ONLINE SHOPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH BOOKMARK FACILITATING FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[01] The present application is related to U.S. Application No. 13/975,288, filed August 26, 2013, entitled ONLINE SHOPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] The present invention relates generally to online shopping systems and methods and more specifically to online shopping systems and method systems and methods that may be initiated with bookmarked tabs.

[03] A bookmark is a feature of the web browser, and allows convenient access to a website to which the bookmark is linked or referenced. In this manner, a user can more efficiently access a desired website that has been "bookmarked" in the past providing easier Internet navigation.

[04] Most Internet websites and specifically e-commerce shopping websites such as Amazon™, Macy's™, Ralph Lauren™, Victoria's Secret™, etc., are global accessible to shoppers all over the world. On an e-ecommerce shopping website, the user can browse and select items that are desirable for purchase.

[05] After selection of the desired items is complete, the user can typically enter a shipping address where the goods are to be shipped. In other instances, however, the shopper may be located outside the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website since many e-commerce sites do not ship items to certain geographic location. As an example, the user may be located in Nigeria, Armenia, Belize, etc. or other areas typically outside a geographical shipping area of a particular shopping website.

[06] In such a case, after selection of desired items, the user may attempt to complete an order by entering the user's native shipping address. In response, the shopping website typically rejects the native address and prompts the shopper for an address within the shopping website's geographical shipping area.

[07] The shopper may become despondent as the shopper cannot purchase items available for sale on the shopping website. Although the shopper might seek and locate a different shopping website without a geographical shipping restriction, the items offered for sale by the different shopping website may not necessarily be as desirable as those items found on the shopping website with shipping restrictions.

[08] Similarly, to pay for selected items, the shopper usually enters a foreign payment type that is typically unacceptable or is not a payment type accepted by the shopping website. Upon entering such a foreign payment type, the shopping website immediately rejects the foreign payment type, again leaving the shopper with no suitable alternative but to discontinue shopping.

[09] It is within the aforementioned context that a need for the present invention has arisen. Thus, there is a need to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional systems and methods, and the present invention meets this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[10] Various aspects of an online shopping system and method for generating a bookmark tab to initiate shopping on a website that facilitates foreign transactions can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[11] In a first embodiment, available at www.mallforafrica.com, the system aggregates numerous online shopping websites for access by shoppers globally. Each shopping website is selected from independent third-party shopping websites configured to reject or prevent a shopper from completing a transaction when a foreign shipping address beyond the shopping website's geographical shipping jurisdiction is entered by the shopper.

[12] Here, the system generates a bookmark tab for storage on a browser of a shopping computer. The bookmark tab may include a web "bookmark" representative of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). The bookmark tab displays on a visible, upper region of the browser on the shopping computer.

[13] The bookmark tab can be selected by a user to initiate a shopping program via any standard browser on a server that is remotely located from the shopping computer without requiring the downloading of the shopping program directly onto the shopping computer. By negating the need to download the shopping program through use of the bookmark tab, the user can easily and efficiently visit and shop at a plurality of shopping websites.

[14] The user may then select one of a plurality of aggregated links displayed on a page upon selection of the bookmark tab. Each link selected by the user directs the user to the corresponding identifiable shopping website, where the user can begin to shop as the user would normally do. The user selects items for sale from the identifiable shopping website. The selected items populate a shopping cart of the shopping website.

[15] In one embodiment, the system and method of the present invention acquires and places the selected items in a third-party shopping cart that is independent and separate from the shopping cart of the identifiable shopping website. The third-party shopping cart is configured to check out the acquired items without use of the shopping cart from the identifiable shopping website. Thus, while the third-party shopping cart contains the same items as the shopping cart from the identifiable shopping website, the items are now available to ship to a foreign address beyond the identifiable shopping website's geographical shipping jurisdiction.

[16] The third-party shopping cart also uses the foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing and shipping the items from the seller to the foreign shipping address. The third-party shopping cart also receives a foreign payment type typically rejected by the shopping website. The system then uses a local shipping address and local payment type to consummate the transaction and to receive and to schedule shipping of the purchased item(s) to the foreign address. [17] In another embodiment, the system aggregates numerous online shopping websites for access by shoppers globally. Each shopping website is selected from independent third-party shopping websites configured to reject or prevent a shopper from completing a transaction when a foreign shipping address beyond the shopping website's geographical shipping jurisdiction is entered by the shopper.

[18] The system may be launched based on software downloaded from a server. Upon launch, the system displays an aggregation of links or representations thereof that correspond to the shopping websites. Each link selected by a shopper directs the shopper to the corresponding single shopping website, where the shopper can begin to shop as the shopper would normally do .

[19] The system displays items for purchase placed in a shopping cart of the shopping website, acquires the items for sale from the shopping cart and then generates a third-party shopping cart. The items for purchase are used to populate the third -party shopping cart. Here, this third-party shopping cart is configured to receive the foreign shipping address rejected by the single shopping website.

[20] The third-party shopping cart also uses the foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing and shipping the items from the seller to the foreign shipping address. The third-party shopping cart also receives a foreign payment type typically rejected by the shopping website. The system then uses a local shipping address and local payment type to consummate the transaction and to receive and to schedule shipping of the purchased item(s) to the foreign address.

[21] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [22] FIG. 1 illustrates an online global shopping server system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[23] FIG. 2A illustrates a global shopping server system and its components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [24] FIG. 2B illustrates a user/shopper system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[25] FIG. 3 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[26] FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser with a dialog box communicating information and prompting for a response according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[27] FIG. 5 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser with HTML code for designing a bookmark tab according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [28] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser responsive to selection of a link to an identifiable shopping website according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[29] FIG. 7 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying one or more items on the identifiable shopping website according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[30] FIG. 8 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying a bookmark tab prompting for login information and populating a shopping cart with the items according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[31] FIG. 9 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying a bookmark tab prompting checkout information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[32] FIG. 10 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying a bookmark tab placing acquired items into a third-party shopping cart to ship to a foreign address beyond the identifiable shopping website's geographical shipping jurisdiction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[33] FIG. 11 illustrates an e-commerce shopping method for generating a bookmark tab to initiate shopping on a website according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[34] FIG. 12 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[35] FIG. 13 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [36] FIG. 14 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying a single website according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[37] FIG. 15 illustrates a shopping browser responsive to selection of a site cart button according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[38] FIG. 16 illustrates a shopping browser displaying an authentication form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[39] FIG. 17 illustrates an account profile page for a registered user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[40] FIG. 18 illustrates a shopping browser displaying an add-to-cart form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [41] FIG. 19 illustrates a shopping browser showing a third-party shopping cart according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[42] FIG. 20 illustrates a shopping browser displaying a price calculation form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[43] FIG. 21 illustrates a shopping browser showing a place order form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[44] FIG. 22 illustrates a shopping browser showing a place order form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [45] FIG. 23 illustrates an e-commerce shopping method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[46] FIG. 24A illustrates a typical computer such as would be operated by a user on the Internet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [47] FIG. 24B illustrates shows subsystems of the computer of FIG. 24 A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[48] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.

