System and method for e-commerce accessibility

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and a method enabling E-Commerce transactions without redirecting a user's computer from one electronic publishing page to another electronic publishing page.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for conducting a commercial transaction over a computer accessible communication network with a computer-implemented system that comprises: a plurality of user computers, a plurality of publisher systems each associated with a respective online publisher and each comprising at least one publisher computer or a plurality of publisher computers, a central processing system associated with an intermediary and comprising at least one central processing computer or a plurality of central processing computers, a plurality of seller systems each associated with a respective seller of at least one respective product and each comprising at least one seller computer or a plurality of seller computers, all the computers being configured to communicate via the computer accessible communication network, and at least one user computer from the plurality of user computers being configured with a computer executable code (a) to display content by an associated computer display, which is connected to the at least one user computer, (b) to receive instructions from a user via a user interface, and (c) to communicate with the central processing system to conduct an E-commerce transaction with the central processing system to purchase a product of one of the sellers, the computer executable code being configured to be transmittable from an electronic publishing page provided by one of the publisher systems when the electronic publishing page is accessed by the at least one user computer, the computer executable code, when executed by the user computer, does not redirect the at least one user computer from the electronic publishing page to another web page, the content includes at least one information section having information related to seller's product and an action button, the action button, when selected by the user with user interface initiates an E-Commerce transaction by generating an order for the product, the computer executable code enables the display of an information display window by the computer display associated with the at least one user computer along with content of the electronic publishing page, the information display window displays the action button and the information related to the product, wherein the sellers, the online publishers, and the intermediary are not associated with one another, wherein the central processing system is configured to receive an order for the product placed through the window from the at least one user computer by the central processing system, and wherein the central processing system is configured to perform an E-commerce transaction by at least processing the order with at least one of the central processing computers and the seller system of the seller of the product, the method comprising: receiving an order for a product from the at least one user computer by the central processing system, and performing an E-commerce transaction with the central processing system and the seller system of the product.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the computer accessible communication network includes a plurality of networked computers.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the central processing system performs a payment transaction with a seller computer of the seller system.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the another computer is a settlement processor configured to perform at least one of or all of address verification, fraud check, shipping cost calculation, tax cost calculation, and pre-authorization of a payment method.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising performing an inventory check for the product by checking an inventory database of the seller's system.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a message to the at least one user computer indicating that the E-Commerce transaction cannot be concluded.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least another user computer is configured with the computer executable code, and further comprising receiving an order for another product from the at least another user computer by the central processing system, and performing another E-commerce transaction with the central processing system and another seller system of the another product.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the central processing system performs a payment transaction with another seller computer of the another seller system.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the another computer is a settlement processor configured to perform at least one of or all of address verification, fraud check, shipping cost calculation, tax cost calculation, and pre-authorization of a payment method.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein a seller product may be one of a shippable product, electronically deliverable product, electronically accessible service.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein a product is an online publication.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a product display window generated and displayed over a web page according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates the window shown in FIG. 1, generated according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a selection window generated in response to a user's clicking of an action button in the window shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a web page displaying product information in response to a user's selection from among the choices provided in the selection window shown in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a first check out window displaying product placed in a virtual shopping bag by the user.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a second check out window displaying different user categories.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a third check out window displaying a fillable form for obtaining shipping information from the user.

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates a fillable form for obtaining information that is useful in sending out electronic invitations to a user's invitees.

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates a fillable form providing the user with options to automatically populate a registration form through a third party service.

(10) FIG. 10 illustrates a fillable registration form.

(11) FIG. 11 illustrates a window that provides a user with the option to abort the registration process.

(12) FIG. 12 illustrates information made available to a registered seller by a system according to the present invention.

(13) FIG. 13 illustrates a fillable form presented by a system to a registered seller for the purpose of update or adding product information.

(14) FIG. 14 illustrates a web page accessible by a registered user that can be used to customize a product display window for the seller's products.

(15) FIG. 15 illustrates a web page accessible by a registered user that can be used to customize other features by the registered seller including customization of each feature in view of a selected platform.

(16) FIG. 16 illustrates a web page accessible by a registered user that can be used to report activity to the registered seller.

(17) FIG. 17 is a flow chart summarizing user side interactions with a system according to the present invention.

(18) FIG. 18 is a flow chart summarizing seller side interactions with a system according to the present invention.

(19) FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a system according to the present invention including the typical elements that a system according to the present invention and a product seller's platform may need to interface with one another to validate payment and to transmit an order to the seller's fulfillment center for shipping the product(s).

(20) FIG. 20 illustrates an e-commerce transaction scheme according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(21) FIG. 21 illustrates another e-commerce transaction scheme according to another embodiment of the present invention.

(22) FIG. 22 illustrates a typical buying transaction using a system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(23) A system according to the present invention includes a central processing center (CPC) which is one computer (server) or a plurality of interconnected computers (servers) configured to provide the necessary computer executable instructions, computer executable code, and information to a user's computer or a seller's computer to realize the functionalities described herein. The CPC in a system according to the present invention is also configured to retain and process information received from a user's computer or a seller's computer.

(24) A system according to the present invention will include a CPC that can be selectively connected to communicate with user computers, seller computers, and computers hosting electronic publishing pages via, for example, a publicly accessible computer network such as the Internet.

(25) FIG. 1 depicts a web page 10 to which a browser on a user's computer is directed. Web page 10 is enabled to display an information object 12. After clicking information object 12 a product display window 14 is opened while web page 10 is still displayed behind product display window 14. Thus, the launching of the product display window 14 does not lead to the redirection of the browser from web page 10 to another web page associated with a different web site.

(26) Product display window 14 may include one information section 16, or a plurality of information sections 16. Each information section 16 may display information relating to a product, for example, the name of the product, a description of the product, and its price.

(27) Each information section 16 may further include one action button or a plurality of action buttons. Each action button, when clicked, sends a command to the user computer that is associated with the display on which web page 10 is displayed to cause the computer to perform a function (e.g. execute a set of computer executable codes).

(28) Action button 18 in each information section 16 enables the user to add the selected product to a virtual shopping bag as is well known in the field. Thus, when the user clicks action button 18 in one information section 16, the user's computer executes a series of codes that leads to the addition of the product described in that information section to a virtual shopping bag.

(29) Action button 20 in each information section 16 enables the user to share the information pertaining to the product listed in the information section with a group of users through an electronic social networking service (e.g. Facebook) as is well known in the field. Thus, when the user clicks action button 20 in an information section 16, the user's computer executes a series of codes leading to the display of information relating to the product described in that information section to a web page of an electronic social networking service.

(30) Window 14 may further include an advertising section 22 that can be used for displaying advertising graphic or the like.

(31) In a preferred embodiment, the clicking of information object 12 triggers a coded AJAX script that launches window 14. Window 14 may be a javascript generated ModalBox, powered by a javascript framework. The product information sections 16 may be dynamically generated based on the instructions present in the AJAX script.

(32) Action button 20 may also be an AJAX script that calls a list of electronic social networking services and bookmarking services through which the user can share pertinent information on the user's social or bookmarking accounts.

(33) Advertising section 22 may call GIF, PNG or other compatible banner advertisements from advertising distribution servers. These will be periodically refreshed.

(34) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the information object 12 is available to the user within the section designated of web page 10 for the display of content (e.g. text).

(35) Referring to FIG. 2, in a second embodiment, information object 12 can be provided in association with a web banner 24 (e.g. a graphic) displayed along with the content of the web page.

(36) Upon clicking information object 12, window 14 as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed by the browser for the user to view. Note that web page 10 remains displayed in the background behind window 14 since the browser is not redirected to another web page.

(37) According to an aspect of the present invention, the computer associated with the user's display generates window 14 for display by the browser based on a series of computer executable codes (CEC), which have been configured and customized by the seller of the product. The CEC may be sent to the user's computer from the CPC when information object 12 is clicked and executed by the user's computer, or the CEC may reside on a different computer and executed by a computer other than the user's computer. The execution of the CEC enables at least communication between the CPC and the user's computer. While in communication the CPC and the user's computer may exchange computer executable instructions and information. The information supplied to and received by the CPC may be provided by the user via one or more graphic user interfaces which are generated based on code supplied by the CPC and displayed by the browser residing on the user's computer.

