System and method for selectively providing information to internet users

Abstract

A system and method for creating a watchlist and selectively providing this information to a user are provided. The system permits a user to access a website and identify items of the website that are of interest. The system stores the identified items in a watchlist for later retrieval, review, transmission or action by the user. The system may periodically inform the user of any changes to the items of interest. Items may alternatively be added from multiple websites, multiple emails or automatically by the system.

1 . An electronic commerce system, comprising:
 a database for storing information that includes:
 a watchlist including at least one item, each item comprising at least one descriptor; and 
 an email address associated with a particular customer; and 
   at least one processor, which emails the watchlist to the customer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system emails the watchlist to the user on a periodic basis. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system emails the watchlist to the user on a basis selected by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , whereby the items to the watchlist are added from a single website 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , whereby the items to the watchlist are added from multiple websites. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , whereby items are automatically added to the watchlist by the processor. 
     
     
         7 . An electronic commerce (e-commerce) system comprising:
 a database configured to store information that includes:
 an identification which is associated with at least one customer; and 
 an email address associated with said at least one customer; and 
 a plurality of items, selected by said at least one customer, each item having a plurality of identifiers, each the identifiers indicating different attribute of the associated; and 
   a processor configured to generate an email message, and transmit the email message
 to the email address of the customer; upon reaching and activation time. 
 wherein the email message identifies the plurality of items are selected by associated identifiers, 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein wherein the activation time is a periodic basis. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein wherein the activation time is a specific date and time selected by the user. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , whereby the items are selected from a single website. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , whereby the items are selected from a plurality websites. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , whereby items are automatically added by the processor.