Network methods and systems for processing arrangements

• US 8,600,834 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Golub Corporation
• Original Assignee: Golub Corporation
• Inventors: Golub, Jerel T., Strom, Raymond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pond, Rob
• Application Number:
  US12/910,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20110035300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

A floral network system and method allows for collecting, storing and retrieving data regarding the processing of personalized or custom floral arrangements linked to personal accounts for a plurality of customers. For example, a floral network method and system may store one or more close-up or detailed images of a personalized or custom-made floral arrangement for a customer along with data regarding the order, the customer, and a recipient. The next time that the customer places an order, the close-up or detailed images and data on past orders can be retrieved and viewed by the customer and used by the florist in the preparing a subsequent floral arrangement. Reminders may also be sent to the customers for important events where floral arrangements may be desired.

Claims

1. A computerized method for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a customer, the computerized method comprising:

receiving at least one detailed image of an actual prepared arrangement made for the customer prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient;

receiving data regarding the customer;

storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in at least one data storage unit;

retrieving at least one of the at least one stored detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement for the customer from the at least one data storage unit;

forwarding the at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a first display for use by the customer when purchasing another arrangement;

receiving an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

forwarding the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, the first display being remote from the second display.

2. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer.

3. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the actual prepared arrangement comprises an actual prepared personalized arrangement.

4. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding an occasion for the actual prepared arrangement in the at least one data storage unit, and further comprising reminding the customer of the occasion for the arrangement.

5. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising accessing a database of arrangement designs selected from a plurality of actual prepared arrangements for a plurality of customers, and forwarding at least one detailed image from the database of arrangement designs to the customer for use in purchasing an arrangement.

6. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and wherein the storing and associating comprises storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in the at least one data storage unit.

7. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the receiving at least one detailed image comprises receiving at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangement to a plurality of recipients, the storing and associating comprises storing and associating the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in at least one data storage unit, the retrieving comprises retrieving at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and the forwarding comprises forwarding the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

8. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising:

forwarding the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement to the customer along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient; and

receiving approval from the customer to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to a recipient.

9. The computerized method of claim 8 wherein the receiving the at least one detailed image comprises receiving at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangement to a plurality of recipients, and further comprising storing and associating the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, retrieving at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and forwarding the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

10. The computerized method of claim 8 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

11. The computerized method of claim 8 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

12. The computerized method of claim 8 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood, and produce.

13. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

14. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

15. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood, and produce.

16. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising storing and associating data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and retrieving and forwarding the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing another arrangement.

17. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and the retrieving and forwarding further comprises retrieving and forwarding the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement.

18. A system for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a customer, the system comprising:

a processor;

at least one storage unit operably connected to said processor;

said processor configured to receive at least one detailed image of an actual prepared arrangement made for a customer prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient, and data regarding the customer;

said processor configured to store and associate the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in the at least one storage unit;

said processor configured to retrieve at least one of the at least one stored detailed image from the at least one data storage unit for display on a first display for use by the customer when purchasing another arrangement;

said processor configured to receive an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement; and

said processor configured to forward the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said processor is operable to store and associate data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the actual prepared arrangement comprises an actual prepared personalized arrangement.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein said processor is configured to receive data regarding an occasion for the actual prepared arrangement, and said processor configured to send a reminder to the customer of the occasion for the arrangement.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein said at least one data storage unit comprises a database of arrangement designs selected from a plurality of actual arrangements prepared for a plurality of customers, and said processor configured to forward one of more detailed images from the arrangement designs on the display to the customer for use in purchasing an arrangement.

23. The system of claim 18 further comprising said processor configured to receive data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and said processor configured to store and associate the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in the at least one storage unit.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said processor is configured to retrieve for display the data associated with the at least one stored image along with the display of the at least one stored detailed image for use in preparing another arrangement.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein said processor configured to receive at least one detailed image comprises said processor configured to receive at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to a plurality of recipients, said processor configured to store and associate comprises said processor configured to store and associate the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in at least one data storage unit, said processor configured to retrieve comprises said processor configured to retrieve at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and said processor configured to display comprises said processor configured to display the some of the at least one stored detailed image on the display for the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

26. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

said processor configured to forward the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement to the customer along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient; and

said processor configured to receive approval from the customer to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said processor configured to receive comprises said processor configured to receive at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the plurality of recipients, and said processor further configured to store and associate comprises said processor configured to store and associate the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, to retrieve at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and to forward the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

30. The system of claim 18 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood, and produce.

31. The system of claim 18 wherein the processor is operable to store and associate data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and retrieve and forward the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing another arrangement.

32. The system of claim 18 wherein the processor is operable to store and associate data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and retrieve and forward the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement.

33. A computerized system for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a customer, the computerized system comprising:

means for receiving at least one detailed image of an actual prepared arrangement made for a customer prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to a recipient;

means for receiving data regarding the customer;

means for storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in at least one data storage unit;

means for retrieving the at least one of the at least one stored detailed image from the means for storing;

means for forwarding at least one of the at least one retrieved detailed image for display on a first display and use by the customer when purchasing another arrangement;

means for receiving an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

means for forwarding the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

34. The computerized system of claim 33 further means for obtaining data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and wherein the means for obtaining storing and associating comprises means for storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in the at least one data storage unit.

