Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing data verification are disclosed. In one exemplary method, the data is displayed in at least one display field and information related to the data is stored in at least one source file. The method includes creating a link between the display field and the source file, wherein the link is displayed in a verification panel associated with the display field. The method further includes saving link identification information, wherein the link identification information includes category information of the display field and location information of the source file, and obtaining the source file at the location specified by the link identification information, if the link is selected for display; and opening the source file and displaying the source file.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for providing data validity verification, and relates more particularly to a system and method for providing links to relevant data. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A business organization may use sales tools, such as a value estimating tool, to compare similar products offered by the business organization and its competitors. For example, the value estimating tool may be configured to estimate the return on investment, net present value and profit potentials of two or more products, and compare these products based on the results. Such a value estimating process usually uses a large amount of data input, including, for example, data related to product usage, transaction prices, various types of costs, etc. This data may be extracted from a variety of sources, such as, internal reports of the business organization, publications, websites, etc. When the value estimating tool is demonstrated by sales personnel to a client, the sales personnel may want to show sources of the input data to the client as proof or the client may want to check the sources of the input data to verify the validity of the data. Furthermore, the sales personnel may want to show, or the client may want to see, the actual source documents electronically when the value estimating tool is being demonstrated. Therefore, it is beneficial that the computer demonstration tools, such as value estimating tool, can enable data verification by providing links to source data files and/or web pages. 
     A method and system developed to automatically update a database of a comparative shopping system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0073599 to Perry et al. (“the &#39;599 publication”). In particular, the &#39;599 publication discloses a method to automatically update the database containing product-related information. The method may include extracting product-related information from a plurality of merchant web pages, normalizing the product-related information into records, and storing the records in the database. The method disclosed by the &#39;599 publication may further include comparing a plurality of stored records and updating the database based on the most current record. 
     Although the method and system of the &#39;599 publication may alleviate some of the problems of existing systems, it may still be suboptimal. That is, because the sources are not saved in relation to the records, after the information is extracted from the merchant web pages, users of the comparative shopping system may not verify the validity of the records. Furthermore, since the source web pages where the information is extracted from are not stored, users of the system disclosed by the &#39;599 publication may not be able to link to these web pages and review additional information on the web page that is relevant to the product. In addition, the user can not control which websites and data are displayed. 
     The system and method of the present disclosure are directed towards overcoming one or more of the constraints set forth above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system for providing data verification. The system may include a storage device configured to store data and at least one source file having information related to the data. The system may further include a display device configured to display the data in at least one display field, wherein the display field associates with a verification panel. The system may also include a processor coupled to the storage device and the display device. The processor may be configured to create a link between the display field and the source file, wherein the link is displayed in the verification panel associated with the display field. The processor may be further configured to save link identification information in the storage device, wherein the link identification information includes category information of the display field and location information of the source file. The processor may also be configured to obtain the source file at the location specified by the link identification information, if the link is selected for display, and open the source file and display the source file on the display device. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for providing data verification. The data may be displayed in at least one display field and information related to the data may be stored in at least one source file. The method may include creating a link between the display field and the source file, wherein the link is displayed in a verification panel associated with the display field. The method may further include saving link identification information, wherein the link identification information includes category information of the display field and location information of the source file. The method may also include obtaining the source file at the location specified by the link identification information, if the link is selected for display. The method still further includes opening and displaying the source file. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a network for providing data verification to a value estimating tool, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a computer providing data verification, according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an interface of a value estimating tool, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is an illustration of an “advanced option” window of a data verification module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is an illustration of an “add/edit link” window of a data verification module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4C  is an illustration of an “export” window of a data verification module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an exemplary operation process for a data verification module, consistent with the disclosed embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a network for providing data verification to a value estimating tool, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A business organization may include one or more departments, each specializing in one or more business areas. For example, the business organization may include a sales department  100 . Sales department  100  may use various sales tools to persuade and convince customers to buy products provided by the business organization. In some embodiments, sales department  100  of a business organization may conduct sales activities directly to the end-customer. 
