WO2000062188A2 - Multi-component transaction processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computerized, web-based system and method provides and distributes services required for complex sales such as real estate, insurance and other multi-component transactions. The typical real estate transaction is quite complex, requiring many different parties to supply pieces of the transaction under tight deadlines. A central computerized clearinghouse (and more) for such services includes personalized membership, intelligent form completion, intelligent order routing, order history and up-to-date process status, system utilities such as bulletin boards and directories, advanced system administration features, an active response system, automated server services, and integrated contract handling.

Description

MULTI-COMPONENT TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Serial No. 60/128,538, filed April 9, 1999, the entire contents of which are herein

incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention provides a computerized (e.g., web-based) system

and method for providing and distributing services required for complex multi-

component transactions such as real estate, insurance, travel and other transactions.

A typical real estate transaction is quite complex, requiring many different

parties to supply pieces of the transaction under tight deadlines. In a residential

real estate closing, for example, the property must be surveyed, the property must

be inspected for termites or for other reasons, title searches must be performed,

title and general coverage insurance must be obtained, money must be deposited

and maintained in escrow, etc. It takes considerable effort to effectively

coordinate all of these various services so they are performed in the proper time

frames for the correct properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the coordination problem for complex

transactions by providing a central computerized clearinghouse (and more) for such services. Features provided in accordance with the present invention include

personalized membership, intelligent form system, intelligent order routing, order

history and up-to-date process status, system utilities such as bulletin boards and

directories, advanced system adiriinistration features, an active response system,

automated server services, and integrated contract handling.

The computerized clearing house according to the invention is an easy to

use and administer e-commerce program providing a secure membership-based

system, powerful client profiling, and next generation order entry. The system

incorporates 24-hour order status reporting along with automated correspondence

tracking. Web-based admimstration facilitates administrative tasks and system

modification. Using customer profiling, product ordering is made easier, and the

system is able to create master templates for special projects. The system is

configured to automate correspondence tracking by archiving in a correspondence

file correspondence such as e-mail or the like corresponding to each product.

Other sections of the program provide helpful information to assist the member or

user in determining which products are best suited for completing processing of

the multi-component transaction ("products" in the context herein may include

products, forms, and/or services). Moreover, the system is configured such that

maintenance tasks and system enhancements can be effected by a program

administrator, thereby avoiding the need to hire a computer programmer. In an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, a method is

provided for providing and distributing products, including service-type products,

for multi-component transactions via a network subsystem over a global network.

The method includes storing a plurality of products in a product database, the

products being categorized according to components of a selected multi-

component transaction. The categorized products are displayed, and the system

enables a selection of at least one product for the components of the multi-

component transaction. A plurality of forms corresponding to the plurality of

products are stored in a forms database, wherein the forms contain shared

information fields, and the system enables completion of the forms for selected

products. The selected products forms are routed to a corresponding product

supplier to thereby effect ordering of the selected products, and a status of the

ordered selected products is monitored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features provided in accordance with the present invention

will be better and more completely understood by referring to the following

detailed description of a presently preferred example embodiment in conjunction

with the drawings, of which:

FIGURES 1A-1F show an example site architecture;

FIGURES 2A-2D show an example administration site architecture; FIGURE 3 shows an example national (i.e., centralized) hub overview;

FIGURE 4 shows an example licensee hub overview;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed schematic illustration of a computer system; and

FIGURE 6 is a broad schematic illustration of the system according to the

invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The multi-component transaction processing system implemented in the

flow diagrams of FIGURES 1-4 is preferably a browser-based system in which a

program running on a user's computer (the user's web browser) requests

information from a server program running on a system server. The system server

sends the requested data back to the browser program and the browser program

then interprets and displays the data on the user's computer screen. The process is

as follows:

1. The user runs a web browser program on his/her computer.

2. The user connects to the server computer (e.g., via the Internet).

Connection to the server computer may be conditioned upon the correct entry of a

login identification and password as is well known and further described below.

3. The user requests a page from the server computer. The user's

browser sends a message to the server computer that includes the following: the transfer protocol (e.g., http://); and

the address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

4. The server computer receives the user's request and retrieves the

requested page, which is composed, for example, in HTML (Hypertext Markup

Language).

5. The server then transmits the requested page to the user's computer.

6. The user's browser program receives the HTML text and displays its

interpretation of the requested page.

Thus, the browser program on the user's computer sends requests and

receives the data needed to display the HTML page on the user's computer screen.

This includes the HTML file itself plus any graphic, sound and/or video files

mentioned in it. Once the data is retrieved, the browser formats the data and

displays the data on the user's computer screen. Helper applications, plug-ins, and

enhancements such as Java™ enable the browser, among other things, to play

sound and/or display video inserted in the HTML file. The fonts installed on the

user's computer and the display preferences in the browser used by the user

determine how the text is formatted.

If the user has requested an action that requires running a program (e.g., a

search), the server loads and runs the program. This process usually creates a

custom HTML page "on the fly" that contains the results of the program's action

(e.g., the search results), and then sends those results back to the browser. Browser programs suitable for use in connection with the multi-component

transaction processing system of the present invention include Netscape®

Navigator available from Netscape® Communications Corporation and Internet

Explorer available from Microsoft® Corp.

While the above description contemplates that each user has a computer 120

(see FIGURE 6) running a web browser, it will be appreciated that more than one

user could use a particular computer terminal or that a "kiosk" 120' at a central

location (e.g., a cafeteria, a break area, etc.) with access to the system server could

be provided.

It will be recognized by those in the art that various tools are readily

available to create web pages for accessing data stored on a server and that such

tools may be used to develop and implement the multi-component transaction

processing system described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 5 generally illustrates a computer system 201 suitable for use as

the client and server components of the multi-component transaction processing

system. It will be appreciated that the client and server computers will run

appropriate software and that the client and server computers may be somewhat

differently configured with respect to the processing power of their respective

processors and with respect to the amount of memory used. Computer system 201

includes a processing unit 203 and a system memory 205. A system bus 207

couples various system components including system memory 205 to processing unit 203. System bus 207 may be any of several types of bus structures including a

memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a

variety of bus architectures. System memory 205 includes read only memory

(ROM) 252 and random access memory (RAM) 254. A basic input/output system

(BIOS) 256, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between

elements within computer system 201, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM

252. Computer system 201 further includes various drives and associated

computer-readable media. A hard disk drive 209 reads from and writes to a

(typically fixed) magnetic hard disk 211 ; a magnetic disk drive 213 reads from and

writes to a removable "floppy" or other magnetic disk 215; and an optical disk

drive 217 reads from and, in some configurations, writes to a removable optical

disk 219 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Hard disk drive 209,

magnetic disk drive 213, and optical disk drive 217 are connected to system bus

207 by a hard disk drive interface 221, a magnetic disk drive interface 223, and an

optical drive interface 225, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-

readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions,

SQL-based procedures, data structures, program modules, and other data for

computer system 201. In other configurations, other types of computer-readable

media that can store data that is accessible by a computer (e.g., magnetic cassettes,

flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access

memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs) and the like) may also be used. A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk 211,

removable magnetic disk 215, optical disk 219 and/or ROM 252 and/or RAM 254

of the system memory 205. Such program modules may include an operating

system providing graphics and sound APIs, one or more application programs,

other program modules, and program data. A user may enter commands and

information into computer system 201 through input devices such as a keyboard

227 and a pointing device 229. Other input devices may include a microphone,

joystick, game controller, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input

devices are often connected to the processing unit 203 through a serial port

interface 231 that is coupled to the system bus 207, but may be connected by other

interfaces, such as a parallel port interface or a universal serial bus (USB). A

monitor 233 or other type of display device is also connected to system bus 207 via

an interface, such as a video adapter 235.

The computer system 201 may also include a modem 254 or other means

for establishing communications over the wide area network 252, such as the

Internet, satellites, or any successor to USB. The modem 254, which may be

internal or external, is connected to the system bus 207 via the serial port interface

231. A network interface 256 may also be provided for allowing the computer

system 201 to communicate with a remote computing device 250 via a local area

network 258 (or such communication may be via the wide area network 252 or

other communications path such as dial-up or other communications means). The computer system 201 will typically include other peripheral output devices, such as

printers and other standard peripheral devices.

