WO2000072115A2 - Systeme et procede permettant d'acceder a des sites de vente predetermines sur la toile - Google Patents

Systeme et procede permettant d'acceder a des sites de vente predetermines sur la toile Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000072115A2
WO2000072115A2 PCT/US2000/014541 US0014541W WO0072115A2 WO 2000072115 A2 WO2000072115 A2 WO 2000072115A2 US 0014541 W US0014541 W US 0014541W WO 0072115 A2 WO0072115 A2 WO 0072115A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
web
merchant
navigation device
merchant database
touch
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/014541
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000072115A3 (fr
Inventor
George Gerpheide
Original Assignee
Indelelink Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Indelelink Corporation filed Critical Indelelink Corporation
Priority to AU52938/00A priority Critical patent/AU5293800A/en
Publication of WO2000072115A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000072115A2/fr
Publication of WO2000072115A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000072115A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/954—Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to e-commerce.
  • the invention is a system and apparatus for interactive shopping on the Internet, or for browsing through information regarding goods and services that are available for purchase, wherein the system includes a set of pre-determined web sites that are organized according to content to thereby enable a convenient, rapid and otherwise advantageous e-commerce shopping experience, and wherein the apparatus includes a web navigation device which facilitates movement among web sites, and shopping.
  • the first technology is the Internet, or more specifically, the world wide web (the web hereinafter) .
  • the web is a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents.
  • the documents are formatted in hypertext markup language (HTML) that supports links to other formatted documents, as well as graphics, audio and video files.
  • HTML hypertext markup language
  • What is important to know is that essentially the web is a collection of networked sites that are comprised of viewable web pages, wherein the pages have information that is transferred to and displayed on a screen using a user's web browser via http.
  • the web is also becoming increasingly unwieldy as it grows.
  • Another problem finding information on the web is that although many web sites are linked together, much of the information is grouped in isolated web sites. These isolated sites cannot be reached from some of the larger and more familiar web portals. So it is not enough to simply make information available on the web if that information is not going to be accessible via a hypertext link from some other location.
  • search engines were developed. Search engines, web crawlers, and other similar search systems are typically indexes which, unfortunately, do not catalog every web page on the web. In fact, it is estimated that most search engines provide a glimpse into a mere 5% to 10% of the total number of web pages. Furthermore, the search engines often overlap each other in content, so a user is unable to know how many search engines must be employed in order to have confidence that important resources are not being missed when conducting a search.
  • search engines do not screen information to verify that a web site actually contains information that it says it does. In effect, the search engine can unwittingly promote false information about the contents of a web site that is supplied by the web site to the search engine.
  • search engines receive information regarding the contents of a web site from the web site itself, or by examining words that the web site is able to broadcast which are supposed to define web site content. What this means is that web sites can associate words with themselves which have nothing to do with their actual content .
  • a popular search topic can deceptively be associated with an unrelated web site whose content has actually little or nothing to do with the popular search topic. So the databases or indexes that a search engine builds inevitably contain false information. Thus when a search is then performed using some keywords associated with the popular search topic, the unfortunate result is that positive search results or "hits" will be generated for these deceptive and misleading web sites.
  • What is needed is a system which provides a more convenient and rapid method of web searching that will only provide search results that are in some manner guaranteed to contain the desired information. More specifically, what is needed is a way to provide a user with a pre-screened list of web sites about a selected range of pre-determined topics. In this way, the web sites that generate hits for being associate with the predetermined topics could be thoroughly screened by others, so that erroneous and unrelated web sites can be eliminated. The system would therefore not rely on the search results provided by standard search engines.
  • the system would be most useful when the search topics are all known in advance for a limited range of topics so that pre-screening of web sites is not an overwhelming activity.
  • the topics could be e-commerce web sites that are being provided for the purpose of on-line or Internet shopping or browsing of goods and services .
  • navigating the web is often a laborious task. The nature of searching the web can be laborious because users are operating generalized computer input devices for navigation.
  • a keyboard in combination with arrow keys, a mouse, a touchpad or other cursor manipulation device are the most common computer input devices that are used when navigating the web.
  • These generalized devices while able to perform multiple functions, have the disadvantage of not being streamlined in function or operation for web navigation or browsing.