35. The computerized system of claim 33 wherein the means for receiving at least one detailed image comprises means for receiving at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangement to a plurality of recipients, the means for storing and associating comprises means for storing and associating the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in at least one data storage unit, the means for retrieving comprises means for retrieving at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and the means for forwarding comprises means for forwarding the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

36. At least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a customer, the method comprising:

receiving at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement made for the customer prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient;

receiving data regarding the customer;

storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in at least one data storage unit;

forwarding at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a first display and use by the customer when purchasing another arrangement;

receiving an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

forwarding the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

37. The at least one program storage device of claim 36 further comprising obtaining data describing forming the actual prepared arrangement, and wherein the storing and the associating further comprises storing and associating the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement, the data describing the actual prepared arrangement, and the data regarding the customer in at least one data storage unit.

38. The at least one program storage device of claim 36 wherein the receiving at least one detailed image comprises receiving at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangement to a plurality of recipients, the storing and associating comprises storing and associating the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in at least one data storage unit, the retrieving comprises retrieving at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and the forwarding comprises forwarding the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

39. The at least one program storage device of claim 36 wherein the method further comprises:

forwarding the at least one detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement to the customer along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient; and

receiving approval from the customer to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient.

40. The at least one program storage device of claim 39 wherein the receiving at least one detailed image comprises receiving at least one detailed image for each of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements made for the customer prior to delivery of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to a plurality of recipients, and further comprising storing and associating the at least one detailed image for each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, retrieving at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements for the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and forwarding the at least some of the at least one stored detailed image of each of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements to the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

41. A computerized method for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a plurality of customers, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of orders for arrangements for the plurality of customers via a communication network;

forwarding the plurality of orders to a plurality of providers via the communication network;

receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, a plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders;

storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in at least one data storage unit;

retrieving at least one of the at least one stored detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement associated with at least one customer from the at least one data storage unit via the communication network; and

forwarding via the communication network the at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a first display for the at least one customer when purchasing another arrangement;

receiving via the communication network an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

forwarding via the communication network the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

42. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding constructing the plurality of actual prepared arrangements.

43. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the actual prepared arrangements comprises a plurality of actual prepared personalized arrangements.

44. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding a plurality of occasions for the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, and further comprising reminding the plurality of customers of the plurality of occasions for the arrangements.

45. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding a plurality of occasions for the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, and further comprising compiling a list for at least one of the plurality of providers of upcoming reminders for a plurality of customers for the at least one of the plurality of providers, and forwarding the list to the at least one of the plurality of providers.

46. The computerized method of claim 41 further comprising accessing a database of arrangement designs selected from a plurality of actual prepared arrangements for a plurality of customers, and forwarding at least one detailed image from the arrangement designs to the customer for use in purchasing an arrangement.

47. The computerized method of claim 41 further comprising forwarding some of the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements to some of the plurality of customers prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement.

48. The computerized method of claim 47 further comprising requesting approval from the some of the plurality of customers upon their viewing the detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, and forwarding approval to some of the plurality of providers for delivery of the plurality of some of prepared arrangements.

49. The computerized method of claim 41 further comprising receiving a plurality of detailed images of prepared substitute arrangements from some of the plurality of providers having changes from the order for the plurality of arrangements, forwarding the plurality of detailed images of the prepared substitute arrangements to some of the plurality of customers, receiving approval from some of the plurality of customers upon their viewing the plurality of detailed images of the prepared substitute arrangements, and forwarding approval to some of the plurality of providers for delivery of the plurality of substitute arrangements.

50. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the receiving the plurality of orders comprises receiving some of the plurality of orders from a wire service.

51. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the communication network comprises a global communication network.

52. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the receiving the plurality of orders comprises receiving some of the plurality of orders from a plurality of providers.

53. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the receiving comprises receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, a plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders, and data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the storing and associating comprises storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in at least one data storage unit.

54. The computerized method of claim 53 wherein the retrieving further comprises retrieving via the communication network the data associated with the at least one stored detailed image and the at least one stored detailed image, and the displaying further comprises displaying the data associated with the at least one stored detailed image and the at least one stored detailed image for use in preparing another arrangement.

55. The computerized method of claim 41 further comprising:

forwarding some of the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements to some of the plurality of customers along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangements to the recipient; and

receiving approvals from some of the plurality of customers to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient.

56. The computerized method of claim 55 further comprising storing and associating a plurality of detailed images of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements for one of the customers and data regarding the customer in the at least one data storage unit, retrieving the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and forwarding the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.

57. The computerized method of claim 55 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

58. The computerized method of claim 55 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

59. The computerized method of claim 55 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood and produce.

60. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

61. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

62. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood and produce.

63. The computerized method of claim 41 further comprising storing and associating data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and retrieving and forwarding the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing another arrangement.

