US 2004/0111286 A1 · System for the provision of goods and services over a distributed communication network

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a real-time logistics and fulfillment system for orders placed on-line that incorporates a real-time closed-loop communication engine to each of a plurality of merchants, having an auto-archive and resubmission capabilities, which provides guaranteed message delivery and response over a communication network. The present invention incorporates a process handler programmed to receive logistical and fulfillment information on an item offered by a merchant from a vendor in real-time upon submission of an order for the item by a customer, and to return the logistical and fulfillment information to the merchant in real-time.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A communication system for providing real-time fulfillment information on an order placed by a customer over a communication network with at least one of a plurality of merchants through a merchant server operated by said merchant for at leastone item supplied by at least a plurality of vendors, said communication system comprising:

a process handler programmed to receive fulfillment information on said item from said vendor in at least one of a plurality of data formats and to transmit at least a portion of said fulfillment information to said merchant in real-time.

A communication system for providing real-time fulfillment information on an order placed by a customer over a communication network with at least one of a plurality of merchants through a merchant server operated by said merchant for at least one item supplied by at least one of a plurality of vendors, said communications system comprising;

a process handler programmed to receive fulfillment information on said item from said vendor in at least one of a plurality of data formats;
at least one merchant communication module for each of said merchant servers, said merchant communication module being programmed to communicate with said merchant server;
and
at least one processing communication module, said processing communication module being programmed to receive said fulfillment information from said process handler and to transmit said fulfillment information to said merchant communication module in real-time.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for the provision of goods and services over a distributed communication network

Life of this patent

System for the provision of goods and services over a distributed communication network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39