Referring to FIGURE 6, a schematic of the system implementation is

illustrated. The application environment 112, including page displays, layouts, etc.

and processors to carry out the process according to the invention, is supported by

a server component including application hosting servers 114 and database hosting

servers 116. Client systems 120, 120' as shown preferably communicate with the

multi-component transaction processing system according to the invention via the

Internet.

As will be understood by those familiar with web-based forms and screens,

users may make menu selections by pointing-and-clicking using a mouse, trackball

or other pointing device, or by using the TAB and ENTER keys on a keyboard.

For example, menu selections may be highlighted by positioning the cursor on the

selections using a mouse or by using the TAB key. The mouse may be left-clicked

to select the selection or the ENTER key may be pressed. Other selection

mechanisms including voice-recognition systems, touch-sensitive screens, etc. may

be used and the invention is not limited in this respect.

Although the invention will be described in the context of a real estate

transaction, the invention is not meant to be so limited; rather, the method and

system according to the present invention are particularly suited for any multi-

component transaction. The site architecture will be described with reference to FIGURES 1A-1F. At a home page 100, the user is prompted to login with a

member identification number and password. Member authentication and

workspace initialization is carried out at BP1 by authenticating input against a

member database, which forms part of the server database 116. If the login

identification and password are valid, the system initializes workspace variables

with information retrieved from the member database, including preferred contact

person, member profile, address information, e-mail address, etc. If the

identification and password are invalid, the system returns the user to the home

page 100 with an indication that the login identification and/or password are

invalid.

If a new user would like to submit a member application via link 13, the

user is provided with a form for completion at BP2 including member application

form field data. After confirming that all data entries are valid and all necessary

data entries are complete, the data is submitted to a member database for storage as

a "waiting" member. The member database forms part of the server database 116.

The entered data defines a member profile that is used by the system to select

products and complete forms as described further below. If the data is invalid, the

system returns to the member application for additional data input. If data

submission is successful, then an automatic correspondence such as by e-mail is

sent to a system aciministrator and to a member application confirmation page 14. If the data submission was not successful, the system returns the user back to the

member application for another submission attempt.

In the event that an existing member forgets his or her password, the user

follows the forget password link at 15 and is prompted to enter an e-mail address.

The member's e-mail address is authenticated against the member database, and if

the e-mail address is found for an approved member, an e-mail that contains the

member password will be sent to the member's e-mail address. If the e-mail

address is not found, the user is provided such an indication, and the system

returns the user to the forget password page 15.

Non-members may also enter the system via a public information page 17.

This area 17 provides a link to company and branch information 11, which also

allows a user to search a staff list by last name and first name, and also provides

access to a calculator page 12 for calculating estimated costs associated with the

particular multi-component transaction, such as in the present case a real estate

transaction. Other sections of the program can be made accessible to non-

members as desired, including enhanced access to relevant forms, product provider

information, etc.

After a user successfully enters a valid member identification and password,

the system opens the member home page 1, which provides links to access features

and utilities of the system. The member home page 1 is tailored according to

customer service needs and desires, such as by displaying a personalized greeting message. Additionally, a "pending order" link is displayed when there is a saved

order from a previous session.

Following a new order preparation link 2 (FIGURE IB), the system

initializes the form process objects and variables and transfers information from

the member profile. Available products are listed that are mapped to a member's

profile and order history. That is, only products that are particularly suited to the

logged in member are displayed, which are determined according to the member

profile. The member is allowed to expand a selected department to view all

products or, on the other hand, collapse a selected department to hide unnecessary

products. Each product incorporates a link 18 to detailed product information

about the selected product.

If, alternatively, the user follows a link 3 for pending order preparation, a

similar process is carried out wherein information is transferred from a saved order

object. In another alternative, the member can select a copy order link 4, which

hsts all orders in the member's order history. From this view, the member is able

to start a new order which contains the exact same information in the selected

order (product selection and question answers).

A forms database, which forms part of the server database 116, stores

appropriate forms necessary for each available product. The forms are provided

with shared information fields, and common information for the respective forms

is extracted from the member profile stored in the server database 116. If a new product order is selected at link 113, a form system engine BP7 displays a product

selection page, including general or common questions required by all selected

products at 19 and including product specific questions at 20.