     In some other embodiments, sales department  100  of the business organization may form a business relationship with dealerships, such that products are sold to the dealerships and the dealerships then conduct sales to individual customers. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , sales department  100  may form a business relationship with dealership I  110  and dealership II  120 . Dealerships may carry brand products produced exclusively by the business organization. Dealerships may also carry products produced by several different business organizations. Sales department  100  may provide technical, marketing, and sales support to the dealerships to promote the sales of the products supplied by the business organization. For example, sales department  100  may provide marketing and sales tools to dealership I  110  and dealership II  120 , and periodically update these tools. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, sales department  100  may provide a value estimating tool  201  to dealership I  110  and dealership II  120  to compare similar products offered by the business organization and its competitors. Data and programs associated with value estimating tool  201  may be constantly updated by sales department  100 . 
     Consistent with one embodiment, dealerships may have one or more dealership branches in different locations. For example, dealership I  110  may have two dealership branches, including dealership branch A  111  and dealership branch B  112 . Dealerships may supply products and provide marketing and sales support to its associated dealership branches. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, dealership I  110  may provide value estimating tool  201  to dealership branch A  111  and dealership branch B  112 . Dealerships may also provide warehouses for centralized inventory storage. Dealership branches may engage sales to individual end-customers located in a certain region. 
     Sales department  100  of the business organization may use a computer  200  to conduct sales activities and communicate with dealerships. Computer  200  may include one or more computer assemblies configured to run a computer tool program. Computer  200  may be operated by sales department  100  and, as such, access to its contents may be limited to certain authorized personnel, such as, employees of sales department  100 . Furthermore, different personnel may have different levels of access depending on the type of information or content they are authorized to view. Access may be regulated using any suitable password application known in the art. Data transferred to and from computer  200  may be protected using encryption software and other protection schemes, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     Computer  200  may include one or more software applications, including, for example, a value estimating tool  201 . Value estimating tool  201  may run on computer  200 , and may be accessed by authorized dealership I  110  and dealership II  120  via their respective computers (not shown) and a network  150 , such as, for example, the Internet. It is also contemplated that value estimating tool  201  may be stored on a computer readable medium, such as a hard drive, computer disk, CD-ROM, or any other suitable medium, and may run on computers of the one or more dealerships and/or dealership branches associated with sales department  100 . 
     Value estimating tool  201  may be used by a salesperson associated with sales department  100  to present product-related data to an end-customer in a comparison manner. For example, value estimating tool  201  may be used to display and compare the potential profitability of a product provided by the business organization and products provided by its competitors. Value estimating tool  201  may also show data that is used to derive the profitability, such as, for example, usage data and cost data, where the cost data may further include, for example, ownership cost data, operating cost data, life cycle cost data, etc. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, value estimating tool  201  may also be used by salespeople associated with dealership I  110 , dealership II  120 , and/or their dealership branches. 
     During the sales process, an end-customer may want to verify the validity of the displayed data and ask the salesperson to provide a source file from which the data is originally extracted. Alternatively, in order to better engage an end-customer, the salesperson using value estimating tool  201  may also want to show the source of the displayed data and prove its validity. In order to facilitate the need of data verification, value estimating tool  201  may include a data verification module  202 . 
     Data verification module  202  may be used to create data links that link the data shown by value estimating tool  201  and the related source files from which the data is originally extracted. A user of value estimating tool  201 , such as a salesperson, may use data verification module  202  to view the source files and/or show the source files to an end-customer. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may use data verification module  202  to add, edit, delete and validate a data link. The user may also use data verification module  202  to export a data verification profile, which may include the data being displayed by value estimating tool  201 , source file having information related to the data, and link identification information associated with the data link between the data and the source file. The data verification profile may be compressed and transmitted to other distributed users of value estimating tool  201 . For example, a sales manager in sales department  100  may compile and export a data verification profile on computer  200 , and send the profile off to salespeople at dealership I  110 , dealership II  120 , and/or their dealership branches. Distributed users may de-compress the received data verification profile and import the de-compressed data verification profile using value estimating tool  201  on their local computers. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a computer  200  providing data verification, according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment of the present disclosure. Although in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , computer  200  is operated by sales department  100  of the business organization, it is contemplated that dealerships and/or dealership branches associated with sales department  100  may also have one or more computers configured to provide data verification, and the computers may be similar to computer  200  disclosed in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , computer  200  may include a random access memory (“RAM”)  210 , a read only memory (“ROM”)  220 , a storage device  230 , a processor  240 , a database  250 , a display device  260 , a user input interface  270 , and a network interface  280 . It is contemplated that computer  200  may include additional, fewer, and/or different components than those listed above. It is understood that the type and number of listed devices are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Processor  240  may be a central processing unit (“CPU”). Processor  240  may execute sequences of computer program instructions to perform various processes that will be explained later. The computer program instructions may be accessed and read from ROM  220 , or any other suitable memory location, and loaded into RAM  210  for execution by processor  240 . Depending on the type of computer  200  being used, processor  240  may include one or more printed circuit boards, and/or a microprocessor chip. 
