Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20010042002?dq=Frischling
Timestamp: 2017-03-25 18:38:28
Document Index: 169105941

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 525']

Patent US20010042002 - Method and system for communicating targeted information - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA method of communicating information is provided in which a demographic profile for at least one of a plurality of consumers is formed. Next, an inquiry is received from at least one of the plurality of consumers. Next, data relating to the inquiry is retrieved and the data is filtered based on the...http://www.google.com/patents/US20010042002?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20010042002 - Method and system for communicating targeted informationAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS20010042002 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 09/385,200Publication dateNov 15, 2001Filing dateAug 30, 1999Priority dateAug 30, 1999Also published asWO2001016831A1Publication number09385200, 385200, US 2001/0042002 A1, US 2001/042002 A1, US 20010042002 A1, US 20010042002A1, US 2001042002 A1, US 2001042002A1, US-A1-20010042002, US-A1-2001042002, US2001/0042002A1, US2001/042002A1, US20010042002 A1, US20010042002A1, US2001042002 A1, US2001042002A1InventorsJeff KoopersmithOriginal AssigneeJeff KoopersmithExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (123), Classifications (20) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and system for communicating targeted information
Demographic Profile [0071] 1) Age [0072] 2) Income [0073] 3) Tell us about your home. Do you live in: Owned House, Rented House, Condo, Cooperative, Owned Apartment, Rented Apartment, Live with parents, Live at college, Live with other relative, in a Mobile home or in Government Housing. [0074] 4) Tell us about your work. Is your job in: Consulting, Corporate Management/Owner, Development, Education, Engineering, Finance, Health Care, Legal, Management, Marketing, Media, MISS/IS, Networking/LAN, Purchasing, Research & Development, Sales, Student (pre-high school), Student(high school), Student (college),Student (postgraduate),Shipping/Receiving, Technical Support, Web/Internet. System Preferences [0075] 1) Simple text interface options [0076] 2) Simple text with icons options [0077] 3) E-mail window options [0078] 4) Chat window options [0079] 5) Reminder options [0080] 6) Web options [0081] 7) News options [0082] 8) Product/ad options [0083] 9) Wrangle options [0084] In an exemplary embodiment, the initial questionnaire includes the questions listed in Appendix A. [0085] After consumers 107 responds to the initial questionnaire, the responses are transmitted to trusted entity client 112 via network 100 and stored in consumer data record 500—the private data being stored in private data portion 505 and the demographic data being stored in demographic data portion 510. [0086] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, trusted entity server 112 includes two servers: a private data server 515 in which private data portion 505 of consumer data record 500 is stored and an anonymous data server 520 which stores demographic data portion 510 of consumer data record 500. The purpose of dividing consumer data record 500 in such a manner and storing private data portion 505 on private data server 515 is to ensure that consumer contact information is kept confidential and secure. In addition, because the two halves of consumer data record 500—private data portion 505 and demographic data portion 510—are stored separately, no one other than an operator of trusted entity server 112 with proper authorization can unite the two halves to associate particular demographic data with its corresponding consumer. Thus, the demographic data stored in demographic data portion 510 is kept anonymous and the confidential information stored in private data portion is kept secure from unauthorized access. [0087] After the registration process that includes consumers 107 filling out the initial questionnaire and constructing demographic data portion 510 for each of consumers 107, demographic portion 510 is further updated in a number of ways. First, trusted entity server 112 transmits to consumer devices 105 for each of consumers 107 via network 100 one or more subsequent questionnaires. The subsequent questionnaires may include the same questions included in the initial questionnaire, for the purpose of keeping the demographic data in demographic portion 510 current, or the subsequent questionnaires may include new questions not previously sent to consumers 107. [0088] In addition, demographic data portion 510 is updated based on the activities of each of consumers 107. These activities include the interaction of consumers 107 with trusted entity server 112, such as the requests of consumers 107 for information or expressed desire to purchase a product or service, or any other services provided by trusted entity server 112, as will be described in detail below. So, for example, if consumer 107.1 has previously purchased white kitchen appliances, an entry is made in demographic data portion 510 of consumer 107.1 indicating that consumer 107.1 has a preference for the color white. [0089] The activities used to update demographic data portion 510 may also include the interaction of consumers 107 with network 100. For example, if network 100 is the Internet, trusted entity server 112 will track the movements made by consumers 107 on the Internet and, where relevant, use this information to update demographic data portion 510 of each of consumers 107. For example, if one of consumers 107 accesses web pages