vendor product data and associated database interface on a first computer, where the interface allows remote access by one or more user(s);

a local user interacting with said database by means of the interface wherein the interaction comprises the user querying the database to specify a local users product/service specification;

the database providing the local user with a selection of remote vendor network sites, where the selection of remote vendor sites is determined on that basis of the users querying the database;

the local user interactively connecting with one or more of the remote vendor network sites whereby the local user is connected to the remote vendor network sites;

once connected to a remote vendor network site, the user selects products/services from the information provided on the remote vendor network site wherein the selection of a particular product/service triggers a transaction notification which records the users selection and associated financial transaction data which is transmitted to the database and associated database interface, wherein the local user may connect to subsequent remote vendor network sites whereby each selection of a product/service triggers a transaction notification which is transmitted to the database;

the database and associated database interface providing information relating to the users realtime selection of products/services whereby during or at the conclusion of a local users shopping session, the user confirms the selection whereby the database and associated database interface transmits purchase/ordering data to the remote vendor sites corresponding to the users selection.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the database interface provides a realtime representation of the users selection(s) including financial details, exchange rate information, total cost and delivery time.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the query step comprises the user specifying characteristics of the product/service including geographical location of the remote vendor, delivery time, nature of the good/service.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the financial transaction step is effected using electronic point of sale transaction techniques.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the financial transaction step is effected by the user providing credit card details which are then validated and transmitted to the vendor and financial transaction service provider.

6. A method as claim in claim 1 wherein confirmation of the users selection is deferred until the user initiates confirmation wherein the database and associated interface provides a realtime total of a cash containment for a particular series of remote vendor network site product/service selections.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the database contains information relating to the products/services provided by the remote vendor sites which are accessible, wherein the information corresponding to a particular vendor is sufficient to allow the database to effectively provide a selection of potential remote vendor network sites based on criteria specified by the user.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the transaction notification is effected by the user activating a selection button on the remote vendor interface.