Abstract:
A method and system for creating a real-time automated display that transforms sales data, such as sales numbers, accounting information and so forth, into an electronic format that is displayed as an electronic display on one or more video monitors. The video monitors may be located at different locations, such as on a sales floor or in a break room of an auto dealership. The electronic display may be used in businesses having commission based sales forces to track monthly sales goals and sales numbers for sales representatives and as a motivational tool.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to sales tracking methods used in businesses having commission based sales forces, and more particularly to a method and system for transforming sales data into an electronic form that can then be displayed on a video monitor. 
         [0002]    Businesses having commission based sales forces, such as automobile dealerships, commonly use displays to track monthly sales goals and sales numbers for sales representatives. These displays are typically dry erase boards or whiteboards that have to constantly be manually updated as sales are made. While displays are valuable tracking and motivational tools, the maintenance and constant updating of conventional displays is time consuming. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for transforming data, such as sales numbers, sales goals and so forth, into an electronic format that can be displayed on a video monitor and automatically updated as said data changes. 
         [0004]    The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Patent No. 
                   
                   
               
               
                 (U.S. Patent References) 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 2010/0205051 
                 Yun 
                 Aug. 12, 2010 
               
               
                 2009/0240574 
                 Carpenter et al. 
                 Sep. 24, 2009 
               
               
                 2009/0187486 
                 Lefenfeld 
                 Jul. 23, 2009 
               
               
                 2009/0006118 
                 Pollak 
                 Jan. 01, 2009 
               
               
                 2008/0126231 
                 Santiesteban 
                 May 29, 2008 
               
               
                 2008/0086359 
                 Holton et al. 
                 Apr. 10, 2008 
               
               
                 2007/0299709 
                 Harrell et al. 
                 Dec. 27, 2007 
               
               
                 2007/0208637 
                 Cooper et al. 
                 Sep. 06, 2007 
               
               
                 2004/0249687 
                 Lowell et al. 
                 Dec. 09, 2004 
               
               
                 2004/0138944 
                 Whitacre et al. 
                 Jul. 15, 2004 
               
               
                 6,662,164 
                 Koppelman 
                 Dec. 09, 2003 
               
               
                 2003/0101091 
                 Levin et al. 
                 May 29, 2003 
               
               
                 2002/0169671 
                 Junger 
                 Nov. 14, 2002 
               
               
                 2002/0069144 
                 Palardy 
                 Jun. 06, 2002 
               
               
                 2002/0055894 
                 Hyder 
                 May 09, 2002 
               
               
                 6,226,621 
                 Warsh 
                 May 01, 2001 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transforming sales data into an electronic display on a video monitor. 
         [0006]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transforming sales data into an electronic display in which the sales data is automatically updated on the electronic display as the sales data changes. 
         [0007]    The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a method and system for creating a real-time automated display that transforms sales data, such as sales numbers, accounting information and so forth, into an electronic format that is displayed on one or more video monitors. The video monitors may be located at different locations, such as on a retail sales floor or in a break room of a wholesale or retail sales outlet. A primary video monitor preferably displays a grid having columns listing sales representatives&#39; names in one column, gross sales for each sales representative in a separate column, month to date units sold by each sales representative in a separate column and year to date units sold by each representative in a separate column. Icons are placed in a row next to each sales representative&#39;s name to represent each unit that has been sold for the current month. The icons may be color coded to represent information, such as if the square represents a used item, a new item or a certain make or model of item. Information may also be listed in each icon, such as year, make and model of the item, the price the item was sold for and the date the item was sold. Sales representatives are preferentially listed from top to bottom in the order of most sales to least sales. 
