US6047264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for supplying automatic status updates using electronic mail
Assignee: eBay Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-08
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Granted: 2000-04-04
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Expires: 2016-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for automatically updating the status of customers' orders and shipments via electronic mail without using a human attendant to create and send the electronic mail messages. Preferably implemented in software, the updating method allows a large set of customers to be periodically updated over a computer or communications network via electronic mail. The method utilizes a database for maintaining order and shipping status and other relevant information.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan S. Fisher
- 👤 Samuel Jerrold Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L65/00; H04L65/40; H04L65/403; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0631; G06Q10/06311; G06Q10/063114; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/083; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0875; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/102; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0613; G06Q30/0619; G06Q30/0633; G06Q30/0635; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In a computer network enabling communication between a plurality of computers, a method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving information relevant to an order submitted by a user; (b) collecting information relevant to an order processing status of said order; (c) updating said information received at step (a) with said order processing status information collected at step (b); (d) generating a message containing said order processing status information collected at step (b); (e) automatically transmitting said message generated at step (d) to said user across said network without interaction from the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a computer network enabling communication between a plurality of computers, a method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving information relevant to an order submitted by a user; (b) collecting information relevant to an order processing status of said order; (c) updating said information received at step (a) with said order processing status information collected at step (b); (d) generating a message containing said order processing status information collected at step (b); (e) automatically transmitting said message generated at step (d) to said user across said network without interaction from the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said order processing status information collected at step (b) relates to shipment status of an item specified in said order.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said order information received at step (a) is contained on a first computer, order processing status information collected at step (b) is contained on a second computer removed from said first computer, and said first and second computer are communicatively linked across said network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step (c) is performed manually.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said order information received at step (a) is stored on a database within a first computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5, further comprising separately storing said order processing status information collected at step (b) on a database in a second computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said message generated at step (d) is in an electronic mail format, and the user is identified by a network address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a computer network enabling communication between a plurality of computers, a system comprising: storage means associated with a first computer for storing order information relating to an order submitted by a user; requesting means associated with said first computer for automatically and periodically requesting order processing status for said order from a second computer; updating means associated with said first computer for receiving said order processing status from said second computer, and for automatically updating said order information with said order processing status; message generating means for automatically generating a message containing said order processing status responsive to a change in said order processing status; and, message transmission means for automatically transmitting said message across said network to a third computer associated with the user without interaction from the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a computer network enabling communication between a plurality of computers, a system comprising: storage means associated with a first computer for storing order information relating to an order submitted by a user; requesting means associated with said first computer for automatically and periodically requesting order processing status for said order from a second computer; updating means associated with said first computer for receiving said order processing status from said second computer, and for automatically updating said order information with said order processing status; message generating means for automatically generating a message containing said order processing status responsive to a change in said order processing status; and, message transmission means for automatically transmitting said message across said network to a third computer associated with the user without interaction from the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said order processing status indicates shipment of an item specified in said order.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said first and second computers are remote each from the other and are communicatively linked across said network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said updating means is manually actuable for input of update information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said order information is stored on a database within said first computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said order processing status is stored in a database in said second computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said message is in an electronic mail format, and the user is identified by a network address.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4975841A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-04-04 | 2003-10-04 | 2004-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-04-04 | 2007-10-04 | 2008-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-04-04 | 2011-10-04 | 2012-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |