Commercial product telephonic routing system with mobile wireless and video vending capability

• US 8,315,364 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• 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:
  US10/686,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20040076275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,323 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.12, 379/91.01, 379/93.25, 379/90.01, 379/93.17, 379/93.21, 379/93.02, 379/93.24, 705 26- 27, 705/37, 705/27.2, 348/14.01, 348/14.08, 348/14.05
• US Class Current: 379/93.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• 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 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• 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, exemplified as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data to selectively implement communication, as for consummating sales and the like. The traffic-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 process data and selectively interconnect the video source with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to receive video communication.

Claims

1. A process for directing and exchanging data communications in real-time under control of one or more multiple coordinated central control units to accomplish transactions relating to merchandise or services available for purchase, the process involving interfacing under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, one or more buyers at a plurality of remote locations using remote video terminals including personal computers with video capability, the one or more multiple coordinated central control units in communication with one or more vendors and having a capability to electronically communicate through a public communication system, the process comprising the steps of:

interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

receiving identification data from at least one buyer, the identification data qualifying the at least one buyer for select communications with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, wherein at least one of the one or more live operator stations has graphics display capabilities and has access to at least certain data associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

receiving request data from one or more buyers, the request data indicating an area of interest relating to merchandise or services available for purchase;

storing at least part of the request data;

interfacing one or more buyers to a video memory under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the video memory storing one or more high resolution video images and text data relating to merchandise or services available for purchase from the one or more vendors;

facilitating access to proposed data from the video memory, the proposed data including video images and text data responsive to the request data for viewing by a buyer;

storing data relating to one or more transactions initiated by one or more buyers; and

transmitting to at least one buyer a message including data relating to a transaction initiated by the at least one buyer after an interface between the at least one buyer and the one or more multiple coordinated central control units is terminated, the data including a number identifying the transaction.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the subject matter for communication involves items relating to a dating service.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the request data includes an indication of the amount that a buyer is willing to pay for the dating service.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein the amount that a buyer is willing to pay for the dating service is expressed as a maximum amount.

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein a buyer terminal is further connected to receive video data from another video memory site.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the request data is communicated by electronic mail.

7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the proposed data includes dynamic video images.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the proposed data includes high resolution still image video.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the request data includes a check digit.

10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the request data includes billing data for a buyer.

11. A process according to claim 1 wherein interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units includes interfacing a personal computer as a remote video terminal.

12. A process according to claim 1 wherein interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units includes voice recognition operations for the one or more buyers.

13. A process according to claim 1 wherein said step of receiving request data includes communication through an on-line computer service.

14. A process according to claim 1 wherein the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations facilitates electronic communications between at least one buyer and at least one live operator station.

15. A process according to claim 14 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include real-time voice communication.

16. A process according to claim 14 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include real-time video communication.

17. A process according to claim 14 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include live person-to-person video communication.

18. A process according to claim 1 wherein the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations facilitates real-time voice communications between at least one buyer and at least one live operator terminal.

19. A process according to claim 18 wherein an auto dialer associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units facilitates the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations for real-time voice communications.

20. A process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of monitoring time limitations relating to a purchase of merchandise or services.

21. A process according to claim 1 wherein the proposed data includes a vendor merchandise or service offering.

22. A process according to claim 21 further comprising the step of obtaining buyer reaction data relating to the vendor merchandise or service offering.

23. A process according to claim 1 wherein at least one remote video terminal is located in a buyer'"'"'s home.

24. A process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of facilitating access by one or more buyers to one or more vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

25. A process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more audio response units under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

26. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

notifying one or more buyers regarding a new merchandise or service offering from a vendor.

27. A process according to claim 26, wherein the new merchandise or service offering is available for a limited period of time.

28. A process according to claim 26, wherein the one or more buyers subsequently communicate via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

29. A process according to claim 28, further comprising the step of:

storing, via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, data relating to the one or more buyers'"'"' subsequent communications regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

30. A process according to claim 26, further comprising obtaining buyer reaction data regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

31. A process according to claim 1 wherein certain of the one or more vendors are accorded a priority status under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

32. A process according to claim 1 wherein the message is transmitted via electronic mail.

106. A process according to claim 31 wherein at least certain of the proposed data reflects, at least in part, the priority status accorded to at least one of the vendors.