relating to a white toaster oven and a white refrigerator, an entry is made in demographic data portion 510 of that one of consumers 107 indicating a preference for white kitchen appliances. An additional example is when one of consumers 107 accesses web pages relating to golf, golf equipment and golf schools indicating that one of consumers 107 may be investigating the cost of golf equipment and golf lessons. Based on this interest, trusted entity server 112 queries the one of consumers 107 about whether it would like to see information or advertising on golf equipment and golf schools. [0090] Finally, each of consumers 107 can edit both private data portion 505 and demographic data portion 510 contained in their own consumer data record 500. So, for example, if consumer 107.1 wishes that certain activities over network 100 not be included in demographic data portion 510, consumer 107.1 can edit its demographic data portion 510 to delete references made to such activities. In this way, consumers 107 can control the contents of their own consumer data record 500. [0091] Attached to anonymous server 520 is a datamart 525 used to store information used by anonymous server 520. Datamart 525, which may be any storage device including, but not limited to, a hard disk drive, holds demographic data portion 510 of consumer data record 500. In addition, datamart 525 stores other information that is used by trusted entity server 112, including for example, information relating to products or services that consumers 107 have previously requested. [0092] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram describing the method by which a search request from one of consumers 107 is fulfilled in accordance with the present invention. In Step 1, consumer 107.1, for example, using consumer device 105.1, issues an information request 652, for information regarding two slice toaster ovens. Information request 652 is transmitted via network 100 and is received by trusted entity server 112. Next, in Step 2A, trusted entity server 112 searches datamart 525 for any information that matches the search request of consumer 107.1. In addition, in Step 2B, trusted entity server 112 forwards the search request to other servers 610 that are connected to network 100. The product information that trusted entity server 112 receives in response may include, but is not limited to, product descriptions, suppliers that offer the product, pricing, warranty information and product reviews. [0093] After trusted entity server 112 receives product information from datamart 525 and other servers 610 relating to the information request of consumer 107.1, in Step 3 trusted entity server 112 filters the product information in a number of ways so that it is responsive to information request 652. First, the product information is filtered to remove any references to products other than two slice toaster ovens. For example, if the search of datamart 525 and other servers 610 returned references to four slice toaster ovens, these references are not included in the response to consumer 107.1. In one embodiment, this filtering step is performed manually by a “surfing expert” 665 that compares the product information received by trusted entity server 112 in response to information request 652 and removes any irrelevant information. Alternatively, trusted entity server 112 may execute an artificial intelligence program to perform this winnowing step. Such an artificial intelligence program may incorporate any of the techniques well known in the art that can used for evaluating and comparing textual information, including, by way of non-limiting example, neural networks, decision trees, genetic algorithms and nonlinear regression methods. [0094] Trusted entity server 112 also filters the product information it receives in response to the information request using the demographic data contained in demographic data portion 510 of consumer data record 500 associated with consumer 107.1. For example, if the demographic data indicates that consumer 107.1 has a strong preference for white kitchen appliances, then trusted entity server 112 will only include in the response to the information request product information relating to white two slice toaster ovens. Thus, by using the demographic data contained in demographic data portion 510, trusted entity server 112 provides consumer 107.1 focused information in response to information request 652 of consumer 107.1. In addition, trusted entity server 112 customizes the response to information request 652 according to the system preferences selected by consumer 107.1 that are stored in customer data record 500. For example, consumer 107.1 may choose to have in the response the product specifications, pricing, warranty information names of suppliers, manufacturer's magazine style advertising, a streaming commercial for the product or any other type of information in any other format that is desirable. In an exemplary embodiment, the response to information request 652 does not include the names of suppliers of the product or service that was the subject of information request 652. [0095] Finally, in Step 4, trusted entity server 112 sends a message 670 to consumer 107.1 containing a focused and tailored response to information request 652. [0096] In an exemplary embodiment, information request 652 may request general information not relating to a product or service. For example, if consumer 107.1 requests information about Raynaud's Syndrome, message 670 sent by trusted entity server 112 to consumer 107.1 will contain only relevant information pertaining to Raynaud's Syndrome. In this way, consumer 107.1 does not have to waste time sifting