Methods and apparatus wherein a buyer arranges to purchase a first product using a communication network and subsequently takes possession of a substitute product at a retailer

US6970837B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Walker Digital, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jay S. Walker · Ridgefield, US
• Magdalena Mik · Greenwich, US
• Andrew S. Van Luchene · Norwalk, US
• Keith Bemer · New York, US
• John Paul Shepardson · Skillman, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2005
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0631
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Purchasing system methods and apparatus are provided wherein a buyer purchases a first product through a purchasing system, such as by submitting a buyer offer. A retailer receives product redemption information from a buyer, the product redemption information enabling the buyer to take possession of the first product. The retailer determines a substitute product to provide to the buyer, the substitute product being different than the first product. The determination may be based on information contained in the buyer offer, such as a product category, a product class and one or more product features.