33. A process for directing and exchanging data communications in real-time under control of one or more multiple coordinated central control units to accomplish transactions relating to merchandise or services available for purchase, the process involving interfacing under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, one or more buyers at a plurality of remote locations using remote video terminals including personal computers with video capability, the one or more multiple coordinated central control units in communication with one or more vendors and having a capability to electronically communicate through a public communication system, the process comprising the steps of:

interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

receiving identification data from at least one buyer, the identification data qualifying the at least one buyer for select communications with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

receiving request data from at least one buyer, the request data including one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories and an indication of a price the at least one buyer is willing to pay for merchandise or services relating to the one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories;

storing at least part of the request data;

interfacing one or more buyers to a video memory under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the video memory storing one or more high resolution video images and text data relating to merchandise or services available for purchase from the one or more vendors;

facilitating access to proposed data from the video memory, the proposed data including video images and text data responsive to the request data for viewing by a buyer;

storing data relating to one or more transactions initiated by one or more buyers;

maintaining in a memory associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units data indicating a rating or a priority designation, or both, for at least one of the one or more vendors; and

transmitting to at least one buyer a message including data relating to a transaction initiated by the at least one buyer after an interface between the at least one buyer and the one or more multiple coordinated central control units is terminated, the data including a number identifying the transaction.

34. A process according to claim 33 wherein the indication of the price is a maximum amount that the at least one buyer is willing to pay for the merchandise or services.

35. A process according to claim 33 wherein the one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories are represented by codes.

36. A process according to claim 35 wherein the codes are represented by numerical representations.

37. A process according to claim 33, further comprising the step of:

notifying one or more buyers regarding a new merchandise or service offering from a vendor.

38. A process according to claim 37, wherein the new merchandise or service offering is available for a limited period of time.

39. A process according to claim 37, wherein the one or more buyers subsequently communicate via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

40. A process according to claim 39, further comprising the step of:

storing, via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, data relating to the one or more buyers'"'"' subsequent communications regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

41. A process according to claim 37, further comprising obtaining buyer reaction data regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

42. A process according to claim 33 wherein at least one remote video terminal is located in a buyer'"'"'s home.

43. A process according to claim 33 further comprising the step of facilitating access by one or more buyers to one or more vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

44. A process according to claim 33 further comprising the step of monitoring time limitations relating to a purchase of merchandise or services.

45. A process according to claim 33 wherein at least certain of the proposed data reflects, at least in part, the rating or the priority designation, or both, maintained for the at least one of the one or more vendors.

46. A process according to claim 33 wherein the message is transmitted via electronic mail.

92. A process according to claim 33 wherein the rating indicates at least dependability or efficiency.

93. A process according to claim 45 wherein the rating indicates at least dependability or efficiency.

97. A process according to claim 33 wherein the priority designation reflects at least an established relationship.

98. A process according to claim 45 wherein the priority designation reflects at least an established relationship.

102. A process according to claim 45 wherein the rating is graphically displayed.

47. A process for directing and exchanging data communications in real-time under control of one or more multiple coordinated central control units to accomplish transactions relating to merchandise or services available for purchase, the process involving interfacing under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, one or more buyers at a plurality of remote locations using remote video terminals including personal computers with video capability, the one or more multiple coordinated central control units in communication with one or more vendors and having a capability to electronically communicate through a public communication system, the process comprising the steps of:

interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

receiving identification data from at least one buyer, the identification data qualifying the at least one buyer for select communications with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

receiving request data from one or more buyers, the request data indicating an area of interest relating to merchandise or services available for purchase;

storing at least part of the request data;

interfacing one or more buyers to a video memory under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the video memory storing one or more high resolution video images and text data relating to merchandise or services available for purchase from the one or more vendors;

facilitating access to proposed data from the video memory, the proposed data including video images and text data responsive to the request data for viewing by a buyer;

storing ratings data relating to the one or more vendors;

storing data relating to one or more transactions initiated by one or more buyers; and

transmitting to at least one buyer a message including data relating to a transaction initiated by the at least one buyer after an interface between the at least one buyer and the one or more multiple coordinated central control units is terminated, the data including a number identifying the transaction.

