U.S. patent application number 13/612831 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for method for providing real-time shopping data to computer users.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gregory S. Gerard, John C. Webber. Invention is credited to Gregory S. Gerard, John C. Webber.
Application Number | 20130024328 13/612831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23319111 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130024328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Webber; John C. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2013 |
Method for Providing Real-Time Shopping Data to Computer Users
Abstract
A system is disclosed in which a user's personal computer may
access a variety of information regarding products and services,
through a computer network, in real time. The computer network
collects product/service information from various sources, such as
gift stores, clothiers, computer dealers, etc. and formats the
information in a recognizable manner to enable the information to
be viewed by a user at the user's personal computer. The network
performs a single search from a single search command from the
user.
Inventors: |
Webber; John C.; (Dublin,
OH) ; Gerard; Gregory S.; (Columbus, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Webber; John C.
Gerard; Gregory S. |
Dublin
Columbus |
OH
OH |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
23319111 |
Appl. No.: |
13/612831 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12250301 |
Oct 13, 2008 |
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13612831 |
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09334978 |
Jun 17, 1999 |
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12250301 |
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08971764 |
Nov 17, 1997 |
6009413 |
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09334978 |
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08337097 |
Nov 10, 1994 |
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08971764 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/27.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0629 20130101;
G06Q 30/0623 20130101; G06Q 20/201 20130101; G06Q 30/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/27.1 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20120101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing real time shopping data from a plurality
of merchants to computer users comprising: (a) receiving at a host
computer from a plurality of merchant computers product data for
products offered for sale by merchants; (b) storing in a database
said product data from said plurality of merchant computers; (c)
receiving at said host computer from a user computer a request for
product data from said database for at least one product; (d)
locating in said database product data from at least two different
merchants relevant to said request for product data; (e) formatting
for said user computer screen display data comprising product data
for said at least one product from said at least two different
merchants; (f) transmitting from said host computer to said user
computer for display at said user computer said screen display data
comprising said product data; (g) determining at said host computer
whether product data for said at least one product has been updated
in said database; and (h) if said product data has been updated:
(1) updating said screen display data with said updated product
data; (2) transmitting from said host computer to said user
computer for display at said user computer said updated screen
display data comprising said updated product data.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (i) determining at
said host computer whether product data for said at least one
product has been updated in said database; (j) updating said screen
display data with said updated product data from said at least one
merchant computer; and (k) transmitting from said host computer to
said user computer for display at said user computer said updated
screen display data comprising said updated product data from said
at least one merchant computer.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein updating said screen display data
with said updated product data comprises updating said screen
display data in response to a request from said user computer to
receive continuously updated data from said host computer.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said product data for products
offered for sale by merchants further comprises pricing,
availability, support, service, and warranty data for said products
and sales volume data for said merchants.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving from said
user computer a request to purchase said at least one product from
one of said merchants.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving at a host computer from
a plurality of merchant computers product data for products offered
for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data from
each merchant computer in a different data format.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein storing in a database said product
data from said plurality of merchant computers comprises storing
said product data in a common format.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving at a host computer from
a plurality of merchant computers product data for products offered
for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data from a
regional host computer.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving at a host computer from
a plurality of merchant computers product data for products offered
for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data on a
two-way communication path based on TCP/IP transport
connectivity.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said screen display data is
displayed on a single display screen at said user computer.
11. A method for providing real time shopping data from a plurality
of merchants to computer users comprising: (a) receiving at a host
computer from a plurality of merchant computers product data for
products offered for sale by merchants, said product data
comprising product availability data and product pricing data for
products offered for sale by each of said merchants; (b) storing in
a database said product data from said plurality of merchant
computers; (c) receiving at said host computer from a user computer
a request for product data from said database for at least one
product; (d) locating in said database product data relevant to
said request for product data for said at least one product, said
product data comprising availability and pricing data for said at
least one product from at least two different merchants; (e)
formatting for said user computer screen display data comprising
product data for said at least one product from said at least two
different merchants; (f) transmitting from said host computer to
said user computer for display at said user computer said screen
display data comprising said product data; (g) receiving at said
host computer from at least one merchant computer of said at least
two different merchants a first update to product data for said at
least one product; (h) updating said screen display data with said
updated product data from said at least one merchant computer; and
(i) transmitting from said host computer to said user computer for
display at said user computer said updated screen display data
comprising said updated product data from said at least one
merchant computer.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: (j) receiving at
said host computer from at least one merchant computer of said at
least two different merchants a second update of product data for
said at least one product; (k) updating said screen display data
with said updated product data from said at least one merchant
computer; and (l) transmitting from said host computer to said user
computer for display at said user computer said updated screen
display data comprising said updated product data from said at
least one merchant computer.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein updating said screen display
data with said updated product data from said at least one merchant
computer comprises updating said screen display data in response to
a request from said user computer to receive continuously updated
data from said host computer.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein said product data for products
offered for sale by merchants further comprises support, service,
and warranty data for said products and sales volume data for said
merchants.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising receiving from said
user computer a request to purchase said at least one product from
one of said merchants.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving at a host computer
from a plurality of merchant computers product data for products
offered for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data
from each merchant computer in a different data format.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein storing in a database said
product data from said plurality of merchant computers comprises
storing said product data in a common format.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving at a host computer
from a plurality of merchant computers product data for products
offered for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data
from a regional host computer.
19. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving at a host computer
from a plurality of merchant computers product data for products
offered for sale by merchants comprises receiving said product data
on a two-way communication path based on TCP/IP transport
connectivity.
20. The method of claim 11 wherein said screen display data is
displayed on a single display screen at said user computer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/334,978 filed on Jun. 1, 1999, pending, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/971,764 filed
on Nov. 17, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,413 issued on Dec. 28,
1999, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/337,097 filed on Nov. 10, 1994, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system for use
in on-line shopping, and more particularly, to a computer system
that enables a user to have real time access to product/service
information and direct product/service ordering from multiple
merchants.
[0003] On-line shopping is typically conducted through a network
host that maintains product/service information from a variety of
merchants, takes orders from the network host's customers and
forwards the orders to the respective merchant. However, this is
merely one step in a multiple step process. Before this transaction
may take place, several preliminary steps must be accomplished.
First, each participating merchant forwards product information and
pricing to the network host for posting to the network to solicit
purchasers. This product information and pricing is usually
transferred to the network host through conventional mail,
telephone service or by sending such information to the appropriate
on-line address at the network host. The network host then
compiles, classifies, sorts, stores and displays the product
information on-line to network host customers that request such
information.
[0004] For several reasons, the product information may vary from
day-to-day. The above described process may involve a significant
time lag between the time that the merchant sends the product
information to the network host and the time the potential consumer
receives the product information. Therefore, merchants must account
for such a time lag and must provide conservative estimates on the
product information. Merchants must anticipate market fluctuations
in pricing and availability and must hedge against such market
changes. For example, a merchant may send product information to
the network host regarding a specific product. Customer demand for
such a product may dramatically increase and more orders for the
product may be placed with the merchant through the network host
than was anticipated by the merchant. The merchant may then receive
more orders for the product than the merchant can readily provide.
Product orders must then be placed on back-order or remain unfilled
indefinitely. The merchant is unhappy at his inability to fill the
orders and receive the profits based on the orders received but
unfilled. Customers are unhappy at not receiving their merchandise
on a timely basis and may be forced to acquire such products
elsewhere at a higher cost or they may forgo the purchase
altogether.
[0005] Additional problems exist for the customer who wants to
purchase a given product or service. Previously, such customers
were required to "shop" one merchant at a time. A customer had to
access the database of one merchant, collect information regarding
the desired product or service, store the information, access
another merchant's database and again collect information regarding
the desired product or service. This process had to be repeated for
each merchant. Thus, the process required the customer to "shop"
all available merchants before deciding the merchant from whom the
customer was going to purchase. This process is complicated by the
fact that many customers may have vague or indefinite parameters
defining the selection criteria and parameters. For instance, a
customer may know that pants are required but may not be able to
sufficiently narrow the criteria into styles of pants or name
brands. Here, the customer would need to browse each individual
merchant's wares and by that scan many undesirable pants.
Additionally, as the customer successively "shops" individual
merchants, the customer may learn to narrow or change the
parameters for the search. The customer may then want to repeat the
shopping already accomplished. The above described process is time
consuming. Such time consumption can be especially important when
accessing an on-line service that charges the user based on on-line
time.
[0006] There is a need to provide product/service information for
multiple merchants in real time to a potential customer that would
otherwise not be available for weeks or months. In this age of
daily market fluctuations, it is advantageous to a potential
customer to be able to have accurate, real time information
concerning product availability and pricing for multiple merchants.
As product pricing and availability fluctuate and differ between
merchants, the importance to the customer of being able to respond
to those fluctuations and differences on a timely basis increases.
A customer can decide in real time whether to purchase one product
over another product or whether to purchase a product from one
merchant over another merchant.
[0007] The present invention is designed to provide a user with
real time product/service information, from a variety of merchants,
in a format that is understandable and informative. The present
invention is unique in that never before has there been a network
system that conducts a search of multiple sources of shopping
information, in substantially real time, and presents the results
to the user in one organized presentation.
