Mark F Bowman

US Patent:

6460163, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Apr 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/543186

Inventors:

Mark T. Bowman - Boca Raton FL
Leslie P. Hauck - Parkland FL
Christopher J. Monahan - Boca Raton FL
Mary L. Monahan - Boca Raton FL
Victor S. Moore - Boynton Beach FL
Keith Morea - Boca Raton FL
Emily J. Ratliff - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

714819, 709203

Abstract:

In an E-commerce method for selling digital content over the Internet an FTP-like protocol is provided to carry out the delivery (download) of a purchased digital content item from a server computer to a client computer operated by the purchaser. The FTP-like communication protocol provides for error recovery during the download that does not require restarting the download from the beginning. After the download is completed the integrity of the downloaded file is checked. And the result of the check is communicated to the server which records that the digital content item has been successfully delivered to the purchaser.

US Patent:

6751736, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Mar 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/524876

Inventors:

Mark T. Bowman - Boca Raton FL
Leslie P. Hauck - Parkland FL
Christopher J. Monahan - Boca Raton FL
Mary L. Monahan - Boca Raton FL
Victor S. Moore - Boynton Beach FL
Keith Morea - Boca Raton FL
Emily J. Ratliff - Austin TX

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1130

US Classification:

713189, 713187, 713176

Abstract:

E-commerce web page forms contain an encrypted and encoded string, which contains basic information about a product for sale on the web page. Optional product data (e. g. size, color) is selected by an online shopper and transmitted with the basic information when the form is submitted to a cash register server. The form may also contain store ID information which is used to the look up the secret string needed to decrypt the product information. A method for generating the encrypted encoded string for use in the web page is described. Confidentiality is provided with regard to purchases over the Internet.

US Patent:

20030037072, Feb 20, 2003

Filed:

Nov 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/977541

Inventors:

MARK TWEED BOWMAN - BOCA RATON FL, US
JAMES M. DUNN - OCEAN RIDGE FL, US
EDITH HELEN STERN - BOCA RATON FL, US
BARRY EDWARD WILNER - BRIARCLIFF MANOR NY, US
SUSAN YEE - CORAL SPRINGS FL, US

International Classification:

G06F012/00

US Classification:

707/201000

Abstract:

This concerns a method and system for using virtual trading stamps to conduct commerce on public data networks such as the Internet. Virtual trading stamp offers are distributed through the network to network users. These offers are presented on viewable pages of material and may have ancillary or no relevance to other information presented on the same pages. Offers may be presented in the form of icons having the appearance of trading stamps. Sponsors of such offers arrange for their distribution with hosts of what are termed cool sites on the networks (e.g. operators of popular or frequently “surfed” sites). A page transmitted from a cool site may contain plural offers from one or more sponsors. Each offer/icon is linked to a program applet designed to establish network contact with a stamp server when the respective icon is selected (“clicked on”) by a viewer. The stamp server may be part of a network of inter-communicating stamp servers operated by a common stamp management service enterprise. When an applet associated with a stamp offer is activated (e.g. by selection of a respective stamp icon) the viewer's site communicates with a stamp server, the viewer's site provides information enabling the stamp server to credit an appropriate client account, or to set up a new account and add stamp credits to it. Stamp servers also function to present clients with an initial page of viewable ad or other materials furnished by sponsors of accepted stamp offers. Stamp servers also may maintain a redemption catalog of items exchangeable for credits accumulated in client accounts. Stamp servers also may operate to collect statistical data with potentially important significance (since stamp management enterprises have potentially global exposure to masses of network users associating with numerous sponsoring enterprises and institutions. Stamp servers also function to link active clients (clients accepting stamp offers) with ad servers operated by sponsors. This enables sponsors to offer additional presentations of materials to such clients.