Abstract:
A server for facilitating a vendor showcase system, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network, and wherein the server includes a memory storing an instruction set and vendor data related to a plurality of vendors. The server also includes a processor for running the instruction set, the processor being in communication with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to (i) sort the vendor data based upon category, (ii) receive criteria related to a request for information, and (iii) provide a display of the vendor data for a pre-selected number of vendors based upon the criteria, wherein the display of the vendor data is presented in a flat manner. The processor may be further operative to compile return on investment statistics based upon user traffic and viewing at the display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/459,277, filed Apr. 1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The subject disclosure relates to methods and systems for accessing vendor information via a distributed computing network, and more particularly to improved methods and systems for presenting vendor information and tracking the access to the same.  
           [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Use of hard copy business-to-business and business-to-consumer directories has been widely used and well understood in the art since the widespread use of the telephone. However, the ability to place orders and access further information by using the telephone has suffered from limitations such as limited store hours, too few phone operators to handle heavy call demand and the like. Moreover, unless a business inquired about the source of the request, the effectiveness and other useful information was lost. In view of these and other shortcomings, the proliferation of the Internet has caused great optimism for the widespread dissemination of information, a large percentage of traditional brick-and-mortar transactions to become electronic commerce based, and detailed reporting on consumer demographics, habits and tendencies.  
           [0006]    An example of a system attempting to utilize the Internet is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,572 to Riordan et al., incorporated herein by reference, is a method for collecting and processing marketing data. Riordan et al. discuss the shortcomings of surveys conducted by market research firms and preferred customer cards used to track customer purchases by retailers. Riordan et al. designed a system to track the transactions of a particular consumer to allow profiling the customer at a plurality of retailers. Riordan et al. do not recognize the need for the retailers to evaluate their marketing efforts let alone provide a mechanism for evaluating the same.  
           [0007]    Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,681 to Burke et al., incorporated herein by reference, that discloses a shopping assistant system designed to provide consumers with information about a product of interest. The consumer is required to carry a portable device into the store and scan a product bar code to receive the desired information. Such a method is less than convenient and method specific hardware imposes an undesirable cost. Still another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,606 to Bell et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. Bell et al. provide a method for cross-marketing products by providing hyperlinks to a related merchant&#39;s Web site from a vendor&#39;s Web site. The vendor Web site also uses artwork to identify the Web site as associated with the vendor and banner advertisements for presenting offers.  
           [0008]    For another example, a Web site, superpages.com, has also attempted to utilize the Internet to provide an improved electronic directory. At the home page, a user may input a keyword, business name, city and/or state as a request to display possible resources, i.e. to generate a hit list. The number of matches displayed may also be selected with a default value being set at fifteen. The hit list consists of one or more links to further information, such as contact information. Upon requesting this additional information by selecting the link of interest, the user is finally presented with an address for the home Web site of the business. After surfing to the home Web site, the user may finally submit an inquiry or make a purchase if such service is available from the vendor. Typically, additional searching within the home Web site is required to drill down to product information and make a purchase of same.  
           [0009]    In view of the above, a need exists for a system that quickly and easily provides consumers with access to information about a plurality of vendors as well as interaction with same. The improved system would also allow for analysis of its effectiveness.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present disclosure is directed to a server for facilitating a vendor showcase system, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network, and wherein the server includes a memory storing an instruction set and vendor data related to a plurality of vendors. The server also includes a processor for running the instruction set, the processor being in communication with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to (i) sort the vendor data based upon category, (ii) receive criteria related to a request for information, and (iii) provide a display of the vendor data for a pre-selected number of vendors based upon the criteria, wherein the display of the vendor data is presented in a flat manner. The processor may be further operative to compile return on investment statistics based upon user traffic and viewing at the display.  
           [0011]    It is an object of the subject disclosure to showcase a plurality of vendors in a one level deep manner so that desired information is readily available to the user. It is another object of the disclosure to provide interaction between the vendor and user in a similarly flat manner. It is still another object of the disclosure to implement evaluation of the subject system and method.  
           [0012]    It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed or a computer readable medium. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the following drawings.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an environment having a vendor showcase system in accordance with the subject disclosure.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process performed to create a vendor showcase system in accordance with the subject disclosure.  
         [0016]    FIGS.  3 A-E are exemplary Web pages as seen by a user in accordance with the vendor showcase system of FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is another exemplary Web page as seen by a vendor in accordance with the vendor showcase system of FIG. 2. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with connecting on-line buyers and vendors. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.  
         [0019]    Referring now to the FIG. 1, there is shown in FIG. 1 a block diagram of an environment  10  with a vendor showcase system embodying and implementing the methodology of the present disclosure. The vendor showcase system connects on-line users (consumers, prospects and the like) with an on-line finite showcase of vendors. Preferably, input criteria are required for users to view vendor information. The vendor showcase system is user-interactive and self-contained so that users need not leave venture to another address within a distributed computing network to access a various information. The following discussion describes the structure of such an environment  10  but further discussion of the applications program and data modules that embody the methodology of the present invention is described elsewhere herein.  
         [0020]    The environment  10  includes one or more servers  11  which communicate with a distributed computer network  12  via communication channels, whether wired or wireless, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. In the preferred embodiment, the distributed computer network  12  is the Internet. For simplicity, one server  11  is shown. Server  11  hosts multiple Web sites and houses multiple databases necessary for the proper operation of the vendor showcase system in accordance with the subject invention.  
         [0021]    The server  11  is any of a number of servers known to those skilled in the art that are intended to be operably connected to a network so as to operably link to a plurality of clients  14 ,  16  via the distributed computer network  12 . As illustration, the server  11  typically includes a central processing unit including one or more microprocessors such as those manufactured by Intel or AMD, random access memory (RAM), mechanisms and structures for performing I/O operations, a storage medium such as a magnetic hard disk drive(s), and an operating system for execution on the central processing unit. The hard disk drive of the server may be used for storing data, client applications and the like utilized by client applications. The hard disk drive(s) of the server  11  also are typically provided for purposes of booting and storing the operating system, other applications or systems that are to be executed on the server, paging and swapping between the hard disk and the RAM.  
         [0022]    It is envisioned that the server  11  can utilize multiple servers in cooperation to facilitate greater performance and stability of the subject invention by distributing memory and processing as is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,012 to Venghte et al. describes a method and system for connecting to, browsing and accessing computer network resources and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,780 to Levergood et al. describes an Internet server which controls and monitors access to network servers and is also herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0023]    Distributed computer network  12  may include any number of network systems well known to those skilled in the art. For example, distributed computer network  12  may be a combination of local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), or, as is well known. For the Internet, the preferred method of accessing information is the World Wide Web because navigation is intuitive and does not require technical knowledge.  
         [0024]    The environment  10  also includes a plurality of computers or clients  14 ,  16  such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, cellular telephones and the like. The clients  14 ,  16  allow users to access information on the server  11 . For simplicity, only four clients  14 ,  16  are shown. The clients  14 ,  16  have displays and an input device(s) as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. The display may be any of a number of devices known to those skilled in the art for displaying images responsive to outputs signals from the computers  14 ,  16 . Such devices include but are not limited to cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCDS), plasma screens and the like. Although a simplified diagram is illustrated in FIG. 1 such illustration shall not be construed as limiting the present invention to the illustrated embodiment. It should be recognized that the signals being outputted from the computer can originate from any of a number of devices including PCI or AGP video boards or cards mounted within the housing of the computers  14 ,  16  that are operably coupled to the microprocessors and the displays of the computers  14 ,  16 .  
         [0025]    Clients  14  typically provide consumer access to the environment  10  whereas clients  16  are associated with vendors and/or an entity that provides the vendor showcase system as a service although it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the hardware of the clients  14 ,  16  would often be interchangeable. A plurality of consumers typically can share the same client  14  and cookie technology can be utilized to facilitate access to the environment  10  and, thereby, the vendor showcase system. A plurality of users can utilize the environment  10  simultaneously.  
         [0026]    The clients  14 ,  16  are also prefereably equipped with an input device(s) as is known to those skilled in the art which can be used to provide input signals for control of applications programs and other programs such as the operating system being executed on the clients  14 ,  16 . In illustrative embodiments, the input device preferably comprises a switch, a slide, a mouse, a track ball, a glide point or a joystick, a microphone or other such device (e.g., a keyboard having an integrally mounted glide point or mouse) by which a user such as a consumer can input control signals and other commands. Although the use of a keyboard as an input device is not described further herein, it is within the scope of the present invention for the input device to comprise any of a number of keyboards known to those skilled in the art, wherein the control signals or commands for implementing and interacting with the vendor showcase system and the applications program embodying such methodology can be implemented in the form of discrete commands via a keyboard.  
         [0027]    The clients  14 ,  16  typically include a central processing unit including one or more micro-processors such as those manufactured by Intel or AMD, random access memory (RAM), mechanisms and structures for performing I/O operations (not shown), a storage medium such as a magnetic hard disk drive(s), a device for reading from and/or writing to removable computer readable media and an operating system for execution on the central processing unit. According to one embodiment, the hard disk drive of the clients  14 ,  16  is for purposes of booting and storing the operating system, other applications or systems that are to be executed on the computer, paging and swapping between the hard disk and the RAM and the like. In one embodiment, the application programs reside on the hard disk drive for performing the functions in accordance with the vendor showcase system. In another embodiment, the hard disk drive simply has a browser for accessing an application hosted within the distributed computing network  12 . The clients  14 ,  16  can also utilize a removable computer readable medium such as a CD or DVD type of media that is inserted therein for reading and/or writing to the removable computer readable media.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a flowchart  200  depicting a process for providing a vendor showcase system to Internet users in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step  202 , a host company (not shown) creates a home Web site to present vendor information to users in the form of a vendor showcase. Further, the company may maintain banner advertisements and links to related Web sites on the home Web site as a source of additional revenue. Preferably, the banner advertisements and links are associated with national and local vendors of complimentary goods and services and the company receives a further fee based upon referrals from same.  
         [0029]    It is envisioned that the vendor showcase system provides for administration and security maintenance. Therefore, although each user (e.g., Internet surfers, vendor representatives and company representatives) has access to a client, each group&#39;s access is controlled. The interface specifies which aspects of the vendor showcase system can be accessed, and at what level in order to maintain compliance with technical electronic data interchange standards, legal confidentiality restraints, system integrity and the like. Such limitations of functionality are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore not further described herein.  
         [0030]    At step  204 , the host company demonstrates the home Web site to various vendors who would benefit from inclusion in the vendor showcases thereon in a sales effort to enlist the vendors as participants. When a vendor is enrolled in the vendor showcase system, the host company classifies the vendor within relevant industry categories and regions to form a record for the vendor. The plurality of vendor records are preferably stored in a relational database in server  11 . Preferably, each vendor record also includes vendor contact information, narrative information and vendor account information.  
         [0031]    At step  206 , the company and the enrolled vendors promote the home Web site to attract user traffic. Typical promotions may include identifying the home Web address on advertising and cooperation with a search engine that may direct a user to the home Web site based upon a search. Once a user is attracted to the home Web site, a Web page  300 , as shown in FIG. 3A, may be presented. The Web page  300  includes an input area  302  for allowing a user to select a category from a list of categories. For example, without limitation, the categories may include audio-visual equipment, equipment rental, event planning, promotional products, search engine marketing, signage/graphics, trade show displays, Web site designers, wedding photographers, wedding planners and the like.  
         [0032]    At step  208  of FIG. 2, the user navigates through the Web page  300  to access information. Upon selecting one of the categories shown in area  302 , the user is presented with another Web page  310  as shown in FIG. 3B. The Web page  310  includes an input area  312  for allowing a user to select a region from a list of states. It is also envisioned that the regions may be presented by county, province, tri-state area and the like as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the subject disclosure. Preferably, the user selects or “clicks” on the category, region or other criteria of interest only once to proceed.  
         [0033]    Still referring to FIG. 2, at step  210 , upon identification of category and and region of interest to the user, a vendor showcase Web page  320  is presented to the user. The vendor showcase Web page  320  includes a logo area  322 , a contact information area  324  and a dynamic area  326 . The Web page  320  also includes a reselection area  328  that allows a user to change category and/or region.  
         [0034]    Upon the initial presentation of Web page  320 , the dynamic area  326  includes an inquiry form. The inquiry form allows a user to request information from a particular vendor or a plurality of vendors at the same time. The requested information could be a pricing and/or availablity request and the like. A selection column  330  of Web page  320  indicates whether or not the iquiry form will be sent to the associated vendor. The contact information area  324  include static information associated, by row, with each vendor logo in the logo area  322 . Preferably, the static information for each vendor includes the vendor name, a link to the vendor Web site, an address and telephone number for the vendor. The contact information area  324  also includes means for indicating that additional information is available by placing the cursor or other pointing indicia over the associated logo.  
         [0035]    Referring back to FIG. 2, at step  212 , the user interacts with the Web page  320 . When a user positions the cursor over a logo in the logo area  322 , the dynamic area  326  is modified to reflect detailed information related to the vendor associated with the logo as shown in FIG. 3D. The detailed information preferably includes any contact information and a narrative indicative of the vendors specialty. In another embodiment, the detailed information of dynamic area  326  includes examples of the vendors work. At this time, the checkbox in selection column  330  can be activated or deactivated to determine whether or not the inquiry form will go to the associated vendor. In the logo area  322 , a pre-selected number of vendor logos within the category and region of interest are presented. Preferably, the vendor showcase Web page  320  includes eight vendor logos. In a preferred embodiment, when an excess of vendors who satisfy the region and category requirements are populated in the relational database, a rotation of logos displayed occurs so that each vendor is exposed to the same number of users over time.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIGS. 3D and 3E, in dynamic area  326 , after selecting the vendors of interest in column  330 , the user can return to the inquiry form by selecting the indicator  320  at the top of dynamic area  326 . In the inquiry form, the user can utilize pulldown menus, dialog boxes and like features to provide the details of an inquiry to the selected vendors. When the inquiry form is complete, the user can submit the inquiry form and the process proceeds to step  214 . Upon submission, the information of the inquiry form is sent directly to the vendor via electronic mail. In view of the above, it will be appreciated that the Web page  320  is intentionally one-level deep, i.e. once the users is presented with Web page  320 , the users do not need to visit additional Web pages to achieve interactive fulfillment.  
         [0037]    Referring again to FIG. 2, at step  214 , the vendor can respond to the user inquiry. In a preferred embodiment, the vendor has the choice of responding by telephone or electronic mail. In one embodiment, the electronic mail is registered at the home Web site to encourage the user to revisit in order to review the vendor response. At step  216 , the vendor showcase system compiles statistics related to user interaction as shown in the exemplary Web page  400  of FIG. 4. Preferably, the compiled statistics are detailed vendor by vendor. Each vendor would have a username and password so that access may be restricted. An account performance section  402  of Web page  400  provides summaries of the compiled statistics so that the vendor may review the return on investment associated with enrollment in the vendor showcase system. The vendor showcase system tabulates various parameters such as home Web site click-thrus, vendor profile views and inquiries (e.g., receipts of inquiry forms from users). Each type of parameter may be assigned a dollar value so that a quantitative total may be calculated. The vendor can utilize a pull-down menu to adjust the dollar value associated with each parameter to properly reflect the actual value for the category.  
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the time period for the account performance can be varied such as in area  404  of Web page  400 . The account performance statistics in section  402  are preferably updated on a periodic basis such as nightly, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and the like. It is understood that the vendor interaction with the vendor showcase system is by having a representative of the vendor access the vendor showcase system via vendor client  16  in environment  10  of FIG. 1. Such vendor representative is also allowed administrative access to perform such tasks as removing and adding features, customizing the profile presented in area  326  of Web page  320 , administering access by other vendor representative, generating reports related to return on investment and the like.  
         [0039]    In another embodiment, the vendor showcase system is offered as an Internet hosted application where each vendor sponsors customized Web pages in accordance with the subject disclosure. Such vendors are hereinafter referred to as affiliates. The affiliates can monitor the traffic as outlined above as a means of acquiring feedback on the design of the Web pages. As a result, the original Web pages can be modified or updated to maintain the Web pages in the most desirable form. Preferably, the affiliates gain synergy from the vendor showcase system in combination with a traditional bricks and mortar business. In an alternative embodiment, the host company bundles a plurality of advertising mediums together with the vendor showcase system such as including print, radio and television advertisements.  
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the vendor showcase system is a desktop computer application that is either downloaded or provided on a compact disk. In another embodiment, the vendor showcase system is provided in booklet form for reproduction on a copy machine, completion and traditional mailing.  
         [0041]    It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer, or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements (e.g., modules, databases, interfaces, computers, servers and the like) described as distinct for purposes of illustration may be incorporated within other functional elements in a particular implementation.  
         [0042]    While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.