64. The computerized method of claim 41 wherein the storing and associating further comprises storing and associating data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for the customer, and the retrieving and forwarding further comprises retrieving and forwarding the at least one stored detailed image and the data regarding constructing the actual prepared arrangement for use in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement.

65. A system for processing a plurality of arrangements for a plurality of customers, the system comprising:

a processor;

at least one storage unit operably connected to said processor;

a display operably connected to the processor;

said processor configured to receive a plurality of orders for arrangements for the plurality of customers via a communication network, to forward the plurality of orders to a plurality of providers via the communication network, to receive from the plurality of providers via the communication network a plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders, and data regarding the customers, to store and associate the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements in a data storage unit, and the data regarding the customers in at least one data storage unit, to retrieve at least one of the at least one stored detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement associated with at least one customer from the at least one data storage unit via the communication network for display on a first display for use by the at least one customer for use when purchasing another arrangement, to receive an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, and to forward the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

66. The system of claim 65 wherein said processor is configured to store and associate data regarding a plurality of occasions for the plurality of actual prepared arrangements in the at least one data storage unit, and further comprising compiling a list for at least one of the plurality of providers of upcoming reminders for a plurality of customers for the at least one of the plurality of providers, and forwarding the list to the at least one of the plurality of providers.

67. The system of claim 65 wherein said processor is configured to access at least one data storage unit comprising a database of arrangement designs selected from a plurality of actual arrangements prepared for a plurality of customers, and further configured to display at least one detailed images from the arrangement designs on the display to the customer for use in purchasing a arrangement.

68. The system of claim 65 wherein said processor is further configured to receive from the plurality of providers via the communication network the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders, data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the customers, and said processor further configured to store and associate the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements in the data storage unit, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the customers in the at least one data storage unit.

69. The system of claim 65 wherein

said processor being further configured to forward some of the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements to some of the plurality of customers along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangements to the recipient, and to receive approvals from some of the plurality of customers to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient.

70. The system of claim 69 wherein said processor is further configured to store and associate a plurality of detailed images of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements for one of the customers and data regarding the customer in the at least one data storage unit, to retrieve the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and to display the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer for use by the customer in purchasing another arrangement.

71. The system of claim 65 wherein the arrangement comprises a floral arrangement.

72. The system of claim 65 wherein the arrangement comprises at least one of a gift basket, a cake, and a deli platter.

73. The system of claim 65 wherein the arrangement comprises a gift basket comprising at least one of meat, seafood and produce.

74. A computerized system for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a plurality of customers, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of orders for arrangements for the plurality of customers via a communication network;

means for forwarding the plurality of orders to a plurality of providers via the communication network;

means for receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, a plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders;

means for storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in at least one data storage unit;

means for retrieving at least one of the at least one stored detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement associated with at least one customer from the at least one data storage unit via the communication network;

means for forwarding the at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a first display for use by the at least one customer when purchasing another arrangement;

means for receiving an order from the at least one customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

means for forwarding the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

75. The computerized system of claim 74 wherein said means for receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, comprises receiving the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders, and data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and said means for storing and associating comprises means for storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, the data forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in at the least one data storage unit.

76. At least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for use in processing a plurality of arrangements for a customer, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of orders for arrangements for the plurality of customers via a communication network;

forwarding the plurality of orders to a plurality of providers via the communication network;

receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, a plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders;

storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in at least one data storage unit;

retrieving at least one of the at least one stored detailed image of the actual prepared arrangement associated with at least one customer from the at least one data storage unit via the communication network;

forwarding via the communication network the at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a first display for the at least one customer when purchasing another arrangement;

receiving via the communication network an order from the customer for purchasing the another arrangement comprising a duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement observed in the at least one of the at least one detailed image displayed on the first display; and

forwarding via the communication network the order and at least one of the at least one stored detailed image for display on a second display for use by a merchant in preparing the duplicate of the actual prepared arrangement, said first display being remote from said second display.

77. The at least one program storage device of claim 76 wherein the receiving, from the plurality of providers via the communication network, comprises receiving the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements based on the plurality of orders, and data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and wherein the storing and associating comprises storing and associating the plurality of detailed images of the actual prepared arrangements, the data describing forming the actual prepared arrangements, and the data regarding the plurality of customers in the at least one data storage unit.

78. The at least one program storage device of claim 76 wherein the method further comprises:

forwarding some of the plurality of detailed images of actual prepared arrangements to some of the plurality of customers along with a request for approval to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient; and

receiving approvals from some of the plurality of customers to send the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient prior to delivery of the actual prepared arrangement to the recipient.

79. The at least one program storage device of claim 78 wherein the method further comprises storing and associating a plurality of detailed images of a plurality of actual prepared arrangements for one of the customers and data regarding the customer in the at least one data storage unit, retrieving some of the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer from the at least one data storage unit, and forwarding the plurality of stored detailed images of the plurality of actual prepared arrangements associated with the customer for use in purchasing another arrangement.