48. A process according to claim 47 further comprising the step of monitoring time limitations relating to a purchase of merchandise or services.

49. A process according to claim 47 wherein the proposed data includes a vendor merchandise or service offering.

50. A process according to claim 49 further comprising the step of obtaining buyer reaction data relating to the vendor merchandise or service offering.

51. A process according to claim 47, further comprising the step of:

notifying one or more buyers regarding a new merchandise or service offering from a vendor.

52. A process according to claim 51, wherein the new merchandise or service offering is available for a limited period of time.

53. A process according to claim 51, wherein the one or more buyers subsequently communicate via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

54. A process according to claim 53, further comprising the step of:

storing, via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, data relating to the one or more buyers'"'"' subsequent communications regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

55. A process according to claim 51, further comprising obtaining buyer reaction data regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

56. A process according to claim 47 wherein at least one remote video terminal is located in a buyer'"'"'s home.

57. A process according to claim 47 further comprising the step of facilitating access by one or more buyers to one or more vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

58. A process according to claim 47 wherein certain of the one or more vendors are accorded a priority status under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

59. A process according to claim 47 wherein the message is transmitted via electronic mail.

94. A process according to claim 47 wherein the ratings data indicates at least dependability or efficiency.

103. A process according to claim 47 wherein the rating is graphically displayed.

107. A process according to claim 58 wherein at least certain of the proposed data reflects, at least in part, the priority status accorded to at least one of the vendors.

60. A process for directing and exchanging data communications in real-time under control of one or more multiple coordinated central control units to accomplish transactions relating to merchandise or services available for purchase, the process involving interfacing under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, one or more buyers at a plurality of remote locations using remote video terminals including personal computers with video capability, the one or more multiple coordinated central control units in communication with one or more vendors and having a capability to electronically communicate through a public communication system, the process comprising the steps of:

interfacing one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

receiving identification data from at least one buyer, the identification data qualifying the at least one buyer for select communications with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

receiving request data from one or more buyers, the request data including one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories;

storing at least part of the request data;

interfacing one or more buyers to a video memory under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the video memory storing one or more high resolution video images and text data relating to merchandise or services available for purchase from the one or more vendors;

facilitating access to proposed data from the video memory, the proposed data including video images and text data responsive to the request data for viewing by a buyer;

receiving an indication of a price at least one buyer is willing to pay for merchandise or services relating to the one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories, wherein the proposed data is selected based, at least in part, on the price;

storing data relating to one or more transactions initiated by one or more buyers;

maintaining in a memory associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units data indicating a rating or a priority designation, or both, for at least one of the one or more vendors; and

transmitting to at least one buyer a message including data relating to a transaction initiated by the at least one buyer after an interface between the at least one buyer and the one or more multiple coordinated central control units is terminated, the data including a number identifying the transaction.

61. A process according to claim 60 wherein the indication of the price is a maximum amount that the at least one buyer is willing to pay for the merchandise or services.

62. A process according to claim 60 wherein the one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories are represented by codes.

63. A process according to claim 62 wherein the codes are represented by numerical representations.

64. A process according to claim 60, further comprising the step of:

notifying one or more buyers regarding a new merchandise or service offering from a vendor.

65. A process according to claim 64, wherein the new merchandise or service offering is available for a limited period of time.

66. A process according to claim 64, wherein the one or more buyers subsequently communicate via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

67. A process according to claim 66, further comprising the step of:

storing, via the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, data relating to the one or more buyers'"'"' subsequent communications regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

68. A process according to claim 64, further comprising obtaining buyer reaction data regarding the new merchandise or service offering.

69. A process according to claim 60 further comprising the step of monitoring time limitations relating to a purchase of merchandise or services.

70. A process according to claim 60 wherein the proposed data includes a vendor merchandise or service offering.

71. A process according to claim 70 further comprising the step of obtaining buyer reaction data relating to the vendor merchandise or service offering.

