System for Marketing Goods and Services Utilizing Computerized Central and Remote Facilities

Abstract

A system for shopping for goods and services includes central communications facilities and remote communications facilities connected by communications links and means permitting data communications between them. Central communications facilities offer goods and services in competition with each other. Central communications facility may store, in addition to data, graphics in the form of video, and audio in the form of computerized voice and music. Computer input devices at each remote communications facility permit customers to access the data, graphics and audio. Computers at each remote communications facility also enable that facility to receive and download the data, graphics, and audio. Remote communications facilities may be adapted to enable a customer, after viewing the data, graphics, and audio, to determine a price for the purchase of the goods and services. Central communications facilities may generate and transmit to the remote facility transaction specific paperwork relative to the goods and services.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing at least one of marketing and sales information relating to at least one of goods and services comprising:
 a first computerized central communications facility of a first provider, adapted to be connected in a computer network with a plurality of other computerized central communications facilities of different providers and a plurality of computerized remote communications facilities,   wherein each of the computerized central communications facilities is operable to provide information relating to at least one of goods and services to a plurality of said computerized remote communications facilities,   wherein at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities adapted to contact and access a database of a plurality of the computerized central communications facilities of different providers, and   wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide information to enable a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities to select and contact another of the computerized central communications facilities of a different provider.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities travel information. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities vacation information. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities real estate rental information. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities auctioning services including receipt of auction bids placed by said user. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities entertainment programming. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to use stored information about a user to suggest at least one of products and services to that user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user an advertisement on a product or service and enable said user to request additional information on said product or service. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user leasing information. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities is adapted to provide a user at least one of an excerpt, sample and preview of a product. 
     
     
         11 . A method to market and/or sell goods and/or services over an computer network comprising:
 Adapting a first computerized central communications facility of a first provider, to be connected in a computer network with a plurality of computerized remote communications facilities and a plurality of computerized central communications facilities of other providers,   Providing a database of information relating to goods and/or services for said first computerized central communications facility,   Employing a processor for said first computerized central communications facility, to:   a. receive from a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities a request to at least one of search, browse and access said database of said first computerized central communications facility for information of interest,   b. enable said user to at least one of search, browse and access said database of said first computerized central communications facility for information of interest, and   c. transmit said information of interest from said database at said first computerized central communications facility to said computerized remote communications facility,   Further adapting at least one of the computerized central communications facilities to provide information to enable a user to at least one of select, contact and access a database of another of the computerized central communications facilities of a different provider, and   Adapting a plurality of the computerized central communications facilities of different providers to provide a database of goods and/or services to be accessible by a user at at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities.   
     
     
         12 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities downloads operating system software to at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities. 
     
     
         13 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities downloads communications software to at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities. 
     
     
         14 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities downloads application software to at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities. 
     
     
         15 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities downloads software used to at least one of access and browse a database of at least one of the computerized central communications facilities. 
     
     
         16 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities downloads software to at least one of said computerized remote communications facilities to be retained for use in future sessions. 
     
     
         17 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities records a presentation stopping point for future use. 
     
     
         18 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities compiles at least one user's profile based on that user's use of the computer network. 
     
     
         19 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities uses a user's profile to determine what goods or services information to show that user. 
     
     
         20 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities provides a user an advertisement on a product or service and enables said user to contact another of the computerized central communications facilities to request additional information on said product or service. 
     
     
         21 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities can be contacted to request additional information on a product or service using an advertisement provided to a user by another of the computerized central communications facilities. 
     
     
         22 . Adapting the method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the computerized central communications facilities provides a user an advertisement on a product or service for which said computerized central communications facility is compensated.