System and method permitting customers to order products from multiple participating merchants
US6850901B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0643
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A universal automated order processing system represents multiple (e.g., hundreds or thousands) participating merchants who offer their products through the system. Customers become qualified for using the system by supplying a set of information (e.g., name, credit card number, shipping address) that is stored in a customer database. When a customer wishes to order a product, the customer calls the system, customer identity is automatically confirmed, the customer enters a product order number and the complete order is routed to the appropriate merchant with the information necessary for the merchant to fulfill the order. Available credit verification and other aspects of credit card transactions may be handled by either the system operator or the merchant. The system operator may offer revolving credit. The system may also be used to provide potential customers of the merchants with free product information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.