A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE PROVISION OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCEAND SHOPPING VIA CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED ENTERTAINMENT TERMINALS

摘要

The methods and systems of the present invention securely enable the princip al functions in e-commerce, in a coherent and less complex manner when compared to existing models. It is of direct application to MSO electronic stores wit h one or more affiliated merchants. Advantageously, the invention can be used to enable e-commerce transactions between a merchant (135) and a consumer via a n entertainment terminal (100). The entertainment terminal (100) is capable of providing a consumer with access to a selection of goods and services (140) provided by one or more merchant(s) (135) via a merchant transaction server (150). The invention offers the existing base of cable system operators an alternate avenue to control e-commerce, facilitate per-transaction tracking and/or revenue collection and monitoring.