Abstract:
A method for reporting data concerning a business, comprising: providing, on a device, a map of the geographic location of the business, wherein the business is represented by a marker on the map; selecting the marker to display the name of the business; receiving an instruction to open a toolbar to provide options for inputting information concerning the business; providing information concerning the business to the device via at least one of the options; and transmitting the information to a central database by using the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 61/912,827, filed on Dec. 6, 2013, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a method and to a system for obtaining information concerning businesses. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Businesses always need information on other businesses. Businesses may need information on whether to conduct transactions with another business, especially information relating to whether another business is really a going concern and is capable of paying for goods and services received. 
         [0006]    There are many well established techniques for acquiring information concerning the state of a business. Individual businesses can be separately researched, especially if the stock of a company is publically traded and the company is subject to regulatory reporting requirements. 
         [0007]    Dun &amp; Bradstreet, Inc. is considered by many to be the world&#39;s leading supplier of information on businesses. While Dun &amp; Bradstreet, Inc. uses many powerful techniques to assure that the information it supplies is accurate, there is a constant search for better and more efficient systems and methods to accumulate and verify the accuracy of information concerning the state of a business. 
         [0008]    The difficulty with many conventional techniques for determining the state of a business and its ability to pay for goods and services are subject to error or deception. 
         [0009]    Thus, there is a need for a system and method to facilitate the collection of data on businesses, and in particular small business, where there may be scant public information and where what information is available may be inaccurate or may be subject to manipulation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In general, an embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a system and a method for providing an incentive for the submission of information concerning a business, especially when individuals are temporarily in the vicinity of a business. The incentive may be provided by assigning points for a submission, and by instituting a competitive game providing company recognition or incentives relating to the number of points accumulated as a result of submitting information. 
         [0011]    The disclosure is directed to a method and to a system for reporting data concerning a business. The method comprises providing, on a device, a map of the geographic location of the business, wherein the business is represented by a marker on the map; selecting the marker to display the name of the business; receiving an instruction to open a toolbar to provide options for inputting information concerning the business; providing information concerning the business to the device via at least one of the options; and transmitting the information to a central database by using the device. 
         [0012]    The toolbar can include icons for inputting data as to whether the business is being run out of a residence, a camera for providing an image of the location of the business, a map of the location of the business, and a notebook for entering information concerning the business. Selecting an icon on the toolbar causes the device to display screens for inputting the information concerning the business. 
         [0013]    Selecting the icon for inputting data as to whether the business is being run out of a residence causes the device to display a screen with a yes button, a no button and a submit button. Selecting the icon of a camera causes the device to display an image generated by a camera of the device, and a button for selecting the image for reporting. The image is acquired by using the camera to capture an image of the business. 
         [0014]    Selecting the map icon causes the device to display a screen for entering information for each of whether the business is at a location, whether it appears that business is being conducted at that location, whether the location is vacant, whether a different business is present at the location, and whether the different business appears to be doing business at the location. 
         [0015]    Selecting the notebook icon causes the device to display screens for entering information for each of the telephone number of the business, who is in charge of the business, the title of who is in charge of the business, and a uniform resource locator of a website of the business. 
         [0016]    The current position of the device may be determined by using a GPS receiver associated with the device. 
         [0017]    The reporting of data concerning a business earns points of a game for users of the device. The system and method can allow a user of the device to chatter with other users of other devices who are acquiring information concerning businesses. 
         [0018]    Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a computer readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer system results in performance of steps of a method for reporting data concerning a business, comprising providing, on a device having the computer system, wherein the computer system has a processor, a memory and a display, a map of the geographic location of the business on the display, wherein the business is represented by a marker on the map; displaying the name of the business if the marker is selected; receiving an instruction to open a toolbar to provide options for inputting information concerning the business; providing information concerning the business to the device via at least one of the options; and transmitting the information to a central database by using the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of a portion of the operation of the system. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C show screens of a mobile device on which the system and method are implemented. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A to 3H  illustrate the use of a camera to acquire a photograph of a business, and to connect to chatter. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 4E  show screens of a mobile device as a map function is used. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the steps in using an action icon toolbar, a house icon and a camera icon. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A to 6D  show screens of a mobile device used to report when a business is based in a home. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A to 7E  show screens of a mobile device used when a business is based at a usual business location other than a home. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  is a flow chart of the manner in which a user unlocks a map and signs up for chatter communication. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8B  is a flow chart of the use of a map icon. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 9A to 9H  show screens of a mobile device when following the steps of the flow chart of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 10A to 10H  show screens of a mobile device when using the map icon. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is a flow chart of the manner in which a user unlocks a notebook. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a flow chart of the use of a notebook icon. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A  to  FIG. 12D  show screens of a mobile device when following the flow chart of  FIG. 11B . 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart of side navigation on a mobile device. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a computer system in a mobile device as described above. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    A component or a feature that is common to more than one drawing is indicated with the same reference number in each of the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    In general, to use the system and method described herein, an application or “App” is downloaded to a mobile device (such as a smart telephone or a tablet device) from an applications hub (not shown); that can be a server that downloads applications to the mobile device. A company having employees that use the mobile device in the manner described herein will verify that an employee has access based on data in an active directory  100  upon login at  102 . A hub directory  104  can contain information to verify login information for individuals other than employees, who have been granted access. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1 , after the “App” has been downloaded to the mobile device, in general, a user of the mobile device logs in at  106 , using a log in screen such as that of  FIG. 2A , where there are fields  202  and  204  for a user name and a password, respectively, and a continue button  206 . During a first time log in only, at  106 , a screen, at  108 , and as illustrated in  FIG. 2B  displays the terms and conditions  210  for the use of the software of the App. The user will activate a button  212  to accept those terms and conditions if the user wishes to use the App. 
         [0038]    It will be understood that the screen will generally be a touch screen, so that buttons or active regions may be activated by simply touching those buttons or regions with a finger or a stylus, or by moving a cursor to those buttons or areas, and simply “clicking” on them, as is well known in the art. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 1 , at  110 , the user is told that the system would like to use the current location to acquire data. The current location can be determined by using a GPS receiver associated with the device. As an alternative, the location of the device can be entered into the device by a user interface (not shown) as a street address, an intersection of two streets, or known GPS coordinates. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 2C , a screen portion  214  appears that gives the user the option of allowing or not allowing the use of current position, thus providing the user the ability to maintain some degree of privacy, if for some reason the user does not want his current location known. By using button  216 , the user can decline to allow his current position to be used. By using button  218 , the user can allow his current position and subsequent positions to be used in association with data that is obtained. 
         [0041]    Continuing in  FIG. 1 , at the time of first log in, or later if desired, at  112  a first tutorial, concerning the use of a camera on the mobile device, is activated for display. A series of screens as represented by  FIGS. 3A to 3H  provide the tutorial. In  FIG. 3A , the camera tutorial is started and indicates that the user&#39;s first task is taking pictures of businesses in his area and that each photo taken and submitted earns points. The user continues by hitting the continue button  302 . In  FIG. 3B , a local street map of an area appears. The location of the digital device that is being used appears as a small circle  304  surrounded by a larger circle  306 . Businesses appear as pins  308  on the street map. The user is instructed that to select a business, the user must click on a pin and is encouraged to go ahead and to give it a try. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 3C  when a business has been selected in  FIG. 3B , by selecting a pin, a display region  310  appears showing a camera  312  and whether the camera is unlocked, as represented by icon  314 , or locked, as represented by icon  316 . The street map appears at an enlarged scale. The user is informed that as points are earned, the camera will be upgraded and other pieces of equipment will be unlocked. The user is advised the click on the camera icon to start. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 3D , after selecting the camera icon in  FIG. 3C , an image associated with a business, such as a storefront, is displayed. The user has the option of pushing a button  316  to cancel the acquisition of the displayed image or a button  318  to capture the displayed image. In  FIG. 3E , the image has been properly focused and again the user is given the option of canceling the image with button  320 , or capturing the image with button  322 . 
         [0044]    If the user captures the image by activating button  322  of  FIG. 3E , then a screen appears as illustrated in  FIG. 3F , which informs the user that the photograph has been submitted, and the number of points earned by that submission. At  324  a list of individuals and their total points earned may be displayed. The user is informed that she appears to be ready to get started with real businesses in her area. The user may do so by activating a button  326 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 3G , the user is informed that she is on level  1  of the game and is encouraged to keep at it, by earning more points. The user continues by pressing a button  328 . 
         [0046]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , at  114 , this finishes the tutorial and unlocks the camera of the device being used. At  116 , corresponding to  FIG. 3H , the user is given the option of connecting to sales force chatter. Such connection makes using the mobile reporter application described herein more fun as the user is able to share her accomplishments and build a reputation amongst peers. To connect the mobile device to the sales force chatter account, the user can log in by activating a button at  330 . However, the user may indicate that she does not want to connect to chatter at the present time with a button  332 . If the user is not on chatter at all, this can be indicated by activating button  334 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 1 , at  118 , regardless of the decision at  116 , flow continues to the map function. At  120 , a map view mode, which may be the default view when a user logs on, is entered. At  122  a map is centered on the location of the user&#39;s device with a blue dot displayed for that location. At  124 , as represented in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C , different pins  308  of different colors are used to represent the businesses in the immediate area. For example, red pens may be used the singular businesses and purple pins may be used for multiple businesses at a given location. At  126 , as represented in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C , the user can displace the map in various directions and pinch in or out to zoom in or out on the map. Pins  308  automatically relocate as the user adjusts the map. 