(38) Note that information object 12 can be customized for any type of advertising banner. A SWF banner will contain an ActionScript button that calls ActionScript programming to generate a call to action to start the process, namely to generate the windows (e.g. pop-up windows) and fillable forms for conducting the transactions (e.g. E-Commerce transactions, registration etc.), whereas GIF/PNG/JPG banners call an appropriate JavaScript function to do the same as the SWF banner as described herein. Mobile compliant ad servers can substitute SWF banners when available so that information relating to the products can be viewed on non-Flash supporting mobile devices. The information object 12 may also be accessed from within web banners.

(39) Referring now to FIG. 3, once action button 20 is clicked by the user, a first electronically fillable form 26 is generated and displayed for the user by the user's browser. Form 26 includes a plurality of virtual buttons 28 each associated with an electronic social networking service. The user may select one electronic social networking service or two or more such services. The selection leads to the transmission of information related to the product associated with the display section 16 that is also associated with the clicked action button 20 to the selected social networking service.

(40) For example, as shown in FIG. 4, information relating to the item in information section 16 is then displayed on a web page of a selected electronic social networking service, in this case web page available through a well known service called Facebook.

(41) Optionally, information regarding the product can also be shared on other people's walls, or tagged to specific people. Sharing, depending on the social networking services API, can either occur within the same page, or within a different browser tab or window. The shared information will then be displayed on the social networking services web site, which will open in a new tab or window.

(42) Sharing is preferably handled by an API connected to a portal that lists available social networks and bookmarking services for media distribution. The user will have to be logged into his preferred networks, or will be prompted to log in before sharing.

(43) Referring now to FIG. 5, window 14 further displays action button 28. When action button 28 is clicked by the user a first e-commerce window 30 is generated to display products placed in the virtual shopping bag.

(44) Before any information is processed from the generated shopping bag listing (AJAX frontend script) to the CPC (backend), it undergoes an encryption process that securely transmits information such as the User ID, product list, prices, and other relevant information to the CPC, where it is decoded. The clicking of action button 18 stores a script within the user's browser cookies, remembering items marked, quantities, cost, and other relevant information. This script clears this information once the session is closed, either by javascript function, or when the browser is terminated. Products in the virtual Shopping bag are preferably described in terms of name, appearance (thumbnail), preferred size if applicable, quantity, and price. An additional action button 19 is also provided in window 30.

(45) Window 30 includes a check out button 32, which when clicked by the user, generates and displays a second e-commerce window 34 as shown in FIG. 6. Second e-commerce window 34 preferably allows the user to make one of three selections. Specifically, the user may select to further proceed with the e-commerce transaction as a returning customer 35 (i.e. a customer that has registered with the CPC), a new customer wishing to be registered 37 with the CPC, or a customer who wishes to continue without registering 39 with the CPC (a guest).

(46) A guest can checkout without registering. The details of the transaction will not be stored in the CPC.

(47) The system may provide access to account information and order tracking to registered users.

(48) A system according to the present invention recognizes a registered user and generates a script based on the user's login credentials, which is then sent to the CPC (securely) for processing. A cookie is generated, which will be available for the remainder of the user's session.

(49) Upon selection of one of the options by the user, a third e-commerce window 36 is generated and displayed as shown in FIG. 7. Third e-commerce window 36 is an electronically fillable form that allows the user to enter his/her shipping address, telephone number, etc. The information so entered is then received by the CPC. Third e-commerce window 36 displays action button 38. Upon clicking action button 38, another e-commerce window is generated and displayed to collect payment information from the user. The payment information is then sent to and received by the CPC for payment processing to conclude the e-commerce transaction. A notification that includes a receipt for the transaction may be then optionally sent to the user electronically (e.g. via e-mail).

(50) In the preferred embodiment, the electronic fillable forms are AJAX generated and are transmitted using a similar security algorithm used in conjunction with the virtual shopping bag uses. Form fields may be validated both using client-side and server-side scripts.

(51) Referring back to FIG. 6, if the user selects to register as a new user, as part of the registration process, the user may be enabled to send out electronic invitations to other users. FIG. 8 illustrates an electronically fillable form 40 that includes fillable field 42 in which the user may enter his/her name, a fillable field 44 in which the user can enter e-mail addresses of the invitees, and a fillable field 46 in which the user can enter a short message directed at the invitees.

(52) Preferably, an SSL-enabled mailserver handles the distribution of email invitations, compliant with SpamAssassin and other anti-spam standards.

(53) Referring now to FIG. 9, as an alternative, a new user may register through another registered account from a service provided by a third party web site (e.g. an electronic social networking service) other than a web site associated with the CPC. Thus, a window 46 may be optionally provided to the user that includes a plurality of action buttons 48 each associated with a third party social networking service with which the user has registered. By clicking any one of action buttons 48, the user's registration information is obtained from the third party social networking service. Thereafter, a registration window 50 is generated and displayed (see FIG. 10), and each field in registration window 50 is populated with the appropriate registration information obtained from the third party social networking service.

(54) APIs for various third party social accounts will receive security tokens enabling interaction between the CPC and the third party network. A regular form submission process (secure encrypted) is also available. Newsletter requests will be handled by the system's mailserver for processing.

(55) Note that, as is well known in the field, the information provided by the user is validated (at user's computer and at the CPC) and/or the user is directed to populate each field that is empty after the registration information is obtained from the third party social networking service.

(56) Referring to FIG. 11, optionally, a confirmation window 52 may be generated and displayed to the user by the user's browser that includes an undo action button 54. By clicking undo action button 54, the user can undo the registration in which case the CPC will delete the user's registration information.

(57) Preferably, any action that aborts a process, closes a window, terminates the browser session, or otherwise discontinues the process of interacting with the system will trigger a cleanup script that clears all browser cookies generated by the system.

(58) As is readily seen the user interacts with the CPC to conclude an e-commerce transaction and conduct other transactions without the user's web browser being directed to another web page.

(59) A system according to the present invention enables a seller of each product displayed in a window 14 to configure a CEC to generate at least the code necessary for display of window 14 with the seller's product(s) by a user's web browser.

(60) A system according to the present invention further enables a seller to designate a third party web site that will be displaying information object 12 on at least one of its web pages, the activation of which through clicking leads to an e-commerce transaction without leaving that web page of the third party web site.

(61) In a system according to the present invention, each information section 16 is populated with information provided by a merchant/seller to the CPC. To provide product information to the CPC, a seller can set up an account with the CPC by first registering as a seller.

(62) Once registered, a user can upload to the CPC information relating to a product or a number of products. The information so provided will be used by the CPC to enable the display of information window 14 (see e.g. FIG. 1) by a browser.

(63) FIG. 12 shows a listing of a plurality of products associated with a registered seller. The CPC is configured to provide the information shown in FIG. 12 to a registered seller once the registered seller establishes communication with the CPC. The communication may be established through a website associated with the CPC that would enable the seller to send information to the CPC and obtain information from the CPC. The information shown in FIG. 12 may be displayed to a seller via a web browser residing at the seller's computer.

(64) By clicking on Manage Product action button 56, a registered seller may edit the information related to the seller's product(s) through a number of customization web pages available from a web site associated with the CPC to a registered seller.

(65) A register Seller can access a full list of products, and manage the information of one product or multiple products.

(66) FIG. 13 shows a first customization and electronically fillable form 58 provided by the CPC through which a registered user can update the information related to a seller's product(s).

(67) FIG. 14 shows a customization web page accessible by a registered seller configured to display to the seller an electronically fillable form 60 which can be used by a registered seller to devise a window 14 with multiple information sections 16. Form 60 includes a plurality of fillable fields that allow the registered seller to select the size of the window 62, select the number of displayed products 64, select and upload an image file for each product 66, enter a product code 68, enter a product name 70, enter a product price 72, enter the quantity of products available 74, and a description of the product 76. Based on the information CEC is devise by the CPC, which when executed will allow a browser to display a window 14 over a web page of a third party web site according to the seller's specifications and without redirecting the browser to another web site.

(68) Preferably, a registered seller can generate and preview the look of its product display window 14.

(69) While code snippets may be provided by the user, the CPC may parse information from a WYSIWYG editor that generates the code according to the user's instructions.

(70) FIG. 15 shows another customization web page accessible by a registered seller. This customization page includes a platform selection section 78 with a number of platform selections each associated with a virtual button. The registered seller may select a platform or a number of platforms by clicking a radio button or buttons. Platform as used herein means an electronic content publishing service operable on a network of computers such as a website, a blog, an electronic social networking service, and so on. A code snippet or a link will be generated suitable for platform that is selected. These can be generated as straight code, as an href, iframe, or as a widget or module for a CMS platform. The code so generated will be displayed in display section 86. The code that is generated can then be copied and inserted into the code of the displaying page to enable the display of content (e.g. product information) and to enable E-Commerce functionality when applied to a webpage, mobile page, display banner, etc.

(71) This page also includes a size selection section 80 that allows the registered user to select a size for a displayable feature, for example, the size of information object 12 or the registered seller's logo or brand.

(72) The customization web page shown in FIG. 15 further includes an action button 82 the clicking of which will allow the registered seller to upload an image file (e.g. an image file for displaying the registered seller's logo). A window 84 is provided for the preview of the uploaded image file (branding mark).

(73) Upload a branding mark will then generate a PNG button. The button can then be resized.

(74) A registered seller can obtain information regarding the sale of its products from the CPC. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a report which can be generated by the CPC and accessed by a registered seller.

(75) The information may include an analysis of buttons' clickthrough rate, with color codes assigned to specific countries or Internet locations.

(76) It should be noted that each action button contains tracking scripts, which then sends analytical information to the CPC. The information is then translated into visual graphs through AJAX functions.

(77) FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the interactions of a user with the system. Once a user directs the browser to a website S90, information object 12 is displayed. Once user clicks an information object 12, S92, the CPC determines whether the user is a registered user S94, or an unregistered user S96. If it is determined that the user is a registered user, a display window 14 is displayed to the user S98. Thereafter, the CPC receives instructions regarding which action to take. If the user clicks action button 20, then the product information in the associated information section 16 is shared with the user's network S100.

(78) If the user clicks action button 18, then the product is added to the virtual shopping bag S102. Optionally, at S103, user may be able to add multiple items to the virtual shopping bag. To enable this option, many items may be displayed with a check box associated with each item so that more than one item may be selected by the user before the next step. At this point, or after the user clicks action button 28 (See FIG. 5), the CPC cause the display of additional information relating to other products in order to induce an additional e-commerce sale/transaction S104, confirms that the user would like to proceed to conclude the e-commerce transaction S106, if the user has not clicked action button 20 associated with the product described in information section 16, offer discount or the like as an incentive to induce the user to click action button 20, S108, and then proceeds to conclude the e-commerce transaction by filing the user's personal information (shipping address etc.), payment information, and payment processing, S110. A confirmation notification in the form of an e-mail may be then sent to the user S112.

(79) If the central processing unit determines that the user is unregistered steps S98, S100, S102 are repeated. At step S104, optionally a new customer discount S114 is offered to the user to induce the user to register as a customer. If the discount is accepted, the user follows a registration process as described above. If declined, the e-commerce transaction is concluded S116 by taking the user's personal information, the user's payment information, and payment processing.

(80) At step S104, the user may elect to register through a third party registration (see FIG. 9 and associated description). If the user makes such an election, the instruction to obtain registration information from a third party is received by the CPC S118, and the user registration form 50 (FIG. 10) is automatically filled out S120. Thereafter, a shipping address for the user, S122, and the user's payment information S124 are obtained from the user. Thereafter, the user is offered the option to confirm the registration S126. If confirmed, e-commerce transaction is concluded S110. If declined, the registration process is reversed S128. Once the e-commerce transaction is concluded a notification (e.g. an e-mail) that may include a receipt is sent to the user S112.

(81) FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating a new seller's interactions with the system. To interact with the system, a new seller first directs a browser to a website S130 associated with the CPC. New seller then enters (and the CPC receives) the seller's company information S134 such as company name, company address, company telephone number, etc; the new seller's gateway information S136; and the new seller's bank account information S138. After entering company information collaterals or brand assets may be uploaded by a seller S135. The brand assets may include imagery, copy, video or any other content that seller may use as branding information. The information so uploaded may be selectively used by the seller to configure content for display to a user as further explained below.

(82) Thereafter, the new seller becomes registered and as a registered seller may set up an inventory of products S140, configure a template for one product or a group of products S142, and select the cosmetic aspects of window display 14, S144. Thereafter, based on the seller's selections, the CPC generates the CEC S146.

(83) The registered seller may have the option of setting up more product templates S148, in which case the system directs the seller back to S140. If the seller selects not to devise more templates, the seller selects distribution channels S150, designates websites or other electronic publishing pages which will be authorized to receive the CEC to enable an e-commerce transaction according to the present invention S152, and assign a different template to each one of the selected websites S154.

(84) FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a system 100 suitable for the implementation of a method according to the present invention. System 100 includes a plurality of computing devices, e.g. PC's, tablets, etc. that are in communication with one another. Specifically, system 100 includes at least one user computing device (UCD) 102, a seller computing device (SCD) 104, and a content management system (CMS) 106. CMS 106 includes at least one or more servers 108 that host a plurality of websites, blogs and the like online information publishing sites each displaying an information object 12. Servers 108 are in operative communication with a CPC 110 which supplies the CEC for the display of window 14, and other graphic user interfaces for conducting an e-commerce transaction and other transactions disclosed above. CPC 110 may include one server or a plurality of servers that host a plurality of databases including a sellers' product database 112, a buyers' information database (registration information etc.) 114, a sellers' information database 116, an order database 18 containing buyer's order information, fulfillment database 120 containing information relating to buyer orders that have been fulfilled and a community database 122 Community database 122 will store the demographic and lifestyle information related to the registered users. The information contained in the community database may enable the system to recognize the registered users and enable the registered users to login and interact with the system from any electronic publishing page. Moreover, the registered sellers will be able to obtain market related information such as conversion rates to sales from different electronic publishing pages based on the information stored in community database 122.

(85) As an option, a seller may operate a CPC 122 that includes databases storing information that can be found in the databases of CPC 110. Thus, a seller's CPC 122 may be configured to interact with CPC 110 in order to update its databases and/or update the databases of CPC 110.

(86) It should be noted that all information supplied to and taken from the user's computer passes through CPC 110.

(87) CMS 106 further includes a server or a plurality of servers that function to perform fulfillment services 124. Fulfillment services would include post-sale services such as e-mails or the like notifications regarding shipping of the item, tracking of the item while en route, and other electronic notifications and communications such as communications relating to returns or the like. In addition, CMS 106 would include a server or a plurality of servers that process payments to the seller 126 after e-commerce transactions are concluded.

(88) A registered Seller utilizes CPC 110 to create and generate action buttons, which are then populated into a website, embedded into a banner, or associated with any other electronic publishing page.

(89) Thus, in one embodiment, the E-commerce transaction is processed as a standalone e-commerce system in which seller product information resides solely on the system's CPC 110.

(90) In another embodiment, the seller's existing database(s) can be synchronized with CPC 110 and the payment gateway of a system according to the present invention in order to securely transact and accomplish a purchase through the system. Thus, for example, as part of the transaction, CPC 110 may check the inventory records of the seller's inventory database before the transaction is concluded.

(91) A payment gateway provides an additional layer of security, which is particularly important since a method according to the present invention involves purchase of products and transaction of payment information outside of an actual e-commerce environment, e.g. through an AJAX window of another website.

(92) Referring to FIG. 20, in one embodiment, CMS 106 will receive payment information (e.g. credit card information) from buyer's device 102 and will process the payment information in a secure manner on behalf of the seller in a settlement processor 127. The settlement processor 127 may be a server or a collection of servers configured to process payment based on payment information received from a buyer's computer 102. Thus, for example, either the payment gateway of CMS 106 can be used, or seller's payment gateway can be used to process the payment. Preferably, as a default, the seller's payment gateway may be used to process the payment.

(93) Settlement processor 127 will confirm that the payment for the order received from buyer's device 102 is approved. Thereafter, CMS 106 may send an indication of the payment approval along with other order information to seller's system 105. For example, CMS 106 may send the order information (e.g. the selected by the buyer product, quantity of the product ordered and the like), and the buyer's information (e-mail address, mailing address etc.) to seller's system 105. Seller's system 105 may then check to determine whether the order can be accepted. For example, seller's system may check to determine whether the product is available and/or the number of product ordered by the buyer is available. If the order can be accepted, seller's system 105 will send a message to CMS 106 indicating the approval of the order, and will proceed to prepare for the shipment of ordered item or items to the buyer's mailing address. Upon receipt of an approval message from seller's system 105, CMS 106 will send a message to buyer's computer 102 indicating the order has been accepted. Thereafter, either the seller's system 105 or CMS 106 may send after-sale messages to buyer's e-mail address. For example, once the ordered item is shipped, a message may be sent to the buyer's e-mail address. Preferably, as part of the transaction, the entire details of the order including the buyer's information is sent to the seller's system.

(94) If seller's system 105 cannot accept the order (e.g. if the product is not available), seller's system 105 will send a message to CMS 106 indicating that the order cannot be accepted. CMS 106 will then send a message to buyer's computer 102 to inform the buyer that the order has not been accepted, preferably, with an explanation for the rejection of the order.

(95) Seller's system 105 may decline to process the order for other reasons. For example, the order may be declined if the credit card is decline, if the credit card information is incorrect, or if the buyer's address is incorrect.

(96) Referring to FIG. 21, in an alternative embodiment, CMS 106 will not have a settlement processor 127 to confirm approval of payment based on information received from buyer's device 102. Rather, CMS 106 will pass, in a secured manner, the payment information, the order information, and the buyer's information to a seller's system 105. In this embodiment, the receiving seller's system 105 will have a settlement processor 127 to confirm approval of the payment. If approval of payment is confirmed, seller's system 105 will determine if the order can be accepted in the same manner as the previously described embodiment. If the order can be accepted, a message will be sent to CMS 106 that the order is accepted. CMS 106 will then send a message to buyer's computer 102 indicating that the order has been accepted. If the order cannot be accepted, system 105 will send a message to CMS 106 indicating that the order cannot be accepted. CMS 106 will then send a message to buyer's computer 102 indicating that the order has not been accepted. Thereafter, either the seller's system 105 or CMS 106 may send after-sale messages to buyer's e-mail address. For example, once the ordered item is shipped, a message may be sent to the buyer's e-mail address.

(97) In the embodiments of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, after-sale activity will be, preferably conducted by the seller through, for example, the seller's system. Thus, customer service related services, exchanges, returns and so on will be conducted between the buyer and the seller without participation of CMS 106. That is, CMS 106 will be an intermediary in these embodiments to generate sales, but will not further participate in any post-sale activity after informing the buyer that the order has been accepted.

(98) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, CMS 106 may be provided with an API to enable CMS 106 to communicate with seller's system 105, which may be based on a software platform different than the software platform of CMS 106. In this embodiment, CMS 106 may be further provided with another API to enable CMS 106 to communicate with another seller's system 105, which may be based on a software platform different than the software platform of seller's system 105 and the software platform of CMS 106. Another seller's system 105 may have a settlement processor 127 that performs the same function as settlement processor 127.

(99) In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 21, the payment settlement facility as well as other facilities (e.g. inventory control, databases etc.) of the seller's systems 105, 105 are leveraged, thereby eliminating the need to maintain two independent e-commerce systems (one at CMS 106 and one at the seller's system 105) for the purposes of selling the same product and/or service. In this manner, only one system will perform inventory control, inventory checking, up-to-date pricing and so on, thereby eliminating the need to ensure that the two systems (CMS 106 and seller's system 105) have the same product related information (e.g. inventory, price etc.) at all times.

(100) In addition, a system according to the present invention is not limited to the sale of products that need to be shipped to a mailing address. A system according to the present invention may be used to sell subscription to online publications. The embodiment of FIG. 21 is in particular suited for sales of subscriptions to online publications because the complex pricing of online subscriptions would make it extraordinarily difficult to maintain two independent e-commerce systems, one operated at CMS 106 and one operated as a seller's system 105 by a subscription seller.

(101) Seller's system as used herein refers to an e-commerce system including one or more computers configured through appropriate programming to perform transactions over the Internet. Settlement processor as used herein is a computer or a plurality of computers configured through programming to obtain payment approval (e.g. credit card payment approval) over the Internet. The settlement processor may also be configured to perform: Address Verification Fraud Check Shipping cost calculation Tax Cost calculation The pre-authorization on the payment method.

(102) Referring now to FIG. 22, a typical transaction using a system according to the present invention is illustrated. FIG. 22 is based on the payment settlement scheme of FIG. 21. Thus, FIG. 22 illustrates a seller 104 setting up an online ad for display with a content page (e.g. third part blog, web page, banner etc.) using a system according to the present invention. The online ad 130 would be presented to a buyer via a display associated with buyer's computer 102. The online ad 130 could be in any suitable format. Buyer could then either share the ad by selecting (e.g. clicking on) the share button 132 associated with the ad and/or click a buy button associated with online ad 130 to initiate the e-commerce transaction without directing the browser away from the third party service (e.g. without leaving the blog or the website that previously displayed ad 130) as described above.

(103) If the buyer's computer is a registered computer registered with CMS 106 it may be provided with a token. A token is a cookie stored in buyer's computer 102 that identifies the buyer to CMS 106 and enables the buyer to buy through the AJAX interface. CMS 106 then receives the token from buyer's computer 102 and with a store server 133 checks to determine if the buyer's computer 102 is found in buyer's database 114. If so, a confirmation message may be sent to buyer's computer 102. If not, a message may be sent to buyer's computer 102 informing the buyer of the need to register and directing the buyer to register with the system.

(104) If it is determined that the buyer is registered, CMS 106 sends the order information and buyer's information (including payment information) to seller's system 105. Seller's system 105 will then send a confirmation message to CMS 106 that the order has been received. Thereafter, seller's system 105 will take the steps described above for accepting or rejecting the order.

(105) If it is determined that the buyer is not registered, the buyer's registration information, including payment information, will be received by a registration server 134 from buyer's computer 102. CMS 106 will store, preferably, only the buyer's information such as the buyer's e-mail address, password, security questions. Preferably, CMS 106 will not retain and store any payment related information, such as credit card information. The payment information will be sent to seller's system 105 for settlement by a settlement processor 127 along with the buyer's information and order information for processing as previously described. In this example, after CMS 106 sends a message to buyer's computer 102 that the order has been accepted, seller's system 105 will carry out the post-sale activities directly with the buyer without further participation by CMS 106. For example, a confirmation e-mail (confirming that the order has been processed) or an e-mail indicating that the product has been shipped will be sent directly from seller's system 105 to the buyer's e-mail. Moreover, returns, exchanges etc. will be handled by seller's system 105 through direct interaction with the buyer, without CMS 106 acting as an intermediary. FIG. 22 illustrates the post-sale transactions and other seller-side activities schematically.

(106) Seller's system 105 may send to CMS 106, and CMS 106 may receive from seller's system 105, shipment details. The shipment details will be used by CMS. 106 to update the records stored at CMS 106. Shipment details may be sent by seller's system 105 periodically. For example, when the product is shipped, a message may be sent to CMS 106, and also when the product is received by the buyer a message may be sent to CMS 106 indicating that the product has been received. The message may then be used to update the records stored at CMS 106.

(107) Shipment details are not necessary when no shippable product is purchased. For example, when an electronically deliverable product (for example, software, music, movies, photographs, games) or electronically accessible service (e.g. electronically accessible service to a publisher's website) is purchased from seller's system 105 through a system according to the present invention CMS 106 may not receive any further messages from seller's system 105 after the sale is completed. In such a case, seller's system 105 may retain information related to the purchase (e.g. buyer's e-mail address and payment information) and may not otherwise provide any further information to CMS 106 after the sale is concluded. That is, seller's system will not send a confirmation that the electronically deliverable product has been delivered to CMS 106 when the product is sent to the buyer (e.g. when the product is electronically sent to the buyer's e-mail or when electronic access is provided to the buyer to access a publication electronically).

(108) It should thus noted that a system according to the present invention can be used to enable e-commerce transactions involving shippable products, electronically deliverable products, electronically accessible services, and any other product or service that can be bought through an e-commerce transaction.

(109) The software platforms and programs mentioned in this document are examples only. It should be understood that other software programs and platforms can be use to implement a method or devise a system according to the present invention.

(110) Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.