WO2002039348A1

WO2002039348A1 - Apparatus and method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on internet using advertising printed copy

Info

Publication number: WO2002039348A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001912
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yeon-Ho Kim
Original assignee: Hanstep Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-11-09
Filing date: 2001-11-09
Publication date: 2002-05-16
Also published as: KR20010016128A; AU2002224157A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies, in which a customer buys various goods each containing an advertising printed copy marked with a serial number at a general store, identifies the serial number on a corresponding web site to collect a part (i.e., finished goods that cannot be singly transacted or used) corresponding to the serial number and receive a finished product (i.e., a finished product that comprises the part and can be singly transacted), or deals in the collected part with another customer in electronic commerce on Internet sites.

Description

Apparatus and Method for Gift Presentation and Electronic Commerce On Internet Using Advertising Printed Copy

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for gift

presentation and electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising

printed copies. More specifically, the present invention relates to an

apparatus and method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on the

Internet using advertising printed copies, in which a customer buys various

goods each containing an advertising printed copy marked with a serial

number at a general store, identifies the serial number on a corresponding

web site to collect a part (i.e., a finished product that cannot be singly

transacted or used) corresponding . to the serial number and receive a

finished product (i.e., a finished product that comprises the part and can be

singly transacted), or deals in the collected parts with another customer in

electronic commerce on Internet sites.

(b) Description of the Related Art

In general, an unspecified number of the general public make a

choice of goods, such as cookies, beverage, ices, bread, etc. with reference

to advertisements provided by the manufacturers.

However, the manufacturers advertise goods at a great cost and the

customer who buys the goods has to share the advertising costs.

In addition, the price of goods includes an expense of gifts provided to the customer by the manufacturers according to the purchase of the

goods so that the customer bears all expenses including the expense of gifts

as well as advertising costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the problem and to

provide an apparatus and method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies, in which a

customer buys various goods each containing an advertising printed copy marked with a serial number at a general store and collects a part corresponding to the serial number on a corresponding web site to receive a finished product, or deals in the collected parts with another customer in electronic commerce on Internet sites, thereby minimizing the manufacturer's advertising costs and allowing the customer to refund the

purchase cost of goods. In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on an Internet using an

advertising printed copy that includes: determining if an Internet user gets access to a gift presentation homepage via a personal communication

device; returning to the initial step when the Internet user does not get

access to the gift presentation homepage, or a web server's determining if

the Internet user holds the membership, when the Internet user has access

to the gift presentation homepage; requesting the Internet user to subscribe

for membership when the Internet user does not hold the membership, or the web server's determining if the Internet user enters the serial number

marked on an advertising printed copy of goods purchased, when the

Internet user holds the membership; returning to the step of determining if

the Internet user enters the serial number, when the Internet user does not

enter the serial number, or the web server's displaying an advertisement

corresponding to the advertising printed copy and a part corresponding to

the serial number, when the Internet user enters the serial number;

determining if the Internet user wants to store the displayed part via the personal communication device; returning to the step of determining if the Internet user stores the part, when the Internet user stores the part, or the web server's storing the part corresponding to the serial number in a gift

database, when the Internet user stores the part; the web server's receiving

data from the gift database and displaying a list of parts collected by the Internet user via the personal communication device; the web server's

receiving data from the gift database and determining if the Internet user

collects a plurality of parts to form a finished product; the web server's

determining if the Internet user wants to receive the finished product, when

.the Internet user collects parts to form a finished product; and the web server's offering the corresponding finished product to the customer and

storing the corresponding information in the gift database, when the Internet

user wants to receive the finished product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the

invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles

of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for gift presentation and

electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies in

accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a gift presentation server 100 in

accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for gift presentation and

electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies in

accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart: showing a process for identifying and applying

for a gift in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process for dealing in parts or a

finished product in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, only the preferred embodiment

of the invention has been shown and ^"described, simply by way of illustration

of the best mode contemplated by the inventor(s) of carrying out the

invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in

various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention.

Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in

nature, and not restrictive. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for gift presentation and

electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies in

accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus for gift presentation and electronic

commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies in accordance

with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a customer interface

110, a gift presentation server 100, and a mobile communication provider

interface 120.

The customer interface 110 is an interface provided for a person who

wants to identify and apply for a gift and deal in parts or a finished product

using the gift presentation and electronic commerce apparatus of the present

invention. The interface may include a terminal in a bi-directional

communication, network, for example, a web browser on the customer's

computer.

The mobile communication provider interface 120 is an interface

provided for a mobile communication provider that serves a customer who

wants to identify and apply for a gift in a corresponding mobile

communication network. The interface may include a terminal in a bi¬

directional communication network, for example, a web browser on the

customer's computer.

The individual interfaces are connected to the gift presentation

server 100 on an Internet based on the public switched telephone network

(PSTN) or a local area network (LAN). The connection may be embodied in a wire or a wireless manner using PCS, IMT 2000 or satellite communications.

Each interface has a data converter 140 for data communications

with the gift presentation server 100. The data converter 140 may include

such a device as a modem or a LAN-card that converts data to be

transferred on the network between the interface and the gift presentation

server 100.

The gift presentation server 100, which is to perform a key function

of gift presentation . and electronic commerce on the Internet using

advertising printed copies, causes the customer to identify a gift, collect parts

to receive a finished product and buy or sell the collected parts or the

finished, product with other customers. For example, the gift presentation

server 100 may be a web server designed to conduct gift presentation and

electronic commerce, and the web server may include a component .for-

providing a home page and sending/receiving e-mails.

■ FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the gift presentation server 100

in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gift presentation server 100 comprises a

plurality of units performing particular functions, a database unit 280

provided for operating the units, and a central processor 270 in which the

units operate. The central processor 270 is connected to the customer

interface 110 and the mobile communication provider interface 120 via a

network interface 275.

The units include a membership manager 210, a certificate key

identifier 215, a gift identifier 220, and a gift dealer 225. The membership manager 210 manages information about

customers entitled to the membership; the certificate key identifier 215

determines if a serial number entered by a customer is registered and valid;

the gift identifier 220 identifies a gift corresponding to the serial number

5 entered by the customer and collected by the customer; and the gift dealer

225 enables the customer to deal in the parts or the finished product.

The database unit 280 comprises a membership database 281 that

stores information about the membership and manages it; a certificate key

.-: database 282 that stores information about certificate, keys and manages it;

10. a gift. database 283 that stores information about gifts and manages it; and a

y . - gift: transaction database 284 that stores information about gift transactions

and manages it.

-- • . • :..,: .:' .".r,.- . -FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a metho ..for^ gift presentation and

electronic commerce on the Internet using advertising printed copies in

15 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As a customer has access to the system for gift presentation and

electronic commerce, the gift presentation server 100 determines in step

S310 if the customer holds membership.

If the customer does not hold membership, the gift presentation

20 server 100 allows the customer to subscribe for membership, in step S315.

Otherwise, if the customer holds membership or subscribes for membership,

the gift presentation server 100 causes the customer to enter a serial

number marked on the advertising printed copy of goods purchased by the

customer, in step S320. When the customer enters the serial number, the gift presentation

server 100 shows an advertisement corresponding to the advertising printed

copy and displays a predetermined serial number and a corresponding part,

in step S330. The customer stores the part corresponding to the serial

5 number, in step S340, and the gift presentation server 100 stores the part in

the gift database 283. The gift presentation server 100 receives data from

the gift database 283 and displays a list of parts collected by the customer, in

step S350.

Based on the data from the gift database 283,. the gift presentation

.10 server 100 determines in step S360 if the parts collected by the customer

:.^•-: : - form a finished product. When the parts form a -finished product, the gift

presentation server 100 determines in step S362 if the customer wants to

- -:^■■ receive the finished product, and when. the. customer wants to receive the

finished product, the gift presentation server 100 offers the corresponding

15 finished product to the customer and stores the corresponding information in

the gift database 283, in step S370.

