Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/776,412, filed Feb. 2, 2001, entitled “Electronic Transaction Receipt System and Method,” and the benefit of the filing dates of that application and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/180,102, filed Feb. 3, 2000, entitled “Network-Based Purchase Receipt Confirmation and Organization Application with Functional Facilitating Ancillary Merchant and Service Links,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/236,007, filed Sep. 27, 2000, entitled “System and Method for Compiling, Storing and Retrieving Digital Receipts,” U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 09/776,420, filed Feb. 2, 2001, entitled “Electronic Transaction Receipt System and Method,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 09/776,567, filed Feb. 2, 2001, entitled “Electronic Transaction Receipt System and Method,” is hereby claimed, and the specifications thereof are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to electronically performed sales and other transactions in which a receipt is issued and, more specifically, to the issuance of electronic transaction receipts to buyers and product information to third parties.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Receipts are issued to participants in transactions to provide evidence that the transaction has been completed. Merchants, banks and others have long issued paper printed receipts to customers. The advent of electronic transactions has led to the issuance of receipts in electronic or computer-readable format. For example, in electronic commerce (“e-commerce”) transactions conducted via the global super-network referred to as the Internet, receipts are typically issued in the form of an electronic mail (“e-mail”) message to the buyer. Such electronic receipts can be stored, organized, transmitted, searched, and generally managed with considerable convenience over physical printed receipts.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to conveniently provide electronic receipts to consumers, and to manufacturers or their representatives. The present invention addresses these problems and deficiencies and others in the manner described below.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to methods and systems for generating and providing an electronic receipt detailing a sales transaction between a buyer and a seller. A buyer is provided at the point of sale a physical sales receipt. The buyer can later access an electronic version of the sales receipt. The buyer can enjoy the benefits of a recorded sales history, such as a customer loyalty discount in future sales.  
           [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates the issuance of an electronic receipt having a hyperlink as a step of a transaction;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which, in connection with a sales transaction, an originator issues a receipt having links to one or more of the seller, the originator and a third party;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a system in which buyers and sellers, third parties and non-seller originators of receipts communicate information via a hypermedia network;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a computer system operable by a buyer of goods or services in which electronic receipts are received;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system operable by a seller of goods or services in which electronic receipts are issued;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system operable by an originator entity that issues receipts but is not also a seller of the goods or services;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7A is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operation of the system;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7B is a continuation sheet of FIG. 7A;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for organizing and otherwise handling electronic receipts;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 illustrates a screen display representing a receipt;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 illustrates a screen display representing further information regarding a purchased item listed on a receipt;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 illustrates a screen display representing a buyer&#39;s collected receipts;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 illustrates a screen display representing further information regarding one of the buyer&#39;s receipts;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 illustrates a screen display representing the use of receipt categories;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14 illustrates a screen display representing a buyer&#39;s receipts for a selected category;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing an electronic receipt to a buyer;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 illustrates a system with which an electronic receipt is provided to a buyer;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 illustrates a system with which product information is provided to a buyer;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing product information to a buyer;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 illustrates a system with which product information is provided to third party; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing product information to a third party.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a transaction of any suitable type an originator  10  issues an electronic receipt  12  to a user. The transaction can be any type of transaction in which it is known to issue receipts. Originator  10  can be, for example, among other types of entities, a seller of goods or services. Accordingly, user  14  can be, for example, a buyer of the goods or services. Receipt  12  has a link  16  that associates it with additional functionality. It is such an embodiment of the invention that is described in further detail below.  
         [0032]    As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transaction can be a sales transaction conducted between a seller  18  and a remotely located buyer  20  via a hypermedia computer network  22  such as that which is presently known as the World Wide Web or simply “Web.” The Web is part of the global super-network presently referred to as the Internet. Nevertheless, network  22  can be any sub-network of the Internet or any other suitable wide-area network through which potential buyers and potential sellers can conduct transactions. Although other network environments may be suitable, the hypermedia environment of the Web provides a number of advantages that will become apparent from the descriptions below. In accordance with the hypermedia environment of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, link  16  of FIG. 1 can be a hyperlink. As well known in the art, the Web is a client-server environment in which computers denominated as clients can communicate with other computers denominated as servers. Servers transmit to client&#39;s documents known as Web pages. Hyperlinks may be embedded in a Web page document to link it to another document or to invoke an applet or other executable code that performs some functional processing, i.e., more than merely retrieving another predetermined Web page. The term “document” includes files and other items of any suitable medium, including graphical imagery, still and moving images, and sound.  
         [0033]    As described below in further detail, in response to a sales transaction between seller  18  and buyer  20 , an originator  24  issues or transmits a sales transaction receipt  26  to buyer  20  via network  22  on behalf of seller  18 . Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, originator  24  and seller  18  are separate entities, in other embodiments they can be the same entity or otherwise integrated with one another. In other words, in such alternative embodiments the same entity that sells the goods or services also issues receipt  26 . Also, note that although FIG. 2 illustrates only the relationships between a single seller  18 , a single buyer  20  and a single originator  24  for purposes of clarity, there may be many more of such entities, i.e., plural entities, as indicated in FIG. 3 by the additional buyer  28  and additional seller  30  and the ellipses (“. . . ”). Either of buyers  20  and  28  can conduct a sales transaction with either of sellers  18  and  30 , and the exemplary descriptions below apply equally to all such transactions.  
         [0034]    Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the sales transaction is conducted electronically via a computer network such as the Web, in other embodiments the sales transaction itself can be conducted in any other suitable manner. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and described in further detail below, the transaction can be conducted in a retail store that the buyer physically enters, shops in, and makes a purchase at the seller&#39;s point-of-sale (POS) terminal or register. In such an embodiment the seller&#39;s POS terminal communicates with an originator or, alternatively, with the seller&#39;s own means for generating electronic receipts. In response to an indication of completion of the transaction, the originator or the seller generates and can either transmit the receipt to the, buyer (e.g., via the hypermedia network) or can store it on behalf of the buyer. As explained in further detail below, transmitting the receipt to the buyer refers to transmitting it to a computing device designated by the buyer or associated with the buyer.  
         [0035]    There are embodiments of the invention in which a third party  32  can also be involved. As described below in further detail, third party  32  may, in some such embodiments, be an entity that sells goods or services that are commercially related to those that are the subject of the primary transaction between seller  18  and buyer  20 . An example of a commercially related product is one that is used as an accessory to the product sold in the primary transaction. A straightforward example of an “accessory,” as that term is used in the consumer products field, is a battery charger for a battery-operated radio. Likewise, a drill bit is commonly considered an accessory for a drill. Another example of a commercially related product is one that is used as in the same field as the product sold in the primary transaction. For example, it is well recognized that a drill and a saw are both used in the field of woodworking.  
         [0036]    Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments of the invention third party  32  can be an entity that accepts returns on behalf of seller  18 . It is common for buyers to return products to electronic retailers, and companies exist that perform this service for retailers. Alternatively or in addition to the above, third party  32  can be an entity that provides product warranty service on behalf of seller  18 .  
         [0037]    As further described below, receipt  26  is an electronically created document instantiated by encoding the information included therein into a standardized format such as that known as Extensible Markup Language (XML). Tools for performing such coding are well known in the art to which the invention relates and include commercially available software such as JDOM and XERCES, which are publicly distributed on the Internet in both binary and source form. As well understood by persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates, such tools encode the information from a JAVA class, application, servlet or applet. Receipt  26  can be encrypted to provide security using any suitable means, such as the RSA toolkit produced by RSA Security of Bedford, Mass. and the VERISIGN toolkit produced by Verisign In. of Mountain View, Calif. Once created, receipt  26  can be wrapped in a SOAP envelope. As well-known in the art, SOAP, which refers to the Simple Object Access Protocol, is a standards-based way of adding an XML envelope to an XML documents so that the recipient(s) can know what the contents of the XML document are supposed to contain and what, if any, processing is expected or required to be performed. The encrypted, wrapped receipt  26  can then be transmitted by any suitable delivery mechanism. Examples of well-known mechanisms that persons of skill in the art will recognize as suitable for this purpose include electronic mail (e-mail), file transfer protocol (FTP), a messaging middleware such as JAVA Messaging Service (JMS), or a proprietary commercially available product such as MQSERIES from IBM Corporation.  
         [0038]    As further described below, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention receipt  26  includes hyperlinks  34 ,  36  and  38 . As well known in the art, a hyperlink is a reference or link from some point in one hypermedia document to another document or point in a document. Hyperlink  34  is a link to (something stored on the server operated by) seller  18 ; hyperlink  36  is a link to (something stored on the server operated by) originator  24 ; and hyperlink  38  is a link to (something stored on the server operated by) third party  32 . Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention three hyperlinks  34 ,  36  and  38  are included in receipt  26  for purposes of illustration and clarity, any number of such links can be included, and they can link to any other suitable entity. Indeed, receipts having multiple links to multiple documents, applets or other suitable items stored on a server or on different servers are very much contemplated, as illustrated by the examples described below.  
         [0039]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, the client computer operated by buyer  20  can be a conventional personal computer on which a Web browser  40  operates. As well known in the art, a browser is a software program that allows a user to receive and view hypertext documents from a server. Received documents are displayed on the video monitor  42  of the computer or other suitable display. Common commercially available browsers such as NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR and MICROSOFT EXPLORER typically display a hyperlink in some distinguishing way, e.g. in a different color, font or style. Browsers associate hyperlinks with Internet target documents and, when the user activates a hyperlink, the computer transmits a request for that document. As is conventional, the computer includes a mouse  44  with which the user can activate displayed hyperlinks. The computer also include other hardware and software elements conventionally included in personal computers, such as a keyboard  46 , a processor  48 , disk storage device  50  such as a hard disk drive, input/output interfaces  52 , a network interface  54 , and a removable read/write storage device  56  such as a drive that uses a CD-ROM  58  or floppy disk. The software elements of the programmed computer, such as browser  40 , are illustrated for purposes of clarity as executable in a main memory  60 , but as persons skilled in the art will understand, they may not in actuality reside simultaneously or in their entireties in memory  60 . The computer has other hardware and software elements of the types conventionally included in personal computers, such as an operating system, but are not shown for purposes of clarity. Note that software elements can be loaded into the computer via read/write storage device  56  or network  22 .  
         [0040]    The computer also has a receipt organizer or handler  62 . Receipt handler  62  allows buyer  20  to collect, store, categorize, sort and view receipts such as receipt  26 . The receipts are received via network  22  and can be stored by receipt handler  62  in a user receipt database  64  on disk storage device  50 . Receipt handler  62  can convert receipt data to the formats understood by common commercially available financial software programs (not shown), such as the personal finance program QUICKEN, and download the data to those programs for further processing.  
         [0041]    Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the computing device on which the buyer receives receipts is described as a conventional personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, in other embodiments of the invention the device can be any suitable type of device that has a hypermedia user interface, i.e., that allows a user to interact with documents through the use of hyperlinks. Also, note that the network can be wired, wireless or any suitable combination or hybrid of such media. Examples of suitable computing devices include those commonly referred to as personal digital assistants (PDAs), palmtop computers, and digital cellular telephones and other hybrid voice/data communication devices.  
         [0042]    As illustrated in FIG. 5, the system operated by seller  18  includes a server computer system of the type conventionally used by e-merchants to effect electronic commerce transactions. For purposes of clarity, the system is illustrated as a single or stand-alone server computer, but as persons skilled in the art will recognize, the system can include multiple layers of servers (e.g., front-end and back-end) and storage devices as is common in the art for such e-commerce server systems. Similarly, although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, the system can include a video monitor, keyboard, mouse and other user input/output devices of the types commonly included in such e-commerce server systems for use by system administrators and similar personnel. As a computer, it includes elements along the lines of a memory  65 , network interface  66 , processor  68 , disk storage device  70 , and a removable-medium read/write storage device  72 .  
         [0043]    The software elements of the programmed computer include an e-commerce engine  74 , a receipt generator  76 , and a receipt organizer or handler  78 . Receipt handler  78  can use application program interfaces (APIs)  80  to interface with configuration reference tables  82 , described in further detail below, which can be stored locally on disk storage device  70  as in the illustrated embodiment of the invention or, in other embodiments, can be stored remotely, e.g., on a server operated by another entity. APIs  80  also interface receipt handler  78  with applications that are part of e-commerce engine  74 . In other words, e-commerce engine  74 , which has overall control of the sales transaction with buyer  20 , including controlling the exchange of appropriate Web forms with buyer  20 , can invoke APIs  80  at the point in the transaction at which receipt  26  (FIG. 2) is to be generated. This, in turn, causes receipt generator  76 , to generate receipt  26  using tables  82  as described in further detail below. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, generated receipts are not only transmitted to the buyers that participated in the transaction but copies are also stored in a receipt database  84 . Note that software elements can be loaded into this server computer via a CD-ROM  86  or similar medium readable by read/write storage device  72  or can be loaded via network  22  from a remote source. Receipt handler  78  is similar to receipt handler  62  of FIG. 4 but can be used remotely via network  22  by more persons than buyer  20 ; anyone who completed a sales transaction with seller  18  can remotely access receipts pertaining to the transaction. Furthermore, others who did not participate in any transactions, such as market research firms and manufacturers of products offered by seller  18 , may be permitted access to aggregate information generated by receipt handler  78  using data gleaned from the stored receipts, such as statistics and raw numbers without any information identifying the buyers. Because buyer privacy may be important, such other parties may not be permitted access to the receipts themselves.  
         [0044]    Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the seller&#39;s computing system or server is accessible to remotely located users (i.e., buyers or third parties), in other embodiments, such as that described below with regard to FIGS. 15 and 16, it can be accessible to on-site users for some or all of the uses described above. For example, the system can be located in a seller&#39;s retail store for use by customers in returning products or otherwise accessing their stored receipts. Such an in-store system can be housed in a kiosk and can include a convenient user interface, such as a menu-driven touch-screen. Such a system can also issue coupons to customers, either by printing them or transmitting directly to the store&#39;s POS system, conduct customer satisfaction surveys, and perform other ancillary functions. A coupon offer directed to the buyer and associated coupon codes can be included in the receipts along with an associated hyperlink or any other suitable mechanism for producing or otherwise redeeming the coupon.  
         [0045]    As illustrated in FIG. 6, the system operated by originator  24  is similar to that operated by seller  18  but does not engage in sales transactions. It includes only a receipt generator  88  similar to receipt generator  76  (FIG. 5), associated APIs  90  similar to APIs  80  (FIG. 5), and a receipt organizer or handler  92  similar to receipt handler  78  (FIG. 5). It likewise includes a receipt database  89  and configuration reference tables  91  similar to those described above with regard to seller  18 . As in the merchant or e-commerce server system described above, for purposes of clarity, the system is illustrated as a single or stand-alone server computer, but persons skilled in the art will recognize that the system can have a more complex architecture and include other elements commonly included in commercial servers. As in the above-described system, it includes similar conventional computer elements along the lines of a memory  94 , network interface  96 , processor  98 , disk storage device  100 , and a removable-medium read/write storage device  102  for reading from and writing to a disk  104 .  
         [0046]    The major difference between this system of originator  24  and the system of seller  18  is that this system only generates and handles receipts and does not participate in the sales transactions themselves. Receipt generator  88  operates in response to instructions (received via network  22 ) from sellers to generate receipts. From the perspective of the buyers such as buyer  20 , the role of seller  18  in issuing receipts is transparent. That is, buyer  20 , in conducted a sales transaction with seller  18 , is not normally informed of the source of receipts; buyer  20  may assume that the receipts he receives originate with seller  18  when in fact, in this instance, they originate with originator  24 .  
         [0047]    Receipt handler  88  is similar to receipt handler  78  of FIG. 5 but can be used remotely via network  22  by more buyers than those who participated in a sales transaction with seller  18 ; any buyer who completed a sales transaction with any seller (e.g., either seller  18  or seller  30  in the illustrated embodiment) can remotely access receipts pertaining to the transaction. Their access to such receipt-handling services may be conditioned upon complying with restrictions imposed by originator  24 , such as by providing personal information and selecting a username and password. As in the system described above, others who did not participate in any transactions but who may wish to obtain aggregate receipt information for market research or other purposes may be granted access upon compliance with any conditions imposed by originator  24 .  
         [0048]    Note that in the illustrated embodiment of the invention not only originator  24  but also seller  18  is capable of generating and handling receipts. Nevertheless, in a similar embodiment, a given seller that is otherwise the same as seller  18  may not have such capability and may obtain receipt generation services (as well as receipt-handling services) from another entity, such as originator  24 . In such embodiments, the seller can be essentially the same as seller  18  but has a system with APIs that cause a receipt generation instruction to be transmitted to originator  24 . In response to such an instruction, originator  24  generates receipt  26  and transmits it to buyer  20  on behalf of that seller. It is contemplated that the seller pay a fee for receipt generation services.  
         [0049]    The methods described above perhaps can be more readily understood with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 7A. At step  106  seller  18  and buyer  20  conduct a sales transaction. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, buyer  20  shops a Web site operated by seller  18 . In other words, the Web site presents pages (not shown) to buyer  20  in the conventional manner that illustrate or describe the products or services available for sale or otherwise induce buyer  20  to make a purchase. Browser  40  (FIG. 4) transmits requests for Web pages to seller  18 , which in response transmits the requested pages to buyer  20 , where they are presented to buyer  20  in the conventional manner on display  42 . As an example, the Web site may be operated by a seller of consumer products such as consumer electronics, kitchen items and other household items. In the conventional manner, buyer  20  selects an item such as a stereo as a purchase. Buyer  20  may select other items before indicating he is finished shopping. A metaphor to shopping in a physical retail store that is sometimes used on e-commerce Web sites for this step of the transaction is “proceeding to checkout.” In the checkout step of the transaction, buyer  20  submits payment information, such as a credit card number, and shipping address information. The transaction concludes in a conventional manner with buyer  20  receiving a Web page setting forth the purchases, the payment information and other information and asking buyer  20  to confirm by, for example, clicking on a “confirm” button. In response, receipt  26  is generated at step  108  and transmitted to buyer  20  at step  110 . As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention (see FIG. 2) these steps are performed by seller  18  transmitting an instruction to originator  24  to issue receipt  26 , and originator  24  generating and transmitting receipt  26 . In other embodiments, seller  18  itself can perform steps  108  and  10  without assistance from originator  24 . In addition to transmitting receipt  26 , originator  24  maintains a copy in database  89  (FIG. 6).  
         [0050]    At step  112  buyer  20  receives and opens receipt  26 . Like other Web documents received under control of browser  40 , the opened receipt  26  is presented to buyer  20  on display  42  in hypertext format. (See FIG. 4.) Accordingly, buyer  20  can click on and otherwise interact with hyperlinks and other elements of receipt  26  using mouse  44  and keyboard  46 .  
         [0051]    Receipt  26  can have, for example, an appearance along the lines of that shown in FIG. 9 when opened and displayed in a browser window  114 . This representation of receipt  26  includes, among other elements, representations of: the name or logo  116  and address  118  of seller  18 , the name of buyer  120 , the date of the sale, a list  124  of the purchases, a corresponding list of their sales prices  126 , and the subtotals and total price paid  128 . Note that these elements represent information that is essentially the information included in any conventional sales receipt. In addition to these elements are representations of the name or logo  130  of third party  32  and some products  132  offered for sale by third party  32 . Also represented are a “check warranty” button  134 , a “register product(s)” button  136 , a “check rebates” button  138  and a “customer survey” button  140 .  
         [0052]    Products  132  are selected for inclusion by originator  24  when receipt  26  is generated. In the illustrated example, the products  132 , a television and a stereo component, are commercially related to one of the items in list  124 , the “Wavphonica Stereo—[item number] 342567,” by virtue of all being used in the field of consumer entertainment electronics. Products  132  are selected in response to configuration reference tables  91  (FIG. 6), which in essence relates each product offered for sale by each seller to products that that seller deems to be commercially related to that product. In addition to products that are used in the same field, other suitable commercially related products  132  are accessory items for the stereo system, such as cables. Receipt generator  88  inputs to tables  91  the product that is the subject of the sales transaction or primary purchase. In response, tables  91  output one or more products  132  that are commercially related to the primary purchase. Receipt generator  88  then inserts representations of these products  132  into receipt  26 . Buyer  20 , in viewing the generated receipt  26 , is thus induced by the representations of the selected products  132  to purchase one or more of them as secondary purchases.  
         [0053]    To initiate the process of purchasing one of products  132 , buyer  20  clicks on its representation, as indicated by step  133  in FIG. 7B. The representation is associated with an active hyperlink in receipt  26 . Accordingly, in response to clicking on it, browser  40  (FIG. 4) transmits a request for a Web page that offers the product for sale. The Web page (not shown) can be located at a site operated by seller  18  or, alternatively, the manufacturer of the product or other third party such as a third party merchant. Although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, as indicated by step  135  and  137  in FIG. 7B, buyer  20  interacts with the site through a sequence of Web pages in the same manner as any conventional e-commerce sales transaction process, such as that described above. In other words, buyer views information about the product available for secondary purchase, selects the product, provides payment information, and so forth. In instances in which the secondary sale is made by a third party merchant, i.e., not seller  18 , it is contemplated that the third party merchant compensate seller  18  for what is in effect a referral of buyer  20 . This compensation or commission can take the form of a fixed fee per referral, as a percentage of the price of the secondary purchase, or any other suitable form.  
         [0054]    Buttons  134 ,  136 ,  138  and  140  provide further functionality. In response to clicking on any of buttons  134 - 140 , buyer  20  is presented with a drop-down selection list with information similar to that of list  124  identifying the products purchased.  
         [0055]    For example, as indicated by step  142  in FIG. 7B, in response to buyer  20  clicking on button  134  and selecting a product, an associated hyperlink in receipt  26  causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a Web page (not shown) that depicts the text of a warranty for the selected product. For example, buyer  20  could choose to view the manufacturer&#39;s warranty for the “Wavphonica stereo.” As indicated by step  144  in FIG. 7B, buyer  20  views the warranty. The Web page can be located at a site operated by, for example, the manufacturer. With regard to FIG. 2, in such an example third party  32  is the manufacturer. As indicated by further step  146 , if buyer  20  believes he is entitled to some action under the warranty, such as having the manufacturer service or replace the product, buyer  20  can interact with the warranty page to request initiation of such a warranty service procedure. The procedure may include returning the product to the manufacturer or an authorized service center. In such an instance, the procedure includes transmitting a label (not shown) to buyer  20  that he can print on a suitable printer attached to the computer and affix to the packaging in which the product is returned. The label includes all information necessary for the shipper to route the package and may contain additional information, such as a return authorization number, that is useful to the manufacturer.  
         [0056]    In response to clicking on button  136  and selecting a product, an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a Web page (not shown) that is a form that buyer  20  can fill out with his name, address and other information and transmit back to the manufacturer to register the product. Product registration is a common mechanism used by manufacturers to obtain marketing information from purchasers of their products and also to keep the purchasers apprised of recalls or any other information in which the manufacturers believe the purchasers may be interested. If the manufacturer has provided a recall notice, buyer  20  can interact with the manufacturer&#39;s Web site to initiate return or service of the product under the manufacturer&#39;s recall procedure. (See FIG. 7B, steps  150  and  152 .)  
         [0057]    As indicated by steps  154 ,  156  and  158 , in a similar manner button  138  provides a mechanism for buyer  20  to determine whether the manufacturer is offering a rebate on the purchase price. The associated link can be to the manufacturer&#39;s Web site.  
         [0058]    Button  140  provides a similar mechanism for buyer  20  to respond to a customer survey (not shown) provided by the manufacturer or the seller through an associated hyperlink to the corresponding Web site.  
         [0059]    In response to selecting or clicking on a representation of a product listed in list  124 , an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request to originator  24 . In response, originator  24  provides an associated product-specific Web page that can have an appearance along the lines of that shown in FIG. 10. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this page provides information and options similar to those appearing on receipt  26  itself plus additional information and options. In other embodiments, all such information and options can be provided on the receipt or, alternatively, on an associated product-specific page such as this. Among the information provided on this page is: a representation of the name  160  of buyer  20 , date of purchase  162  of the selected product, and product-identifying information  164 .  
         [0060]    In addition, the page includes a representation of an “accessories” hyperlink  165 . In response to selecting or clicking on hyperlink  165 , browser  40  is directed to a process provided by originator  24  that selects accessory products that are related to the selected product. Accessories are selected using configuration reference tables (FIG. 6) in the same manner described above with regard to selection of products  132 . Buyer  20  is presented with an opportunity to purchase such accessories in the manner described above.  
         [0061]    The page further includes a “return to digital receipt” button  166 , a “users manual” button  168 , a “shipping status” button  170 , a “video instructions” button  172 , a “categorize product” button  174 , a “warranty” button  176 , a “product returns” button  178 , a “write review” button  180 , and a “recalls” button  182 . Some of these buttons initiate functions duplicative of those described above, such as “warranty” button  176  and “recalls” button  182 . The returns procedure under button  178  includes, as described above, transmitting a label (not shown) to buyer  20  that buyer  20  can print and affix to the packaging in which the product is returned. Button  166 , as the name implies, returns browser  40  to receipt  26  as represented in, for example, FIG. 9.  
         [0062]    In response to clicking on button  168 , an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a page (not shown) that depicts the text of a user&#39;s manual for the selected product. The hyperlink may be directed to the manufacturer&#39;s web site or another entity&#39;s web site. It is sometimes the case that an entity separate from the manufacturer of a product publishes manuals for the product. In either case, a third party  32  (i.e., neither seller  18  nor originator  24 ) supplies the manual to buyer  20 . Note that a representation of a “product specifications” hyperlink  169  can provide a similar function. In response to clicking on hyperlink  169 , specifications for the selected product are retrieved from a suitable, e.g., the manufacturer&#39;s, Web site.  
         [0063]    In response to clicking on button  170 , an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a page (not shown) that indicates the shipping status of the purchase made by buyer  20 . Seller  18  includes suitable methods in its e-commerce engine  74  to respond to such a request by determining the shipping status and transmitting it to buyer  20 . Automated checking of shipping status of an order is in and of itself well known in the art and thus readily capable of implementation by one of ordinary skill.  
         [0064]    Button  172  provides functionality similar to that of button  168 , but rather than a textual or graphical instruction manual, the information is provided in video or movie format.  
         [0065]    In response to clicking on button  174 , an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a page (not shown) that allows buyer  20  to associate a category with the purchased item. The hyperlink may be directed to the web site of either originator  24  or seller  18 , depending on which entity&#39;s receipt organizer service buyer  20  is using. The receipt organizer is described in further detail below. The category aids buyer  20  in searching and organizing receipts. For example, buyer  20  can associate the selected item with a “gift” category. Then, using the organizer service, buyer  20  can search for all receipts of the category “gift.” 
         [0066]    “Product returns” button functions similarly to “warranty” button  134  but does not include a step whereby buyer  20  can view a warranty. (See FIG. 7B, steps  184  and  186 .) Rather, buyer  20  uses button  134  to initiate a procedure to return the selected product for reasons other than warranty service. For example, seller  18  may have a policy that allows buyers to return merchandise with which buyers are unsatisfied. Alternatively to seller  18 , the return procedure can be provided by third party  32 .  
         [0067]    In response to clicking on button  180 , an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to transmit a request for a page (not shown) that allows buyer  20  to enter a review of the product, i.e., the buyer&#39;s opinion of the merits of the product. The form can be returned to originator  24  and posted on the Web site. Alternatively, the review can be transmitted to a Web site of seller  18  or third party  32 . Other potential buyers can read the reviews of a product before deciding whether to purchase it.  
         [0068]    As illustrated in FIG. 8, buyer  20  can participate in a receipt organizer service operated by an entity such as originator  24 . The service is accessed via the Web using the computer and its browser  40  in the conventional manner described above. Receipt handler  92  (FIG. 6) of originator  24  controls the receipt organizer functions described below. At step  188  buyer  20  accesses a Web site of originator  24  and interacts with a home page (not shown) that includes, among other options, registering for the organizer service. In essentially the same manner in which one registers for conventional Web-based services, buyer  20  completes a form in which he provides personal information such as his name and address and selects a user name and password. In response to submitting this form, originator  24  sets up an account for buyer  20 . Thereafter, upon accessing the Web site home page, buyer  20  can select the option of logging in to the receipt organizer service by providing his user name and password, as indicated by step  190 . After logging in, buyer  20  is presented with a page that provides several options, such as “receipts” and “reports.” At step  192  buyer  20  can, for example, select the “receipts” option. In response, originator  24  searches for and retrieves receipts for purchases made by buyer  20  and provides them in a suitable format, such as a chronological listing.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary browser window  194  in which such a chronological receipt listing is displayed in response to selecting the “receipts” option. Each line in the listing represents a transaction for which a receipt was issued. A column labeled “merchant” identifies the seller by name. A column labeled “purchase date” identifies the date of the transaction. A column labeled “shipping info” provides information indicating the status of the shipment for that transaction. A column labeled “total price” indicates the price paid for the goods or services. A column labeled “receipt type” indicates manually input receipts or automatically generated receipts. Buyer  20  can select any transaction by clicking on one of the lines.  
         [0070]    In response to selecting one of the lines, an associated hyperlink causes browser  40  to request a page providing further information with regard to the corresponding product or service purchased. Such a page can have an appearance along the lines of that illustrated in FIG. 12. Among other information, this page includes identifying information  196  such as manufacturer and model number, Universal Product Code (UPC), SKU and serial number. It further includes a group  198  of buttons that allow buyer  20  to categorize the purchase as described above. Using these buttons, at step  200  buyer  20  can select not only a category (e.g. “Appliance”) but also a sub-category (e.g., “Kitchen”). Buyer  20  can further select an event to associate with the purchase (e.g., “Personal”) and a sub-event (e.g., “Gift”). In addition, buyer  20  can select a recipient and sub-recipient to associate with the purchase. Another group  202  of buttons are included for the similar purpose of adding an indication whether the purchase is tax-deductible or otherwise tax-related and whether the purchase is to be considered part of the inventory of items owned by buyer  20  (for example, for purposes of substantiating claims under a homeowner&#39;s personal property insurance policy). The categorization and other information added by buyer  20  is added or attached to the record of the transaction in database  89 . The page also can include buttons  204  that initiate the functions described above for obtaining warranty service, user manuals, returns, and the like. The page can further include an inducement  206  to purchase accessories for the product. The accessories are determined using product reference tables  91  in the same manner described above.  
         [0071]    Another option that buyer  20  can select from the options presented on the receipt organizer service home page is “reports.” In response to selecting “reports” originator  24  transmits to buyer  20  a page such as that illustrated in FIG. 13. Button  208  allows buyer  20  to query how much he spent at a selectable group of sellers or individual seller. Button  210  allows buyer  20  to query how much he spent during a selectable time period, such as the current month, current week or current year. Button  212  allows buyer  20  to query how much he spent in a selectable product category (e.g., “electronics”). Button  214  allows buyer  20  to query what was his biggest expense. Button  216  allows buyer  20  to query what he purchased for a selectable recipient. Button  218  allows buyer  20  to query what are his tax-related expenses. Similarly, two input boxes  220  and  222  allow buyer  20  to enter starting and ending dates to query how much he spent during the time interval between them. In response to clicking one of buttons  208 - 218  and making a selection, browser  40  transmits a request to originator  24  that indicates the query. In response, originator  24  queries database  89  and tallies the information requested by buyer  20 .  
         [0072]    Originator  24  transmits the information back to buyer  20 , where it is presented in a suitable Web page. For example, if buyer  20  clicks on button  216  and selects from the displayed options a recipient named “Susan,” buyer  20  receives in response a Web page such as that illustrated in FIG. 14. Records of all purchased items to which buyer  20  attached a recipient categorization of “Susan” are displayed. For each listed item, the purchase date, quantity, receipt number, description, price, seller or -vendor, category, event, recipient (in this example, “Susan”), tax-related status, and home (or business) inventory status are displayed. Note that these are some of the categorizations that buyer added in accordance with the procedure described above with regard to FIG. 12.  
         [0073]    Note that the page listing the items purchased for the selected recipient (in this example, “Susan”) has an “Export to EXCEL” button  224 . In response to clicking button  224 , browser  40  transmits a request to download or export the displayed data to the well-known spreadsheet program MICROSOFT EXCEL. As persons skilled in the art will recognize, a similar button can be included to export the data to any suitable application software, such as a personal finance program. An example of such a program is QUICKEN from Intuit, Inc. In FIG. 8, step  226  indicates this procedure.  
         [0074]    To facilitate receipt data transfer, such as exporting the receipt data to finance and spreadsheet programs and the like, the receipt data is stored in database  89  in a standard or uniform format. This feature is primarily important in embodiments of the invention in which sellers generate and transmit the receipts rather than having a separate originator entity (e.g., originator  24 ) perform those functions. In such embodiments, there is a party similar to originator  24  in that it includes receipt-handling and receipt-storing functions but different from originator  24  in that it does not itself generate receipts. Rather, such a party receives copies of receipts directly from sellers and stores them in the receipt database where they can be accessed by buyers, sellers and other entities in the manner described below. In such embodiments of the invention, when a receipt is received, it is converted from whatever format that seller may use into a standard or uniform format for storage in the receipt database. Because all receipts stored in the database have the same format, it is a straightforward matter to convert their data to a format compatible with the external program, e.g., QUICKEN. Such standardization also facilitates data mining.  
         [0075]    At any time after logging in, buyer  20  can log out, as indicated by step  228 . It should be understood that not all method steps described above need be performed in any given session, i.e., the interval during which buyer  20  is logged in. For example, buyer  20  may log in and download receipt data to an application program without performing the categorizing step. Likewise, the steps can be performed in orders or sequences other than that described above, which is intended to be merely illustrative.  
         [0076]    As illustrated in FIG. 15, a system for generating an electronic receipt  230  comprises a computer system  232 , and a POS system  234 . POS system  234  is used to conduct a sales transaction and provides a physical receipt  236 . Physical receipt  236  comprises a transaction identifier  238 . Transaction identifier  238  can comprise a text and/or numeric string of characters  240  discernible and readable to a human eye or can comprise in alternate form a bar code  242  readable by an optical scanner  244 .  
         [0077]    Computer system  232  comprises a processor  246 , a main memory  248 , a storage device  250 , an input and output interface  252 . Software elements comprising a receipt handler  254 , an electronic-receipt generator  256 , and a transaction identifier interface  258  are illustrated for purposes of clarity as executable in main memory  248 , but as persons skilled in the art will understand, they may not in actuality reside simultaneously or in their entireties in main memory  248 . Computer system  232  is illustrated as a computer system housed within a single unit. It should be understood however, that the various above-detailed elements of computer system  232  can be distributed among any number of computing units and can include multiple layers of servers, processors, and storage devices as is common in the art for such electronic communication and e-commerce computer systems. Although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, computer system  232  can include a video monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other user input/output devices of the types commonly included in such systems for use by system administrators and similar personnel. Although illustrated as separate, computer system  232  and POS system  234  can be included in a single system existing as a distributed computer network or existing as a single unit located at a point of sale.  
         [0078]    POS system  234  communicates with input and output interface  252  via a connection  260  which can comprise a computer network, such as, for example the Internet or any sub-network of the Internet, or a local area network (e.g., within a retail store). Electronic-receipt generator  256  generates electronic receipt  230  in the same manner as described above with regard to other embodiments of the invention. Electronic receipt  230  comprises transaction identifier  238  and can comprise additional information, such as the date and description of a transaction, the identity of a buyer, and the identity of a seller. Transaction identifier interface  258  communicates with POS system  234  and electronic-receipt generator  256  to ensure that transaction identifier  238  on physical receipt  236  is the same as that of electronic receipt  230 .  
         [0079]    In some embodiments of the invention, it can be electronic-receipt generator  256  that generates transaction identifier  238  and provides it to transaction identifier interface  258 , while in other embodiments it can be POS system  234  that generates and provides transaction identifier  238  to transaction identifier interface  258 .  
         [0080]    Electronic receipt  230  can be stored in a database recorded in storage device  250 . Storage and retrieval of electronic receipt  230  are facilitated by receipt handler  254 .  
         [0081]    Access to electronic receipt  230  is available through a computing device  262  to any user of the device provided with sufficient information from physical receipt  236 . Sufficient information comprises transaction identifier  238  and can further comprise other required information, for example a sales price  264  or a date of sale (not shown). Transaction identifier  238  in the form of characters  240  can be entered manually into computing device  262  through the use of, for example, a keyboard or touch-screen (not shown). Transaction identifier  238  in the form of characters  240  or in alternate form of bar code  242  can be entered into computing device  262  using optical scanner  244 . Optical scanner  244 , and characters  240  or bar code  242  can be selected from optical character recognition (OCR) technologies and standards which are commercially available and known to include hand-held and counter mounted optical scanners.  
         [0082]    Computing device  262  communicates with input and output interface  252  of computer system  232  via a connection  268  which can comprise a computer network, such as, for example the Internet or any sub-network of the Internet, or a local area network (e.g., within a retail store). A provision of transaction identifier  238  and any other required information to computer system  232  by computing device  262  will cause receipt handler  254  to retrieve electronic receipt  230  from storage device  250  and transmit it to computing device  262 . The information of electronic receipt  230  will then be available to a user through some delivery means, for example a visual display screen (not shown).  
         [0083]    Computing device  262  can be a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital cellular phone, or any other device with data transmission, reception, and delivery means, such as a computer with a touch-sensitive screen (not shown) at a customer service desk. As noted above, embodiments in which computing device  262  is a PDA or similar device, a touch-screen (not shown) can be provided via which the user can input information as is conventional in many such devices. Computing device  262  can be a single device as illustrated in FIG. 15, or can be two or more separate devices. Transaction identifier  238  can be provided by and electronic receipt  230  subsequently received by separate devices functioning collectively within the scope of computing device  262 .  
         [0084]    Computing device  262  can be a kiosk provided by a retailer or other business for customer self-service use or can be used by a customer service agent on behalf of a customer. A kiosk can be provided, for example, within a retail store or facility of the same location as POS system  234  or at an alternate location convenient to a customer, a retailer, or both.  
         [0085]    The methods described above perhaps can be more readily understood with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 16. At step  274  a sales transaction is conducted. For example, a product or service can be purchased by a buyer from a seller. Physical receipt  236  (FIG. 15) is provided at step  276 . A buyer can retain physical receipt  236  as a record of a transaction and associated transaction identifier  238  (FIG. 15). Electronic receipt  230  (FIG. 15) is generated at step  278 . The generation of electronic receipt  230  at step  278  need not follow chronologically the provision of physical receipt  236  at step  276 . Steps  276  and  278  can occur essentially simultaneously or one before the other in any order so long as physical receipt  236  and electronic receipt  230  each include transaction identifier  238 . Electronic receipt  230  is stored in a storage device  250  (FIG. 15) by receipt handler  254  (FIG. 15) at step  280 .  
         [0086]    A request for transmission of stored electronic receipt  230  is received at step  282 . For example, a buyer can seek access to electronic receipt  230  by using a personal computer, PDA, telephone, or any other suitable device as computing device  262  (FIG. 15). A buyer can also seek access to electronic receipt  230  by visiting a retail location of a seller where a kiosk is provided. When a request includes transaction identifier  238  then receipt handler  254  retrieves at step  284  electronic receipt  230  from storage device  250  and transmits at step  286  electronic receipt  230  to computing device  262  (FIG. 15).  
         [0087]    Computing device  262  can be operated by a buyer involved in a sales transaction of step  274 , or a customer service representative or employee of a seller acting on a buyer&#39;s behalf, or any person or persons who alone or collectively possess physical receipt  236  and seek access to electronic receipt  230 . One or more devices can be used to provide a request received at step  282  and receive electronic receipt  230  transmitted at step  286 . For example, a buyer can use a PC to provide a request within an email message specifying transmission of electronic receipt  230  to any desired email or voicemail account.  
         [0088]    A system for generating an electronic receipt  288  is illustrated in FIG. 17. An electronic collector  292  electronically collects product information directly from a product  290 . Product information can comprise a product model identification and/or a unique serial number of the product, a UPC code, or any other information about the product.  
         [0089]    Electronic collector  292  can comprise an optical scanner  294  which emits light and collects a reflected light signal for the electronic optical character recognition (OCR) of a text and/or numeric string of characters  296  on or optically accessible within product  290 . Alternately, product  290  can be marked with bar code  298  which can be scanned by optical scanner  294 . Optical scanner  294 , and characters  296  or bar code  298  can be selected from OCR technologies and standards which are commercially available and known to include hand-held and counter-mounted optical scanners.  
         [0090]    In an alternative embodiment, electronic collector  292  comprises a radio-frequency (RF) device  300 , which receives the transmission of an RF tag  302  on or within product  290 . RF tag  302  can be of a passive type such as a transponder, which is activated by a transmission signal, or RF device  300  or RF tag  302  can be of an active type such as a transponder powered by a battery. RF device  300  and RF tag  302  can be selected from known and commercially available technology.  
         [0091]    Product  290  can comprise an item exchanged from a seller to a buyer. Product  290  can further comprise packaging enclosing, attached to, enclosed within, or associated with an item exchanged. Thus, the term “product,” as used in this patent specification, means the product itself or its packaging or both. Furthermore, product  290  can comprise an item indicative of a product or service exchanged or to be exchanged. For example, product  290  can comprise a purchase value certificate or voucher for purchase or rental of an item, property, or service already selected or to be selected later by a holder of product  290 .  
         [0092]    A computer system  304  comprises a processor  306 , a main memory  308 , a storage device  310 , and an input and output interface  312 . Software elements comprising a receipt handler  314 , and an electronic-receipt generator  316  are illustrated for purposes of clarity as executable in main memory  308 , but as persons skilled in the art will understand they may not in actuality reside simultaneously or in their entireties in main memory  308 . Computer system  304  is illustrated as a computer system housed within a single unit. It should be understood however, that the various above-detailed elements of computer system  304  can be distributed among any number of computing units and can include multiple layers of servers, processors, and storage devices as is common in the art for such electronic communication and e-commerce computer systems. Although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, computer system  304  can include a video monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other user input/output devices of the types commonly included in such systems for use by system administrators and similar personnel. Although illustrated as separate, computer system  304  and a POS system  320  can be included in a single system existing as a distributed computer network or existing as a single unit located at a point of sale.  
         [0093]    Product information collected directly from product  290  by electronic collector  292  can reach computer system  304  directly from electronic collector  292  via a connection  318 . Alternatively, product information collected can reach computer system  304  through POS system  320 , which conducts a transaction of product  290 , via a connection  322 .  
         [0094]    Electronic-receipt generator  316  generates electronic receipt  288  in the same manner as described above with regard to other embodiments of the invention. Electronic receipt  288  comprises all of the product information, or a subset thereof, collected directly from product  290  by electronic collector  292 . Electronic receipt  288  can comprise additional information, such as the date of the transaction of product  290 , a description of product  290 , the identity of a buyer, and the identity of a seller. Receipt handler  314  can store electronic receipt  288  within storage device  310 .  
         [0095]    Access to electronic receipt  288  is available through a computing device  324 . Computing device  324  communicates with input and output interface  312  via a connection  326 . Connections  318 ,  322 , and  336  can separately or together comprise a computer network, such as, for example the Internet or any sub-network of the Internet, or a local area network (e.g., within a retail store).  
         [0096]    Computing device  324  can be a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital cellular phone, or any other device with data transmission and reception capabilities and data display, presentation, or relay means, such as a display screen, available to a user. Computing device  324  can be a single device as illustrated in FIG. 17, or can be two or more separate devices.  
         [0097]    In one embodiment of the invention, computing device  324  provides to computer system  304  a request for access to electronic receipt  288 . In other embodiments of the invention, electronic receipt  288  is automatically transmitted to computing device  324  by computer system  304 . Automatic transmission can occur upon generation of electronic receipt  288  or can occur later with storage device  310  storing electronic receipt  288  between the times of its generation and transmission. Receipt handler  314  conducts the transmission and any storage and retrieval of electronic receipt  288 .  
         [0098]    The methods described above perhaps can be more readily understood with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 18. At step  330  a sales transaction is conducted. For example, a product or service can be purchased by a buyer from a seller. Product information is electronically collected from product  290  (FIG. 17) at step  331 . Electronic receipt  288  (FIG. 17) is generated at step  332 .  
         [0099]    In one embodiment of the invention, electronic receipt  288  can be stored at step  334  in a database recorded in storage device  310  (FIG. 17) by receipt handler  314  (FIG. 17). A request for transmission of stored electronic receipt  288  can be received at step  336  and in response to such a request electronic receipt  288  can be retrieved from storage device  310  at step  338  and transmitted at step  340  by receipt handler  314 .  
         [0100]    In other embodiments of the invention, electronic receipt  288  can be transmitted at step  340  subsequent to its generation at step  332  without steps  334 ,  336 , and  338 .  
         [0101]    In yet other embodiments of the invention, electronic receipt  288  can be stored at step  334 , and automatically retrieved at step  338 , and transmitted at step  340  without a request received at step  336 . For example, automatic retrieval and transmission can occur on a schedule chosen by a seller of product  290  or arranged by both a seller and buyer of product  290 .  
         [0102]    In any embodiment, electronic receipt  288  can be transmitted to computing device  324  (FIG. 17). Computing device  324  can be operated by a buyer involved in a sales transaction of step  330 , or a customer service representative or employee of a seller acting on a buyers behalf, or any person or persons who alone or collectively seek access to electronic receipt  288 . One or more devices can be used to provide a request received at step  336  and receive electronic receipt  288  transmitted at step  340 . For example, a buyer of product  290  can use a PC to provide a request within an e-mail message specifying transmission of electronic receipt  288  to any desired email or voicemail account.  
         [0103]    A system for providing product information  342  collected directly from a product  344  to a third party for product registration is illustrated in FIG. 19. An electronic collector  346  electronically collects product information directly from product  344 . Product information  342  can comprise a model identification and/or a unique serial number of product  344 , a UPC code, any information about product  344 , any information regarding the manufacture or distribution of product  344 , and can further comprise a sales price of product  344 , a date of sale, and/or any information regarding a transaction of product  344 .  
         [0104]    Electronic collector  346  can comprise an optical scanner  348  which emits light and collects a reflected light signal for the electronic optical character recognition (OCR) of a text and/or numeric string of characters  350  on or optically accessible within product  344 . Alternately, product  344  can be provided with bar code  352  which can be scanned by optical scanner  348 . Optical scanner  348  and characters  350  or bar code  352  can be selected from OCR technologies and standards that are commercially available and known to include hand-held and counter-mounted optical scanners.  
         [0105]    In an alternative embodiment, electronic collector  346  comprises a radio-frequency (RF) device  354  that receives the transmission of an RF tag  356  on or within product  344 . RF tag  356  can be of a passive type such as a transponder that is activated by a transmission signal or RF device  354  or RF tag  356  can be of an active type such as a transponder powered by a battery. RF device  354  and RF tag  356  can be selected from known and commercially available technology.  
         [0106]    Product  344  can comprise an item exchanged from a seller to a buyer. Product  344  can further comprise packaging enclosing, attached to, enclosed within, or associated with an item exchanged. Thus, the term “product,” as used in this patent specification, means the product itself or its packaging or both. Furthermore, product  344  can comprise an item indicative of a product or service exchanged or to be exchanged. For example, product  344  can comprise a purchase value certificate or voucher for purchase or rental of items already selected or to be selected later by a holder of product  344 .  
         [0107]    A computer system  358  comprises a processor  360 , a main memory  362 , a storage device  364 , and an input and output interface  366 . Software elements comprising an electronic-receipt generator  367 , product information handler  368 , and receipt handler  369 , are illustrated for purposes of clarity as executable in main memory  362  but, as persons skilled in the art will understand, may not in actuality reside in their entireties in main memory  362 . Computer system  358  is illustrated as a computer system housed within a single unit. It should be understood however, that the various above-detailed elements of computer system  358  can be distributed among any number of computing units and can include multiple layers of servers, processors, and storage devices as is common in the art for such electronic communication and e-commerce computer systems. Although not illustrated for purposes of clarity, computer system  358  can include a video monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other user input/output devices of the types commonly included in such systems for use by system administrators and similar personnel. Although illustrated as separate, computer system  358  and a POS system  370 , which conducts a transaction of product  344 , can be included in a single system existing as a distributed computer network or existing as a single unit located at a point of sale.  
         [0108]    Product information  342  collected directly from product  344  by electronic collector  346  can reach computer system  358  directly from electronic collector  346  via a connection  372 . Alternatively, product information  342  can reach computer system  358  through POS system  370  via a connection  374 . Product information handler  368  can store product information  342  within storage device  364 .  
         [0109]    Electronic-receipt generator  367  generates electronic receipt  375  in the same manner as described above with regard to other embodiments of the invention. Electronic receipt  375  comprises all of product information  342 , or a subset thereof, collected directly from product  344  by electronic collector  346 . Electronic receipt  375  can comprise additional information, such as the date of the transaction of product  344 , a description of product  344 , the identity of a buyer, and the identity of a seller. Electronic receipt  375  can be stored in a database recorded in storage device  364 . Storage and any retrieval of electronic receipt  375  are facilitated by receipt handler  369 .  
         [0110]    Access to product information  342  is available through a computing device  376 . Computing device  376  communicates with input and output interface  366  via a connection  378 . Connections  372 ,  374 , and  378  can each separately or together comprise a computer network, such as, for example the Internet or any sub-network of the Internet, or a local area network (e.g., within a retail store).  
         [0111]    Computing device  376  can be a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital cellular phone, or any other device with data transmission and reception capabilities and data display, presentation, or relay means, for example a display screen (not shown), available to a user. Computing device  376  can be a single device as illustrated in FIG. 19, or can be two or more separate devices.  
         [0112]    In one embodiment of the invention, computing device  376  provides to computer system  358  a request for access to product information  342 . In other embodiments of the invention, product information  342  is automatically transmitted to computing device  376  by computer system  358 . Automatic transmission can occur upon collection of product information  342  or can occur later with storage device  364  storing product information  342  between the times of its collection and transmission. Product information handler  368  conducts the transmission and any storage and retrieval of product information  342 .  
         [0113]    The methods described above perhaps can be more readily understood with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 20. At step  382  a sales transaction is conducted. For example, a product or service can be purchased by a buyer from a seller. Product information  342  (FIG. 19) is electronically collected directly from product  344  (FIG. 19) by electronic collector  346  (FIG. 19) at step  384 .  
         [0114]    At step  386 , electronic receipt  375  is generated by electronic-receipt generator  367 . At step  388 , electronic receipt  375  is stored in a database recorded in storage device  364  by receipt handler  369  and may be later accessed in any manner described above with regard to other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0115]    In one embodiment of the invention, product information  342  can be stored at step  390  in a database recorded in storage device  364  (FIG. 19) by product information handler  368  (FIG. 19). A request for transmission of stored product information  342  can be received at step  392  and in response to such a request product information  342  can be retrieved from storage device  364  at step  394  and transmitted at step  396  by product information handler  368 .  
         [0116]    In other embodiments of the invention, product information  342  can be transmitted at step  396  subsequent to its collection at step  384  without steps  390 ,  392  and  394 .  
         [0117]    In yet other embodiments of the invention, product information  342  can be stored at step  388 , and automatically retrieved at step  394 , and transmitted at step  396  without a request-receiving step  392 . For example, automatic retrieval and transmission can occur on a schedule chosen by a seller of product  344  or arranged by both a seller of product  344  and a recipient of product information  342  transmitted at step  396 .  
         [0118]    In any embodiment, product information can be transmitted to computing device  376  (FIG. 19). One or more devices can be used to provide the request of step  392  and/or receive electronic receipt  375  transmitted at step  396 .  
         [0119]    Computing device  376  can be operated by a third party other than a buyer or seller involved in a sales transaction of step  382 . A third party can receive product information  342  to provide a service to a buyer, a seller, or a manufacturer of product  344 . For example, a third party can register the product at step  398  to provide a service to the buyer or seller. A third party can, for example, provide or record a product warranty registration, and/or notify a seller, manufacturer, or distributor of product  344  of a sale for the purpose of product restocking.  
         [0120]    As illustrated by the above-described embodiments, the present invention provides electronic receipts having novel functionality, such upselling or inducing secondary sales of related products and providing access to warranties, product returns, user manuals, recall notices and other information potentially of interest to consumers. It further provides a mechanism for organizing and otherwise handling such receipts.  
         [0121]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Technology Category: 3