Automated on-line information service and directory, particularly for the world wide web

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for confirming online transactions are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include a web site configured to associate customer and purchase information including an email address corresponding to a user. When a user completes an online transaction, an email confirming the purchase is sent to the user.

1 . A method for confirming an online transaction comprising: 
 associating, by a web site, a user ID with a user;    presenting to the user a page, said page including at least one item to be purchased and an icon for invoking a purchase service;    clicking on said icon by the user, thereby invoking said purchase service for said item to be purchased;    creating a Transaction ID corresponding to said items to be purchased;    associating, by said purchase service:    customer information corresponding including an email address to said User ID;    purchase information corresponding to said Transaction ID;    completing said online transaction for said items to be purchased;    creating a confirmation email including customer and purchase information corresponding to said online transaction; and    sending said confirmation email to said email address.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said page comprises mini homepage corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said mini homepage includes customer information corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , where said customer information comprises credit card information corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said online transaction is completed using said credit card information.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further including the acts of associating, by said purchase service, shipping information corresponding to said User ID, and shipping said items to be purchased to a location corresponding to said shipping information.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said information may be updated by said user.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said update may only be performed receiving a proper password from said user.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said mini homepage includes content predefined by said user.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said information includes an email address corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said web site utilizes said email address to identify said user.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said password is supplied to said email address at the request of said user.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for confirming an online transaction comprising: 
 a web site configured for: 
 associating a user ID with a user;  
 presenting to the user a page including at least one item to be purchased and an icon for invoking a purchase service;  
 receive a click on said icon by the user;  
 invoking said purchase service for said item to be purchased responsive to said click;  
 creating a Transaction ID corresponding to said items to be purchased;  
 associating customer information including an email address corresponding to said User ID and purchase information corresponding to said Transaction ID;  
 completing said online transaction for said items to be purchased;  
 creating a confirmation email including customer and purchase information corresponding to said online transaction; and  
   sending said confirmation email to said email address.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said page comprises mini homepage corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said mini homepage includes customer information corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , where said customer information comprises credit card information corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said online transaction is completed using said credit card information.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further including the acts of associating, by said purchase service, shipping information corresponding to said User ID, and shipping said items to be purchased to a location corresponding to said shipping information.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said information may be updated by said user.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said update may only be performed receiving a proper password from said user.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said mini homepage includes content predefined by said user.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said information includes an email address corresponding to said user.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said web site utilizes said email address to identify said user.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said password is supplied to said email address at the request of said user.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for confirming an online transaction comprising: 
 web site means for providing network connectivity between said web site means and a user;    means for associating a user ID with the user;    means for presenting to the user a page including at least one item to be purchased and an icon for invoking a purchase service;    means for detecting a click on said icon by the user    means for invoking said purchase service for said item to be purchased responsive to said click;    means for creating a Transaction ID corresponding to said items to be purchased;    means for associating customer information including an email address corresponding to said User ID and purchase information corresponding to said Transaction ID;    means for completing said online transaction for said items to be purchased;    means for creating a confirmation email including customer and purchase information corresponding to said online transaction; and    means for sending said confirmation email to said email address.