Abstract: A method for transmitting credit card numbers in a secure manner through an electronic medium such as the Internet. Credit card numbers typically consist of a string of 10-20 digits, with the exact number of digits depending upon the provider of the credit card. The security is provided by transmitting the credit card number in a plurality of different transmissions, each transmission containing at least one digit of the credit card number, but fewer than all of the digits of the credit card number. Preferably, the user selects the number of digits from the credit card number to send with each transmission. Thus, the entire credit card number can only be determined by receiving all of the transmissions from the user, thereby significantly increasing the difficulty of intercepting the credit card number.

Abstract: A method for enabling users over a network or over the WWW to interact with an interactive sales representative system for providing sales guidance. The system offers the user products, services, or ideas (the "products") according to parameters collected from the user. The system guides the customer to retrieve the desired products. If the system does not have a product matched to the customer requirements, preferably it will operate a mechanism for suggesting alternatives which are the closest to the customer requirements. The system will execute various sales tools and techniques to help and assist the customer and to convince the customer to purchase a product. By guiding the customer to the target product, the system will shorten the search cycle for the customer as well as find better matched products. The system will provide market advisory, suggest, recommend, discuss (in written form and optionally voice form), comment, advise the customer regarding the products.