through an enormous amount of irrelevant information to get information that is pertinent the topic of interest. [0097] Accordingly, a method is provided in which a response to a search request from a particular consumer is provided that does not include non-responsive information, that is tailored to the interests of the particular consumer, as defined by the demographic data provided by the particular consumer and that is presented to the particular consumer in a preferred format. [0098] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown block diagram of an e-commerce transaction conducted in accordance with the present invention and the flow of consumer identification information in the e-commerce transaction. Consumer 107.1 operating consumer device 105.1 initiates a transaction by issuing a purchase request 865 authorizing trusted entity server 112 to purchase a particular product or service for consumer 107.1. [0099] Purchase request 565 can include a request for any product or service that consumer 107.1 desires. For example, consumer 107.1 can request the purchase of a two slice toaster oven that was the subject of a previous information request. Alternatively, consumer 107.1 may issue purchase request 865 to have a pizza delivered to the home of consumer 107.1 for dinner. Another example as to what may be included in purchase request 865 is a request from consumer 107.1 that a trusted associate pick up the children of consumer 107.1 from school and bring them home. Accordingly, purchase request 865 may include a request for any product or service desired by consumer 107.1. [0100] For security purposes, purchase request 865 includes a consumer identification number and password combination 864 that uniquely identifies the consumer to trusted entity server 112. In addition, purchase request 865 may identify a particular supplier 715 from whom trusted entity server 112 should purchase and a particular price at which to purchase the product. Consumer 107.1 may have, for example, previously issued a product information request and the response to that request may have included supplier 715 that offers the product at a price that is acceptable to consumer 107.1. Alternatively, purchase request 865 does not direct trusted entity server 112 to purchase the desired product from a particular supplier. In such a case, trusted entity server 112 may either arbitrarily select a supplier, select a supplier based on the demographic data of consumer 107.1 or initiate a bidding process, as will be described below. [0101] Trusted entity server 112 may select a supplier from a list of suppliers based on the particular needs and buying habits of consumer 107.1 as expressed in the demographic data of consumer 107.1. For example, if the demographic data of consumer 107.1 indicates that consumer 107.1 has previously purchased toaster ovens that broke prematurely, trusted entity server 112 may select a supplier that offers the best warranty service on their taster ovens. In this way, consumer 107.1 will be purchasing the toaster oven from a supplier that best fits its needs. [0102] Furthermore, the process of selecting a supplier based on the demographic data of consumer 107.1 also provides a strong incentive for suppliers to provide their product information and pricing to trusted entity server 112 and keep such information current. Because trusted entity server 112 looks for a supplier that can best fulfill the needs of consumer 107.1, suppliers that interact with trusted entity server 112 sell their products and services to consumers that are within their target market, are pre-qualified by trusted entity server 112 and which the suppliers can best service. As a result, suppliers benefit greatly by interacting with trusted entity server 112. [0103] Upon receiving purchase request 865 from consumer 107.1, trusted entity server 112 first clears the purchase by determining whether consumer 107.1 has sufficient credit in a credit line 726 belonging to consumer 107.1 to cover the purchase price of the desired product and, if sufficient purchasing power exists, debits credit line 726 in favor of an account of trusted entity server 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the clearing process includes trusted entity server 112 communicating with financial clearinghouse 120 which verifies credit line 726 of consumer 107.1 and also transfers funds, in the amount of the purchase price of the product, from credit line 726 to the account of trusted entity server 112. In an alternative embodiment, consumer 107.1 purchases products using credit line 726 provided to consumer 107.1 by trusted entity server 112. In this case, the step of clearing the purchase of consumer 107.1 amounts to trusted entity server 112 determining whether consumer 107.1 has sufficient credit remaining in credit line 726 to cover the purchase price of the desired product. [0104] Once the purchase is cleared, trusted entity server 112 communicates through network 100 with a supplier server 710 that is used by supplier 715 to conduct transactions over network 100. Trusted entity server 112 transmits to supplier server 710 a purchase order 870 that includes an order number 872 and the product or service that is the subject of purchase request 865. Purchase order 870, however, does not contain any confidential consumer information that could be used by supplier 715 to identify consumer 107.1. Furthermore, supplier 715 does not have access to the confidential consumer information stored on trusted entity server 112, or in the embodiment of FIG. 5, stored on private data server 515. [0105] To complete the transaction with supplier 715, trusted entity server 112 provides supplier server 710 with a credit line 730 associated with trusted entity server 112 against which supplier 715 will charge the purchase price of the product or service. By using credit line 730 instead of credit line 726 of consumer 107.1 to purchase from supplier 715, the identity and financial information of consumer 107.1 is not disclosed to supplier 715. Thus, trusted entity server 112 acts as complete buffer between consumer 107.1 and supplier 715 thereby keeping the identity and financial information of consumer 107.1 confidential. [0106] After supplier server 710 debits credit line 730 of trusted entity server 112 through financial clearinghouse 120, supplier 715 ships the product via shipping entity 850 to a transhipping depot 855 and identifies the product with order number 872 included in purchase order 870. Once the product is received by transhipping depot 855, transhipping depot 855 uses a secure server 811 to transmit, over network 100, order number 872 to trusted entity server 112. In response, trusted entity server 112 sends to secure server 811 consumer shipping information 842 that corresponds to order number 872. Using consumer shipping information 842, transshipping depot 855 ships the product to consumer 107.1. [0107] Transhipping depot 855 may be either affiliated or unaffiliated with trusted entity server 112 as long as transhipping depot 855 is a secure facility that can receive shipments from multiple suppliers, retrieve confidential consumer information 842 from trusted entity server 112 and ship the product to consumer 107.1. [0108] Accordingly, an e-commerce method is provided in which trusted entity server 112 acts as an intermediary between consumer 107.1 and supplier 715 thereby eliminating the need for consumer 107.1 to divulge any personal or financial information to supplier 715. As a result, consumer 107.1 is provided with a secure and discreet online shopping environment. [0109] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a method by which a supplier for the product or service requested by consumer 107.1 is determined using a bidding process. In Step 1, consumer 107.1 contacts trusted server entity 112 through network 100 to express interest in a product or service. Consumer 107.1 may indicate interest in a product to trusted entity server 112 either at the time consumer 107.1 fills out the initial questionnaire or updates consumer data record 500 or by directly asking trusted entity server 112 for information about the product or service or to find supplier 715 offering the best deal on the particular product or service. [0110] In Step 2, trusted entity server 112 sends to a plurality of suppliers 715.1-715.n, via network 100, a request for quotation (RFQ) 920 for the desired product or service. Trusted entity server 112 chooses suppliers 715.1-715.n either by examining the suppliers stored in datamart 525, by using a research specialist 432 that searches for suitable suppliers or by using shopping agent technology, known in the art, that automatically identifies suppliers for a given product category. In this step, trusted entity server 112 does not reveal the identity of consumer 107.1 to suppliers 715.1-715.n. [0111] In Step 3, each of suppliers 715.1-715.n returns a bid 925.1-925.n, respectively, for the product or service in response to RFQ 920. Then, trusted entity 112 compares bids 925.1-925.n to determine which are the best. To determine which of bids 925.1-925.n are the best, trusted entity server 112 may look at variety of factors including, but not limited to, price, quality, warranty and delivery time. Also, trusted entity server 112 may use the demographic data of consumer 107.1 stored in demographic data portion 510 to determine if consumer 107.1 is likely to have any preferences for one of bids 925.1-925.n. For example, if the demographic data indicates that consumer 107.1 prefers white kitchen appliances, the one of bids 925.1-925.n that includes a white two slice toaster oven would be preferred over those that offer black two slice toaster ovens. Based on the above factors or any other suitable factors, trusted entity server 112 determines which bids 925.1-925.n are the best. [0112] Next, in Step 4, trusted entity server 112 sends to consumer 107.1 the best of bids 925.1-925.n received for the product consumer 107.1 desires to purchase. Trusted entity server 112 sends this information to consumer 107.1 in the format preferred by consumer 107.1, as indicated in consumer data record 500. Such formats may include, by way of non-limiting example, text based e-mail, banner ad, fixed photo and text e-mail, or streaming video ad. [0113] Next, in Step 5, consumer 107.1 selects a particular bid, for example, bid 925.1 offered by supplier 715.1, and initiates an e-commerce transaction by sending trusted entity server 112 purchase request 865 and credit line 726. Finally, in Step 6 the e-commerce transaction is then consummated by trusted entity server 112 by sending purchase order 870 to supplier 715.1 as described above in reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. [0114] Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10C, there is a shown a method by which trusted entity server 112 negotiates with suppliers 715.1-715.n to get the best deal for consumer 107.1. In this embodiment, the transaction begins at Step 1 in the same manner as in the method described in FIG. 9 except that in the method of FIGS. 10A-10C consumer 107.1 selects an “auto-wrangle” feature 1031 when sending purchase request 865 to trusted entity server 112. Upon receipt of purchase request 865, trusted entity server 112 in Step 2 sends to suppliers 715.1-715.n, via network 100, RFQ 