     Display device  260  may be, for example, a computer screen, an operator panel, or an LCD. Display device  260  may provide a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to provide information to the salespeople who use computer  200 . According to one embodiment, display device  260  may be configured to interfaces of value estimating tool  201 , and display the source files linked with data displayed on those interfaces. Display device  260  may further include an audio unit and provide an audible indication when a data link is invalid. 
     Computer  200  may be accessed and operated by a salesperson, such as an employee of sales department  100 , using user input interface  270 . User input interface  270  may be provided for the contract administrators to input information into computer  200 , and may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and/or optical or wireless computer input devices (not shown). Network interface  280  may provide communication connections such that computer  200  may be accessible remotely through computer networks. 
     Storage device  230  may include any type of mass storage suitable for storing information. For example, storage device  230  may include one or more hard disk devices, optical disk devices, or any other storage devices that provide data storage space. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, database  250  may store data used by value estimating tool  201  for comparison of different products, links between data and their source files, as well as copies of the source files. Database  250  may also include analysis and organization tools for analyzing and organizing the information contained therein. 
     Value estimating tool  201  may include one or more interfaces, in the form of charts, videos, tables, spreadsheets, web pages, templates or any other similar organizational structures, for conveying data to a salesperson and/or an end-customer, and receiving data from these people. For example, value estimating tool  201  may include a value estimation interface  300 , depicted in  FIG. 3  as it might appear on display device  260 . Value estimation interface  300  may include one or more fields for receiving and displaying data. Value estimation interface  300  may include a variety of possible alternatives and they may be grouped in one or more general categories. For example, value estimation interface  300  may include a user information field  310 , a menu bar field  320 , a product comparison field  330 , and a chart field  340 . It should be understood that value estimation interface  300  may include fewer, more, or different general categories based on the characteristics and needs of sales department  100 . 
     Authorized employees may access value estimating tool  201  and input information in value estimation interface  300  via user input interface  270 . Administrators of value estimating tool  201  may change or update the category fields of value estimation interface  300  to adapt value estimating tool  201  for use with new customers or in new areas of business. For example, value estimation interface  300  may be updated to include more or less products for value comparison. 
     User information field  310  may include one or more display fields that display user information. For example, user information field  310  may display information of the salesperson who uses value estimating tool  201 , and his/her affiliation information. User information field  310  may also display customer information if value estimating tool  201  is used for demonstration to an end-customer. 
     Menu bar field  320  may include various menu buttons, such as, for example, a “file” button, an “options” button, a “reports” button, and a “help” button. Each button may be linked to a pull-down menu or pop-up windows. When a menu button is clicked, the pull-down menus or the independent interface may pop out and display on display device  260 . These pull-down menus or pop-up windows may provide more options for operating value estimating tool  201 . For example, the “file” button may be linked to options including “open file,” “save,” “new,” “delete,” and “exit.” The “file” button may be further linked to a “save as default” option. The “save as default” option may allow a user to set up the value estimation interface  300  in a default manner, and save the interface set up into a default file. For example, the user may establish default language, default colors for the competitors, and which options are turned on/off, etc. When value estimating tool  201  is opened, value estimation interface  300  may be displayed with the default set-ups saved in the default file. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the “option” button may be linked to an independent interface that provides more options for data verification. The independent interface associated with the “option” button is shown in  FIG. 4A  and will be described in greater detail in connection with that figure. 
     Product comparison field  330  may include a plurality of display fields for displaying data related to several products, including the products offered for sale by the business organization and its competitors. As shown in  FIG. 3 , product comparison field  330  may include a product information field  331 , and a plurality of product-related data display fields. Product information field  331  may include a plurality of sub-fields, each displaying information associated with a product. For example, product information field  331  may include a field for product A, a field for product B, a field for product C, and a field for product D. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, product A may be produced by the business organization and products B, C, and D may be comparable to product A, but are produced by competitors. Product information displayed in product information field  331  may include the names of the products, model information, and producer information. Each product field may be highlighted with a different color. 
     The product-related data display fields may be organized in a hierarchy. For example, the product-related data display fields may be divided into several maincategories, including a usage criteria category  332 , an ownership costs category  333 , an operating costs category  334 , a life cycle costs category  335 , a productivity and profit potential category  336 , and a summary category  337 . Any of these maincategories may further include a plurality of subcategories. For example, ownership costs category  333  may include a transaction price subcategory, a fair market value subcategory, a miscellaneous subcategory, a cost per hour subcategory, etc. Consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure, value estimation interface  300  may display subcategory data associated with one maincategory at a time, and subcategory data associated with other maincategories may be folded. Subcategories of a maincategory may be pulled out when the maincategory is selected. For example, as shown  FIG. 3 , subcategories of ownership costs category  333  may be unfolded while the ones of the other maincategories are folded. 
     Product data displayed in the subcategory data fields may be stored in storage device  230  and/or database  250 , and may be loaded automatically to the display fields by processor  240  upon request. Consistent with one embodiment, product-related data may be saved as a .VET data file stored in storage device  230  and/or database  250 . For example, a user may use the “open file” option under the “file” button of menu bar field  320 , and on a corresponding pop-up window, the user may select a .VET data file stored in storage device  230  or database  250 . Consistent with another embodiment, the user of value estimating tool  201  may input data into the display fields via user input interface  270 . The user may also edit and overwrite the data loaded in as a .VET file. User input/edited data may be saved as a new .VET file or to replace the original .VET file. For example, a user may use the “save” or “save as” option under the “file” button of menu bar field  320 , and on a corresponding pop-up window, the user may specify a directory in storage device  230  or database  250  for saving the .VET data file. 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, some display fields in product comparison field  330  may be driving fields, and some others may be driven fields. The data of the driven fields may be determined by processor  240 , based on data input to the driving fields. For example, certain data of the display fields in productivity and profit potential category  336  may be determined automatically by processor  240 , once data is input into usage criteria category  332 , ownership costs category  333 , operating costs category  334  and certain fields in the productivity and profit category  336 . Consequently, categories  332 - 334  are driving fields and category  335  and  336  a driven field. Consistent with one embodiment, driving fields may be editable by the user, but driven fields may be edit-protected and may be updated based on edits to the driving fields. Accordingly, for example, edits to the categories  332 - 335  may result in automatic updates in productivity and profit potential category  336 . 
     Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, data displayed in a driving field of product comparison field  330  may be verified by data links. A data link may associate the display field with a source file that contains information related to the data shown in that display field. For example, a source file linked with the display field as shown in  FIG. 3  may be a market report of product A that contains transaction price information of the product. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display fields corresponding to the transaction price subcategory may be associated with a verification panel  338 . Verification panel  338  may show on value estimation interface  300  upon a selection of a display field in that subcategory row that it is associated with, such as, for example, a mouse right-click on the display field. One or more source files may be linked to the display field and their file names may be listed on verification panel  338 . A source file may contain information related to the data of the corresponding display field. For example, a spreadsheet that compares the transaction prices of products A, B, C, and D may be displayed in a verification panel associated with all four display fields of transaction price subcategory. 