To navigate from one step to another, each page has to go through the form

system engine ("form Wizard"). The form system engine serves as a routing agent

for different steps in the form completion. The engine also serves as a processing

center for data collected from each step in the form completion process and a pre-

rendering service that determines the questions that the upcoming page will

display. The engine incorporates a form validation service that error checks data

collected from the data entry steps. In the event of a "save order," the engine

stores the objects and variables in the form system into a basket database as part of

the server database 116. In the event of a "finish order," the engine stores the

object including variables and data entry into a receipt database. The engine

determines the e-mail routing for the person in charge of processing the respective

products based on values stored in the form system object and variables. In the

event of a "cancel," the engine is responsible to clear all current objects and

variables.

The user is also prompted to input billing information at 21 and shipping

information at 22. As noted, such information can be extracted from the member

profile, and the forms are pre-filled with any available member information. An

order confirmation at 23 recaps all information that has been entered, and the "finish" option is available when the member is satisfied with the content. When

the content of the order is complete, the member selects order completion at 24,

and the product selection, and pricing information along with a confirmation

number are displayed.

With reference to FIGURE 1C, from the member home page 1 , the member

may alternatively select order status via link 5, which lists all orders the member

has placed into the system. The user can effect order sorting by a link BP12, using

multiple inputs such as order LD, order date, buyer's last name, property ID,

property address and the like as sorting criteria. The process effects rendering of

the order history using the specified sorting parameters. The member may also

search for particular orders via the order search engine at BP13, including multiple

inputs such as buyer last name, buyer first name, seller last name, seller first name,

property ED, property address, or the like as searching criteria. The engine

searches for the input properties in the member's order history. Each order entry in

the order status displays order date, seller's name, buyer's name, property address,

property LD, and products in the order. Each order entry also displays the current

processing status of each product. The described parameters, as noted above, are

particularly suited to a real estate transaction, and those of ordinary skill in the art

will contemplate alternative or additional parameters suitable for other multi-

component transactions. When a product from the order status list is selected, the

system accesses the receipt database and displays question information of a selected product at 36, displays detailed process status for specified products at 37

(such as escrow products), and displays billing and delivery information of a

selected product at 38.

Referring to FIGURE ID, another option from the member home page 1 is

corporate talk via a link 7, which displays a list of all talk entries relating to the

subject matter of that particular vendor, such as a title company ("title talk")

grouped into categories and sub-categories. A form is provided that allows a

member to send questions or comments to a corporate talk administrator. When a

question is submitted, a processor at BP8 validates the corporate talk question

form. If the question form is vahd, the question is posted into a title talk database,

which forms part of the server database, and a notification e-mail is sent to the

corporate talk administrator. Answers are provided by a direct e-mail

correspondence.

A tech talk option at link 8 allows a member to send technical questions or

comments to a tech talk administrator. All tech talk entries are grouped into

operating systems and Internet browsers. When a question is submitted, a

processor at BP9 validates the tech talk question form. If the form is valid, the

questions are posted into the tech talk database, which forms part of the server

database, and a notification e-mail is sent to the tech talk administrator. Responses

to tech talk questions are sent via e-mail. At a link 10, the member may update his or her member profile, which as

discussed above, is used to select appropriate products and contact person and for

filling in information in shared data fields. Upon selection of the link 10, the

member profile is displayed, and the member is given an opportunity to edit or

update profile information. When the form is submitted, a processor at BP10

validates the member profile update form and if invalid, returns to the update

member profile page 10 with an error or other indication of missing field or the

like. If the update form is vahd, the changes are posted to the member database.

Also at the member home page 1 , a member can access a link 9 for a listing

of Internet links to other related resources on the World Wide Web.

