Abstract: According to the present invention, a method to automate the replenishment of one or more items on a shopping list.

Abstract: A method produces a shopping list consisting of one or more items, wherein at least one item in the shopping list is a perishable item. The method operates in an e-commerce site and includes the steps of: storing one or more consumer shopping lists of respective consumers at the e-commerce site; storing a list of items previously purchased by one or more consumers from the e-commerce site; receiving a request from a consumer for at least one consumer shopping list; and determining if the request from the consumer is from a consumer that has previously purchased one or more perishable items from the e-commerce site. If the consumer has previously purchased one or more perishable items from the e-commerce site, then the method performs the sub-steps of: reviewing if any items previously purchased are perishable items with expiration dates; and adding to the at least one consumer shopping list one or more perishable items that have exceeded a predefined expiration date range.

Abstract: A method for producing a shopping list consisting of one or more items, wherein at least one item in the shopping list is a consumable item. The method on an e-commerce site comprising the storing data representing an inventory of items for sale at the e-commerce site. The purchase history of the items purchased by the consumers at the e-commerce site is stored along with the shopping list. A predetermined useful life of at least one item purchased in the purchase history by scanning a product code during the previous delivery of consumable items. The product code includes a date embedded therein. A useful life is predicted based on the rate of consumption by the plurality of consumers is stored. When a request is received from a consumer for a shopping lists to build an active shopping list the purchase history for the consumer to determine if a consumable item previously purchased from the purchase history has exceeded the predetermined useful life is reviewed.

Abstract: A method and system for electronic distribution and redemption of coupons on a computer network. The method includes the steps of: providing an electronic coupon in the form of a machine readable computer file; permitting a user of a client machine to receive the computer file via the computer network when the user accesses a selected coupon distribution web site; storing the computer file on the client machine; and authorizing a benefit when the computer file is received by a selected coupon redemption web site via the computer network. The method can further include the steps of transmitting the computer file from the coupon redemption web site to the centralized computer facility; and verifying the authenticity of the computer file prior to authorizing the benefit.

Abstract: A method for engaging in electronic commerce (e-commerce) over a network from an e-commerce site, comprises the steps of: storing data representing an inventory of items for sale at the e-commerce site; storing historic and active shopping lists of respective shoppers at the e-commerce site; providing logged on shoppers with a shopping list builder tool for constructing entirely new shopping lists and for constructing new shopping lists from said stored shopping lists; accepting completed active shopping lists from the logged on shoppers; consummating purchases of products on the accepted lists; and, delivering the purchased products to the shoppers. The method can further comprise the step of: storing authorization data enabling shoppers to purchase the items at the e-commerce site on credit. Shoppers can use the shopping list builder to create, modify, delete and merge named lists. A permanent cumulative shopping list can be compiled for each shopper.

Abstract: A method for moderating forums with anonymous but traceable contributions, comprising the steps of: establishing and conducting a moderated forum; receiving from any anonymous contributor an anonymous message and data identifying the contributor's actual user name and an anonymous designation; displaying the data identifying the actual user name and the anonymous designation only to at least one of a moderator and an administrator of the forum, the moderator having an opportunity to authorize or refuse publication of the anonymous message in accordance with rules of the forum and the at least one of the moderator and the administrator having an opportunity to attribute authorship of the anonymous message to the user for further reference; and, upon authorization of publication, publishing the anonymous message to the forum anonymously as to all other contributors.

Abstract: A method of enhancing network communications that provides conversion of data type, including language translation, between data producing and data consumers desiring to collaborate in a language or other data format different than the host language or data format. A conversion manager can receive producer data, sucn as topic threads, from a data provider and convert, either internally or through remote conversion engines, to a preferably preselected format for republication over the network to subscribing data consumers.

Abstract: A method for engaging in electronic commerce over the Internet, comprising the steps of: programming a first electronic mail (e-mail) message to include: a description of at least one product available for sale by an electronic commerce (e-commerce) site; a shopper selectable indicia for indicating that the shopper has chosen to purchase the at least one product; and, a shopper activatable link back to the e-commerce site for transmitting a second e-mail message including the shopper's choice to purchase the at least one product; transmitting the e-mail message over the Internet to at least one potential shopper; and, in response to receiving the second e-mail message transmitted back to the e-commerce site by activation of the link by the at least one potential shopper, consummating the purchase of the at least one product by the at least one potential shopper.