Completely anonymous purchasing of goods on a computer network

US7454356B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Clickshare Service Corp. · US

Inventors

• Helen Fields · Los Angeles, US
• Richard A. Lerner · Village of La Jolla, US
• William P. Densmore · Williamstown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 24, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 18, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 2, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0615
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for the anonymous purchase of goods. A Customer requests to purchase some physical goods, the Vendor determines the cost of the goods, and asks the Customer to select a Carrier. The Vendor requests a Customer Token and redirects the Customer's browser to the Carrier, with the Customer Token, a Vendor Token and a description of the package. The Carrier validates the Vendor's Token and uses the Customer's token to request information about the Customer, including shipping instructions. The Carrier assigns a shipping identifier and shipping cost and redirects the Customer's browser back to the Vendor along with the identifier and shipping cost. The Vendor adjusts the cost to include shipping, packages the goods, and labels the packages with the shipping identifier. The Carrier picks up the packages, prints a complete label using the Customer information associated with the shipping identifier and delivers the goods.