Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing complete electronic commerce (“E-Commerce”) transactions and solutions for a marketing company's products via the World Wide Web, including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for combining a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.

Abstract: A method of processing an online purchase request from a customer includes steps of receiving a first online purchase request for a first item; retrieving pre-stored information about the customer and generating a first quote that includes an identification of the first item and the retrieved information. Modifications may be made to the first quote, which lasts at least until a consolidation interval has elapsed. The first quote is converted to a first executable order for the first item when a quote conversion process determines that the first quote has remained unmodified at least for the consolidation interval. A second online purchase request for a second item may be added to the first quote when the second online purchase request is received before the first quote is converted into the first order or when the first quote has remained unmodified for a period of time that is less than the consolidation interval.

Abstract: A method and computer system are provided for interfacing between customers and independent service providers. Customer information and transaction data are collected for transactions that may be divided into at least two subsets, with transactions in each subset being initiated with transaction devices associated with a different independent service providers. For each transaction request, a determination is made which of the independent service providers should receive the transaction request, based on the collected customer information, and it is then transmitted to the determined independent service provider.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for evaluating a product is provided. In one embodiment, a product identification token associated with the product is optically scanned. The product identification token identifies a location from which a product evaluation form may be retrieved. The product evaluation form associated with the product is then retrieved using the product identification token. The product evaluation form is then presented to a user. The user may then optically scan a receipt identification token on a receipt corresponding to the purchased product. The receipt identification token provides receipt purchase information such as, for example, purchase location, purchase price, identity of the purchaser, and other demographic information. The receipt purchase information is then entered into the product evaluation form, facilitating the entry of product evaluation information about a product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing trade-action data pertaining to credibility of participants, across multiple independent electronic marketplaces, in an online business. The invention utilizes a publicly or privately accessible service provider computer program that uniquely identifies user's credentials across multiple independent marketplaces, and non-intrusively records trade action data at specific stages of the transaction. Service provider computer program correlates, and analyzes recorded trade actions, and transaction patterns to create credibility ratings that show efficiency and effectiveness of the transaction performed. Credibility ratings aid in decision making process by disclosing true intention of participants to make a successful online transaction based on earlier captured trade actions to provide uniform ratings by capturing specific set of data across multiple independent exchanges and tracking uniform transaction patterns.

Abstract: A customer compatible software is electronically provided to a customer based on a customer specification provided through a web interface. In one embodiment, the specification is checked for input errors and the customer is prompted to correct any detected errors, before proceeding. In another embodiment, a specification file is created by a common gateway interface (CGI) program based on the received customer specification. A customer compatible executable is then created by first selecting generic source code from a library (based on the specification file). Next, the generic source code is modified (based on the specification file). Then, the modified generic source code is compiled and linked to create an executable. Finally, the executable is converted to a customer compatible executable and provided with documentation to the customer via e-mail.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling patrons at large venues, such as spectator venues, convention halls, or airports, which have identifiable delivery locations, to utilize hand-held, wireless communication devices to self-order food, drink, souvenir items or services from remote order fulfillment locations within the venue for delivery to the identified delivery locations. Verification of available service level is provided. Hierarchical menus can be provided for visual display or audible presentation of items or services for purchase on the devices, or for presenting other information. A delivery location identification code is provided with the order, which is acknowledged. Automatic electronic payment for the order occurs by prearranged means.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing electronic procurement services to a state government agency at a price to the government agency which will permit the government agency to share in savings resulting from using proven internet-based services and existing procurement sub-systems, and supporting service related fees from participating vendors and customers.

Abstract: Freight forwarders and carriers post published rate and discount information for land, sea and air bearing cargo vessels to allow customers the opportunity to evaluate competitive prices, preferably in one consolidated location (e.g., a web site). A customer navigates to the site to obtain published or discounted rate information offered by a freight forwarder or carrier. The customer may accept a posted rate, in which case the site operator notifies the freight forwarder or carrier. Alternatively, customers, freight forwarders and carriers may negotiate rates for particular lanes of interest using an online interactive auction block.

Abstract: A reverse logistics method for recapturing value of used goods over one or more internet exchange portals is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of offering used goods, owned by an actual seller, for sale over an internet exchange portal; selling a right to market the used goods to a virtual seller; marketing the used goods over the portal under direction of the virtual seller; identifying an actual buyer; and selling the used goods to the actual buyer.

Abstract: In a client-server environment in which a plurality of clients are connected on a network, a manager of a company displays an approval request list window (07-01-00) in which a list of purchase-requested articles is displayed, on a client by a predetermined operation, selects a desired article from the articles displayed in the window, and clicks a software button “approval select” or “rejection select” in accordance with approval or rejection of the selected article. At this time, the article for which approval is selected can be formally ordered.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying time lapse for an on-line auction for an item in a computer. According to the method, the processor time in the computer is obtained and compared to the official auction time for the items being auctioned in the on-line auction which is obtained from the on-line auction service. The users computer compares the obtained processor time to the obtained official auction time and correlates the end of time from the on-line auction service to a processor end of time which corresponds to the user's time. The computer then displays the time left correlated to the processor's time preferably in a visual countdown graphical icon.