920 for the desired product or service. In Step 3, each of suppliers 715.1-715.n returns bid 925.1-925.n, respectively, for the product or service in response to RFQ 920 and trusted entity 112 compares bids 925.1-925.n to determine which are the best. Next, in Step 4, trusted entity server 112 “wrangles” with those of suppliers 715.1-715.n having the best bid(s) by issuing a counterbid 927 to those of suppliers 715.1-715.n. [0115] Trusted entity server 112 determines what is appropriate to include in counterbid 927 using any number of techniques. First, trusted entity server 112 can simply request a discount from those of suppliers 715.1-715.n by including in counterbid 927 a desired price for the product or service that is some percentage less than what was previously offered by those of suppliers 715.1-715.n in bids 925.1-925.n, respectively. Alternatively, counterbid 927 may request a better deal from those of supplier 715.1-715.n with respect to any other characteristic of previous bids 925.1-925.n such as warranty, delivery or quality. Also, trusted entity server 112 may use the demographic data contained in demographic data portion 510 to formulate counterbid 927. For example, if the demographic data indicates that consumer 107.1 favors kitchen appliances from brand X and the best bid is for a two slice toaster oven from brand Y, trusted entity server 112 may counterbid supplier 715 requesting a better price for the two slice toaster oven from brand Y. [0116] Next, in Step 5A, if counterbid 927 is accepted by one of those suppliers 715.1-715.n, for example, by 715.1, then supplier 715.1 sends a confirmation notice 1029 indicating that a deal has been reached. Then, in Step 6A, trusted entity server 112 sends purchase order 870 to supplier 715.1 thereby purchasing the product on behalf of consumer 107.1. If, however, counterbid 927 was not accepted by any of suppliers 715.1-715.n, then in Step 5B one or more of suppliers 715.1-715.n may send a reply to counterbid 1028. If reply to counterbid 1028, for example issued by supplier 715.1, is acceptable to trusted entity server 112, then in Step 6B trusted entity server sends a confirmation 1030 to supplier 715.1. If reply to counterbid 1028 is not acceptable to trusted entity server 112, the “wrangling” process returns to Step 4 in which trusted entity server 112 issues another counterbid 927. The wrangling process continues in this manner until either one of suppliers 715.1-715.n offers the product or service at an acceptable discount price or until no discount price is offered by any one of suppliers 715.1-715.n, in which case trusted entity server 112 will purchase the product or service at the originally offered price (the price at which the consumer originally authorized the purchase in purchase request 865). [0117] If trusted entity server 112 was successful in purchasing the desired product or service from one of suppliers 715.1-715.n at a price that is below the initial price offered by that one of suppliers 715.1-715.n, then trusted entity server 112 will store in datamart 525 a notice to the effect that that one of suppliers 715.1-715.n is amenable to negotiations and discounting its initially offered price. In this way, trusted entity server 112 builds a file of suppliers that are willing to negotiate the price of the products they offer. [0118] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a block diagram of a method of providing targeted advertising in accordance with the present invention and the flow of information between an advertising entity 1182 and consumers 107.1-107.n. Initially, advertising entity 1182 provides trusted entity server 112 with advertising materials 1183 which may include a product description, pricing information, warranty information, a magazine style advertisement and/or a streaming commercial for a product or service. Advertising materials 1183 are stored by trusted entity server 112 in datamart 525. When, for example, consumer 107.1 expresses an interest in a product or service, trusted entity server 112 scans advertising materials 1183 in datamart 525 for relevant information. Trusted entity server 112 may determine that consumer 107.1 is interested in a particular product or service if consumer 107.1 requested information about the product or service, requested that trusted entity server 112 purchase the product or service for consumer 107.1, or if consumer data record 500 associated with consumer 107.1 contains an indication that consumer 107.1 is interested in the product or service. Once trusted entity server 112 identifies the information in advertising materials 1183 that is relevant to the request or interest of consumer 107.1, trusted entity server 112 then transmits the relevant materials to consumer 107.1. In this way, advertising materials 1183 are sent to those consumers who have expressed an interest in the product that is the subject matter of the particular advertising material 1183. On the other hand, trusted entity server 112 will not send the particular advertising material 1183 to consumers 107.2-107.n that either did not request information about, or otherwise express interest in, the product that is the subject of the particular advertising materials 1183. [0119] Accordingly, advertising entities 1182 are given a method of reaching a focused and targeted consumer audience that has expressed an interest in a particular product or service. Also, because the consumer will not receive any advertising materials unless the consumer has expressed interest in a related product or service, the incidence of consumers receiving SPAM in the present invention is eliminated. [0120] Trusted entity server 112 sends