WO2001029739A2

WO2001029739A2 - Hybrid vertical sales method for bridging a gap between the online world and physical stores

Info

Publication number: WO2001029739A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/029104
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo J. Vastardis; Christopher R. Destefano; Joseph B. Murray; John I. Gayeski
Original assignee: Hybrinet, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-21
Filing date: 2000-10-23
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: AU1098901A; WO2001029739A3

Abstract

A hybrid sales method that bridges a gap between the online world and physical stores includes a network of at least one user interactive network device for operation by a registered user desiring to conduct at least one transaction with at least one physical store and at least one merchant network device. The method includes the steps of allowing an access to the merchant network device by the registered user using the user interactive network device, allowing the registered user to send at least one user request for information relating to the transaction from the user interactive network device to the merchant network device, generating a summary response at the merchant network device, sending the summary response from the merchant network device to the user interactive network device, and displaying the summary response at the user interactive network device. The method further includes the step of notifying the merchant network device when the registered user goes to a physical store to complete the transaction.

Description

Hybrid Vertical Sales Method For Bridging A Gap Between The Online

World And Physical Stores

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hybrid vertical sales method for bridging a

gap between online virtual presences accessible through open networks, such as the

Internet, and physical stores. The invention uses a plurality of devices, networks,

and software to achieve a convenient and secure environment for marketing goods

and services.

Discussion of the Related Art

Historically, an enormous amount of time, money, and effort has been

expended by companies and individuals in order to advertise and sell their products

and services. For generations, various media have been used to realize such

business matters.

Recently, the pervasive nature of open networks, such as the Internet, has

provided a global means to attract new customers and retain old customers.

Purchasing can now be linked to advertising in this age of technology and rapidly

evolving communications. Open networks transcend distance; a person from

Bombay can sell a Cashmere sweater to another individual in Butte, Montana using

a virtual storefront, also known as a "web page". All that is required to transition

from information gathering to purchasing is client software to select merchandise

and indicate the quantity, desired means of payment, and delivery options. There are several drawbacks related to the aforementioned methodology

that are becoming more apparent as organizations rush headlong to secure their

stake in this "online world."

The first disadvantage of this method is the overwhelming amount of

information that the customer must negotiate to find a particular item or service.

Locating a particular good or service is a time consuming process that often results

in the customer abandoning either the search or the completion of the transaction.

A second disadvantage is that the retailer and customers often have never

had a prior relationship on which to base trust and a mutually satisfactory level of

credibility. The customer may wonder: "If I complete this transaction, will I

really get my Cashmere sweater from this merchant in Bombay?" The retailer may

ask: "Is this customer using a valid form of payment or is the customer in fact

attempting to commit fraud?"

A third disadvantage is that several products and services do not lend

themselves to purchasing online; clothes and shoes are obvious examples as the

types of products that must be examined physically to qualify several attributes that

cannot be specified either by language or graphics.

The Internet-type business presents disadvantages for businesses such as

home improvement, brick and mortar physical retailers. For many traditional

retailers, their business strength is physical location and established brand image.

The Internet essentially evens the playing field, diluting brand image and

handicapping physical distribution power. Another major disadvantage for traditional retailers is the risk open

networks pose to foot traffic and impulse expenditures. Foot traffic is critical to

many traditional retailers as impulse expenditures are responsible for generating

up to 40% of total sales. Holding all else constant, the economics of online

shopping differ greatly from that of traditional commerce. For instance, if

consumers go to the Gap.com to purchase a pair of chinos, they are likely to

only locate the chinos, complete the transaction, and then log off. However, if

these consumers physically go to a local Gap store to purchase the same chinos, it

is likely that the shoppers also will purchase 1.5 additional items. Unfortunately,

traditional retailers have not been able to design an open network solution that

will leverage their existing strengths and protect their valuable foot traffic.

In short, what is required is a hybrid solution that takes advantage of the

information-centric nature of open networks combined with the recognized security

and tactile experience of physical store transactions.

Thus, there is a great need in the art for an over-arching, comprehensive

system and method for finding and procuring commercial product and service

information both on and off open networks, in a way which encompasses the

advantages and avoids the shortcomings of previous methodologies that were

concerned with solely addressing virtual storefronts or physical stores, but not both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a hybrid sales method for bridging a gap between the online world and physical stores that substantially

obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the

related art.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose

of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the hybrid sales

method of that bridges a gap between the online world and physical stores uses a

network of at least one user interactive network device for operation by a registered

user desiring to conduct at least one transaction with at least one physical store and

at least one merchant network device. The method includes the steps of allowing

an access to the at least one merchant network device by the registered user using

the at least one user interactive network device, allowing the registered user to send

at least one user request for information relating to the at least one transaction from

the at least one user interactive network device to the at least one merchant network

device, generating at least one summary response at the at least one merchant

network device, sending at least one summary response from the at least one

merchant network device to the at least one user interactive network device, and

displaying the at least one summary response at the at least one user interactive

network device. The method also includes the step of notifying the at least one

merchant network device or the at least one user interactive network device when

the registered user goes to a physical store to complete the at least one transaction.

In another aspect, the invention includes a method of bridging a gap

between the online world and physical stores, which uses a network of at least one user interactive network device for operation by a registered user desiring to

conduct at least one transaction with at least one physical store and at least one

merchant network device. The method includes the steps of allowing an access to

the at least one merchant network device by the registered user using the at least

one user interactive network device, allowing the registered user to send at least one

user request for information relating to the at least one transaction from the at least

one user interactive network device to the at least one merchant network device,

generating at least one summary response at the at least one merchant network

device, and sending at least one summary response from the at least one merchant

network device to the at least one user interactive network device. The method

further includes the steps of displaying the at least one summary response at the at

least one user interactive network device, notifying the at least one merchant

network device or the at least one user interactive network device when the

registered user goes to a physical store to complete the at least one transaction, and

rewarding the registered user who completes at least one qualifying user

transaction.

In yet another aspect, the invention includes a method for collecting

consumer information comprising a network of at least one user interactive network

device for operation by a registered user desiring to conduct at least one transaction

with at least one physical store and at least one merchant network device. The

method includes the steps of allowing the registered user to access the at least one

merchant network device using the at least one user interactive network device,

allowing the registered user to send at least one user request for information relating to the at least one transaction from the at least one user interactive network

device to the at least merchant network device, generating at least one summary

response at the at least one merchant network device in response to the at least one

user request, sending the at least one summary response from the at least one

merchant network device to the at least one user interactive network device,

network device, and notifying the at least one merchant network device or the at

least one user interactive network device when the registered user goes to a

physical store to complete the at least one transaction. In addition, the method

includes the steps of storing at least one online browsing record, storing at least one

actual transaction record when the registered user completes the at least one

transaction at a physical store, and comparing the at least one online browsing

record with the at least one actual transaction record.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the

description, which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or

may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages

of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed

out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the

following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to

provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further

understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this

specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the

description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an overall system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a

hybrid sales system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of an operation of the

present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of an operation of the

present invention that includes rewarding a user;

FIG. 4 is an overall system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a

consumer purchase behavior analysis system of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting one preferred embodiment of an operation

of a consumer purchase behavior analysis system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the

present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a hybrid sales system

in accordance with the present invention includes at least one user interactive

network device 101 operated by a registered user desiring to conduct a transaction

with a physical store, at least one merchant network device 102, which includes information regarding physical stores and is typically operated by a manager of the

hybrid sales system, and at least one identification system 103.

The user interactive network device 101, the merchant network device 102,

and the identification system 103 are interconnected by a network. In FIG. 1, a

solid line between two devices indicates that the two devices must be able to

communicate with each other. A broken line between two devices indicates that the

two devices may or may not communicate directly with each other.

Networks used to connect the user interactive network device 101, the

merchant network device 102, and the identification system 103 may be terrestrial

systems including the Internet, phone lines, cable lines, and fiber optic cables, or

wireless communication systems. One or more types of networks may be used to

connect the devices that comprise the hybrid sales system. For example, the user

interactive network device 101 may access the Internet using an Internet service

provider and communicate with the merchant network device 102 by accessing its

web page. The identification system 103 may use a telephone line to communicate

with the merchant network device 102. This and other network configurations of

the hybrid sales system will be known to those skilled in the art, and are within the

scope of this invention.

A user of the hybrid sales system must register with the merchant network

device 102 before being able to make a full use of the hybrid sales system. While

the merchant network device 102 may grant an unregistered user an access,

registration is necessary, for example, to reward the user for using the hybrid sales system. Registration can be done in a variety of ways such as using the Internet,

telephone or mail.

The user interactive network device 101 may be a personal computer with

an Internet access. Alternatively, it can be a dummy terminal with an access to the

Internet through a server machine or an information appliance such as a personal

data assistant or cellular phone. Dummy terminals may be provided in a kiosk-like

setting within a shopping mall or other public areas to grant a convenient access to

the merchant network device 102. Other user interactive network devices will be

known to those skilled in the art, and are within the scope of the present invention.

The merchant network device 102 contains information regarding physical

stores. Typically, the merchant network device 102 maintains a database

containing information regarding products or services. For example, database for a

clothing store may contain information regarding style, material, color, size,

quantity, and price. Database for a doctor's office, on the other hand, may contain

description of services provided, fees charged for each service, information on

doctors, and types of health insurances accepted.

In addition, the merchant network device 102 is programmed to receive a

user request from the user interactive network device 101, generate a summary

response based on the user request, and to send a summary response to the user

interactive network device 101. The merchant network device 102 is also

programmed to communicate with the identification system 103 so that the

merchant network device 102 can receive information regarding transactions at physical stores.

The identification system 103 is capable of communicating with the

merchant network device 102 or the user interactive network device 101 when the

registered user completes a transaction at a physical store. The identification

system 103 also allows the registered user to identify himself or herself so that

transactions can be tied to the user. The identification system 103 may be a

wireless information device, a non- volatile area of memory of the user interactive

network device 101, a memory card and a card reader, a microprocessor card and a

card reader, a magnetic card and a card reader, a finger print scanning device and a

point-of-transaction network device, an iris-scanning device and a point-of-

transaction network device, a face recognition device and a point-of-transaction

network device, or a voice recognition device and a point of transaction network

device. The identification system 103 can also be an information appliance

integrated with the user interactive network device 101, such as a Personal Data

Assistant, cellular telephone, interactive pager, and set-top box. Other

identification systems will be known to those skilled in the art, and are within the

scope of this invention. The identification system 103 also may require the user to

manually enter his or her identification code. Alternatively, the user interactive

network device 101 may function as the identification system 103.

The system shown in FIG. 1 may be set up to ensure security of transaction

and data, by securing the devices in the system and network interconnecting them.

This may be done, for example, by using a password based access limitation, common encryption software or hardware, or common authentication/general

cryptographic software or hardware. Other security tools will be known to those

skilled in the art, and are within the scope of the present invention. In addition, by

encrypting data regarding users of the system, the system can protect privacy of the

users.

The present invention can be used to help a user locate a variety of products

and services available at physical stores. Products can be almost anything that is

sold at stores, including clothing, grocery, personal care items, books, jewelry,

bicycles, automobiles, and furniture. Types of services also may vary widely,

including medical care, personal care and dependent care. In other words, the

application of this invention is not limited to any particular product or service.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing preferred embodiments of various

uses of a hybrid sales system of the present invention. Some of the steps shown in

the flow charts may be implemented in a computer program that may be installed in

the user interactive network device, the merchant network device, or the

identification system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a process using a hybrid

sales system of the present invention. The process starts when a user accesses the

merchant network device using the user interactive network device in step 201. In

step 202, the user sends a user information request from the user interactive

network device to the merchant network device. Then, the merchant network

device constructs a summary response to the user request and sends it to the user in steps 203 and 204. The summary response is displayed at the user interactive

network device in step 205. In step 206, the user has an option of repeating steps

202 through 205.

In step 207, the user decides whether to complete one or more of the

transactions that he or she inquired about in steps 202 through 205 at one or more

physical stores. Generally, the user completes a transaction at a physical store

listed in one of the summary responses provided by the merchant network device.

However, the user may choose to go to a physical store that is equipped with an

identification system but was not listed in the summary responses. At a physical

store, the user completes a transaction using the identification system in step 208.

Finally, in step 209, the identification system notifies the merchant network device

or the user interactive network device about the transaction completed by the user.

In a user request issued in step 202, a user may be allowed to specify

various characteristics of a product or a service provider. If a user knows exactly

what he or she wants, the user may specifically identify that particular item or

service provider, such as a man's navy double-breasted wool jacket by Burberry in

size 40 or a female pediatrician with at least 10 years of experience who belongs to

a certain HMO group. On the other hand, a user may request the merchant network

device to find items or service providers that meet certain criteria. For example, the

user may ask the merchant network device to find all man's navy double-breasted

wool jackets in size 40 or all travel agencies that specialize in domestic business

travel reservations. Furthermore, a user may be allowed to specify not only types of a product

or service that he or she is interested in but also various criteria for physical stores

in a user request. For example, a user may require a physical store to be located

within a certain distance from his or her home. A user may wish to go to a store

located at a certain shopping center or specify a name of a particular chain, such as

Sears, K-Mart, Bloomingdale's, or American Express Travel Service. A user also

may require physical stores to carry the desired item or service at or below a certain

price or offer a certain level of customer service.

A summary response constructed by the merchant network device also may

include information other than a list of physical stores that meet user's criteria set

forth in the user request. For example, a user requests a department store within 10

miles of the user having a size 2 navy wool suit by Ellen Tracy, but the merchant

network device does not find any department store that has the desired product in

stock. The merchant network device may give a list of department stores outside

the 10-mile range that carry similar items. Alternatively, it may prompt a user to

enter another user request in order to change one or more of the search criteria or to

request an entirely new search.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a process that can be implemented

using the present invention. This process starts when a user accesses the merchant

network device using the user interactive network device in step 301. In step 302,

the user sends a user information request from the user interactive network device

to the merchant network device. Then the merchant network device constructs a summary response to the user information request and sends it to the user in steps

303 and 304. The summary response is displayed at the user interactive network

device in step 305. In step 306, the user has an option of repeating steps 302

through 305. In step 307, the user decides whether to complete a transaction

specified in the user request at a physical store. At a physical store, the user

completes a transaction using the identification system in step 308. Then, in step

309, the identification system notifies the merchant network device or the user

interactive network device about the transaction completed by the user. Finally, in

step 310, a user is rewarded for completing a qualifying user transaction.

The merchant network device can be programmed to flexibly define

qualifying user transactions to encourage its users to use a hybrid sales system.

Examples of qualifying user transactions include simply accessing the at least one

merchant network device to inquire about a certain transaction, completing a

transaction specified in the at least one user request issued in step 302, and

completing a transaction specified in the at least one user request issued in step 302

at a physical store listed in a summary response provided to the user in steps 304

and 305. Other qualifying user transactions are known to those skilled in the art,

and are within the scope of the present invention.

There are many types of user rewards that a hybrid sales system may

provide to its users. Examples of user rewards include electronic cash, a

merchandise or service selected from an online or physical catalog, a gift certificate

redeemable at certain stores in an electronic or paper form, airline frequent flyer miles, electronic credits, and a cash refund. Other user rewards are known to those

skilled in the art, and are within the scope of the invention.

The merchant network device may be programmed to provide one or more

types of rewards. The merchant network device maintains a database containing

information necessary to compute user rewards and is programmed to calculate or

distribute user rewards. The user interactive network device or the identification

system also may contain relevant information regarding user rewards. In such

cases, the merchant network device is further programmed to communicate with the

user interactive network device or the identification system to collect user-reward

related information and to compute or to distribute rewards. The merchant network

device may issue user rewards to the user interactive network device or to the

merchant network device itself, which is programmed to allow a user to redeem

such rewards.

Any one of the steps shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be implemented to ensure

security of that step. For example, a step may be secured by using various data

encryption or user authentication methods. Such security measures can be

implemented using software or by embedding security features into hardware. In

addition, a network connecting the merchant network device, the user interactive

network device, and the identification system also may be secured using various

network security hardware and software. Other means for securing the steps and

system will be known to those skilled in the art, and are within the scope of the

invention. FIG. 4 is an over all system block diagram of one preferred embodiment of

a consumer purchase behavior analysis system of the present invention. The

system in FIG. 4 includes at least one user interactive network device 401 operated

by a registered user desiring to conduct a transaction with a physical store, at least

one merchant network device, which includes information regarding physical stores

and is typically operated by a manager of the system, and at least one identification

system 403. The user interactive network device 401 , the merchant network device

402, and the identification system 403 are interconnected by a network. In FIG. 4,

a solid line between two devices indicates that the two devices must be able to

two devices may or may not communicate directly with each other.

Each of the devices in FIG. 4 is described in detail in conjunction with FIG.

1, including types of devices that can be used as the identification system 403.

In addition to the devices that are also used in the system depicted FIG. 1,

the system in FIG. 4 includes database for storing online browsing records 404 and

actual transaction records 405. Online browsing records may include information

regarding user requests and summary responses. They also may include

information regarding items or services that the user has simply "browsed" or

looked at without asking for further information by issuing a user information

request. Actual transaction records may include information regarding a

transaction performed by a user at a physical store. While the preferred

embodiment shows that both online browsing and actual transaction records are kept by the merchant network device 402, the two records also can be maintained

by the user interactive network device 401 or the identification system 403. The

two records may even be kept by two different devices. For example, in another

embodiment, online browsing records may be kept in the user interactive network

device 401 and is compared against actual transaction records in the merchant

network device 402, whenever a user accesses the merchant network device 402.

By comparing online browsing records against actual transaction records, it

is possible to distinguish an impulse purchase from a non-impulse purchase. For

example, a user uses the system to inquire about locations of physical stores that

carry a blue cotton t-shirt of a certain size. The online browsing record for this

transaction, which includes a description of the item requested and a list of stores

given to the user, is stored in the merchant network device 402. A few days after

accessing the merchant network device 402 to locate a store, the user goes to one of

the stores listed in the summary response to purchase the shirt. Once at the store,

the user decides to purchase not only the shirt but also a pair of jeans and socks to

go with the shirt. At the checkout, the identification system 403 identifies the user

and notifies the merchant network device 402 or the user interactive network device

401. The record of this transaction, which includes the identity of the user and

items purchased, is stored in the merchant network device 402. By comparing the

online browsing record and the actual transaction record, one can determine which

items are planned purchases and which items are un-planned or impulse purchases.

While the above example applied the system to distinguish an impulse purchase from an non-impulse purchase, various other types of useful information

can be obtained by comparing the two records. For example, such comparison may

be used to identify stores that the user is more likely to visit, factors that affect the

user in choosing a store, or an average spending per visit.

The system may be set up to ensure security of transaction and data,

including database containing online browsing records and actual transaction

records, by securing the devices and data in the system and by securing the network

interconnecting them. This may be done, for example, by using passwords and/or

encryption software or hardware. To protect the privacy of the users, it may be

necessary to encrypt database containing online browsing and actual transaction

records and to implement various measures to limit access to such database. Other

means for securing the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are

within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a process that uses a consumer purchase

behavior analysis system of the present invention. In step 501, a user accesses the

merchant network device using the user interactive network device. The user then

sends a user information request in the step 502. In steps 503 and 504, the

merchant network device constructs a summary response and sends it to the user.

In step 505, the user views the summary response at the user interactive network

device. The user may then decide whether to repeat the steps 502 through 505 in

step 506. In step 507, the online transaction record is stored. In step 508, the user

decides whether to go to a physical store to complete one or more transactions at a physical store. At a physical store, the user completes the transaction using the

identification system in step 509 and the identification system notifies the merchant

network device or the user interactive network device in step 510. The record of

the actual transaction is stored in step 511. Finally in step 512, the online

transaction record and the actual transaction record are compared.

During the comparison step 512, it is important not to limit the scope of the

comparison to the records corresponding to most recent online browsing and most

recent actual transaction. For example, a user might go to a store several weeks

after inquiring about a certain transaction to complete that transaction. Meanwhile,

the user might access the system to inquire about different transactions. Thus, it is

advisable to compare actual transaction records with online transaction records

dated several weeks or even months prior to the actual transaction.

Any one of the steps shown in FIG. 5 may be implemented to ensure

security of that step. For example, a step may be secured by using data encryption

or user authentication methods. Such security measures can be implemented using

passwords, encryption software, or hardware with embedded security features. In

network device, and the identification system also may be secured using various

network security hardware and software. Other means of securing the steps and

invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the hybrid sales system for bridging a gap between the

online world and physical stores of the present invention without departing from

the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention

cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within

the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A method of bridging a gap between the online world and physical

stores comprising a network of at least one user interactive network device for

operation by a registered user desiring to conduct at least one transaction with at

least one physical store and at least one merchant network device, the method

comprising the steps of:

allowing an access to the at least one merchant network device by the

registered user using the at least one user interactive network device;

allowing the registered user to send at least one user request for information

relating to the at least one transaction from the at least one user interactive network

device to the at least one merchant network device;

generating at least one summary response at the at least one merchant

network device;

sending at least one summary response from the at least one merchant

network device to the at least one user interactive network device;

displaying the at least one summary response at the at least one user

interactive network device; and

notifying the at least one merchant network device or the at least one user

interactive network device when the registered user goes to a physical store to

complete the at least one transaction.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one wireless

information device is used during the notifying step.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one non-volatile area of memory of the at least one user interactive network device is used during

the notifying step.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one memory card

and at least one card reader is used during the notifying step.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one

microprocessor card and at least one card reader is used during the notifying step.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one information

appliance is used during the notifying step.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one

information appliance used during the notifying step includes a Personal Data

Assistant, cellular telephone, interactive pager, and set-top-box.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one magnetic card

and at least one card reader are used during the notifying step.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one iris scanning

device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used during the

notifying step.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one finger print

scanning device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one face

recognition device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one voice recognition device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

13. The method claim according to claim 1 , wherein at least one device

that allows the registered user to manually enter an identification code is used

during the notifying step.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user

interactive network device is used during the notifying step.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein each step comprising

claim 1 is secured.

16. A method of bridging a gap between the online world and physical

stores comprising a network of at least one user interactive network device for

least one physical store and at least one merchant network device, the method

comprising the steps of:

allowing an access to the at least one merchant network device by the

registered user using the at least one user interactive network device;

allowing the registered user to send at least one user request for information

device to the at least one merchant network device;

generating at least one summary response at the at least one merchant

network device;

sending at least one summary response from the at least one merchant

network device to the at least one user interactive network device;

displaying the at least one summary response at the at least one user

interactive network device;

notifying the at least one merchant network device or the at least one user

interactive network device when the registered user goes to a physical store to

complete the at least one transaction; and

rewarding the registered user who completes at least one qualifying user

transaction.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one wireless

information device is used during the notifying step.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one non-volatile

area of memory of the at least one user interactive network device is used during

the notifying step.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one memory

card and at least one card reader is used during the notifying step.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one information

appliance is used during the notifying step.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the at least one

information appliance used during the notifying step includes a Personal Data

Assistant, cellular telephone, interactive pager, and set-top-box.

23. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one magnetic

card and at least one card reader are used during the notifying step.

24. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one iris scanning

device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used during the

notifying step.

25. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one finger print

scanning device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

26. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one face

recognition device and at least one point-of-transaction network device is used

during the notifying step.

27. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one voice

recognition device and at least one point-of-transaction network device is used

during the notifying step.

28. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least one device that

allows the registered user to manually enter an identification code is used during

the notifying step.

29. The method according to claim 16, wherein the at least one user

interactive network device is used during the notifying step.

30. The method according to claim 16, wherein each step comprising

claim 16 is secured.

31. A method for collecting consumer information, comprising a

at least one merchant network device, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing the registered user to access the at least one merchant network

device using the at least one user interactive network device;

allowing the registered user to send at least one user request for information

device to the at least merchant network device;

generating at least one summary response at the at least one merchant

network device in response to the at least one user request;

sending the at least one summary response from the at least one merchant

network device to the at least one user interactive network device;

displaying the at least one summary response at the at least one user

interactive network device;

notifying the at least one merchant network device or the at least one user

interactive network device when the registered user goes to a physical store to

complete the at least one transaction;

storing at least one online browsing record;

storing at least one actual transaction record when the registered user

completes the at least one transaction at a physical store; and

comparing the at least one online browsing record with the at least one

actual transaction record.

32. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one wireless

information device is used during the notifying step.

33. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one non-volatile

the notifying step.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein at least one memory

card and at least one card reader is used during the notifying step.

35. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one

36. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one information

appliance is used during the notifying step.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the at least one

information appliance used during the notifying step includes a Personal Data

Assistant, cellular telephone, interactive pager, and set-top-box.

38. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one magnetic

card and at least one card reader are used during the notifying step.

39. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one iris scanning

device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used during the

notifying step.

40. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one finger print

scanning device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

41. The method according to claim 31 , wherein at least one face recognition device and at least one point-of-transaction network device are used

during the notifying step.

42. The method according to claim 31, wherein at least one voice

during the notifying step.

43. The method claim according to claim 31, wherein at least one device

during the notifying step.

44. The method according to claim 31, wherein the at least one user

interactive network device is used during the notifying step.

45. The method according to claim 31 , wherein each step comprising

claim 31 is secured.