Abstract:
A system and method for secure and private on-line shopping has an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers. An on-line shopping store server is provided and is coupled to the plurality of computers. The on-line shopping store server is used for hosting an on-line shopping store web site. An on-line store shopping card is further provided and is used for purchasing items from the on-line retailers. The on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value and identification number. A shopping card server is coupled to the on-line shopping store server. The shopping card server is used 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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to on-line computer shopping and, more specifically, to a system and method that allows all consumers the ability to access a computer to shop on-line in a convenient manner with minimal security risk and maximum privacy. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) are fast growing systems that are increasing in size year after year. More and more companies are providing, and more and more consumers are purchasing, information, goods, and services via the WWW, electronic mail (email) and other electronic commerce means. Unfortunately, electronic commerce has several problems that are hindering its growth. A main problem facing electronic commerce is how payments for information, goods, and services may be accomplished in an efficient, reliable, and secure manner. A number of organizations have addressed this issue by establishing different types of payment systems which vary widely in design, performance, and security features. However, all systems currently in place still require the consumer to input their credit card or bank account number. No matter how secure a payment system may be, most consumers are reluctant to provide such information due to privacy, security and integrity issues. 
     Another problem facing electronic commerce has to do with the delivery and receiving of goods that have been purchased. Most consumers who purchase goods via the internet have the goods sent to their home. However, the linguistics of receiving a package for a working consumer becomes very cumbersome and inconvenient. Internet merchandisers have already experienced a certain “backlash” to find ways to overcome problematic deliveries. 
     Yet another problem hindering the growth of electronic commerce deals with internet advertising. Billions of dollars are spent each year on internet advertising. Analysts report that internet advertising will reach $16.5 billion by the year 2005. Marketers are concerned because internet sites are projected to top 700 million by the same year. The challenge will be for advertisers to find the most cost efficient way of reaching individual consumers. One of the problems with advertising over the internet is that it is generally difficult to target particular types of advertising and other web page content to particular clients, based on the particular needs and interest of the client and their operators. 
     Therefore, a need existed to provide an improved system and method that allows all consumers the ability to access a computer to shop on-line. The improved system and method will allow consumers to shop in a convenient manner with minimal security risk and maximum privacy. The improved system and method will provide a convenient way for the delivery and receiving of goods that have been purchased by the consumer. The improved system and method will further provide a way to solve internet advertising problems by providing advertisers with a central location to offer consumers access, visibility, and special offers to the consumer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method that allows all consumers the ability to access a computer to shop on-line. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method that will allow consumers to shop in a convenient manner with minimal privacy and security risk. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method that will provide a convenient way for the delivery and receiving of goods that have been purchased on-line by the consumer. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a way to solve internet advertising problems by providing advertisers with a central location to offer consumers access, visibility, and special offers to the consumer. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a system for secure and private on-line shopping is disclosed. The system has an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers. An on-line shopping store server is coupled to the plurality of computers. The on-line shopping store server is used for hosting an on-line shopping store web site. An on-line store shopping card is provided and is used for purchasing items from the on-line retailers. The on-line store shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value. A shopping card server is coupled to the on-line shopping store server. The shopping card server is used 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. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a method for making secure and private on-line purchases is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers; providing 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; providing an on-line store shopping card for purchasing items from the on-line retailers wherein the on-line shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value; and providing a 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. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for making secure and private on-line purchases is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing an on-line shopping store having a plurality of computers for accessing on-line retailers; providing 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; purchasing an on-line store shopping card for purchasing items from the on-line retailers wherein the on-line shopping card is a pre-paid card having an assigned monetary value and identification number; selecting goods and items to purchase; entering the identification number of the on-line store shopping card; verification of the identification number and funds remaining on the on-line store shopping card; and entering a delivery location of the goods and items purchased when the identification number and funds are verified. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified functional block diagram of a computer network system for shopping online representing the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the on-line shopping card used in the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a method for performing on-line purchases. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a computer network system for shopping online  10  (hereinafter system  10 ) is shown. The system  10  will have a One Stop Shopping Online Store  12  (hereinafter OSSO Store  12 ). The OSSO store  12  will be an establishment which will have a plurality of computers  14 . Each of the computers  14  will allow access to on-line web-sites via communication lines  15 . The communication lines  15  may be telephone lines or high speed ISDN, DSL, cable lines or the like. The OSSO store  12  will allow consumers the ability to shop on-line in a convenient manner by establishing a central location where individuals may order and pick-up goods purchased on-line. The OSSO store  12  is especially helpful to those individuals who do not have computers but would like the convenience of purchasing goods on-line. The OSSO store  12  will also allow any goods that are purchased by the consumer to be sent directly to the OSSO store  12 . The OSSO store  12  will then hold the packages till the consumer picks the package up at the OSSO store  12 . Thus, the OSSO store  12  will eliminate many of the problems electronic commerce has with the delivery and receiving of goods that have been purchased by consumers. The OSSO store  12  will further provide a place where once the consumer picks-up the goods, he/she may try on/out the goods purchased. If the consumer is not satisfied with the goods purchased, the OSSO store  12  will return the goods to the retailer and reimburse or credit the consumer back for the purchase. 
     The OSSO store  12  will allow access to on-line retailers. The on-line retailers may be arranged in several different manners. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of on-line retailers may be formed into a single network of sites. For example, the OSSO store  12  may have a designated OSSO server  16 . The OSSO server  16  would allow access to an OSSO web page which may have several different formats. For example, the home web page may have a listing and links to each of the on-line retailers who are members of the OSSO network. By clicking on the proper link, the consumer will be sent to the specific retailer. The home web page may further include retailer advertising, special retailer sales or promotions, etc. The home web page may further include a listing of other retailers not members of the OSSO network and other popular web sites. The above format helps in eliminating one of the problems associated with electronic commerce since the home web page would allow companies to target particular types of advertising and other web page content to particular clients, based on the particular needs and interest of the client and their operators. Further, the web page would allow a place to show special retailer sales and/or promotions. 
