IP Library Granted Patent US 11,068,956
Granted Patent B2
US 11,068,956 · App. 16/853,222 · Granted Jul 20, 2021

Methods, systems, and products for ordering items

Inventor: Dale Malik (Atlanta, GA)
Assignee: Shopify Inc.
G06Q30/0623G06Q10/087G06Q20/10G06Q20/12G06Q30/00G06Q30/0601G06Q30/0635G06Q30/0641G06Q50/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,068,956
App. No.
16/853,222
Granted
Jul 20, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When a selection is received for non-approved items offered by a vendor, authorization for the purchase of the item may be obtained from an administrative user. A message may be sent to an address of the administrative user to obtain the authorization.

Claims (29)

1. A method comprising:

sending, by a server, graphical storefront interface data for a graphical storefront interface to a client device for displaying items for sale by a vendor that have been pre-approved by an administrative user for purchase by a first user in association with an indication that the items have been pre-approved;

receiving, from the client device, a selection by the first user to purchase a pre-approved item;

receiving, from the client device, a selection by the first user to purchase a non-approved item offered by the vendor; and

sending a message to an address of a device associated with the administrative user to obtain an authorization to purchase the non-approved item.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the items displayed for sale are limited according to parameters set in a profile record.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing profile records of users, wherein the profile records include one or more rules configured for the first user for purchasing pre-approved and non-approved items.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the one or more rules comprises at least one of a rule that specifies which items for sale that may be purchased, a rule that specifies a time when items for sale may be purchased, and a rule that specifies how many items may be purchased.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a reminder message for display at the client device for entry of an order by the first user.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a selection by the first user to view non-approved items for sale by a vendor.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a reply message from the device associated with the administrative user authorizing the purchase of the non-approved item and in response, adding the non-approved item to an order of the first user.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising charging a payment for purchases made by the first user to the administrative user.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically adding an item selected by the administrative user for purchase based on a determination that a selection for purchase by the first user satisfies a pre-determined rule associated with the first user.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating an automatic ordering feature in which pre-approved items are automatically ordered for the first user.

11. A system for ordering items, comprising:

a processor; and a memory storing code that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

sending, by a server, graphical storefront interface data for a graphical storefront interface to a client device for displaying items for sale by a vendor that have been pre-approved by an administrative user for purchase by a first user in association with an indication that the items have been pre-approved;

receiving, from the client device, a selection by the first user to purchase a pre-approved item;

receiving, from the client device, a selection by the first user to purchase a non-approved item offered by the vendor; and

sending a message to an address of a device associated with the administrative user to obtain an authorization to purchase the non-approved item.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the items displayed for sale are limited according to parameters set in a profile record.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising storing profile records of users, wherein the profile records include one or more rules configured for the first user for purchasing pre-approved and non-approved items.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more rules comprises at least one of a rule that specifies which items for sale that may be purchased, a rule that specifies a time when items for sale may be purchased, and a rule that specifies how many items may be purchased.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise sending a reminder message for display at the client device for entry of an order by the first user.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a selection by the first user to view non-approved items for sale by a vendor.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a reply message from the device associated with the administrative user authorizing the purchase of the non-approved item and in response, adding the non-approved item to an order of the first user.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise charging a payment for purchases made by the first user to the administrative user.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise automatically adding an item selected by the administrative user for purchase based on a determination that a selection for purchase by the first user satisfies a pre-determined rule associated with the first user.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise activating an automatic ordering feature in which pre-approved items are automatically ordered for the first user.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2021
From: MALIK, DALE W.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056331/0571 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2021
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 056332/0763 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2021
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
To: SHOPIFY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056332/0843 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2021
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056351/0987 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2021
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056352/0215 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2021
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056352/0654 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 16351600 · Mar 13, 2019
Continuation 15456481 · Mar 11, 2017
Continuation 15087305 · Mar 31, 2016
Continuation 14318593 · Jun 28, 2014
Continuation 12500658 · Jul 10, 2009
Continuation 11458285 · Jul 18, 2006
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