[49] FIG. 1 illustrates online global shopping system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[50] In FIG. 1, online global shopping system 100 comprises user (shopper) 102 communicably coupled to global shopping server system 104 via Internet/communication network 106. Although illustrated as a desktop computing device, user 102 may be a person using such a desktop computing device for shopping. Such a computing device would typically include one or more processors and corresponding memory (not shown). Here, Internet/communication network 106 may be any communication network, wired or wireless that allows data transfer from one point to another. [51] In FIG. 1, online global shopping system 100 further comprises a plurality of merchant websites namely merchant website 108, merchant website 110 and merchant website 112, all of which are also communicably coupled to global shopping server system 104 as well as user 102 via Internet/communication network 106. User 102 can utilize global shopping server system 104 to facilitate access to a shopping website served up by merchant website 108, merchant website 110 or merchant website 112.

[52] Here, global shopping server system 104 facilitates shopping by user 102 on merchant websites 108, 110 and 112 even though user 102 is located in shipping region A, which is beyond the geographical shipping boundary of merchant websites 108, 110 and 112. As shown, the geographical shipping boundary of merchant websitesl08, 110 and 112 is shipping region B.

[53] Note, however, that user 102 can shop at merchant website 116 and merchant website 118 without employing global shopping server system 104 because the user is within the shipping region A. Thus, conventionally, merchant website 116 and merchant website 118 can ship goods to user 102 located within its geographical shipping boundary, shipping region A. However, merchant websites 116 and 118 will not ship goods to user (shopper) 114 located in a different geographical shipping area.

[54] Similarly, traditionally, merchant website 108, merchant website 110 and merchant website 112 are located in shipping region B and do not ship products or items purchased via its website to user 102 located in shipping region A, which is beyond their geographical shipping boundary.

[55] Thus, global shopping server system 104 facilitates shopping across geographical shipping boundaries. As will be further discussed, global shopping server system 104 also facilitates shopping by permitting acceptance of foreign payment types that would ordinarily not be accepted by certain shopping websites.

[56] In FIG. 1, online global shopping system 100 also comprises user 114 communicably coupled to merchant websites 116 and 118 via global shopping server system 104. Global shopping server system 104 facilitates shopping between user 114 and merchant websites 116, 118 since the user and merchants are located in different geographical shipping areas, wherein such shopping would otherwise not occur without global shopping server system 104. [57] Referring to FIG. 1, note that while user 102 has been depicted as conducting shopping from a location outside the geographical shipping area of merchant websites 108, 110, 112, this shopping may be conducted on behalf of user 102 by a user/device located within the geographical shipping area of each merchant website.

[58] Use and operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 2A-24B below.

[59] FIG. 2A illustrates global shopping server system 104 and its components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[60] In FIG. 2A, global shopping server system 104 comprises web/application server 202 that responds to HTTP (HyperTextTransportProtocol) requests from users and shoppers and might provide software abstractions for commonly used services. As an example, upon request from user 102, web/application server 202 might serve up a webpage with an aggregation of links for a plurality of shopping websites. User 102 may then select a desired link to initiate online shopping.

[61] Web/application server 202 might be solely hardware, software or a combination of both. Although not shown, one skilled in the art will realize that other comparable means for performing the functionality of web/application server 202 may be employed.

[62] In FIG. 2A, global shopping server system 104 also comprises authentication module 204 that validates user access to online global shopping system 100. Authentication module 204 might register user 102, generating a user ID, password and storing other personal information to create a personal profile for user 102. A foreign shipping address to which purchased goods can be shipped is also included in such a personal profile. Authentication module 204 can authenticate previously registered users and validate their rights to access the network to conduct shopping for desired items.

[63] In FIG. 2A, global shopping server system 104 also includes commerce module 206 that facilitates payment by user 102 for purchases made by said user. Commerce module 206, itself, includes shopping cart module 208, payment module 210 and shipping module 212. [64] Shopping cart module 208 generates shopping cart 800 (FIG. 8) in order to consummate shopping transactions as will be further described below. Note that shopping cart 800 is populated with the items, which are then placed in a third-party shopping cart 1002 (FIG. 10) that is generated independent of the shopping cart 800 associated with a shopping website on which user 102 is shopping.

[65] In FIG. 2A, payment module 210 accepts and processes payments from user 102 and appropriately debits a user account for purchases. Payment module 210 typically includes one or more lines of software code configured to process foreign payment types such as credits cards, web cards and local currency that are unacceptable to shopping websites outside of the shopping website shipping jurisdiction.

[66] Shipping module 212 coordinates shipping of items to the foreign address of user 102. Global shopping server system 104 also includes data store 214 for storing a plurality of information including but not limited to names, addresses, payment information, link information, etc. All components hereinbefore mentioned might be solely hardware, software or a combination of both. Components might include computer coding languages based on C++, HTML, XML, for example.

[67] FIG. 2B illustrates user 102 desktop computing device and its components according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[68] In FIG. 2A, user 102 includes shopping-specific browser 300 and client authentication module 220 that operate with authentication module 204 (FIG. 2A) to validate user access to the network. User 102 also includes client commerce module 222 operating with commerce module 206 (FIG. 2A) to facilitate payment for purchased goods.

[69] User 102 also includes data store 224 that might store payment information, authentication information or other relevant user information. Although data store 224 is shown as being externally connected to user 102, data store 224 may be internal and may represent memory of file and the like.

[70] In use, user 102 begins by generating a bookmark tab 302 in a shopping-specific browser 300. A set of installation instruction 310, which may include a Wizard, help the user 102 generate the bookmark tab 302. User 102 can code in specific designs, colors, and positions for the bookmark tab 302 to create a customized look and feel to the browser 300. The bookmark tab 302 enables access to an aggregation of shopping links 600 (FIG. 6) on a single page on the browser 300.

[71] In one embodiment, the code associated with bookmark tab 302, that is the code that is executed when bookmark tab 302 is selected may be: [72] javascript :(function(){var d = new Date(); version =

d.getDate()+""+d.getMonth()+""+d.getFullYear();var a=document.createElement("script"); a.src= document, location.protocol +"//www.mallforafrica.com/mfa_tool/

scr.js?v="+version;var b=document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0];b.appendChild(a)} )

()· [73] In this specific implementation, selection of bookmark tab 302 may initiate a java script program scr.js that among other functionalities displays an aggregation of predetermined shopping links 600 from which a shopper may shop. An advantage of using bookmark tab 302 is that said bookmark tab 302 can be stored on any standard browser including but not limited to Internet Explorer™, Chrome™, FireFox™, etc. In this manner, when bookmark tab 302 is selected, the shopping program can run within any standard browser unlike a related patent application, also co-owned by the present inventor, in which the shopping program runs within a nonstandard browser. The present application provides immense flexibility in permitting a user to employ any standard web browser to perform shopping (on predetermined sites) as they would normally do without the shopping program. [74] Upon initiating a browser, and when bookmark tab 302, is selected to initiate the shopping program, the shopping program determines whether the browser is located at one of the predetermined URLs for the shopping websites within the shopping program. If so, the shopping program attempts to generate a third-party shopping cart that can be used for checking out as described below. Otherwise, the shopping program displays a plurality of predetermined thumbnails or aggregation of link for predetermined websites in which the user can shop.

