Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Mechanized store
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-25
2001-07-24
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Mechanized store
C235S380000, C235S379000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264104
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates generally to electronic ordering of goods and/or services and in particular relates to a dedicated electronic catalogue device and system for enabling remote ordering of goods/services.
In a further aspect, the invention relates to an electronic catalogue device which combines a remote ordering facility with a local vending facility, for vending locally available goods.
The disclosure of the applicants earlier international (PCT) application, number PCT AU93/00416 (publication number WO94/04446) is considered incorporated herein. This earlier application relates to a recycling apparatus for promoting the recycling of complex items, such as toner cartridges, ink jet cartridges and the like.
Remote electronic ordering of goods/services is known. Systems area available where a user having access to a personal computer (PC) may order a limited number of goods of services from remote location, e.g. “remote shopping” from the supermarket.
The extend of available systems is limited and they have a number of disadvantages.
A catalogue “data base” is usually provided to the PC user on data storage media such as diskette, CD-ROM, or the like. The user accesses the information on the catalogue via his PC and selects the goods he requires. The PC will then print out an order form, which is then usually sent to the service provider by transmission media such as facsimile, post or the like. Such systems are merely a logical extension of known paper catalogue marketing techniques. The PC is merely a convenient interface for reading the catalogue and generating printed orders.
Further a separate accounting system is necessary to process the user's order. Further, it is quite possible than an unauthorized user of the PC may make an order which would unknowingly be charged to the owner/authorised user of the PC.
Known electronic catalogue systems are generally an extension of an existing computerised ordering and administration system and may be quite difficult to use for people unfamiliar with computers. Further, present systems have no means of storing high priority goods on site and delivering them to the user instantly. It is necessary to transmit order information to a remote warehouse or delivery centre. Known systems are merely concerned with the delivery of new or replacement articles and have no means for processing the administrative requirements for collection and storage of used articles, such as recyclable materials.
Further, they do not provide untrained users sufficient assistance to replace the need to make phone enquires upon the supplier to find out what products they should order for the particular application requirement. For example, there are no electronic catalogues for laser printer, ink jet printer, dot matrix printer, photocopiers, facsimile machines and multi-functional office machines, that guide the user through the compatibility lists allowing selection by brand, model, type, or any other meaningful access method.
The present invention provides a dedicated electronic catalogue device for enabling a user to order goods and/or services from a remote location, including a memory storing a catalogue data base for access by the user, the catalogue data base including information on products and/or services available for order, display means for displaying information from the catalogue data base, communication means for communicating with a remote host device for automatically placing orders, identification means for identifying authorised users of the device, user input means for enabling the user to select available products and/or services from the catalogue data base for order, and processing means for controlling operation of the device.
The electronic catalogue device of the present invention is a dedicated device which is preferably suitable for use by a plurality of different users.
The electronic catalogue device is preferably positioned in a public location. That is, a location which is accessible to service a plurality of users. For example, such an electronic catalogue device may be located in the foyer of an office building, to enable access by people throughout the office building.
Preferably, each user is provided with an identification means, preferably in the form of a magnetic card, although any other type of identification means, such as a “pin” number, token, smartcard, finger print, etc., could be used.
The device is available for any user in the building to order goods or services, merely by accessing the device by presentation of his identification means and then proceeding to make an order. The goods/services available will be determined by the availability of goods/services at the remote location. Generally, any goods or services for which there is a demand, or for which there is envisaged there may be a demand, may be proffered.
The catalogue data base provides information on all the products/services available. The data base is preferably organised in the form of a “family tree”. The head of the tree comprises more generic information on a product and the limbs of the tree provide more detailed information. This arrangement facilitates selection of the appropriate product even where the user does not have a detailed knowledge of the product range available to him.
The device is preferably arranged to store information relating to orders made by a user as “transaction information”. The device is preferably arranged to communicate with the host device at predetermined intervals and upload the transaction information to the host device during the communication. In response, the host device preferably generates an invoice and a delivery authority or order which will prompt delivery of the ordered product/service and updating of the user's account. The host is preferably associated with a service infrastructure to enable delivery of the goods/services and keeping of user accounts.
The electronic catalogue device also preferably stores user information in a user data base, including information for identifying authorised users. This information may be used to confirm the identity of a user accessing the device, and may also be uploaded in the transaction file to the host device so that the host can identify the user who has placed the particular order.
The catalogue device preferably has access locally to credit information to determine the credit worthiness of a user and may deny a user order if the credit of the user is not sufficient. Preferably, user credit information is stored in the user data base and the device is arranged to automatically update the user credit information in response to orders placed by the user. User credit information may also be updated remotely from the host device via the communication means, e.g. in response to payment of invoices.
The host device is also preferably arranged to update data stored in the electronic catalogue device. For example, the catalogue data base may be updated with further information on new products (goods/services) available, or products which are no longer available or temporarily unavailable. User data may also be updated. For example, where it is necessary to identify a new user of the device, new user data will be added to the user data base.
In a preferred embodiment, the electronic catalogue device also provides information services. For example, a weather report may be provided, an international news report, educational services, and other information services. Data relating to these information services is stored in the memory in an information service file. The information service files may also be remotely updated by communications from the host device. Audio and video files may be used to supplement the information services. The electronic catalogue device is preferably provided with audio reproduction means to enable reproduction of an audio file. The display means preferably enables reproduction of a video file.
The advantages of a system such as this are significant. Any products/services may be offered for sale at a location convenient f
Bruck Tony
Grondman Siegmund
Jenkins Alan Ernest
Smith Gower
Frech Karl D.
Imaging Technologies Pty Limited
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
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