  • These devices are also generally bulky when used in combination. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a more specialized web navigation device to enhance movement through and interaction with the web. The footprint of the device should also be more in line with typical user needs. It would also be an advantage over the prior art to customize the web navigation device so that it was specifically linked to the pre-compiled list of pre- screened web sites or to a favorite on-line merchant, to thereby facilitate an e-commerce shopping or browsing experience .
  • It is another object to provide a customized web navigation device that has at least one dedicated web navigation switch that causes a computer display to show at least one e-commerce web site that contains the precompiled list. It is another object to provide a customized web navigation device that causes a computer display to show a list of merchants that are associated with the precompiled list. It is another object to provide a customized web navigation device that has at least one switch that enables a user to select a merchant from the list of merchants, and to provide access to the selected merchant's web site. It is another object to provide a customized web navigation device that includes a variety of input devices such as a touchpad and stylus .
  • the above objects are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment of a system and method for facilitating web navigation, and more specifically for providing the ability to access pre-screened web sites which are screened for the purpose of providing an improved e-commerce experience.
  • the system and method includes using a conveniently sized web navigation device that accepts input from a variety of user input devices.
  • the web navigation device is coupled to a browser terminal that is in turn coupled to the web.
  • the browser terminal displays information regarding the pre-screened web sites on the web, such information possibly including a merchant database that provides a list of the contents of the merchant web sites, and easy access to the pre-screened merchant web sites.
  • the web navigation device facilitates access to and movement through the merchant database and to the merchant web sites.
  • the web navigation device preferably includes a touchpad and a small keyboard.
  • the web navigation device includes at least one dedicated switch which causes the browser terminal to access and display information from a merchant database.
  • the web navigation device includes at least one dedicated switch which causes the browser terminal to access and display a merchant site that is selected from the merchant database .
  • the system includes pre-screening of merchant web sites in order to verify web content, so that when accessed through the system, the user is guaranteed to find the expected contents .
  • the system includes categorizing the merchant web sites according to content to therefore provide structure and organization.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram which describes the state of the art in typical access to the web on the Internet, where a web terminal accesses and displays information retrieved via http from web sites.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the elements which are associated together in accordance with the principles of the presently preferred embodiment .
  • Figure 3 is a top elevational view of the presently preferred embodiment for a web navigation device 20 that includes a touch sensitive touchpad surface, mechanical switches, and at least one dedicated switch that provides rapid access to the merchant database.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of an overlay template suspended over the touch- sensitive surface of a web navigation device.
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the presently preferred elements of the merchant database, including a local search engine, a relational database engine, a database of user activity, and a referral fee database.
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the web navigation device which includes a non-volatile memory wherein the merchant database can be recorded .
  • FIG 1 is a block diagram which shows a web access and browser terminal 10, the world wide web 12, and a connection 14 between the web access terminal and the web.
  • the web access and browser terminal 10 is- any device or system that uses the hypertext transfer protocol to access and display the contents of web sites. Accordingly, the web access and browser terminal 10 can be a desktop computer system such as the one shown that includes a CPU, a display and a keyboard. Accordingly, a laptop computer can also function as the web access and browser terminal 10. However, the web access and browser terminal 10 can also include such devices as a web enabled television.
  • such a system is comprised of a normal television set that includes WEBTV (TM) .
  • WEBTV WEBTV
  • the distinguishing characteristics of the prior art systems include access to the web, and the ability to browse the web using typical general purpose input devices.
  • the present invention provides more specialized and specific control of navigation within the web, as well as access to specifically organized data.
  • the specifically organized data includes merchant web sites, where the merchant web sites are organized according to content of goods and services provided therein.
  • the elements of the preferred embodiment include a specialized web navigation device 20 which is coupled via a communication link 22 to a web access and browser terminal 24.
  • the web access and browser terminal 24 is in turn coupled to the World Wide Web 28 via another communication link 26.
  • the communication link should be considered to be a any connection that enables access to the web.
  • Typical communication links include a telephone modem, cable TV mode , cellular phone, fiber optic cable, RF satellite modem, Ethernet, twisted pair cabling, etc.
  • the web provides access to at least one merchant database stored on a web server 30.
  • the merchant database has been previously prepared by screening web sites of merchants who desire to have their goods and services available to users of the present invention as will be explained.
  • the preferred embodiment enables a user to easily navigate to the merchant database stored in the web server 30, using the web navigation device 20. From the merchant database, the user eventually selects a merchant and moves to a web site provided by the merchant.
  • the merchant database only lists merchants whose web sites have been approved for listing. The criteria for being approved for listing will be explained later.
  • the merchant database is organized such that a user can search either by merchant, or by products or services offered by the merchants.
  • e-commerce activities include more than just shopping on the web. With so many different companies now providing information about their products and services on the web, it is possible to do extensive research and make comparisons of competing products and services. Thus, perusing web sites and learning about goods and services without actually purchasing them should be considered within the scope of the total e-commerce "shopping" experience.
  • the web access and browser terminal 24 can still be any web enabled device that is capable of providing Internet access, as well as displaying the contents of web pages. This can still be accomplished, for example, via a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a video game console, WEBTV ® , or a web enabled television set that includes an interactive set-top box.
  • the web access and browser terminal 24 necessarily includes the ability to browse the web and display web page information. Therefore, browser software or a comparable equivalent for viewing the contents of web pages must be running.
  • the browser software is preferably a common web browser such as NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR (TM) or MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER (TM) .
  • TM NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR
  • TM MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER
  • the web access and browser terminal 24 is running a web browser, and establishes communication between the web access and browser terminal 24 and the web server 30.
  • the web server 30 enables data from the merchant database stored thereon to be downloaded and displayed in a desired format.
  • the preferred embodiment is a touchpad, such as found in the Cirque Corporation CRUISE CAT(TM), or the INDELeLINK INDELePAD (TM) .
  • the touchpad is preferably a capacitance- sensitive touchpad.
  • Figure 3 is provided as a close-up top view of one possible web navigation device 20.
  • Figure 3 shows that the presently preferred embodiment of the web navigation device 20 includes a touch sensitive touchpad surface 40, mechanical switches 42 which function as left and right mouse-click buttons, and at least one dedicated switch 44 which provides rapid access to the merchant database. Accordingly, the web access and browser terminal 24 is caused to display information from the merchant database that is stored on the web server 30 upon activation of the dedicated switch 44.
  • the dedicated switch 44 is preferably formed from a portion of the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40.
  • the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40 can be divided into areas which are dedicated to functioning as a touch-sensitive switch, such as the dedicated switch 44. Other areas of the touch-sensitive touchpad surface are then dedicated to cursor manipulation.
  • a plurality of dedicated touch-sensitive switches are provided on the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40.
  • the dedicated switches can be located at any convenient location on the touchpad, such as in a horizontal or vertical row along the top, bottom, or along a side.
  • dedicated switches that provide immediate access to the merchant database can come in the form of mechanical switches that are located off of the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40.
  • the important feature of the dedicated switch or switches is that they provide an immediate connection to the merchant database. There are several reasons that this is important. First, there is no fumbling through activation of a browser, and then selection of a web site from a list of bookmarks. Second, activation is fast. This type of convenience defined as access that is convenient and immediate is an important and advantageous feature of the invention.
  • the web navigation device 20 can alternatively include a plurality of dedicated switches.
  • the plurality of dedicated switches can be programmed to correspond to a variety of different shopping categories of goods and services. Furthermore, the programmable nature of these switches enables the user to change or customized the specific types of goods or services that the plurality of dedicated switches will access from the merchant database.
  • Figure 4 illustrates that the programmable nature of the switches also impacts the use of a template or overlay 50 that can be disposed over the touchpad 52.
  • the plurality of switches can be marked permanently, or can be marked temporarily using a removable or modifiable template that is disposed over the switches or the touch- sensitive touchpad surface if the switches are disposed thereon.
  • a template 50 is generally a plastic material that an adhesive will cause to be fixed to the touch- sensitive touchpad surface 40. The adhesive can be applied to the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40 or to the template 50 to cause the overlay to be disposed thereon.
  • This same template can be used for advertising, enabling a sponsor to dispose a trademark and/or design mark on the template, thereby customizing the look of the web navigation device 20 and making it sponsor specific.
  • an input device such as a keyboard may have a design mark or brand name of a particular merchant.
  • this brand name is typically off to the side and generally small with respect to the size of the input device.
  • the present invention is able to focus attention on the brand name because it is disposable on the entire touch- sensitive touchpad surface. The user will actually run a finger over the brand name. This ability to .focus attention on a merchant or sponsor of the web navigation device 20 appears to be unique to the present invention.
