Patent ID: 6343273
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of electronically executing transactions comprising the steps of:providing a preprogrammed main computer with data and image storage and retrieval equipment; creating a plurality of electronic images of works of art which are for sale by at least one listing dealer and storing said images on said storage equipment associated with said main computer; inputting data about each said stored image and associating said input data with each corresponding stored image; providing a plurality of preprogrammed intelligent terminals each having data storage and retrieval equipment, at least one display screen and at least one input device, wherein said intelligent terminals are located at at least one listing dealer location and at at least-one-buying dealer location, and wherein said intelligent terminals communicate with said main computer via a global network; inputting, through one of said intelligent terminals, search criteria for selecting at least one of said stored electronic images for review; communicating said search criteria to said main computer; searching said stored images and corresponding data to select electronic images meeting said input search criteria; communicating said selected images and corresponding data to said one of said intelligent terminals; displaying at least a portion of said selected electronic images on said at least one display screen connected to said one of said intelligent terminals; inputting a reservation on at least one of said displayed electronic images for reserve to prevent the completion of a sale transaction involving the artwork corresponding to said selected reserved electronic image; displaying an indication of the reserve status of said selected reserved electronic image in conjunction with the display of said selected reserved electronic image at any of said intelligent terminals; inputting a buy order to one of said intelligent terminals for at least one of said selected reserved electronic images to transact a purchase of said artwork corresponding to said electronic image subject to said buy order; and automatically generating instructions to complete said purchase and communicating said instructions to the intelligent terminals corresponding to the appropriate listing dealer and the appropriate buying dealer.