[75] Bookmark tab 302 displays from the browser 302 to initiate a shopping program. Bookmark tab 302 is configured to access only predetermined and identifiable shopping websites 604 that are compatible with and operable with the shopping-specific browser 300. Bookmark tab 302 has been specifically coded to operate with said

predetermined websites. Such predetermined shopping websites 604 may include, without limitation, Amazon.com™, Macys.com™, RalphLauren.com™, VictoriasSecret.com™, for example.

[76] Note that each shopping website 604 is independent of other shopping websites 604. Thus, merchant website 108 may be Amazon.com™ while merchant website 110 may be Walmart.com™, which is unaffiliated with Amazon.com. Further, merchant website 112 may be GAP.com™, all of said aforementioned merchant websites are available via shopping-specific browser 218.

[77] In one embodiment, over 70 shopping websites 604 that users can access are predetermined and included in shopping-specific browser 300. One skilled in the art will realize that shopping-specific browser 300 may include access to either more or fewer shopping websites 604 for user access.

[78] After bookmark tab 302 has been generated, user 102 may log in to global shopping server system 104 by providing a username, password and other

authentication information. Authentication module 204 creates a user account and shares the authentication data with client authentication module 220. Upon completion of generation of bookmark tab 302 and registration of user 102, the browser 300 can be launched to display a user interface.

[79] FIG. 3 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping-specific browser 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [80] User 102 generates a bookmark tab 302 to initiate shopping on an identifiable shopping website 604 that facilitates foreign transactions by user 102 (FIG. 1). The bookmark tab 304 can be selected by user 102 to initiate the shopping program on a web/application server 202 that is remotely located from the shopping computer 10 without requiring the downloading of the shopping program directly onto the shopping computer 10. By negating the need to download the shopping program, and instead generate the bookmark tab 302, the user 102 can more easily and efficiently visit and shop at an aggregate of shopping websites 604.

[81] The shopping website 604 may be a single predetermined and identifiable shopping website for a merchant/website 108 (FIG. 1). In essence, user 102 orders one or more items 602 from an identifiable shopping website 604, populates a shopping cart 800 (FIG. 8) in the identifiable shopping website 604, transfers the items 602 to a third-party shopping cart 1002 (FIG. 10) at a correlating website (i.e., mallforafrica.com), and receives the items 602 at a foreign shipping address.

[82] In a first embodiment, available at www.mallforafrica.com, user 102 generates bookmark tab 302 for storage on a browser 300 of a shopping computer (user 102). Bookmark tab 302 is configured to initiate a shopping program on a server 202 remotely located from the shopping computer 102 without downloading the shopping program onto the shopping computer 102. In one embodiment, bookmark tab 302 includes a web "bookmark" representative of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). The bookmark tab 302 displays on a visible, upper region of the browser on the shopping computer 102. The design and placement of the bookmark tab 302 can be controlled by user 102.

[83] FIG. 4 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser 300 with a dialog box 400 communicating information and prompting for a response according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[84] The generation of the bookmark tab 302 can include a dialog box 400 that prompts user 102 to select whether a bookmark tab 302 is desired, and the amount and type of bookmark tabs 302 (FIG. 4). For example, the dialog box 400 prompts user 102 as to whether wants to add a specific bookmark tab 302.

[85] FIG. 5 illustrates a screen shot of a browser 300 with HTML code 500 for designing a bookmark tab 302 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[86] The design and look of the bookmark tab 302 can be regulated through HTML code 500 that is accessible from a main display area 304. The HTML code 500 can be written or altered as desired by the user 102 to control the bookmark tab 302. In this manner, the position, color, dimensions, and associated link for the bookmark tab 302 can be customized. In one embodiment, the bookmark tab 302 is part of a bookmark toolbar 308 on the browser 300. The bookmark toolbar 308 comprising a plurality of bookmark tabs 304. Those skilled in the art will recognize that HTML code 500 is the standard markup language for designing websites. The HTML code 500 includes tags, which are rewritten to make the desired changes and additions. However, in other embodiments, other types of code may be used, including, without limitation, Java script, Java, and C. [87] In one alternative embodiment, the system 104 enables management of the shopping websites 604 from the bookmark toolbar 308. The bookmark toolbar 308 utilizes sufficient statistical and data collection functions to monitor visits to the bookmark tab 302 and the aggregation of identifiable shopping websites 604.

[88] The monitoring tools are efficacious for monitoring visits to each identifiable shopping website 604 by: 1) storing an address and a visit count for each identifiable shopping website 604 visited on the browser 300; and 2) replacing the identifiable shopping website 604 with a new shopping website (not shown) if a

predetermined number of visit counts is not achieved. In this manner, the system 104 can enhance the profitability and ease of use by removing less popular shopping websites and replacing them with more relevant shopping websites.

[89] In another alternative embodiment, the bookmark tab 302 has a dynamic attribute, such as a dynamic link that connects to eclectic types of websites and networks. In yet another alternative embodiment, the system 104 enables a user 102 to create a unique bookmark tab (not shown) for one of the shopping links 600, wherein selection of the unique bookmark tab initiates a link to a unique shopping website. For example, a "Favorites" bookmark provides fast access to historically visited shopping websites.

[90] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen shot of a browser 300 responsive to selection of a shopping link 600 to an identifiable shopping website 604 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[91] The aggregation of shopping links 600 are displayed on a single page on the browser 300 of the shopping computer 10. Each link 600 corresponds to a uniquely identifiable shopping website 604. The shopping link 600 may cause a target document to display in main display area 304 (FIG. 3) or a secondary window. Each shopping link 600 correlates to a shopping website 604 that is coded to reject user's 102 foreign shipping address.

[92] In one embodiment, a shopping website 604 for Armani Exchange™ displays. Additional identifiable shopping websites 604 may include, without limitation, Amazon.com™, Macys.com™, RalphLauren.com™, VictoriasSecret.com™. It is noted that the browser 300 is configured to prevent entry of a URL for a shopping website 604 that is not included or aggregated within the shopping-specific browser 300. Thus, for example, the user 102 may not enter the address of any other shopping website 604 within the address bar 302.

[93] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many identifiable shopping websites 604 restrict shipments to foreign shipping addresses. Thus, after selecting desired items 602 for purchase from Armani Exchange™, if user 102 attempts to enter a shipping address that is beyond the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website 604, the shipping address is rejected and the shopping transaction may be discontinued until a valid shipping address is entered.

[94] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the shopping websites 604 associated with the shopping links 600 are configured to reject any foreign shipping address that is not within the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website 604.

Specifically, each of these identifiable shopping websites 604 is configured not to ship to certain geographical locations that is outside its geographical boundary. Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that the browser 300 facilitates shopping on any one of these shopping sites herein included and facilitates shipping to a foreign address of the user 102.

[95] As noted, each identifiable shopping website 604 here is configured not to ship to certain geographical locations. Thus, user 102 residing in Belize, for example, might shop on Macys.com™ for example, selecting and placing desired items 602 in a Macy's shopping cart. However, Macys.com™ will thereafter reject any address that is native to Belize. Using an embodiment of the present invention, user 102 can shop on Macys.com™ and have the purchased items 602 shipped to Belize.

