Secure System for Conducting Product Sales Over a Computer Network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described which provide secure interactive communication of text and image information between a central server computer and one or more client computers located at remote sites for the purpose of storing and retrieving files describing and identifying unique products in connection with sales of the products. Textual information and image data relating to products received from one or more of the remote sites are stored separately at the location of the central server computer. Requests for information relating to the products are entered from remote terminals and the information requested is recalled and downloaded for review to be displayed at the remote site. Purchase requests for a product displayed may be made by entries at a remote terminal and transmitted to the central server computer.

1 . A method for conducting a sale of a particular object utilizing a network comprising a central computer and one or more communication links connecting to the central computer, the method comprising:
 receiving at the central computer an upload over a communication link comprising an image of said object and storing said image in a database associated with the central computer, and storing text associated with said object and said image in said database;   receiving a communication at the central computer, through any of said communication links, requesting a search for items having characteristics matching specific parameters;   conducting a search of said database for such items;   transmitting the results of said search, including each image located in such search image and at least a subset of said associated text, from the central computer through the communication link requesting said search, such that the image and text can be viewed on a display device having a connection to the communications link;   receiving, at the central computer, a purchase request through said communication link; and   transmitting a purchase confirmation communication through said communication link to comply with said purchase request.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, at the central computer, a request through a communication link related to the existence of objects associated with particular classes of objects in the database; 
 searching the database with said central computer for information corresponding to said requests and transmitting a response through said communications link. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database at the central computer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of the signature of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database at the central computer. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 printing, at a remote terminal connected to said communication link, a hard copy of either of the textual and image information recalled and downloaded through said communication link.   
     
     
         6 . A system for conducting a sale of a particular object utilizing a network, the system comprising:
 a central computer;   one or more communication links connecting to said central computer;   an image database associated with said central computer, for storing a compressed digital image of said object;   a database for storing text associated with said object and said image in said database, the system operative to perform the following functions:
 a) storing an image of said object in said database associated with said central computer; 
 b) storing text associated with said object and said image in said database; 
   receiving a communication at the central computer, through any of said communication links, requesting a search for items having characteristics matching specific parameters;   transmitting the results of said search, including said image and at least a subset of said associated text, from the central computer through the communication link requesting said search, such that the image and text can be viewed on a display device having a connection to the communications link;   receiving, at the central computer, a purchase request through said communication link; and   transmitting a purchase confirmation communication through said communication link as a result of a successful purchase request.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , the system further being operative to perform the following functions:
 receiving, at the central computer, a request through a communication link related to the existence of objects associated with particular classes of objects in the database;   causing the central computer to search the database for information corresponding to said requests and transmitting a response through said communications link.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , the system further being operative to perform the following function:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , the system further being operative to perform the following function:
 receiving, at the central computer, an image of the signature of the individual purchasing the object, the image being uploaded through said communication link and stored in a separate transaction database.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , the system further being operative to perform the following function:
 printing, at a remote terminal connected to said communication link, a hard copy of either of the textual and image information recalled and downloaded through said communication link.