U.S. patent application number 15/278559 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for system and method for list shopping over a computer network.
The applicant listed for this patent is Catherine Lin-Hendel. Invention is credited to Catherine Lin-Hendel.
Application Number | 20170018019 15/278559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27613844 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170018019 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin-Hendel; Catherine |
January 19, 2017 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIST SHOPPING OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK
Abstract
The present invention is a system for conducting commercial
transactions over the Internet, whereby a shopper can
simultaneously search for a plurality of items on at least one
website with a single search command. The shopper can selectively
specify the items of interest to be searched and can also specify
and/or exclude websites to be searched. The system also searches a
selectively alterable set of default website(s) and intelligently
recommended website(s). Under one search command, the system
simultaneously searches for all of the items on any combination of
the following: site(s) specified by the user, a default website, an
alterable set of default or intelligently recommended website(s).
Information regarding the items retrieved as a result of the search
is compiled under an alterable set of criteria, and displayed for
viewing by the shopper. The shopper can simultaneously purchase
selected ones of said items with one order command.
Inventors: |
Lin-Hendel; Catherine;
(Summit, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lin-Hendel; Catherine |
Summit |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
27613844 |
Appl. No.: |
15/278559 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13015528 |
Jan 27, 2011 |
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15278559 |
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09833956 |
Apr 12, 2001 |
8195573 |
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13015528 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/382 20130101;
G06Q 30/0627 20130101; G06Q 10/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0635 20130101;
G06F 16/951 20190101; G06Q 30/0625 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G06Q 50/22 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 40/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/06 20060101
G06Q030/06; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon
instructions that, when executed by a processing device, enable the
processing device to perform a method for conducting on-line
commerce, the method comprising the steps of: generating a link to
a list of a plurality of items needed for a project, the list
configured to enable a user to select a set of multiple items, of
the plurality of items, the user wishes to purchase; receiving from
the user the selected set; searching on more than one data source
or website, in response to a single search command from the user,
for all items of the set, the step of searching being performed
after the set of receiving; displaying information found in the
step of searching regarding the set; and facilitating purchase
on-line by the user of at least two items of the set.
2. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further
comprises: enabling the user to select a project from a plurality
of projects each project of the plurality of projects requiring an
item list corresponding to said each project; in response to the
user selecting the project, presenting to the user the item list
corresponding to the selected project; and allowing the user to use
the list to make an online purchase.
3. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further
comprises enabling the user to edit the list.
4. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further
comprises selecting, in response to the single search command of
the user, for all items of the set on at least one data source or
website.
5. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further
comprises enabling the user to specify selectively at least one of
the plurality of data sources or web sites to be searched.
6. The medium according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of data sources or web sites is a default data source or
web site specified by the user.
7. The medium according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
plurality of data sources or web site to be searched is provided by
the instructions.
8. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the step of purchasing
comprises: providing a software-based interface configured to
enable the user to place one order for purchasing all of the
set.
9. The medium according to claim 8 wherein the software-based
interface is further configured to enable the user to specify a
display criterion whereby the information found in the step of
searching is displayed according to the display criteria specified
by the user.
10. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the step of searching
comprises the step of: searching the plurality of the data sources
or web sites in a prioritized order of the data sources or web
sites, the prioritized order of the data sources or web sites being
specified by the user.
11. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the step of searching
comprises the step of: searching the plurality of the data sources
or web sites in a prioritized order of the data sources or web
sites, the prioritized order of the data sources or web sites being
specified by the instructions.
12. The medium according to claim 1, further comprises the steps
of: displaying a list of preferred data sources or web sites on a
display device; prompting the user to edit the list or preferred
data sources or web sites; receiving from the user input provided
in response to the step of prompting; and editing the list of
preferred data sources or web sites in accordance with the input
provided by the user in response to the step of prompting to
determine the plurality of the data sources or web sites to be
searched; wherein the steps of displaying the list of preferred
data sources of web sites, prompting, receiving, and editing are
performed before the step of searching.
13. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of items
is generated by a program.
14. A system for conducting on-line commerce, the system
comprising: a computer configured to: generate a link to a list of
a plurality of items needed for a project, the list configured to
enable a user to select a set of multiple items, of the plurality
of items, the user wishes to purchase; receive from the user the
selected set; search on more than one data source or website, in
response to a single search command from the user, for all items of
the set, the step of searching being performed after the step of
receiving; display information found in the step of searching
regarding the set; and facilitate purchase on-line by the user of
at least two items of the set.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
further configured to: enable the user to select a selected project
from a plurality of projects, each project of the plurality of
projects requiring an item list corresponding to said each project;
in response to the user selecting the selected project, present to
the user the litem list corresponding to the selected project; and
allow the user to edit the item list corresponding to the selected
project, thereby obtaining a list of a plurality of items.
16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
further configured to: search, in response to the single search
command of the user, for all items of the plurality of items on at
least one data source or website.
17. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the
plurality of data sources or web sites is a default data source or
web site specified by the user.
18. The system accorder to claim 14, wherein at least one of the
plurality of data sources or web sites to be searched is provided
by the computer.
19. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
configured to facilitate the user to purchase by: providing a
software-based interface configured to enable the user to place one
order for purchasing all of the plurality of items.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the software-based
interface is further configured to enable the user to specify a
display criterion whereby the information found in the step of
searching is displayed according to the display criteria specified
by the user.
21. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
configured to search on a plurality of data sources or web sites
by: searching the plurality of the data sources or web sites in a
prioritized order of the data sources or web sites, the prioritized
order of the data sources or web sites being specified by the
user.
22. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
configured to search on a plurality of data sources or web sites
by: searching the plurality of the data sources or web sites in a
prioritized order of the data sources or web sites, the prioritized
order of the data sources or web sites being specified by the
computer.
23. The system according to claim 14, wherein the computer is
further configured to: display a list of preferred data sources or
web sites on a display device; prompt the user to edit the list of
preferred data sources or web sites; receive from the user input
provided in response to the steps of prompting; and edit the list
of preferred data sources or web sites in accordance with the input
provided by the user in response to the step of prompting, to
determine the plurality of the data sources or web sites to be
searched; wherein the steps of displaying the list of preferred
data sources or web sites, prompting, receiving, and editing are
performed before the step of searching.
24. The system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of
times is generated by a program.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.
13/015,528, filed Jan. 27, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 09/833,956, filed Apr. 12, 2001, the disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth in their
entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to commercial transactions
conducted over a computer network, and more particularly to a
system and method for selecting and purchasing a plurality of items
on such a network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conducting commercial transactions over computer networks
such as the Internet is commonplace today. As the number of
Internet shoppers continues to increase, the number and
corresponding dollar value of goods and services, i.e., items,
purchased electronically in such manner also continues to increase.
However, conventional techniques for searching for items to be
purchased, are searching, viewing specifications and prices, and
selecting for purchase of such items, one item at a time.
[0004] Specifically, in order to conduct such transactions today, a
consumer has to search for such items one at a time by accessing
and browsing web pages of a website, one web page and one website
at a time. Searching for and purchasing items of interest in this
manner is a very tedious, time consuming and frustrating process.
Even the most sophisticated and advanced shopping search engines,
such as www.MySimon.Com, which enables a shopper to enter product
specifications, and then searches for the websites of participating
merchants that may carry the items being searched, still requires
that searching and purchasing be done one item at a time, one web
page and one website at a time. Accordingly, it is an objective of
the present invention to overcome the foregoing drawback.