[0008] The present invention is a sophisticated computerized system
by which various merchants may be electronically connected to a
computer network such as the CompuServe.RTM. network. Value added
software is provided at the network to assimilate the data
collected from various and multiple merchants in real time, to
place the data in an understandable format for preferably a single
presentation to the user. The user receives the assimilated data
from the various and multiple merchants through an electronic
connection (via modems) between the user's computer and the
network. A program on the user's computer can capture the formatted
data supplied by the network and prepare it for display or
analysis. In an alternate configuration the merchant is
electronically connected to a regional host. The regional host is
equipped to receive product/service information from the merchant.
The regional host is then electronically connected to the computer
network.
[0009] The system of the present invention has many advantages over
known product/service information management methods. First, the
present invention offers a "real time" picture of available
products and/or services from multiple and varied merchants.
Second, the present invention allows a merchant the ability to
react in "real time" to the demand. Third, the present invention
offers the capability to a user of acquiring various merchants'
product/service information in one understandable format that is
currently not available by other methods.
[0010] These and other advantages will be apparent from the
following detailed description of the invention, drawings, and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the
system of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of the
system of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a conceptual view of the system of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred
embodiment of the system 10 of the present invention. Contributing
merchants 12, 14, 16 (such as clothiers, gift shops, florists,
etc.) are shown connected to a regional host computer 18. A
preferred alternative is for the merchants 12', 14', 16' to connect
directly to a computer network 22. Each merchant downloads data to
the computer network or regional host at least once each business
day and more frequently as desired by the organizations and users
of the present invention. Each merchant provides detailed, current
information regarding products and/or services offered by the
merchant. The ability of the present invention to receive data from
multiple merchants and multiple regional hosts is also exemplified
in FIG. 1. Network 22 may be connected to any number of merchants
12', 14', 16' and regional hosts 18.
[0016] If a merchant is connected to a regional host, the regional
host must send the information obtained from the various merchants
to a computer network 22. Preferably, the merchants are connected
directly to the computer network 22 that may then store the
received data on the computer network database 20. The network 22
assimilates the various data into an understandable format that is
preferably organized in such a way to enable the user to quickly
find the needed information. The network computers are preferably
equipped with a software program 24 designed to receive the data
collected from the various merchants, put it in a usable protocol
and organize it for each user so that all of the product/service
information requested by a user is contained in one on-screen
presentation. The software of the present invention can quickly
generate a new product/service presentation as the data changes
from the merchants in real time. The software also preferably
accomplishes various mathematical and accounting functions to offer
the user the capability of not only gathering real time
product/service information from various sources but combining and
computing that information so that additional information is
provided, such as may prove valuable when comparison shopping.
[0017] Once the software at the network has organized and presented
the data in an understandable format, the data is ready to be
electronically transferred to the user's computer 26. The user may
access the network via a modem on the user's computer and a modem
at the network. Optionally, the user may be provided an information
management interface 27 to simplify communication between the
user's computer and the network. Security codes that would be
assigned to each user would enable the network to identify a user
before providing product/service information to the user's
computer. For security reasons, the system is preferably arranged
so that the user can receive information (at the user's request)
but is equipped so that the user cannot alter the information by
accessing merchant records. Additionally, the system is preferably
equipped with the capability of enabling the user to manipulate the
data at the user's computer so that it can be presented in several
formats and to allow calculations to be performed with the data.
The user's computer may use several known software packages 28 to
assist in use and preparation of the data.
[0018] To access the product/service information the user logs on
to his or her computer and connects with the network via a modem at
the user's computer and a modem at the network. The user then makes
a request for product/service information currently residing at the
network database. This request is preferably accomplished by the
user subscribing to the network's access service and using the
information management interface 27. Such access services typically
provide each user with the needed communication protocols and
access steps to be taken to connect with the network host
computer(s). The network database(s) receives updated information
regularly from the various merchants in an automatic down loading
that may occur in batch mode one or more times each day.
Preferably, the network database(s) receives updated information in
real time from the various merchants as the information is updated.
Optionally, a regional host may receive such updated information
and be required to send that information to the network
database.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment, the versatility of the
present invention is exemplified by the ability of the invention to
receive data from a variety of sources in a variety of
connectivities. In the complete system 40, a bookstore 42, a
florist 44 and a gift shop 46, may each have a two-way
communication path with a central switch 48. These two-way
communication paths may be based on TCP/IP transport connectivity.
A computer dealer 50 may have a two-way communication path
established with the switch 48 using an SNA connectivity. A broker
52 may have a two-way communication path with switch 48 over an
X.25 connectivity.
[0020] Commercially available software routines 54 may be accessed
by the switch 48 for use in assimilating and presenting the
product/service information obtained from all sources. The switch
48 may act as the terminal through which the data is transferred to
the network host 56. The connection between the network host and
the switch 48 may also be an X.25 connectivity. Data may be
transferred from all of the merchants to the main switch 48 by
Ethernet, a packet switch network, modem, or otherwise. Optic
transmission lines or regular phone lines may be used as the
physical means by which the data transfer occurs. A user's computer
58 accesses the host 56, typically by dialing a phone number for
the host accomplished by the modem at the user's computer.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred third embodiment of the
present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the ability of the
network host 56' to directly receive data from a variety of sources
in a variety of connectivities is shown. Numerical designators
correspond to those of FIG. 2 but are designated here through
primes. In this embodiment, the use of a central switch, as in FIG.
2, is rendered unnecessary by the network host 56'. The bookstore
42', the florist 44' and the gift shop 46', may each have a two-way
communication path directly to the network host 56'. Again, these
two-way communication paths may be based on TCP/IP transport
connectivity. A computer dealer 50' may have a two-way
communication path established with the network host 56', with an
SNA connectivity. A broker 52' may have a two-way communication
path with network host 56' over an X.25 connectivity. In this
embodiment, the software routine 54' for use in assimilating and
presenting the product/service information obtained by all sources
is accessed by the network host 56'. Again, data may be transferred
using any of the media described above or by other suitable
methods.
[0022] Referring to both FIGS. 2 and 3, operation of the system
with the network host 56 (56') may be understood. Software
available at the host 56 enables the user to obtain all merchant
product/service information that is currently available and to be
able to understand it in a recognizable fashion. Raw data coming
from various merchants is not advantageous to a user unless the
data is presented in a recognizable and understandable format. The
present invention accomplishes this objective by resident software
at the host 56, which assimilates all of the data collected from
the various merchants, and makes the data available to a user, on
the user's computer screen, in an easy to read format. For example,
a user shopping for a book may see on the user's computer screen a
display showing the current product/service information on books
from multiple merchants. Taken further, resident software at the
network host 56 may perform other calculations designed to tailor
presentation of the data for comparison shopping of books between
merchants.
[0023] FIG. 4 exemplifies the present invention as viewed from a
user's perspective. User 60 uses his computer and modem to
establish a connection with the real time shopping network 62. The
network 62 has a connection established with the merchant 64. The
user 60 simply uses his computer and through the network 62 is
enabled to obtain product/service information from the merchant 64
in real time.
[0024] An example of the present invention in use for a given
individual will help to better explain the unique aspects of the
invention. In this example, the user is shopping for a new computer
system. The user logs his computer onto the network host utilizing
interface management software provided by the network host. The
user inputs request parameters to the interface for a search. For
instance, the user may request information regarding desktop
personal microcomputers that have a 486 or higher processor. The
user may further define the information needed by requesting
pricing, support, servicing, warranty and information regarding
available accessories. Lastly, the user may request records
regarding the volume of sales of the various merchants. The
interface formats these search parameters and transmits the request
to the network host. The network host, through network software,
accesses the network database(s) that is updated in real time from
the merchants and retrieves the requested information. The network
host then processes the information into a usable protocol that
enables the user interface management software to provide the data
to the user in an appropriate presentation. The user's computer
then receives the processed information from the network host and
displays the information for the user in real time. Optionally, the
user may request real time updates of the requested information.
Then, the information on the user's computer is continuously
updated as the information received from the merchants by the
network host is updated. The result is that the user has access in
a readily understandable format, on a single display screen, all
requested information regarding desktop 486 computers in real time.
This enables the user to comparison shop for the new computer.
[0025] The present invention is unique for several reasons, but
primarily, it provides a one-stop service with which a user at a
personal computer, may shop on-line using real time product/service
information. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present
invention, data from several sources may be downloaded
instantaneously to the user's computer by an indirect, yet
immediate connection with a merchant via the network host and
switch. In other words, a user of the present invention may choose
to view batch information downloaded at preselected intervals, or
the user may access the information instantaneously from the
various merchants by a series of two-way communication paths
existing between the user's personal computer, a network host, the
merchant, and an optional switch. Furthermore, the present
invention is unique in that it defines the various data layers to
match the information provider's needs, user needs, and switch
needs, to enable data to be used effectively from any source in any
protocol by any user.
[0026] The present invention has been described in the form of
preferred embodiments, but it is to be recognized that several
modifications and variations to the invention could be made and
fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.
* * * * *