Referring to FIGURE IE, from the member home page 1, the member may

also access links via a link 6 to access the online forms library, access a list of all

companies (for example, TG) and its branches via link 11, or use the estimator via

link 12 ("TG Estimator"). The contact link 11 displays selected company/branch

information and a map link to the selected company/branch via a link 29. A

branch directory link 30 displays a hst of all staff in the selected company/branch

in alphabetical order, including entries for telephone, fax, e-mail, etc. The member

also accesses via a link 31 a list of overall product information that is provided by

the selected company. In a branch special directory link 32, for example, a Hst of

executive staff of a selected company may be displayed, including name, job title,

telephone, e-mail, etc. When performing a search for staff in a selected company/branch via a staff search engine at BP11, the search engine can search

via first name and/or last name, and searches the selected staff database using

input as a criteria. A result page 35 is returned with the search results.

The estimator link 12 enables the user to perform calculations for various

items relating to the multi-component transaction via a link 33, such as estimated

closing costs, payments, etc. An estimator print page link 34 provides a formatted

layout for the user to print the calculation result.

Referring to FIGURE IF, upon order completion of each of the selected

products, a correspondence folder 20 is created for each product, and an indication

is sent via e-mail or the like that the product order is complete. The product

correspondence folder 20 hsts all correspondence such as e-mail concerning the

selected product. The member and administrator are able to review the detail of

the e-mails by clicking on an individual e-mail subject. The member and

administrator are also able to create a new e-mail message regarding the product or

print all message details regarding the product. The e-mail details are displayed

via a link 39, including from, to, subject and body, and the member or

administrator are able to reply to the e-mail. The reply displays a form allowing

for reply to an existing e-mail message via link 41. The original message is

automatically included and indented, and the "send to" field is pre-filled with the

address of the mail server. New mail is generated via a link 40, and printing

parameters can be defined via a link 42. . The email is constructed such that the reply field is set to the email address of the mail server instead of t e typical

standard convention of the actual sender (which in this case would normally be the

administrator). Encoded in the subject line is information of the email addresses of

the sender (in this case the administrator) and recipient (in this case the member),

and the order and product related to the correspondence. Since both the recipient

and reply fields are set to the address of the mail server, all email sent and any

replies are sent to the mail server first. The mail server opens the email, decodes

the subject line, files a copy of the email in the appropriate correspondence folder,

then re-routes the email to the intended recipient as specified in the encoded

subject line. If, after the receiving the email, the recipient (in this case the

member) replies, the reply will be sent back to the mail server along with the

encoded subject line which will again be processed as described above before

being sent to its destination (in this case the administrator). New mail and replies

are processed by a mail server 118, such as a Microsoft® Exchange Server.

FIGURES 2A-2D illustrate an exemplary administration site architecture

for the system according to the invention. At the system administration home page

aO, a corporate representative or administrator is prompted for an administrator

login identification and password. The identification and password are

authenticated via BPal and if invalid, the administrator is returned to the login

page for reentry of the administrator login and password. If the identification and

password are valid, the system displays the administrator home page al, which displays a list of Hnks to corporate administration components, the extent of which

depend on the particular administrator's access permission.

From the administrator home page al, the administrator can select

departments administration at a2, displaying a list of existing departments for the

particular corporate entity. The administrator is able to edit department

information via a link al3 or create a new department via a link al2. The new or

edited information is stored in a department database, which forms part of the

server database 116.

The administrator may also access products administration at a3, which

displays a list of existing products for the corporate entity, sorted, for example, by

department. From this page, the administrator is able to edit product information

via a link al5 or create new products via a link al4. The new or edited products

are stored in a product database, which forms part of the server database 116. The

product editing administration is divided into attributes al8, attribute value al9,

variants al6, and terms al7. The product terms are maintained in a term database,

which forms part of the server database 116.

Referring to FIGURE 2B, from the administrator home page al, the

administrator may add, edit or delete question group information via a Hnk a4.

The changed information is stored in a terms group database, which forms part of

the server database 116. In a terms administration section a5, all existing questions in the system,

organized by question groups that they belong to, are displayed. The administrator

is able to edit question properties by cHcking on individual question links via a20,

and the administrator is able to create new questions via a Hnk a51. The new or

edited data is stored in a terms database, which forms part of the server database.

In an order management index page a6, the administrator can view statistic

information of orders within a selected month breakdown to days, including total,

average, maximum and minimum, etc. via a link a21. Corresponding parameters

can be displayed for orders within a selected year via a link a22. The administrator

may also display statistic information of orders within a selected month breakdown

by product, including parameters such as total, average, maximum, minimum, item

per order, average item per order, maximum item per order, minimum item per

order, etc. via a link a23. A link a24 provides statistic information of orders within

a selected month breakdown to members, including total, average, maximum,

minimum, etc.

