The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating bilateral buyer-driven commerce. The present invention allows prospective buyers of goods and services to communicate a binding purchase offer globally to potential sellers, for sellers conveniently to search for relevant buyer purchase offers, and for sellers potentially to bind a buyer to a contract based on the buyer's purchase offer. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller which receives binding purchase offers from prospective buyers. The controller makes purchase offers available globally to potential sellers. Potential sellers then have the option to accept a purchase offer and thus bind the corresponding buyer to a contract. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional communications systems such as voice telephony.

Method and apparatus for a cryptographically assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate buyer-driven conditional purchase offers

A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture.

Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image

A computerized system for forming a network of buyers and vendors for processing requests for quotation for goods and services including storage means containing the identification of network members, means for network buyers to generate a request for quotation for goods and/or services, means for transmitting the request, filter means for selecting appropriate network members to receive the request based on filter conditions defined by the buyer and/or by the vendor and/or by the central processing unit, and means for responding to the generator of the request for quotation with either a response to the request or with a list of selected network members. Filter conditions may define the class of vendors in terms of geographical location, quantity, language, currency, special conditions of sale, and the like.

Computerized quotation system and method

An Electronic Commerce system (10) enables corporate purchasers (12) and suppliers (16) to electronically transact for purchase and supply of goods/services. The system includes three major hardware and software components: buyer (12), supplier (16) and bank/administrator (18, 20, 53). To enable suppliers (16) to supply goods and services online and process electronic orders, several software components are used for operating a supplier process server (40, 44) and a supplier catalog server (42). To enable corporate purchasers (12) to purchase products and services online, preferably over the Internet (14), from suppliers (16), software is used for operating a customer server (34) to which multiple users (12) may log-on and access the supplier server (40, 44). An Automated Clearing House (ACH) server (50) may be used to interface with a bank's (ACH) systems (18, 20). A service bureau (48) that supplies the hardware and/or software components and assists to administer the system (10) includes a transaction counter (52), which records transactions and charges buyers (12) and/or suppliers (16) based on the number of purchase orders and/or invoices issued.

Electronic procurement system and method for trading partners

A Call Management System provides for management of calls directly by system users at their workstation computers via a digital data network such as a digital networks not controlled via the user's telephone instruments as in prior systems. A call management computer intercepts incoming calls and controls the handling of such calls according to instructions received from the users' workstations, which are accessed via the digital data network. Trunk circuits are monitored and controlled using digital signal processors to proactively identify the called party, the calling party and the call type (voice, Fax, data) and control and to monitor all calls. Each different type of call is managed differently and automatically through direct user workstation controls and/or user-generated rules to provide special treatment for designated callers. Multiple calls to user at the same time may be handled with no busy signals to callers. Only one number is needed for a user to receive voice Fax and data calls. Fax and data transmissions are automatically received.

Call management system with call control from user workstation computers

A telecommunications system (10) is provided that provides for telephone functions to be accessed through client computer system (14). A server computer system (16) provides telephony services, database services and access to E-mail, voice mail, video conferencing and facsimile systems. A graphical user interface 116 is presented to a user to allow the user to perform a large number of functions and to access databases of information associated with calling and called parties.

Computer telephone system

An automated procurement system, in which a buyer workstation is in communication with a mainframe database that stores global data relevant to procurement documents and reports The workstation is programmed with an interactive buyer interface that displays procurement documents, provides support data to aid in decision-making, and provides various document attachments Data is uploaded and downloaded to and from the mainframe and the workstation in a manner that is transparent to the buyer

Gary C. Young

Papers

Computer telephone system

Automated procurement system with multi-system data access

Computer telephone system and method having a graphical user interface

Computer telephone system and method for associating data types with a color making the data type easily recognizable