  • the web navigation device 20 in the preferred embodiment provides a variety of advantageous navigation features.
  • the feature set can include but is not limited to movement forwards and backwards between web pages, scrolling the web page horizontally or vertically, scrolling a window within a web page horizontally or vertically, and zooming in and out of a web page.
  • An alternative embodiment of the present invention also includes a touchpad surface of the web navigation device 20 that can operate in different modes. For example, a first mode enables the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40 to capture a handwritten signature, a second mode can enable a miniature keyboard on the touch- sensitive surface, and a third mode can enable a digitizing tablet interface.
  • a first mode enables the touch-sensitive touchpad surface 40 to capture a handwritten signature
  • a second mode can enable a miniature keyboard on the touch- sensitive surface
  • a third mode can enable a digitizing tablet interface.
  • An important feature of the web navigation device 20 of the preferred embodiment is that it is preferably smaller than a conventional computer keyboard, thus making it convenient to operate while held in a hand or lap.
  • the user can now sit back in a chair which is located at some distance apart from the web access and browser terminal 24, but still close enough for the user to see the display. Accordingly, the nature of the communication link 22 between the web access and browser terminal 24 and the web navigation device 20 becomes important .
  • the communication link 22 is a wireless connection.
  • the nature of a wireless connection enables the user to more conveniently operate the web navigation device 20 from a position that is generally more comfortable than a chair in front of a desk. For example, the user can sit on a couch with the web navigation device 20 disposed on the user's lap.
  • a wireless link can be established between the web navigation device 20 and the web access and browser terminal 24, for example, using radio frequency signals, ultrasonic signals, or optical infrared signals.
  • the communication link can be established with a wire. Although using a wire limits the distance between the web navigation device 20 and the web access and browser terminal 24, the limited length of the wire may not cause a problem for the user.
  • a direct wire connection will be less than a radio frequency, ultrasonic, infrared or similar other communication linking system.
  • a direct wire connection will also be less susceptible to interference.
  • Stating that a merchant web site is pre-screened can mean various things. In other words, there might be various levels of screening. For example, at a minimum, the merchant web site has been visited to verify that the nature of the web site is as advertised. However, it should be apparent that there is no guarantee of the quality or usability of the goods or services of the merchant, other than warranties made by the merchant itself. Furthermore, the merchant web sites may change ownership or purpose. Thus, periodic re-inspection of merchant web sites is a policy of the presently preferred embodiment.
  • the merchant database 60 is organized by listing associated goods and services in a single location. For example, if a user wants to purchase a vehicle, pre- screened on-line car, truck and van dealers will all be listed together.
  • One advantage of this system is that the user does not have to employ a search engine that will show search results that include non-screened merchant web sites. Pre-screened merchant web sites that deal in the desired goods and services are all found in a single database 60 of the present invention. The user can then locate desired goods and services using several different methods .
  • One method for the user to search for merchants of particular goods and services is to use a search engine 62 (figure 5) provided as part of the merchant database on the merchant web site.
  • the search engine 62 is dedicated to providing search results that are confined to the contents of the merchant database 60.
  • Another search method is where the user can choose to visually search through an alphabetical list of either the goods and services, or the names of the merchants.
  • the merchant database 60 has incorporated therein a relational database engine 64 for sorting through the merchant database and organizing data into desired relationships.
  • the user is able to accomplish the search without leaving the confines of the merchant database 60. Non-screened merchant web sites will not appear in any of the listings or search results .
  • the number of merchants in any particular shopping category can be limited in accordance with user selectable criteria in order to avoid overwhelming the user. For example, the total number of merchants displayed for a particular category of goods and services can be limited to the number of merchants that can be conveniently listed on a single browser page, or even adapted to mini -browsers .
  • Another useful feature of the presently preferred embodiment is that information about a particular merchant is accessible to the user. This feature can be particularly important when shopping online because of the relatively anonymous identity of the merchant. A well designed merchant web site can attract consumers. But it is only after a purchase is made that numerous problems dealing with the merchant may arise.