Abstract: An online communication schema for an online vehicle ordering and tracking system is provided. The communication schema includes a search request message and a search reply message. The search request message includes at least one search criteria, including make and model of a vehicle, and a weighting of each criterion. The search reply message includes a list of vehicles substantially matching the search criteria, and a plurality of vehicle configuration parameters of the vehicles substantially matching the search criteria, including make, model, dealer identifier, price, and color.

Abstract: An inventive procurement system includes a requisition system for special item purchases that are not found when searching a catalog database. Using the requisition system the buyer is provided with the desired item while the information associated with the requisition is selectively added to a rule-based knowledge base as well as to an item database. In a preferred embodiment a common language generator has been used to normalize free form data using pre-determined rules to place the data into a class/attribute/value relationship. By having the item requisition follow the same relationship, the pre-determined rules may be updated and the free-form data associated with the item properly coded for inclusion into an item database.

Abstract: An on-line electronic commerce transaction for facilitating purchase of digital products (softgoods) after enabling a user to preview the softgoods. Creators of the softgoods enter into an agreement with an e-commerce agency in which the agency agrees to handle sales of the softgoods and to return a portion of the revenue to the creators. Creators are provided with a softgood authoring tool that automates the softgood creation process. Before the softgoods are distributed, a unique identifier is included in the softgood by this authoring tool. To play a softgood, a prospective purchaser downloads or otherwise acquires a player program. The player program enables a prospective purchaser a limited preview of each softgood. If a user decides to purchase a softgood, the player program communicates with the e-commerce agency over the Internet to facilitate the purchase transaction. During this transaction, the prospective purchaser is prompted to enter a financial account number.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling patrons at large-scale events at confined venues utilizes conventional or special hand-held, wireless communication devices to self-order food, drink and souvenir items from remote order fulfillment locations within the venue for delivery to the patrons' seats. Hierarchical menus are provided for display of items for purchase on the devices. Patrons transmit a seat identification code with the order, which is acknowledged, and send a confirmation code upon receipt of order delivery, which causes automatic electronic payment for the order by prearranged means.

Abstract: A server system for multi-level vending of any electronically transferable product through a communications network directly to a customer's computer. This server system (herein called a Sales Support Server) integrates the collection of a payment via the network and the automatic distribution of the product with the calculation of commissions using a multi-level marketing commission structure and the distribution of commissions and fees via the network. The preferred configuration includes a client application (herein called a Sales App) which runs as a plug-in to a network browser on the customer's computer and which provides a purchase request and registration data to a Sales Support Server and performs the installation of the product on the customer's computer. The Sales Support Server acquires the payment, transfers the product, calculates and pays the commissions, and adds the purchaser's registration information to the multi-level sales database for the product.

Abstract: A system of software components is constructed which includes multiple recommendation agents, each having: a list of recommended items for each user; a numerical predicted rating representing the predicted extent of each user's preference for the item recommended and numerical value information representing confidence; and a user profile for holding basic information on each user and influential power information of each recommendation agent with respect to each user. A recommendation manager is constructed to: select one or more recommendation agents using the basic user information and the influential power information; generate a final list of recommended items; and adjust the influential power of each recommendation agent stored in said user agent according to the predicted score and the belief provided by each recommendation agent, and the extent of a user's actual preference for the recommendation.

Abstract: A novel system and method for finding product and, service related information on the Internet. The system includes Internet Servers which store information pertaining to Universal Product or Service Number (e.g. UPC number) preassigned to each product and service registered in the system, with Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) that point to the location of one or more information resources on the Internet, e.g. World Wide Websites, related to such products or services. Each client computer system includes an Internet browser or Internet application tool which is provided with a “Internet Product/Service Information (IPSI) Finder” button and a “Universal Product/Service Number (UPSN) Search” button. The system enters its “IPSI Finder Mode” when the “IPSI Finder” button is depressed and enters the “UPSN Search Mode” when the “UPSN Search” button is depressed.

Abstract: Method of and system for delivering consumer product related information to consumers over the Internet. The system and method involves creating an UPN-encoded Consumer Product Information (CPIR) enabling Applet for each consumer product registered within a manufacturer-managed UPN/URL database management system. Each CPIR-enabling Applet is encapsulated within an executable file and then stored in the UPN/URL database management system. Each CPIR-enabling Applet is searchable and downloadable by, for example, (1) retailers purchasing products from an electronic-commerce enabled product catalog, (2) advertisers desiring to link consumer product information to Web-based product advertisements, or (3) anyone having a legitimate purpose of disseminating such information within the stream of electronic commerce.