COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED SYSTEM FOR SHARING VIRTUAL PRODUCT SAMPLES

摘要

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method and system for sharing "sample bags" consisting of virtual samples of products and services over a computer network and performing searches for samples or sample bags. A template is provided for compiling a virtual sample bag by a first user, which may be private for viewing and sharing only by designated other users or public. The sample bag is stored in the host database in a user-searchable format. A second user may request to share the sample bag from a second user and the sample bag is then communicated to the second user for viewing and sharing. The second user may copy ("sample") the samples from the shared bag into another bag. The invention also relates to a computer-implemented method and system for searching for samples in which search is performed within a sample bag database of the host computer and also over the web. The search results may be grouped according to predetermined criteria such as price or sample location.