  • Information about merchants can include but is not limited to such topics as popularity of a web site, awards received by a web site, performance ratings given by independent rating agencies, better business bureau statistics and reports, and trademark information.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the ability to collect information regarding each specific user. Relevant information includes, for example, the purchasing habits of specific users. This information does not have to be sold to ' third parties to be useful. For example, purchasing habits can then be used to determine which ads or banners will appear when a particular user is accessing the merchant database.
  • This information can also be used to modify the features of the merchant database, including adding more merchants of particular goods and services that are of particularly high interest to users who have previously made on-line purchases.
  • a first example is that more florists might be made available to users around particular holidays.
  • a second example is that merchants of sporting goods are made available to a previous purchaser of hunting, fishing or outdoor equipment.
  • This information is preferably recorded in the merchant database 60 and stored in a database of user activity 66.
  • a specific user can be identified to the merchant database.
  • a web access and browser terminal can have associated with it an Internet cookie which identifies the user, as is understand by those skilled in the art.
  • each web navigation device 20 can have a unique identification stored in hardware. This identification can be accessed by the merchant database.
  • a cookie would not identify the user as being the same user because access is being made from a different computer.
  • This unique identification in the web navigation device 20 serves as a prime motivation to encourage the user to keep the web navigation device 20 even if a computer to which it has been attached is being replaced or upgraded.
  • another useful feature is the ability to provide information to the merchant regarding the identity of a consumer.
  • This information could be the same type of information that is provided by an Internet cookie, or could be more detailed information.
  • This detailed information can be made available to the merchant by identifying the user by using the unique identifier that can be made part of the hardware of the web navigation device 20.
  • Another reason that it can be useful to redundantly store the merchant database is speed. Until broad bandwidth access to the Internet is more ubiquitous, access speed is a severe restriction on usability. Accordingly, it might be useful to store the merchant database on a storage device that is local to the user. For example, the merchant database can be stored on the hard drive of a computer which is functioning as the web access and browser terminal 10.
  • the merchant database is being stored locally, an integral feature of the present invention cannot be ignored. Namely, the merchant database must be up-to-date. This requirement is most likely a necessity because of the nature of the Internet. The Internet is advocated as fast-paced and up-to-date e-commerce. Therefore, there can be no place for information that is not accurate. Accordingly, another feature of the present invention is the ability to automatically or manually update a locally stored merchant database.
  • Figure 6 illustrates that local storage of the merchant database can even be accomplished within the web navigation device 20.
  • the web navigation device can include non-volatile random access memory (RAM) 82.
  • RAM non-volatile random access memory
  • the merchant database 60 is thus stored in the RAM 82 of the web navigation device 20. This feature can be extremely advantageous when the user wants to move the web navigation device 20 to another web access and browser terminal 10. This way, the merchant database 60 is mobile with the web navigation device 20.
  • Another advantageous feature of the present invention is the layout of information from the merchant database.
  • the user will always see the merchant database in the same format on a web browser, regardless of whether the user is accessing the web server 30, or a local storage device.
  • This feature is important when dealing with those users who can be bewildered by the array of different styles of web sites that permeate the web.
  • the user is assured of consistency regardless of how access is obtained.
  • Local storage of the merchant database enables another advantageous feature.
  • the user is also able to search the merchant database offline. This feature is useful for several reasons. For example, the user may be in a location where access to the Internet is not possible, such as on an airplane. The user might also be in a location where access is limited or slow. Furthermore, the user may simply want to conduct searches of the merchant database without needing to go to a merchant's web site.
  • the web navigation device 20 has always been described as a unit that is separate from the web access and browser terminal 30. This does not have to be the case.
  • the web navigation device 20 can be integral to the web access and browser terminal 30.
  • the web navigation device 20 can be a touchpad that is integral to a keyboard of the web access and browser terminal 30. All of these configurations are possible because the components of the web navigation device 20 can all be contained within, for example, a touchpad such as the CRUISE CAT(TM) manufactured by Cirque Corporation or the INDELEePAD (TM) by INDELeLINK.
  • the touchpad preferably utilizes a capacitive-based technology.
  • touchpad can also be implemented using electromagnetic, electrostatic, ultrasonic, optical, resistive membrane, or other finger or stylus responsive surface. This is because the web navigation device 20 is responsive to either a finger or a stylus used as the pointing object.
  • the web navigation device 20 can also include an embossed ridge on the touchpad surface.
  • the switch or switches and the keyboard are based on mechanical switches, membrane switches, rubber-dome switches or other switch activation technology. It should be assumed that the present invention will function properly on other networks and using other protocols than just those provided by the web or the Internet. In other words, while HTML and TCP/IP are ubiquitous protocols, they may eventually be replaced by protocols that offer advantages including increased functionality. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention can be applied to any network, global or not.
  • Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is the ability to capture a signature. Because the present invention pertains to e-commerce, it can be important to have the ability to record an actual signature. This is not a digital signature. An actual signature might be needed in order to make a purchase from some merchants who want to provide increased security for web-based transactions. The actual signature can be digitized and recorded by the merchant, and a paper copy can be provided to the user. Just as important is the feature that by using pressure sensitive paper, the user can more easily write a signature on a touchpad surface because the user can actually see it. This is in contrast to the situation of having to sign a touchpad or a digital tablet when there is no way to "see” where the user is writing.
  • the present invention should also be recognized for another advantageous feature that it provides .
  • merchants are receiving web traffic (web hits) and even purchases made by users of the system. Users of the system have been led to the merchant via the merchant database. Accordingly, these merchants can also pay referral fees to the operator of the merchant database. Referrals fees can be based on several different criteria. A first fee can be paid to the merchant database operator for simply enabling a user to link to the merchant's web site from the merchant database, regardless of whether or not a purchase was made. A second and typically higher referral fee can be paid when the user actually makes a purchase from the merchant.
  • a referral fee database 68 (figure 5) is therefore preferably maintained within the merchant database 60. The referral fee database 68 simply records the number of web navigation devices 20 that link to a merchant's web site from the merchant database 60.
  • the plurality of dedicated switches can be programmed to correspond to a variety of different shopping categories of goods and services.
  • the plurality of dedicated switches can be programmed to take a user to a specific merchant or sponsor web site. For example, if the user likes to make on-line purchases of books, two switches can be programmed to take the user directly to two different on-line merchants of books.
  • the first switch may take the user to a home page of a merchant or sponsor, and a second switch may take the user to a specific page within the merchant web site.
  • a user is able to go to a merchant's home page, it does not necessarily mean that the user went directly to that site.
  • the user is passed through the merchant database, and then directed to the merchant's web site.
  • This "redirection" has advantages. For example, assume that the home page of the merchant changes . The user may not be aware of this change, and thus a switch takes the user to a non-existent site, resulting in an error message .
  • a switch takes the user to a non-existent site, resulting in an error message .
  • This has the advantage of making the process seamless to the user, and provides the benefit to the merchant of keeping users who have become accustomed to purchasing or browsing their goods and services.
  • the only cost to the merchant is the referral fee that is generated by passing the user through the merchant database.
  • Another advantage of this embodiment is that redirection is automatic and transparent to the user. Any process that does not require a user to change a procedure benefits the merchant. Furthermore, it avoids having to update the programmed URL's that are associated with the plurality of switches.
  • Another advantage of the redirection embodiment arises when a merchant fails to pay referral fees. If the operator of the merchant database is not being paid for the referrals, the merchant database operator is able to redirect the users to the web site of a merchant who is willing to pay the referral fee.
  • the merchant database can easily track all accesses of a user to any merchant if all accesses pass through the merchant database.
  • the user is not bothered because the redirection process is seamless and does not interfere with rapid access to the merchant's web site.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système et un procédé qui facilitent la navigation sur la toile, et qui permettent plus précisément d'accéder à des sites de la toile qui sont préfiltrés afin d'offrir une meilleure expérience de commerce électronique. Ce système et ce procédé font appel à un dispositif de navigation sur la toile qui possède une taille pratique et qui accepte les entrées de divers dispositifs d'entrées d'utilisateurs. Le dispositif de navigation sur la toile est couplé à un terminal de survol qui est lui-même couplé à la toile. Le terminal de survol affiche des informations concernant les sites préfiltrés sur la toile, lesquelles informations peuvent comprendre une base de données commerciale qui fournit une liste du contenu des sites commerciaux de la toile, ainsi qu'un accès facile aux sites commerciaux préfiltrés de la toile. Ce dispositif de navigation sur la toile facilite l'accès à la base de données commerciale et au déplacement dans cette dernière, ainsi que l'accès aux sites commerciaux de la toile.
