Transaction automation and archival system using electrode contract disclosure units
First Claim
1. A system for managing a business transaction requiring at least the presentation of documents by at least one first user and the signing of documents on at least one page thereof by at least one second user, the system comprising:
- a housing having a substantially flat upper surface, the housing being sized and configured for placement between the first user and the second user with the upper surface being oriented generally horizontally and being accessible by the first user and by the second user;
a digitizing display within the housing and visible through the upper surface of the housing, the digitizing display including a video display on which images of pages of documents can be displayed and a digitizer configured to detect motion of at least one stylus on the upper surface of the housing;
a collaborative volume defined above the upper surface of the housing and within which the first user and the second user interact with each other and with the digitizing display during a business transaction;
a computer operatively coupled to the digitizing display;
software in the computer that, when executed, displays images of pages of documents associated with the business transaction on the video display and receives and interprets motion of the at least one stylus on the upper surface of the housing;
the software, when executed, permitting pages of documents associated with the business transaction to be displayed in one orientation for the first user and to be displayed in a different orientation for the second user; and
an audio system coupled to the computer, the audio system being configured to produce sounds during a business transaction from at least one location displaced from the video display, the at least one location being selected such that the source of the sounds appears to the first and second users to be generally from within the collaborative volume during the business transaction.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing display for imaging documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for manual interaction with images on the display. A computer controls the transaction, and may for instance, control the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receive the purchaser'"'"'s signature on the displayed documents when required, offer choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU logs the transaction for future review and preferably records video and audio. Fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options by pressing their thumb or finger on the readers.
85 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for managing a business transaction requiring at least the presentation of documents by at least one first user and the signing of documents on at least one page thereof by at least one second user, the system comprising:
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a housing having a substantially flat upper surface, the housing being sized and configured for placement between the first user and the second user with the upper surface being oriented generally horizontally and being accessible by the first user and by the second user; a digitizing display within the housing and visible through the upper surface of the housing, the digitizing display including a video display on which images of pages of documents can be displayed and a digitizer configured to detect motion of at least one stylus on the upper surface of the housing; a collaborative volume defined above the upper surface of the housing and within which the first user and the second user interact with each other and with the digitizing display during a business transaction; a computer operatively coupled to the digitizing display; software in the computer that, when executed, displays images of pages of documents associated with the business transaction on the video display and receives and interprets motion of the at least one stylus on the upper surface of the housing; the software, when executed, permitting pages of documents associated with the business transaction to be displayed in one orientation for the first user and to be displayed in a different orientation for the second user; and an audio system coupled to the computer, the audio system being configured to produce sounds during a business transaction from at least one location displaced from the video display, the at least one location being selected such that the source of the sounds appears to the first and second users to be generally from within the collaborative volume during the business transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic contract disclosure unit (ECDU) adapted to manage a business transaction between individuals, the ECDU comprising:
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a housing; a substantially flat top on the housing forming a work surface for carrying out the business transaction, the top having a width; the housing and the top being sized to be disposed between individuals with the top oriented substantially horizontally and accessible to the individuals; a substantially rectangular digitizing display within the housing beneath the top, the digitizing display including a video display for displaying pages of documents to individuals during the business transaction and a digitizer for detecting at least signing motion of a stylus on the top over the video display; the top having a transparent portion overlying and aligned with the digitizing display to allow the video display to be viewed through the top and a second portion adjacent to the transparent portion, the transparent portion and the second portion forming at least part of the work surface; at least a first stylus for use by individuals to perform at least signing motion on the top; a first computer operatively coupled to the digitizing display and containing software that, when executed, causes pages of documents and images associated with the business transaction to be displayed to individuals on the video display; the software, when executed, detecting at least signing motions over displayed pages of documents by individuals using the at least one stylus; the software, when executed, further allowing documents and images on the video display to be displayed in a first orientation for at least one of the individuals and to be displayed in a second orientation different from the first orientation for at least another one of the individuals; and a second computer programmed to carry out functions related to the business transaction independently of the first computer and to transfer resulting information to the first computer through a data connection for use by the first computer in displaying images to individuals. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification