Abstract: Disclosed herein are an authentication and payment system and method. The authentication and payment system of the present invention includes an issuer server, an issuer information management intermediate server, an acquirer server and a payment server. The issuer server issues, manages and operates payment means. The issuer information management intermediate server manages URL information required to access domestic and foreign issuer servers. The acquirer server performs payment approval and performs acquisition and settlement for member stores. The payment server intermediates between the issuer server and the acquirer server to provide an authentication and payment service in response to a request from a terminal of the merchant. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a safe and convenient payment process with respect to payment means, such as credit cards, electronic money or mobile phone micro payment that can be selected between a purchaser and a merchant.

Abstract: A profile is configured with permissions that may be shared with other profiles. Contextual data defining user activity, preferences, and/or other contextual information is obtained and analyzed to identify a profile that may utilize shared permissions. In some configurations, the contextual data may also utilized to determine if a set of permissions of a first user profile is to be shared with a second user profile. Based on the contextual data, a recommendation may be issued to enable the second user profile to utilize permissions shared by the first user profile. Modifications may be made to the second user profile allowing a computer associated with the second user profile to access data and/or program features that are defined by the shared permissions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that includes an order processing subsystem and a delivery processing subsystem comprising at least one database and one or more processors. The one or more processors of the delivery processing subsystem is configured to receive a request for a user to access the delivery processing subsystem and a scanning device, authenticate the user by verifying the request with user credentials stored in the at least one database, provide the user with access to the delivery processing subsystem and the scanning device, receive scanned data from the scanning device, retrieve package data regarding a package for an inmate based on the scanned data from the scanning device, and generate, based on the package data, a route in the correctional facility for delivery of the package to the inmate in the correctional facility, wherein the route does not include an identity of the inmate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system that includes a profile subsystem that stores inmate profiles, and an order processing subsystem that receives data regarding an order of the inmate, retrieves an inmate profile for the inmate from the profile subsystem, applies restrictions to the order of the inmate based on the inmate profile, generates an order number for the order of the inmate, assigns an RFID tag to the order number by encoding data into the RFID tag, and generates one or more labels comprising the RFID tag to be affixed to a package so as to conceal an identity of the inmate, in which the package with the order is packaged and shipped to the correctional facility with the one or more labels comprising the RFID tag. The system also includes a delivery processing subsystem that receives data regarding the package based on scanning the RFID tag of the package.

Abstract: The PRODUCT RECALL PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“PR Platform”) transforms recall initiation request, product identifier and purchase processing request inputs via PR Platform components into recall notification message outputs. In some embodiments, the PR Platform receives a purchase processing request including a plurality of product identifiers and preselects product identifiers that qualify for purchase processing based on at least one purchase processing rule. The PR Platform facilitates querying of a product recall database to determine if the preselected product identifiers match recalled product identifiers in the product recall database. If at least one of the preselected product identifiers match the recalled product identifiers, the PR Platform retrieves a recall message associated with the at least one of the preselected product identifiers and notification preferences associated with the purchase processing request.

Abstract: Embodiments for creating a unified catalog include systems and methods that import catalog data from one or more underlying catalog systems. The systems provide a user interface to a user for browsing items from the catalog data and receive a request for at least one selected item from the user. The systems also determine an item identifier for the at least one selected item and match the at least one selected item to at least one source catalog selected from the one or more underlying catalog systems based on the identifier.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems that interact with users so as to provide for social networking and/or other services. An entertainment system is configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from the outside of the location, coordinating social networking services among and between patrons within and outside of the location and also providing for advertisement opportunities. An entertainment system within a location may serve as and/or be connected to a jukebox. The entertainment system within the location may be connected to one or more client devices, one or more displays, one or more bar-top or hand-held gaming devices, etc., in certain exemplary embodiments. Jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services may provide mechanisms for enhancing patrons' experiences, creating a sense of ownership and/or belongingness to a connected community of entertainment system users.

Abstract: A task assistance system includes: a location detection unit (101) for setting a sensing plane in a first face side of a display means capable of displaying a plurality of articles and calculating location information of a hand located on the sensing plane or location information of an object different from the hand; a region setting unit (102) for setting a plurality of sensing regions on the sensing plane using the location information of the hand or the location information of the object calculated by the location detection unit (101); and a pass-through region determination unit (104) for determining which one of the plurality of sensing regions a hand extended to the display means from the first face side has passed through using the location information of the hand calculated by the location detection unit (101), after the region setting unit (102) sets the plurality of sensing regions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing received item information for a number of items in order to determine whether each item is already included in an electronic catalog. The item information for each item may be analyzed in order to determine whether the received item information is a close match with any known item previously included in the electronic catalog. When close matches are found for one or more items, one or more modifications may be applied to at least a portion of the received item information in order to match stored item information for the corresponding close match. One or more rules associated with the determined modifications may then be generated and applied to receive item information for other items that fit certain determined criteria.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system accesses transaction documents. A unique code is generated for each transaction for one or more products, wherein the unique code is associated with a transaction document including transaction information and each product is associated with a product code. The system stores the unique code and corresponding one or more product codes associated with each transaction, and accesses one or more transaction documents based on an identifier of at least one product associated with a corresponding transaction of the one or more transaction documents. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for accessing transaction documents in substantially the same manners described above.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method of managing digital content received from content providers and for facilitating access to the digital content to many subscribers. The method includes receiving from the content providers incoming feed files where each feed file contains information describing the content. The method determines if the feed files are approved by applying a template to the feed files and also receives request files from the subscribers where each request file contains search criteria. The method provides one or more answer files in response to the request files where each answer file identifies feed files that meet the search criteria of a corresponding request file. The answer files are used to access or permit access to digital content on the web. In addition, a graphical user interface is described to manage, edit, promote and delete the feed files provided to the system.

Abstract: Recording a user's preference for content is disclosed. A first indication that a user has a first preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the first indication, the content is associated with the first preference. A second indication that the user has a second preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the second indication, the content is additional associated with the second preference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technology for seamless initiation of a financial service, such as a payment transaction, by sending a communication message. The disclosed technology can be used, for example, to send payment from a person (e.g., a consumer) to another over e-mail without requiring any sign-up or login procedure. In at least one embodiment, the technology includes receiving a service request email generated by a native email application on a consumer's device, verifying the email using information included in the email, and initiating the service as requested based on the information. Various embodiments of the disclosed technology enable a simplified payment transaction system for ordinary consumers without the hassle of having to sign up, to remember a user account and a password, and to login for sending or receiving every payment transaction, while not sacrificing the essential security feature of authenticating the user for every payment transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating interaction with one or more advertisement functionalities is provided. An advertisement middleware provides advertisement functionalities for interfacing with one or more systems and components of an underlying device. The advertisement middleware includes a transport layer, an application programming interface and one or more functional modules. The functional modules may include a player module, a cache, a report module, a profile module, a loyalty module and a payment module. Each module may perform various advertising tasks for an advertisement application. In addition, use of a particular advertisement application may be tracked to provide incentives to developers to create advertisement applications.

Abstract: Recording a user's preference for content is disclosed. A first indication that a user has a first preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the first indication, the content is associated with the first preference. A second indication that the user has a second preference for the content is received. In response to receiving the second indication, the content is additionally associated with the second preference.

Abstract: Entertainment systems interact with users to provide for social networking and/or other services. For instance, an entertainment system may be configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from outside of the location, coordinating social networking services among and between patrons, while also providing for advertisement opportunities. The entertainment system within the location may be connected to one or more client devices, one or more displays, one or more bar-top or hand-held gaming devices, etc. The jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services may provide mechanisms for enhancing patrons' experiences, creating a sense of ownership and/or belongingness to a connected community of entertainment system users.

Abstract: An online subscription service system for subscription merchants that facilitates efficient payment from a subscription customer for a subscription described on a merchant web page, without providing personal sensitive data to employees of the merchant. The online subscription system includes a central system, a portable wireless device, a card processor and a merchant system and a web page with a service code that identifies the merchant and the particular service.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for supporting purchasing of goods or services from a provider. An example system may comprise a database operable to maintain identification data of a consumer; and a server operable to receive a purchase request from the consumer. The server may then add an alias to the purchase request, where the alias corresponds to the identification data of the consumer, and forward the purchase request with the alias to the provider. The aliased identification data is not accessible to the provider. In an example method, a server, in a communication network, may receive a purchase request sent by a consumer through the communication network. The server, which may maintain identification data of the consumer, may then substitute the identification data of the consumer with an alias, and may forward the purchase request with the alias to the provider. The identification data is not accessible to the provider.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system for maintaining anonymity of a buyer during a process of performing vendor research for a buying project. The system includes a proxy environment to anonymously represent the buyer during the vendor research process. The proxy environment is configurable for the buyer to create an RFI associated with the buying project or for the vendor to invite a buyer to communicate with them anonymously. The system includes a vendor invitation manager that invites the vendors to participate in the buying project and interact with the buyer in a way that maintains buyer anonymity via the proxy environment. In some embodiments, the system includes a query manager that generates a set of queries that the buyer requests vendors to respond to. Vendors can respond to or ignore the set of queries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to authorize users to anonymously access resources of different web sites. For example, a business listing service may authenticate users and allow the authenticated users to access the resources of the businesses listed via the business listing service, without the users having to create separate accounts with the businesses and without having to reveal the identities of the users to the businesses.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for merchant anonymous check-in at a merchant location. A user may bring a user device to a merchant location where the user may have previously checked-in at the merchant location and perform an anonymous check-in at the merchant location. Thus, the user device may provide the merchant location with a different or obfuscated identifier so the merchant does not identify the user from the previous check-in. Once the user has checked-in with the merchant, the user may make service requests for the merchant's staff, such as do not approach or service assistance. Additionally, the merchant may inform the user about loyalty account services and automatically enroll the user in a loyalty account. If the user has discounts, gift cards, or other benefits in a digital wallet, the merchant may offer the user other benefits related to the benefits in the digital to increase sales.

Abstract: A method of enabling anonymous shipment of a package containing goods purchased by a customer from a vendor for delivery to an address unknown to the vendor includes steps of receiving a request for a package code for the package from the vendor, sending the package code to the vendor, the package code being devoid of delivery address information and sending a shipping identifier and an associated address to the shipper. The shipper, after picking up the package for shipment from the vendor, matches the package code sent to the vendor with the shipping identifier and identifies the associated address as the delivery address of the package. A shipping label may then be printed out and affixed to the package.

Abstract: A method is provided of anonymizing an interaction between a user entity and a service provider node wishing to provide a service to the user entity in dependence upon characteristics of the user entity determined or revealed as a result of the interaction, the method comprising: assigning the user entity to at least one set, each set comprising as members a plurality of user entities sharing a characteristic associated with that set; ensuring that the intersection of the at least one set comprises at least a predetermined minimum number of user entities; and providing to the service provider node information relating to the or each characteristic associated with the at least one set, the information being for use at the service provider node in providing a service to the user entity that is appropriate in view of the characteristics of the user entity but insufficient to identify the user entity.

Abstract: A sponsorship method that includes the steps of: a) providing an electronic database including sponsorship opportunity information; b) allowing one or more potential sponsors to gain access to the sponsorship opportunity information, c) enabling the one or more potential sponsors to offer to purchase a sponsorship opportunity; d) using a data processor to determine, using one or more selection criteria, the suitability of the one or more potential sponsors to the sponsorship opportunity; and e) if the offer to purchase the sponsorship opportunity is accepted, using the data processor to generate a sponsorship agreement based on information in the electronic database and/or information entered into the electronic interface by the one or more potential sponsors.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms and processes are provided to allow law-enforcement officials, when encountering the potential use of prepaid payment cards in the furtherance of a crime or in relation to criminal activities, to (1) attempt to check the balances on such prepaid payment cards, including the ability to perform aggregate balance checks on a group of such prepaid cards, (2) attempt to freeze the funds on such prepaid payment cards, and/or (3) attempt to seize the funds on such prepaid payment cards.

Abstract: Items are sold via a wireless mobile telecommunications network in which multimedia presentations describing items offered for sale are broadcast for reception by wireless mobile devices. Users of the devices can transmit responses indicating requests to buy the items or bid for them in auctions.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing personal identity theft when making online and offline purchases requires a Purchaser to first subscribe and become a Member user by registering, providing relevant personal identity information, and establishing two-way multi-factor authentication information for security purposes. The ID protection system obtains a controlled use card (CUC) through a CUC issuer on behalf of the Member for use in making each purchase transaction. The CUC is anonymous with respect to user (Member) identity and may be a purchase-specific single-use card or a multi-purpose card with no traceable connection to any other financial account. When the Member makes a secure purchase, the Merchant is presented with anonymous information, except in instances where the Member's real identity information is required (e.g. airline tickets).

Abstract: An augmented reality shopping system in one embodiment includes a store communication network, a memory including program instructions for receiving a product location request, associating the received request with product information stored in a product database, determining the location of the product within the store, receiving shopper location information, determining a route between the determined location of the product and the shopper location based upon the shopper location information, generating route rendering data based upon the determined route, and transmitting the route rendering data through the store communication network. The system further includes a processor operably connected to the store communication network and to the memory for executing the program instructions and a mobile display device operably connected to the processor through the store communication network for rendering an overlay image using the transmitted route rendering data.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing transactions in which an order is specified online and payment is received at a point of sale (POS). Methods are disclosed for managing payment for such transactions at a POS, including transactions involving payment for both in-store purchases and online orders. Methods are also disclosed for managing inventory and price changes for such transactions where payment can occur at any time in a pay period following order creation. Also disclosed are methods for processing refunds for online orders for which payment was made at a POS. Finally, methods for preventing fraud and abuse as well as restricting the availability of this payment method for certain items are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and a method comprise connecting to a proxy business. The proxy business is configured for conducting a transaction as a proxy for a consumer. Details, of an item for which said proxy business is to conduct a transaction and identifying information for said consumer, are transferred to the proxy business. Final transaction details and terms of acceptance are received from the proxy business. An acceptance of the final transaction details and terms is communicated to the proxy business. The proxy business initiates a consumer transaction with the consumer. The proxy business further communicates an order, to the vender, for the item in the name of the proxy business. The vender completes the order by making available the item to the proxy business. The item is received from the proxy business to complete the consumer transaction in which the consumer remains anonymous to the vender.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, at a service server, a request for services from a requesting device. The service server may identify one or more service options responsive to the request and send a list of the identified service options to the requesting device. The service server may receive a selected service option from the requesting device. The service server may collect payment information for the selected service option from the requesting device and providing accounting information to a service provider of the selected service option based on the payment information.

Abstract: Information for performing a transaction with a vendor is received at an intermediary. The transaction is to be performed on behalf of a consumer-subscriber. The intermediary presents the information to a vendor. Confirmation from the vendor of the transaction is received at the intermediary. The intermediary provides notification of the confirmation, and the notification is accessible by the consumer-subscriber.

Abstract: An electronic business transaction system is provided for a product purchaser to purchase a product from a product supplier, and for a product delivery service provider to deliver the product to an address of the product purchaser or a product receiver. The product purchaser instructs an identification code and the product to the product supplier without disclosing a name and the address of the product purchaser or the product receiver. A terminal of an information administrator identifies the name and the address of the product purchaser or the product receiver according to the identification code of the product purchaser or the product receiver. The terminal of the information administrator instructs the name and the address of the product purchaser or the product receiver to the product delivery service provider without disclosing the identification code of the product purchaser or the product receiver, so that the product delivery service provider delivers the product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating a purchase request to a dealer immediately. A Data Center system has a system database accessible to a plurality of dealers. A potential buyer submits a purchase request over a computer network to the Data Center system. The purchase request may include product identification data and buyer location information. The Data Center system identifies at least one appropriate dealer to receive the purchase request. The Data Center creates a purchase request record from the data and information provided in the purchase request. The Data Center then communicates the purchase request to the appropriate dealer by immediately storing the purchase request record into the system database such that the purchase request is accessible only to the at least one identified dealer. The purchase request becomes available to the at least one identified dealer immediately upon the creation of the purchase request record.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to transact an anonymous on-line transaction, wherein a form of on-line payment is requested at a transaction interface is disclosed. The method may include providing an anonymous user interface that enables a user to initiate an on-line payment, accessing a first profile comprising user data when the user activates the form of on-line payment, generating a second profile linked to the first profile, wherein the second profile comprises anonymous data, and communicating the anonymous data from the second profile to the transaction interface to enable completion of the transaction.

Abstract: Virtual account based digital cash protocols use a combination of blind digital signatures and pseudonym authentication with at least two pairs of public and private keys. A user is provided with one master pair of private and public keys and as many pseudonym pairs of private and public keys as desired. The resulting virtual account based hybrid protocols combine the advantages of blind digital signature and pseudonym authentication. Blind digital signatures based on the master pair of keys are used to withdraw digital cash from the user's bank account under the user's real identity. A pseudonym pair of keys is used for converting digital cash into virtual account based digital cash by a digital cash issuer. All pseudonyms can be used for spending the virtual account based digital cash.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process.

Abstract: A portable device is used to capture, in real time, data sufficient to identify a product or service promoted, or a music track played, on a broadcast medium such as radio or television. The capture device can be a standalone implementation, or an application program executable on a personal communication device such as a cell phone or Blackberry. The capture device communicates the captured data to a remote server via a selected wired or wireless channel, or the internet, and the server provides services to support the user in responding to the radio or television broadcast item that corresponds to the captured data.

Abstract: A method for completing an electronic commerce transaction, involving receiving security information associated with a real identity of a buyer, receiving virtual security labels corresponding to security information associated with the real identity of a buyer, storing the security information and the virtual security labels in an isolated entity of a dedicated payment system, transferring the virtual security labels to a virtual world entity of the dedicated payment system, wherein the virtual world entity is operatively connected to a first network using which the buyer connects to the dedicated payment system, and executing the electronic commerce transaction via the first network using the virtual security labels and the security information associated with the real identity of the buyer, wherein the isolated entity is communicatively disjoined from the virtual world entity and the first network, and wherein security information associated with the real identity of the buyer is not transmitted via the fi

Abstract: An on-site dynamic personalization system and method having a browser interacting through an internet connection with web pages of members in a cooperative network is described. The system includes a processor coupled through the internet connection to the browser. In addition, the system includes a memory with a cooperative membership database that stores data collected as the browser navigates web pages in the cooperative network. The memory also includes a software module with program code that the processor executes to cause the system to perform certain operations.

Abstract: A system for providing logistics for a sale of goods. The system may be implemented over a global computer network, and is effective to provide financial logistics for a sale of goods between a seller and a remote buyer, in a manner that does not require interaction between the seller and buyer. The system further implements a geography-based and time-based strategy for executing the logistics of shipping time-sensitive goods from the seller to the buyer.