If the parts do not form a finished product or if the customer does not

want to receive the finished product, the gift presentation server 100

determines in step S380 whether the customer wants to trade in the parts or

20 the finished product. When the customer does not want to trade in the parts

or the finished product, the gift presentation server 100 ends the process for

gift presentation and electronic commerce.

If the customer wants to trade in the parts or the finished product, the

gift presentation server 100 determines in step S381 if the customer wants to sell the parts or the finished product, and if they do, the gift presentation

server 100 causes the customer to enter the price and the quantity of the

parts or the finished product to sell, in step S382.

Otherwise, when the customer does not want to sell the parts or the

finished product, the gift presentation server 100 determines in step S383 if

the customer wants to buy the parts or the finished product, and if not, the

gift presentation server 100 ends the process for gift presentation and

electronic commerce.

When the customer wants to buy the parts or the finished product,

the gift presentation server 100 causes the customer, to select a part or a

finished product to buy, in step S384, and in step S385 the gift presentation

server 100 causes the customer to pay for the parts or the finished product

they are buying. The gift presentation server 10.0 then stores the customer's

payment information in the gift transaction database 284, in step S386.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process for identifying and applying

for a gift in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

A customer who wants to identify or apply for a gift logs into the

system for gift presentation and electronic commerce according to the

present invention, in step S410. During the login step, the customer may be

connected to the system for gift presentation and electronic commerce in a

wire or wireless manner using PCS, IMT 200 or satellite communications.

As the customer logs in, the gift presentation server 100 determines

in step S420 whether the customer holds membership, and if they do not, the

gift presentation server 100 urges the customer to subscribe for membership, in step S425. Otherwise, if the customer holds membership or subscribes for

membership, the gift presentation server 100 causes the customer to enter a

certificate key, in step S430.

Upon the customer's entering the certificate key, the gift presentation

server 100 determines in step S435 if the certificate key is registered and

valid, and if it is not, the gift representation server 100 causes the customer to enter a certificate key again. If the certificate key is registered and valid, the gift presentation server 100 displays a part corresponding to the certificate key, in step S440.

When the customer approves the part displayed, the gift presentation server 100 stores the part in the gift database 283, in step S442, then determines in step S444 whether the part completes the gift. If the part does not complete the gift, the gift presentation server 100 connects to the gift dealer 225, in step S446. Otherwise, if the part completes the gift, the gift presentation server

100 determines in step S450 whether the customer wants to apply for the gift.

If the customer does not want to apply for the gift, the gift

presentation server 100 connects the gift dealer 225, in step S446.

If the customer wants to apply for the gift, the gift presentation server

100 determines in step S452 whether the desired gift is available, and when

the desired gift is available, the gift presentation server 100 displays

that the customer can receive the gift, in step S454. As the customer

confirms that they want to receive the gift, the gift presentation server 100

allocates the gift to the customer and stores in the gift database 283 that the gift is allocated to the customer, in step S456, but when the desired gift is

unavailable, the gift presentation server 100 displays that the gift is

unavailable, in step S458.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process for dealing in a part or a

finished product in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

A customer who wants to deal in or receive a refund for a part or a

finished product logs into the system for gift presentation and electronic

commerce according to the present invention, in step S510. During the login

step, the customer may be connected to the system for gift presentation and

electronic commerce in a wire or wireless manner using PCS, IMT 200 or

satellite communications.

As the customer logs in, the gift presentation server 100 determines

in step S520 whether, the customer wants to deal in or receive a refund for a

part or a finished product, and if the customer does not want to, the gift

presentation server 100 ends the process for dealing in a part or a finished

product.

Otherwise, if the customer wants to deal in a part or a finished

product, the gift presentation server 100 displays a list of parts, in step S522,

and the customer selects a part to deal in or to receive a refund for from the

list of parts, in step S524.

As the customer selects a part, the gift presentation server 100

determines in step S530 whether the customer wants a refund for the part,

and if they do, they complete and send in a refund application form, and the

gift presentation server 100 refunds for the part at the market price and transfers a corresponding amount of money to the customer's account, in

step S534. The gift presentation server 100 then displays a report of the

customer's refund to the customer and ends the process for dealing in a part

or a finished product.

When the customer does not want to receive a refund for the part,

the gift presentation server 100 causes the customer to complete a

transaction form, in step S540, wherein the customer enters the quantity and

the price of the part or the finished product they wish to buy or sell in the

transaction form. Upon the customer's sending in the part transaction form,

the gift presentation server 100 displays a report of the customer's order, in

step S542:

The gift presentation server 100 displays the present state of order

to the custome and ends the process for dealing in a part or a finished product.

As described above, the present invention enables the customer to

buy goods containing an advertisement and an advertising printed copy

marked with a serial number and collect a part corresponding to the serial

number on a corresponding web site to receive a finished product, or to deal

in the collected parts with another customer in electronic commerce on

Internet sites. This results in minimizing the manufacturer's advertising costs,

promoting the sale of goods, and increasing the customer's purchasing

desire, thereby providing an economical consumer culture and contributing

to the national economy. While this invention has been described in connection with what is

presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is

to be understood that the invention is not 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 system for gift presentation and electronic commerce on

an Internet using an advertising printed copy, by which customers can

purchase goods containing an advertising printed copy marked with a serial

number, collect a part corresponding to the serial number in a corresponding

web site to receive a finished product, and also deal in the collected part or

finished product with other customers in electronic commerce, the system

comprising:

a membership manager for managing information about customers

entitled to membership;

a certificate key identifier for determining if a serial number entered

by a customer is registered and valid;

a gift identifier for identifying a gift corresponding to the serial

number entered by the customer and collected by the customer;

a gift dealer for the customer's dealing in the part or finished product;

and

a database unit provided to execute the units.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gift dealer has

a function of refunding for the part or finished product.

3. A method for gift presentation and electronic commerce on

an Internet using an advertising printed copy, in which customers can

purchase goods containing an advertisement and an advertising printed copy marked with a serial number, collect a part corresponding to the serial

number in a corresponding web site to receive a finished product and also

deal in the collected part or finished product with other customers in

electronic commerce, the method comprising:

(a) a gift presentation server receiving a serial number entered by a

customer;

(b) the gift presentation server displaying a part corresponding to the

serial number entered by the customer;

(c) the gift presentation server determining if the customer completes

a gift;

(d) the gift presentation server determining if the customer wants to

apply for the gift, when they complete the gift;

(e) the gift presentation server .determining if the desired gift is

available, when the customer wants to apply for the gift; and

(f) the gift presentation server offering the gift to the customer, when

the desired gift is available.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server determining if the serial number entered

by the customer is registered and valid, after the step (a) of receiving the

serial number.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server storing the part, after the step (b) of displaying the part.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server determining if the customer wants to deal

in the part, after the step (c) of determining if the customer completes the gift.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server determining if the customer wants a

refund for the part, after the step (c) of determining if the customer completes

the gift.

8. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server determining if the customer wants to deal

in the finished product, after the step (d) of determining if the customer wants

to apply for the gift.

9. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

the gift presentation server determining if the customer wants a

refund for the finished product, after the step (d) of determining if the

customer wants to apply for the gift.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the

customer wants to deal in the part or finished product, the method further

comprises: the gift presentation server causing the customer to enter a desired

part or finished product to deal in;

the gift presentation server receiving a transaction form made by the

customer; and

the gift presentation server displaying a report of the customer's

order.

1 1. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the

customer wants. a refund for the part or finished product, the method further

comprises:

the gift presentation server causing the customer to enter a desired

part or finished product for which they want a refund;

tha gift^, presentation server receiving a refund application form made

by the customer;

the gift presentation server accepting the application for a refund for

the desired part or finished product;

the gift presentation server transferring refund money to the

customer; and

the gift presentation server displaying a report of the customer's

refund.