     A data link may be characterized by unique link identification information. Link identification information may include category information of the display field and location information of the source file. For example, for the exemplary display field, as shown in  FIG. 3  by the arrow, category information of its data link may include information of ownership costs category  333  and the transaction price subcategory. The location information of the source file may include a detailed file path of the source file as it is stored on storage device  230 . For example, the file path may begin with a disk name, followed by one or more folder names, each separated by a backslash, such as, “C:/documents/VET/SourceFiles/TransPrice.doc”. The file path may be an absolute path or a relative path. For example, the source file may be stored in the folder of the value estimating tool  201  and its file path may be a relative path to the aforementioned folder. When a source file listed in verification panel  338  is selected by the user, the source file may be retrieved from storage device  230  based on the location information provided by the link identity information and may be further opened with appropriate tools. 
     A user may add, edit, delete or validate a data link using the “option” button in menu bar field  320 . The user may also export a data verification profile using the “option” button. The data verification profile may contain the data displayed in product comparison field  330 , source files associated with the data, and data links linking the data and source files. An “advanced option” window may pop up on display device  260  once the “option” button is selected by the user. The user may further select “add,” “edit,” “delete,” “validate” or “export” buttons on the “advanced option” window, and corresponding windows may pop out in response to the selection. The “advanced option” window, “add/edit link” window and “export” window will be shown in  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B , and  FIG. 4C  respectively, and will be described in greater details in a later part of the present disclosure. 
     Value estimation interface  300  may further include a chart field  340 . Chart field  340  may display one or more charts for visualizing the data of several products in a comparison manner. For example, chart field  340  may include a first chart  341  and a second chart  342 . First chart  341  may be a bar chart comparing the operating costs among products A, B, C and D and second chart  342  may be a bar chart comparing the profit potential among these products. It is contemplated that first chart  341  and second chart  342  may be any other types of charts suitable for visualizing the data. Consistent with one embodiment, first chart  341  and second chart  342  may be created and updated automatically by processor  240 , based on the data loaded or input into the display fields in product comparison field  330 . 
       FIG. 4A  is an illustration of an “advanced option” window  400  of data verification module  202 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. “Advanced option” window  400  may include a data link display field  410 , and a menu bar field, which may further include an “add” button  420 , an “edit” button  430 , a “delete” button  440 , a “validate” button  450 , and an “export” button  460 . Data link display field  410  may display link identification information of all the currently available data links. For example, data link display field  410  may include a category display column  411  to display the category affiliations of the data links, a subcategory display column  412  to display the category affiliations of the data links, a description display column  413  to display a brief description of the source files that are linked to the data, and a location display column  414  to display file paths of the source files. As shown in  FIG. 4A , an exemplary data link may be associated with data displayed in the operator efficiency subcategory of productivity and profit potential category  336 . The source file may be located at a file path specified by “C:\VET\LINKS\ . . . ,” and may be described as “operator efficiency product A vs. product B.” 
     Data link display field  410  may further include a display check-box column  415 . Display check-box column  415  may include a check-box for each data link to indicate whether the data link will be displayed in the verification panel (e.g, verification panel  338 ) of the associated display field. If a display check-box is checked, the corresponding data link may be added to the verification panel, and if the display check-box is un-checked, the corresponding data link may be removed from the verification panel. 
     Information displayed in data link display field  410  may be input by a user using “add” button  420  or “edit” button  430 . “Add” button  420  may be used to add a data link. Once a data link is added, its link identification information may be automatically added in data link display field  410 . “Edit” button  430  may be used to edit an existing data link. Once a data link is edited, its link identification information may be automatically updated in data link display field  410  to reflect the edits. In response to a user&#39;s selection of “add” button  420  or “edit” button  430 , an “add/edit link” window  42 , as depicted in  FIG. 4B , may pop up on display device  260 . 
     “Add/edit link” window  42  may include, among other things, a category input field  421 , a subcategory input field  422 , a description input field  423 , a file type input field  424 , a location input field  425 , a display selection field  426 , and a sort order selection field  427 . It is contemplated that “add/edit link” window  42  may include additional, fewer, and/or different components than those listed in  FIG. 4B . It is understood that the type and number of listed input fields are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     Category input field  421  may include an input bar for the user to input the category that the data link is associated with. Category input field  421  may also include a drop-down menu that lists available options of categories, for examples, categories  332 - 337  shown in  FIG. 3 . The user may select a category from the list without manually typing in the category. After a category is selected, the category name may be automatically displayed in the input bar. Similarly, subcategory input field  422  may also include an input bar for user input and a drop-down menu that lists available options of subcategories. The drop-down menu of subcategory input field  422  may be generated/updated automatically by processor  240  based on the information of category input field  421 . For example, if ownership costs category  333  is selected in category input field  421 , the drop-down menu of subcategory input field  422  may list the transaction price subcategory, the fair market value subcategory, the miscellaneous subcategory, cost per hour subcategory, etc. 
     Description input field  423  may include an input bar for the user to type in descriptions of the link. File type input field  424  may include a check-box for “link” and a check-box for “file.” The user may check “link” if the source file is a web page and only a link (e.g., URL) is to be saved instead of the actual file. The user may check “file” if a copy of the source file is saved in storage device  230 . Location input field  425  may include an input bar for the user to type in the file path of the associated source file. Location input field  425  may further include a “browse” button which may be used to browse through file directories on computer  200  and select the file path for the source file. Once the file path is selected, it may automatically display in location input field  425 . 
     Display selection field  426  may include a check-box for “yes” and a check-box for “no.” The user may check “yes” if he/she wants the source file to be listed on verification panel (e.g., verification panel  338 ). The user may check “no” if he/she does not want the source file to be listed. Sort order input field  427  may include a drop-down menu that allows the user to select which order the files are displayed in the verification pane. Each sort order may be indicated by a number. For example, “1” may correspond to displaying the data link on the top of verification panel  338  and “2” may correspond to displaying the data link as a second document on verification panel  338 . The user may sort the data links by relevance, size, or alphabetic order of the source files. 
     “Add/edit link” window  42  may further include an “Ok” button and a “Cancel” button. If the “Ok” button is selected, all the input information in input fields  421 - 427  may be saved as link identification information in storage device  230  or database  250 , and “add/edit link” window  42  may hide. If link identification information previously existed for the current data link, it may be updated and overwritten by the new edits. The saved link identification information may be automatically reflected in data link display field  410 . If the “Cancel” button is selected, “add/edit link” window  42  may hide without saving any input information in input fields  421 - 427 . 
     “Delete” button  440  may allow a user to delete an existing data link. When the existing data link is selected and “delete” button  440  is clicked, link identification information of the highlighted data link may be deleted from storage device  230  or database  250 , and the displayed information in data link display field  410  may be automatically removed. 
     “Validate” button  450  may allow a user to validate an existing data link. When the existing data link is selected and “validate” button  450  is clicked, link identification information of the highlighted data link may be validated. For example, processor  240  may be configured to search for the corresponding source file under the file path provided by the link identification information. If the source file exists under the specified file path, the data link may be determined valid. Otherwise, the data link may be determined invalid, and accordingly, the data link may be highlighted, for example, with a different color. Consistent with one embodiment, if a data link is determined as invalid, it may be automatically removed from the verification panel. 
     “Export” button  460  may allow a user to export a data verification profile. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a data verification profile may include displayed data, source files associated with these data, and data links that link the data with their associated source files. For example, the data verification profile may include a .VET data file which contains data displayed on value estimation interface  300 , and copies of the source files that contain information relevant to the data. Consistent with one embodiment, if a source file is a web page, the data verification profile may include the URL link to the web page, instead of an actual copy of the web page file. Data verification profile may further include a link information document, such as a spreadsheet, which contains link identification information of data links that associate the data with their corresponding source files. 
     According to one embodiment, in response to a user&#39;s selection of “export” button  460 , an “export” window  46 , as depicted in  FIG. 4C , may pop up on display device  260 . Via “export” window  46 , the user may select data links and source files to be included in the data verification profile. “Export” window  46  may include, among other things, an export selection column  461 , a file name display column  462 , a file path display column  463 , a file size display column  464 , and a description display column  465 . It is contemplated that “export” window  46  may include additional, fewer, and/or different components than those listed in  FIG. 4C . It is understood that the type and number of listed input fields are exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     File name display column  462  may display the name of the source file for each data link. File path display column  463  may display the file path of the source file. File size display column  464  may display the size of source file, i.e., storage space needed to store the source file. For example, a source file of 73 kB in size may occupy 73 kB storage space in storage device  230 . The information displayed in display columns  462 - 465  may be used by the user to decide whether or not to include a data link in the data verification profile. 
