Abstract:
The present invention relates to an article for association with a motor vehicle. The article may include a base, and a plurality of inserts received in the base. Each insert has at least two characteristics. The at least two characteristics of each insert causes the plurality of inserts to form a substantially unique article profile.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/335,695, filed Oct. 25, 2001, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING CUSTOMER APPRECIATION” under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a system and method for facilitating customer appreciation, for example, through the use of a device such as a medallion presented to customers.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is known to provide a device such as a medallion for display on a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck, etc. Such medallions may be affixed to a grille or other mounting structures of the motor vehicle (e.g. fenders, hoods, trunks, etc.). Such medallions are intended to provide a consistent and standard look for identifying the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, the brand of the motor vehicle, the model of the motor vehicle, etc. Typically, all medallions used within a “series” for a particular manufacturer, brand or model, etc., have the same look, configuration, and/or visual effect.  
           [0004]    Many owners select motor vehicles for reasons based on personal preference, such as an affinity for a particular manufacturer and/or model. Some owners derive and/or wish to express visibly a sense of pride of ownership of a particular brand or model of motor vehicle. Known medallions may generally express this pride or affinity for such owners. However, such known medallions do not allow for the indication of any unique or any sort of personal expression of this type of owner pride or loyalty. If a customer wants to express pride of ownership, it is typically left to the use of a typical or common medallion (that looks exactly like every other medallion for that model/manufacturer). That is, such known medallions are not configured to be “customized” to facilitate appreciation of individual customers, some of whom may have purchased five, ten or twenty or more vehicles of the same model or from the same manufacturer during their lifetimes.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method for facilitating customer appreciation, for example, through the use of a device such as a medallion capable of association with a particular owner, which would allow the expression by the owner of loyalty or the pride of ownership of a customer article such as a motor vehicle. It would also be advantageous to provide a system configured to allow serialization of each individual device or medallion. It would further be advantageous to provide a system including distribution or a device or medallion which is unique to an individual owner. It would further be advantageous to provide a system including a device or medallion which can be tracked and identified by its own uniqueness. It would further be advantageous to provide a system using a device or medallion which offers a relatively consistent appearance identified as being associated with a particular manufacturer (or model year), but also facilitates customer appreciation on an individualized or personalized basis through the issuance of a device or medallion having a unique identifier or profile for the customer. It would be further advantageous to provide a medallion composed of a set of elements capable of arrangement in a variety of unique patterns to form a variety of unique appearances for the device within a common theme.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to provide a system and method which provides one or more of these or other advantageous features.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention relates to an article for facilitating consumer appreciation. The article can be associated with a motor vehicle. The article includes a base and a plurality of inserts received in the base, each insert having at least two characteristics. The at least two characteristics of each insert causes the plurality of inserts to form a substantially unique article profile.  
           [0008]    The present invention also relates to a set of articles for association with motor vehicles. The set of articles comprises a set of bases, each base associated with each article, and sets of inserts, each set of inserts having a plurality of individual inserts. Each insert has at least two characteristics. A set of inserts is associated with each base and is received in the base. The at least two characteristics of the plurality of inserts forms an article profile and each article profile is substantially unique.  
           [0009]    The present invention further relates to an article prepared by a process of generating an article profile, associating the article profile with selected information, and generating assembly instruction from the article profile.  
           [0010]    The present invention further relates to a process of manufacturing an article for association with a customer profile. The process includes generating an article profile, associating the article profile with selected information, and generating assembly instructions from the article profile.  
           [0011]    The present invention further relates to a method of recognizing customer loyalty. The method includes receiving a customer profile, generating a substantially unique article profile, and associating the unique article profile with the customer profile.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a system and method for facilitating customer appreciation according to a preferred embodiment.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a vehicle and a device.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4B is a top plain view of the device shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 5A through 5C are front elevation views of inserts for the device shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an insert shown in FIG. 4A.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6B is a top down view of the insert shown in FIG. 4A.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 7A through 7C are cross-sectional views of inserts according to exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    A system and method for facilitating customer appreciation is shown in the FIGURES.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system and method shown as including a process  100  for gathering and organizing information in conjunction with the generation of a device or article shown as a medallion  10 , (see FIG. 3). Process  100  includes the steps of gathering customer information (step  110 ), generating a customized medallion profile  125  associated with the customer information (step  120 ), archiving the combined information (Step  130 ), directing the manufacture of medallion  10  using customized medallion profile  125  (step  150 ), and delivering medallion  10  to a customer (step  160 ). According to a preferred embodiment, process  100  may be used by an automobile dealer or manufacturer to show appreciation to a customer who has purchased an automobile by presenting a customer medallion  10  to the customer. However, it will be appreciated that the process may be employed in connection with a variety of transactions, for example, in the sale, rental, lease or other disposition of vehicles or other products, or other transactions where customer loyalty is sought to be recognized. According to an exemplary embodiment, process  100  is used in connection with the sale of a vehicle (shown as an automobile  200  in FIG. 2) to a customer.  
         [0023]    As shown in FIG. 1, process  100  includes information input (step  110 ), medallion profile generation (step  120 ), information association (step  130 ), assembly information generation (step  140 ), assembly (step  150 ), and delivery (step  160 ).  
         [0024]    Information input (step  110 ) imports or creates a customer information profile  105 . Customer information profile  105  can include any information that is useful in tracking customer loyalty, such as sales information, purchaser name, purchaser address, number of vehicles purchased, vehicle identification number (VIN), date of purchase, model purchased, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, information input (step  110 ) is implemented by vehicle dealers and/or vehicle manufacturers. According to an alternative embodiment, information input (step  110 ) is implemented directly by a customer, data entry personnel, etc. The step may be completed by completing a form or by an automated or computer-based process and/or over a network (such as the Internet).  
         [0025]    Following information input (step  110 ), a medallion profile generation (step  120 ) is performed. According to a preferred embodiment, medallion profile generation (step  120 ) can incorporate information from consumer information profile  105 .  
         [0026]    In medallion profile generation (step  120 ), a medallion profile  125  is generated. Medallion profile  125  includes information relating to and characterizing a set of inserts  40 , see FIG. 3. According to a preferred embodiment, medallion profile  125  includes the color and surface topography of each individual insert which will be used in the medallion. According to a preferred embodiment, medallion profile  125  may include information such as the number of cars owned or previously owned by a customer. (This information may be derived from consumer information profile  105 .) According to a preferred embodiment, the number of cars owned may then be correlated to a medallion insert  40   h  as described below in reference to FIG. 4B. According to an alternative embodiment, this information may be omitted, or insert  40   h  may be replaced with a blank insert with no surface indicia.  
         [0027]    According to a preferred embodiment, medallion profile  125  is generated by a computer system (or the like) to ensure that a unique medallion profile is generated, and that no other medallion will have the same medallion profile. One exemplary method of generating the profile may be implemented by assigning a number to each combination of design options that exist. According to an exemplary embodiment, a flat, black, rhodium insert would be design option one, while a concave, black, rhodium insert would be design option two. In accordance with this numbering scheme, a number could be assigned to each possible unique design configuration for each of the seven inserts. If ten design configurations were considered for each of the seven inserts in an exemplary embodiment, each device or medallion could be tracked by assignment of a seven digit number. The number can be a listing of the design configuration numbers for each device in a consistent order. This number could be stored and referenced against a listing of existing medallions to ensure that a unique profile is generated. If more design options were implemented, or more inserts were contemplated, the same system could be used to create a larger number. A medallion profile may alternatively be generated by moving down a sequential list of design configuration numbers generated using the system described above. Other methods such as random number generators, etc. may be used to provide a unique configuration and identification number for each unique device.  