         [0048]    An icon  400  of  FIG. 4A  (or any display in the map mode) may be used for side navigation, as more fully described with respect to  FIG. 13 . 
         [0049]    At  128 , as represented in  FIG. 4B , the user may click on a pin  308  to show display regions  402 ,  404  etc. to display the business name or names and address at that location. For each business at that location, or for a single business at that location, an indicator with the business name and address will then appear. Clicking on an indicator  402  or  404  opens an icon, in the form of an action icon toolbar  406 , as shown in  FIG. 4C , and as discussed with respect to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A . Action icon toolbar  406  has four icons which include a house  408 , a camera  410 , a map  412 , and a notebook  414 . 
         [0050]    At  132  of  FIG. 1 , the user may select a list view (by clicking on the word LIST in any display having that word), as illustrated in  FIG. 4D , which displays a list of businesses in the area, each with its name address and distance from the user&#39;s device. At  134 , clicking on any business on the list opens the action icon toolbar  406 , as shown in  FIG. 4E , and as further described with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 5 , at  502 , the action icon toolbar  406  is accessed, as represented in  FIG. 6A . At  504 , the action icon toolbar  406 , as shown in  FIG. 6A , is opened. When clicking on a pin  308 , in  FIG. 6B , a list of businesses at the location of the selected pin  308  is displayed. 
         [0052]    At  506 , upon the device being used for the first time, the house icon  408  and the camera icon  410  are available for selection. However, the map icon  412  and the notebook icon  414  are locked. 
         [0053]    At  508 , the house icon may be activated. At  510  the user is presented with a screen as represented in  FIG. 6C , where the user is queried as to whether the address is a residential address, such as that of a house or apartment. 
         [0054]    Button  610  is activated if the answer is YES. Button  612  is activated if the answer is NO. After the yes or no selection has been made, the information is submitted by clicking on  614 . At  512  of  FIG. 5 , a submitted screen is displayed to the user. This is shown in  FIG. 6D , where once the information has been submitted an indicator  616  notes the submission and displays the leaders who have the highest points, as in  324  of  FIG. 3A . The user returns to the map display by activating button  620 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 5 , if the camera icon is selected at  514 , as shown in  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , there are two options, at  516  for the camera. As shown in  FIG. 7C , these are using one of cancel button  710  and capture button  712 . If capture button  712  is selected, then there are two options at  518  as represented in  FIG. 7D . If the X mark  714  is selected, the photograph will be discarded. If the check mark  716  is selected, the photograph is submitted and at  520 , the submitted screen  718  is displayed, as shown in  FIG. 7E . 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 8A , if the user earns a sufficient number of points at  800 , the map is unlocked, and at  802 , a second tutorial is started, as shown in  FIG. 9A . The user activates the Continue button at  900  to change the display to that of  FIG. 9B . The user is then instructed to click on a pin  902  to select a business in the vicinity of the mobile device being used, as represented by circle  304 . In  FIG. 9C , a toolbar  904  provides choices on how to submit information. The user is instructed to click on the map icon  906  (as distinguished from the camera icon  908  or the lock icon  910 ). In  FIG. 9D  the information that is currently in the database is displayed, asking the user to confirm whether Joe&#39;s Chicken Shack is at  103  JFK Parkway. If Joe&#39;s Chicken Shack is not at the location, the user selects NO  914 , and a different screen appears to allow for the entry of data concerning what business is at the location. If the answer is that Joe&#39;s Chicken Shack is present at the location, the user answers YES  912 . The display of  FIG. 9E  is presented. The user is asked to indicate whether the business appears to be “in business” or actually operating as a business, and does not appear to be “out of business.” When the user answers that question, as either YES  916  or NO  918 , and selects Continue at  920 , the tutorial is completed and the display of  FIG. 9F  is shown. Then, at  804  of  FIG. 8A , the map is unlocked. By selecting button  922 , the user can go to the map. However, first, at  806 , and as represented in  FIG. 9G , if the user has not previously signed up for chatter communication, the user is given the option of signing up for chatter communication, which can be an internal sales force bulletin board. Chatter communication is advantageous in that it allows the user to share accomplishments and build reputation among peers, and adds an element of fun to the data accumulation process. 