Order status can be viewed via a Hnk a25, which displays a Hst of all orders

that have been placed into the system. The administrator is allowed to search

through orders by the seller's last name/first name, buyer's last name/first name,

property address or property LD, etc. The administrator can change the list view by

sorting the order date, seller's last name, buyer's last name, property address or the

like. Each order entry displays the order date, seUer name, buyer name, property address and property ID and products in the order. Each order entry also displays

the current processing status of each product. The order sorting engine BP12 and

the order searching engine BP13 are discussed above. In this context, with respect

to order status, billing and dehvery information can be displayed via link a26, and

the administrator can change the processing status of the selected product via a

link a27. The administrator can also review and update product related question

information via a link a28 and/or correspond with the transaction parties by e-mail,

which is stored in a product correspondence folder a29 (20). The order status

information is maintained in the receipt database, which forms part of the server

database 116.

Referring to FIGURE 2C, from the administrator home page al, the

administrator may access the member administration index page at link a7. The

administrator can add, edit, delete or the like information from the member profile

via a31 stored in the member database. Statistics information of new members

within a selected month breakdown to days can be displayed via a Hnk a32, and

statistic information of new members within a selected year breakdown to months

can be displayed via a link a33. Waiting or rejected member appHcations can be

viewed via a Hnk a34, wherein the administrator is able to review each member

appHcation by clicking individual member links. Approved member appHcations

can be accessed via a link a35. Member information can be added to the member

database via a Hnk a36, including a form that allows the administrator to review and update the member information. The administrator is able to assign a login

identification and password in this form and define member profiles. The

administrator can also select a preferred contact person according to a member

profile.

Through a link at a8, the administrator can access a promotion

administration index page. Cross promotions and price promotions can be

displayed, edited or added according to links a37-a42, the new or edited data being

stored in the promotion database, which forms part of the server database 116.

Referring to FIGURE 2D, also from the administrator home page, the

administrator can access tech talk administration via a link a9, wliich displays

existing tech talk entries that are grouped into an "approved and waiting" section.

The administrator is able to edit a selected entry by clicking on an individual tech

talk entry via a link a44 or create a new tech talk entry via a link a43. The updated

information is stored in a tech talk database, which forms part of the server

database 116.

In a similar context, the administrator can access corporate talk

administration via a link alO. The corporate talk administration section displays

all existing corporate talk entry groups into the "approved and waiting" section.

Similar to the tech talk section, the administrator is able to edit a selected entry

(a45) or create a new entry (a46), wherein updated data is stored in the corporate

talk database, which forms part of the server database 116. The administrator can access a list of all existing corporate branches via a

link al 1 and can also add a new branch or edit a selected branch by clicking on an

individual branch link. The new entries can be accessed via a link a47, and edited

entries can be accessed via a Hnk a48. The updated information is stored in a

"contact us" database, which forms part of the server database 116.

All existing corporate staff can be listed and displayed via a link a30, and

selected staff can be edited and new staff added via links a50 and a49,

respectively, wherein updated data is stored in the "contact us" database. In

editing staff information or adding new staff information, the administrator is able

to assign a login identification and password along with access permission. The

administrator is also able to assign a corporate partner to a corporate staff member

and assign the contact us display mode.

With respect to automated server services, any completed order is

automatically deleted from the system in, for example, 14 days. All products in the

order must have a "completed" processing status. This order purge also includes

all communications in the product correspondence folder. A warning e-mail

communication is sent to the member seven days before deletion, and the second

warning e-mail is sent to the member one day before deletion.

FIGURE 3 illustrates an example national (i.e., centralized) hub overview.

The system hub provides a single workspace where cHents can access various

product/service providers required to complete a multi-component transaction and follow the processing status as the various service providers process the

transaction. The system provides a centralized place where a member can place

orders for all products and services involved in a single multi-component

transaction, such as a real estate transaction, and choose their preferred service

providers for these products and services. Members can track the transaction

processing status of products and services they have ordered with up-to-date

feedback from the service providers. An intelligent form wizard eliminates

duplicate data entry i.e.. via shared data fields if a member placed separate orders

to the service provider. The system utilizes a translation layer that allows qualified

service providers to understand each other without knowing each other's

implementation detail, following a system communication standard. An

information filter enforces security and privacy of licensing information.

The national hub is a special implementation of the system architecture.

The national hub does not allow centralized order placing, but rather routes a

member to an individual system Hcensee, according to the member's geographic

selection. The national hub downloads order information and process status from

the local licensee systems so that order information and process status can be

reviewed. The national hub allows each system Hcensee to form its own hub

architecture in a more complicated business environment.

The licensee system, with reference to FIGURE 4, includes the same

features as the national hub such as intelligent form completion, order status tracking, personalized membership, and the active response system via

correspondence folders and the like, etc. The licensee system is able to

automatically receive orders placed by members via the hub system and is able to

exchange transaction information with other licensee systems on the hub where

permitted.

The multi-component transaction processing system according to the

invention is an easy to use and administer e-commerce program providing a secure

membership-based system, powerful client profiling, and next generation order

entry. The system incorporates order status reporting along with automated

correspondence tracking. Web-based administration facilitates administrative

tasks and system modification. Product Hsts are generated according to member

profiles and member purchase history, thereby making product ordering easier.

The system is configured to automate correspondence tracking by archiving in a

correspondence file correspondence such as e-mail or the like corresponding to

each product. Other sections of the system provide helpful information to assist

the purchaser in determining which products are best suited for completing

processing of the multi-component transaction.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently

considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be

understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent

arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A method for providing and distributing products, including service-type

products, for multi-component transactions via a network subsystem over a global

network, the method comprising:

(a) storing a plurality of products in a product database, the products being

categorized according to components of a selected multi-component transaction;

(b) displaying the categorized products and enabling a selection of at least

one product for the components of the multi-component transaction;

(c) storing a plurality of forms corresponding to the plurality of products in

a forms database, wherein the forms contain shared information fields, and

enabling completion of the forms for selected products;

(d) routing the selected products forms to a corresponding product supplier

to thereby effect ordering of the selected products; and

(e) monitoring a status of the ordered selected products.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising enabling a purchaser

of the selected multi-component transaction to obtain a member identification and

a password for access to the network subsystem, and enabhng the purchaser to

define a personal profile, wherein step (b) is practiced by displaying ones of the

categorized products according to the purchaser profile.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (c) is practiced by storing a

purchaser history of products purchased by member identification and

corresponding forms, and wherein step (b) is further practiced by also displaying

the purchaser history of products.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein upon order completion of each

of the selected products, the method further comprising creating a correspondence

folder and providing an indication that the product order is complete, wherein

correspondence concerning each of the selected products is stored in the respective

correspondence folder.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (e) is practiced by

monitoring the components of the multi-component transaction and providing an

indication of which components remain unfilled to complete the transaction.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the multi-component

transaction is a real estate transaction.

7. A computer system for effecting processing of a multi-component

transaction within an interactive network application, the computer system

comprising:

a system server running a server program, the system server including a

storage unit that stores product information categorized according to components of a selected multi-component transaction and form information corresponding to

the plurality of products; and

at least one user computer running a computer program that requests

information according to information input by a user, the at least one user

computer and the system server being interconnected by a computer network,

wherein the computer program enables the user to select products and

complete corresponding products forms, and wherein the server program routes the

selected products forms to corresponding product suppliers to thereby effect

ordering of the selected products and monitors the stams of the ordered selected

products.

8. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for

effecting processing of a multi-component transaction, the computer program

comprising:

means for storing a plurality of products in a product database, the products

being categorized according to components of a selected multi-component

transaction;

means for displaying the categorized products and enabhng a selection of at

least one product for the components of the multi-component transaction; means for storing a pluraHty of forms corresponding to the plurality of

products in a forms database, wherein the forms contain shared information fields,

and enabling completion of the forms for selected products;

means for routing the selected products forms to a corresponding product

suppher to thereby effect ordering of the selected products; and

means for monitoring a stams of the ordered selected products.