         [0028]    Medallion profile  125  is associated or related with information from customer profile  105  and archived for future reference (step  130 ). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, medallion profile  125  may be recorded and associated with a customer name, VIN, model, etc. Medallion profile  125  may be associated with customer profile  105  using a database, a serial number list, or any other convenient method. This association and storage step has the advantage of facilitating replacement of medallions. If replacement is requested, the stored profile may be used for assembly of a replacement device.  
         [0029]    The medallion profile can be used to generate assembly information or a pick list  145  (step  140 ). In the manufacture of medallion  10 , the parts (i.e. base and inserts) are typically stored in separate bins, where like parts are stored in like bins. Assembly information or pick list  145  can be used to determine which parts are to be pulled from the bins (picked) and used in the assembly and construction of medallion  10 .  
         [0030]    Medallion  10  can be assembled in accordance with assembly information  145  (step  150 ). Medallion  10  may be assembled by hand, by an automated process, or by some combination of processes. If automation is used, assembly information is provided to the automation equipment.  
         [0031]    Following assembly of medallion  10  (step  150 ), a step  160  can be performed, wherein medallion  10  is delivered in accordance with consumer information profile  105 . For example, medallion  10  may be delivered to the customer, dealer, manufacturer, etc.  
         [0032]    Medallion  10 , assembled and delivered as described above, can be unique to each customer. According to an exemplary embodiment, medallion  10  can be designed to resemble the front portion of a vehicle. In alternative embodiments it can be a dealer emblem, abstract art, or any other desired image that could facilitate customer appreciation.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 3, medallion  10  includes a base unit  20 , an outer edge  22  of base  20 , a set of elements or inserts  40 , individual inserts  40   a - 40   h,  and a backer  60 . Set of elements  40  is composed of a variety of shapes and forms. Each element  40   a  through  40   h,  shown in FIG. 4B, can have unique materials, surface treatment, finish, color, contour, shape, profile, etc. Each element  40   a  through  40   h  can be formed to fit within a predetermined set of interfitting arrangements so that by making/selecting various possible arrangements of the elements within the set (from a picklist and/or related assembly information) a wide variety of individual devices, each having a unique and/or distinctive appearance, can be assembled and issued to individual customers.  
         [0034]    In FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of a device, shown as a medallion  10 , is shown. Medallion  10  is only one of numerous unique embodiments of a device that can be assembled according to any preferred embodiment of the system and method. According to any preferred embodiment, a large number of individual medallions having unique shapes, contours, and colorations may be constructed from a relatively small number of variously shaped and colored components and inserts, independent of the exact configuration, construction, and arrangement. According to alternative embodiments, a variety of components, configurations, colors, and/or shapes of the various components may be used in the device.  
         [0035]    According to an exemplary embodiment, base  20  is a unitary body formed from die-cast zinc/aluminum. According to an alternative embodiment,, base  20  may be constructed from other materials such as metals, metal alloys, plastics, polymers, or any other material. Base  20  may also be provided with indicia (such as lettering and numbering) on outer edge  22  of base  20 , which may relate to the manufacturer to which medallion  10  is to be associated.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIG. 4A, base  20  includes depression  24 , aperture  26 , and slot  28 . According to an exemplary embodiment, depression  24  is a pan shaped depression, forming an area in which inserts  40  are received. Depression  24  has a depth roughly equivalent to the thickness of inserts  40 .  
         [0037]    Aperture  26  is provided through back surface  30  of base  20 . As shown in FIG. 4A, aperture  26  is aligned with insert  40   h.  Aperture  26  facilitates the removal of insert  40   h.    
         [0038]    Slot  28  is provided through a back surface  30  of base  20 . Slot  28  is configured to receive a fastening member (not shown) for attaching medallion  10  to a support structure  210  (see FIG. 2). According to an exemplary embodiment, support structure  210  is a vehicle grille. The fastening member may be any bracket, clip, connector, clamp, or other means configured to securely fasten medallion  10  to support structure  210 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, slot  28  has a key-way configuration. Slot  28  includes a circular portion  32 , and a rectangular portion  34  provided proximate to circular portion  32 . Slot  28  is configured to receive the head of a fastener (such as a screw, bolt, or the like) in circular portion  32 . The head of the fastener may then be slid into the rectangular portion  34  of slot  28 . Once the head of the fastener is seated in rectangular portion  34 , the fastener is tightened to securely fasten base  20  to support structure  210 . According to an alternative embodiment, the medallion may be assembled without a slot, and be configured for use as a decorative article.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIG. 4A, medallion  10  further includes inserts  40 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, inserts  40  include eight separate insert pieces  40   a,    40   b,    40   c,    40   d,    40   e,    40   f,    40   g,  and  40   h.  According to a preferred embodiment, inserts  40   a  through  40   g  are made of injected cast zinc/aluminum. According to an alternative embodiment, the inserts may be made from any of a wide variety of other materials such as metals, metal alloys, plastics, polymers, or any other suitable material.  
         [0040]    Inserts  40  are received in depression  24  of base  20 . Inserts  40  cover a bottom surface  36  of depression  24 . Inserts  40  may be combined, (e.g., much like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle) to create a patterned surface  50  as shown in FIG. 3. According to an exemplary embodiment, inserts  40  are attached to base  20  using an adhesive fastener applied between a lower surface of the inserts (not shown) and bottom surface  36 . According to a preferred embodiment, the adhesive fastener is an epoxy glue. In alternative embodiments, the adhesive fastener may use any other fastening techniques including other epoxies, glues, tapes, mechanical fasteners, welding, etc. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 7C, inserts  40  can be provided in a variety of shapes, surface contours, colors, finishes, etc.  
         [0041]    As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and  4 B, inserts  40  may be made from a variety of different materials and colors, and provided with a variety of different surface finishes. In preferred embodiments, colors of inserts  40  are selected from black (such as nickel-plated black onyx), white (such as white diamond enamel), and platinum (such as rhodium). According to an alternative preferred embodiment, colors of inserts  40  are selected from colors available from the model or manufacturer of the car with which medallion  10  will be associated. According to an alternative embodiment,, colors of inserts may be any desired color, color scheme, etc. Inserts  40  may have a bright chrome finish, may be plated with Rhodium type chrome finishing (see FIG. 5A), may have an electro chrome coating (see FIG. 5B) or may have a hematite or black nickel finish plated with Chromium (see FIG. 5C). The inserts may be provided with a water resistant, chemical resistant, and/or corrosive resistant coating.  
         [0042]    As shown in FIG. 4A, inserts  40  each have a different footprint or outline. According to a preferred embodiment, no one insert has the same footprint or outline as any other insert. According to a preferred embodiment, the footprint or outline of inserts  40  can be derived from an artistic impression of a front corner of the vehicle that the medallion is to be associated with. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, insert  40   a  is derived from a vehicle hood, insert  40   b  is derived from an upper vehicle head-lamp, insert  40   c  is derived from a vehicle grille, insert  40   d  is derived from a lower vehicle head-lamp, insert  40   e  is derived from the vehicle part located below the vehicle grille, insert  40 F is derived from a vehicle the vehicle part located below the headlamp, and insert  40   g  is derived from a vehicle bumper.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIGS. 7A through 7C, each one of inserts  40   a  through  40   h  may be made with, and selected from different surface profiles or surface contours. For example, insert  40   c  is shown in a cutaway view in FIG. 7A with a flat profile, in FIG. 7B in a cutaway view with a convex profile, and in FIG. 7C in a cutaway view with a concave profile. According to alternative embodiments, the inserts may be constructed with other footprints, shapes, colors, profiles, or topologies to those contemplated herein.  
