Abstract: A system for electronic commerce (10) having personal agents (12 and 13) that represent consumers and providers in a virtual marketplace (28). Consumer personal agents conceal the identity of the consumer and are capable of creating decision agents (14) that shop for products and assist consumers in comparing and ranking products. Provider personal agents are capable of creating demand agents (16) that quantify demand and target specific consumers without learning the identity of the consumers. Based on data generated by the activities of the decision agents and on preference data maintained by consumer personal agents, provider personal agents can quantify current, historical, and future demand, simulate demand, and target specific consumers for advertising and other messages. Provider personal agents can cooperate with consumer personal agents to collect data about reasons for sales and lost sales and to offer consideration payments to consumers.

Abstract: A system and method of providing privacy through anonymity is described. As one aspect of the invention, a person registers at a privacy server and is given a pseudo identity that can be used to browse, register, purchase, pay for, and take delivery of products and services. Transactions are completed with the privacy server on a need-to-know basis. A seller communicates with the privacy server but only sees a demand, not the identity of the buyer. The financial institution communicates with the privacy server and sees the payment, not the merchandise. The freight company communicates with the privacy server and sees the package, not its contents. The privacy server operates in a manner that assures privacy and anonymity for the buyer and, if necessary, both the seller as well.

Abstract: A system and method of providing privacy through anonymity is described. As one aspect of the invention, a person registers at a privacy server and is given a pseudo identity that can be used to browse, register, purchase, pay for, and take delivery of products and services. Transactions are completed with the privacy server on a need-to-know basis. A seller communicates with the privacy server but only sees a demand, not the identity of the buyer. The financial institution communicates with the privacy server and sees the payment, not the merchandise. The freight company communicates with the privacy server and sees the package, not its contents. The privacy server operates in a manner that assures privacy and anonymity for the buyer and, if necessary, both the seller as well.

Abstract: A system and method of providing privacy through anonymity is described. As one aspect of the invention, a person registers at a privacy server and is given a pseudo identity that can be used to browse, register, purchase, pay for, and take delivery of products and services. Transactions are completed with the privacy server on a need-to-know basis. A seller communicates with the privacy server but only sees a demand, not the identity of the buyer. The financial institution communicates with the privacy server and sees the payment, not the merchandise. The freight company communicates with the privacy server and sees the package, not its contents. The privacy server operates in a manner that assures privacy and anonymity for the buyer and, if necessary, both the seller as well.

Abstract: A system and method of providing privacy through anonymity is described. As one aspect of the invention, a person registers at a privacy server and is given a pseudo identity that can be used to browse, register, purchase, pay for, and take delivery of products and services. Transactions are completed with the privacy server on a need-to-know basis. A seller communicates with the privacy server but only sees a demand, not the identity of the buyer. The financial institution communicates with the privacy server and sees the payment, not the merchandise. The freight company communicates with the privacy server and sees the package, not its contents. The privacy server operates in a manner that assures privacy and anonymity for the buyer and, if necessary, both the seller as well.