     Export selection column  461  may include a check-box for each data link listed in “export” window  46 . For example, if the check-box is checked, the data link and source file may be included in the data verification profile. Otherwise, if the check-box is unchecked, the data link and source file may not be included in the data verification profile. 
     “Export” window  46  may further include an “Export” button and a “Cancel” button. If the “Export” button is selected, data links that are checked for exportation and their corresponding source files may be included in the data verification profile, and “export” window  46  may hide. The exported data verification profile may be stored on storage device  230 . Consistent with one embodiment, data verification profile may be further compressed into one file to save storage space and/or to expedite file transfer. If the “Cancel” button is selected, “export” window  46  may hide without exporting any data links. 
     The exported data verification profile may be transferred among users of value estimating tool  201 . For example, the data verification profile may be created and exported by a salesperson affiliated with sales department  100 , and may be transferred from the sales department  100  to dealership I  110 , dealership II  120 , and/or their dealership branches. Consistent with one embodiment, the data verification profile may be transferred as an attachment to an email, or via a file transfer protocol. The received data verification profile may be de-compressed and the .VET data file may be imported into value estimating tool  201 , for example, using the “open file” option under the “file” button of menu bar field  320 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an exemplary operation process  500  for data verification module  202 , consistent with the disclosed embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Process  500  may begin when a .VET data file is imported into value estimating tool  201  (Step  501 ). The .VET data file may be stored in storage device  230  or database  250 . Consistent with one embodiment, the .VET data file may be a part of a data verification profile. The data verification profile may be received from a remote computer, or exported on the local computer (e.g., computer  200 ). In step  501 , the .VET data file may be selected using the “open file” option under “file” button in menu bar field  320 . Once the .VET data file is selected, processor  240  may be configured to load the data into the display fields on value estimation interface  300 . 
     After the data is loaded, data links associated with the loaded data may be validated (Step  502 ). The data links may be characterized by link identification information stored in the data verification profile. In particular, the link identification information may include file paths that specify the locations of source files linked to the data. In step  501 , processor  240  may be configured to search for the source file under the specified file path for each data link. The data link may be determined valid if the source file exists under the specified file path, otherwise, the data link may be determined invalid. Processor  240  may be configured to validate all the data links in the data verification profile. Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, validation of the data links may be performed automatically by processor  240  after importation of the .VET data file. Alternatively, validation of the data links may be performed upon user request. For example, data link validation may be initiated using the “validate” button on “advanced option” window  400  as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     Input data loaded from the .VET data file may be updated by the user (Step  503 ). Consistent with on embodiment, the user may edit and overwrite the data in any driving fields of product comparison field  330 . Accordingly, the data in the driven fields may be updated automatically by processor  240 . 
     As an alternative to Steps  501 - 503 , process  500  may begin when a new workspace is created with value estimating tool  201  (Step  504 ). For example, the user may create a new workspace using the “new” option under the “file” button of menu bar field  320 . When a new workspace is created, display fields in product comparison field  330  may be blanks and the user may input data to these display fields via user input interface  270  (Step  505 ). Consistent with one embodiment, once driving fields are filled by the user, the driven fields of product comparison field  330  may be automatically filled by processor  240 . 
     After the display fields on value estimation interface  300  are filled in Step  505  or updated in Step  503 , new data links may be added to associate the display fields with source files that contain information related to the data displayed in those display fields (Step  506 ). For example, the user may first select the “option” button of menu bar field  320 , and then on the popped-up “advanced option” window  400 , the user may use “add” button  420  to create a new link via “add/edit link” window  42 . Consistent with one embodiment, in adding a new data link, the user may specify link identification information, including, for example, the category and subcategory that the data link is associated with, a description of the data link, file type of the linked source file, and file path of the source file. The user may further specify whether the data link is to be displayed on a verification panel associated with the corresponding display field, and if yes, an order in which the data links may be sorted. Once a data link is added, the link identification information may be saved on storage device  230  or database  250 . Furthermore, if the data link is checked for display, it may be displayed on the verification panel. 