[96] FIG. 7 illustrates a screen shot of a browser 300 displaying one or more items 602 on the identifiable shopping website 604 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[97] The user 102 acquires one or more items 602 from the identifiable shopping website 604 by engaging with the shopping program. The items 602 may include a product or service sold online. Possible items 602 may include, without limitation, garments, furniture, tires, foods, chemicals, cleaning services, maintenance services, and delivery services. The user 102 selects from different parameters 702 to choose the desired items 602. For example, when acquiring garments, parameters 702 such as color, waist size, and style can be selected from drop boxes (FIG. 7). [98] The user 102 can acquire the items 602 by selecting a link 600 from the aggregated links 600 on main display area 304. In response, a target document, namely the single shopping website 604 associated with the link 600, is displayed. The identifiable shopping website 604 is independent and generally operates separately from other shopping websites 604. The single shopping website 604 can receive selections from user desktop computing device, such as computer 10 (FIG. 12A) to select items 602 that user 102 wishes to purchase.

[99] FIG. 8 illustrates a screen shot of a browser 300 displaying a bookmark tab 302 prompting for login information and populating a shopping cart 800 with the items 602 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[100] After bookmark tab 302 has been generated and items 602 acquired, user 102 may log in to global shopping server system 104 through a login box 802 by providing a username, password and other authentication information. The login box 802 includes an email address text area 804 allows the system to store user's 102 email address for future communications. The login box 802 also includes a password text area 806 and a secret word text area 808 to provide additional security features.

[101] During the log in process, the system 104 may create an account profile (not shown) that includes an address book. The address book provides storage for entering a shipping address or updating an existing one for storage. Such information may be stored in data store 214 (FIG. 2A) or data store 224 (FIG. 2B), for example.

[102] The address stored in address book is the foreign shipping address to which all items 602 or goods ordered by user 102 are to be delivered irrespective of the shopping website 604 in which the items 602 are ordered. User 102 can also edit a profile to modify or enter a name, address, phone number or other personal information. Once the user's 102 credentials are validated, shopping website 604 illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed.

[103] Once selected by user 102, the items 602 are typically placed in the shopping cart 800 (FIG. 8) of the shopping website 604. The shopping program displays the one or more items 602 for sale in the shopping cart for retrieval and further functions. The items 602, along with quantity, price, and special notations are displayed for the user 102. [104] In one example, an add-to-cart form (not shown) displays two selected items 602 acquired from a merchant website and/or shopping cart 800, that is, from an Armani Exchange™ shopping cart. Add-to-cart form allows user 102 to either add or remove items 602 selected for purchase from merchant websites from third-party shopping cart 1002 (FIG. 10) that is generated by shopping cart module 208 (FIG. 2A).

[105] FIG. 9 illustrates a screen shot of a browser 300 displaying a bookmark tab 302 prompting checkout information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[106] A check-out box 900 itemizes the completed order. The check-out box 900 can include information about the quantity, type, price, and shipping information for the items 602. A shipping information text box 902 is filed by the user 102 to provide shipping and billing information.

[107] The name, local address, and other contact information can populate the shipping information text box 902. An order summary box 906 summarizes the complete order. In one embodiment, the order summary changes dynamically as the user makes amendments to the order. User 102 can finalize order by clicking a Check-Out Button 904.

[108] FIG. 10 illustrates a screen shot of a shopping browser displaying a bookmark tab placing acquired items 602 into a third-party shopping cart 1002 to ship to a foreign shipping address beyond the identifiable shopping website's 604 geographical shipping jurisdiction according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[109] Once the items 602 for purchase are displayed, a third-party shopping cart 1002 is populated with the items 602. The third-party shopping cart 1002 also receives and stores the foreign shipping address in the data store 214 (or 224).

[110] Note that third-party shopping cart 1002 can employ this foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing the items 602 and for shipping such items 602 to user 102 to the desired foreign shipping address. The foreign shipping address is the final destination of the purchased items 602. A delivery method drop-down box 1004 can be used to select between door step delivery of the items 602, or pickup from a central depository. [111] After populating the third-party shopping cart 1002, payment is received from user 102 for the total fee for purchasing and shipping the items 602 from the identifiable shopping website 604 to the foreign shipping address. Here, the payment is a foreign payment type (native to user 102), a web card or the like on which user 102 might have previously loaded funds. A payment method drop-down box 1006 can be used to select method of payment.

[112] Based on any one of these pickup methods, a total price or fee for purchasing items 602 from merchants is calculated. Here, the total price excluding shipping for purchasing the two items 602 from Armani.com™ is calculated at $966.00. Upon selecting confirm purchase button 1106, the place order form 1202 of FIG. 12 is displayed.

[113] Payment types 710 that are native to user 102 are shown. User 102 can choose any of these foreign payment types for payment. In one possible example, user 102 can select MFA Web Card for payment, and upon selecting the appropriate web card, user 102 selects place order button 700 (FIG. 7) to place the order.

[114] The global shopping server system 104 submits to the identifiable shopping website 604, a web payment for purchasing the items 602 and for shipping the purchased items 602 to the local shipping address. Here, the web payment might be a local payment type that is typically acceptable to the single shopping website 604. Soon thereafter, a shipment is scheduled to ship the items 602 ordered from the local shipping address or central repository to the foreign shipping address.

[115] A confirmation box 1000 itemizes the final order and provides one last chance to make amendments to the order prior to submission. The confirmation box 1000 also has links for logging out of the system 104, closing the confirmation box 1000. The payment method and delivery method are also displayed.

[116] In one embodiment, once the order is placed, payment module 210 (FIG. 2A) receives the payment and validates the payment before crediting user's 102 account with payment. Commerce module 206 then initiates contact with the merchant website, Amazon.com™ to complete the transaction by placing an order for the two items 602 purchased by user 102. [117] Specifically, commerce module 206 places an order for the selected items 602. In one possible example, commerce module 206 uses an HTC Thunderbolt Crystal Clear Screen Protector (not shown) and an HTC Thunderbolt 4G LTE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) (not shown). For payment, payment module 210 provides a local payment type 710, namely a type of fiduciary collection that is traditionally accepted by Amazon.com™ such as a Visa or Master Card for payment.

[118] Commerce module 206 also confirms the local shipping address that is on file at Amazon.com™. Commerce module 206 also submits a local shipping address that is within the geographical shipping jurisdiction of Amazon.com™. In turn, Amazon.com™ then ships the products and ordered items 602 to the local shipping address.

[119] Contemporaneously or after the purchased items 602 are received at the local shipping address, shipping module 212 schedules the shipping of the ordered items 602 from the local shipping address to the foreign shipping address of user 102.