SUMMARY
[0005] A system and method for conducting commercial transactions
over the Internet, whereby a shopper, by using one search command,
can simultaneously search for a plurality of items on at least one
website in a single search action. The shopper specifies items of
interest to be searched, and in one embodiment can also specify
and/or exclude websites to be searched. In additional embodiments,
the system searches a selectively alterable set of default or
server recommended websites. To use the invention, the shopper
enters a list of items in response to a series of prompts. Under
one search command, the system then simultaneously searches for all
of the specified items on the default site, the system recommended
site(s), or site(s) specified by the shopper, or all of the above
in another embodiment. Information regarding the items retrieved as
a result of the search is then displayed for viewing by the
shopper. The shopper can simultaneously purchase selected ones of
said items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c show a flowchart depicting an example
operation of the present invention. A selective subset of these
steps can be implemented for desired application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention enables a shopper to selectively
designate a plurality of items which they wish to purchase, issue
one search command to simultaneously conduct a search for said
items on a default website, or a plurality of websites, view
information found regarding the specified items, and then purchase
all or some of these items. This enables shoppers to search for and
purchase items without having to engage in the tedious and
time-consuming process of searching for items one at a time, one
web page and one website at a time as is conventionally done. The
user can also issue one command to simultaneously search for
different types of items using the present invention. The word
"simultaneously" in this disclosure signifies that the search for
all items is conducted under one user command. In one embodiment,
the search software looks for a match through the list of items at
each unit of search target. In another embodiment, the search
software searches through the search target for one item in one
pass, looping through all items before reporting end result to the
user.
[0008] The system and method of the present invention is
implemented by software. The software is used in conjunction with a
website that the shopper would visit to shop for items to be
purchased. The software presents a series of on-screen prompts in
response to which the shopper specifies the items to be searched
and specifies information/preferences and/or answers questions
regarding the items so that a search can be conducted for such
items. The software alternately causes a search to be conducted on
a default website, website(s) specified by the shopper, and/or on a
selectively alterable set of default website(s), recommended
website(s) specified by intelligent software, or all of the above.
The results of the search are then compiled, formatted, and
displayed on a display device for viewing by the shopper who can
purchase selected ones or all of the items found in the search, or
further refine the search.
[0009] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c show a flow chart depicting an example
operation of the present invention. A selection of steps
illustrated can be implemented for a desired application. At step
1, a shopper enters via keyboard, mouse, stylus, voice or
otherwise, a list of the items they wish to purchase at a default
site the shopper visits for such items. Alternatively, a shopper
can select items to be searched from a default list of items
offered by a project program such as a meal preparation program, by
checking boxes for ingredients to be purchased from a website that
sells food products. At step 2, the shopper reviews the shopping
list. At step 3, the shopper decides whether to edit the shopping
list. If the shopper wants to edit the shopping list, then the
shopper does so at step 4 and the shopper can review the edited
list at step 2. If at step 3, the shopper decides not to edit the
shopping list and the default site is not a portal, at step 20 the
list is sent to the site server. At step 21 the search is conducted
on the default site. The process then proceeds to step 13 in FIG.
1c. If the default site is a portal on which the software is
running, at step 5 the shopper is prompted to indicate whether he
wants to specify any particular website or sites to be searched. If
the shopper decides to specify a preferred website or sites, then
at step 6 in FIG. 1b the shopper specifies such site or sites
and/or excludes site or sites to be searched for some or all of the
items in the shopping list. If at step 5 the shopper declines to
specify a preferred website, in step 52 the shopping list is sent
to the portal server for system recommendation for site(s) to
search at step 17 in FIG. 1c.
[0010] At step 7 in FIG. 1b, the shopper views the list of
website(s) he specified. At step 8, the shopper is prompted to
indicate whether he wishes to edit the list of website(s) he
specified. If so, then at step 9, the shopper edits the list of
website(s), and then at step 7 views the edited list of site(s). If
however, at step 8, the shopper decides not to edit the list of
website(s) they specified, then at step 10 the list of specified
site(s) is sent to the server of the website on which the software
is running. At step 11, the server can approve good site(s) and
reject problem site or sites selected by the shopper. At step 12
the server searches approved sites, and if so desired, also search
the system recommended sites for the items on the shopping list for
comparison.