72. A process according to claim 60 wherein at least one remote video terminal is located in a buyer'"'"'s home.

73. A process according to claim 60 further comprising the step of facilitating access by one or more buyers to one or more vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

74. A process according to claim 60 wherein at least certain of the proposed data reflects, at least in part, the rating or the priority designation, or both, maintained for the at least one of the one or more vendors.

75. A process according to claim 60 wherein the message is transmitted via electronic mail.

95. A process according to claim 60 wherein the rating indicates at least dependability or efficiency.

96. A process according to claim 74 wherein the rating indicates at least dependability or efficiency.

99. A process according to claim 60 wherein the priority designation reflects at least an established relationship.

100. A process according to claim 74 wherein the priority designation reflects at least an established relationship.

101. A process according to claim 66 wherein the rating is graphically displayed.

104. A process according to claim 60 wherein the rating is graphically displayed.

105. A process according to claim 74 wherein the rating is graphically displayed.

76. A process for directing and exchanging data communications in real-time under control of one or more multiple coordinated central control units to accomplish transactions relating to merchandise or services available for purchase, the process involving interfacing under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, one or more buyers at a plurality of remote locations using remote video terminals including personal computers with video capability, the one or more multiple coordinated central control units in communication with one or more vendors and having a capability to electronically communicate through a public communication system, the process comprising the steps of:

transmitting to one or more buyers a first message including data relating to merchandise or service offerings of one or more vendors;

interfacing the one or more buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

interfacing one or more other buyers with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units for electronic communication;

receiving identification data from at least one buyer, the identification data qualifying the at least one buyer for select communications with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, wherein at least one of the one or more live operator stations has graphics display capabilities and has access to at least certain data associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units;

receiving request data from one or more buyers, the request data including one or more merchandise or service categories and subcategories;

storing at least part of the request data;

interfacing one or more buyers to a video memory under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units, the video memory storing one or more high resolution video images and text data relating to merchandise or services available for purchase from the one or more vendors;

facilitating access to proposed data from the video memory, the proposed data including video images and text data responsive to the request data for viewing by a buyer;

storing data relating to one or more transactions initiated by one or more buyers; and

transmitting to at least one buyer a second message including data relating to a transaction initiated by the at least one buyer after an interface between the at least one buyer and the one or more multiple coordinated central control units is terminated, the data including a number identifying the transaction.

77. A process according to claim 76 wherein the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations facilitates electronic communications between at least one buyer and at least one live operator station.

78. A process according to claim 77 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include real-time voice communication.

79. A process according to claim 77 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include real-time video communication.

80. A process according to claim 77 wherein the at least one buyer'"'"'s electronic communications with the live operator station include live person-to-person video communication.

81. A process according to claim 76 wherein the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations facilitates real-time voice communications between at least one buyer and at least one live operator terminal.

82. A process according to claim 81 wherein an auto dialer associated with the one or more multiple coordinated central control units facilitates the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more live operator stations for real-time voice communications.

83. A process according to claim 76 further comprising the step of monitoring time limitations relating to a purchase of merchandise or services.

84. A process according to claim 76 wherein the proposed data includes a vendor merchandise or service offering.

85. A process according to claim 84 further comprising the step of obtaining buyer reaction data relating to the vendor merchandise or service offering.

86. A process according to claim 76 wherein at least one remote video terminal is located in a buyer'"'"'s home.

87. A process according to claim 76 further comprising the step of facilitating access by one or more buyers to one or more vendors under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

88. A process according to claim 76 further comprising the step of interfacing one or more buyers with one or more audio response units under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

89. A process according to claim 76 wherein at least one of the one or more buyers to whom a first message is transmitted is selected for such transmittal based, at least in part, upon request data of the at least one buyer previously stored in a memory associated with the multiple coordinated central control units.

90. A process according to claim 76 wherein certain of the one or more vendors are accorded a priority status under control of the one or more multiple coordinated central control units.

91. A process according to claim 76 wherein the first and second messages are transmitted via electronic mail.

108. A process according to claim 90 wherein at least certain of the proposed data reflects, at least in part, the priority status accorded to at least one of the vendors.