         [0008]    A bar graph is may be displayed on a second video monitor represents how many items have been sold in a certain period of time in relation to the sales goal for that time. The second video monitor is preferably placed in a more private location, such as a break room. The top sales representative may be listed at the top of the screen with tickers located on the bottom of the screen. Information, such as gross sales may be displayed on the second monitor only so that customers do not see confidential information on any monitors located on the sales floor. An additional feature of each electronic display is tickers that run across the video monitor showing advertising message or relaying information to sales representatives. 
         [0009]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart showing the basic steps for creating an electronic display using the system and method of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a computer environment and flow chart showing the system and method of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the steps of the present invention for opening imported text files containing sales data; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing the life cycle of sales data displayed on an electronic display of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the steps for transforming collected sales data into an electronic display; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing a count determination process for calculating sales counts and sales averages using the method and system of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the steps for creating a data model using the system and method of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing the administration of the system and method of the present invention to create an electronic display; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an example of a computer environment in which the method and system of the present invention operates; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing the steps for creating custom display layouts using the system and method of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an electronic display created for an automobile dealership using the system and method of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an electronic display created for a automobile service center using the system and method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:
         101 . sales data database     102 . data acquisition     103 . service provider data storage     104 . administration     105 . display     201 . sales data     202 . accounting system     203 . computer system     204 . subscriber database     205 . interface/create post text files     206 . FTP file transfer     207 . FTP server     208 . service provider&#39;s server     209 . open and import text files     210 . service provider&#39;s data base     211 . administration     212 . query results     213 . XML web service     214 . web server     215 . web page     216 . electronic monitor     301 . acquire sales data/text file     302 . open text file     303 . determine if subscriber is active     304 . close text file     305 . create new file     306 . create new model     307 . create inventory     308 . create listing for salesperson     309 . create sale     310 . close file     311 . save file     312 . delete original file     401 . life cycle entry     402 . display administration     403 . determine eligibility     404 . web page administration     405 . determine sales URL     406 . determine custom URL     407 . iterate list of URLs     408 . display next URL     409 . begin URL management process     410 . sales URL     411 . navigate sales data     412 . build display     413 . display for predetermined amount of time     414 . return to step  407       415 . custom URL     416 . navigate display to custom URL     501 . determine list of eligible sales people     502 . calculate MTD sales     503 . calculate YTD sales     504 . calculate average sales     505 . retrieve CSI score     506 . electronic display     507 . MTD sales     508 . YTD sales     509 . average sales     510 . CSI score     511 . icon     512 . salesperson name     513 . number of inventory items sold     514 . product information     601 . sales data is searched by sales person and time period     602 . number of sales are determined     603 . determine if sale was shared     604 . total number of sales is calculated     605 . sum is returned     701 . transaction record data space     702 . model information data space     703 . inventory information data space     704 . salesperson information data space     705 . sale information data space     706 . system URL data space     707 . custom URL data space     708 . display data space     801 . secure website     802 . service provider     803 . subscriber     804 . salespeople     805 . CSI scores     806 . sales goals     807 . information administration     808 . display administration     809 . URL administration     810 . system URL     811 . custom URL     812 . data     901 . service provider&#39;s server     902 . Internet     903 . Ethernet     904 . monitor     905 . hub     906 . wireless access point     907 . communication link     1001 . request for custom display     1002 . subscriber creates artwork     1003 . third party creates artwork     1004 . artwork supplied to service provider     1005 . art work posted to web server     1006 . web page created to host artwork     1007 . custom URL created     1008 . termination date reached     1009 . artwork is archived     1010 . URL is deleted from server     1011 . subscriber requests reinstatement     1012 . artwork retrieved     1013 . web page created     1014 . custom URL is active until new termination date       
 