[120] For example, the user 102 can choose to have the items 602 shipped directly to their door, or to a central pickup location for a lower price. Proximate locations for pickup may include West African cities, such as, Abuja Pickup, Kano Pickup, Lagos Pickup, etc. In one example, one possible pickup location in West Africa can include:

MallBoxes VI Customer Service Center / MallforAfrica

Victoria Island - Branch (Main Office)

234B Muri Okunola Street

1st Floor - (Directly Opposite DHL)

Victoria Island, Lagos

[121] FIG. 11 illustrates an e-commerce shopping method 1100 for generating a bookmark tab 302 to initiate shopping on an identifiable shopping website 604 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[122] In FIG. 11, method 1100 generates a bookmark tab 302 to initiate shopping on an identifiable shopping website 604 that facilitates foreign transactions by user 102 (FIG. 1). The shopping website 604 may be a merchant/website 108 (FIG. 1), merchant/website 110 or merchant/website 112. In essence, user 102 orders one or more items 602 from an identifiable shopping website 604, populates a shopping cart 800 in the identifiable shopping website 604, transfers the items 602 to a third-party shopping cart 1002 at a correlating website (i.e., mallforafrica.com), and receives the items 602 at a foreign address.

[123] At block 1102, method 1100 involves generating a bookmark tab 302 on a browser 300, and is executed by user's 102 desktop computing device. In an alternate embodiment, method 1100 might be executed by the shopping computer 10 in conjunction with global shopping server system 104 (FIG. 2).

[124] In a first embodiment, available at www.mallforafrica.com, user 102 generates bookmark tab 302 for storage on a browser 300 of a shopping computer 10.

Bookmark tab 302 is configured to initiate a shopping program on a server 202 remotely located from the shopping computer 10 without downloading the shopping program onto the shopping computer 10. In one embodiment, bookmark tab 302 includes a web "bookmark" representative of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI). The bookmark tab 302 displays on a visible, upper region of the browser on the shopping computer 10.

[125] The generation of the bookmark tab 302 can include a dialog box 400 that prompts user 102 to select whether a bookmark tab 302 is desired, and the amount and type of bookmark tabs 302. Additionally, the design and look of the bookmark tab 302 can be regulated through HTML code 500 that is accessible from the main display area 304 (FIG. 5). The code 50 can be written or altered as desired by the user 102 to control the bookmark tab 302. In this manner, the position, color, dimensions, and associated link for the bookmark tab 302 can be customized.

[126] At block 1104, upon user-selection of the bookmark tab 302, the shopping program is initiated to retrieve an aggregation of shopping links 600 for the shopping websites 604 from a data store 202. The data store 202 may include, without limitation, a web application server, a database, a processor, a cloud network, and an intranet. [127] Access to popular shopping websites 604 incorporated in the data store

202 may include, without limitation, Amazon.com™ via thumbnail 1206A, Walmart.com™ via thumbnail 1206B, GAP.com™ vial thumbnail 1206C and RalphLauren.com™ and a plurality of other sites as shown. Note that each shopping website 604 is independent of other shopping websites 604. [128] Thus, merchant website 108 may be Amazon.com™ while merchant website 110 may be Walmart.com™, which is unaffiliated with Amazon.com. Further, merchant website 112 may be GAP.com™ all of said aforementioned merchant websites are available via shopping-specific browser 218.

[129] The aggregation of shopping links 600 are displayed on a single page on the browser 30 of the shopping computer 10. The bookmark tab 302 can be selected by user 102 to initiate the shopping program on a server 202 that is remotely located from the shopping computer 10 without requiring the downloading of the shopping program directly onto the shopping computer 10. By negating the need to download the shopping program, and instead generate the bookmark tab 302, the user can more easily and efficiently visit and shop at an aggregate of identifiable shopping websites 604.

[130] Each link 600 corresponds to a uniquely identifiable shopping website 604. Each link 600 may cause a target document to display in main display area 304 (FIG. 3) or a secondary window. Each aggregated link 600 is also for an identifiable shopping website 604 that is coded to reject user's 102 foreign shipping address.

[131] Thus, after selecting desired items 602 for purchase, if user 102 attempts to enter a shipping address that is beyond the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website 604, the shipping address is rejected and the shopping transaction may be discontinued until a valid shipping address is entered.

[132] At block 1106, user 102 acquires one or more items 602 for sale from the identifiable shopping website 604 by engaging with the shopping program. The items 602 may include a product or service sold online. The user 102 selects from different parameters 702 to choose the desired items 602. For example, when acquiring garments, parameters 702 such as color, waist size, and style can be selected from drop boxes, check boxes, or typed text (FIG. 7).

[133] The user 102 can acquire the items 602 by selecting a link 600 from the aggregated links 600 on main display area 304. In response, a target document, namely the identifiable shopping website 604 associated with the link 600, is displayed. The identifiable shopping website 604 is independent and generally operates separately from other shopping websites 604. The single shopping website 604 can receive selections from user desktop computing device, such as computer 10 (FIG. 12 A) to select items 602 that user 102 wishes to purchase. The items 602 for purchase are typically placed in the shopping cart 800 of the shopping website 604.

[134] At block 1108, the items 602 populate a shopping cart 800 of the identifiable shopping website 604 prior to completing a purchase transaction. The shopping program displays the one or more items 602 for sale in the shopping cart 800 for retrieval and further functions. The items 602, along with quantity, price, and special notations are displayed for the user 102.

[135] At block 1110, the method 1100 places the acquired items 602 for sale in a third-party shopping cart 1002, independent and separate from the shopping cart 800 of the identifiable shopping website 604. The third-party shopping cart 1002 is configured to check out the acquired items 602 without use of the shopping cart 800 from the identifiable shopping website 604. Thus, while the third-party shopping cart 1002 contains the same items 602 as the shopping cart 800 from the identifiable shopping website 604, the items 602 are now available to ship to a foreign address beyond the identifiable shopping website's 604 geographical shipping jurisdiction.

[136] Once the items 602 are displayed, method 1100 acquires and uses the items 602 to populate third-party shopping cart 1002 and to receive and store the foreign shipping address in data store 214 (or 224). Note that third-party shopping cart 1002 can employ this foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing the items 602 and for shipping such items 602 to user 102 to the foreign shipping address. The foreign shipping address is the final destination of the purchased items 602.

[137] Payment is received from user 102 for the total fee for purchasing and shipping the items 602 from the single shopping website 604 to the foreign shipping address. Here, the payment is a foreign payment type 710 (native to user 102), a web card or the like on which user 102 might have previously loaded funds.

[138] Based on any one of these pickup methods, a total price or fee for purchasing items 602 from merchants 108, 110 is calculated. Here, the total price excluding shipping for purchasing the two items 602 from Amazon.com™ is calculated at $450.61. Upon selecting confirm purchase button 1106, a place order form (not shown) may be displayed. [139] At block 1112, the third-party shopping cart 1002 accepts a foreign shipping address that is reject-able for shipping by said identifiable shopping website 604. A local shipping address within the geographical shipping boundary of the identifiable shopping website 604, is transmitted by global shopping server system 104 to the ientifiable shopping website 604. This local shipping address might be a central transitory repository in which items 602 ordered by users globally can be received for subsequent shipping to the user 102. In this manner, user 102 can purchase items 602 from the single shopping website 604 by simply providing their foreign shipping address and not a local shipping address.

[140] The third-party shopping cart 1002 also uses the foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing and shipping the items 602 from a store shipping address of the identifiable shopping website 604 to the foreign shipping address.

[141] In one example, user 102 can employ the place order form to calculate a fee for shipping the purchased items 602 from the merchant website 108, 110 (e.g., Amazon.com) to the foreign address or foreign pick up location. For example, as shown by shipping price 704, the shipping fee from ArmaniExchange.com to Lagos Pickup is calculated at $7.00.

[142] User 102 can select payment drop-down bar 706 that enables selection of one of various payment types 710. Based on such selection, order total 708 is generated. Here, as shown, order total 708 is $996.00. The exemplary place order form also allows selection of a foreign payment method.

[143] Additionally, a price calculation form (not shown) generated by payment module 210 (FIG. 2A) determines the product total, duties and handling fees, sales tax, if any, and shipping price depending on the shipping method selected. User 102 may have various shipping options. User 102 may choose to have purchased items 602 shipped directly to them or may select a proximate location from which the purchased item(s) 602 can be picked up. Proximate locations include Abuja Pickup, Kano Pickup, Lagos Pickup, etc.

[144] At block 1114, the third-party shopping cart 1002 receives a foreign payment type 710 typically rejected by the identifiable shopping website 604. The system 104 then uses a local shipping address and local payment type to consummate the transaction and to receive and to schedule shipping of the purchased item(s) to the foreign address. [145] Payment types 710 that are native to user 102 are shown. User 102 can choose any of these foreign payment types 710 for payment. In one possible example, user 102 can select MFA Web Card for payment, and upon selecting the appropriate web card, user 102 selects place order button 700 (FIG. 7) to place the order. [146] The method 1100 employs global shopping server system 104 to submit to the single shopping website 604, a web payment for purchasing the items 602 and for shipping the items 602 to the local shipping address. Here, the web payment might be a local payment type that is typically acceptable to the single shopping website 604. Soon thereafter, a shipment is scheduled to ship the items 602 ordered from the local shipping address or central repository to the foreign shipping address.

[147] FIG. 12 illustrates a screen shot of shopping-specific browser 218 (FIG. 2B) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[148] In FIG. 12, shopping-specific browser 218 has been launched by user 102. Shopping-specific browser 218 includes address bar 1202 that functions to indicate the URL of a destination shopping website. Shopping-specific browser 218 also includes dropdown button 1204 which, upon selection by user 102 (FIG. 1), displays a plurality of shopping website URLs that are associated with shopping-specific browser 218.

[149] Specifically, shopping-specific browser 218 includes an aggregation of links, represented by thumbnails 1206, for a plurality of shopping websites. Thumbnails 1206 are displayed in main display area 1207 of shopping-specific browser 218. In one embodiment, the availability of aggregation of links represented by thumbnails 1206 is determined by web/application server 202 of FIG. 2A.

[150] In FIG. 12, selection of each thumbnail 1206 launches the corresponding website associated with that thumbnail. Here, as can be seen, shopping- specific browser 218 provides direct access, in one embodiment, to over 70 shopping websites and facilitates shipping from such shopping websites to a foreign shipping address of the user 102.

[151] As shown in FIG. 12, access to popular shopping websites incorporated herein include Amazon.com™ via thumbnail 1206A, Walmart.com™ via thumbnail 1206B, GAP.com™ vial thumbnail 1206C and RalphLauren.com™ via thumbnail 1206D and a plurality of other sites as shown. Note that each shopping website here is independent of other shopping websites.

[152] Thus, merchant website 108 may be Amazon.com™ while merchant website 110 may be Walmart.com™, which is unaffiliated with Amazon.com. Further, merchant website 112 may be GAP.com™, all of said aforementioned merchant websites are available via shopping-specific browser 218.

[153] In FIG. 12, note that the shopping websites associated with the thumbnails 1206 links are configured to reject any foreign shipping address that is not within the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website. Specifically, each of these independent shopping websites is configured not to ship to certain geographical locations that is outside its geographical boundary. Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that shopping-specific browser 218 facilitates shopping on any one of these sites herein included and facilitates shipping to a foreign address of the shopper.

[154] As noted, each shopping website here is configured not to ship to certain geographical locations. Thus, user 102 residing in Belize, for example, might shop on Macys.com™ for example, selecting and placing desired items in a Macy's shopping cart. However, Macys.com™ will thereafter reject any address that is native to Belize. Using an embodiment of the present invention, user 102 can shop on Macys.com™ and have the purchased items shipped to Belize. [155] It is noted that shopping-specific browser 218 is configured to prevent entry of a URL for a shopping website that is not included or aggregated within shopping- specific browser 218. Thus, for example, the user may not enter the address of any other shopping website within address bar 1202.

[156] Since many shopping websites display information in different ways, entry of the URL of a shopping website not previously aggregated in shopping-specific browser 218 will cause shopping-specific browser 218 not to recognize or process such website. Once user 102 has launched shopping-specific browser 218 as shown in FIG. 12, user 102 can then select a desired shopping website from the plurality of shopping websites available to conduct online shopping. [157] In one embodiment, user 102 may access the desired shopping website by selecting the appropriate thumbnail 1206 to access the website. In another embodiment, user 102 can select the drop-down bar 1204 and highlight the appropriate URL for the website as shown in FIG. 13. [158] When user 102 selects a desired thumbnail 1206 or a link associated with it, main display area 1207 displays the shopping website associated with the selected link. For example, selection of thumbnail 1206B displays the landing page for

Walmart.com™. Unlike conventional systems, only a single shopping website associated with that link is displayed. User 102 can shop at this single website and other single independent shopping websites associated with each thumbnail 1206 of shopping-specific browser 218.

[159] FIG. 13 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[160] In FIG. 13, user 102 has selected drop-down bar 1204 to display a plurality of website URLs 1208 that can be accessed by shopping-specific browser 218. As previously noted, access to the shopping websites is predetermined and is incorporated into shopping-specific browser 218. As shown in FIG. 13, user 102 wishes to shop on

Amazon.com™ and has employed drop-down bar 1204 to select this shopping website as further illustrated in FIG. 14. [161] FIG. 14 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 displaying a single website according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[162] In FIG. 14, based upon user selection, the single website Amazon.com™ website 1412 is displayed in main display area 1207 of shopping-specific browser 218. As can be seen, address bar 1202 indicates the URL for Amazon.com;

shopping-specific browser 218 requested and is displaying the landing page of

Amazon.com™ in main display area 1207.

[163] Another advantage of the present invention is that any shopping website selected by user 102 is displayed within shopping-specific browser 218 as the shopping website would regularly display with a conventional browser (i.e., without shopping-specific browser 218). Thus, user 102 has flexibility to interact with the website as the user would normally do without shopping-specific browser 218.

[164] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, shopping-specific browser 218 also includes site cart button 1422. In an alternate embodiment, a site cart button need not be provided. In such a case, the functionality of the site cart button is provided by tag cart button 1632 (FIG. 14) or my cart button 1810 (FIG. 18).

[165] In FIG. 14, as user 102 shops on Amazon.com™ browsing items, user 102 selects two desired items via a user input device. Here, Amazon.com™ accepts signals from user 102 to select the two items that are then placed into Amazon shopping cart 1424. When user 102 has completed selection of desired items, user 102 can click site cart button 1422 to display a list of selected items in Amazon shopping cart 1424 of this single shopping website.