relevant advertising material 1183 to consumer 107.1 according to the preferences indicated by consumer 107.1 and stored in a system preferences record 512 of consumer data record 500. For instance, consumer 107.1 may select to see a full advertisement for the product of interest, only the product specifications, manufactures of the product, suppliers of the product, pricing information and whether to be notified of similar new products. In addition, consumer 107.1 may choose whether to see advertising materials 1183 as a flat data file 1106, as a streaming commercial with sound 1107, as an e-mail message 1108 or as a magazine style ad 1109. Besides the examples given above, consumer 107.1 may be given a choice to view any other type of information and in any other desired format. Accordingly, advertising materials 1083 are sent by trusted entity server 112 only to those consumers that have expressed interest in the advertised product and in a format that is most desirable to the consumer. [0121] In an exemplary embodiment, the demographic data stored in demographic data portion 510 of consumer data record 500 is used to perform market surveys. So, for example, if a manufacturer would like to know what is the most popular color for two slice toaster ovens, the manufacturer submits the survey request to trusted entity server 112. Trusted entity server 112 then scans datamart 525 for consumer preferences regarding the color of two slice toaster ovens and reports back to the manufacturer which color is the most popular. [0122] The present invention can also be used to perform highly targeted focus group testing. In this embodiment, a manufacturer, for example, wants to determine what features on a two slice toaster oven are favored by men ages 25-40. The manufacturer sends the survey request to trusted entity server 112 together with a series of questions aimed at determining which are the most favored features. Trusted entity server 112 receives the survey request and scans the consumer data records for demographic data that matches the target market selected by the manufacturer—in this case men ages 25-40. Trusted entity server 112 then sends to those consumers in the target market a subsequent questionnaire that includes the series of questions provided by the manufacturer. Trusted entity server 112 receives the responses to the subsequent questionnaire and forwards the results to the manufacturer. The result is that the manufacturer receives responses to its survey questions from the specific target market it seeks to satisfy. [0123] In addition, the present invention can be used to provide “life management” functions to consumer 107.1. Because the demographic data collected by trusted entity server 112 includes details such as the wedding anniversary of consumer 107.1 ,what medication consumer 107.1 takes, which stocks consumer 107.1 owns or the value of life insurance owned by consumer 107.1, trusted entity server can make suggestions to consumer 107.1 based on the consumer's demographic data. For example, if the wedding anniversary of consumer 107.1 is coming up and trusted entity server 112 gleans from the demographic data of consumer 107.1 that consumer 107.1 likes to give jewelry as an anniversary present costing in the range of $200, trusted entity server 112 will present consumer 107.1 with a selection of gifts that meet this criteria at an early enough date so that consumer 107.1 can select a particular gift, have it purchased by trusted entity server 112, as described above, and receive delivery in time for the anniversary. [0124] Thus, according to the present invention a method a system is provided enabling a consumer to find focused information regarding a product the consumer desires to purchase and a suitable supplier from which to purchase the product. Also, a method is provided in which a consumer desiring to purchase a product from a supplier does not have to divulge personal and financial information to the supplier in order to consummate the transaction. In this way, the consumer's personal and financial information is kept confidential. Also, the present invention provides a method by which suppliers can advertise a product to customers that have expressed interest in the product while at the same time not intruding on the privacy of those consumers that did not express interest in the product. [0125] It will thus be seen that the embodiments set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, because certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in the construction set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Appendix-A [0126] SurfAssured Questionnaire [0127] Copyright© 1999, Underwriters Digital Research Inc [0128] First Name: [0129] Middle Initial: [0130] Last Name: [0131] Mailing Address (Street/PO Box) [0132] Mailing Address (Street/PO Box, line 2) [0133] City [0134] State [0135] Zip or Postal Code [0136] Country [0137] Residential Address (Street/PO Box) [0138] Residential Address (Street/PO Box, line 2) [0139] City [0140] State [0141] Zip or Postal Code [0142] Country [0143] Date of birth: [0144] Home telephone number: [0145] Work or other daytime telephone number [0146] Choose Your Member Name [0147] Choose a Password (6 to 10 characters): [0148] Retype Password: [0149] Credit Card Type [0150] Credit Card Number [0151] Expiration [0152] ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY [0153] Your date of birth: [0154] Your place of birth: [0155] Your gender: [0156] Your marital status: [0157] Name of spouse: [0158] Spouse's birthday: [0159] Your wedding date: [0160] How many times have you been previously married?
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