[0011] At step 13, the server writes the results, i.e., data
gathered, of the search for all of the items from all of the sites
searched into a file and formats the file. At step 14, the server
sends the file to the shopper's access device. The file can be
presented to the shopper in any form, including in a series of
lists, wherein each list corresponds to items found on different
websites or databases, or wherein each list is comprised of similar
types of items or similarly priced items. The list of items can be
presented for viewing by the shopper using any desired criteria. At
step 15, the shopper reviews the file and selects and approves for
purchase those items he desires, and such approval is sent to the
server. At step 16, the server places an order at the appropriate
website or sites for the items selected and approved for purchase
by the shopper and then send a confirmation to the shopper.
[0012] If at step 11, the server rejects all websites specified by
the shopper as problem sites, then at step 17 the server returns
the list of specified sites together with reasons for rejection,
and a list of recommended sites to the shopper. At step 18, if so
desired, the shopper can choose and prioritizes the system
recommended sites, or selects to search all system recommended
sites at the default prioritization recommended by the server. At
step 19, the revised list of sites is then sent to the server for
search at step 12, from where the process continues as previously
described above.
[0013] If at step 5 the shopper does not specify any websites, then
the list of items to be purchased are sent at step 20 to the
server. From step 20, the server returns the list of recommended
sites at step 17, from which point the process continues as
previously described above.
[0014] It will further aid in understanding the operation of the
present invention to consider the following example. If a shopper
wants to shop for ingredients for a meal, the recipe or recipes for
the meal are presented on-screen with a check box in front of each
ingredient on the list of required ingredients, along with option
entry blanks for the shopper to select or exclude items and to
indicate other information such as how many servings are to be
prepared to automatically populate an editable quantity column.
[0015] After the shopper enters their preferences/selections, the
shopper is presented with a list of suppliers from whom they can
purchase the goods. The shopper then selects and prioritizes the
list of suppliers in order of descending preference. The website or
database of the first most preferred supplier is then searched for
the desired items on the list, and data regarding said items is
collected and compiled. Then the website or database of the second
most preferred supplier is searched for the specified items with
said data being collected and compiled. The websites or databases
of the remaining suppliers are similarly searched in order of
descending preference.
[0016] The search results are then displayed for viewing by the
shopper in a plurality of lists including product information,
e.g., brand and price information, for each item with a separate
list being displayed for each of the respective suppliers. If items
are not available from the first most preferred supplier while
available from the next most preferred supplier, those items would
be listed separately in the first most preferred supplier search
result list as being available from the next, e.g., second, most
preferred supplier from whom they could be purchased. If the
desired items are not available from the first or second most
preferred supplier while available from the third most favored
supplier, such items would be listed separately in the first most
preferred supplier search result list as being available from the
next, e.g., third, most preferred supplier. Similarly, if in the
search result list for the second most preferred supplier there are
items not available from the second most preferred supplier, the
list would indicate whether those items were available from the
first most preferred supplier, from the third most preferred
supplier or from other suppliers in descending order of preferred
suppliers.
[0017] The shopper then chooses one search list of goods, and
places an order for the entire list of items at one time.
Alternatively, the shopper can query for various search result
listings using different criteria, and choose and place an order
for goods from said different lists, for example, for price
optimization. The software program then automatically places orders
at the specified suppliers for all of the items in the list, and
sends one confirmation to the shopper when the process is
completed.
[0018] The present invention is implemented using software which
can be written in many programming languages, or implemented with
many data and information displaying or web-page generation tools.
The present invention can be used on a global or local computer
network, on a personal computer, on viewable storage media such as
a CD or DVD, on a wireless telephone, on a wireless personal
assistant such as a Palm Pilot, or on any type of wired or wireless
device that enables digitally stored information to be viewed and
internet access. Also, information displayed and viewed using the
present invention can be printed, stored to other storage medium,
and electronically mailed to third parties.
[0019] Numerous modifications to and alternative embodiments of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in
view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is
to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the
invention. Details of the embodiment may be varied without
departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use
of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended
claims is reserved.
* * * * *
References