PCT/US2000/014541 1999-05-26 2000-05-26 Systeme et procede permettant d'acceder a des sites de vente predetermines sur la toile WO2000072115A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU52938/00A AU5293800A (en) 1999-05-26 2000-05-26 System and method for accessing predetermined shopping web sites

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13590199P 1999-05-26 1999-05-26
US60/135,901 1999-05-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000072115A2 true WO2000072115A2 (fr) 2000-11-30
WO2000072115A3 WO2000072115A3 (fr) 2001-04-05

Family

ID=22470280

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/014541 WO2000072115A2 (fr) 1999-05-26 2000-05-26 Systeme et procede permettant d'acceder a des sites de vente predetermines sur la toile

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5293800A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000072115A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7499879B2 (en) 2002-01-30 2009-03-03 International Business Machines Corporation Cooperative e-business complex

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5799284A (en) * 1996-03-13 1998-08-25 Roy E. Bourquin Software and hardware for publishing and viewing products and services for sale
US5884282A (en) * 1996-04-30 1999-03-16 Robinson; Gary B. Automated collaborative filtering system
US5893098A (en) * 1994-09-14 1999-04-06 Dolphin Software Pty Ltd System and method for obtaining and collating survey information from a plurality of computer users
US5895454A (en) * 1997-04-17 1999-04-20 Harrington; Juliette Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites
US5905973A (en) * 1996-09-30 1999-05-18 Hitachi, Ltd. Shopping basket presentation method for an online shopping system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5893098A (en) * 1994-09-14 1999-04-06 Dolphin Software Pty Ltd System and method for obtaining and collating survey information from a plurality of computer users
US5799284A (en) * 1996-03-13 1998-08-25 Roy E. Bourquin Software and hardware for publishing and viewing products and services for sale
US5884282A (en) * 1996-04-30 1999-03-16 Robinson; Gary B. Automated collaborative filtering system
US5905973A (en) * 1996-09-30 1999-05-18 Hitachi, Ltd. Shopping basket presentation method for an online shopping system
US5895454A (en) * 1997-04-17 1999-04-20 Harrington; Juliette Integrated interface for vendor/product oriented internet websites

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7499879B2 (en) 2002-01-30 2009-03-03 International Business Machines Corporation Cooperative e-business complex

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000072115A3 (fr) 2001-04-05
AU5293800A (en) 2000-12-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8712842B2 (en) Method and system for advertisement using internet browser to insert advertisements
US6701301B2 (en) Advertisement using internet browser with book-like interface
US8538821B2 (en) System and method for community aided research and shopping
US20020007322A1 (en) Electronic product information system
US20080177858A1 (en) Arranging dynamic bookmarks based on service provider inputs
US20100293221A1 (en) Apparatuses, Methods And Systems For Integrated, Information-Engineered And Self-Improving Advertising, E-Commerce And Online Customer Interactions
US20040169678A1 (en) Obtaining user feedback on displayed items
KR20030047885A (ko) 지연된 브라우징을 위해 정보를 획득하고 저장하는 시스템및 방법
AU2001294502A1 (en) Method and system for advertisement using internet browser with book-line interface
US20050188057A1 (en) Contents service system and method using image, and computer readable storage medium stored therein computer executable instructions to implement contents service method
US7246308B1 (en) Automatically identifying links displayed by a browser that is being used by a user that point to pages of web sites selected as being of interest to the user
US20020002490A1 (en) Personalized computer peripheral
GB2365560A (en) Communication system for secondary information
KR100343854B1 (ko) 분류도표형 정보 검색 시스템
WO2000072115A2 (fr) Systeme et procede permettant d'acceder a des sites de vente predetermines sur la toile
KR100863337B1 (ko) 웹브라우저 클릭시 현재 사이트와 관련된 정보를 제공하는인터넷 광고방법
US20020152136A1 (en) Web-based interface for facilitating commerce between providers of goods or services and purchasers thereof
WO1998057490A2 (fr) Presentation multiple de magazines et systeme et procedes d'abonnement
KR20050074795A (ko) 매트릭스 서치 시스템 및 그 방법과 그 방법에 대한컴퓨터 프로그램을 저장한 기록매체
WO2001063461A2 (fr) Systeme et procede de distribution d'informations
AU2005201110B2 (en) Advertisement using internet browser with book-like interface

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP