Task 5

Sorry it took so long to get this up here. I didn't know how to get into the group and signed up to a different blog!? Here is what I have for task 5. It basically talks about the atmosphere and idea of businesses using online shopping the same as first person business. The one downfall is that the idea of shopping online, to some folks, is a little too impersonal and scary.

Task 5

Apple Inc. -

The company has filed patent with the US Patent and Trademark office for an Enhanced Online Shopping Atmosphere, as originally noted by MacNN.

The patent basically describes an online shop in which different areas of what's available are depicted in a 3D space, in which customers can see goods for sale and, if they choose to do so, interact with other customers on the virtual shop floor.

There's other potential usages, the filing claims: "For example, if an author has been invited to participate in a live chat hosted by the Acme store, an icon of the book may appear in [a region] alerting customers (in all departments) that a special event is occurring."

The patent points out that a drawback of shopping online is that the "experience can feel sterile and isolating". The patent argues that shoppers looking at what's on offer in online stores are less likely to look around and window shop, so the creation of an immersive experience may help sell more goods.

Koski, D. United States Patent Application: Enhancing online shopping atmosphere. Retrieved April 20, 2008. From http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20080091553.PGNR.&OS=DN/20080091553RS=DN/20080091553

Jason Lotzer