     Existing data links may also be edited (Step  507 ). For example, the user may again select the “option” button of menu bar field  320 , and then on the popped-up “advanced option” window  400 , the user may use “edit” button  430  to edit the existing link via “add/edit link” window  42 . Existing data links may further be deleted (Step  508 ). For example, the user may use “delete” button  440  on the popped-up “advanced option” window  400  to delete a link. Once a data link is deleted, it may be automatically removed from the verification panel by processor  240 . 
     The added/edited data links may be validated during any time of process  500  (Step  509 ). Consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may initialize a data link validation using the “validate” button on “advanced option” window  400 . Upon the request, processor  240  may be configured to search for the source file under the file path specified by the link identification information of the data link. The data link may be determined valid if the source file exists under the specified file path. Otherwise, the data link may be determined invalid. If a data link is determined invalid, the corresponding data link may be highlighted in data link display field  410 . Accordingly, the data link may be grayed-out or removed from the verification panel. Consistent with one embodiment, display device  260  may be configured to provide a warning signal, such as a sound or a flash, if a data link is invalid. 
     The input data to the display fields, source files associated with the data, and data links that link the source files to the display fields may be exported to a data verification profile (Step  510 ). For example, the user may use “export” button  460  on the popped-up “advance option” window  400  to export the data verification profile. Consistent with one embodiment, the user may select the data links and source files to be included in the data verification profile. Processor  240  may be configured to create a .VET data file which contains the input data to the display fields, and a link information file which contains the link identification information of the data links. Processor  240  may be further configured to compress the .VET data file, the link information file, and the source files into a single data verification profile. The compressed data verification profile may be transferred between users of value estimating tool  201 , for example, between a salesperson in sales department  100  and a dealer at dealership  110 . Process  500  may terminate after Step  510 . 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The disclosed system and method may have applicability in a computer demonstration process that involves data verification. The system may include a value estimating tool  201  to compare several products offered for sale, and value estimating tool  201  may include a data verification module  202  to provide proof of data validity and show the source files that contain information related to the data. Data verification module  202  may be configured to add, edit, delete, and validate a data link. Data verification module  202  may be further configured to export a data verification profile that contains the data, source files associated with the data, and data links that link the source files with the data. Data verification module  202  may also be configured to import the data verification profile into value estimating tool  201 . 
     For example, a value estimating tool  201  may be installed on a computer  200  operated by sales department  100 . A salesperson of sales department  100  may input data into display fields of value estimation interface  300 , using computer  200 . The salesperson may further add one or more data links associated with one or more data he/she entered on value estimation interface  300 . Link identification information of the added data links may be saved and stored on storage device  230  or database  250 . The salesperson may edit existing data links and the corresponding link identification information may be updated according to the edits. The salesperson may also delete existing data links. The salesperson may further use data verification module  202  to validate existing data links and determine whether the corresponding source files exist under the file paths specified by the link verification information. 
     After all the data is entered and all the data links are created and validated, the salesperson may export the entered data, the source files and the data links into a data verification profile. The data verification profile may be compressed. The salesperson may send the data verification profile to a dealer at dealership I  110 , via network  150 . Dealership I  110  may own another local computer similar to computer  200 , and a value estimating tool  201  may be installed on the local computer. The dealer may decompress the data verification profile, and import a .VET data file into value estimating tool  201  on the local computer. The dealer may demonstrate value estimating tool  201  to an end-customer and show the source files of a data value by selecting the data links listed on a verification panel associated with the display field where the data value is displayed. 
     The dealer at dealership I  110  may make further edits to the display data and/or data links using data verification module  202  on the local computer. The dealer at dealership I  110  may also export a new data verification profile to its associated dealership branches, such as dealership branch A  111 , and dealership branch B  112 . 
     Although the disclosed embodiments are described in association with a data verification process associated with a value estimating tool, the disclosed data verification method may be used in any computer demonstration tools that display data extracted from various sources. The disclosed data verification method may effectively verify the validity of the data. Furthermore, the disclosed data verification method may display a copy of the actual source file or an actual web page that contains information of the data. As a result, the demonstration may be more effective to engage and convince the audiences. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the disclosed system and method without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, other embodiments of the disclosed system and method will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.