Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for providing instant vendor notification in an electronic commerce network environment

US6546374B1 · kind B1 · utility

118Cited by
72References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 1999
Grant dateApr 8, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06Q30/0643
  • WIPO fieldIT methods for management
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

According to the invention, an apparatus for providing real-time notification of purchaser requirements in a heterogeneous network environment is provided. The heterogeneous network environment can include a public packet switched network, such as the Internet, and a wireless network, such as a plurality of pagers. Select embodiments include a plurality of wireless terminals in communication with the wireless network to receive real-time notification of a purchaser's requirements. At least one vendor computer is part of the apparatus. The vendor computer has one or more databases for storing information about products and services in a product database, and a customer database, for storing information about customers. A plurality of client computers is also included. The client computers enable users to interact with the system to learn about and express interest in products and services.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.