[166] FIG. 15 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 responsive to selection of site cart button 1422 of FIG. 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[167] In FIG. 15, user 102 has selected site cart button 1422 and responsive thereof, a list of items in Amazon shopping cart 1424 has been displayed. Specifically, user 102 has placed HTC Thunderbolt Crystal Clear Screen Protector (three pack) 1526 into Amazon shopping cart 1424. User 102 has also placed HTC Thunderbolt 4G LTE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) 1528 into Amazon shopping cart 1424.

[168] By selecting the site cart button 1422, shopping-specific browser 218 directs the shopping website Amazon.com™ to display all of the items in Amazon shopping cart 1424. Thus, another advantage of the present invention is that because there are different website payment standards (e.g. for HTML, XML), shopping-specific browser 218 in one embodiment includes functionality or commands to direct shopping websites to display the content of their shopping carts irrespective of the manner of coding associated with those shopping carts.

[169] As can be seen here, shopping-specific browser may direct the

Amazon server to display contents of shopping cart 1424 based on user request. After the contents of shopping cart 1424 are displayed, user 102 can select tag cart button 1632 (FIG. 14 and FIG. 16) to initiate the check-out process and to enable addition of the selected items to a third-party shopping cart as further described with reference to FIG. 14.

[170] FIG. 16 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 displaying authentication form 1634 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [171] Here, in FIG. 16, user 102 has selected tag cart button 1632 to initiate the check out process by tagging the two items for purchase for third-party shopping cart 1902 (FIG. 19) generated by shopping cart module 208 of FIG. 2. However, prior to completing check out, user 102 is authenticated.

[172] Thus, when tag cart button 1632 is selected to initiate the check-out process, authentication module 204 (FIG. 2 A) in conjunction with client authentication module 220 generates authentication form 1634 for authenticating user 102. Authentication form 1634 includes various fields; namely login form 1636, password 1638 and password 1640.

[173] User 102, having previously registered with global shopping server system 104, can provide the requested information. User 102 authenticates himself or herself by entering the appropriate login form 1636, password 1638 and password 1640 to log in and access the user 102 account.

[174] Upon user 102 entering the proper credentials, authentication form 1634 is submitted to authentication module 204 of global shopping server system 104.

Authentication module 204 authenticates the provided credentials and validates user 102's right to access and determines whether an account exists and if so whether user 102 can access such an account. As noted, such an account may have been previously established as illustrated in FIG. 17.

[175] FIG. 17 illustrates an account profile page for registered user 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[176] In FIG. 17, account profile 1700 includes an address profile 1702 that allows user 102 to enter a shipping address or update an existing one for storage. Such information may be stored in data store 214 (FIG. 2A) or data store 224 (FIG. 2B), for example. The address stored in address profile 1702 is the foreign shipping address to which all items or goods ordered by user 102 are to be delivered irrespective of the shopping site in which the item or items are ordered.

[177] User 102 can also edit profile 1704 to modify or enter a name, address, phone number or other personal information. Once the user's credentials are validated, add- to-cart form 1802 illustrated in FIG. 18 is displayed.

[178] FIG. 18 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 displaying add-to- cart form 1802 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[179] In FIG. 18, add-to-cart form 1802 displays the two selected items acquired from a merchant website and/or shopping cart, that is, from Amazon shopping cart 1424. Add-to-cart form 1802 allows user 102 to either add or remove items selected for purchase from merchant websites from third-party shopping cart 1902 (FIG. 19) that is generated by shopping cart module 208 (FIG. 2A).

[180] Here, add-to-cart form 1802 shows the two selected items HTC Thunderbolt Crystal Clear Screen Protectors 1526 and HTC Thunderbolt 4G LTE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) 1528 of FIG. 15 that were previously selected for purchase by user 102. User 102 may then select add-to -tag-cart button 1804 to add the selected items to the cart or select don't buy buttonl806 to decline purchase of the selected items. If items are added to the cart, user 102 may then select Shopping Cart button 1808 to generate third -party shopping cart 1902 of FIG. 19. [181] FIG. 19 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 showing third-party shopping cart 1902 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[182] Here, in FIG. 19, user 102 has selected my cart button 1906 to generate third-party shopping cart 1902. Thereafter, shopping cart module 208 of the commerce module 206 (FIG. 2A) generates third-party shopping cart 1902. [183] As shown, third-party shopping cart 1902 now includes HTC

Thunderbolt Crystal Clear Screen Protectors 1526 and HTC Thunderbolt 4G LTE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) 1528 that were previously selected in the shopping cart. It also lists the quantity and price of the items and includes make payment button 1904. [184] User 102 may also choose to select all items to proceed with the transaction or may deselect all items in which case the items are not processed by the shopping cart. In FIG. 19, once the make payment button 1904 is selected, price calculation form 2002 of FIG. 20 is displayed.

[185] FIG. 20 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 displaying price calculation form 2002 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[186] In FIG. 20, price calculation form 2002 generated by payment module 210 (FIG. 2A) determines the product total, duties and handling fees, sales tax, if any, and shipping price depending on the shipping method selected. Users have various shipping options. Users may choose to have purchased items shipped directly to them or may select a proximate location from which the purchased item(s) can be picked up. Proximate locations include Abuja Pickup, Kano Pickup, Lagos Pickup, etc.

[187] Based on any one of these pickup methods, a total price or fee for purchasing items from merchants is calculated. Here, the total price excluding shipping for purchasing the two items from Amazon.com™ is calculated at $450.61. Upon selecting confirm purchase button 2006, the place order form 2102 of FIG. 21 is displayed.

[188] FIG. 21 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 showing place order form 1202 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[189] In FIG. 21, user 102 can employ place order form 2102 to calculate a fee for shipping the purchased items from the merchant website (e.g., Amazon.com) to the foreign address or foreign pick up location. Here, as shown by shipping price 2110, the shipping fee from Amazon.com to Lagos Pickup is calculated at $47.34.

[190] Place order form 2102 also allows selection of a foreign payment method. Specifically, user 102 can select payment drop-down bar 2104 that enables selection of one of various payment types. Based on such selection, order total 2107 is generated. Here, as shown, order total 2107 is $273.91.

[191] FIG. 22 illustrates shopping-specific browser 218 showing place order form 1302 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [192] In FIG. 22, user 102 may use place order form 2202 to finalize the order and select a foreign type payment (native to user 102). Payment types 2206 that are native to user 102 are shown. User 102 can choose any of these foreign payment types for payment. Here, user 102 has selected MFA Web Card for payment, and upon selecting the appropriate web card, user 102 selects place order button 2108 (FIG. 21) to place the order.

[193] Once the order is placed, payment module 210 (FIG. 2A) receives the payment and validates the payment before crediting user 102's account with payment.