         [0133]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a flow chart showing the basic steps for creating an electronic display using the system and method of the present invention is illustrated. First, sales data from a subscriber is entered into a sales data database  101 . Sales data may include information relating to a sold product (such as price, make, etc.), the number of products sold by a sales representative, customer satisfaction index (“CSI”) information and so forth. The sales database may be a stand alone database that the subscriber enters sales data into for the sole purpose of creating an electronic display or preferably a pre-existing accounting database into which subscriber already enters sales data into for accounting purposes. Next, a service provider remotely collects the sales data from the sales data database  102  and stores the sales data in the service provider&#39;s database  103 . Then, the service provider performs administration of the acquired sales data to transform the sales data into a graphical format that is arranged as an electronic display  104 . Finally, the service provider electronically transmits the electronic display back to the subscriber to be displayed on one or more electronic displays located at the subscriber&#39;s location  105 . 
         [0134]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example of a computer environment in which the method and system of the present invention operates in combination with a flow chart showing the system and method of the present invention is illustrated. First, sales data  201 , such as sales numbers, units sold, types of units sold, sales prices and so forth, is entered into a pre-existing poll accounting system  202  operating on a computer system  203 . Then, the sales data is stored in a subscriber database  204 . Then, a service provider interfaces with the accounting system  202  and creates post text files using the sales data  205 . Next, the post text files are transferred  206  to the service provider&#39;s database server  208  via a file transfer protocol (“FTP”) server  207 . Then, the post text files are opened and imported  209  onto the service provider&#39;s database  210 . An administrator may then modify the files as needed  211 . Then, the data is transformed into a graphical electronic display based on predetermined query results  212  and displayed as a web page  215  via an extensible markup language (“XML”) web service  213  through a web server  214 . Finally, the web page  215  is displayed on one or more electronic monitors  216  located at the subscriber&#39;s place of business via the Internet. 
         [0135]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart showing the steps of the present invention for opening imported text files containing sales data is illustrated. First, text files containing sales data are acquired by a service provider from a subscriber&#39;s database  301 , such as an accounting database, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Then, the service provider opens the text files  302 . Next, the service provider determines if the data contained in the text file is for an active subscriber  303 . If the data contained in the text file is not for an active subscriber, then the text file is closed  304 . If the data contained in the text file is for an active subscriber, then a new file is created using the sales data contained in the text file  305  by creating a model  306 , creating an inventory entry  307 , creating a listing for the sales representative that the sales data pertains to  308 , creating or updating any additional information pertaining to the sales data and so forth  309 . Then, the text file is closed  310 . Next, the new file is saved to the service provider&#39;s server  311 . Finally, the original text file is deleted  312 . 
         [0136]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart showing a life cycle of sales data displayed on an electronic display of the present invention is illustrated. First, a predetermined set of values is entered as a life cycle entry defining a start date and end date for certain sales data to be displayed on an electronic display  401 . Then, display administration  402  determines the eligibility of displays depending on the current date and status of the subscriber  403 . Next, web page administration  404  determines a defined system web page URL  405  or a custom web page URL  406 . Then, one or more URLs are placed into a list for iteration. Each URL is displayed until the defined time limit expires  407  according to the set of values entered in previous steps  408  and according to eligibility of the subscriber. When a URL and display reach the next iteration, a URL management process is started  409 ; if the next URL to be displayed is a sales URL  410 , then the display is navigated to the sales URL  411  and a display is formed  412  showing sales data previously described. The sales URL is then displayed as an electronic display on the URL for the defined period of time  413 . After the defined period of time ends, step  407  is repeated. If the next URL to be displayed is a custom URL  414 , then the display is navigated to the custom URL  415 . The custom URL is then displayed as an electronic display for the defined period of time  413 . After the defined period of time ends, step  407  is repeated. 
         [0137]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart showing the steps for transforming collected sales data into an electronic display is illustrated. First, sales data is acquired by a service provider from a subscriber, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Then, a list of eligible or current sales representatives is determined  501 . Then, the collected sales data is used to calculate a month to date sales count for each eligible sales representative  502 . Next, the collected sales data is used to calculate a year to date sales count for each eligible sales representative  503 . Then, the collected sales data is used to calculate a sales average over a period of time  504 , such as sixty days, ninety days, etc., for each eligible sales representative. All sales counts and sales averages are calculated through a count determination process illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Next, CSI is obtained from the sales data  505 . The information calculated in steps  502 - 505  is transformed into an electronic display  506  showing the month to date (“MTD”) sales  507  for each eligible sales representative, the year to date (“YTD”) sales  508  for each eligible sales representative, the average sales over a period of time  509  for each eligible sales representative and the CSI score  510  for each eligible sales representative. Finally, icons  511  for each product sold by an eligible sales representative are created and displayed in a row next to the sale&#39;s representative&#39;s name  512 . The number of icons depends on the month to date inventory sold by the sales representative  513 . The icon may include product information, such as make, model, stock number, price and so forth  514 . 
         [0138]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a flow chart showing a count determination process for calculating sales counts and sales averages using the method and system of the present invention is illustrated. First, the sales data acquired by the service provider from the subscriber, as shown in  FIG. 2 , is searched for specific sales information relating to a sales representative and time period  601 . Then, all sales for the sales representative made during time period are determined  602 . Next, it is determined whether each sale was the sole responsibility of the sales representative or if multiple sales representatives were responsible for the sale  603 . Then, the sum of sales is calculated based on the total number of sales and the sales representative percentage of responsibility for each sale  604 . Finally, the sum is returned and used to create an electronic display  605 . 
         [0139]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a schematic display of a data model of the system and method of the present invention is illustrated. A data space for a transaction record is provided  701 . The transaction record includes data such as sales information regarding a sold product, such as make and model  702 , inventory information  703  (which includes stock number color, price, model year, whether the product new or used, etc.), salesperson information  704  (which includes the name of the sale representative responsible for the sale, CSI score for the sales representative, etc.) and sale information  705  (which includes price, sale date, shared commissions, etc.). A data space is also provided for a system uniform resource locator (“URL”) on which the display time and type is controlled  706 . In addition, a data space is provided for a custom URL on which display time, display type, and a date range for displaying the description  707  is included. Finally, a data space is provided for a display and information relating to the display, such as the location of the display and if the display is active  708 . 
         [0140]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart showing the administration of the system and method of the present invention in which sales data is collected, organized and stored in the service provider&#39;s database is illustrated. A secure website  801  is used by the service provider  802  and subscriber  803  to control what sales data is displayed on the subscriber&#39;s electronic display. Sales data, such as sales peoples&#39; names  804 , CSI scores  805 , sales goals  806  and so forth, may be updated by the service provider or subscriber through the secure administration website  807 . That sales data is then used to create an electronic display having a predetermined design and layout  808 . The electronic display is then saved as a URL that is either a system URL or a custom URL  809 . Finally, the system URL  810  or custom URL  811  is saved in the service provider&#39;s database  812 . 
         [0141]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , an example of a computer environment in which the method and system of the present invention operates is illustrated. A service provider acquires sales data from subscribers and transforms that sales data into one or more electronic displays saved as URLs on the service provider&#39;s server  901 . The subscribers then accesses the URLs through the Internet  902  and Ethernet  903  and the subscribers transmits the URLs to one or more monitors  904  via hubs  905 , wireless access points  906  and communication links  907 . 
         [0142]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart showing the steps for creating custom display layouts using the system and method of the present invention is illustrated. First, a subscriber requests a new electronic display design  1001 . Then, the subscriber creates artwork for the custom electronic display  1002  or has a third-party create artwork for the custom electronic display  1003 . After the service provider is supplied with the artwork  1004 , the artwork is posted to the service provider&#39;s web server  1005 . Next, a web page is created to host the art work  1006  and a custom URL is added through the service provider&#39;s administration  1007 . The URL will display the custom screen until a termination date is reached  1008 , such as a planned termination of an advertising campaign. Then, the custom screen and artwork will be archived and stored in the service provider&#39;s database  1009  and the web page will be deleted from the service provider&#39;s server  1010 . If the subscriber decides to reinstate the service provider&#39;s services, then the subscriber can submit a request to reinstate the custom display  1011 . Then the art work is retrieved from the database  1012  and a new web page is created  1013 . Finally, the reinstated custom URL will remain active until a new termination date is reached  1014 . 
         [0143]    With reference to  FIG. 11 , an electronic display created for an automobile dealership using the system and method of the present invention is illustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of the method and system described herein. 
         [0144]    Finally with reference to  FIG. 12 , an electronic display created for an automobile service center using the system and method of the present invention is illustrated, which is self explanatory when viewed in conjunction with the description of the method and system described herein. 
         [0145]    It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.