Abstract: A method of facilitating an eCommerce transaction between a consumer and an eCommerce merchant via a third party entity is provided. The eCommerce merchant receives a selection of goods for purchase and a first code from the consumer. The eCommerce merchant transmits at least a second code to the third party entity to request confirmation of the eCommerce transaction. The second code is at least partially derived from the first code. The eCommerce merchant receives the confirmation from the third party entity. The eCommerce merchant ships the goods only if the confirmation indicates that the consumer has approved, via the third party entity, the eCommerce transaction. The merchant is unaware of financial information belonging to the consumer and at least one of identity of the consumer and a shipping data that is specific to the consumer. The eCommerce merchant receives payment for the eCommerce transaction from the third party entity.

Abstract: A secure electronic financial funds transfer arrangement including: a funds provider entity who issue a voucher to a customer after registration; a customer seeking to purchase goods and services from a merchant utilising electronic means, or other means intending delivery of valuable goods to the registered address; a verification means available to the merchant with the funds provider entity and whereupon said validation of the voucher issued by the funds provider entity to the customer will result in the transfer of financial funds from the funds provider entity to the merchant and the delivery of the selected goods and/or services to the registered address made by the customer during the registration process before the financial funds transfer voucher was issued by the funds provider entity.

Abstract: A method and system for anonymous communication between a consumer and a provider are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a first input from a consumer, the first input including an indication of intent to purchase a desired product. A plurality of providers is queried based on the first input to locate a matching provider, and the matching provider is notified about the consumer through a notification lead without revealing an identity of the consumer. Anonymous communications are provided regarding a purchase of the desired product between the consumer and the matching provider, wherein the anonymous communications include a price negotiation.

Abstract: An online marketplace is established where sellers compete by offering to sell a mass quantity of a specific product, referenced by a unique product ID. A successful sale is determined at a time that maximizes a group of buyers' offers for the specific product. At the determined time, both the sellers' offers and the buyers' offers for the specific product are separately sorted from the lowest price offer to highest price offer. Competing sellers are awarded sales contingent on one or more buyer offers remaining after each seller having a lower sell price is satisfied for its entire quantity. Sells for each successful seller are satisfied starting from a buyer's offer having a lowest buy price and increasing to successively higher buy prices of the remaining buyers' offers, until the seller's entire quantity of the listed product is satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to transact an anonymous on-line transaction, wherein a form of on-line payment is requested at a transaction interface is disclosed. The method may include providing an anonymous user interface that enables a user to initiate an on-line payment, accessing a first profile comprising user data when the user activates the form of on-line payment, generating a second profile linked to the first profile, wherein the second profile comprises anonymous data, and communicating the anonymous data from the second profile to the transaction interface to enable completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method for anonymous computerized commerce in non-fungible goods, the method including entering into a database particulars of non-fungible goods held by at least one of potential buyers and sellers, without providing to the database identifiers of the at least one of potential buyers and sellers, employing the database to match potential buyers with potential sellers of non-fungible goods based on similarities between non-fungible goods at least potentially available for sale by potential sellers and non-fungible goods held by potential buyers and establishing contact with at least one of potential buyers and sellers.

Abstract: A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to transact an anonymous on-line transaction, wherein a form of on-line payment is requested at a transaction interface is disclosed. The method may include providing an anonymous user interface that enables a user to initiate an on-line payment, accessing a first profile comprising user data when the user activates the form of on-line payment, generating a second profile linked to the first profile wherein, the second profile comprises anonymous data, and communicating the anonymous data from the second profile to the transaction interface to enable completion of the transaction.

Abstract: An online system and method for allowing a prospective buyer to complete an electronic RFP document and to have the RFP document transmitted to one or more appropriate prospective sellers of goods and services. The system and method provide the prospective buyer with the option of automatically identifying potentially appropriate sellers by means of key word searches in a compiled database of vendor information and product and services descriptions. The prospective buyer may also elect to review the database contents “manually” by means of selecting specific subject matter areas or incrementally reviewing a list of database vendors one at a time. The system directs the buyer's RFP to the selected vendors for review and consideration. This transmission is made electronically, typically by email protocols, for review by appropriate personnel at the selected vendor's business.