Transaction automation and archival system using electronic contract and disclosure units

US8228299B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Singleton Technology, LLC · US

Inventors

• William C. Maloney · Atlanta, US
• Mark A. Singleton · Braselton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 4, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Feb 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T7/20
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. The heart of the system is an electronic contract disclosure unit, or ECDU. The ECDU includes a digitizing display that includes a video display for imaging to participants the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the entire progress of the transaction, and thus controls the collaborative space occupied by the participants to the transaction. The computer, for instance, controls the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receives the purchaser's signature on the displayed documents when required, offers choices of various packages that can be accepted or declined by the purchaser, and insures that the entire transaction is carried out properly. The ECDU further logs the transaction for future review and preferably includes a video camera and microphone for logging images and sounds of the particip…