Patent ID: 7243076
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for secure and private on-line shopping comprising, in combination: a store housing a plurality of computers, the store functioning as an on-line shopping store where individuals order merchandise using the plurality of computers and have the merchandise delivered to the store for pick-up, one enters a delivery location for the merchandise on one of the plurality of computers if delivery is not to the store; an on-line shopping store server coupled to the plurality of computers of the on-line shopping store for hosting an on-line shopping store web site and for hosting a plurality of on-line retailers formed into a single membership network of sites; at least one home computer coupled to the on-line shopping store server for accessing on-line retailers from a remote location, a user of the home computer needing a subscription to access the on-line shopping store server; an on-line store shopping card as the only means for purchasing items from the on-line shopping store and the on-line retailers by individuals using the plurality of computers at the store and remotely at the at least one home computer, wherein the on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value, individuals using the on-line store shopping card being able to return the on-line store shopping card for cash on unused credit after shopping at the store; and an in-system on-line store shopping card server coupled to the on-line shopping store server for verifying authenticity and monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, for crediting and debiting the monetary value of the on-line store shopping card, and for transferring payments to and from a user of the on-line store shopping card and the on-line retailers.