Computer network transaction system

An e-commerce system, comprising:

• a. a computer network;
• b. at least one user computer connectable with said network, said at least one user computer having a display and a browser for navigating said network;
• c. a plurality of merchant computers connectable with said at least one user computer via said network, each merchant computer being programmed to operate an e-commerce system for enabling e-commerce with said at least one user computer;
• d. a service computer connectable with said at least one user computer and said plurality of merchant computers via said network;
• and
• e. said service computer being programmed to operate a shopping system that permits a user to order items in a single order from more than one of said merchant computers.

A method of assisting a user having a user computer with a display and a browser in obtaining items offered at a plurality of merchant sites linked via a network that the user can navigate with the browser so as to access merchant sites, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a template to the user computer, via the network, in which a user may enter information regarding an item offered at a merchant site, wherein said template is provided so that it may be viewed on the display of the user computer at the same time content from the merchant site may be viewed in the display of the user computer;
• b. building a collection of said information regarding items offered at more than one merchant site and providing at least some of said information in said collection so that it may be viewed on the display of the user computer at the same time content from the merchant site may be viewed in the display of the user computer;
• and
• c. creating an order using said information in said collection for items from more than one merchant site and transmitting a request to each merchant site for those items included in said order which said each merchant site offers.

A method of obtaining items offered at a plurality of merchant sites linked via a network that the user can navigate with the browser of a user computer so as to access merchant sites, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. linking with a merchant site so as to display content from the merchant site in the display of the user computer;
• b. entering information regarding items available at the merchant site in an item template viewable in the display of the user computer at the same time said content is displayed;
• and
• c. manipulating information in an e-catalog viewable in the display of the user computer at the same time said content is displayed.

An e-commerce system intended to assist a user having a user computer with a display and a browser in obtaining items offered at a plurality of merchant sites linked via a network that the user can navigate with the browser to as to access merchant sites, the system comprising:

• a. first means for providing a template to the user computer, via the network, in which a user may enter information regarding an item offered at a merchant site, wherein said template is provided so that it may be viewed on the display of the user computer so that the user may simultaneously view content from the merchant site on the display of the user computer;
• b. second means for building a collection of said information regarding items offered at more than one merchant site and providing at least some of said information in said collection so that the user may simultaneously view content from the merchant site on the display of the user computer;
• and
• c. third means for creating an order using said information in said collection for items from more than one merchant site and transmitting a request to each merchant site for those items included in said order which said each merchant site offers.

A computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program executable by a service computer linked to a computer network and designed to assist a user having a user computer with a display and a browser in obtaining items offered at a plurality of merchant sites linked via the computer network that the user can navigate with the browser to as to access merchant sites, the computer program comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a template to the user computer, via the network, in which a user may enter information regarding an item offered at a merchant site, wherein said template is provided so that it may be viewed on the display of the user computer at the same time content from the merchant site may be viewed in the display of the user computer;
• b. building a collection of said information regarding items offered at more than one merchant site and providing at least some of said information in said collection so that it may be viewed on the display of the user computer at the same time content from the merchant site may be viewed on the display of the user computer;
• and
• c. creating an order using said information in said collection for items from more than one merchant site and transmitting a request to each merchant site for those items included in said order which said each merchant site offers.

A transaction service system in a service computer for supporting activities across a distributed computer network including a user computer having a display and browser for navigating the network, and a plurality of sites each having a unique URL and information pertaining to one or more subjects, which information can be accessed via the browser of the user computer, the transaction service system comprising:

• a. a template module that provides templates in which a user may enter information available at the plurality of sites, and provides for viewing on a first portion of the display of the user's computer at least one of said templates;
• b. a folder module that permits a user to assemble a folder containing information regarding items offered at one or more of the plurality of sites, and provides for viewing on a second portion of the display of the user's computer at least some of the information contained in said folder;
• and
• c. wherein said first portion and said second portion are sized so that a third portion of the display of the user's computer is not occupied by said first portion and said second portion.

A billing service system in a service computer for supporting billing activities across a distributed computer network including a user computer having a display and browser for navigating the network, and a plurality of billing sites each having a unique URL and a billing system for enabling bill payment and other activities, which billing system may be accessed via the network with the browser of the user computer, the billing service system comprising:

• a. a bill template module that provides a bill template, permits a user to enter in said bill template information available at a billing site regarding a bill at the billing site, and provides for viewing on a first portion of the display of the user's computer at least one of said bill templates;
• b. a bill file module that permits a user to assemble a bill file containing information regarding bills at the billing site, and provides for viewing on a second portion of the display of the user's computer at least some of said information in said bill file;
• and
• c. wherein said first portion and said second portion are sized so that a third portion of the display of the user's computer is not occupied by said first portion and said second portion.

An investment portfolio system in a service computer for supporting investment activities across a distributed computer network including a user computer having a display and browser for navigating the network, and a plurality of investment sites each having a unique URL and an investment system for enabling investment activities, which investment system may be accessed via the network with the browser of the user computer, the investment portfolio system comprising:

• a. an investment template module that provides investment templates in which a user may enter investment information available at a plurality of investment sites, and provides for viewing on a first portion of the display of the user's computer at least one of said investment templates;
• b. an investment account module that permits a user to assemble an investment account containing information regarding investments from one or more of the plurality of investment sites, and provides for viewing on a second portion of the display of the user's computer at least some of the information contained in the investment account;
• and
• c. wherein said first portion and said second portion are sized so that a third portion of the display of the user's computer is not occupied by said first portion and said second portion.