System and method for conducting electronic commerce in a computer

Abstract

In a computer network, a system and method that provides electronic commerce services using replaceable and extensible, object-oriented software components, in one form, implemented in the Java programming language. The communication network includes a plurality of user workstations coupled to a network server containing a collection of replaceable and extensible object-oriented software components in a framework that accepts payment requests from users; processes payment requests and performs other transactions using the services of a Cashier component; CashierDesk component; Register component; a TaxCalculator component; a Ledger component for temporarily storing payment transactions; and a Safe for permanently storing transactions. Each component is either an abstract class or an interface, allowing a merchant to vary the implementation of one or more components without affecting the operation of the remaining components of the system in processing transactions. The transactions may be accomplished in a secure environment using a digital container.