Christopher J Novak

US Patent:

20040073497, Apr 15, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/270287

Inventors:

Mark Hayes - Wilmington DE, US
George Blossom - West Chester PA, US
Michael Kutsch - Wilmington DE, US
Christopher Novak - Newark DE, US
Robert Riesenbach - Cherry Hill NJ, US
Maryann Sharkey - Wilmington DE, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/027000

Abstract:

The invention comprises an electronic purchasing system. In one embodiment, the electronic purchasing system may operate through a user communicating with a system server and at least one partner system over a network. The user possesses an electronic wallet and an electronic coupon book that facilitate purchasing. The electronic coupon book is stored on a smart card and receives its coupons either from the system server or from the partner system for either immediate or subsequent use by the user system. In another embodiment, the user may be provided with a system having coupon downloading tools, vendor recognition tools, purchasing tools, an input device for receiving account access information and communication tools for communicating with vendors, and the user can use a conventional credit card to consummate purchases using downloaded coupons. In either embodiment, the user system and the partner system are capable of recognition in order to activate coupons only for appropriate participants.