         [0044]    Medallion  10  further includes insert  40   h,  shown in FIG. 4B. Insert  40   h  is received in an aperture  42  of insert  40   c.  According to an exemplary embodiment, insert  40   h  is made from injection molded ABS plastic, and is hi-glass black in color. According to an alternative embodiment, insert  40   h  may be made from other materials such as metals, metal alloys, plastics, polymers, etc. According to a preferred embodiment, indicia such as numbering and lettering is provided on a top surface  44  of insert  40   h.  In a particularly preferred embodiment, indicia may be representative of the number of cars previously purchased, owned, or leased by the medallion&#39;s owner. Insert  40   h,  in a particularly preferred embodiment, may be provided with surface indicia ranging from Arabic numerals 1 to 40, the word “Master,” a mark, logo or symbol associated with the manufacturer of the vehicle for which the medallion will be associated, or no indicia may be provided on insert  40   h  (i.e. insert  40   h  may be left blank). Indicia on insert  40   h  may be representative of the number of vehicles purchased (i.e. 1-40), or a status or level of ownership (i.e. “Master,” in a particularly preferred embodiment, is given to owners who have purchased more than forty cars from a manufacturer). According to an alternative embodiment, indicia on insert  40   h  can be a car manufacturer&#39;s logo for when the medallion is used as a paperweight or in other unmounted configurations. In another alternative embodiment, the indicia may be some design not meant to represent the number of vehicles purchased.  
         [0045]    As described above, insert  40   h  can be provided on top of aperture  26 . This configuration allows for the easy removal of insert  40   h  from medallion  10  by inserting an implement through aperture  26  and popping insert  40   h  out of aperture  42 . It may be desirous to remove insert  40   h  in order to update the number of vehicles purchased, when ownership status changes, etc. Insert  40   h  may further include a cover or bubble of clear epoxy material over the top of top surface  44  to protect the indicia.  
         [0046]    As shown in FIG. 3, medallion  10  further includes backer  60 . Backer  60  has a general footprint shape similar to base  20 . According to an exemplary embodiment, backer  60  is a rubber or other elastomeric material. In a particularly preferred embodiment, backer  60  is a 60 Durometer rubber material, {fraction (1/32)} inch thick applied to back surface  30  of base  20  with a double faced tape. Other arrangements for attaching backer  60  to base  20  may be used, such as adhesives, tapes, etc. Backer  60  also has apertures (not shown) corresponding to slot  26  and aperture  28  in base  20 .  
         [0047]    By combining or preparing inserts  40   a  through  40   g  with different coloration, finishes, and surface profiles, a large number of unique medallion configurations patterns and/or profiles may be generated. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, each insert may be selected from three color and surface finish choices. Each insert may also be selected from three different surface profiles. As a result of these choices, each insert  40   a  through  40   g  of medallion  10  may be selected from nine different color and topography combinations. Seven inserts ( 40   a  through  40   g ) are used for medallion  10 , with each individual insert having nine possible configurations. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, as a result of using seven separate inserts, each with nine different configurations, almost five million medallions may be generated without any two medallions having the exact same configuration, pattern or profile. If more unique medallions were required, just one extra design option would allow for the creation of more than 5 million additional unique profiles. A new design option could include a new insert finish, a new insert color, a new insert texture, a new insert surface profile, etc.  
         [0048]    The large number of medallion profiles may be generated from a relatively small number of different parts (63 different configurations of inserts  40   a  through  40   g ) in the exemplary embodiment shown in the FIGURES allows for the manufacture of a large number of unique medallions with relatively few parts. Because such a large number of medallions may be made, with each medallion having a unique medallion profile (e.g. surface pattern and/or coloration), it is possible to have the profile of each medallion operate as a serial number or a unique identifier for an individual medallion. In effect, the medallion profile may operate as a built-in certificate of authenticity for each medallion. The unique medallion profile allows for a correlation or association between the medallion and selected information.  
         [0049]    It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the medallion shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or resequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.