     The OSSO server  16  would also allow access to outside servers  18 . The computers  14  of the OSSO store  12  can access the outside servers  18  either directly via communication lines or via the OSSO server  16 . By allowing access to the outside servers  18 , consumers at the OSSO store  12  may shop at other web sites that are not members/participants of the plurality of the on-line retailers that form the OSSO network. 
     Both the OSSO server  16  and the outside server  18  may be accessed by individuals on home computers  20 . As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , the home computer  20  may directly access the OSSO server  16  or can access the OSSO server  16  via the outside server  18 . The system  10  may be set up so that the home computer  20  can only access the OSSO server  16  by subscription to the OSSO server  16 . This would generally require that the consumer register at an OSSO store  12  and obtain a valid user ID and user password. This information would then be entered by the user of the home computer when he/she tries to access the home web page of the OSSO server  16 . 
     Purchases on the system  10  is accomplished by using an OSSO card  30 . The OSSO card  30  is a card with an assigned cash value (i.e., ten dollars, twenty dollars, hundred dollars, etc.). The OSSO card  30  may be a prepaid card which could be purchased at the OSSO store  12 , other retail stores, through the mail, with a magazine, or in any desired fashion. The OSSO cards  30  may also be a programmable card. The programmable OSSO card  30  would allow any dollar amount to be programmed onto the card. The programmable OSSO card  30  allows for the flexibility of debiting or crediting the card  30  for purchases and refunds. 
     Each OSSO card  30  is assigned a unique card number similar to the unique number found on a credit card. The card number may be printed on the OSSO card  30 . For security reasons, the card number is generally covered by an opaque adhesive tape or similar material so that the number cannot be read until the tape is removed by the owner of the OSSO card  30 . Alternatively, the card number may be printed on a piece of paper which is placed in a security envelope and placed with the OSSO card  30 . For additional security, when each individual purchases an OSSO card  30 , the individual may assign a personal identification number (PIN) to the OSSO card  30 . 
     After a person purchases an OSSO card  30 , he/she can open the envelope or remove the adhesive tape to see the card number. The OSSO card may now be used for purchases. Purchases are made in the following manner. Individuals may shop either at their home computer  20  or at a computer  14  at the OSSO store  12 . The individual will access on-line retailers. As stated above, the on-line retailers may be arranged to form a single network of sites or the individual may access other web sites that are outside of the single network of sites. If an individual wishes to purchase goods, information, etc from one of the web sites, the individual will be prompted to input the number of the OSSO card  30 . For additional security, the web site may require that the PIN assigned to the OSSO card  30  also to be entered. 
     Once this information is entered and submitted, the OSSO card  30  and the funds available on the OSSO card  30  are verified. Verification may be accomplished in numerous ways. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, all OSSO card information is stored on a card server  22 . The card server  22  is coupled to the OSSO server  16  and outside server  18 . When a purchase is made, the OSSO server  16  or the outside server  18  will access the card server  22 . The validity of the OSSO card  30  and the amount of money left on the OSSO card  30  is verified. If the number of the OSSO card  30  (and for additional security the PIN) is valid, and the OSSO card still has a sufficient amount of money left to make the purchase, the card server  22  will authorize the purchase. If the OSSO card number or the PIN is invalid, or if there is not a sufficient amount of money left on the OSSO card  30 , the card server  22  will not authorize the purchase. The individual must then input the information once again to be verified by the card server  22 . Once again, if the OSSO card number or the PIN is invalid, or if there is not a sufficient amount of money left on the OSSO card  30 , the card server  22  will not authorize the purchase. After a few times of incorrect information being inputted, the home computer  20  or the computer  14  at the OSSO store  12  will be locked out of the web site. 
     If the information that was inputted is correct and the OSSO card has a sufficient amount of funds, the card server  22  will authorize the transaction. The card server  22  will then adjust the amount of money left on the OSSO card  30 . The adjustment may be done in several manners. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the dollar value of each card is stored on the card server  22 . Thus any debits or credits to the OSSO card  30  is updated on the card server  22 . For programmable OSSO cards  30 , they may be updated if the computer  14  or home computer  20  has a card reader built into the machine. Thus, the card server  22  could adjust the balance of the programmable OSSO card  30  directly via the card reader. 
     Once a purchase is authorized, the purchaser will indicate where the goods that were purchased should be delivered. The system  10  works so that the user of the computer  14  and the user of the home computer  20  can have the goods that were purchased sent to either his/her home or to a designated OSSO store  12 . If the good are delivered to the OSSO store  12 , the OSSO store  12  will hold the packages till the consumer picks the package up. By having the option of picking up the purchased goods at the OSSO store  12 , the system  10  helps to solve one of the problems associated with electronic commerce since the linguistics of receiving a package for a working consumer becomes very cumbersome and inconvenient. 
     When a person is finished at the computer  14  at the OSSO store  12 , he/she may return the OSSO card  30 . He/she will then be reimbursed for any amount of money left on the OSSO card  30 . Likewise, any person using a home computer may return the OSSO card  30  to the OSSO store  10  for any refund of unused money. 
     Once the goods arrive at the OSSO store  12 , the OSSO store  12  will call the individual who purchased the goods. When the individual picks up the purchased good, he/she may try on/out the goods purchased. If the consumer is not satisfied with the goods purchased, the OSSO store  12  will return the goods to the retailer and reimburse or credit the consumer back for the purchase. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.