Commerce module 206 then initiates contact with the merchant website, Amazon.com™ to complete the transaction by placing an order for the two items purchased by user 102. [194] Specifically, commerce module 206 places an order for the selected items, namely, HTC Thunderbolt Crystal Clear Screen Protector 1526 and HTC

Thunderbolt 4G LTE Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) 1528. For payment, payment module 210 provides a local payment type, namely a payment type that is traditionally accepted by Amazon.com™ such as a Visa or Master Card for payment. [195] Commerce module 206 also confirms the local shipping address that is on file at Amazon.com™. Commerce module 206 also submits a local shipping address that is within the geographical shipping jurisdiction of Amazon.com™. In turn, Amazon.com™ then ships the products and ordered items to the local shipping address.

[196] Contemporaneously or after the purchased items are received at the local shipping address, shipping module 212 schedules the shipping of the ordered items from the local shipping address to the foreign shipping address of user 102.

[197] FIG. 23 illustrates e-commerce method 2300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[198] In FIG. 23, e-commerce method 2300 facilitates global online shopping by user 102 (FIG. 1) on a shopping website. The shopping website may be a single predetermined shopping website merchant/website 108 (FIG. 1), merchant/website 110 or merchant/website 112. [199] In one embodiment, method 2300 is executed by user 102's desktop computing device. In an alternate embodiment, method 2300 might be executed by the desktop computing device in conjunction with global shopping server system 104 (FIG. 2).

[200] At block 2302, at least three aggregated links (or hyperlinks), each one for a shopping website associated with merchant website 108, merchant website 110 and merchant website 112 are stored. The aggregated links might be stored in data store 214 (FIG. 2), data store 224 or memory as a single webpage document for example. Other comparable techniques for data storage may be utilized. Each aggregated link may be an anchor, inline, etc., and can be browsed or navigated by user 102.

[201] Each aggregated link may cause a target document to display in main display area 1207 (FIG. 12) or a secondary window. Each aggregated link is also for a shopping website that is coded to reject user 102's foreign shipping address. Thus, after selecting desired items for purchase, if user 102 attempts to enter a shipping address that is beyond the geographical shipping boundary of the shopping website, the shipping address is rejected and the shopping transaction may be discontinued until a valid shipping address is entered.

[202] Preliminarily, before online shopping can begin, user 102 registers for an account and is thereafter issued a payment webcard, unique identification or credit card that is native to user 102's local area. User 102 then deposits funds into the account at a loading station such as a local bank or department store. Global shopping server system 104 then communicates with the loading station and credits user 102's account with the deposited funds. Thereafter, user 102 can then download and launch shopping-specific browser 218 to conduct shopping as described above.

[203] At block 2304, method 2300 involves displaying the aggregated links for the shopping websites on user 102's shopping computer. Specifically, upon launching shopping-specific browser 218, thumbnails 1206 associated with the aggregated links are displayed in main display area 1207 (FIG. 12).

[204] At block 2306, user 102 selects a link from the aggregated links on main display area 1207. In response, a target document, namely the single shopping website associated with the link, is displayed. The single shopping website is independent and generally operates separately from other shopping websites. The single shopping website can receive selections from user 102 desktop computing device to select items that user 102 wishes to purchase. The items for purchase are typically placed in the shopping cart, i.e., shopping cart 1424 (FIG. 14) of the website.

[205] At block 2308, method 2300 generates a third-party shopping cart i.e., third-party shopping cart 1902 (FIG. 19) unrelated to shopping cart 1424. In one

embodiment, the single shopping website may be directed to display the items that user 102 wishes to purchase by selecting site cart button 1422 (FIG. 14). In an alternate embodiment, the instruction to display items for purchase is initiated as part of tag cart button 1632 (FIGs. 14, 16). One skilled in the art will realize that other techniques for displaying purchase items are possible.

[206] Once the items for purchase are displayed, method 2300 acquires and uses the items for sale to populate third-party shopping cart 1902 and to receive and store the foreign shipping address in data store 214 (or 224). Note that third-party shopping cart 1902 can employ this foreign shipping address to calculate a total fee for purchasing the items and for shipping such items to user 102 to his or her foreign shipping address. The foreign shipping address is the final destination of the purchased items.

[207] At block 2310, payment is received from user 102 for the total fee for purchasing and shipping the items from the single shopping website to the foreign shipping address. Here, the payment is a foreign payment type (native to user 102), a web card or the like on which user 102 might have previously loaded funds.

[208] At block 2312, a local shipping address within the geographical shipping boundary of the single shopping website, is transmitted by global shopping server system 104 to the single shopping website. This local shipping address might be a central transitory repository in which items ordered by users globally can be received for subsequent shipping to purchasers. In this manner, users can purchase items from the single shopping website by simply providing their foreign shipping address and not a local shipping address.

[209] At block 2314, method 2300 employs global shopping server system 104 to submit to the single shopping website, a web payment for purchasing the items and for shipping the purchased items to the local shipping address. Here, the web payment might be a local payment type that is typically acceptable to the single shopping website. [210] At block 2316, a shipment is scheduled to ship the items ordered from the local shipping address or central repository to the foreign shipping address.

[211] FIG. 24A shows a typical computer 10 such as would be operated by a user on the Internet. Computer 10 includes a cabinet 12 housing familiar computer components such as a processor, memory, disk drive, Compact Digital Read-Only Memory (CDROM), etc. (not shown). User input devices include keyboard 16 and mouse 18. Output devices include display 20 having a display screen 22. Naturally, many other configurations of a computer system are possible. Some computer systems may have other components in addition to those shown in FIG. 24A while others will have fewer components. For example, server computers need not have attached input and output devices since they may only be accessed from time to time by other computers over a network. Human interaction with such a server computer can be at another computer that is equipped with input and output devices. Input and output devices exist in many variations from those shown in FIG. 24A. Displays can be liquid crystal displays (LCD), computer monitors, plasma, etc. Input devices can include a trackball, digitizing tablet, microphone, etc. In general, use of the term "input device" is intended to include all possible types of devices and ways to input information into a computer system or onto a network. Likewise the term "output device" includes all possible types of devices and ways to output information from a computer system to a human or to another machine. [212] The computer itself can be of varying types including laptop, notebook, palm-top, pentop, etc. The computer may not resemble the computer of FIG. 24A as in the case where a processor is embedded into another device or appliance such as an automobile or a cellular telephone. Because of the ever-changing nature of computers and networks, the description of hardware in this specification is intended only by way of example for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment. Any distributed networked system capable of executing programmed instructions is suitable for use with the present invention.

[213] FIG. 24B shows subsystems of the computer of FIG. 24A. In FIG. 24B, subsystems within box 40 are internal to, for example, the cabinet 12 of FIG. 24 A. Bus 42 is used to transfer information in the form of digital data between processor 44, memory 46, disk drive 48, CDROM drive 50, serial port 52, parallel port 54, network card 56 and graphics card 58. Many other subsystems may be included in an arbitrary computer system, and some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 24B may be omitted. External devices can connect to the computer system's bus (or another bus or line, not shown) to exchange information with the subsystems in box 40. For example, devices such as keyboard 60 can communicate with processor 44 via dedicated ports and drivers (shown symbolically as a direct connection to bus 42). Mouse 62 is connected to serial port 52. Devices such as printer 64 can connect through parallel port 54. Network card 56 can connect the computer system to a network. Display 68 is updated via graphics card 58. Again, many

configurations of subsystems and external devices are possible.

[214] While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.