         [0057]    If the user has not previously signed up for chatter communication, on the screen of  FIG. 9H , the user can log in by selecting button  924 . The user can defer signing up for chatter communication by selecting button  926 . If the user is not on chatter, and wishes to continue to the next screen, the user can select button  928 . At  808  of  FIG. 8A , the user can return to the main map, as represented in  FIG. 9H , where an action icon toolbar  930  is displayed. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8B  illustrates the use of the map icon, starting at  810 . The map icon may be selected by clicking on a pin  1002  in  FIG. 10A  or one of the listed businesses in the list of  FIG. 10B , to bring up the toolbar  406 . In either case, if the map icon  412  is selected, at  812 , the user is presented with a screen, as in  FIG. 10C , that presents an inquiry as to whether a specified business is at the address represented by the selected pin  1002 . If the user answers that the business is present with button  1004  and looks as if it is “doing business” with button  1006  ( 814  of  FIG. 8B ), a submission is made at  816 , using the submit button  1009 , and the submitted screen  616  is displayed, as shown in  FIG. 10D . In  FIG. 10E , if the business is not present, this is indicated by activating button  1008 . The question arises ( 820  of  FIG. 8B ) as to whether the space where the business should have been is vacant. If the space is vacant, this is indicated by selecting button  1010  of  FIG. 10E  (corresponding to  822  of  FIG. 8B ). If instead a new business is present, button  1111  is selected. A submission is made by selecting submit button  1013 . The submitted screen  616  of  FIG. 1  OF is then displayed (corresponding to  824  of  FIG. 8B ). 
         [0059]    In  FIG. 10G , if the expected business is not present, the user selects button  1018 . If a new or different business is at the address, the user selects button  1020  (corresponding to  826  of  FIG. 8B ). At  1024 , a field for entering the name of the new business is provided. Corresponding to  828  of  FIG. 8B , at  1026 , the user can indicate that the new business appears to be “in business” or at  1028  the user can indicate that the new business does not appear to be “in business.” At  830 , the user has the option to submit the selections made by activating button  1030 . When submitted, the submitted screen  616  of  FIG. 10H  is displayed, corresponding to  832  of  FIG. 8B . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 11A , at  1100  the user has earned enough points to unlock the notebook. At  1102  the user participates in a third tutorial on the use of the notebook. This tutorial is not described in detail herein, but in general instructs the user to follow the steps described below with respect to  FIGS. 11B ,  12 A,  12 B,  12 C and  12 D. At  1104 , when the tutorial has been completed, the notebook is unlocked. At  1106 , the user can sign up for chatter communication if the user has not previously done so. At  1108 , the user returns to the main map. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 12A , a pin  308  representative of a location is selected by the user. The action icon toolbar  406  appears and the user selects notebook icon  414  ( 1110  in  FIG. 11B ). Alternatively, the user selects a business from the list in  FIG. 12B , The action icon toolbar  406  appears and the user selects notebook icon  414 . In either case, a data input screen  1200  of  FIG. 12C  is displayed. At  1112  of  FIG. 11B , the user has the opportunity to enter a telephone number for the business in field  1201  of the display of  FIG. 12C , or to indicate that the user does not know the telephone number by activation of button  1202 . At  1114 , the user is presented with a field for entering the name of the person in charge of the business (field  1203  of  FIG. 12C ), the title of that person in field  1204 , or to indicate that the user does not know by activating button  1205 . At  1106 , the user is asked to enter the URL of the website in a field  1206  of  FIG. 12C , or to activate a button  1208  indicating that the user does not know the URL of the website of the business. 
         [0062]    At  1118 , if any question presented (telephone number, who is in charge, URL) is answered with other than “Don&#39;t know”, the user has the option to activate the submit button  1210 , and the submitted screen of  FIG. 12D  appears ( 1120  of  FIG. 11B ). 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , at  1300 , side navigation may be accessed from any map display by activating icon  400  (of  FIG. 4A ). Four choices are presented to the user, preferably by way of a screen for each choice. At  1302 , the user can select the About screen which, at  1304 , provides a menu of choices including, but not necessarily limited to, links for privacy policy, terms and conditions, and descriptive text concerning the operation of the application described herein. 
         [0064]    At  1306 , a status screen may be selected. At  308 , a screen is displayed showing the user&#39;s present level in the game, points required to reach the next level, a list of unlocked equipment, the user&#39;s position on the leader board, and an icon for badges. If the user selects the badge icon at  1310 , all collected badges are displayed at  1312 . At  1314 , the user can click on a badge. At  1316 , the badge name, its icon and a description of what is needed to earn that badge is displayed. 
         [0065]    At  1318 , the user is given the option of exiting side navigation and returning to the map display screen. 
         [0066]    At  1320 , the user is given the option of tuning chatter on or off. At  1322 , if the chatter is turned off, submission to sales force chatter is disabled. 
         [0067]    A platform system receives the data from the mobile device, obtained as described above. The data then becomes part of a business information database, and is used, in conjunction with other business data, to assist in reporting on the business, including the name, location, financial condition, type of business activity, and other data concerning the business. 
         [0068]    Thus, the apparatus and method described herein allow viewing of a list of business near a particular location, verifying that a business exists at that location and that business is being conducted, adding new business data concerning new businesses (including photographs thereof). The use of GPS data from a GPS receiver in the device being used to acquire the data assures that the person acquiring the data was actually at the reported location. Employees of a company, or in some cases those who are not employees, are incentivized to participate by the game-like nature of a reward system in which points are awarded each time data is submitted. A platform that receives the information may have a set of rules, or a rules engine, to process the data to produce valuable information about the business for which information is obtained using the system and method disclosed herein. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , there is shown a system, generally represented by reference numeral  1400 , of the present disclosure, generally contained within the device (a smart phone or a tablet, or other portable device such as a PDA) used to acquire the data. System  1400  includes a computer  1405  coupled to a network  1430 , e.g. the Internet. 
         [0070]    Computer  1405  includes a user interface  1410 , a processor  1415 , and a memory  1420 . Computer  1405  may be implemented on a general-purpose microcomputer. Although computer  1405  is represented herein as a standalone device, it is not limited to such, but instead can be coupled to other devices (not shown) via network  1430 . Unless other provisions are made for transferring the data on business that is acquired, such connection, by way of a network, is required. The network may be the Internet, a telephone network, a virtual private network, or any other suitable data transfer network. 
         [0071]    Processor  1415  is configured with logic circuitry that responds to and executes instructions. 
         [0072]    Memory  1420  stores data and instructions for controlling the operation of processor  1415 . Memory  1420  may be implemented in a random access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. One component of memory  1420  is a program module  1425 . 
         [0073]    Program module  1425  contains instructions for controlling processor  1415  to execute the methods described herein. For example, as a result of execution of program module  1425 , processor  1415  can provide all of the functionality needed to implement the system and method described herein for obtaining data concerning a business at particular locations. 
         [0074]    The term “module” is used herein to denote a functional operation that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of sub-ordinate components. Thus, program module  1425  may be implemented as a single module or as a plurality of modules that operate in cooperation with one another. Moreover, although program module  1425  is described herein as installed in memory  1420 , and therefore being implemented in software, it could be implemented in anyone of hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry), firmware, software, or any combination thereof. 
         [0075]    User interface  1410  includes an input device, such as a keyboard or speech recognition subsystem, for enabling a user to communicate information and command selections to processor  1415 . Specifically, data to be used to implement the methods described herein can be entered with user interface  1410 , or can be downloaded from network  1430 . User interface  1410  also includes an output device including, but not limited to, a display or a printer. A cursor control including, but not limited to, a mouse, track-ball, or joy stick, allows the user to manipulate a cursor on the display for communicating additional information and command selections to processor  1415 . 
         [0076]    Processor  1415  outputs to user interface  1410 , a result of an execution of the methods described herein. Alternatively, processor  1415  could direct the output to a remote device (not shown) via network  1430 . 
         [0077]    While program module  1425  is shown as already loaded into memory  1420 , program module  1425  may be configured on a storage medium  1435  for subsequent loading into memory  1420 . Storage medium  1435  can be any conventional storage medium that stores program module  1425  thereon in tangible form. Examples of storage medium  1435  include, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a read only memory, an optical storage media, universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a digital versatile disc, and a zip drive. Alternatively, storage medium  1435  can be a random access memory or other type of electronic storage, located on a remote storage system and coupled to computer  1405  via network  1430 . 
         [0078]    It will be understood that the disclosure may be embodied in a computer readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer system results in performance of steps of the method described herein. Such storage media may include any of those mentioned in the description above. 
         [0079]    The techniques described herein are exemplary, and should not be construed as implying any particular limitation on the present disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives, combinations and modifications could be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, steps associated with the processes described herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or dictated by the steps themselves. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0080]    The terms “comprises” or “comprising” are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof.